Chapter 3—Control
I sat in my bedroom, worrying about Charlie.
Did he get lectured?
Did he get fired?
Will it be my fault?
I was sitting in my room for about twenty minutes.
Then I didn’t have to wonder much longer because my door swung open.
Shadow walked in with a vase of a few different flowers, but they were all surrounded by lavender.
He set it down on a small table near the entrance.
“Did you fire Charlie?” I asked.
He looked at me and crossed his arms.
“What if I did? Would you do something about it?”
“I wouldn’t do much. I’d just tell you that he doesn’t deserve to lose his job over me. He’s been here longer.”
“Maybe he overstayed his welcome.”
I remained quiet and stared at my shoes.
Shadow walked over to me and placed his finger under my chin.
He lifted my head to look up at him.
“Don’t worry about your little friend. He’s fine. I assure you that I didn’t fire him.”
I smiled a little. “Good.”
He grabbed my arm and made me stand up.
“Now get up. I’m going to show you the kitchen, so you can make dinner.”
“Oh, right. I’m a maid. For a second, I forgot.”
“Why? Do my stunning good looks distract you from reality?”
I shook my head.
In my mind I was thinking, Cocky much? This guy is overconfident and flaunting his appearance because he knows he looks good. Don’t fall for it, Luna. You don’t know anything about him.
*
The next day, I got up early to make breakfast.
“You’re getting the hang of working here,” Sir observed.
“And it’s only your second day,” Madam added.
“Well, I’m just hoping to please you.”
“Oh, darling, we’re not the ones who need pleasing,” Madam stated.
Sir added, “Shadow’s the tough one. You need to make him happy in order to make it in this house.”
“Actually, she’s doing quite well,” Shadow said, entering the kitchen.
“I’m glad to hear it,” Sir replied.
“Well, have a fun day. We’re going to head off to work now,” Madam said, before leading Sir out of the room.
Shadow approached me.
“Morning, boss,” I greeted.
“How did you sleep last night?” he questioned.
“Um, it was very cozy. I enjoyed my new room.”
“Did you admire the lavender bouquet?”
“I…looked at it. Does that count?”
He sighed and then grabbed my arm.
“Let’s go. We need to get to school.”
“Did you just say we?”
“Surely, you didn’t think that I just sit at home the whole day. I’m attending the university you’re going to, so we might as well go together. It’ll help me keep an eye on you.”
“Great…I have a chaperone,” I said, sarcastically.
“There’s no time for complaining or snide remarks. Let’s go.”
*
Once we got to the school, I thought I could distance myself from Shadow right away, but he kept his arm around me.
I noticed that people were staring at us.
“I’m not your property,” I said, quietly.
“You’re my maid, so technically you are.”
“That is so insulting. I am my own person. I am—”
I was cut off when one of Shadow placed his hand over my mouth.
“Shut. Up.”
I shoved his hand away. “You can’t just—”
“Stop talking. I’ll meet you by the front entrance after class. Don’t get into any trouble. If anyone asks you seemingly strange questions about me, don’t say anything. Got it?”
“I got it.”
After he walked away, a girl quickly approached me.
“I’d be careful if I were you,” she warned.
“Um, why?”
“My best friend used to work for him.”
“I don’t—”
“Don’t try to lie to me and tell me you don’t find something strange about him. I’m Melody, by the way.”
“I’m Luna. It’s nice to meet you. So…why should I be careful around Shadow?”
“You’re not from around here, huh?”
“I’m not.”
“Well, let me explain. My friend was his maid and got fired after a week, and I asked her why. Apparently, the boss is really controlling. She described it as ‘knowing what she was doing, yet not having any say.’ It’s as if he manipulated her into doing anything he wanted.”
“How is that possible?” I questioned.
“I don’t know, but after she got fired…she was really shocked and for days, she kept bring up the subject of lavender.”
“Lavender…” I said, quietly.
“Yeah, lavender, weird, right? And that’s not it. Every time she would see Shadow, she’d freak out. She ultimately decided to just move out of the area. Working in that house changes someone. Everyone around here knows about the maids of the Vincent family. It never turns out right for them.”
“Well, thanks for the warning.”
“No problem. You seem like a weak one.”
“Why do people keep saying that?” I mumbled, remembering how Charlie called me weak.
And Shadow called me innocent.
Am I seriously such a good girl that it leads people to think I’d be easy to fool?
*
I got through the school day and waited by the front entrance for Shadow.
I saw him walking down the hallway, being followed by a girl in a mini skirt.
Shadow was trying to ignore her, but she was very determined.
“Are you sure?” she called out, trying to walk faster in her wedges.
“I’m sure,” Shadow replied.
She grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking away.
“I can give you my number, so you can call if you change your mind.”
“That won’t be necessary, but thanks for offer,” he said.
“But I—”
He crossed his arms. “Can’t you see I’m not interested?”
“I just thought that you and I could hang out sometime. One date wouldn’t hurt.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. I’m busy.”
“With what?” she asked.
“It doesn’t concern you, so you don’t need to know. Goodbye, now.”
The girl walked away very disappointed.
Shadow gestured me to follow him to the car.
“That was a little harsh. Why didn’t you at least take her number?”
“I didn’t want to lead her on. She’s not my type,” he said, getting into the driver’s seat.
“What is your type?”
“I’m not sure,” he replied.
“So, how can you be sure if she’s not your type, if you don’t even have a type?”
“Why do you want to me to go out with her?”
“It’s just…she looked really disappointed. You could’ve at least given her a hug or something.”
“Luna, you are so naïve.”
“I’m not a child, Shadow. I know it’s not right to lead people on, but that girl honestly looked like she wanted to go out with you…really badly.”
“She was just trying to get me to invite her to the mayor’s annual ball. It’s a prestigious party that select families are allowed to intend.”
“Well, you could use a date,” I said.
“Yeah, and so can the other seven girls that asked me.”
“Seven? You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, I’m serious.”
“And you turned down all of them?”
“Yes, because I already have a date.”
“There was another girl that asked you out before those eight girls?”
“Nope, you’re my date.”
“What makes you think I want to go?”
“You’re obligated to do as I say.”
“I’m your maid. I cook, clean, and do other housework. Going out with you isn’t part of the deal.”
“I just need you to accompany me, so I have an excuse to stop talking to some of the boring guests.”
“That’s kind of rude. Why even bother going then?”
“It’s important for our family to make an appearance. It’s bad for our reputation if we don’t show up.”
“Oh, okay.”
“I promise I’ll try to make the experience as painless as possible. I just need you to be my date, alright?”
“Um, alright.”
“Good. Very good.”
“Don’t say that,” I said, annoyed. “You make it sound like you’re a psychologist and I’m a patient.”
“Well, psychologists like to get into people’s minds, and so do I.”
“You do?”
He nodded. “Getting into people’s minds is the first step of gaining control. Once you what makes a person tick…you can convince them to do anything.”
“That’s not normal.”
“Of course it’s normal. That’s how persuasion works. Haven’t you ever met someone like that?”
“Just you,” I responded.
“Well, let me tell you something. Once someone gains that power…there’s no stopping them. It becomes a habit.”
So that’s his game.
He likes controlling people.