After walking for a mile or more, I arrive at the tall, obsidian-iron gate. It’s wide open, and I wonder if I should walk in and talk to Valerina now, even though it’s the weekend, even though my face is swollen from when the sadist’s wife punched me, even though I don’t want to do any of this or be here at all.
I want to be sitting in my economy seat of a plane back to the US. I want to be anywhere besides here. But then I remember my little brother, his crooked milk teeth, and the way his nose scrunches up like a bunny’s when he pushes up his thick glasses. The image of him alive and breathing makes me walk across the street and to the beach.
There, I spend my weekend, plus the next three days, during which time my nose heals up somewhat well. I scavenge for food and water.
This Wednesday is the lowest point of my life.
For sure, it can’t get worse, can it?
(Spoiler alert! It can.)
SIX
I HAVE TO LAND THIS JOB
Lake
It’s Thursday, and I haven’t eaten since Tuesday afternoon.
But I bathed. I also drank from an abandoned flask I found by the garbage can near the public showers. I washed it, then filled it with water. It stays cool all day.
The kind man who parks his ice cream truck across from Alessio’s house has been giving me coffee daily. This morning, he offered me ice cream, but I refused, even though I really shouldn’t have when my belly was folding in on itself.
Beggars shouldn’t be choosers, yet I chose not to eat ice cream for fear of throwing up. I’m meeting Valerina today, and I’m nervous as fuck.
The internet service on the island is excellent, and I befriended a nice bartender who let me use his tablet so I could research Alessio. I wanted to use it to contact my family, but the sadist forbade it, and I can’t disobey for fear he’ll hurt someone I love. During the days I spent outside, my face healed from the worst of the bruising, and I’ve had time to think about what I’ll say and how I’ll land the job. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.
Armed with nothing more than a nervous smile and hoping Valerina won’t be able to tell I’m a beach bum, I cross the street and pass through the open iron gates. The property itself is as busy as an office building at this time of day. Gardeners, coachmen, stablemen, maids in uniforms, and probably other staff I don’t know how to name bustle about the grounds.
Since I’ve been stalking his house for days, I already know Alessio departed this morning. I take a deep breath before grabbing the ring of one of those scary lion-head door knockers.
The door swings open, and a woman in her sixties wearing a pale pink apron over a black shirt smiles. Her hair is tucked up under a bonnet, and she’s holding a kitchen towel.
“Nanny. Yes?” she asks, and I get the impression she’s making an effort to speak English to me, which I appreciate.
“Yes,” I answer.
Technically, the position is for a governess, the main difference being that I’ll teach Alessio’s nephew in English. I’m a native speaker, and wealthy foreign families love that for their children so much that they send them to schools all over the United States. International students pay high tuition fees, and that’s how lots of high-tuition schools get by.
She waves me in and closes the door behind me, saying, “No English, but you…” She continues in Italian, and I hope I pick up some of it as I integrate myself into this household, knowing I’ll have to betray them all at some point.
But I’ve had days to think about my situation, and I’m ready.Yes, I am! Go, Lake, go.(I’m so not ready, but losing my lady balls now will do me no good. Besides, I must land this job. My life depends on it. Literally.)
The housekeeper leads me to the right and into a masculine space, where a large mahogany desk by the window dominates the room. The corner library is located on the left, directly across from the window, and there’s a tray service, similar to a mini bar, near the desk.
I recognize Alessio’s cologne. It’s such a distinct smell that one can’t miss it. I was attracted to it from the moment I sniffed him, and now it’s surrounding me. He must’ve worked in the office before leaving the house only half an hour ago.
Knowing I’m invading his office makes me want to spin on my heel and get the hell out.
If he finds me here, he’ll shoot me. He will. Or maybe torture me until I tell him what I’m doing here. No, thanks. I’m out. Maybe try again tomorrow!
Intent on escaping while I still can, I turn, but a pregnant woman with beautifully arranged chestnut hair and bright blue eyes, just like Alessio’s, blocks my way. Her smile is genuine, her warmth instantly making me feel like the worst person in the world.
“You must be Lake,” she says, extending her hand.
I shake it. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Oh, you can call me Val. I’m fond of the nickname.”
