I woke up, the sun had already set. I sat up carefully, looking at my side. Tatiana was still there, lying beside me. I smiled softly. With her, I was at ease. I found comfort.
I got out of bed carefully. I wanted to do my daily duties to at least clear my head.
Tatiana's eyes snapped open at the sound of me opening the door. I froze.
"Where do you think you're going?" Tatiana's voice was rough with sleep but sharp.
I picked up my maids wear folded neatly on the chair. "To mop the floors. The floors won't clean themselves."
Tatiana stood up, stretching her body. "You're still weak. You should rest another day after what you encountered last night."
I put on my maid uniform despite her confrontation. I shake my head. "I don't want to stay in bed anymore." I smiled softly at her. She looked worried but nodded.
Tatiana said nothing more. She followed me downstairs, clearly unwilling to leave me alone.
The day unfolded like it usually does. I cleaned the east wing, cleaned all the floors, the scent of bread and roasted coffee drifted from the kitchens. Then I noticed something. Aristarkh wasn't there eating breakfast. Was it because of what I said, I wondered to myself. But I could feel him. His presence and a faint trace of his cologne in the places I passed. It was like he was watching but wasn't there.
I tried to shake it off. I tried to focus on cleaning the mansion. I tried to ignore the way my heart raced when I thought of him or when I scented his cologne.
By mid day I went to my room to clean up when my phone rang. I answered the call.
"Miss Mireille?" It was the hospital. My stomach dropped. I thought something was wrong with Anya because they never call like this unless something was wrong.
"Yes?" I answered.
"We're calling to inform you… the outstanding balance for your sister's bills has been cleared. Everything has been paid fully."
I froze. For a moment I thought I was misheard. "Cleared? But— I didn't—"
"Yes you don't need to worry about the future payments either. Everything has been taken care of."
My hands trembled around the phone. I felt relieved at first. But so did confusion. Who would do such a thing?"
"Wait!" I blurted. "Who paid for it? Please I need to know—"
"I'm afraid we cannot dispose of that information." The receptionist replied.
"Please—" the line went dead.
I stood there, staring at my phone. Tears welled up in my eyes but I bit them back. I had to know who.
My first thought was Ivanov. He had offered before. My heart pounded as I called his number.
He picked up immediately, his warm, deep voice cut through the silence. "Ana. I was just thinking of you and about to call."
"Ivanov." I said with a shaky voice. "Did you pay my sister's hospital bills?"
Silence. Then a low chuckle. "What? No. I offered once, remember? And you turned down my offer."
"I know, but–someone paid. All of it."
Ivanov became worried. His voice dropped, protective. "Not me but Ana, you need to think. Who would have that kind of money? Who would even know?"
My throat tightened. I didn't answer. I didn't have to.
"Ivanov's tone grew sharper, more protective. "It's him, isn't it? The owner of that mansion. Aristarkh your boss."
"I—" I couldn't answer. It could be him but I wasn't sure. How could he be the one?
"Ana listen to me." His voice was steady now. Worried and angry. "You can't trust that man. I don't trust him to give gifts freely without chains attached. Be careful."
"I don't know if he's the one. I need to confirm. I need to find out my proof."
I hung up the call, my chest beating fastly from the weight of the conversation.
Tatiana knocked and came in. She leaned against the wall when I turned to face her. She had clearly overheard everything.
"Whoever it is," Tatiana said quietly, "they've bound themselves to you with this."
"Can it be Mr Aristarkh?" I asked her quietly.
She nodded. "Maybe. He has taken a lot of interest in you these past weeks."
She smiled before telling me to clean the West Wing. I nodded. She didn't say another word. Just walked away.
I cleaned my room and later in the evening, I went to clean the West Wing. The door of Aristarkh's study was slightly ajar, and I could hear some voices.
"... reckless," Dimitri's voice, the butler, scolding. "You shouldn't have interfered with her finances, sir. If she discovers it was you, how do you think she'll feel?"
My breath caught in my throat.
Aristarkh replied. His voice is low, dangerous in its restraint. "She already belongs to me. Paying a few bills doesn't change anything. Besides, I've marked her."
I staggered back, so it was him. Of course it was him. Gratitude swelled in my chest, followed by a sharp sting of worry and fear. Why does he care so much? Why was he so entangled in my life?"
I sneaked away slowly. I nearly collided with Dr Elian, who was just leaving his own study. He studied me with his eyes.
"You look pale, Miss Ana." His voice was calm.
"I blinked. Uhm.. I'm.. I'm fine. Just finished cleaning the West Wing."
He tilted his head. "Okay miss Ana. You take care."
I wanted to speak, to ask if he knew my bills were paid but I kept quiet, letting him pass by.
That night I lay awake on my bed, looking at the ceiling of my small room. Relief on my sister's medical care. But the dread of the price I might be paying for it.
I placed my hands on my chest, whispering into the darkness. "Why me? Why does he care so much?"
The mansion was silent. I was scared of sleeping alone so I went to Tatiana's room. It looked like the shadows haunted me. I felt like a shadow or a creature would come again."
I knocked softly on Tatiana's door. She was already awake.
"Come in." Her voice came through from the other side.
"I can't sleep." I said softly. My head was down as I spoke. I clutched my pillow which I had carried tightly to my chest.
She smiled kindly. "It's fine. You can slee
p with me."
I smiled and immediately lay beside her. She climbed the bed, lying beside me with a smile.