I Give Up

Chapter 5

Irina's POV:

I think it's better that he finishes me off because staying in this room for nearly a week now is considered a form of torture to me. The only little happiness I have left is Nina,each time she comes to do her medical related things to me,we end up talking but Mr. Cold-hearted always sends her away. I really miss Pavel and I pray that he is still alive.
I opened my eyes slowly,as I sat up on the bed. I looked around the room feeling a little groggy. I rubbed my eyes trying to wake myself up. I got up and stretched my hands and legs. I walked towards the direction of the bathroom with sleepy eyes. As I was walking I bumped into something hard causing me to lose my balance and fall on my butt.
I looked up at the thing which I had bumped into, but instead I saw Vladimir. He didn't even spare me a glance as he walked past me and sat on the cushion. I just laid down there feeling too sleepy to get up. I closed my eyes just for a few seconds but I didn't notice when I had drifted back to sleep.
When I woke up,I saw that I was still on the floor,only that a couple of maids were around me.
"Oh thank goodness, she's alive."
"Miss, you have a way of barely breathing when asleep."
"Rose and I thought you were dead." I blinked a couple of times as I sat up trying to understand why they were here.
"Miss, did our Master order you to sleep on the floor?"
"Shirley, stop it, we're not here for gossip." They both had blonde hair and an American accent.
"Miss, Master sent us here to inform you about your new position in the penthouse."
"You're officially one of us now, but since you don't remember your name we will call you Missy, Sound good?"
"That's actually a nice nickname, Shirley. It's not formal anymore." She answered for me, even though that wasn't gonna be my reply.
They began talking among themselves while I tried to wrap my head around this. He wants me to be a maid now? From a practical stripper to a maid? What did I ever do that's so wrong for me to deserve such a fate?
"Missy,Missy,Earth to Missy." The one she called Shirley waved her hand in front of me, snapping out of my thoughts.
"Good you're back with us,now get up,we have to get you acquainted with your chores and some gossip." They helped me stand up and led me to a part of this penthouse that I had never seen.
Although there isn't much difference between here and where I'm familiar with. Just that the design was totally different. Tucked away in a corner of the sleek, modern penthouse, maid section was a tiny oasis of traditional charm. A lone maid, dressed in a crisp white apron and vibrant headscarf, moved efficiently within the compact space. Shelves lined with fine china and ornate samovars seemed to glow in the soft light, while intricate embroidery adorned the corners of the maid's sarafan dress.
   A petite wooden table held a steaming samovar, its delicate steam rising like a whisper towards the high ceiling. Nearby, a miniature icon of St. Nicholas watched over the space, its gilded frame glinting warmly. The scent of strong black tea and freshly baked pirozhki wafted through the air, transporting occupants to a bygone era of Russian elegance.
   This cozy nook was a deliberate nod to the owner's heritage, a testament to the enduring power of tradition amidst the gleaming steel and glass of the penthouse.
   "Here's our room. Rose and I will share the down bunk,you can have the up."
"As for your chores, Master said you are to clean up the kitchen,his rooms including the one you used to sleep in. Also concerning the kitchen, you're the only one allowed to make his meals now, Good luck on that on by the way. In summary, you're practically his personal maid. Got any questions?!" Shirley said in a breath
"Yes, wh..why did you wish me good luck concerning me cooking for him." I stuttered at first as my mind was still a mess and it still is.
"It's best you find out, girlfriend." Shirley put her hand over my shoulder.
"Since, we're pals now. Babe,you got to tell me how it was being so close to him. I heard he even touched you, No, carried you,is that true?"
"Well yes, but...."
"Oh My Gosh, it's actually true!" She began squealing like a child making me cringe. "Rose,she must be the one. Master has never touched any lady after Miss Ta....."
"Shirley,are you trying to get us killed?! You know the rules,now stop acting like a child and keep to them. Missy,we have to get back to our chores, you should start with yours. Your uniform is in the wardrobe,if you're confused about anything just come to the clinical center and you'll find us there. Okay,see you later." They both left the room.
I sat down on a sidestool, feeling a little overwhelmed. How am I gonna be with these two American ladies for as long as I'm here? Yes,Rose doesn't seem bad and acts mature. I can't say the same for Shirley though, her behavior is like those minions who stick to the queen bee of a high school like leaches. This is my new job now,a job that instead of me to get paid with money, I'm being paid with the privilege of seeing the next day.

Vladimir's POV:

When I got out of the showers, I didn't expect that she'd be awake. So I walked out calmly while my head was at work. What snapped me out of my thoughts was when I felt something hit my chest roughly. The collision was quick and painless, but I couldn't help but worry if it were the same for her. I tried to walk past her without even sparing her a glance but I couldn't and ended up stealing a quick glance at her before she could notice, and continued walking. I went back to the cushion and tried to focus on the computer that's on my lap but I couldn't.
Has she gotten up yet? Why can't I hear any sound? Didn't I tell Nina to sedate her? Did Nina actually defy my orders?
"Instead of asking all these questions,why not look at her? Isn't that the only to get answers? Or are you afraid of her?" My mind mocked me and after a few minutes of having a mental battle in me,I decided to look at her.
I looked up from my computer and saw a beautiful sight. She was peacefully lying on the floor,some strands of hair on her face. She brought her legs a little closer to her chest revealing the fair nature of her legs. They were long, but not skinny and with a caramel color. It took so much willpower from me to look away from them, only for me to look back at her face. She really puts the beauty in Sleeping beauty. I couldn't understand why, but I had a very strong desire to put the strands of her that prevented me from seeing her innocent face behind her ears.
"What the fuck are you thinking about? She's his daughter! His fucking daughter." My mind reminded me but I found myself ignoring it and everything else around me excluding her.
Weirdly enough, I actually knelt down on one knee and slowly moved them behind her ears, being so careful not to awaken her. Initially I was hesitant but I the desire to do it became far too strong and I gave in. Once I had done that, I felt the urge to carry her delicate and fragile body off the cold floor but at the same time I couldn't. I ended up increasing the temperature of the floor heater.
"What are you doing? Are you taking care of her?!" I looked at her as my eyes slowly dilated and I left the room immediately.
My forehead was sweating as my hand shook uncontrollably. Memories, which have turned into nothing but nightmares and daily reminders of who I am, what is expected from me and what I am to do,started to began flooding through my mind.
My vision becoming cloudy with tears that are threatening to fall but I refuse to give in. I have no right to cry about her. No after what I did. I ran to my office, ignoring all the looks from my employees. Once I was in my office,I searched my cupboard for my pills and sighed in relief once I had swallowed them.
"Betrayer! All you say and do are Bullshit!" My mind shouted making me sit on the floor and replay what I just did to her.
"She's just messing with you."
"Isn't this the same way she made Pavel, someone you consider a brother to you, want to betray you?"
"Be firm, you're not like Pavel,you know what you're fighting for,*Who* you're fighting for."
For an unknown reason,I felt a pain in my chest after listening to that. But I knew that was the truth,a very sad fact. I can't stop now, I've come too far to be mislead by my enemy's daughter.
I stood up, finally gaining some control over my mind and body again. I walked out of my office,my mind groggy as I used the wall as a support to know where I'm going.
"Master,are you okay?"
"Do you need anything, Master? Shall we get you a glass of water?" Two female maids rushed to my side but they didn't dare to touch me.
"The lady in my room,once she's awake get her acquainted with the following household chores. She has to clean up the kitchen every day after preparing my meals,clean up all my personal rooms including the one she's sleeping in. Also, she'll be sharing a room with the both of you." I ordered,my face away from their sight.
"Alright, Master."
"May we check if she has awoken?" I nodded slightly and watched them walk away.
Taking in a deep breath,I tried to calm myself. You can't lose it now, you can't risk it. Not after what you did, you have to keep it together. Keep it together.
"Keep it together,I have to keep it together." I whispered repeatedly to myself.