"Crazy Master" (2)
***
Luckily, she spoke to me to make sure she made the right choice.
- The show is a little late. My name is Isabella. I'm the staff manager at this mansion. And also the second oldest. In the future, you will often cross paths with me while working...
– Who’s first here?
- The owner of the mansion, whom you will see soon.
This is the one the older gentleman mentioned earlier. In fact, when I came here, I don't know why I was hired. The father, blind to money, didn't even think about it. Well, whatever it is, it will have to be done in any case.
– What should I call you, miss?
– Just call me Isabella.
– Yes, Isabella.
I engraved her name in my head. Then I remembered that I also forgot to introduce myself.
“I’m also late with my greetings.” My name is Paula.
- Okay, Paula. What can you do?
– I can do housework such as cleaning and laundry. I can still count money and write for a little while longer. I know the basics.
- It's clear.
Isabella was serious. I was alarmed by her reaction.
What if she decides that I’m useless and tells me to go home? I was afraid of being kicked out.
Isabella walked quite quickly. I sped up to keep up.
So I followed her, rounded the corner and walked to the door. Just then the door opened and a young girl ran out. When she noticed Isabella, she stopped and bowed. The brunette, who had been following her in a hurry, also stopped and nodded her head.
– Hello, Isabella.
“I warned you not to run around here.”
- Sorry. I'm sorry.
“Next time, be careful.”
Her wary gaze shifted from Isabella to me standing behind her. Just as I was about to meet her gaze, Isabella stepped to the side and blocked my view, ordering her to go to her territory.
I followed her with my gaze as she walked away at a brisk pace. Meanwhile, Isabella had already opened the door and called someone.
- Lenika.
- Yes, Isabella.
A tall, pretty girl approached. Isabella nudged me, forcing me to step forward.
– Are there any clothes that will suit this child?
Lenika looked at me. She thought for a moment and then nodded.
-You have a fragile physique. Even if it’s not perfect, you can find something suitable.
- Thank you. You don't have to look for clothes in my exact size.
- Fine. Where will you work?
“In the future, I will be responsible for the owner.”
Lenika's eyes widened, as if this was an unexpected answer for her. She looked at me again with worried eyes. I became even more nervous about this reaction and swallowed dry saliva several times.
A moment later, Lenika nodded calmly and walked into the house.
She brought a black dress. Then I took out a few more of the same ones, only in a different size, trying to find something that would suit me. After looking carefully, Lenika chose one dress and handed it to me. A white apron and shorts were with him.
– Your hair...
Lenika looked at the long bangs that covered my face. I pursed my dry lips. Isabella looked at me for a few seconds, and then said that everything was fine and walked on. I stumbled a little and followed her.
Isabella headed back down the corridor. We walked around the area. All the way I studied the area. There were those who worked in the open room, in the corners or in the hallway. Then I saw several people coming from the other side. Noticing Isabella, they bowed deeply and continued on their way.
A soft noise echoed around. Then it gradually died down, and silence reigned again.
Only the measured sound of footsteps broke the silence. I grabbed the handle of my bag and looked at Isabella...
– Paula, did you come here after hearing some rumors?
“All I heard was that you were going to hire me.”
- So you don’t know the details?
- Yes.
I nodded my head.
The pace of her steps remained fast.
– This is the mansion of the prestigious Bellunita family. Paula, you will now be in charge of the owner of this mansion, Vincent Bellunita.
– I... I will take care of him alone?
- Yes.
I was speechless for a moment.
Walking along the corridor, I saw quite a large number of servants. The carriage worker who brought me here, the gardener in the well-kept garden, the coachman in the stable, women and men in identical outfits. Even without looking closely, one could understand that in addition to them there were quite a lot of servants. Yes, that's how it was.
But will I have to serve my master alone?
If he is such a powerful man, isn't it strange that he will only be served by one maid?
I was debating whether to ask about this or not. I bit my lip.
– Will there be anyone else...?
- No. If you need anything, contact me immediately.
– Can I cope alone? He's the master.
I muttered something incomprehensible. Isabella's footsteps stopped. I also stopped, burying my face in her back.
There was still no expression on her face as she turned and looked at me.
– Paula. Listen. In the future, you will be the master's only maid, and there will be no additional people with you... If you don't like it, I recommend leaving the mansion immediately. Even if you're not sure. If you complain later, you will face punishment.
Isabella said calmly.
"If you don't think you can handle it, leave." Hearing this stern warning, I pursed my trembling lips. I realized that I didn’t want to return to that place again.
I bowed low.
- Sorry. Next time I'll be more careful.
Fortunately, Isabella did not answer anything else and turned around and continued walking. I straightened up and ran after her.
– If you are careful in your actions, then nothing will be difficult.
- Understood.
Nothing more followed after these words.
After some time, a door appeared. It was smaller than the one through which we entered the mansion.
Was there a door at the back too?
Following Isabella through the door, I left the mansion. And on the other hand, a spacious green garden unfolded before me, which had no end or edge.
Wow. My admiration burst forth.
I already saw him from the carriage. But looking closer now, he was truly beautiful.
When I came to my senses, I saw that Isabella was walking alone while I was frozen in shock. I came to my senses late and hurried after her.
I asked where we were going, but she didn't answer. I had to continue walking in silence. It seemed to me that if I asked anything else, things might get worse.
Isabella walked towards the back of the mansion. Another smaller mansion was visible in the distance. Apparently he is our goal.
The street looked gloomy and walking was a bit tiring. She was so embarrassed by me that she led me not along the road, but to the other side. It was the forest next to the mansion.
I followed Isabella through the bushes and only emerged from the forest when my legs began to tingle. Suddenly we found ourselves in front of a mansion.
But how?
I looked back in amazement at the bushes from which I had recently emerged.
So it was a shortcut.
I looked at the mansion in front of me again, it looked like an extension. Additionally, its size was smaller than the main mansion. However, in my opinion they were both big and gorgeous.
When I walked inside, I felt a calmer atmosphere than before. The building was located not far from the main building, but the inside was so dull and gloomy that it seemed abandoned.
– Only a few people live here.
Oh, apparently I was not mistaken.
I nodded.
Isabella reached the end of the corridor and climbed the stairs.
– Breakfast will be ready at 6 am, lunch at 12, dinner at 6 pm. It will be necessary to bring food to the owner at exactly this time. Dessert will be served for lunch, so you can pick it up with your lunch. And pay special attention to maintaining cleanliness. Bed linen must be changed every morning and clothing daily. Immediately collect the laundry delivered to the mansion the day before and bring it to the back door of the annex every morning.
- Yes.
“The main dishes are prepared here, but if you need anything else, you can tell me.” I will try to prepare as much as possible, the same goes for other things.
- Fine.
- For your information, everything must be done at once. Don't go back and try to deal with it again because you didn't have time to do it right away. The owner is sensitive to such things, so you must be as careful as possible. Act like you don't exist.
- Understood.
Her words echoed in my head and I shook my head. For me, coping with this was a breeze; I was already accustomed to the role of being invisible.
We climbed the stairs again, walked along the corridor and stopped in front of the farthest room.
– And finally, I would like to ask you one more thing.
She looked back at me before opening the door. I looked over her shoulder at the door and took a step back.
– From now on, everything you see and hear must be kept secret. Be careful not to say anything, no matter what you see or hear. Don't react. Don't even listen. If you tremble, you will simply be punished. Do you understand?
These were unexpected words. But it wasn’t difficult for me either.
- Fine. I'll keep this in mind.
I answered firmly and Isabella slowly knocked on the door.
Here, here, here.
She began to wait for the owner’s permission, but not a sound came from the room. Isabella knocked on the door again, as if she was used to this reaction.
Here, here, here.
- I'm coming in, sir.
There was still no permission to enter; Isabella deftly turned the doorknob.
Darkness poured through the open door.
The room was so dark that it was impossible to see anything... In addition, the air was cool and there was a strange smell.
I snorted and frowned. Then I quickly changed my face. I was told not to react. I looked at Isabella, fortunately she did not notice my reaction. Lowering my hand, I held my breath as long as I could.
Isabella took a step into the room.
Bang!
- Ugh!
In an instant, something flew by, hit the wall and broke.
I instinctively squatted down, clasping my head in both hands. There were no more flying objects, and silence reigned around again. I opened my eyes. Unlike me, Isabella stood in the same position as before, without moving. There were shards of glass lying next to her shoes. The broken object turned out to be a glass cup.
I looked at these fragments with wide eyes, then turned my gaze to Isabella. As she took another step, something jumped out of the darkness again and hit the wall.
Poom!
The pillow fell with a thud.
What is this?
I stood up and looked inside the room. It was still dark inside, but my eyes slowly began to adjust, and I was able to catch the blurry outlines of a figure.