Chapter 6 - The Maid Who Refused to Leave
Three weeks later, the Moretti mansion felt different.
Vittorio and Carlo were gone.
The betrayal network had collapsed under financial records, recorded conversations, and testimony from several former associates.
But Elena had packed two suitcases.
Alessandro found them beside the kitchen door.
“What is this?”
Elena turned.
“We’re leaving.”
“No.”
She blinked.
“No?”
“You work here.”
“I worked here.”
“You still do.”
“Mr. Moretti—”
“Alessandro.”
Elena stared at him.
“You’ve never asked me to call you that.”
“I’m asking now.”
She folded Mia’s sweater and placed it inside a suitcase.
“I appreciate everything you did.”
“That sounds like a goodbye.”
“It is.”
“Why?”
Elena finally faced him.
“Because my daughter was put in danger because of this house.”
Alessandro couldn’t argue.
“You’re right.”
That surprised her.
He continued.
“I can increase security.”
“That isn’t the point.”
“I can move you to another property.”
“That isn’t the point either.”
“Then tell me the point.”
Elena closed the suitcase.
“Mia needs a normal childhood.”
Alessandro looked toward the doorway.
Mia stood there holding her rabbit.
“What’s normal?”
Elena sighed.
“Sweetheart.”
“Are we going?”
“Yes.”
Mia’s face fell.
“But Uncle Al lives here.”
Alessandro looked away.
Elena crouched.
“We can visit.”
Mia considered this terrible arrangement.
“Every day?”
“No.”
“Six days?”
“Mia.”
“Five?”
Alessandro almost smiled.
Elena gave him a warning look.
“Don’t encourage her.”
“I haven’t said anything.”
“Your face did.”
Mia ran to Alessandro.
He lifted her automatically.
“Tell Mommy we stay.”
Alessandro became serious.
“No.”
Mia frowned.
“No?”
“Your mother decides where you live.”
“Why?”
“Because she’s your mother.”
Mia whispered, “You’re the boss.”
“Not of her.”
Elena stared at him.
For the first time since her rescue, something softened in her expression.
Alessandro set Mia down.
He looked at Elena.
“If leaving is what makes you feel safe, I’ll arrange everything.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
“No argument?”
“I’m learning.”
“Slowly.”
“Very slowly.”
She smiled.
Then Mia suddenly said, “Mommy likes him.”
Elena froze.
“Mia.”
Alessandro raised an eyebrow.
“Does she?”
“No.”
Mia nodded enthusiastically.
“She said you have sad eyes.”
Elena turned red.
“That is absolutely enough talking.”
Alessandro’s mouth curved.
“Sad eyes?”
“I was exhausted.”
“You said it.”
“Two months ago.”
“You remember the date?”
Elena picked up the suitcase.
“I’m leaving immediately.”
He laughed.
It was so unexpected that Elena stopped.
She had worked in the Moretti mansion four years.
She had heard Alessandro angry.
Cold.
Commanding.
Never laughing.
Mia grinned.
“Do it again.”
Alessandro shook his head.
“No.”
“Again!”
“No.”
Mia climbed onto his shoe.
“Again!”
Elena started laughing too.
And somehow the suitcases remained beside the kitchen door until evening.
Then until morning.
Then another day.
On the third morning, Alessandro walked into the kitchen.
The suitcases were gone.
Elena handed him coffee.
He looked around.
“Where are they?”
“Upstairs.”
“You’re staying?”
“For now.”
Alessandro accepted the coffee.
“For now is enough.”
Elena studied him.
“One condition.”
“Name it.”
“Mia gets a normal life.”
“Agreed.”
“She goes to preschool.”
“Agreed.”
“No security men standing inside the classroom.”
Alessandro hesitated.
“Outside?”
“Across the street.”
“Half a block.”
“Across the street.”
He sighed.
“Fine.”
Elena smiled.
“Look at that. Negotiation.”
Alessandro took a sip.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Very much.”
From beneath the table came Mia’s voice.
“Uncle Al?”
He looked down.
“Yes?”
“Mommy still likes you.”
Elena closed her eyes.
May you like
Alessandro smiled into his coffee.
---
