Page 16 of Mine To Possess
All kinds of horrible thoughts ran through my mind as the car glided smoothly through the deserted streets. Slowly, his aftershave drifted into my nostrils, and it was nothing I’d scented before. It was subtle and mysterious, and my mind childishly concluded no one who smelled that good could be bad.
When the car came to a stop outside the place where I was to be housed, his staff, as if they’d been briefed in advance, came out to open the door and greet me. In a daze, I got out and the car pulled away from the curb. I watched it until it turned a corner. I never saw him after that night.
When my little noodle pot is empty, I throw it away, give the table a quick wipe even though I’ve not messed it up. I like to leave it all extra shiny for Viktor’s employees when they come in later in the morning.
The smell of apple air freshener is still in my nostrils when I lock up and leave.
I take the bus to Viktor’s house where today I’m supposed to help Justine and Leanne finish up. It is only a short walk from the bus stop, and as I arrive at the house, well, it is more of a mansion than a house. I can’t help but marvel all over again at the sheer size of it.
Even after a month, I’m still overwhelmed every single time I see it. Surrounded by old trees and acres of green lawns, the house itself is something else. I swear, it’s like something out of a fairy tale, rising tall in its own vast walled grounds.
Tall Roman pillars soar at least thirty feet into the air. As I go through the staff entrance, I nod at old George. I can’t help feeling what a shame it is that this house is always empty except for the staff.
I walk up the driveway, reach the door, and ring the bell. Justine answers the door and shakes her head at me.
“How many times do I need to tell you that you don’t have to ring the doorbell. Use your key, why don’t cha,” she admonishes.
Every time I’m scheduled to come to this house, Justine and I have some variation of this conversation. Technically, Justine is my boss and if she says I don’t need to ring the bell then I don’t, but it feels disrespectful just walking into Viktor’s house without announcing myself. I mean, what if he’s home? He could think I’m overstepping the line. I remember his silvery eyes again, and a shiver runs through me. He has amazingly light irises that seem to look right through you.
“Sorry, it just feels weird walking into someone’s house without ringing the doorbell.”
Justine steps back and I go inside the house. Together we head towards the staff area, where I take my jacket off and hang it and my rucksack on one of the hooks.
“Do you want a shot before you start?”
“Nah, I’m good,” I say turning around. I watch as she takes a swig from her little silver flask.
“Fine. More for me then,” she says with a naughty grin.
I grin back. She’s not an alcoholic. She just likes a shot every now and again while she’s working.
“What do you want me to do?” I ask, as she screws shut the cap of her flask and slips it back into the pocket of her apron.
“You can come upstairs and help me with the bedrooms.”
It strikes me as a little odd she wants me to finish up upstairs rather than helping Leanne downstairs. I don’t comment though. She’s the boss and what she says goes.
I nod and follow her up the grand sweeping staircase over the large landing and into one of the main suites of bedrooms. I’ve never been here before. This, I suspect, is Viktor Leshchenko’s bedroom. In shock, I look around me. Wow, what a masculine room. Shades of gray with black accents.
Justine points to the sheets on the cart. Wordlessly, I start to change the sheets on the massive black leather bed, but to be honest I’m kind of in shock.
Does this mean Viktor is coming back?
Is this why we’re changing the sheets on his bed?
While she polishes the furniture, she tells me about her youngest son and his excitement over his role in his school play. She tells me he’s going to be a tree which basically means he’s part of the scenery with no lines and unable to move around. I smile and make approving noises, but my heart is galloping like a freaking horse.
My God! Viktor is coming back.
“He doesn’t see it as a bit part in any way.” Justine smiles proudly. “He’s so excited about it, insisting he’s going to be the best tree the school has ever seen.”
“He sounds so sweet,” I say with a smile, but my mind is going crazy imagining Viktor’s tanned, strong limbs slipping between these cool sheets that I have touched. I feel warmth course through my body.
“He is,” Justine agrees heartily. “He throws himself completely into whatever he does. Mind you, that’s not always a good thing. Some of that stuff is things he shouldn’t be doing, like clambering up my kitchen cabinets to get to the cookie jar.”
We both laugh, but mine is a little off. I’m sure my face must be horribly flushed.
Justine finishes the polishing and moves onto the vacuuming and for a moment, our conversation is paused. By the time she’s finished, I’m done making the bed. I’m dying to ask her when Viktor is coming back, but I can’t. My throat is closed.