Chapter 11
JENNA
Holy crap! The mansion has a sauna.
Before I can explore any further, the doorbell chimes. I glance down the hallway, and my teeth worry my bottom lip.
When the doorbell rings again, I walk to the front of the house. There’s no peephole, so I can’t see who’s on the other side.
“Jenna,” I hear Cassia call.
Weirdly, hearing it’s her fills me with relief, and I quickly unlock the door. Opening it, I move aside so she can come in.
“Hi,” she says, a friendly smile on her face. Once again, her makeup is done perfectly, and not a single curl of her hair is out of place.
Today she’s dressed in a black pantsuit that flares wide at her ankles, and she’s wearing high-heeled sandals. Her toenails are painted a pretty pink.
She lifts her arm to move a bunch of curls over her shoulder, and the diamond bracelet on her wrist shines like a thousand stars. Never mind the huge diamond on her ring finger that matches her earrings.
Everything about Cassia is beautiful, and I feel a twinge of envy. I’d love to look and dress like her.
“Do you have tea?” she asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.
Nodding, I shut the door and lock it again before I walk to the kitchen.
“Nothing with caffeine, please.” I glance over my shoulder, and when I notice her hand is resting on her abdomen, my eyebrows lift, which has her saying, “I’m three months pregnant.”
She sets her handbag down on the island and takes a seat, then she pulls a notepad and pencil out and pushes the items in my direction. “So we can communicate.”
I pick up the pencil and write only one word.
Congratulations.
She smiles at me. “Thank you.”
After I’m done making tea for Cassia and coffee for myself, I sit down at the island and give her an expectant look.
“Oh, I’m just here to visit. I’m starved for female company, and I like you.”
Surprised, my mouth drops open.
She wants to spend time with me?
With a hopeful expression, she says, “I’d like to become friends with you.”
What?
When I stare at her, she lets out a chuckle. “That’s if you want to be friends with me.”
I nod quickly, my head bobbing up and down like crazy, and pulling the notepad closer, I quickly write.
I’d like that very much.
After she reads the sentence, she locks eyes with me and says, “I’m just going to address the elephant in the room. Why don’t you talk?”
My shoulders hunch forward, and I grip the pencil tighter.
‘Tell anyone, and I’ll slit your neck and fuck your throat as you bleed out,’ JJ growls in my ear as he thrusts into me again, the sharp burning pain deep inside me unbearable.
Twigs and rocks dig into my back and head as I stare up at the night sky while tears roll into my hairline.
He moves faster, and his breath hits my neck as he threatens, ‘Then I’ll go to your house and do the same with your mother and aunt. Got it?’
Somehow, I manage to nod while he grunts as he orgasms. When he pulls out of me, the burn is sharp, and a warm sticky substance trickles from me.
Just as I take hold of my shirt to pull it down, Wayne shakes his head as he unbuckles his belt. ‘My turn to fuck your pretty cunt. Keep those perky tits on display for me.’
The horror, disgust, and shame shudder through my body as the memory of the worst four hours of my life flashes through my mind.
“Jenna?” Cassia quickly stands up and comes around the side of the island to place her arm around my shoulders.
It’s only then I realize I’m gasping for air and a tear has escaped, rolling down my cheek.
She brings her other hand to the side of my head and presses my cheek to her chest. “Shh…It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here. I’ve got you.”
I can’t remember the last time anyone hugged me. Probably the day I said goodbye to Mom and Aunt Sherrie.
Mr. Oliveira held me when he carried me, but that wasn’t a hug.
Needing the comfort Cassia is giving me, I lift my arms and wrap them around her.
She smells like expensive flowers, and as I focus on slowing my breaths, her scent envelops me.
“Oh, I’ve got you, sweetheart. I’m so sorry I asked. I didn’t mean to trigger you,” she coos, and it makes me feel better.
When I’ve calmed down, she pulls away and uses her thumb to brush away the wet streak the tear left.
She takes a seat right beside me, then takes hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Better?”
I nod, still clutching the pencil. Reaching for the notepad, I quickly write.
I’m sorry.
She shakes her head. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
I hesitate, then write some more.
Thank you for the hug.
Her lips curve up. “I love hugging, so if you ever need one, just say the word.”
God, she’s trying so hard with me, and in some ways, she reminds me of Mr. Oliveira. Maybe it’s because they’re the only two people who’ve put in any kind of effort with me?
I think for a moment, then scribble the words down before I change my mind.
Something bad happened in my past. I can’t talk about it. Since then, I haven’t spoken much, and it’s kind of become a habit.
As Cassia reads, I continue to write.
Are you sure you want to be friends with me? I’m shy and stupidly awkward. We’re nothing alike.
A chuckle bubbles over her lips. “Opposites attract.” Her eyes soften on me, then she admits, “Maybe I see a kindred spirit in you, Jenna. I’ve been through something traumatic as well and also don’t like to talk about it, so I understand.”
I exhale a relieved breath.
I’m sorry for whatever trauma you’ve been through.
“Thank you.” She reaches for her cup of tea and takes a sip, then asks, “So what do you like to do for fun?”
The corner of my mouth lifts.
I’m addicted to K-dramas. Have you ever watched one?
Cassia shakes her head. “Which one do you recommend I start with?”
Oh my gosh. She shouldn’t have asked that.
My hand moves fast as I write down one title after the other, and it has Cassia laughing.
“How about we order in something for lunch and watch one of your shows?”
My face lights up, and I quickly reply.
We don’t have to order in. There’s so much food in the fridge. I can make us something while you relax on the couch.
“Nope. We can make lunch together. I’m not letting you do all the work.”
My eyes flit to her face, and I stare at the beautiful woman who walked into the store yesterday and completely changed my life.
Which reminds me.
Does my boss ever come home?
Cassia looks at the sentence for a moment, then says, “Not at the moment. I’m not sure what his plans are, but at some point, he will. You’ll know when he’s here.”
What is he like? Do I have to be careful around him? I can go back to my house and just come in to clean whenever he’s here.
Cassia quickly shakes her head. “No. He wants you here at all times.” When my eyebrows lift, she softens her tone. “He will never hurt you, so know that you’ll be safe with him.” She lets out a chuckle. “He actually warned me not to wake you if you were sleeping.”
My eyes widen, and I quickly write down a question.
Did you see him today?
She nods. “We work together.” Letting out a sigh, she admits, “Actually, we’re like family.
There are five of us, and I’m the only woman, so it feels like I have four older brothers.
One pissed me off this morning.” When I give her a questioning look, she continues, “Santiago, that’s his name, is very overprotective of everyone he loves, and because I’m pregnant, he didn’t want me… at a meeting.”
Dang, what did the meeting entail that it’s unsafe for a pregnant woman?
Maybe it’s just stressful? Yeah, that’s probably the reason.
“Anyway,” she says as she meets my eyes again, and I resist the urge to look away, “Your employer cares a lot about your well-being.”
Again, a frown forms on my forehead.
That’s weird. He doesn’t know me from a bar of soap.
Her features tense for a moment, and it makes me suspicious.
Forcing a smile to her face, she waves a hand through the air. “That’s enough about him. Let’s make lunch so you can show me your K-dramas.”
Hmm…her changing the subject only makes my wariness grow.
Shaking my head, I quickly write more.
He signed his letter E. What does it stand for?
“Enzo.”
I’ve only heard that name once, and it was from The Vampire Diaries.
Enzo who?
Cassia shakes her head. “I can’t give you more information without clearing it with him.” She gets up and walks to the fridge, opening it to look inside. “What are we going to eat?”
As I climb to my feet, she says, “Oooh, the cravings are starting early. Do you have crackers?”
I check the pantry quickly and pull out a box of lightly salted crackers.
“Those will go great with the creamy ricotta and cherries. What do you think?”
I shrug because I’ve never had it before, and I’m not so sure about mixing cherries and cheese.
Cassia places everything on the island and begins to smear the cream cheese over the crackers, while I grab a butter knife and start helping.
She takes the pits out of the cherries, and when her fingertips stain red, I quickly wave my hand for her to stop so I can take over. I don’t want her ruining her pretty nails, which have an artful design painted on them. It probably cost her a lot and took hours to get them done like that.
By the time there are twelve crackers on a plate and my finger tips are stained, Cassia grins happily.
As I wash my hands at the sink, she asks, “What do you want to drink?”
I dry my hands and join her by the fridge, picking up a tin of soda.
“Hmm…I should probably stick to water,” Cassia says. “But I’m going to have one of those as well.”
We carry our sodas and the plate to the living room, and when I sit down, Cassia takes the seat beside me.
“Taste one.”
Yeah, I still don’t know about cherries and cheese on salty crackers.
I pick one up and take a cautious bite, then I’m surprised when the little snack hits all the spots.
Gosh, it’s actually delicious.
She grins at me. “Good, right?”
I nod and pop the rest of the cracker into my mouth while I reach for the remote.
Choosing the first K-drama I watched that made me fall in love with them, I press play on episode one. We eat until the plate is empty, and I set it down on the coffee table.
I have to suppress a yawn when we’re halfway through the episode, and then suddenly I startle awake when a phone starts ringing.
“Shit,” Cassia whispers as she darts to her feet and runs to the kitchen.
“Hey, what’s up?” A few seconds pass, then she says, “We’re watching TV.
” She pauses again, probably listening to whoever called her.
“No, you’re the one who woke her up. I was letting her sleep.
” Cassia lets out a huff. “You’re being impossible, Enzo.
” My head snaps to the side. “Fine, but you need to tone down the overprotectiveness. It’s a bit much. ”
When I hear her heels tapping on the tiled floor, I quickly close my eyes and pretend to be asleep.
Cassia moves carefully around me as she switches off the TV, then a few seconds later, she takes hold of my shoulders and whispers, “Lie down, sweetheart.”
I let her move me, and when she covers me with a light blanket, I can’t keep pretending and open my eyes. Looking at her as she tucks me in, it feels as if she actually cares about me.
My lips part, and it takes a few seconds before the sound comes, soft and hoarse, “Thank you, Cassia.”
Her eyes snap to my face, shock tightening her features, then she sits down on the side of the couch and brushes her hand over my ponytail.
“You’re welcome. Get some sleep. I’ll check in on you again tomorrow. Okay?”
I nod, then close my eyes so she’ll think I’m going to sleep and listen as she lets herself out of the house, before I get up to lock the door.
Standing in the foyer, I lift my hand to my mouth and start to nibble on a nail.
Who is Enzo? Why does he care? Cassia said he’s overprotective.
That’s not a good thing.
Shoot. Am I in danger?
Feeling very confused, I wrap my arms around my middle and head to my bedroom so I can shower. I’m trying to stay awake so I can get my sleeping schedule right, because staying up at night to clean the house is just stupid.
As I go through my routine, my thoughts keep revolving around Cassia and my mystery employer, Enzo.
Who are they really?
How did they find out about me?
Why do they care so much?
The questions are endless, and even though I’m suspicious of their kindness, I really hope that’s all it is and I’m not being groomed for something nefarious or to be hunted like a deer.
God, I never should’ve watched that horror.