The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 12

Emily

Ever since that strange phone-call, nothing had been the same.

How could I feel at ease without knowing whether my crazy ex had finally found me?

Strangely enough, cleaning at the Fanucci mansion actually put my mind at ease. It was the one place I knew where he couldn't get to me.

True, the Fanuccis were hardly saints thEmilyselves, but within these grand walls, I felt safer than in that tiny apartment. Natalie was my main concern, but it offered me some relief knowing she was either safely at school or with Mrs. Rodriquez.

"Hey, you!" A rude voice snapped me from my thoughts.

Quickly, I turned around and found myself locking eyes with Alessio Fanucci. Shocked, I drifted my eyes to the floor.

I hadn't forgotten his intense gaze from the day before, when he himself had managed to spill his champagne on the table, and I had to apologize for it.

"You," he continued, "They didn't clean my room. I need you to do it."

Me?

"Yes, Sir," I murmured, keeping my volume at a low. I wasn't trying to test him.

It felt like a devil's curse, knowing that from all the maids walking the mansion, he just had to come and pick me for the unfortunate task.

"Well, don't just stand there. Let's go," he commanded.

Hastily, I gathered my cleaning supplies, then I followed him to his room in complete silence. Once we reached his room, he stepped aside to let me enter.

I had hoped for him to leave, but he followed right after me.

I didn't know what to think, staring at the room bigger than my apartment. My eyes were immediately blinded by the expensive furniture and the golden afternoon light.

Unlike my expectations, the room seEmilyed clean, spotless even, making me wonder what exactly I was supposed to be cleaning.

Regardless, I did what was asked and began to sweep the marble floors.

My encounters with the Fanuccis were already more than I had wished for. Even though I was working at the mansion, I had imagined a role where I'd rEmilyain mostly invisible, barely seen or even acknowledged.

Yet, here I was, under the intimidating surveillance of Alessio Fanucci, his eyes following my every move as he leaned against his desk with folded arms as if I wasn't nervous enough already.

"So, where are you from?" he suddenly asked, breaking the tense silence.

"Dallas, Texas," I replied, instantly regretting revealing any personal detail. There was no reason why I should be talking to him, the heir of the Fanucci family. There was also no reason why he should he talking to me, a simple maid.

Alessio pushed for more answers. "Why are you here?"

"Work." This time I kept my answer short.

"Work," he repeated, chuckling. "And how did you end up working for our family."

My anxiety grew with each question as I did not know what he was getting at. "I was looking for a job around the city," I responded, "Someone recommended this place."

"Hmm," he hummed in response, then the room fell into silence once again. 

Soon after, I could hear his footsteps drawing closer until they came to a stop right in front of me. My heart hammered against my chest as I was trying to hide my nerves.

What did he want from me?

Why was he so close to me?

"Look at me," he dEmilyanded. 

Seeing no way out, I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his. Alessio was tall, so tall that he towered over me. His handsome features were a sharp contrast to the ruthless persona he portrayed. It was saddening, seeing such a face wasted on a monster.

How many lives would that family have ruined? How many people would they have killed?

How many people would he have killed?

"Are you married, children?" Alessio asked, flustering me with his random question.

"No!" For the first time my voice was loud and clear. The denial came instantly, but it was more so shock than anything else.

I had no idea why he would ask that question, but one thing was sure, and that was that Natalie was not a topic to discuss. Not with anyone.

When a low chuckle released from his lips, I figured teasing the maids must've been his thing, and there was most likely nothing behind it.

Using their power over the maids and asking thEmily ridiculous questions seEmilyed about right for the Fanucci brothers.

"How old are you?"