Chapter 6 Chapter Six.

♠︎Catalina Pov♣︎

"You moron! I know you have a crush on her." Sofia snaps, her voice in a quiet hiss. "She has a man! Get your head out of the clouds!"

Is she talking about me?

"What if I do!" Matthew’s voice is defensive, cracking with a frustration I’ve never heard before. "Who wouldn't? But this is going to get messy, Sofia. She’s your best friend! Think about–"

"What’s going on?" I ask, stepping into the room.

They both jump like they’ve seen a ghost. Sofia snaps her mouth shut, and Matthew looks like he wants the floor to swallow him whole. I fold my arms across my chest, raising an eyebrow at the awkward silence.

"What were you two talking about?"

Matthew clears his throat, his face turning a shade of red that matches my old farm’s tomatoes.

"Oh, um... I’m just going to go." He won't even meet my eyes. "I... I’m coming to pick you up tomorrow. T-take care, Cat."

He practically lunges for the door, but in his haste, he clumsily bumps into the side table, nearly knocking over a lamp.

"Are you okay?" I ask, stepping forward.

"N-no... I mean, yes! Ugh!" He fumbles with the handle, yanks the door open, and disappears into the hallway, slamming it shut behind him.

"Whipped.." Sofia mutters, shaking her head.

I turn to her, my suspicion growing. "Sofia?"

She just smiles at me, that everything is fine smile she uses when she’s hiding a secret. She walks over and hooks her arm through mine.

"How about I help you pack for tomorrow, huh? Let's spend the rest of today together before you have to leave." She’s acting like she didn't just call him a moron for liking someone?

I look at the door Matthew just sprinted through, then back at her.

"Okay.." I say slowly, letting her lead me back toward the bedroom.

But my mind is racing. What exactly was Matthew trying to to say? I know Sofia...if I ask her now, she won't say. But the look in Matthew's eyes...

~♤~

The Next Day..

"Be careful..."

Matthew’s voice is barely a whisper, catching me the second I step out of his car. I look back at him, my brow furrowing.

He’s been quiet all morning, he didn't say a word when he picked up my luggage, didn't look at me as we drove, and just stared at the road until we arrived here.

I give him a small reassuring smile and a nod before turning toward the massive gate with my small bag in hand.

As I approach, I stare up at the black lens of the camera, the same I saw yesterday. A sudden weird, eerily cold feeling washes over me, like the lens isn't just recording me, but looking through me.

A shiver runs down my spine, making the hairs on my arms stand up.

Before I can even reach out to touch the gate, it slides open. I frown, glancing at the lens again.

I step inside, and make my way to the grand entrance. Just as I reach the top of the small stairs and raise my hand to knock, one of the heavy double doors swings open. I’m standing eye to eye with Svetlana. She still has that same stone cold, stern expression.

She looks me up and down, her gaze lingering just long enough to make me feel small. It’s pure deja vu.

"Follow me." she says.

Instead of leading me inside the house, she turns and walks back down the stairs, beginning a brisk trek around the side of the massive villa. I blink, momentarily confused, but I quickly scramble to follow her.

We walk around the perimeter of the villa, and with every step, I realize this place is far more massive than I first imagined.

Talk about intimidation.

As we round a corner, I spot another building tucked away in a far wing of the grounds.

It isn't far, just a short walk from the main house, and though it’s much smaller, it looks well-kept.

My eyes wander over the grounds, but suddenly, that prickling sensation returns. I feel eyes on me. I tilt my head back, looking up at the towering height of the villa, scanning from one floor-to-ceiling window to the next.

I almost trip over my own feet when I find him.

A pair of amber eyes is staring straight down at me.

Silas.

He’s standing perfectly still behind the glass, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his black suit.

His face is a mask of grim intensity, but what makes my stomach twist is the way his gaze tracks my every movement. He doesn't look away. He just... watches.

Am I really going to survive working for this man? Is this how he watches his workers?

"You will be working with three other girls." Svetlana says, her voice snapping me back to reality.

I tear my eyes away from Silas and look at her. She has stopped in front of a heavy wooden door.

"This is the maids' space." she explains, her tone as cold as ever. "Master Silas loves his privacy and hates having people close to him."

It makes sense for a man like him to keep everyone at arm's length, even the people who clean his floors.

She pushes the door open and steps inside. Before I follow, I can’t help myself, I look back up at the window. He’s gone. I linger for a second, a small frown tugging at my lips, before I turn and follow Svetlana into the cottage.

As I step into the room, the sound of giggling fills the air. Two girls are huddled together, clearly mid-laugh over something one of them said.

They are all dressed in black-and-white maid uniforms.

"Mia, Lizzy, Ivy..." Svetlana sternly call. The girls spin around immediately, their expressions shifting to nervous masks as they hurry forward.

"This is Lina. She will be joining us starting today." Svetlana says, introducing me with her usual coldness. The girls scan me, and I catch one of them frowning, though she keeps her thoughts to herself.

"You ladies get to work now." Svetlana orders. They nod quickly, scurrying out.

Once the bedroom door clicks shut, Svetlana turns her gaze back to me.

"Your uniform is in that closet. And that is your side of the bed." she says, pointing toward a wardrobe positioned next to one of the frames.

The room only holds two beds, so I assume the maids are paired up, two to a room.

I simply nod, my mind already drifting back to those amber eyes at the window.

"Now listen..." she begins, stepping closer. "You saw what happened to that maid yesterday, correct? That’s to let you know that nothing goes unseen in this place". I feel a hard lump form in my throat, and I can only manage a stiff nod.

"Good. Now dress up. We have so much to do. Your schedule will be here by the end of today." she says. I nod again.

She lingers, her eyes scanning me for a beat too long. I feel exposed.. as if she can see the Lina Mendez mask peeling away to reveal the girl beneath.

Finally, she turns toward the door, but stops with her hand on the handle to cast one last look over her shoulder.

"I am waiting. Hurry.." she says before walking out and clicking the door shut behind her.