MERCY

e i g h t

R O S A L I N E

I've been spending a lot of time with Vivienne these past two weeks. We've gotten a lot closer and I consider her a good friend, I don't know how I would have survived without her here. I haven't seen a single man here, especially Avery or ...Caden. Every day I spend here brings me to my goal of having my freedom. I'm not sure when I'll go back at this point the fact that there's nothing for me back home and my cat is here with me is enough. 

Vivienne's been showing me the ropes, letting me know the times of the day I can wander around and the certain floors I can't visit based on ranking. I can't ever leave the mansion until I've passed or failed the interview to be the boss's assistant. 

I wasn't the only one brought here, most of the men at that lunch table were also prospects like me except they were already introduced to the way of life and being men have it so much easier. I really appreciate Vivienne's help, I know my way around and got to know other women who stay here like Vivienne's mother and aunts or other member's wife's and daughters. Vivienne said it's only so packed with different people because its prospect season, most of her family come out and stay for it. 

But when it's just family it's incredibly lonely 3/4 of the rooms aren't used and theres never nearly as much gossip and noise. If someone on a higher ranking is near me I must keep my head down and never make eye contact unless they talk to me first. It all makes sense to why the men reacted that way at the dinner. It was a ranking thing and currently, I'm at the lowest level.

Men and women have their own sides to live at here, only allowed to integrate on Sundays the holiest day. Even then unless you have family on the other gender side you aren't allowed to integrate. So I don't and I can't. Vivienne leaves me on Sunday's she goes to see Avery who to my surprise is her brother, well... half. I'm still not sure whose older, she won't talk about it and just tells me "That's personal Rosaline." You can also integrate with the other side by luncheons and banquets or emergencies. 

Vivienne said "This only during prospect season with all these medieval rules, on a normal day it doesn't matter who you speak to or where you go, we live like normal. It's only because Grandpa Matteo is here. The head of the family."

Prospects have their introductory ball tomorrow. I'm nervous. 

The men take care of the business aspect all the illegal things no one should know about that keep this afloat, while the women. Well, are expected to take care of things less trivial but not treated less than a servant. Even the servants here have a clear divide on what they can and can't do and I would hate to be treated as one. 

Vivienne said I have to endure everything even if it feels unfamiliar to the customs of where I'm from. Only until I make it, then everything will feel normal, so for about a month. 

It's crazy. I have no idea how far I am from Chicago but it feels like a whole different world out here. She said it would take maybe a month for the interviews to start and I would have no need to stay with the women. I would have a higher rank than many working exactly under the Boss.

Every time I ask her about the Boss, she goes quiet and dismissive and tells me those are things I don't need to know about but she'll prepare me as much as she can for life with him if I pass of course. 

P R E S E N T    D   A  Y -  1 1 :0 9  P M 

"Sometimes I feel like I know you from somewhere, Vivienne," I said, her watching me brush my hair in front of the mirror. "It's been two weeks, and you never talk about your past."