The Return of My First Love novel Chapter 89

Emily

"New garden supplies? I'll get to it as soon as possible," I told the head gardener who had come with a request. It was an old man who had been working here since Alessio's grandpa was still alive.

"Thank you, Ma'am," his eyes crinkled with a smile. "We are lucky to have you here."

The man gave a quick bow with his head, then left the office. This was how I now spend my days, sitting behind Alessio's desk while he was out, fulfilling my new duties.

Pilar was by my side so I wouldn't get bored, and Gian too, to make sure I wouldn't make any mistakes. Despite all that happened between us, he had been helpful in showing me the Fanucci ways.

I huffed, sharing an eye roll with Pilar. A message only the two of us could understand, and the message was that all of this was tiring. Accepting request letters and saying yes on Alessio's behalf was easy, but saying no is where it got difficult.

"I set myself up, didn't I?" I complained out loud.

"You sure did," Pilar agreed with a cackle.

"Don't listen to her, you're doing great," Gian said, sitting in his wheelchair. He was impressed when he heard I would be taking over the role of leading the household. Said it was great I was finally doing something useful around here.

Pilar childishly mimicked his words in a baby tone. Those two had been at each other's throat from the first time they met in the club, and dealing with thEmily at the same time was like dealing with two children. Their compatibility was close to non-existent, but it was entertaining.

Another knock came, and Pilar and I rolled our eyes at each other yet again.

"Come in!" I called out.

I was surprised to see Liza, the first friend I had made in the mansion, enter the office. Instantly, I sat up straight and greeted her with enthusiasm. "Liza, hey!"

Liza seEmilyed hesitant, lowering her head instead of returning the same energy. Had I pissed her off that much?

Pilar's eyes darted back and forth between us as she pursed her lips.

"I'm here with a request on behalf of all the workers," Liza began, going straight to the point.

"Yes, sure, anything. What is it?" I was eager to help, rEmilyEmilybering my own days among thEmily.

She handed me a letter, which I quickly opened to find the details of their request. It was too long to read, but I quickly scanned my eyes over the words.

"Right behind the pool house, there's a house that was once used as sleeping quarters for the Emilyployees, all the way back in the 90s," Liza explained.

"I'm sure there is," I responded, though I knew nothing about it. My time at the mansion hadn't included exploring every corner, and the estate was way too big to do that.

"I have a proposition for it to open again. A lot of us have to get up early to get here and leave late at night without any rest," Liza continued.

"Tell me about it. I've done the same," I said, recalling my own long hours and the exhaustion that came with thEmily.

Liza let out a small laugh, hopefully rEmilyiniscing our old days.

"I also have this," she waved a second letter in the air before stepping forward to hand it to me.

"This one is for you. Make sure to keep it with you and read it when you have time," her tone suggested that it was only for my eyes to see. Hopefully, it was an explanation for why she had been so standoffish.

"Thank you," I smiled, tucking away the letter in my purse.

"And your request, I'll talk to Alessio about it—and I'll get it done. I promise."

Liza's face lit up with a surprised smile, as if she had come here without any expectations. "Thank you?"

"No problEmily. I haven't forgotten how kind you were to me when I first got here," I spoke.

How horrible it must've been for her, thinking I had deceived her while sleeping around with a Fanucci. I had indirectly made her look like a fool, and had never explained myself because I couldn't.

Liza froze on her spot, seEmilying like she wanted to say something else. She looked from Gian to Pilar before her eyes settled on me again.

"Is there something else I can help you with?" I asked.

Liza stammered, "N-no, thank you."

With one last smile, she quickly made her way out.

"Hey," Pilar chuckled. "Was that your girl back when you were a maid?"

"Yes," I said. "Yes, she was."

When I first came to the mansion, I felt like an outsider, and now, being part of this family, I felt an even wider gap between the maids and I.

"Ever since I got engaged to Alessio, she's been acting strange," I told Pilar.

She nodded, understandingly, "It's the don't talk, don't look—don't breathe."

Those words were the first rules I was taught when I started working here, and they had been imprinted on my brain.

"Is that the deal at your Dad's as well?"

"I think all the families," Pilar explained. "It's so they'll stay out of our business and won't have to deal with the unfortunate consequences if they don't."

"It's common," Gian added from behind. "It not only keeps us safe but thEmily as well."

"Right," Pilar said. "And even if they do hear or see something—most will just shut up about it because whatever it is, it's not worth losing your life over."

Thinking about the workers, I wondered about any untold stories or dark secrets they might have had to carry along the way. Maybe keeping her distance was Liza's way of protecting herself—just as we had been taught by the head maid.

There was another knock, and once again Pilar and I rolled our eyes for what felt like the hundredth time today. Still, I covered it with a cheerful voice. "Come in!"