Silvain, An Enigma

"It exists, but it only wants to live being the center of attention, a single glance and it gets many orbs dedicated to giving it, without a single blink, veneration; they have become idiots in a snap, I am just another stupid person."

...

What is the first day of work like?

I don't know how the rest of the world is doing, for me, as there is no day uglier than another, this one has caught me off guard. Fifteen minutes before the clock hands position on eight! I head to the bathroom, my heart is already in my palm, it beats frantically. I can't be late, it would be terrible for me, it's the first day. I don't want to give a bad impression, to be seen as the cheeky girl who can't keep up with the schedule even on the first day. It's a bad image that I don't want to keep.

As it couldn't get worse on Monday, there is no water, they have cut it off, nor electricity. I want to tear myself off strand by strand and hit the wall. Helpless and angry for not changing the bad luck that is crushing me, I leave the bathroom and look in my room for a pair of Sliq jeans and a gray sweatshirt. I know, it's not the best color, but it represents too much for me and I don't have much time to debate what to choose from my closet or not.

Restlessly I look at the clock, there are only ten minutes left. Even if I am flash, I won't be able to be on time. I don't say goodbye to mom, who to my surprise is in the kitchen. If she isn't the cause of the noise that I can hear, I don't know who or what it could be. I've already left home in a hurry and outside I'm rushing to catch a bus. On board, there is no place where I can sit, so I stay on my feet the entire journey. But I don't care, I just eagerly want to get off at my destination. Although the means of transport will not stop so close to that eminent mansion, which is located in a privileged area of New York.

I finally see it arriving and it's my turn to go down. Now I walk the rest of the way almost in strides. I'm tired when I reach the gate, the only thing I need is to stick out my tongue like a dog, I even feel like throwing myself on the pavement; The doorman, with whom I spoke for the first time yesterday, now greets me more friendly and allows me to pass.

“Thank you” I manage to tell him, hurrying to explore what is left.

The attractive garden, the elegant fountain possessing a captivating beauty, do not steal my attention, not anymore, I only see the knocker on the door and touch it, in addition to ringing the bell twice. I am giving notice of my terribly late arrival. It is not Julia who opens the door, but a mature woman, with an unfriendly face and wearing a black uniform, a kind of dress that reaches below her knees. She looks like a nun.

“Good morning, you must be the new one, bad start, by the way" She adds without smiling, she doesn't even make the attempt to make a face.

"I-I... I'm so sorry, it won't happen again" I apologize, not knowing where to put my head, I'm embarrassed.

"You're late, apologizing isn't going to change it, come in" She stepped aside. You're not going to continue wasting your time out there.

I enter feeling terrified, she is difficult, not friendly at all. Now I'm more afraid of doing things wrong.

My life is a fiasco!

"I'm Genesis Granger" she introduces herself, fixing her sharp eyes on me. It doesn't help that they are deep and colored a green that pierces you in question. The housekeeper, from now on an authority for you, then for Mr. De Castelbajac.

Seat. It can't be, it's right.

“I mean, she will give me instructions...”

“You understand well, Aryanna” And I thought Julia would do it.

“¿Will you put something in my report?” I question alertly.

“If you're referring to the lateness, just for today I'll let it go, I don't want to put the boss in a bad mood, unless I have to look for another young woman for the job besides, there is a lot to do" She adds, releasing a loud sigh.

I appreciate it, she doesn't look as evil as she appears. I smile, I no longer feel on the tightrope. Or this is just one more slip that hasn't completely thrown me off, it may happen later.

“Thank you, Genesis”

"Ma'am, Granger, please" corrects.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Granger" I repeat again, forcing a smile.

We have already reached a part of the mansion that I had not seen. It is a huge room where furniture rests, huge paintings on the wall with focused light. The atmosphere is palatial, it is also stunning, suddenly I have been transported to a palace, it has the look of royalty. It is a successful combination between classic and modern. What overwhelms me is that it is not just any painting hanging on those white walls with golden touches in details. It is him, he again, a man who was born to be portrayed, who is burning just by seeing him painted. I change the direction of my eyes, what a shame to be caught in the indiscretion.

“As you can see, we are in the living room. It is one of the places the boss frequents the most. That’s his favorite place” she points with his finger to an ottoman near the fireplace “During the winter he can spend hours there, he likes it. And I tell you all this, so that you understand the importance of not touching, using or spending time here, more than necessary, and when it is assigned to you, okay?” reports, I take it as a clear warning, the war warned.

“OK”

“Yes, I like to clarify it, because there have been young people, your age or younger, who were fired for violating the rules”

“Is it too much to ask to have these rules on paper? I don't want to do something wrong without knowing” I dare say.

“Rules?! That could be the banana peel on the ground. I'm not good at memorizing, I can forget every word”

“I'll give them to you, don't worry. Let's continue with the tour”

In total, it was more than thirty minutes walking; The mansion has three floors. We made stops that included: bathrooms, bedrooms, the laundry room, the huge kitchen, the luxurious dining room, (I still don't understand why such a long table, with so many chairs) then I visited the terrace, from there the view is incredible, He sees the nearby houses, and the expansive blue sky, a roof above, always imposing. Granger informs me that these months Silvain has breakfast there, when I turned my head I could see a round table, accompanied by a single chair, but he is not there.

“Silvain is out, he leaves home early” She tells me as if he has read my mind.

She shows me the gym, which is on the top floor, where all kinds of equipment, the most expensive, the best, reign in the area. I don't know why I think of Silvain shirtless and on the treadmill, it's a sudden and harassing image. I shake my head to make him go away, it's not right.

From there we turn on our axis and cross the wide hallway again until we descend the endless stairs. I get the impression of being part of a monarchy, as I walk down each step, crossed centrally and flawlessly, by the red carpet. The contrast it makes with the golden railing stands out. As I step on the last step and raise my head, I can see a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. He looks eminent and glorious on heights. Crystal chandeliers that transcend the magnificent. I've already seen several.

We go to the back, where the walls are made of glass, double glazing that makes it possible to increase soundproofing and the level of thermal insulation. The frame is ash-colored, polished wood that I can feel before Genesis runs one, we go outside. Immediately I can see the pool that area leaves me speechless, it is large, and several sun loungers located on the sides. I can already imagine "many" sunbathing. Not to mention crazy parties. He has that relaxed air that leads to self-confidence.

"No, we can't use the pool, the man would be very angry" She pulls me out of my thoughts, with that information that I didn't ask for, but that helps me when I'm tempted to take a dive in it.

“I wasn't planning to do it”

“Safe?” She looks at me, a smile appears on her lips “There were three occasions, three young girls, one on different occasions caught by Silvain almost naked in the pool. He was furious and threw each of them out”

"I can't imagine doing something like that" I express with a fixed gaze, surprised by what she tells me.

“I hope so, and not that you're just another one of the bunch. Come on, let's continue”

She explains to me that part of the property has a field that was previously used for golf practice, the care of that field is still maintained, but Silvain is not a fan of said sport, which is why he does not use it. I guess it's a waste, but he's so wealthy that he doesn't mind spending a fortune on maintenance. In addition to that, there is a remote cabin, to do this you have to enter a field of tall trees, giving the impression of being in a forest. The housekeeper tells me that there is the mysterious "liberation" room. I don't understand the concept, nor the reason for calling a cabin that way. She doesn't give me details, but the fact that she mentions it makes me believe that she wants to open me up to the topic.

“Is something wrong with you? You have a scared face" she points out, she is amused by my expression, but it doesn't take long for her face to harden again.

“No, it's just that a cabin, even called that, sounds terrifying... I imagine the worst”

"Then don't imagine it, don't talk about this, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it, it's something from Silvain, so don't stick your nose into it" she declares seriously.

“OK”

The truth is that it has left the seeds of uncertainty in my head. What he said is like a legend that is not talked about, different from that, just a myth. But not only is it plausible, it really exists and perhaps you will never know more about the subject, nor the meaning it has for De Castelbajac; That Frenchman is quite an enigma.

“You already know the garden, it is the first thing you see when you enter, it is worth appreciating”

“Yes, a wonderful job, which now shines in spring. It's your time” I agree. The gardener(s) in charge are artists, they have left a perfect entrance, and the equinox finishes giving it the final touch.

“Time to give you the rules, your uniform, and the task for the day, okay?”

“I'm ready” I say confidently, but a chain of contradictions shakes my conviction.

“Room? Release? Those two words together do not form a pleasant company, they quickly become distorted in my mind, and I think in anyone's head”

...

I have been assigned a room, Julia told me about the employees' stay here. By the way, I haven't seen her around these parts, even during the tour. It couldn't have disappeared out of nowhere. Returning to the topic, I am in this room, of average size, elegant bed dressed in silk sheets, it has a closet, a bathroom that even has a bathtub, now I can detail everything, because on the tour I gave, I was barely able to take a look at it. .

I suppose this is what Julia is referring to, but I won't stay here, I don't see that need because I live nearby. Plus there's mom, I can't leave her alone. Anyway I can take it into account, maybe one day I need to stay, and I will.

I call my mother, but after several attempts it jumps to the call box. It's a strange feeling that shakes my chest. What if something bad has happened? I just hope that everything is in order, I still can't be calm with the doubt on top of me.

I look at myself in the mirror, the uniform doesn't look bad on me, but I'm not going to lie, I have dreamed of looking casual, going to university, and not dressed in this black maid's dress, dark shoes. It's kind of old-fashioned, in my opinion. As a rule, I have put all my light brown hair in a bun. I don't wear earrings or a single drop of makeup, this gives me a straight, serious look and I'm not comfortable with it.

However, it doesn't make me feel that great, after all I haven't come to look pretty, but to work, and I sense that it will be an arduous day. This has been confirmed by my "tasks for the day" that I can read on the sheet that I left on the bed next to the other where ten unbreakable rules point out to me with warning.

It's time to leave. I walk to the door and turn the knob. My whole body tenses and I am paralyzed by being intercepted by his face. He's so close to me, had he been about to knock on my bedroom door?

He takes a step back, he doesn't stop watching me, I have never seen him be more strange than him, so annihilating in the silence, atomic, indecipherable, it is difficult for me to guess his next move, and if I build it on intuition, he destroys it by acting in another way. mode.

He has his hands in his pockets, I am observant, it seems that he really likes to carry that dominant position, a feasible weapon that generates fear in people, in me.

“Mr. De Castelbajac...”

"Miss, Viscardi" he imitates, returning to the retention of his body in mine, he shouldn't be doing that, he, a man of rules, but he grabs me the first time. It's not being fair at all.

“W-what are you doing?” I ask and I'm out of breath.

“I hope you do your job well, at the end of the day, I'm going to inspect what you've done, a single mistake, a single discontent on my part and you're out” saying this he separates and goes to the opposite side. I imagine it leads to the third floor.

Far from his critical eye, I release the air, but a little of his perfume of vodka, mint and gin is still part of my oxygen, it saturates me and I head down in terror as if I had just seen a ghost.