Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 165(@200wpm)___ 132(@250wpm)___ 110(@300wpm)
Sitting at the edge of the pool, legs crossed, she stared into the water. The water was clear, nothing could harm her. She’d already gone exploring the house and now boredom had started to hit. She had no idea what she was supposed to do. Calvin entered the room and she got to her feet when she saw him carrying a tray.
“I’ve got it, Mrs. Esposito.”
“Please, call me Maria,” she said. She felt Mrs. Esposito was a little too formal for her.
He nodded his head.
“Is there anything you need me to do?” Maria asked.
Calvin had turned to leave, and she didn’t like the thought of him going. She was so bored.
“There is nothing for you to do. Mr. Esposito has everything in order.”
“I know. Of course. Sorry. I just … I’m kind of used to doing something.” She pressed her lips together. Her family had liked to play the role of being rich, but the truth was, they’d been poor. They wanted to protect their reputation and while her sister didn’t have to do any chores, Maria had been forced to. It was why they didn’t want her to continue her education. They couldn’t afford it, and it also gave them an excuse to keep her around the house.
So, that is exactly what she did—cleaned and sometimes even cooked for them. Not all the time, as they did have a chef who they blackmailed into staying with them. All of them were dead now.
Calvin looked at her and she forced a smile to her lips.
“Most women shop, or they find a charity, or even take care of their family,” Calvin said.
She knew exactly what they did in their line of work. Maria had heard her mother yelling at her father, telling him he should be providing the means for her to live a much more comfortable lifestyle, and yet she was having to stay in, not shop, wearing last season’s collections.
Calvin left and Maria sat at the edge of the pool. Underneath her clothes, she had put on a bikini. She didn’t have a one-piece suit, so she had no choice but to use the two-piece. Getting to her feet, she glanced around the room, hoping no one was around. If she couldn’t offer to do work and they wouldn’t allow her to do anything, then she had no choice but to enjoy a dip in the pool.
With her clothes off, she folded them neatly and piled them onto one of the chairs. Maria walked around to the steps, because making a lot of sound by jumping into the pool seemed a little crazy to her.
She stepped into the water and she couldn’t quite hold in her chuckle as it was nice and warm. Once she was waist-high, she released the railing and then started to swim.
She had learned to swim while in school. Most of the kids had already learned, and she was the only one who hadn’t. Parents had taught them, but Maria knew having one of her parents teach her would never happen. One of the teachers took the time with her, and she learned fast. No one ever dared tease her. They didn’t know she was the unwanted daughter in her family. Her sister got all the attention while she was left to fend for herself.
She swam the full length of the pool, going back and forth, releasing a breath as she did do. She did this for several lengths, and then had this crazy feeling of just wanting to dive into the pool. She swam to the steps, climbed out, rushed to the side, while at the same time attempting to be careful so she didn’t slip or fall, and then she jumped right in.
Maria couldn’t help but scream before she hit the water, and then she broke the surface, blowing out a breath, and laughing as she did this. She’d never done anything like that. So she did it again, and again.
Calvin interrupted to let her know lunch was ready. Maria intended to go right back to the pool.
She found a silk negligee hanging up in a small closet at the far wall near the door. Sliding it on, she put on a pair of flip-flops and walked toward the dining room. Only to stop when she saw The Boss at the table. Calvin hadn’t told her he was there.
“Afternoon, Maria.”
She quickly bowed her head. “Sir.”
“You don’t need to bow or curtsey. I’m not royalty.”
In their world, he was. She wanted to tell him that, but instead kept her lips pressed together.
“I had no idea you were coming for lunch. Draven has already left for work.”
“I know where Draven is, and I’ve alerted him to my presence at lunch, trust me. You don’t have to worry. Please, sit.”
She glanced down at her negligee-covered self. This wasn’t appropriate.