Chapter 1 Alice

Alice's P.O.V.

He glances at his wristwatch and looks up at me, causing me to close my eyes in terror right away.

"Please pardon my tardiness, sir. I just dozed off because I had a headache, and when I awoke, I rushed to your room. I'm sorry-"

"Just shut the fuck up." As he thunders, slamming his hands on the table, I flinch.

"Open your eyes." I immediately open my eyes in response to his order. He continues, glaring at me, and I lower my gaze. "I will punish you for being late."

I return my gaze to him and beg frantically, "Please don't punish me. I'll be on time next time. It is just that-"

He warns me in a commanding tone, cutting my words. "If next time you speak without my permission, I'll shut you up with my dick." My eyes enlarge, listening to his words.

A few hours ago

I'm Alice Clark. I'm twenty and have been working as a maid for the Wilson family since my mother died a year ago. Accepting my mother's death and then beginning to work as a maid to settle my mother's debt to the Wilson family were the most strenuous days of my life. I had no option but to work as a maid at this mansion.

Wilson brothers; the two hot billionaires; Alexander Wilson and Edward Wilson, whom I have never seen, for whom I work. There are some insane tales about those siblings that I have heard. My hands shiver in fright to even think about them because it gives chills down my spine. I just wish I never come across them, because if I come, I don't know what they'll do to me. I heard that if their lustful eyes fall on any woman; they make her their slave and own her mind, body, and soul.

After my shower, I come out of the bathroom dressed in my maid attire - a black dress, a white apron, and a hairband. The dress reaches my mid-thigh and lifts furthermore when I wear it with heels. When male workers ogle at my legs, it makes me feel pretty uncomfortable.

Why does this uniform have to be so short, God? I despise it when men gaze at me with lust in their eyes.

I dwell in one of Wilson's servant quarters. Every quarter has a single bed, and a small attached bathroom. My job is to cook, which I enjoy.

Painting is a passion of mine. So, in my spare time, I pick up a brush and paint on my canvas whatever is going through my mind. It feels fantastic. I'm ready to paint in any state of mind. After my mother, painting is my only source of happiness.

It is something my mother taught me to do, and whenever I do it, I feel as though she is there with me, which brings me immense peace. I honestly miss her. When memories of my mother flash through my mind, tears well up in my eyes.

A maid, Lily, enters my quarters with her face drooping in melancholy. One of the Wilson brothers, Edward, has owned her as a slave for the past two weeks. She seems to be really depressed, so I'm sure he did something terrible with her.

"Lily, is everything alright? Did he hurt you?" I question her with concern, placing my hand on her face.

"I've stopped serving as his personal maid. He became weary of me. I wanted him more." She cries, causing my eyes to widen in shock.

"What? You loved being his slave. Why?" I enquire in a tone of complete disbelief.

"You won't understand because you've never met him. He's fucking hot, and when he commands somebody, he looks sexier, and I want to be his slave forever. It was an honour to be his slave. I now wish to be hired as Alexander Sir's personal maid. I've heard he's stricter than Edward Sir. They are both hot as hell, Alice."

I don't know why, but I feel a sudden urge to ask her what he had done to her to make her feel ecstatic about being his slave.

Even though I would like to meet them and see them, my Aunt Rosy forbids me from doing so. She sternly instructed me not to show my face to any of them. The last thing she wants is for one of them to take me as their submissive if they see me. Therefore, I'm hiding from them.

She has always been very protective of me since she was my mother's friend, and she gave her words that she would always keep me safe.

"Okay, now I have to go. I have to clean the hall." Lily exits the room.

Then Aunt Rosy enters the room, yelling, followed by Mia, who is my best friend here. "What the hell have you done, Alice?"

Why is so furious with me?

"What?" I stare at her, unsure why she is upset with me.

"Edward Wilson is interested in meeting you." My eyes widen after knowing this.

"What? Me? Why?"

"One of your paintings that is displayed outside your quarter caught his attention, and he found the work so attractive that he now wants to meet its artist." She tells me in a firm tone.

Wow! He liked my painting.

I smile as I think this, but I quickly stifle it as I realise Aunt is upset with me.

"What was the point of hanging the painting outside your room?" As she chides me, I shake my head.

"Aunt, I hung that painting outside the quarter." Aunt's angry gaze shifts from me to Mia as she interrupts.

She commands Mia, "Go meet him and pretend to be the artist."

"What if he catches my lie?" I can vividly see the fear in Mia's eyes.

No. I can't let Aunt do this with her.

"Aunt, if Edward Sir wants to meet me, then let me go. We can't lie to him. He won't leave us if he gets to know the truth." I attempt to explain to her.

She shrugs her shoulders. "I don't care. I just can't let you meet him, Alice. He is dangerous. Mia will go." Aunt says firmly, pointing at Mia, and she stares at me with pleading eyes.

"I believe lying to them is worse. I can't let Mia go instead of me. Aunt, I can't be selfish."

"So what? It was her mistake to hang the painting. She'll go and it's my final decision." She states, folding her arms across her chest.

"And it is my final decision that I'll go," I argue with her, because I don't want to endanger Mia.

"I have promised your mother to protect you, Alice. Stop arguing with me, please." Her voice softens as she implores, taking my hand in hers.

"Stop fighting. I'm ready to go," Mia utters, catching our attention.

"Mia, you don't have to-"

"I made a mistake, Alice, so I'll take the punishment." She then walks away, and I pout, dejected. I feel bad for her.

"You're doing so wrong with Mia, Aunt." I speak, and she silently leaves the room.

Shit, I miss the chance of meeting Edward Sir.

I pull my hair in frustration.

The Wilson brothers loathe people who lie and punish them brutally, so I just hope he doesn't figure out that we're lying to him.