Chapter I ; “welcome To Our Family”

chapter i ; “welcome to our family”

[saturday 29 august, bartholy mansion, 10:56 AM]

“M-Miss, you’ll hurt yourself if you…” The cab driver watches me perplexed as I easily lift my suitcase from the trunk and put it on the ground.

“Here you go !” I rub my two hands before approaching the owner of the car “You told me that I owe you $30.23 for the trip?” He nods his head, resuming his calm posture. I take my wallet out of my large bag and give him forty euros. “And keep the change.”

"Thank you miss ” He smiles at me “I wish you a good day to you and be careful with this family…” The driver greets me after saying his words then leaves me alone in disbelief.

Okay … I watch him get into his vehicle, start the engine and with a blink of an eye, he leaves the Bartholy family’s residence. I take a deep breath and turn to the impressive Bartholy mansion. It almost looks like a castle with its many windows …

I feel and hear the wind calmly blowing on me and the trees around the place. Water flows from the fountain through the mud held by the headless woman dressed in a tunic dress. It seems to be from Ancient Greece.

My vision becomes blurred at the sight of two cars parked wisely. I shiver with fear and my breathing becomes jerky; the image of the car turned over with the broken windows … Fuck not again … I detach my eyes directly on the car, taking my breath little by little.

I grab the shoulder strap of my bag, put it on my shoulder and took the sleeve of my suitcase then I walk forward and climb the stone staircase steps and arrive in front of the double front door. I notice that it has no doorbell, just a big ring in each mouth of the gargoyles. Charming …

I remain dubious in front of the mocking looks of the monsters that can be found in Romanesque and Gothic cathedrals and churches. I grab the steel with my fingers and strike three times. The noise resonates by an echo inside the walls.

Having spent a few minutes in the room, I let out an annoyed sigh and as I was about to do it again, the door opens. A man stands face to face with me.

He has short, almost platinum blond hair with a loose fringe in front of his face. His skin is as pale as the snow. His amber hazelnut eyes stares at me intensely despite his bored and unbearable look. I immediately feel my instinct to be alert and ready to face danger with my heart pounding to increase my adrenaline.

I don’t understand why they are reacting like this; he’s just a handsome man. Nothing special. I support my gaze in his with confidence, before I start talking :

“Umm, I’m Armani, Lorie’s new nanny. I warned yesterday that I would be arriving in the morning today. I guess you must be either Peter or Drogo.”

“Do I look like Peter? ”he asks me mockingly and coldly.

“You look like a big jerk, that’s for sure… ” I mumble looking insolent under his beautiful eyes.

He lets out a little laugh and an angel passes. I imagine that “Drogo” continues his tepid air quietly while I bubble in rage inside. I break down and start speaking bluntly :

“Good. We are not going to look at each other in the eyes like two perfect idiots … Would you be so kind to let me in so that I can see Nicolae? ”He answers me with a sly smile before he turns around and walks away, leaving the door open.

Looks like I’m about to commit a murder … I cross the entrance, my stuff with me. The hall is huge, although it is cold. The icy air brushes my hands and face. I admire the decoration of the interior and my eyes land in front of the big staircase.

My thoughts start to list what I am looking at : the burgundy velvet steps, the solid oak railings, the master paintings … Me who lived in a 75m², there is no need to say … It must be nice to be rich …

I meet the blond man’s gaze again, staring at me with a disturbing insistence at the height of the stairs. I prefer to ignore him continuing to contemplate the decoration. I can still hear a new laugh from him before he speaks to someone:

“Nicolae! The little thing for Lorie is here…”.

Little thing? I’m going to call you Big Shit, you’ll see … It’s not because Mister is a rich man living in a beautiful mansion that he has the right to treat people this way. I try to calm my urge, but it’s not very easy … I don’t sence Drogo’s presence and Nicolae walks towards me.

“Hello, forgive me for my tardiness. I oversaw welcoming you, but when I’m with Lorie, I don’t see the time going by.” he excuses himself under a surprisingly friendly look.

He has no resemblance to Drogo: His appearance begins with his long brown frowned hair of medium length and grayish green eyes, also having a skin less pale than the other con. He emanates a certain darkness despite his soft face.

As with the idiot from earlier, my instincts are ready to alarm me at any time to defend myself.

I shyly smile at him, shaking my head, impressed by his way of speaking. I look for the sustained words I have in my vocabulary so as not to appear insulting and vulgar:

“No, don’t worry, sir, it’s nothing.”

“I don’t mind, you calling me by my name, especially if you’re going to be with us for a long time.” He gives me back my smile before holding out his hand that I’m shaking it right now. I feel the coldness. “Now that we can present ourselves properly, face to face. I am Nicolae, the eldest of the Bartholy family.”

“Armani, only daughter of the Lowell family and now nanny to Lorie Bartholy.” I joked before I took my hand away from his cold hand. He emitted an amused laugh at my humor. Finally, someone friendly …

“I am sorry for Drogo’s total lack of courtesy. He is nothing to be taken care of.” I let out a little bitter laughter accompanied by a thin smirk.

“I wouldn’t lie that his behavior went unnotice. But I don’t hold a grudge about it, so it’s quickly forgotten.” Liar. “Otherwise your family really has a beautiful property, I like it very much.”

“It’s true. We don’t even realize anymore ! And that would be your case too, after a few weeks with us …” He gives me a smirk and I do the same.

I feel someone spying on us from the top of the stairs. I notice a little girl with long pink hair that I think is hanging with a full fringe that is tied up in an odango style. Her hazelnut eyes match with her two bows. That must be Lorie. I smile at her waving and her answer remains neutral and leave. I hear in a direction that I think is her room.

“I feel that you are going to get along well with Lorie,“ says Nicolae and waves at me "Come, I’ll show you your apartment. We’ll talk about everything you need to start working.”

I nod and pull my suitcase up the stairs. I am about to lift my suitcase to go up, but Nicolae does not see it the same way. I just thanked him politely and let go of the handle of my suitcase. I follow him up the stairs with him carrying it with great ease like me.

He explains to me his six-year-old sister’s waking and sleeping schedule, information about her and all the trivialities that the nanny must do and act. I listen to him carefully noting everything in a corner of my head as we arrive and continue walking down the hallway. After a good minute, he stops in front of a door and opens it wide.

“Welcome to your new home !” he says with a big smile on his face.

He graciously steps aside to let me pass. As I enter, I notice the dimensions of the room that took my breath away and mumbled a ‘wow’. The room is big, especially with the huge window overlooking the garden and all these mirrors that make the space even bigger. I see the rest of my boxes, stored in a corner of the room. Nicolae goes to put my suitcase next door.

“As I told you on the phone, your stuff arrived safely. I guess you must go drop off your college application ?” I shake my head.

“Exactly, when I get back, I’m going to settle down my stuff and then when I’m done, I’m going to introduce myself to Lorie. Or would you rather I see her tomorrow since it will Sunday.” I explain my plan to the oldest member of the family, putting my bag on my shoulder next to my moving boxes.

“I’d rather go for the second option, until you get your feet on the ground here and in town before you start taking care of my little sister. I don’t want to overburden you.” says Nicolae, with great kindness. I can easily agree that I’m looking forward to visiting the city. "I’ll leave you alone then, do you know where the bus stop is? ”I nod my head. He starts walking away in the corridor and I stop him immediately.

“Wait for Nicolae!” He arches an eyebrow and stares at me firmly, as if he wants to anticipate my next words.

“Thank you … for everything … ” An embarrassed smile appears on my lips.

“This is normal. ” He smiles at me, which is a direct relief. “ Welcome to our family ”

He goes away, closes the door behind him and I collapse on the bed to recover from my emotions for a few moments before getting up. Next step, University. I put my headphones and start the music on my phone. I approach and open my suitcase that I have laid on the floor, almost destroying the lock. I retrieve my sign-up sheets and put them in my single strap backpack.

I close my suitcase still full, taking my bag containing my shower effects a little wet from the fact that I took a shower before coming. I enter the adjacent bathroom and once again, I truly realize that comfort and richness is at its peak in this mansion. The room is very luxurious with its bathroom with a bathtub worthy of the thirties, its white wedging, and its marble basin.

After tidying everything up, I examine myself on the mirror : and to say that a few months ago, I didn’t have a scar above my right eye, that my hair was long and that I didn’t have many white strands on my hair … Thank you Marie-Antoinette’s syndrome …

I get out of the room and in a flash, I begin to descend the stairs sliding down the wooden banisters of the stairs. When I open the front door, I spontaneously recognize Drogo’s presence. I cast a dirty glance at him, seeming amused by the situation before leaving in the direction of the bus stop.