Chapter 52
"What!? Mr. Cesar wants me to stay here!? But what about my cabin? Where will I sleep? I can go to the storage room behind the kitchen."
"I think you're not understanding the situation you're in," he said, letting out a sigh.
"Situation... I still don't understand."
"Master Cesar wants you to stay here for when he returns from his trip."
"Sleeping in Mr. Cesar's bed... No... I can't do that. What will people think if they start talking? They already call me the usurper Belledona; what will they say now... that I'm the mistress?"
"At least I'm glad you understand the situation you're in. I don't like those who play dumb." I looked at him with narrowed eyes and could tell he wasn't happy with this situation.
"There’s no reason for him to want me to stay here; I'm not comfortable with this either."
"It's a direct order."
"Then, when is Mr. Cesar supposed to return?"
"I wasn't informed of that." I sighed in exhaustion and, determined, I said.
"Can I speak with Mr. Cesar? I'll tell him directly that I'll stay in the cabin; it's better, and people won't talk behind his back anymore." Surprised, he opened his wrinkled eyes, lined with crow's feet. He cleared his throat and said.
"No one bothers Mr. Cesar when he's on a business trip, but... I suppose you’re an exception for him." Exception? Why did people think he treated me differently from the others? Joffre took a notebook and wrote a number in it.
"This is Master Cesar's direct number. He doesn't receive calls very often, so speak briefly about the matter."
"Thank you, I'll try."
♡
I took the phone, and as I dialed with sweaty hands, a thousand thoughts ran through my mind. He would surely think I was a nuisance, or if he was angry... and if... I didn't even know what I had to say. Still, even though I trembled like a leaf, once again, the curiosity of hearing how his voice sounded over the phone pushed me to involve myself more and more with this man. It seemed there was a part of me I didn’t fully know.
"Yes, who is this?" My heart skipped a beat when I heard his deep, raspy voice.
"M-Mr. Cesar, it's me, Belle."
"I know, this number is from my room."
"Yes… I suppose you know that," I said, letting out a nervous laugh. "How… are you? What I mean is... sorry, Joffre told me to be quick. When are you coming back?" I heard a tired sigh, and he said.
"I could be better. I don't know when I'll return, maybe in three days." His voice was soft and somehow kind, I didn't mind hearing it.
"Why did you ask me to stay in your room? Don’t you think there will be worse rumors if I stay? It’s not good for you."
"I take care of myself; are you so desperate to escape from me again?"
"What I don't understand is why you want me here? I'm not your girlfriend, not your wife... I just seem like a woman who sneaked into your room and is waiting for you to return, and I’m not that!"
"To study, I want you to study and prepare for when I come back. I've asked Joffre to hire a private tutor."
"Prepare for what?"
"So that next time, you can come to work with me. Didn't you say you wanted to be my assistant?"
"Really?"
"I don't lie, so prepare yourself." A smile spread across my face, and I said excitedly.
"I promise I’ll study hard and be of help to you, so come back soon so you can see it with your own eyes."
"Of course, I will." I hung up the phone, letting out a long sigh. If I worked hard, I would become the woman I never thought I could be. My only wish before was to wake up and collect bottles, but now I could be someone better... better for Keylef. But then why were my feelings no longer so clear? My mind had changed, but my heart was no longer the same.
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