Chapter 4 The Nanny

Alessia's POV

The car ride to Adrian Virelli's mansion was quiet.

I sat in the back seat of the sleek black sedan, hands folded tightly in my lap. The driver hadn't said a word since picking me up from the small hotel Adrian had arranged for me to stay in the night after the auction. The city lights had slowly disappeared behind us, replaced by long stretches of road and towering trees.

Eventually the car turned onto a private road.

Tall iron gates appeared ahead, flanked by stone pillars and security cameras. The driver rolled down the window slightly and spoke into a small intercom. The gates opened with a slow mechanical hum.

Beyond them was a long driveway.

The mansion sat at the end of it like a fortress.

The car stopped in front of the entrance. The driver stepped out and opened my door.

"We're here, Miss Romano."

I nodded and stepped out, adjusting the strap of the small bag slung over my shoulder. Everything I owned now fit inside it. The rest of my belongings were still back at my parents' temporary apartment, but Adrian had insisted I move in immediately.

The front doors opened before I could knock.

A woman in a crisp black uniform stood there. She looked to be in her fifties, with silver streaks running through her dark hair and sharp eyes that missed nothing.

"You must be Miss Romano," she said.

"Yes."

"I'm Mrs. Davenport. I manage the household."

She stepped aside, allowing me inside.

The interior of the mansion was even more intimidating than the exterior. The foyer alone was larger than my parents' living room.

The house was spotless and quiet.

Too quiet for a house where a child lived.

"Mr. Virelli isn't home yet," Mrs. Davenport said as she led me farther inside. "But he instructed us to show you to your room and introduce you to Miss Ava."

"How old is she?" I asked, Adrian hadn't given me the opportunity to ask much about Ava, and he hadn't offered any information either.

"Eight."

Mrs. Davenport led me down a long hallway lined with framed paintings and closed doors. The house seemed endless.

"This will be your room."

She opened a door.

The room inside was simple but elegant. A large bed sat against the wall, covered in crisp white sheets. There was a desk near the window and a wardrobe already stocked with neatly folded clothes.

"Mr. Virelli had clothing delivered earlier today," she said, noticing my glance.

Of course he had.

Before I could ask anything else, a small voice spoke from behind us.

"So you're the new nanny."

I turned.

A girl stood at the end of the hallway.

She had long dark hair tied loosely behind her head and sharp eyes that reminded me immediately of her father. She wore a simple sweater and jeans, but the way she stood made it clear she already owned the entire house.

This had to be Ava.

"Yes," I said gently. "I'm Alessia."

She walked closer, studying me openly.

"You look boring."

I blinked.

"Miss Ava what are you doing outside you're ballet class?" Mrs davenport chided.

"She quit." She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, the action reminding me very much of her father, their resemblance uncanny.

"That's the fifth one this month." Mrs davenport whispered to herself.

"The last nanny cried on the second day."

"Why....Did you make her cry?"

Ava tilted her head, considering the question.

"Maybe."

Mrs. Davenport cleared her throat. "Miss Ava, Mr. Virelli expects you to behave."

"I am behaving."

She didn't sound convincing.

"Come on," she said suddenly. "I'll show you the house."

Before I could respond, she turned and walked down the hallway.

Mrs. Davenport sighed softly.

"She always does this," she said under her breath. "Good luck, you're going to need it." She looked at me with pity as she patted my shoulders and left.

I hurried after Ava.

She moved quickly, weaving through corridors and up a set of stairs. I had the growing suspicion she was deliberately walking fast to see if I could keep up.

"So," she said as we reached the second floor, "how long are you staying?"

"Three years."

She stopped walking, seconds passed before she turned slowly.

"You're lying, no one ever stays that long." she said like she was stating a fact.

"I'm not lying, I do really need this job."

She eyed me suspiciously.

"Why would my dad pay almost a billion dollars for you."

"I- I, he didn't" I sputtered

"Lying to me won't get you anywhere,I overheard it from one of the staff members." She crossed her arms

"It's not what you think ava."

"It's miss Ava to you." She turned and went further down the corridor leaving me to chase after her.

"I left one of my dolls in there," she said casually, pointing toward the door. "Get it for me."

"Why can't you get it yourself?" I may not have grown up with wealth like hers but I certainly not poor either, I wasn't used to being pushed around by a kid.

"Did my dad hire you to ask questions?" she said coolly.

She was nothing like an eight year old.

Three years I reminded myself as I clenched my fists.

"No, Miss Ava." I said, forcing a smile

The moment I turned the doorknob, a hand clamped around my wrist.

Hard.

I gasped.

"Who allowed you in this wing?" Adrian Virelli's voice was cold with anger.

"Sir, Ava sent me to get one of her dolls." I said wincing, I looked behind me.

Ava was gone.