Chapter 10

When Joffre finally arrived in that gigantic truck that completely clashed with the rustic cabin and tangle of bushes, he disembarked gracefully, gave me a simple and stretched look just like his owner, and then asked with that lemon-like face.

"What happened to Mr. Cesar?"

"Mr. Cesar's horse escaped into the forest. It would be best if someone went to look for it," I smiled, ignoring the insults of calling him a stubborn head who wouldn't accept that he stayed at my cabin only because he was lost. The butler looked at me doubtfully and said,

"I can't even imagine what must have happened."

"Don't worry... nothing serious happened, luckily."

"I'm not worried about you. I say this because of your face... it looks like someone kicked you." A horse, to be exact, I thought, still feeling the sharp pain in my arm. I smiled again, facing another silent and observant iceberg, the master and his butler were two of a kind.

"Move, I don't have all day," Mr. Cesar snapped from the truck, calling his butler.

"Yes, sir. We'll be leaving then," Joffre said, walking to the elegant vehicle. I sighed in relief, seeing that the unpleasant situation was finally over. Still... my more humane side knew I hadn't acted professionally. I knew perfectly well that he was a complete idiot, no excuses there, but I didn't have to mimic his behavior. My friends at the brothel said I was foolish for being so considerate of people, but what could I do with my conscience nagging at my actions? Sorry, but I couldn't... things as they are. Keylef was an angel for recommending me for this job, and it was Mr. Cesar who gave the final order for me to stay. So, at the very least, I had to thank him for that. I approached the truck and leaned in through the window with a smile.

"Ex-excuse me, Mr. Cesar." He turned his slightly grayish-blue eyes towards me with a haughty expression.

"I couldn't properly thank you for giving me the opportunity to work here. I like my little house, and I will work very hard so you won't regret your decision." He turned his serious expression towards his butler, who quickly responded,

"She gets a thousand dollars a month, Mr. Cesar," said the butler. He rolled his eyes.

"Too much for almost killing me. I should reconsider such an undeserved salary. Let's go."

"What? Wait, could you explain that?" And without responding, he rolled up the window and started the car. Damn bastard... he didn't even know how much I was paid, and now he wants to lower my salary. They should double my salary for putting up with that scoundrel, I thought, letting out a tired sigh... I need to lie down for a bit.

♥

"Get that woman a good porcelain dinner set..."

"Excuse me, sir? Take her a dinner set..." Joffre indicated, surprised. I nodded without further ado, turning my gaze to the window.

"As you command."

♥

I lay on my trembling bed, feeling intense throbs. It will pass quickly... I just need to rest and sleep. I took some fabric scraps and wrapped my arm, which had turned from red to purple. I wrapped it as carefully as possible while breathing deeply. I hope it's not broken... if it is, what will I do? I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep to avoid feeling more pain.

Joffre

How did I end up in this situation, coming through these wild lands at night to bring a complete porcelain dinner set? It was strange for Mr. Cesar to ask for something for someone without gaining any benefit. Anyway... I suppose I should have brought a good dinner set and also a first aid kit in case anything happened. It would be more convenient if she had a cellphone, but she didn't even want to buy one, such a strange girl. It was also surprising that the master, after so many years of riding in these areas, ended up getting lost. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was that the lights were not on. Strange, it was still early, which is why I showed up at this hour. I knocked insistently, but no one answered...

"Where is that girl...? Miss Belle, it's me, Joffre... are you here?" But I only heard silence. I put my ear to the door, worried, when I heard a groan.

"Miss Belle?" I quickly opened the door and found her on the floor, breathing rapidly and covered in sweat.

"Mr. Joffre... I fell off the bed," she said with a shy smile.

"What nonsense are you saying, are you sick?" I ran to her and knelt on the floor, observing her bandaged arm. It was swollen and purple.

"What happened to you?" I tried to lift her off the floor so she could sit.

"It's just... I forgot to mention the little detail that the horse kicked me when it escaped." She let out a giggle while breathing strangely.

"How can you joke at a time like this? And why didn't you tell me?"

"My grandfather says it's better to put on a good face in bad situations. What sense would it make to be grumpy in an already unpleasant moment? If he saw me like this... he would be sad and drink again." Now I understood why she looked so bad. I thought she was nervous about this morning's situation.

"Stop talking, I'll call an ambulance."

"I think I can walk to a bus station, but I don't know if I can stay standing for long." From her pocket emerged a small green frog that quickly hid in her hands. This had to be a joke.

"You're delirious, woman, you can't even move off the floor. Stay here and rest, I'll call someone from the mansion."

Montenegro Mansion: 8:00 P.M.

Today has been a waste of time. I sighed, took my wine glass while cutting my steak. As I put the fork to my mouth and savored the spices, I thought about everything that had happened today. Reflecting with a clear mind, the girl really hadn't done anything wrong. She looked very neglected, but that wasn't a reason to be bad. In fact, she was quite kind and helped me efficiently. Neither did she seem to have any intention of taking advantage of me, but somehow I couldn't stop thinking she resembled Belladonna. Was that why she annoyed me so much? I didn't understand how she could look like her. I should forget it and that's it.

"Where is Joffre? It's strange not to see him at this hour," the maid made a slight bow and said,

"Mr. Joffre went to deliver a dinner set to the woodsman, Mr. Cesar."

"How long does it take him?" Annoyed, I removed the napkin from my legs, getting up from the table. I headed to my study, hearing the commotion of the maids.

"They say they had to take her almost dragging to the ambulance..."

"I always said, such a young girl in such a hard job..."

I approached them, wondering what was going on... who had they dragged away.

"Why are you gossiping in the hallways? Get to work! You only take advantage when Joffre isn't here."

"Yes, Miss Benelope."

"One second, I want to hear again what you were saying."

"They're just hallway gossip, Mr. Cesar, don't worry, I'll scold them later."

"Benelope," I said firmly, looking at her coldly.

"Sorry, sir... Go on, speak quickly!"

"We heard that Mr. Joffre took that girl from the cabin to the hospital, nothing more..." I frowned and quickly said,

"My phone..." Benelope handed it to me, and I quickly called Joffre, who answered instantly.

"Master Cesar."

"What happened?"

"I'm taking Miss Belle to the hospital. We still don't know the severity of her condition." I hung up angrily, remembering that silly smile while she said she was fine. How can she smile as if nothing is wrong while dying of pain? That just made me angrier.

"Prepare a car, I'm also going to the hospital."

"Yes, sir..."