Capítulo 3: The new arrival

Amelia had not slept all night, the weight of Enzo's presence lingering in the dark hallway of the mansion. The house was silent, but her mind was racing, replaying every second of the night before. His touch. His words. The promise of something dark and dangerous from which she could never escape, no matter how hard she tried.

She had almost finished all her chores for the morning when the door to the staff quarters creaked open. Amelia paused, head tilted upwards. There was a tall woman coming into the room, one with shining black hair and striking features. She was in the same nondescript plain maid uniform that Amelia donned, but exuded an aura of cockiness, assurance that took nothing seriously.

"Amelia, right?" It was smooth in tone, almost too sweet. A soft, barely-there smile played on her lips. "I'm Lily. The new maid. They brought me in to help you."

Amelia laid the cloth she had been clutching aside and wiped her hands on her apron. She did a quick appraisal of Lily-bright-eyed, at ease in a way that made Amelia still feel the intruder into this world. "Nice to meet you," Amelia replied in as neutral a tone as possible. "I'm just finishing up my chores.

Lily stepped further into the room, her eyes scanning the space as if appraising every inch of it. "I can see that," she said, her gaze lingering on the polished floors, the immaculate furnishings. "But I'm not here just for the cleaning, you know. They brought me in for a different role. I'm supposed to assist with everything.".

Amelia raised a brow; she wondered what Lily meant by "everything."

Before she could even ask, the door opened once more, and Mrs. Delgado stepped inside. Her face was impassive, as ever. "Lily, you're to follow Amelia for the day. She'll show you your duties. And Amelia," she stopped, her gaze keen, "don't forget the kitchen and then prepare Mr. Romano's evening meal."

Amelia nodded quickly, feeling the usual knot form in her stomach. She hated the pressure of the evening meal preparations. The thought of being in Enzo's presence again was depressing, yet making her feel… oddly alive.

Mrs. Delgado turned on her heel and disappeared down the hall without another word.

The amusement danced in Lily's eyes as she watched the older woman leave. "I don't know why they're all so uptight here. It's just a job, right?" She lifted an eyebrow and tittered under her breath. "Seems like the real fun is upstairs."

Amelia felt the beat of her heart quicken in her chest. Something dangerous, something Amelia couldn't put her finger on, laced Lily's pronunciation of that word: fun.

"Why do you think they brought you in?" Amelia asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice shook a little.

Lily smirked, her eyes narrowing in amusement. "I'm here because they need someone who can handle everything, not just dusting and mopping." She leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "I don't think you're the only one the boss has an eye on, Amelia."

A shiver ran down her spine at the mention of Enzo. The very thought that another woman was being entangled into the dark world that she found herself embroiled in sent a wave crashing over her in unease.

"Don't get too comfortable," Lily continued, the smile sharpening. "I might just get along with him a little more than you think."

Amelia's stomach twisted into a knot. It wasn't jealousy, exactly. But something in the way that Lily walked into the room unnerved Amelia. She was too comfortable in this world, too familiar with its dark corners.

The rest of the day, the two of them worked in tandem, but the silence between them grew heavier and heavier. Lily didn't seem to care for her appointed tasks. Instead, she drifted in and out of the mansion with a grace Amelia could never replicate. Every step in his direction was as if she consciously made an indentation into Enzo's world.

When the sun turned to set, making the mansion even chillier, the staff sat down to dinner. Amelia was at work quietly in the kitchen, preparing Enzo's meal as her mind was too preoccupied with everything that happened that day, though she hadn't seen him yet; she knew he would soon be there, filling a room much too small, much too suffocating.

He had been less subtle. Lily disappeared into the employee lounge after dinner, leaving Amelia to complete their meal. It was only then, in the sound of footsteps down the hall, that Amelia realized what was happening.

Enzo's voice cut through the air, hard and commanding. "Where is she?

Amelia froze, her heart stuck in her throat. She had been so absorbed in her duties; she hadn't noticed him enter the kitchen. Slowly, she turned; shaking hands placed the final dish on the table.

"Mr. Romano," she spoke quietly, strained. "I've prepared your meal.

His eyes snapped to hers, and a dark thrill shot within his gaze. In his impeccable black suit, he felt like the very air was bending to his presence. He didn't move immediately but watched her, savoring the moment.

What's this?" he said, walking closer to the table, his eyes darting from Amelia to food and back. "Is this what I am supposed to eat?"

Amelia swallowed hard as her pulse sped up. "Yes, Mr. Romano. It's. everything you requested."

He said nothing immediately, but the air between them charged with weight. It wasn't until he turned back to her again that she realized that Lily had entered the room, just behind him in the doorway.

Amelia's stomach somersaulted.

Enzo's eyes flashed briefly to Lily before returning to Amelia. "And you," he said to Lily, his voice low, commanding. "You're the new maid?"

Lily's smile was almost too sweet, too perfect. "Yes, Mr. Romano. I'm here to assist. with everything."

For a moment, no one spoke. Amelia's heart raged in her chest as she watched them exchange a look. It was like Lily had started to insinuate herself into the weave of the mansion, the power dynamics shifting in ways Amelia couldn't comprehend.

The tension rolled off the air in thick waves.

"Amelia," Enzo's voice cut through, abrasive, and pulled her from her thoughts. "You're dismissed for the evening. I'll have a word with our new guest."

Amelia's chest constricted as she nodded, shaking hands, and turned to leave the room. But just as she reached the door, Enzo's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Don't forget, Amelia," he said softly, "I'll expect you later. There's still much you must learn."

A cold shiver ran down her spine as she left them to privacy.