Santi's Downfall

Chapter 8: The Housekeeper

There are practical little things in housekeeping that no man understands.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Santi Marchesi's POV

After a stressful morning encounter with that cotton-candy-haired woman, I spent my time dealing with the large shipment that we needed to bribe some officials to keep their mouths shut. I was still somehow grateful that my mind was busy handling the issue with law enforcement I didn't have the time to think about that stubborn woman who liked to disobey me whenever she had the chance.

I thought she would be thankful that I was willing to take her to town and buy her some clothes but she flatly turned down my offer. She still prefers to wear those scandalous figure-hugging workout clothes while walking around my property.

Doesn't she realize that I was only trying to help her but it was as if she felt insulted by my generous offer?

I cursed myself silently since I was back brooding recalling our previous conversation in the garden. I shouldn't be affected by it, really, but I couldn't help but feel irritated knowing that she doesn't have anything to do with 'dirty money' as she put it.

I gritted my teeth as I went out of my office and about to go to my study room to have some time alone. I knew that my money came from selling contrabands and buying and selling products in the black market but she doesn't need to emphasize where my money came from. It was still insulting even if everyone practically knew what my nature of work was.

I was about to enter my study room when I stopped dead in my place when I came across my cousin who was equally stunned to see me standing in front of him. "What are you doing here?" He asked with a frown on his face.

"I own the place, remember?" I retorted back sarcastically.

It seemed that he didn't like my satire while he was still scowling in my direction. "I know that you own the damn place what I want to know is why the hell you are here. I thought you went shopping with your lovely ward?"

"Ah..."

Nico eyed me curiously, there was a mocking smile slightly playing on his lips. "Problem?"

I avoided his knowing gaze and felt slightly irritated that he was being inquisitive today. He didn't care about this kind of thing in the past so why did he suddenly have this undisguised interest in my shopping trip? I shrugged nonchalantly. "Nothing. She just doesn't want to new clothes."

There was a long and complete silence from my cousin. For a moment, I thought that his brain malfunctioned because he was just staring at me blankly but then he burst out laughing so loud that I wouldn't be surprised if everyone inside this damn huge house would hear his howl. "No way!" He said, clapping his hands together which made me wince slightly. "This is rich! How I wish I had videoed your reaction earlier so I have a copy of that moment forever."

"I will dislocate your arm from your shoulder if you will not stop laughing like a maniac." I threatened darkly at him.

He put several distances from me but still chuckling like an idiot. "Now there's no need to be murderous about it, cousin. I am deeply sorry if I hurt your ego but I do find it hilarious. This was probably the first time that a woman turned down your offer from a shopping spree."

"For your information, fucker. First, my ego is fine. Second, I only made that gesture so she could feel at ease during her stay here with us. Her guard was still up whenever she was in our presence so I did that kind gesture to show her that she could trust us and we're not here to harm her."