Chapter 3 Trouble

The sound of the door opening brought Rosetta back to the present. A lady entered and walked towards her, folding her arms across her chest.

"What were you doing earlier?" the lady questioned.

"What do you mean?" Rosetta asked, adjusting the worn-out bag on her shoulder.

"What were you doing with the boss? A mere cleaner like you, dining with the boss in his private suite?" the lady mocked. It turned out to be the same waiter from earlier.

Rosetta sighed, trying to ignore the provocation. "I was just doing my job," she replied calmly.

The lady, named Anna, continued to taunt her. "Oh, it's crystal clear now. You tried to seduce him, didn't you?" Anna laughed.

Rosetta's patience wavered, but she knew better than to engage in a confrontation. She couldn't risk losing her job, especially with the end of the month approaching.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that from you," Rosetta smiled, suppressing her anger, and walked past Anna.

"Of course, you have to. After all, you're nothing but a cleaner," Anna said loudly.

Rosetta clenched her fists, feeling the sting of the insult. "Keep your opinions to yourself," she muttered under her breath.

Leaving the room, Rosetta took a deep breath to calm herself. She knew she had to focus on her only means of survival and not let the words of others affect her. As she made her way out of the company, she couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the boss, Romeo Knight Castillo, surrounded by his guards.

"He's the boss? The one everyone fears?" she wondered to herself. Her first encounter with him had been in less than favorable circumstances. She shrugged off the thoughts and hurried out of the building before transportation fees escalated.

Romeo stepped out of the car with a gentle grace, his phone beeping in his front pocket. Retrieving it, a lazy smile spread across his lips.

"Perfetto," he mumbled, making his way into the house. As he entered, he spotted his beloved woman sprawled on a chair, glancing at her phone intermittently.

"Bambina," he called out, briskly walking toward her.

She turned, a smile lighting up her lips upon seeing him.

"Romeo!" she exclaimed, rushing into his embrace, enveloping him in a tight hug.

"I missed you so much, you can't even imagine," she murmured against his chest.

"Same here, Bambina. When did you arrive?" Romeo asked, breaking free from the hug.

"Just a while ago. I wanted you to meet me here," she replied, a smile adorning her face.

Romeo nodded and led the way to his room, with her following closely behind.

"You don't miss me?" she asked playfully as they entered his room.

"Why would you think that?" Romeo removed his jacket and headed to his closet, while she trailed after him.

"You've been acting distant. It's unfair. After being gone for months, the least you could do is give me a kiss!"

"You know I'm not one to display affection publicly, Bambina. So, let's keep things in perspective," Romeo explained.

She scoffed, folding her arms across her chest, and continued gazing at him as he removed his shirt, her lips slowly moistening.

"I can't wait to feel your touch," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Romeo smiled, and before long, she was behind him, running her fingers through his chest hair.

"I want you. It's been too long," she murmured, her voice filled with longing.

Romeo turned to face her, his lips instantly finding her neck.

"I'm going to take you passionately, Helena," he whispered against her skin, eliciting a moan from her. She eagerly wrapped her hands around his neck.

"That's exactly what I desire," she whispered back.

Romeo pulled away, lifting her effortlessly in his arms, and carried her towards the bedroom. Depositing her gently on the bed, he positioned himself above her, his hand caressing her bosom.

"When will you make me yours legally? I can't wait to be your wife," she breathed out.

Romeo smirked in response, exerting a firm pressure on her breasts.

"Be silent, Bambina," he murmured before swiftly removing her top.

"Oh, Romeo!"

*********

Rosetta entered the house and found her mother seated in the living room, engrossed in a movie. Biting her lip, she approached her cautiously.

"Mom..." she called softly, but only silence filled the air.

"Do you hate me now? Am I no longer your daughter?" Rosetta asked, her eyes filled with sadness as she stared at her mother.

Again, there was only silence. Rosetta blinked rapidly, trying to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.

Her mother stood up abruptly and walked away, seemingly oblivious to Rosetta's presence.

"Mom..." Rosetta bit her lip, tears streaming down her face. With a heavy heart, she retreated to her room.

Lying on her bed, memories of happier times flooded Rosetta's mind. She reminisced about the moments when her family was once content, the joy they shared during celebratory outings for her excellent grades.

But now, her parents seemed unaware of her job and treated her as if she were invisible.

Rosetta closed her eyes tightly, trying to calm herself down and gather her thoughts. She needed to avoid anything that would make her feel even sadder. She hoped that things would improve someday, that better times were on the horizon.

The next day, Romeo observed as Helena fixed his tie for work. He was already dressed while she remained in her nightdress. Once she finished adjusting his tie, Helena leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his lips, her hand resting on his shoulder.

"Be good, okay?" she smiled.

"You too," Romeo muttered. A sudden knock interrupted their moment, and Helena gave permission for the person to enter. A young man walked in, holding a small box in his hands.

"Here's what you ordered, Boss. It was delivered this morning," the man said.

Romeo nodded and took the box from him. Opening it, he revealed a glimmering silver wristwatch, specially made from France.

"Wow! This is beautiful," Helena exclaimed with excitement.

Romeo slipped the watch onto his wrist and smiled with satisfaction.

"Perfetto," he mumbled.

"You certainly have a penchant for lavish spending, don't you?" Helena remarked.

"I worked hard for it, so it's not a big deal," Romeo replied casually, before leaving the house, leaving Helena standing there.

"He can never change," Helena shook her head, resigned to Romeo's extravagant ways.

Rosetta arrived at the hotel, feeling exhausted. She had run out of cash and had to trek all the way to the hotel, which wasn't an easy task, to be honest.

"So tired," she groaned, stretching her legs which were beginning to ache.

"Good morning, Boss."

"Good morning, Mr. Romeo."

"Good morning, Boss."

She heard various greetings being exchanged, and her heart skipped a beat. In an attempt to turn around and catch a glimpse of the Boss again, she stumbled. Her hand instinctively reached out, searching for something to save her from falling. Unfortunately, her hand grasped a wristwatch, and in her attempt to regain balance, the watch slipped from her grip and crashed onto the tiled floor, shattering the glass into pieces.

"Che cazzo! {What the fûck!}" Her heart raced as she recognized the voice.

Lifting her head from the ground, she looked up to see a pair of furious green eyes glaring at her.

"Oh madre mia! {Oh my mother!}" she murmured, her heart pounding rapidly against her chest. What had she done?

"Great timing," she cried inwardly, fearing that she had just sealed her fate and would lose her job. The intense gaze on her only heightened her anxiety.