"Can I have the food menu for Nero?" Anita was sitting beside Nero on the couch, holding Nero's hand in hers.
She knew Nero wasn't mute. Something must have happened to him that made such a little boy act the way he did. She would have to find out later when they were alone.
The Brastov's mansion was full of mystery and danger, and she only hoped she made it out alive.
Maribel smiled, "Of course, Anita. Do you have a phone, I'll send it to you." She replied, gently patting Nero's knee.
Anita shook her head, "I've got nothing, I just trans— I just transferred here and haven't had time to really settle." She said, clearing her throat as she realised how she almost exposed herself.
It wasn't like Maribel or anyone would believe her. Still, she couldn't just go around yapping about transmigration. They'd lock her up in an asylum.
"Oh, it's okay. How about you go find something to write it down? It's really not a complicated menu, Alpha Gotti likes to keep Nero's meal simple," Maribel informed.
"Um, okay. I'll look for something," Anita replied and stood from the sofa, gently letting go of Nero's hand.
She glanced around the room, looking where she could find a pen and a sheet.
Her eyes reached a door and paused: The Alpha's study.
She wasn't sure she wanted to give in there again. Not after what she witnessed.
She clenched her fists, recalling how Love had been with Gotti. The image nauseated her, annoyed and irritated her to the bones.
She didn't care how many girls he slept with. She didn't just want to be his audience.
"Why not go to the Alpha's study? He always has a pen and paper lying around his desk," Maribel spoke behind Anita, her calm.
Anita sighed.
She didn't want to, but that was the only option she had.
"Alright, I'll be right back," She murmured and slowly started to walk toward the study.
Anita reached the door and gently pushed it open, biting her lower lip as she stepped into the room.
She was immediately engulfed by Gotti's scent, mixed with the scent of expensive alcohol and books. She hated that she was now accustomed to his earthy scent, but it meant nothing. It was usual to mark someone you've seen more than once.
'Mark?' She thought with a frown.
She shook her head and looked around the quiet room.
Approaching the desk, she ignored the chair beside it where Gotti had sat when—
"Stop thinking about it," She murmured to herself and focused on finding a pen.
She couldn't find anything on the desk, just tons of documents piled up everywhere.
She moved around the desk and opened the drawer, "Yes," she smiled as she found a fancy-looking black pen.
All she had to do was find a paper. She searched the drawer but was disappointed to only find more documents.
She glanced at the door, hoping Gotti wouldn't end up meeting her in his study.
"Come on, just a paper," She opened the second drawer and stilled.
She found something alright, but it wasn't a paper.
It was a photograph of a very beautiful lady. The most beautiful lady she'd ever set her eyes upon. She had such beautiful amber eyes that glowed as she smiled, hair as dark as midnight and lips as red as a rose.
Anita could swear she had met the lady sometime, somewhere, but she couldn't find any synced memories of ever meeting the lady.
'Was this Rositta? The Alpha's mate?' She wondered.
She reached out and picked up the picture, staring harder at the face to see if any memory could click.
Nothing.
She sighed and placed the picture as she found it, proceeding to check the lower drawer.
Finally, she found a few plain papers and immediately pulled one out from the pile. She made sure she placed everything as it was before hurrying back out into the living room.
"I got the paper, Maribel. Here," Anita returned to the sofa, standing in front of Maribel.
Maribel looked up at her, "Oh, dear. My bad, I just remembered that I had mistakenly deleted it earlier this morning." She blinked slowly, looking sad.
"Oh, then—" Anita glanced at Nero, who was still sitting like a robot beside Maribel, "I guess I have to depend on Nero to tell me what he likes eating –"
Maribel's soft chuckle cut Anita's words off, "Don't be ridiculous, Anita. The boy barely takes cognisance of anything. Even if he did recall details, trust me, the alpha is quiet strick when it comes to what his son eats," She explained, petting Nero's hair.
For some reason, Maribel's touch on Nero unsettled Anita. She felt like pulling Nero away from the young lady.
Perhaps she was being paranoid, after all, she felt unsettled toward everyone in this new world, the future.
She inhaled deeply, nodding her head, "It's okay. I'll just have to ask the Alpha directly." Anita replied quietly.
Maribel stretched her garden in front of her, "Come on, bestie. What do you take me for, an evil witch that'd watch you get in trouble?" She rolled her eyes playfully, "Hand me the paper, I'll write it down for you," She softly asked.
Anita sighed in relief, perhaps she was really being paranoid over nothing. Maribel was simply one of those playful, rich women, not some white moon villain.
"Thank you," Anita replied, placing the pen and paper in Maribel's hand.
"We're friends, Anita. Get used to me," Maribel shrugged, lowering her head to get busy with Nero's Food menu.
As she wrote, Nero leaned to the side and picked up his tablet, typing furiously.
He finished and handed it to Anita.
She took it and read what he had typed.
Body: [I need to go to my room.]
Anita glanced at Nero and nodded, she could tell the boy just wanted to be in his own space.
"Um, Maribel, I'll take Nwro to to his room, first," Anita informed, stepping closer to take Nero's hand in hers.
Maribel lifted her head from the paper, looking at Nero with a smile, "It's fine. Neeo isn't really a people person. More like his father, I'd say." She chuckled and leaned forward to touch Nero's face.
"I'll come visit some other time, my little Alpha, okay?" She asked in her softest tone.
Nero nodded, waving his tiny hand at Maribel.
"Alright, little Alpha, goodnight," Maribel blew him a kiss.
Nero gave a small nod, tugging Anita's hand subtly, a sign to take him away.
"I'll be right back, Maribel," Anita said, leading Nero toward the stairs.
"You should, Anita, it's almost time for his dinner," Maribel replied, more like an indirect wanting for Anita to hurry up so she doesn't have to face any consequences for making a late dinner.
Anita didn't respond, she quietly led Nero up the stairs and toward his room.
They got to the hallway and Nero paused, stepping in front of Anita.
Anita instantly paused, lowering herself in front of Nero, "You have something to tell me?" Shse whispered, narrowing her curious eyes.
"I don't want to eat salad anymore. I want—" he trailed off, glancing away as if voicing his thoughts was a taboo.
Anita frowned when she realised he was reluctant to speak his mind. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and smiled at him.
"Try me. Whatever you say now is what you shllwat tonight. Trust me, I can make anything, I was a foodie in my previous—country—" she cleared her throat, her eyes patiently waiting for Nero's order.
She wanted so badly to know why everyone thought Nero was mute, but she held back, for now, feeding the child something yummy was more important.
Nero hesitated, "Papa says sweet food makes weak wolves." he murmured.
And Anita clenched her hands, internally rolling her eyes at Gotti.
"No, baby. It makes happy ones."She whispered like a conspiracy, smiling.
"Mama— can you make the bread hug cheese?" Nero asked, biting his lip.
Anita smiled, "Aww," She cooed, hugging him softly, "Yes, little star. Grilled Cheese Fingers coming right up. Wait in your room, okay?" She whispered.
Nero's face was full of hidden joy, he almost couldn't believe he was going to eat something that was spinach.
"Papa doesn't have to know, okay?" Anita asked, just to be sure she would be safe from Gotti's wrath.
"I promise, Mama Ani," Nero nodded, smiling.
"Okay," Anita whispered and headed down the stairs.
Her steps slowed when she saw Vivian standing beside Maribel in the living room.
"Ah, here she comes. I was just about leaving," Maribel spoke up, moving away from Vivian and handing the written menu to Anita.
"Um, thank you," Anita replied, smiling politely.
"You're welcome. Please, take good care of my Nero," Maribel surprised Anita by hugging her, "Good luck, bestie." She whispered and stepped away from a frozen Anita.
"Goodnight, Vivian," Maribel said as she picked her small, red purse from the sofa and walked out of the room.
Maribel released a deep breath, smoothing out her dress.
Everything was happening so fast, she had yet to fully accept that maybe, just maybe, Maribel might be that friend she never had.
She looked down at the menu and, indeed, the poor boy was scheduled to eat spinach for the night.
'What a nightmare," She scowled inwardly.
"Congratulations, Anita. The young Alpha chose you," Vivian turned to Anita, her face serious, "But, I must warn you, your position is the most dangerous of all. Nero, he is the Alpha's heartbeat, be careful, or you will end up losing your life." She warned, holding Anita's gaze for a few seconds.
Anita gulped.
It seems no work was ever safe with Gotti.
Maybe working at the Brastov's Club would have been safer, at least, she would only have to deal with other men, none of them would have been as dangerous as Gotti. But, no, she chose to work right under the ruthless Alpha's nose, right where he could keep a close watch on her at all times.
"Thank you, Vivian. I will be careful," Anita said, chewing the insides of her cheeks.
"Good, follow me, the kitchen is right this way," Vivian moved past Anita.
Anita followed immediately, staring in awe as they walked through the large, fancy dining area that looked so pristine as if it had never been used before
She frowned when she realised that Vivian was leading her starlight to a wall.
'Where was the kitchen?'She thought as they reached a deadend.
"Step forward, Anita," Vivian instructed.
Anita did, now facing the dark-tiled wall.
"Place your hand on the square," Vivian pointed to the tike in front of Anita's face.
Anita slowly obeyed, wondering where they were going with this.
"Um, okay," She murmured, placing her hand on the wall.
However, the moment her hand touched it, she realised it wasn't a wall, it was a metal steel, very easy to push in.
She pushed it in and immediately, a rectangular section of the wall noiseless slid open, revealing the very neat, shiny kitchen behind it.
"Oh—" Anita marvelled.
"You have thirty minutes until the Alpha arrives," Vivian said and walked away.
Now, Anita was by herself, and she had little to no time to prepare the chest meal before the Alpha's return.
Dhr moved like a blur, working in the kitchen with utmost speed and care.
After ten minutes, she was climbing the stairs to Nero's room, a smile on her face.
She quietly pushed in Nero's door and slid in.
"You made it," Nero slid down from his bed, running to Anita.
Anita chuckled, "Yup. Grilled Cheese Fingers. Golden, crispy, melty inside. Cut into strips so you can eat quietly like a little criminal mastermind you are." She said, pinching his cute cheeks.
"Can I not go to the boring dining room?" Nero asked quietly.
Anita smirked, "Who said anything about dining rooms? Come here," She held Nero's habd abd led him to sit on the floor in front of the small sofa at the corner.
"Enjoy your meal, little star," she places the food in front of him.
"Thank you, Mama," Nero said and was already diving in, chewing the food like it was the most delicious thing he'd ever had.
Anita almost teared up watching the little boy eat.
She swore to never let the boy feel lonely for as long as she was still there. She knew very well the feeling of being abandoned and neglected, and she was never going to let Nero feel unseen for a second.
She was doing it for Nero, but she was also doing it for herself, she hoped to heal her younger self by giving another what she yearned for and never had: love.
After a few minutes, she successfully tucked Nero in bed and quietly left the room.
She was glad she beat time, Gotti would never know what happened.
She was coming out of the kitchen when the front door opened and in walked Gotti.
Anita froze, her heart skipping a dangerous beat as Sawston broke out of her forehead.
'Oh, no, I hope he doesn't smell it,' She gulped and moved like everything was okay.
Gotti paused at the door and sniffed the air.
"Good evening, Alpha," Anita bowed her head and quietly walked past Gotti and toward the girls' quarters.
However, her heart jumped into her stomach when she felt the warm, strong grip on her arm, pulling her back until she stood in front of the lethal-looking Alpha.
She swallowed hard, trying her best to look away from those purecung grey eyes.
Gotti narrowed his eyes at the little woman in front of him, seeing how she purposely used her hair to cover her face from him.
"Eyes up here, Ms. Stone," Gotti ordered silkily, hooking a finger under Anita's smooth chin and forcing her face up.
"Alpha— how may I help you?" Anita licked her dry lips as she was forced to look into those grey eyes that seemed to peer into her soul.
Gotti smiled, a bone-chilling smile that told Anita that her next words might be her last.
"Help me, Ms. Stone. Tell me why I smell cheese instead of Spinach," Gotti spoke calmly, his hand coming up to wrap around Anita's neck.
Anita coughed, her eyes turning moist from fear, "Alpha — I— Nero wanted Grilled–argh!"
Anita staggered as an unexpected hard slap landed harshly across her cheek.
"Bitch!" Gotti growled, pulling Anita roughly by her wrist, "You're about to understand that you're nothing but a debt paid. You have no right to decide anything!" He growled, roughly pulling Anita away and up the stairs.