Chapter 23

Emma

"Wow, Emma...th-that's a lot..." Venessa stated, flabbergasted. Emma sighed. She knew it was a lot.

A few hours ago, Martha told her that Alexander was going to increase her salary and the amount was $800 a week. Why would he pay a maid so much?

Maids normally didn't get paid more than $400 and he was ready to give her double the amount she was paid. She understood why he was doing this; he simply wanted her to stay. He had some men spying on Miss Garcia, installing cameras and using her against Emma, and then there was the salary thing.

Emma sat beside Vanessa on the bed and exhaled deeply.

"That's a really big amount though, Emma. What are you planning now?" Venessa asked.

"I don't know. But, I have to work there anyway. I cannot leave this job."

"Emma, you know if you are not happy with your job. You can leave it anytime," Venessa placed her hand on Emma's shoulder and said.

She looked at her feet helplessly. She was right. Emma could leave anytime but, could she anymore? He threatened her using Caroline. She couldn't leave even if she wanted to.

"I can't... you do know finding a job is r-really hard a-and even this job w-was hard to find. I cannot leave this job, Caroline will face troubles," she replied with a shaky voice.

Oh, how I wish I could tell you the truth...

Venessa agreed with what she said. "I know, I totally understand you. Anyways, don't think much okay? We will still be friends and we will always be in touch through texts and calls. Just don't forget me," she said, chuckling.

"I could never forget you, Venessa. You are my only friend here," they both hugged each other. Emma felt nice having a caring friend like Venessa,

"Oh come on, I'm not your only friend. Master Ethan seems so nice to you," she stated and winked.

Emma blushed at her words. "H-He is just a friend..." Venessa rolled her eyes.

"Yeah sure. Let's get back to work," she nodded and began their duty.

*****

14th August

Finally, the day Alexander had been looking forward to had arrived. She would be his sole possession from that point forward. He couldn't wait to see her when he got home. He wanted to give her something for her birthday. Except for his sister and mother, he never gave anything to a girl. He had never been serious with any of the women he had dated; he didn't even care about them, let alone gift them anything. But she wasn't like the other women he'd been seeing. She was unique.

He was well aware that she would be dissatisfied with what he had in store for her. She was, after all, a young girl working at his father's house, hoping to earn enough money to assist her godmother. He knew it was going to hurt her, he knew it was going to shatter her. And that was exactly what he desired. He intended to shatter her till she succumbed. That was why he had his men stationed outside her house, keeping an eye on that woman, Caroline. She was Emma's sole family, and he knew that if he used her against Emma, she would be weak and would not try to quit the job, let alone leave him.

All his life, he never treated any women in any special way. There was something in August that attracted him so much, now he never wanted to leave her alone no matter how much she wanted it.

She will get used to it slowly.

Alexander thought to himself. He was confident that he would get what he wanted. His power and that fragile girl's innocence said it all.

Checking the time on his wristwatch, he got up from his seat. He was done for that day in the office, he thought to leave for his own house.

She would be at my house by 7 o'clock. I should call home and inform the time.

He dialed his mother's number. After a few rings, she picked up the call.

"Mom, remind the maid to be in my home at 7 o'clock sharp," he said, glancing at his wristwatch once again. He heard his mom reply to him.

"Okay, son. I'll let Martha know about it."

It was 3 pm and he had to wait 4 more hours to see her again. The demon inside her was getting eager to feel her presence again. The things he has planned for her... the thoughts were enough to make him groan in desire. He could not wait anymore. He knew he had to have her. He knew he had to touch her to satisfy his inner demon's selfish desire and his lust.

On the other hand, Emma's tension grew more and more with the passing minutes of the clock. She was in her room, with Venessa. Venessa was trying to make Emma feel better, she did feel better but it was difficult for her to stop those thoughts and the words he said to her.

"Emm... hon please sit down for a minute. Why are you getting so worried?" Venessa asked her. Emma looked at her with the same worried expression and shook her head. "No, I'm fine."

"Yeah, sure, I can see if you are. Come sit now," Emma forced herself to take a seat beside her friend.

They both talked for some time until they saw Martha coming inside the room. "Hey, girls," they both greeted her back. She approached Emma and gave her a light hug.

"How are you, sweetie?"

"I'm good Martha, thanks for asking," she replied with a forced smile on her face.

"I was here to inform you that you'd be leaving by 7 o'clock. Make sure you don't leave anything behind," she stated. Emma just shook her head yes. Her mouth was too dry to say anything.

"Don't worry honey. It'd be fine. You will not be alone there. There'd be other maids too. And do not worry about traveling. Master Alexander already told the driver of this mansion to drop you off there," Emma looked at Venessa who was equally as surprised as her.

"Wow. Master is doing a lot. First the salary and now this..." Venessa said, frowning. She was just as confused as Emma.

"Because it'd be very late at night and it's not safe for her to go alone."

That made sense to Venessa and almost to Emma too. But, she knew the real reason.

Why their car? Why not call a cab or Uber?

She questioned herself despite knowing the answers to her question.

He did this because of the special treatment he was getting from her. And that special treatment was nothing good for her but torture. And she didn't want to imagine what else he might do to her.

She shrugged off the thoughts.

"Oh, Emma. Happy Birthday, honey," Martha wished her with a heartwarming smile.

"Oh my god! It's your birthday! Happppyyy Birthdayyyy," Venessa wished and gave her a bone-crushing hug.

Emma blushed a little and thanked them. She even got a phone call from Caroline in the morning who also wished her. She was deeply missing Caroline's weird birthday songs and her favorite lemon-flavored cake. She always tried to do the best things for Emma when she didn't have to at all. Emma was truly grateful for that.

Time passed like that. Martha allowed Emma to spend some time with Venessa as there were not many chores to do at that hour. Both friends talked a lot and for some time, Emma forgot all the bad memories with Alexander. She was laughing and smiling. She was happy for some time.

But, it was going to fade away soon.

The clock showed 6 pm. It was her time to leave. She went downstairs with her bag and saw Martha waiting for her there.

"Here you are. Robert is waiting for you. Come let's get you there, he is going to drive," she hurriedly pulled her out of the house where she saw a white car standing near the gate.

She approached it and turned around to face Venessa and Martha who followed her.

Martha softly hugged her. "Be nice there child. I will call there to know about you sometimes," Emma cracked a smile with tears in her eyes. She will miss her a lot.

"Will miss you, Emm," she received another hug from Venessa. "I'll miss you too, Venessa," Emma replied and got inside of the car. She looked out the window once again and smiled at them with her heavy heart.

Her journey towards the devil started.

It took them about an hour and a half to get there. Emma looked around; the house was in the woods. Well, not too far into the woods, but near. The location was stunning. The road was bordered by trees, and there were a lot of them. She had always admired nature. She would have preferred to be there if it hadn't been for Alexander. The gentle mild air, the tranquil environment. It was both stunning and terrifying. Silence may be frightening at times.

The car stopped in front of a big gate. It opened and they got inside. What Emma saw made her jaw drop.

The mansion she was seeing was truly an art. It was modern and beautiful. She didn't realize she was looking at it for too long.

"Miss, you have to get inside now," the driver said. She flinched slightly when she heard his voice and got out of the car.

Robert picked up her little stuff and got inside with her. The inner sight of the house was more beautiful. His father's house was nothing compared to that.

Surprisingly, no one was inside. Not like she was expecting anyone to greet her but, she thought there might be other maids. It was empty which scared her a bit. She didn't want to be all alone in that big mansion, especially with him.

She decided to ask Robert about it. "W-where is everyone?"

He looked at her and replied. "I don't know. I don't live here or work here. I was just given the orders to take you there safely."

"O-oh d-do you at least k-know where I'm going to stay?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, I was informed that. Please follow me," she did what he said. She was tired because of the journey and the stress. All she wanted was to sleep.

Her room was thankfully downstairs but that didn't mean she didn't have to walk long. The house was way too big. It felt like forever when she reached there.

"Here miss. I will go now. I can't stay for long. Have a nice night," with that, he left her alone there. She was confused.

Why couldn't he stay? Maybe because he doesn't work here.

The door was thankfully open. She turned the doorknob and opened it wide to get in.

What she saw inside wasn't what any maid would expect to see.