Three

What he forgot to mentioned back in Texas was the fact that we would be traveling out of the state and driving for another hour to reached our specific destination. A small unknown town I've never heard of in the state of Oregon were his employer was located. When I'd asked him if the town he spoke of even existed he'd laughed and insisted that it most certainly did and that I should stop being so skeptic about it. Begrudgingly I'd stated that my whole life had been built in skepticism and that I hadn't had a choice in the matter. Nick hadn't argued knowing it was true. By evening he was driving us up a gravel path road that led to his employers new house.
“There is a lot of trees around here.” I said peeking out the window of his silver BMW. “Is it always this windy?”
“Yes and you will rarely see the sun around here.”
“It looks so gloomy.”
“You get used to it after a while.”
“This is where you live?”
Nicholas nodded. “Yes. I live in the city though. Makes it easier for me to accomplish my job.”
“And what exactly do you do for your employer?”
“I manage her appointments and the paperworks of her business. She is a very sophisticated woman.”
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and smile. “You admire her.”
“She is very sweet. And the mother I never had.” He said. “We are here.”
When before I had been anxious to get out of the car I was now feeling super nervous about meeting the woman inside the huge house in front of us. I gulped and stared in hesitation at the house.
“Are you okay?” Nick asked noticing my indecision. “Don't worry everything will be okay. I called Mrs. Bellucci back at the airport to let her know you'll be arriving soon. I'll come back to get you as soon as I'm done with work okay? You'll be safe here.”
He'd never broken a promise to me before and I couldn't see how he would start now. “You promise?”
Nick nodded. “I promise. Now go on.” He shoo me out of his car. “It's going to start raining soon and I don't want to hit traffic.”
I gave him a blank stared.
“What traffic?” I deadpanned. “It's pretty dead here.”
“Just get in there.”
“Are you sure your plan is going to work?” I was still a tiny bit negative about this whole deal. “How do you know my family won't find us?”
“My own family doesn't even know where I live. Besides I promise you I'll protect you. I mean to keep my word.”
Hoping for the best, I nodded in confidence, wave goodbye at him and went to the thick wooden double doors waiting for me once he was gone. I pressed the small button I assume was the doorbell and waited patiently for someone to opened the door. In a house this big I had expected to see a servant answering the door but nothing had prepared me for the impressively elegant woman who came out. She was small and delicate looking but with an abundance of midnight black hair and sharp eyes that took me in as I awkwardly stood there. Her beauty and elegance making me feel inadequate in her presence. The woman stared at me for another minute longer before saying.
“Hello there.” She had a heavy accent when she spoke. “May I help you?”
Her navy blue dress accentuating her perfect figure told me she wasn't a maid of the house.
I stuttered when I could finally speak. “I, um, I'm terribly sorry. Um,” I cleared my throat, embarrassed. “My name is Renata Barton. I'm here to see Mrs. Bellucci?”
I hope I haven't butchered the name too much. Her dazzling smile was gorgeous.
“This is her. You must be Nicholas dearest friend. Please come in.” Of all the things who would have thought the owner herself would be opening the door for me? She step aside allowing me in. I graciously thank her and went inside almost swooning at the sight of her home. It was modernly furnished and well organized. I wanted to weep. “Are you okay signorina?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Her house reminded me of my own house and how they almost seem the same. Was this lady just like my parents then? Scrupulous and ambitious? Her life center by the privileges money provided for her?
Mrs. Bellucci wasn't convinced. “Are you sure you're okay signorina? You look a bit pale.”
I wanted to turned back around and flee in the other direction but the thought of Nick working for this woman kept me rooted in my place. I knew he wouldn't be working for someone as selfish as my parents. And if memory serve me right, I think he'd mention something about this woman being sweet.
“Would you happen to be italian?” I said trying to change the subject. “I couldn't help but notice that you have a hard time speaking our language. No offense to you of course.”
Mrs. Bellucci chuckled. “None taken Miss Barton. I do have a difficult time speaking your language. It's, um, how would you say it?”
She was thoughtful for a moment. “Complicated. But yes I do come from Italy. I was born and raised there.”
That was thrilling and a first for me to meet a foreigner. “That's very amazing. Maybe you can teach me a word or two sometime.”
“I would be delighted to teach you my mother tongue. But to get back on track as you Americans put it. Are you interested in the position I'm offering? I need someone who is willing to take care of my dog while I'm not home. I know that to some people it might be absurd that someone pays money to watch over a dog but this dog is precious to us.”
“Us?”
“My son and I. We are the only two people living in this house. No else comes in here to work or otherwise. So as you can see I don't have anyone to remain here with Shadow. And I need someone who is friendly and patient with pets.” Her eyes went to the vanilla folder I was holding in my hands. A sudden smile to her lips. “And I have a feeling you are that person. Is that for me?”
I nodded. “Yes. This is a resume with my skills and achievements.”
“My son and I, we've just recently move to this city you see and we don't know anyone around here. Fortunately for us we found Nicholas and he has been helping us get settle. He is a good man and a man I've come to trust. He mention that you two were engage but had no intention whatsoever to get married. Is that true?” She said all of this while scanning the papers she held in her hands. I felt a blushed coming.
“It is okay. You can trust me.” She must have perceived my hesitation.
“My parents want us to get married, yes, and both our fathers have been friends since childhood and would love nothing more than for us to join in matrimony. But-” I paused not knowing how best to describe our situation.
“But you don't love him.” She finished for me.
I dropped my eyes to the marble tiles. “No. I don't love him. He is a great man and I admire him so. But we are nothing more than friends. He cares for me as he would a sister.”
“Yes. He mention something like that.” Mrs. Bellucci couldn't take her eyes off of me and this made me blushed. “You are a very lovely young woman Miss Barton. So I'm finding it difficult to believe Nicholas hasn't fallen for you at all.”
If she only knew of our past.
“Thank you ma'am but I think you are over exaggerating.”
“I'm not a woman known for exaggerations my dear.” She laughed. “But I won't persist if it makes you uncomfortable. What I do want to know is what is an MBA graduate doing in my house asking for a job as a dog sitter?”
“It's complicated.” Was all I said.
The last thing I needed was to discuss my family history and the problems I've had getting hired because of them.
“But I really need this job Mrs. Bellucci so please, give me a chance?” I pleaded. Desperate for her help.
“Called me Monica. We are going to be living under the same roof after all if you accept the job.” When she notice my face of confusion she added for my benefit. “This position requires that you live in this house 24/7 and work Monday through Saturdays. Sundays are free for you to do what you please. I will pay you biweekly a just amount of money for your work. Cash or check is up to you. I will also write the duties and expectations of the job for you to go through,”
She pause to stared at me. “And you will be require to do some house chores as well.”
She gave me a few minutes to digest the information before she continue.
“You won't have to worried about the cleaning part unless you really want to. Your only other concern aside taking care of Shadow and supervising the house when I'm not around will be to cook.”
“You want me to cook?” I squeaked.
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
I was mortified with my will-be confession. “I don't know how to cook ma'am.”
Mrs. Bellucci laughed at my face but didn't offered to spare me the task. “Not everything on this life is easy Miss Barton and not everything shines. I still expect you to cook. So start learning. I will not hired a top chef just to save you the trouble of not trying. I'm sure my son and I will survive whatever it is that you prepare for us as long as it's eatable.”
Not left with any other choices I nodded. Mrs. Bellucci was looking at me with something close to amusement. “I like you Renata. I really do. And I know I'm demanding for a lot of things but it's not easy for me to trust people. Which is why I don't want a lot of people coming and going around this house. But I trust Nick and I'm hoping that in time I can do the same with you. So if you want the job then it's yours but those are my requirements. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“I understand ma'am.”
“Do you agree then?”
“Yes.”
“Then please.” She extended an arm to shake my hand. “Welcome to my house. I will give you a tour around the property tomorrow morning. I will also called Nicholas and let him know of our arrangement. Come.”
She rose to her feet and indicated for me to follow her.
“Madre, why does it smell like fresh rain and-” The husky drawled stop mid-sentence when he caught sight of me from across the room. I stop whatever it was I had been doing having forgotten about everything when our eyes met. His eyes were a beautiful caramel brown frame by long eyelashes; his face the kind of face that an artist draws and people would called classically fetching. He was striking with handsome features and sexy mobile lips. His hair darker than mine in color and surprisingly dye with white highlights.
And suddenly it wasn't the floor beneath my feet holding me to the ground anymore, but him. His eyes and his magnetic presence. I stared, no doubt rudely, until his eyes quickly darted away to his mother only to come back to me a second later.
“Who is this?” That he was surprise to find a stranger in his house was obvious but there was also a please note to his voice I quite enjoyed.
Mrs. Bellucci smile and introduce us in what I was starting to recognized was her usual cheerful self.
“Neviani this is Renata Barton. Renata Barton my son. The rightful owner of Shadow.” Then she spoke something in Italian I couldn't understand yet he did.
“You're Shadow's caretaker?”
Unlike his mother he didn't possess an accent. I nodded. Still taken by him. Nevi, my shorter version of his name, and a form of endearment from me, frowned. Mrs. Bellucci spoke again in their language and they had a quick exchange before Nevi quieted and looked back at me.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” He finally said.
I grinned. “Me, too.”
Nevi stared at me for long minutes before a splitting smirked broke through his lips. I think it must have been the love struck expression riding on my face that he found entertaining.
“Did you bring the takeout I asked you to buy? I don't want Renata to have to cook for us today.” Mrs. Bellucci's smile was wicked holding just the barest hint of mischief. I wanted to groan. The woman seriously didn't want me to forget I was expected to cook in this house.
Nevi glanced from me to his mother trying to figure out if there was something else underneath his mom's casual remark. “I brought Chinese. Hope you don't mind?”
He was addressing me; I shook my head. He nodded and turned to leave the room but stop to glance back at his mother.
“Have Shadow and her met yet?” He sounded concern about something.
“No. He is with Adele.” To me she said. “Adele is Shadow's companion. You'll be substituting her when she leaves for Italy tomorrow.”
I frowned. “If you have someone already why not keep her instead?”
“Yeah, why not?” Her son stated.
“Adele has been a long time friend of mine. She is also my sister.” Mrs. Bellucci threw her son a warning looked. “But as much as I want her to stay here with us I need her to go back to Italy. She knows this. That's why she is going back tomorrow.”
“And by now, Madre, you should know that Shadow can get a bit edgy with strangers. They should've met by now.”
“And they will darling. In fact here comes Adele with him.” A similar looking woman came into the living room behind Nevi. “Adele, my sister, come I wish for you to meet Renata. The young PRETTY woman who will be replacing you when you leave us tomorrow.”
Talked about subtleness. I also hadn't missed the way Mrs. Bellucci had put emphasis on the word pretty. I stole a quick glance at Nevi to see his reaction but there was nothing that revealed his thoughts.
“She is pretty indeed.” Her sister agree with her. Her brown eyes scrutinizing me from head to toe with a pleased expression. “Very lovely.”
I inwardly sighed. A dangerous growled broke the short silence and I'm pretty sure I would have been dog food if Nevi hadn't caught the leashed of the threatening, huge black monster baring its sharp teeth at me. I gasped in horror and hid behind Mrs. Bellucci in fear.
Nevi gave a harsh command pulling on the restraining leashed separating me from death. The dog relax but kept eyeing me suspiciously.
“You want me to take care of that?” I asked appalled. Shaking my head vigorously. “No. There's no way.” Determined to get out of there as fast as I possibly could, I grab my bag and in a flurry of movement started for the door.
Monica started tailing after me.
“You're leaving?” I could hear the note of disappointment in her voice. “I thought you said you needed the job?”
“Yes but I'm not that desperate that I want to die.” And even if I did wish to die, I wouldn't want my life to end by getting chew by a vicious dog. I could hear Adele sincerely apologizing in the background but at this point I could care less. “Thanks for the opportunity Mrs. Bellucci but I prefer to keep my life intact. Thank you very much.”
“Please Renata give my dog a chance. He can be quite intimidating at first but I can assure you he is not evil. This I can promise.”
I scoffed in disbelief. “That's no dog Mrs. Bellucci. That's a huge wolf you have in there and I sure as hell won't be his dessert.”
To make matters worse it was freaking pouring outside. I needed to called Nick.
“Please Renata.” I looked back at her and wish I hadn't. “Shadow isn't as bad as you think. I promise. He is just overprotective is all. Please stay and get to know him. I'm new to this city so I don't know anyone and I'll hate to start looking for someone else. Nicholas brought you here for a reason and I trust his judgment of people. And I feel like I can trust you, too.”
I glanced over my shoulder in longing trying hard not to think about the many reasons why I should walked away. But her hopeful plea broke my resolve to leave.
“Nicholas was scared of Shadow at first, too, you know.”
I sighed.
“Okay. I'll stayed. But please try to keep your dog away from me just for today.” When I saw that she wanted to argue I said. “I know I have to bond with him Monica because I'm going to be with him constantly but not today.”
“I will listened to you only because you've called me by my first name. I like that. But starting tomorrow I will have you interacting with Shadow no matter what. Neviani will be there to keep a strict control over Shadow. With him around you don't have to worried about being a snack for our friend.”
One could only hope.