CHAPTER 2. THE SHADOW BEHIND THE EAST WING
My eyes caught it again, the shadow, as I made my way down the stairs.
No one was coming. I saw the shadow, just stood there, tall, still and watching me. It looks exactly like a human figure.
A chill crawled down my spine. My feet are staggering to the floor as my eyes stay locked on the sliver of darkness under the east wing’s door.
Who is there?
Who could that be?
Something, or someone was right behind it…watching.
Then,suddenly the shadow vanished without a trace behind the bars. My heart skipped, hammering like a drum in my throat.
“Elena!” A voice snapped behind me.
I turned sharply. I saw it was the woman in grey again, the one that led me to Nathan's room with her brows arched and lips tight.
Hey! What are you doing here? She said flatly with her eyes piercing deep into my eyes with suspicion.
“Follow me. Now!
I forced a nod, still shaken with my spine shivering. We descended the glass stairway but I kept glancing back at the east wing.
Something is not right… I pondered.
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In the lower quarters. Here, there were nothing like the pristine halls above.
The lights are dimmed, the air less floral and the staff/workers avoided eye contact. Their faces are blank, trained and corporate with no relative conversation.
The head housekeeper, a woman whose name is Mrs. Lanier, threw at me uniform and a clipboard.
“Your job here is to clean rooms, don’t speak unless you are spoken to and if Mr. Nathan calls you, Run and don’t walk.”
The head keeper said authoritatively.
“Yes ma, I understand.” My voice came out thin as if someone choked my throat with a blade.
Just as I turned to leave, a staff member brushed past me and whispered, “Don’t ever get close to him.”
“Who?.... I asked.
The boss…She said with so much suspense and jealousy in her voice.
That same evening. The dining hall was set like a royal banquet. A long table with silver cutlery and tall wine glasses were laid seamlessly on the table. I saw Nathan standing at the far end, on a call, his voice was low and tight.
“No…. The Tokyo numbers aren’t enough. Shut it down.” He said slowly with a stern voice.
I stayed frozen at the threshold, holding a tray of fresh towels. All is not right with the way every action is going in this mansion.
He turned and caught my gaze.
“You. Come here.”
I swallowed hard and walked toward him, praying my knees didn’t buckle.
He hung up the call, his eyes cutting into me.
“Why were you near the east wing?”
I blinked. I feel like the ground should open right now and take me in at the sound of his voice.
Sir…I…I wasn’t. I responded with a stammer
“You paused? That means you’re lying.”
“I wasn’t trying to snoop, sir. I just got distracted". I couldn't finish my words because I lost it at this point.
His stare glued at me holding no emotion.
“Look, distraction gets people fired here.” He said.
If you are caught you will regret it.
I held my breath.
Nathan stepped closer. The scent of his cologne smelt so cold and expensive as it wrapped around me.
“You’re not trained,” he muttered. Scanning me like I was a broken tool.
“But you have fast reflexes, just the way you noticed the shadow.”
My heart jumped. He knew I saw it? My thoughts raced in my head.
“You think you’re here just to sweep floors?” he continued.
“You have no idea what kind of house you’ve stepped into. He said, turning towards his drawer and backing me with his huge height. Then I noticed his well-built body that can lure any woman to seduction.
Then, before I could ask anything, he turned and walked out.
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That night, I laid curled on the maid’s mattress, stiff and cold. My mother’s weak voice echoed in my mind. Her frail body on that old hospital bed,keeps showing like pictures in my memory.
She is the reason why I'm here. And this job, no matter how strange,
and risky it is, is the only lifeline we had.
I can never turn back. No not at this point.