✔️ SLANDEROUS INTENTIONS | +18

Chapter 5

ANTONIO

I am slanderous. My intentions are never pure.

There is not an ounce of empathy within me — simply put, when you wrong me, you'd better run for your life. Yet, within every human lingers a distorted piece that completes the puzzle of million pieces of character.

I am an exception. I am twisted. I could even be mistaken for Satan's twin, because every cell in my body has a tinge of sadism, driven by the urge to obliterate any dam in my path, in any way, not caring who gets hurt below it. I know I am narcissistic as well, and I accept it without denial. In a world of lies, I want to remain true to myself.

However, my morals increment when the topic is family. There is an ounce of forgiveness when it comes to those I consider family, their mistakes stems from ignorance.

This is also applies for my maid, Beth. I see her as family, even though we are not related by blood. My father, however, defines family by blood. He hasn't been able to code that mentality into my system, and that's an area where our mindsets don't align.

"Forgive my curiosity, but have I done something wrong?" she asks, her voice quivering. She is scared, not because she knows her mistake, but because my cold and dismissive behavior makes her uneasy.

"Let's talk in my office," I tell her shortly. I don't want to confront her in the middle of the hall, before the eyes of other maids. This subtle conflict is between her and me. It doesn't require any witnesses.

She nods. "All right," she says quietly, then falls silent. As we reach my office, I unlock the door and motion for her to enter.

She walks into the office, and I follow, closing the door behind me. "Sit down," I say, gesturing to the chairs in front of my desk as I take a seat in my leather chair.

She nods and sits in one of the chairs. "What do you want to talk about, Sir?" she asks hesitantly, looking at me with fear.

She trembles in her seat. She is aware of my dirty deeds and the blood on my hands. As I said, I am not a pure soul; I am fancifully covered in the tainted blood of evil souls now residing in Hell— blood no one can see or expose, but imagine if you know the real me.

Her poor sight makes me sigh. I do not want to torment her. I do not plan to harm her. This woman has literally raised men and become a mother figure to me after I stained my hands with my mother's blood, the only pure soul now in heaven.

But if she gave Lana, the driver's wife, the key intentionally, knowing her motives and helping them, then she must face the consequences of her actions.

"Have you given someone the key to my office in the past two months?" I ask, looking at her with a stoic face, waiting for an answer. I don't snap. I don't yell. Communication is important to me to avoid any misconduct. But I always say the last word and want them to obey.

"I-I gave Lana the key, but only once. She told me you asked her to fetch some files from your office and give them to her husband to bring to you at the company," she confesses as I look at her observantly. She knows I can sniff out a lie and is smart enough to tell the truth. That means she is oblivious to their crimes. Her stupidity frustrates me.

I am not only bureaucratic at the company but also at home. This mansion has rules. One of the rules states that the key should remain with the head maid. Another fundamental rule is that no one is allowed in my office other than the head maid.

"And do you think I would ask a maid who has worked for me for only ten months to go into my office and grab a file for me? Do you really think I would let anyone into my damn office that easily if it's not Roman, Marco, Donatello, Xavier, or you?" I ask her seriously.