The elevator finally dings, and the doors open onto an entry with hardwood floors in a soft buttery color. I like that so much better than the cold marble in George and Carmen’s condo. The wood makes the area more inviting. I see that the hardwood continues under the doors into the other rooms.
Directly across from us stands two large wooden double doors that are currently closed. There is a single door to both our left and right. There is also an open hallway to our right.
“Would you like me to show you around, or do you want to get some rest?” Geoffrey stands at a table in the center of the entry. There are beautiful flowers arranged in a vase and what looks like a keycard sitting on top. He picks up the card and turns back toward me. “Here is your access card. It will get you into all community areas in the building and access this floor.”
“Thank you. I’d like to just take a shower and get some rest.”
“Come this way.” He waves me to the left door and opens it, waiting for me to walk through. I step into the wood floored hallway. On my right is the kitchen and beyond that is the dining room and family room. Large full-length windows with a view of the New York skyline make up one wall. Geoffrey directs me forward, and we come to two more doors. One to my right and one in front. He moves to the one in front of me.
“This is the master suite. I’ll be staying in my room across the condo.”
“You live here?”
“Only once in a while. I have a room I prefer to use. I have a condo close by,” he says, avoiding my gaze.
I want to question what he’s hiding, but instead I proceed through the doorway into the extremely large master suite. A pocket door to my left is open to an expansive closet. I move further into the room and take in the beautiful area rug in soft purple tones. The rug compliments the lilacs and creams of the room. I lift my gaze and stare out the windows at the night sky and the lights of the city. I can see clear to the rivers and the bridges.
“Through the dressing room is the en suite bathroom. Let me show you how this works.” Geoffrey pulls a remote from the wall. “The windows can be set to auto darken. I’ll help you set that up tomorrow. But for now…” He pushes a button and the windows darken to the point I can barely see out them. “During your interview, I took the liberty to have my assistant run to get you some clothes. Tomorrow she’ll set you up with a personal shopper to start on your full wardrobe.”
“I don’t know how I’ll pay you back,” I stutter as I look at the bed covered in a floral lilac comforter. It’s big and fluffy looking, and there is a set of folded soft jammies on it. Everything is more than I’ve ever had before.
“It’s your money, my bean. Tomorrow we’ll go to the bank and get you on the accounts after we meet with the attorneys. We’ll also have to set you up to meet with the board so you can make an appearance.”
“But…” I don’t know what to say.
“It’s okay. You aren’t meant to run the company. I was supposed to until George forced me out. I can help you until you find someone else to replace George as CEO.”
“I don’t even know what a CEO does, or is. I was supposed to be homeschooled, but they didn’t want the tutors to know I was working as their maid, so I never made it through high school. Everything I know I learned on my own.”
He pats my shoulder and I cringe, unable to stop my reaction. Hurt crosses his face, and he tries to recover, but it’s too late.
“Guinevere, don’t worry, I’ll be with you every step of the way. It’s what was supposed to happen before George interceded. We can set you up to get your GED, and if you want to go to college, we can arrange that. Whatever you want, I will make happen for you.”
“Thank you.” I lower my head. Part of me wants to say that I want Rocco, but I can’t make him want me if he doesn’t.
“Good night, my bean. I’ll be across the condo, but if you just ask Siri to contact me, she will.”
“Who?” I look up, my brows dropping. “Is that the maid?”
He chuckles. “No, sweetheart, it’s the automation of the condo. We can name it whatever you want. Listen”—he holds up a finger—“Hey, Siri, please dim the lights.”
“Yes, sir.” A mechanical sounding voice comes from somewhere in the room, and I look around as the lights dim.
“Wow! How did you do that?”
“Like I said, it’s part of the automation. She’s right there.” He points to a sphere on the dresser. “You can still dim the lights and everything yourself. She could have darkened the windows too, but I wanted to show you the remote. Carmen and George didn’t have Siri or Alexa?”
“No, they had me,” I answer him truthfully; I was their automation. “Does it record too?” I look at the sphere closely.
“I guess it could. Why?”
“They wouldn’t want that proof. I’m the only witness to what they did, and who would believe me?” I shrug and move over to the windows where I see a beautiful terrace set up with a table and chairs. I could sit out there and have breakfast.
I don’t hear Geoffrey move, but his voice comes from right behind me and it causes me to jump.
“I’m sorry I keep startling you, bean. I’d believe you. I’ll always believe you. No one will ever hurt you again.” He sounds so sure, but after Rocco, I don’t know if I can trust him. I move toward the chairs positioned in front of the windows, putting one of them between us for added distance.
“Thank you. I’m going to get some rest now.” I go for a firm tone in the hope he understands I don’t want to talk anymore.
“Guinevere, we will get you justice.” His reply gives me pause. I watch him walk toward the door.
“Do I call you Geoffrey, Sir, or Uncle Geoffrey?”
He pauses at the doorway and turns to look back at me. There’s a smile on his face, his eyes are soft, and his long hair is falling into his eyes. “You can call me Uncle Geof. Your father always called me Geof. You don’t ever call me Sir. And if you’re not comfortable with Uncle Geof, just call me Geof. Good night, bean. I’m happy you are finally here.” He walks out and closes the door before I can tell him goodnight.
Tears burn behind my eyes, and I move to the bed where the pajamas sit. They are extremely soft. There is even a pair of clean, new panties. I take them and head for the closet. When I step into the room, I see an outfit already hung up, and I assume that’s what his assistant got me to wear for tomorrow. The carpeted floor is so plush under my feet. I slip off my shoes and set them on the shoe rack next to a pair of yellow stilettos. My threadbare slip-ons look like I feel—out of place. Pretending to be someone I’m not.
I step into the bathroom expecting the marble floor to be cool on my feet, but it’s warm. Interesting. I look at the large tub on one side of the huge room. The shower is behind a glass door on the opposite side. This bathroom is bigger than the room I used to live in. I want to take a bath, but I’m so tired I’m afraid I’d fall asleep in it. I haven’t taken a bath in a tub in years. I snuck up to Pru’s bathroom once when the family was out. I almost got in trouble for doing it. Now, I have my own and don’t have to share.
After a quick shower, I slip into my new pajamas and sigh deeply when I slide between the sheets. I’ve never felt anything so soft, even the sheets I put on the family’s beds weren’t this soft.
Everything is so soft.
So comforting.
I held off crying during my shower as I took in the luxury of the heavy spray and rainfall showerheads. But now as I lie here in the huge king-size bed, I feel so alone. So tiny and afraid.
I know that Milton and his friends don’t know where I am. Well, I hope they don’t know. I’m still scared. Rocco had promised to be with me, to protect me, and now he’s not. His words that I’m free now feel more like him saying he’s free of me. Tears roll down my face as I cuddle the pillows close and try to burrow deeper into the safety of the bed. I fall asleep thinking that this is my life now.
Lonely.
* * *