Chapter 3: Changes

Fleur's POV:

The light that seeped through the thick curtains woke me up. I fumbled slowly with the comforter as I got up from my bed. My body was begging to be let back in bed, and my head was already missing the pillows. I barely slept for two hours yesterday.

It was a nice day for the end of November. The sun was up, and a light breeze entered the room the moment I opened the windows. Looking outside, I noticed the view for the first time. We were in New York, yes, but the beautiful garden in front of me made it forgettable. Ironically, in a mafia leader's house, it seemed so peaceful. I could hear the birds singing outside, and it felt like heaven. With Alberto, I would hear the music and the people laughing and dancing around while I rotted in the basement of one of his clubs. But I'm here now, probably better than back there, so I'm relishing it.

I'm still gazing out the window when I hear a knock on the door. Just as I turned around, Alessandra- Nina entered my room. I'd like to call her that even if she's not a real friend yet, pretending to have one at least makes you feel less lonely. Doesn't it?

"Good morning, love, I thought I should come to tell you that you should be down in about 10 minutes; we have to start making breakfast by then," she informed me, and I gave her a small smile and a nod.

When she closed the door, I made my way to my empty wardrobe. How do I ask for clothes if I'm only a maid? I take one of the only two red dresses hanging in there; after yesterday, I'd rather burn the other dress than wear it. Quickly, I finish my bath and let my hair fall on my shoulders. It was nothing too good; it was too damaged anyway to care.

When I entered the kitchen, I found Nina standing over the stove, cooking something, while a plate of eggs was waiting on the expensive marble counter. "Do I have to take that outside?" I asked in a low voice, still dreaming about the bed.

No, that's for you; you should eat." Nina answered me dismissively, acting like a mom.

I raised an eyebrow at her and asked, "Who said I should?"

Well, I noticed you came here and started working and didn't eat anything since yesterday, but yeah, if you really want to know, the big boss was the one who said you should eat," she winked at me AGAIN. That's getting a bit on my nerves.

"Big boss?"

"You know, Fillip, he thinks you should eat."

Surprise and shock took over. I looked down at myself. Did I look that bad? That HE would not only notice but also say that I should eat. I certainly didn't know that.

"And why should I listen to him?"

"I mean, other than the whole mafia don shit, he's technically your employer, so..." I waited, and she didn't continue, and I realised that this was her way of trying to convince me. So I went towards the counter and sat down on the small chair in front of it.

Honestly, I didn't want to eat; I didn't have the appetite to do so. Not after what happened yesterday or how anything has actually been going for the past 6 years. I've already learned how to function without food for so long now that I just wanted to get on with my day and be left alone until I tried to figure a way out of there. No matter how impossible it seems, I will try to get out of here, even if my life depends on it.

Suddenly someone came into the room and startled my thoughts, "You. Fillip wants breakfast in his office, and he wants you to deliver it to him," Christian said, pointing at me. So much for wanting to be left alone.

Seriously, and why should that be me?" one day his gardener, the next his personal maid.

"Are you questioning the boss's order?" Christian spoke in a harsh voice, but then a smirk on his face made me relax a bit.

I looked back at him, and then his green eyes struck me again. "Wait a second," I said a bit too loudly. And then I looked back at Nina serving more eggs on better-looking plates. It took me a minute to look back and forth between them. Blond hair and green eyes. "Are you siblings, or have I not slept enough that I'm imaging things?" I technically interrogated them. Nina laughed and then answered me, "No, you've had enough sleep; he's my brother," she said, giving Christian a look. It made my stare shift to Christian, who just nodded.

I kept looking back and forth again. Yeah, definitely siblings; they both now had the same grin plastered on their faces as they watched me. I don't know why I was so surprised, but I was. "So why do you work here as a maid?" I asked Nina

Well, our mother has always been friends with Fillip's mom, long before Fillip became who he is today. When she came to work here for him, we came with her, but it was already known that Christian was going to be Fillip's second in command," she answered me, still having a smile on her face.

"And who is your mother, Agnes?" I said it jokingly, but when they both continued staring, my smile dropped.

"Don't tell me... Oh god, she's your mother!"

They both laughed at me, and Christian answered me this time, "She's our stepmom, but she insists on calling her mother for some reason; we obviously stopped long ago."

I stayed silent a bit, taking all this information in, when their mother, Agnes, came into the room. She had a broom in hand, and she couldn't look more headmaid with that bun and white old hair. Pointing at Christian, she said in her old raspy voice, "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be in the kitchen. Get out. Get out." She ushered Christian outside, then turned to me and Nina, adding, "And you, why are you still sitting here? Nina, you should have finished more than eggs by now; we don't have all morning."

She continued giving orders after she technically pushed me off the chair and held my plate of cold eggs, throwing it in the trash. I mean, yes, I wasn't eating that, but I still felt bad because she threw it away. Goodness me, she is terrible.

After a minute, Nina pushed me a tray with food: more eggs with bacon, some fruits and vegetables, and coffee. "For Fillip, he's probably waiting." I took it without any more words and made my way to his room.

I may or may not have lost my way a couple of times before I finally found the corridor where Fillip's office was, but I'll get used to it. I was about to go searching every room, but when I saw Leo and Christian standing with a third man in front of a door, I thought maybe that was his room, so I made my way there. Christian greeted me with his grin from earlier, and Leo smiled at me lightly, and then his face turned emotionless again, but the third man kept scanning me as if there was something wrong with me, but I guess that's how every man in that house reacts when they see a woman.

"Is that-" I didn't even get to continue my question when Christian interrupted me.

"Yes, that's his office; he's already been waiting."

I gave the door a light knock and waited until I heard a strong, deep voice calling me in. When I got in there, I saw Fillip sitting in his place behind his dark wood desk, with a cup of whisky lingering in front of him. It was too early in the morning; I don't get how someone could be drinking now. God, he missed the cigarette, and he would have looked so cliche mafia boss.

He looked up at me from some papers, and when he saw me, a smirk found its way onto his face. For real, these smirks are why I have killer instincts. I don't have the faintest idea what's so amusing about my face that he felt the need to smirk every time he saw it. He dropped the papers and pointed to his desk, probably telling me to put the tray down, but he could at least ask me to do so. All I did was stand by the door and give him a questioning look.

"You can lay the tray here, Fleur." He had a hint of amusement in his voice, and that annoyed me, and the way he said my name, the way it rolled off his tongue, sent something into the pit of my stomach, but I refused to acknowledge it. After I put the tray where Fillip asked me to, he asked me another question, "Have you eaten today?" And there we go again. Why was he surprising me in so many ways?

"Yes, yes, I did," I answered maybe a bit too quickly for my liking, and it was his turn to give me a questioning look. "Don't you think I know a liar when I see one Fleur?" He asked with amusement still in his voice.

I stood silently in front of his desk, frozen in my place. I didn't know what to say. Really. Did I think I could lie to him and he'd actually believe me? He was the leader of the mafia in New York and probably one of the strongest dons in America. He'd seen a hundred liars before and tortured the truth out of a hundred more.

When I stood for too long and he said nothing, I started turning to leave, but he stopped me and asked, "Where are you going?" I stopped in my tracks, turning back around. His smirk was now replaced with a slight frown. "Leaving," I said simply, not really caring for his response after what happened yesterday.

"You really think it's just that simple? That's why Alberto said you were trouble," he continued, amusement growing in his voice by the second as he chuckled. It was humourless, though.

"I'm not trouble." I was annoyed but not surprised that Alberto had said that about me. Honestly, I expected worse, but I guess he doesn't want me sent back to him after a couple of days, though I feel like it's going to take longer than that in this place.

Fillip stared at me. Why did he have to be so intimidating? So far, we haven't really met; this is the longest we've talked, but the look he was giving me was this dark gaze. It was the same one he gave me yesterday when I was walking through the dining room. His gaze was making my skin itch, causing me to feel uncomfortable in my skin, and I was fighting every urge not to run through the door.

He tsked slowly, "Lying again, are we?" He sounded like he was scolding me, and it was infuriating. My cheeks heated up, and I'm pretty sure he noticed it when he continued staring at my face. "Why didn't you eat?" he asked a second question. This time his tone was firm and hard as if daring me to lie again.

"I didn't have time; I had to get you your food before you got down there shooting us because you didn't get your breakfast and were 'waiting'," I said the last words between air speeches; technically, I lied again. I didn't eat because I didn't want to, and Agnes threw it away anyway, but the chance to see him frown at me and have his amusement knocked off his face was worth it.

"You think I shoot people when I don't have breakfast?" There was something in his voice—not anger, not amusement—but I just couldn't make it out. Maybe disappointment.

"No. I think you shoot people when you're angry," or at least that's what I heard about him. I mean, his reputation was so awful all around New York that even poor me, rotting in Alberto's clubs, heard about him.

He gave me a dark smile and said, "You are right about that; I do, so why are you trying to anger me?"

Instead of answering, I asked him another question, "why am I here? Why am I a maid? Why me?" Nina's words about him seeing something in me came back to me. I have refused to think about them, and I hope he didn't. I wasn't stupid; I knew he wasn't going to answer, but at least it was worth trying. Slowly, he got up from his chair, went around his desk, and in a few seconds, he was standing in front of me.

Heat radiated from his chest, and just his mere presence in front of me standing like that sent goosebumps all over my body. I wasn't short; quite the opposite, I was actually told that I was tall. I remember six years ago, back when I was still with my father, I had already passed his height. However, Fillip was nothing like my father. He was nothing like the men I have seen. His strong masculine cologne hit me like a strong wave and sent its tides down to my stomach, causing me to feel a bit dizzy in the process.

I was forced to take a step back. For two reasons: one, I really couldn't handle being this close to him. Two, so I can look up at him without our lips being so close—that was the last thing I wanted. Studying me closely, his heavy midwinter eyes hovered over me, and honestly, I was taken aback by how beautiful they looked. He shared his eyes with Luc, but his own were different, and I could see it. His eyes looked darker and deeper. Looming somewhere in there was immense, everlasting darkness that I would get sucked into and lose myself in if I weren't careful. Fillip's eyes held the power of the roaming clouds in a thunderstorm; they held anger, not just at me. It looked like his anger had been buried deep for so long.

He held my hand in his instantly, stopping me from backing away even more. "You're a smart girl, Fleur. I know it, so why are you acting foolish and impulsive?" His voice dropped to a low whisper,rasping , and as every breath he was letting out hit my face, I could recognise the lingering smell of whisky and cigarettes.

"I wasn't being impulsive."

"Kicking my brother in the crotch, really? Not impulsive?" He asked. The smirk came to his face when he probably saw the blood drain from mine. I don't know what to say; seriously, at this point, I'm waiting for whatever he has in store for me for embarrassing his brother. All my comebacks and lies evaporating in the heat between our chests, which were inches away from touching. That seemed to want to touch.

"Not so many words coming out of your mouth now?" He was pushing me, and I was two seconds away from making the stupidest decision of my life.

When he raised his hand, I took a step back. I didn't flinch; I just moved away. I didn't want to seem that weak in front of him, but that didn't mean I didn't think he'd hurt me. He stopped midway, his grey eyes studying me closely. "What was that?" He asked.

Nothing," I lied for what felt like the millionth time.

"No, it wasn't nothing... You thought I was going to hit you,"

"Can you blame me?"

He continued staring at me, both hands back in his pockets. His eyes darkened as he considered my words. He was silent for a long while before he finally said, "No, I guess I don't." He stopped again. "I don't hit women, Fleur."

I raised my eyebrows. "A mafia leader with morals?" I asked.

"Back to being a bitch?" He asked back, and my mouth was sealed shut. He chuckled darkly at his small win before going back to his chair.

"Where are you from, Fleur?" He questioned me.

"Didn't Alberto tell you that too?" Honestly, I wasn't in the mood for a life story recap, especially with him.

He shot me an angry look and said, "I'm not a very patient man, and my patience Is running low with you; you better answer my questions with answers, not more questions." He let out an angry breath and continued his interrogation, or whatever that was, "Where are you from, Fleur?"

"New York...and is that some kind of interrogation?" I also asked my question; it's only fair.

"Well, you've got to know who you've got employed in your house," he said, giving me a dark look, "and you can call it an interrogation if it pleases you."

"You chose for me to be here; I didn't want to be. Nothing is pleasing about any of this."

"I don't know why it's taking you this long to notice, but you don't really get a choice. Also, what matters is what's pleasing me. And quite frankly, you are pleasing me, Fleur." Here we go again, saying my name that way of his. In that weird, suggestive, twisted tone he has acquired, but who the hell was he to take my choice from me? He is no better than the people and families I've been with, don or not. I was still going to make his life a living hell for choosing me rather than anyone else.

He probably felt I was about to protest, so he talked again, "why is Alberto calling you trouble?" I was getting tired of this conversation.

I smiled at him innocently, "I also thought he wouldn't tell you that. Well, I guess we'll have to find out. I don't like to spoil the surprise." I take a page out of Nina's book, winking.

In return, he gave me a sadistic smirk that made chills run through me and said in his deep, dark voice, "You are a lucky girl, Fleur, because I love playing games, and you are even luckier because I'm willing to, but just so you know, I'm winning." I bet he meant mind games; I'm pretty sure a man like him was manipulative as hell, but I won't fall for it no matter what he says.

"Is that a threat?"

"Consider it a warning," he responded cockily, and I almost rolled my eyes at him.

"Can I leave now? I'm pretty sure the rude old woman down there wouldn't fancy me standing here and wasting time," I asked, making sure I sounded as bored as I could, but honestly, I would stand here all day if I could avoid Agnes. God, this is my second day here, and I already hate her.

He gave me one last look before dismissing me with his hands, I bit back an insult. Instead, I walk out of the room and quickly make my way back to the kitchen. As much as I would have loved to avoid Agnes, staying in the room with him was literally driving me crazy, and let's not talk about the red flush on my cheeks.

A low whistle broke through the air the moment I stepped into the kitchen. "Look, who's back. What took you so long? And is that you blushing I see there?" Nina asks, and I shoot her a glare before seeing Agnes give me one of her own.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I ask in disgust, and instead of answering me, Agnes walks outside, making sure to give me an up-and-down look before leaving. I swear to God that woman will make me commit my first crime.

"What took you so long?" Nina asks again, this time seriously.

"Ask your boss. He was having an interview with me or whatever. He said he wanted to know the people that work in his house as if I wanted to." I was talking a bit childishly acting with my hands as I explained to Nina the situation.

"You really shouldn't be saying those words in front of anyone, Fleur, especially not Fillip." I hear a familiar voice and turn to see Leo coming into the kitchen.

"I said nothing."

"You were making fun of the boss; you know that, but lucky for you, I'm going to let that pass since it's still your second day here." He smiled smugly at me and watched me as if he were waiting for some reaction. Well, if he thought I would be thanking him, then he's wrong. I shrug and turn back around to face Nina.

We keep talking for a bit before Agnes, the killer of not only joy but everything, enters the room and asks, "What are both of you still doing here? The men just finished their breakfast; go clean the table."

Does this woman know how to do anything else other than give orders? Without another word, me and Nina shuffled out of the kitchen, leaving Leo back alone with her. Even though someone like Leo could kill a town, I don't know how he survives a conversation with this woman.

Me and Nina quietly picked up the plates. I sigh, annoyed at the world. I really don't know why I ended up here as a maid in the house of the biggest mafia gang in New York. Why I ever got dragged into this world I will never know, but I guess life has never been fair.