"I can't do this."

"Yes, you can."

"No."

"Yes."

"It's the goddamn top floor!" I hissed. "Carina, you are not asking me to clean a room or mop the floor. You are asking me to serve breakfast to the capo. I don't do serving."

Carina sighed deeply. "I know you don't, signorina, but you are the only one who is available right now. Your work starts after signore John finishes making breakfast. The rest of us are busy serving the other men and cleaning up the rooms while they are having their breakfast. The one who serves breakfast to capo is sick and her roommate who also serves capo is sick too. They caught cold. Try to understand the situazione."

"No." My answer is short and straight to the point. "I am sorry, but I can't do this. Ask Rylie or someone else because I am not the one for this job. I'll try to pour tea and I'll pour it all over the tray! I love my life and I don't want to die due to embarrassment and then by the hands of capo."

It's only morning and my day is already ruined. The kitchen is having its usual rush as women start preparing to serve breakfast. Even though I do understand the situation here, she doesn't know about my situation here.

Not to forget that I want to stay away from the big, bad Agostini boss who actually brought me here.

"Why can't Louisa do this?" I whined. "She's available too."

"Have you ever seen her at the top floor?" Carina asked quietly and that got to shut myself up. "She visits every one of us to check our duties on each floor, but top floor? Never. Besides, we do know that her age won't help her climb so many stairs at once."

What she said is absolutely true. Louisa never goes at the top floor and we think that it is her age that doesn't let her climb up the stairs, but that doesn't mean that I have to do some servings!

"What about you, huh? Why can't you go and serve capo?" I asked warily.

"Because I will be serving the men. Signore John is almost done in making the breakfast. Come, you have to hurry!" She grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards the kitchen counter where John was flipping pancakes.

My face paled in horror when I saw a huge tray full of fruits, sandwiches, muffins, an empty cup with a steaming teapot which I assumed having either tea or coffee, pancakes, two small bowls which had chocolate and honey syrup respectively along with a fork and a spoon and when I saw John flipping the pancake for the last time then placing it on the plate full of pancakes very carefully, I lost it.

"I can't carry this much alone!" I tried to walk away, but Carina grabbed my arm.

"You can. It only requires patience." She assured me, squeezing my shoulder. "Just be careful with your step and everything will be fine."

I winced slightly when I felt the pressure of the goods in my trembling arms as Carina hands me the tray.

"Take it easy, signorina. Breathe and relax. You are doing well."

"I didn't agree to this." I muttered under my breath. "You owe me, signorina Carina, and if I mess up, I'm taking you down with me."

She chuckled. "You won't mess up. I believe in you."

"I don't." I retorted. "Where do I take this?"

"I have talked to Alessa about how to serve." Alessa is the woman who serves capo on daily basis, "She said that capo usually haves his breakfast in his office so that's where you have to go. The door will be open because he knows that it's breakfast time, your hands will be full and you won't be able to knock. That happens to be very generous of him."

Generous, my ass. That person is anything but generous, as far as I know about him.

Carina continued, "Keep your head down, try not to make much noise while serving and after you enter, you just have say; 'capo, your breakfast' and start serving on the table and not on the desk. Put everything on the table, serve his tea and ask him if he wants honey syrup, chocolate syrup or no syrup on his pancakes."

"A-Ask?" My jaw went south. "Aw, hell no! I am not asking anybody anything! It's against the rules to talk with the men of the house, especially capo."

Haha, said the girl who kisses the living daylights out of his son and spends time with him every other night and evening. She also hangs out with his adopted son as if he is her own lost brother and has developed a certain liking to the rest of the men of this house.

Carina grabbed hold of another tray. "Relax, signorina. It is necessary for capo to have a breakfast of his liking so that he could have a great day. Hence, it is necessary for us to ask what he likes to have. The breakfast you are holding is of his choice which he ordered Alessa yesterday to bring it today."

That big, bad... grandpa! He had the audacity to order what he wants today, but he doesn't inform which kind of syrup he wants to have with his pancakes!

I am so screwed. God, I just hope that I don't trip and fall or else I have to start thinking what should be inscribed on my gravestone even if I already have one in my name.

"Any more tips?" I squeaked as I carefully started taking a few steps with her.

She nodded. "Just be quiet and safe, will you?"

Safe. How assuring. "I'll try my best." I gave her a tight lipped smile and started climbing up the stairs with great precaution.

Okay Amy, you can do this. Just serve his breakfast and get the hell out of there. Don't raise any suspicions. Don't do anything and for once in my life, follow the rules very strictly.

Jesus, I feel like a woman going at war.

I kept climbing the stairs very stealthily and watched the usual rush of housekeepers going in every room with cleaning equipment and coming out with trash bags then going to the next room. That job is easy, this isn't.

Arms trembling, sweat trickling on my neck, eyes down on the stairs as I climbed them one by one, I was worried shitless.

Inform. Serve. Ask. Get out.

Easy.

I released a shaky breath as I took the last step, mentally cheering to myself for not dropping or spilling anything.

Then there was silence.

An awful dead silence.

I looked around the hall to find any woman sweeping the floor or walking out of a room, but nothing. Nobody's here.

They must have finished their work of this floor...

I gulped, taking small steps towards the end of the corridor, keeping my eyes down on the floor as I prayed for my dear life to be safe from the hands of the monster who actually 'bought' me.

Just as Carina had told, the office door was open. I stood at the doorstep and opened my mouth to inform him when suddenly I heard a very familiar faint voice coming from a corner.

Shit. Adrian's here. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Deep breaths, Amy. Deep breaths. Don't say hi or anything and just ignore.

My throat clenched painful as I spoke.

"Capo, your breakfast."

Then I walked in.

The office at the top floor is the biggest one I had ever been in. The one which Leonardo uses is a tad bit smaller than this. This office screams danger, power, money and has a stench of burnt wood, most probably coming from the fireplace. I felt cold here and I actually wanted to run away and crawl into the warmth of my bed.

I couldn't hear Adrian's voice anymore. I know that he now knows I am here, in the same room with his father.

I couldn't even look at him. Fake shitty rules of lies.

There is a reason why I don't do the servings unlike Rylie and a few other women. When I woke up here, I was told how dangerous and terrifying the people here are. My seventeen year old self was already scared with what had happened to her and she got more scared after she had to wipe blood off the floor for the first time. I did try to serve once or twice, but when I saw that I had to come and go out of a room where the men would be eating and talking, my stupid scared self took over and actually begged Louisa to not to give me any of this serving food duty.

Ha. Look where I am now, seventeen year old Amelia! I have had a party and dinner with those same men!

There is no need of any fear now. I know the truth. It's all a lie and the monster in this office could be the reason of it.

Hello there, my suspect number two.

Silently, I placed the tray on the table and began to serve the plates.

The room had gone quiet and I didn't understand why. Are they watching me? Are they not here anymore? Are they speaking in sign language now? I am too damn curious and I have to control myself.

I was arranging the sandwiches and the muffins when I heard him.

Capo. And no, not the one I am doing the smooching business with. The bigger, actual Agostini boss. His voice was low and gruff, thickly accented as he spoke his nation's language. I wanted to take a peek at him so badly, to see the monster who ruined my entire life and the one who actually 'owns' me. He owns every working woman in this house. And that's sick.

I continued my duty. Sandwiches, muffins and fruits were already served for His Majesty to eat, chew, choke and die. I really do wish for the last two parts to happen.

With steady hands, I poured his hot, steaming tea into the cup.

The room went silent again.

Holy shit. The sound of pouring!

Do not panic. Do. Not. Panic. There is no need to panic. My heart was already pounding very hard and I was actually surprised that they couldn't hear that. The cup is small and filled with very little of the light brown liquid. I had to fill more.

I paused for a moment or two then started pouring again and at the exact same time, capo began talking again which made us both stop again.

Just let me pour some goddamn tea for your rich ass to drink!

I began pouring the tea again. He spoke again. We stopped again.

I am pretty sure Adrian must be having the time of his life.

This is awkward and embarrassing. I am not allowed to ask him if I should let him speak first or let me do my work first. I am not allowed to see him in the eye. I am not allowed to open my mouth and say anything except for asking about his choice of syrup!

Fuck the rules.

Fuck him.

Fuck his tea.

So I began pouring his tea till it actually got filled up to the desired level, ignoring the very deafening cold, deadly silence then placed the teapot on the tray.

Take that, grandpa. You better get my message sound and clear.

Tea, check. Sandwiches, muffins and fruits, check.

Time for pancakes.

Like a skilled waitress I am, I placed the last item of his breakfast on the table then suddenly I heard the wheels of a chair being dragged accompanied by footsteps going in the direction of the door.

"Ciao, papa." Adrian greets. I felt his eyes on me for a mere second then heard him walk out of the door.

Great. Now, it's just me and him. Really great.

I picked up the syrup bowls and keeping my eyes down on the floor, I whispered softly, "Capo?"

"Si, donna?" Donna, woman. Woman, me. He answered me, scratch that, he is looking at me. I knew that very well and I wanted to look back at him so very badly.

"Chocolate syrup or honey syrup?"

And I was met with silence again.

Say something, you little old piece of... thing! Ugh. I can't make up any names for him if I don't know him properly.

My breath hitched when I heard footsteps approaching me. The bowls in my hands started shaking slightly and I was trying my best to not to drop any of them. I swear I stopped breathing when I saw extremely shining black polished shoes, only a few centimetres away from my sandals.

Shit. He's standing right in front of me.

Is this treatment of standing in front of housekeeper, a girl he bought with actual money, special for me or does he do it in daily basis? Something told me that it is specially for me.

"Honey syrup on the top, donna. Make it quick." His accent was much deeper, much rougher than his son.

My head jerked a nod and I turned around, placed the chocolate syrup on the tray then poured the honey syrup on his pancakes.

Phew! It's done. Time to get out of here for good.

I grabbed tray which now only had an empty teapot and the chocolate syrup. The rest of the items were arranged neatly on the table and I was proud of myself for doing such a wonderful job even though I don't do this job.

Yet I won't receive 'thank you' or 'good job!' or any other form of appreciation. How wonderful, isn't it?

Much to my relief, capo wasn't standing beside me so I quickened my steps and had almost reached the doorstep.

"I did not tell you to leave, donna."

You. Have got to be. Kidding me!

Was I supposed to ask him for permission or something? I don't remember Carina saying something like that. Did she even say something about that? Suddenly I wanted to turn back time and ask her.

With my arms and knees trembling, I turned around, my eyes still on the floor. What am I supposed to do now? Follow those lying rules? Hell, I have been doing that ever since I stepped my foot here.

I heard him speaking something in Italian which I couldn't understand. I wanted to interrupt him and tell him to speak in English, but those rules had clearly mentioned not to interact with any of the men, that also includes him.

Then he stopped talking and waited for me to respond him.

I stood still like a statue and decided not to speak anything. Follow the rules to keep your life safe, right?

"Donna."

I didn't reply.

"Donna?"

Pin drop silence.

"You have my permission to speak for now."

He understood that I was following the rules!

"S-Si, capo." I whispered in the silent room.

"I asked you something, donna. I want my answer." His voice sounded far from where I was standing. Was he near his desk? I do not know.

"Capo, I do not understand Italian very well." I revealed with great precaution.

"Not understand linguaggio?" His strong voice boomed across the room. "Are you not Italian?"

"No, capo." I answered too quickly then bit my tongue for trying to be so casual with him. "I'm an American." Or was. I don't exactly have a nationality now. At least dead people don't.

"Americano?" The surprise was evident in his voice. "I have not bought an Americano since...oh."

Since what? You might wanna continue that statement cause I am curious as hell and I want to know.

He cleared his throat. "What happened to the other woman?"

Dammit. Why can't he just let me go? "She... She is sick, capo. She caught the cold."

I hate being so submissive, acting like a weak woman who has no rights in her life. I swear, one day I will bite these rules back and set this man straight if he is the one responsible for them which I have started to think that he is.

Now the question arises why to set those stupid rules?

"Donna, consider me to be merciful today. Leaving without my permission is not acceptable, but since this was your first time, I am letting you go. Next time, I won't hesitate to do something which you would not like. Is that clear?"

Something which I will not like? I am pretty sure that it must be somewhat related to me being held at gunpoint. I am not scared of that anymore. Bruise me? If any of his sons find out, I know they will get very angry. Kill me? Aw, hell no. Who does he think he is?! I won't even let him touch my hair. One day, you son of a bitch, one day you will see, I will barge into this same office and tell you, no, threaten you to end stupid rules of lies or else... you just wait and watch.

Instead of answering him back or lashing at him, I nodded meekly and pretending to shake my knees slightly in fear.

"I want words, donna. Is that clear?" He sounded angry and I enjoyed it.

"S-Si." I stammered, smirking to myself. "Thank you, capo."

I think I should stop taking the course for business and ask his son in which acting class I should enroll myself in.

"Buona." He said, "Make sure that this is your last mistake, donna."

"I will make sure of that." Not! "Shall I take my leave, capo? And I do apologise for my mistake." Not!

I think he doesn't know about little jumping off the window stunt or maybe he knows and doesn't actually know who did it? I should ask Leonardo or Adrian about this.

"Si, donna. Tell the chef to make some eggs and toast tomorrow." Aww, the Agostini boss wants to eat little eggs tomorrow. I hope they would give him loose motion.

"Yes, I will. Anything else, capo?"

A knock interrupted us.

"Padre, I want to have a word with you." That voice! Oh, how much I dreaded to hear that voice!

A sense of relief and... safety washed over me? Why was I feeling safe around him? No. I should not be... I must not... But I am... I can't... Not in front of his father... The cold room felt warm in an instant as I heard him walk into the office and he stood.

In front of me.

I felt his shadow over me, covering me from his father's gaze as an effort to protect me? Oh wow. I don't really know how to react, but I sure felt warm and comfortable.

He is going to get lots of kisses from me tonight!

Hello August-mini, my knight in shining shoes because that is the only thing I am seeing of you.

"Figlio, what do you want?" My mouth parted open in shock. Is this how a father is supposed to talk with his son?! I wanted to give him a piece of my mind right here, right now! Leonardo Agostini's father is a shitty father and a bad husband. It's final. He has to be the person who is responsible for the rules of lies. But why would he want the housekeepers to live in fear by making up those rules?

"It is urgent." Something in my chest tugged when I heard his son answer him without having any hurt in his voice. It sounded like Leonardo didn't care about it.

Is this what he meant when he said that he hated his father but respected him weeks ago?

His father hummed. "I see. Step aside, figlio. You are blocking my view of someone."

And I was on the spotlight again. Great.

"Your presence is no longer required, donna, but do remember my words."

I nodded slowly. "Yes, capo."

"It was good to hear from you again, Amelia Jones. Now leave."

Blood drained from my face and I did the only thing I was pretty good at.

I ran out of his office.

Vote and comment 😁