Chapter 2 The Mansion

My shoes made little sound on the polished marble floor as we moved further into the building.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, their warm light casting an ethereal glow on the patterned walls.

Lorenzo De Luca, the man who had bought me from the market, walked up the stairs without a word, and I followed in silence, too frightened to do otherwise. Days without proper food or rest had left my body weak.

At the end of the stairs, through a hallway Lorenzo stopped before a fancy door. His hand rested on the gold handle as he twisted it open.

"Wait here," he said, his voice so low I almost missed it.

I nodded, my throat too tight to reply, and with a final glance, he closed the door behind him with a soft click.

My legs threatened to give way, but I pressed a hand to the cold wall, steadying myself.

My heart pounded in my chest, as if urging me to run. But where would I go?

I didn't know how long I stood there before the quiet was broken.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," a soft voice said.

I snapped my head towards the voice. A woman stood a few feet away, her expression kind but cautious.

She was old, with streaks of silver threading through her dark hair, which was neatly pinned back. Her simple dress, though clean, felt too plain and warm for a place like this.

"I..." My voice faltered, barely a whisper.

The woman gave me an understanding smile. "It's alright. You don't have to speak if you're not ready."

There was a gentleness to her that felt out of place here, and I couldn't bring myself to trust it.

"I'm Anna," she said, taking a cautious step closer. "I manage the mansion, and I'm here to help you settle in."

I didn't move, my body frozen in place. She seemed to sense my unease, folding her hands neatly in front of her as she stood patiently.

"Come," she said after a moment, her voice soft. "Let's get you settled. You need rest."

I hesitated. Something in Anna's gaze seemed sincere, but trust wasn't something I could afford to give freely.

Still, my body ached with exhaustion, and the promise of rest, even temporary, was too tempting to ignore.

Slowly, I nodded, walking towards her direction.

Anna led me down the hallway, her steps light, stopping in front of a white door.

"This will be your room," Anna said, pushing it open.

My room? ...No basement? ...No cage? ...My room?

The inside was unlike anything I had ever seen. A queen-sized bed, draped in pristine white linens, sat at the center of the room. A closet stood to one side, its polished wood glinting in the soft light of the chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling.

The walls were painted a soothing cream, and a small couch sat near the window with a small bookshelf by its side.

It was beautiful... too beautiful for someone like me.

Anna stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.

Cautiously, I stepped inside. The soft carpet muffled my hesitant footsteps, and the faint scent of lavender hung in the air, making the room feel magical.

The room was warm, yet somehow suffocating. It was everything I could have dreamed of, but I didn't want to dream. Not in a place like this.

"You need to rest," Anna said gently. "I'll bring you some food shortly." She turned to leave.

"Wait," I said, my voice breaking.

Anna paused, looking back at me.

"Why am I here?" I asked, my throat tightening around the words. "What does he want from me?"

Anna's expression softened as she took a careful step closer.

"It's not my place to say," she replied softly.

"Please," I whispered, my voice trembling. "I need to know."

"Mr. Lorenzo..." she began, her tone careful, "is a complicated man. But he's not cruel. I don't know why you're here, but he does have a reason for bringing you."

Her response offered little comfort. Not cruel didn't mean safe.

"I'll bring you food," she said again, her voice firmer this time. "Get some rest. You'll need your strength."

With that, she slipped out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

I walked to the bed in silence, laying on it with a soft sigh as sleep took over me.

"Daisy, you'll be late for school."

"I'll be down in a minute," I said, rushing downstairs, skipping the last two steps.

"Don't forget your lunch, I packed your favorite," Mom called as I opened the front door.

"Thanks, Mom, I'll be back before dinner."

"Have fun, baby. I love you."

"I love you too, Mom."

I woke up with tears streaming down my eyes, my dream carrying the moment she was alive-a piece of memory I'd give anything to go back to.

I sat up slowly, holding the pillow to my chest, burying my face into it.

The soft pillow did nothing to erase the ache in my chest as I remembered her smiling face, her soft voice, her warm hands, and her comforting presence.

The door opened, and I froze, snapping my head in its direction.

Anna entered carrying a tray of food, setting it down on a small table near the bed.

"Good evening, Daisy," she said softly.

I couldn't respond. My throat was too heavy to form words.

"I made you dinner," she continued, her tone gentle like before.

Slowly, I reached for the plate. My hands trembled as I picked up the garlic bread, the scent of the tomato soup almost overwhelming.

The door opened again, making me flinch, dropping the bread.

Lorenzo stepped into the room, dressed in a dark tailored suit, his eyes meeting mine. "Get dressed and meet me outside."

His gaze swept over me like he was sizing me up, before turning on his heel and closing the door with a soft click.

I looked at Anna, dumbfounded, but she smiled. "Go take a shower, I'll pick a dress for you."

Where is he taking me? Did I do something wrong? Did I sleep too much? I kept questioning myself even when I stood up to take a shower.

"Don't think about it much, Daisy. It's easier when you act before questioning him," Anna said, not looking at me but at a black silk gown in her hands.

"Okay," I quietly said, opening the bathroom door.

Act first before questioning... act first... act first before questioning him.