6. Chapter 6
Ines
After the first few days of etiquette lessons, learning to walk, talk, sit, stand, and eat like a lady, I'm tired.
From the moment I wake up, Lupe assists me in getting dressed for breakfast and then what follows is nothing but hell.
By the time night falls, I plop into my bed and pass out within minutes.
Salvador has been present for all my lessons but today, he's noticeably absent. When I ask Dona Otero where Salvador is, she gives me no real answer.
"Out." Is all she says.
I'm sure whatever he is doing, it is to further their cause and I'm not a trusted member of the team quite yet.
I might never be privy to the whole picture, but Otero reminds me I have an important role to play and even though I want to scream and throw a vase against the wall, I keep my temper in check and do as she instructs.
Today, we're in the parlor where curved windows overlooking the sea allow light to pour inside. Dark wooden shelves filled with hundreds of leatherbound books line the walls and although there is fresh coffee awaiting us in the sitting area, Dona Otero motions for me to stay standing.
"Today's lesson is all about balance."
A satisfied grin stretches taut across my face. Finally, something I can excel in. Seeing as I scale walls, jump from rooftop to rooftop, and dance across two-inch-wide trellises to sneak into houses of the wealthy to unload them of said wealth, balance is my middle name.
"You've been practicing your curtsey, I hope." Her eyes slide to meet mine and it's as if she's waiting to catch me in a lie, but the truth is, as much as I hate these lessons, I'm far too stubborn to fail.
I bob my head. "I have."
She purses her lips. "We will see."
She strides to one of the bookcases, gripping her custom-made cane tightly in her right hand.
There is a slight limp in her gait but apart from that, she commands the presence of a queen.
To my dismay she grabs a thick tome from the shelf and from the dip from the added weight in her hand, I know it's heavy.
"Place this on your head and curtsey."
"Why?" I crinkle my nose.
"A lady must possess balance and poise. Curtseying haphazardly will alert the Dons to your impersonation." Otero plops the book atop my head, ignoring my grumbles. "This will ensure you remain light on your feet, keep your back straight, and your movement intentional. Now, curtsey."
I've never been more thankful for practicing my curtsey before bed each night.
With assured motion, I slide my right leg behind me and dip downward, ensuring my head and back are straight as a rod.
Matching the speed of my descent, I ascend, all the while maintaining unwavering eye contact with Dona Otero.
A proud smile appears on her otherwise stoic face. "Very impressive."
"I told you I've been practicing."
She chuckles and saunters to her favorite armchair.
She uses her cane for leverage as she gracefully settles into the cushioned seat and waves for me to join her.
As I do every afternoon, I sit across from her on the couch and pour two cups of coffee.
Dona Otero, I've come to learn, likes sweets and insists on four cubes of sugar be plopped into her mug, alongside a very generous helping of cream.
Whenever I was able to partake in a cup of coffee, which was extremely rare, I would drink it black, because that's the only way I could steal some.
But Otero has slowly converted me to her sweet-tooth ways, and I am now partial to two cubes of sugar with a tablespoon of cream.
Once I've mixed her drink, I place the cup on its matching saucer and offer it to her. Her eyes haven't left me for a moment; scrutinizing my every move, but the second she accepts my offering, she nods in approval.
"You learn quickly." She blows the rising steam softly. "I knew you would."
"How did you know?" I ask, bringing my cup to my lips.
"That you would be a quick learner?" She takes a long, drawn-out sip, as if to give herself time to come up with a clever answer, but instead she surprises me by saying, "It was Salvador who convinced me you would be an asset."
"Salvador?" My eyes widen, and for a reason I can't explain, my heart races.
"You look surprised." She smirks, knowing damn well I'm shocked.
"Salvador came across your file" – she throws her hand in the air as my mouth opens, silencing me – "don't ask me how.
" My mouth shuts and I know by my pout I appear childish.
"He saw what you were imprisoned for, shaved off about two-thirds of it knowing how the Master of Justice fluffs up criminal records to ensure swift and harsh punishment, and deduced you were the missing piece to our puzzle.
" She stares at me silently for a moment before admitting, "I, however, wasn't sold on you joining us.
I had to meet you for myself. Apart from your skills as a burglar and your striking resemblance to my niece, Elena, it wasn't until I spoke with you, that I knew you were indeed what I was looking for. It was your unyielding disapproval of the Soberano and spunk that convinced me.”
A sudden warmth floods my chest, and it feels suspiciously close to comfort. I shoo that unwanted feeling away, knowing the minute I get too attached to these people, my judgment will become clouded, and my intuition will eventually fail me.
This is a job, Ines. I remind myself. This is not a forever-home. They are not your family. She is your employer and a dangerous one.
"Where'd you dig him up?" I change the subject, catching the Dona off-guard for a change.
"Where did I dig who up?" The slight uptick of the corner of her mouth I know she's screwing with me, but I humor her anyway.
"You know of whom I speak," I tsk. "Salvador."
"Ah, yes, Salvador." Her brows bounce playfully. "I met him when he was a boy. He needed a home, so I gave him one."
"Wait. So, you adopted him?"
"Not exactly." She sets her mug down on the coffee table and reclines in her chair. "His parents were very dear friends of mine so when they passed, I made sure he wasn't alone. I never adopted him because there was no need for anyone to know about him."
I frown. "You were ashamed of him?"
"Quite the contrary. I wanted to protect him.
" Her fingers wrap around the pommel of her cane like a snake squeezing the life out of its prey.
With a sigh she admits, "House Otero has a reputation.
One of power, one of revenge, one of violence.
But secretly, so the other Houses don't know what we are truly like, we are quite benevolent and charitable.
We just tend to do our good deeds in private.
No reason for the other Dons and Donas to believe us weak. "
"Who were you protecting Salvador from?" I ask, my interest piqued at who the masked man really is.
She takes a minute, mulling over her answer carefully. "Everyone. There's a reason I keep his existence a mystery."
I know I won't get much more out of her on Salvador's upbringing, so I sip my hot coffee, enjoying the sweetness that coats my tongue. "And why does he always wear a mask?"
She laughs, groaning as she stands. "That's something you will have to ask him yourself."
"Will you at least tell me what he looks like?"
She stops in the archway leading out to the patio and turns back to look at me. "Is there a particular attribute you're interested in learning about, mi querida?"
"No," I shake my head. "I just have a picture in my head of what he actually looks like, and it includes burn scars."
She laughs. "In time, Salvador will reveal himself to you." She taps her cane against the floor, as if punctuating the end of a sentence. "Walk with me."
She doesn't wait for me to acknowledge her request before slipping outside, knowing without a doubt, I'll be nipping at her heels regardless if she waited for me or not. Like a dutiful lap dog, I follow her.
The stones that compose the outdoor, rectangular patio stretches toward the gardens where Dona Otero is limping. I catch up to her, and she slips her arm around mine, for stability or to keep me hostage, I'm not sure, but I know better than to shoo her from my person.
For a few minutes, we walk in complete silence and it's in the quiet I'm able to fully absorb my surroundings.
The Otero Estate is expansive and is not only the largest property in the Garden District, but in all of Orlencia.
Coveted by other Dons and Donas, House Otero has made their mark on the city.
There may not be an Otero heir in sight, but no one would dare cross Ana Otero, knowing damn well what would happen to the lot of them for their treachery and audacious belief they could outwit the oldest House.
The main residence boasts seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, two living rooms, a library, study, dining room, kitchen and plentiful servants' quarters.
The Otero Estate also includes a stable, guest house, private boat dock and immaculately landscaped gardens with gravel pathways, strategically placed seating areas, and soothing fountains.
Everything on the Otero grounds is surrounded by an eight-foot-tall white adobo wall and the front gate is manned by a small army.
With the grounds being at the tip of the Garden District peninsula, it's private, and has the best views of not only the city, but an unobstructed view of the sea.
In complete contrast to the Brogratto, I can hear birds singing, water lapping, and feel the sun beaming down on me like a lover's kiss.
All I saw growing up was devastation, poverty and sorrow. The buildings in the Brogratto are piled on top of each other, blocking the sunlight from the crowded streets below. Animals do not last in the Brogratto; the people will slay them just to have a morsel of meat to consume.