Madame

Chapter 12

Karina's POV

I wrap my scarf around my neck, my hands buried in my coat to keep them from freezing off. I look out of the window and see the country-side pass by as we make our way to Milan. From what Elizabeth has told me, which is relatively nothing, Andrew has skipped out of Monaco to Milan. I assume he's there for the women and parties but it's never that simple.

All the cars left at about the same time but Elizabeth had managed to arrive 30 minutes before everyone, instructing us to arrive at different times to not draw unnecessary attention to us. "I'm bored," I hear Dev whine, her hands coming forward to rest on my shoulders, "I told you to bring a charger for your phone. Plus, there's only like 10 more minutes until we get to the manor." I tell her, looking at the GPS that Cheasney was using.

He nods his head, "We'll be there soon enough ladies," He looks over at me and I side-eye him, not wanting to rip my eyes away from the scenery, "The beating you got left you with some gnarly scars didn't it." He asks as I subconsciously bring my arm in front of my stomach.

"Eh not really, just a few cuts is all." I shrug and he looks back to the road, "Makes you look tough." He says like I'm some little kid in need of consoling, "Heh, sure." I roll my eyes out of his sight, "How old are you?" He asks, raising his hips to get more comfortable in the seat, "How old you think I am?" I challenge him, seeing Dev plug in her headphones to her computer, "Your face says 18 but I know Madame doesn't fuck with kids so I'll say 21." He says nonchalantly.

I have to control my facial expression, stretching my fingers, fiddling with my rings, "Nope." I pop the "p", slightly annoyed that he has to bring Elizabeth into a conversation that doesn't even concern her. He seems like he's thinking of a more intelligent answer, "No way you're older than me, are you 24?" He asks. So he's 24, good to know, "Nope." I respond again, looking ahead of me as we start to go through a gated neighbourhood.

He looks over at me, and his eyes glare at me over his sunglasses, "No way you're older than Madame soooo, 26?" He finally guesses, and I give him a thumbs up, still too interested in the massive houses than his face. "Jesus, so you are older than me," I hum and uncross my legs, seeing the manor that Dev had shown me pictures of in advance.

We pulled into the gate, Cheasney nodding at the few guards that were stationed at the gate. All the cars line up outside of the steps to the front door, workers coming out of the manor and going to cars, prepared to bring in luggage and whatever else was brought.

I get out of the car and narrowly avoid getting whacked in the face with the car door as Dev swings it open. I give her a look, and she shrugs at me, digging back into the car for her personal things.

I take a second to admire the manor. Its walls are made up of older-looking bricks that have vines weaving along the wall, making the manor look mediaeval. The windows with their brown shutters and the large, thick door make it look like a borderline fortified castle. The big doors open, and the inside smells of cooked tomatoes and spices.

Though this manor is smaller than the one we were in before, it is nothing short of beautiful. The kitchen is to the right of the door, hidden by a cute wooden door with vintage hinges. To the left, I assume, is the dining room, as there is a long table that has already been set. A burgundy tablecloth is draped over the varnished dark-coloured wood with detailed legs.

"May I take your bags to your room, signora?" A worker comes to me with a kind and inviting smile, "Yes, thank you." I returned the kind smile and handed over the suitcase I had brought with me. She motions to the duffle bag I was still holding in my hand, and I hand it over to her, "Your bags will be waiting for you in your room, signora." She smiled, bowing her head and shuffling over to the elevator with the other workers that were unloading the bags.