Chapter 4 Strange Warning

MARIA'S POV

I barely slept last night, thinking about the contract, my baby and the strangeness of this mansion. "Nine months, and I'm out of here," I comforted myself again. This has been my slogan since I began to feel weird in this mansion. By morning, my head hurt and my stomach twisted with hunger. I knew that was part of the pregnancy hormones. Even as a nurse, my heart still pumps when I remember I'll go through delivery.

I didn't want to see anyone this morning, especially Paul. I just wanted to stay under the duvet and pretend I was back in my tiny apartment, where I could open the window and hear cars rushing by, people yelling and dogs barking.

Suddenly, someone knocked on my door.

Whoever was there gave the door a soft knock, showing the person wanted to avoid waking me.

I came out grudgingly from under and put on a robe, then walked to the door, checking who was there through the security hole. I saw Paul, his sleeves were rolled up, and he looked less like a billionaire, more like a regular man. He had a white mug in his hand which was releasing steam. I blinked in confusion. Was he bringing tea for me? I opened the door immediately, drawn by the steam from the cup.

"I heard you didn't eat much last night," he smiled, so I brought you this chamomile, It will help with your appetite."

"Thank you," I glanced awkwardly at him and collected the mug. Our fingers connected in the process and his hand felt warm on mine.

"Breakfast is at nine," he informed and walked away. I frowned at the time fixed for breakfast, because this was one of the days I woke up feeling like eating immediately, even without brushing my teeth. Nevertheless, I closed the door and stood, staring at the cup for a while. What was that for? Was he trying to be nice? I had somehow gotten used to his coldness that I forgot I was carrying his child and he could be nice sometimes.

I took a sip of the tea. It was sweet and calming, then I sat by the window, sipping slowly while it warmed me from the inside. My hands on my belly, caressing it and feeling the foetus move in me.

Finally, it was nine, the scheduled time for breakfast. The only thing that hasn't been scheduled to a particular time in the house was the time I visit the restroom. I wouldn't be surprised if they fixed the time for that too. I walked into the dining room, becoming nervous all over again.

The room was huge, with a long table that looked like it belonged in a castle. Paul sat at the head, reading something on his tablet. He stared at me and gestured toward the chair across from him.

"Good morning," he greeted.

"Morning," I replied as I sat down. This was the first time I'd come across Paul in this room. I had always been the only one eating at this enormous table.

A maid placed plates of food in front of us. There were scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, toast, and a little bowl of yoghurt. My stomach rumbled, reminding me how little I had eaten the night before.

We ate without talking to each other for some minutes, I stole glances at Paul over the rim of my glass expecting him to start a conversation. He didn't look like the cold man from the first day I arrived, rather, he looked like he was bothered, just like I was.

I set my fork down and took a breath. I was going to start a conversation if he wasn't before I go deaf and dumb from not talking. "Thank you for the tea," I began when I had gathered enough momentum.

He looked up looking surprised. "You're welcome," he answered anyway.

Another pause. But questions were bubbling up in me.

"Why me?" I asked.

"What?" he blinked.

"Why did you accept me when you could have hired experts. There are thousands of women out there who do this for a living. But you chose to approve my application instead.

He set his tablet down. "You passed the health screenings and you have no family connections, enough debt and no messy background. It made things easier."

I shook my head. "Oops, that hurt because it sounds dehumanizing."

"I'm not trying to insult you,"

"No, but you are," I said, cutting him off. "You made me look like I'm a body you rented for nine months. Like I'm not a real person. You control me as if I don't have a life outside this. I have feelings and a life, at least I had one, before signing up for this. Your words sound heartbreaking to me."

He tightened his jaw but said nothing. I took it as an opportunity to continue since he was here and was listening. I had to spill out how disappointed I am to be treated this way because I'm carrying a child for some rich folks who think money controls the world.

"I'm not just a womb, Paul. I'm not some tool you picked off a shelf. You're using me to bring forth a life. Your heir. That should mean something."

He leaned back and stared at me for a moment, I thought he was going to snap or remind me where my place was, but he didn't.

"No one has ever spoken to me like that," he stated.

"Maybe that's your problem," I replied almost angrily.

I saw his expression soften. He kept his gaze fixed on me for a while and I began to regret speaking to him that way in the first place. I should have been more polite.

"Noted," he said and continued eating.

I didn't know what to make of that. But it felt like a win.

We ate quietly, but the atmosphere felt lighter, and I became more relaxed because I was able to ease off some of the burden.

I took a walk around the estate that afternoon, exploring the stunning garden that had green vines on stone walls and flowers in tidy rows. I couldn't get the conversation I had with Paul off my head, still wondering why he spoke calmly instead of acting all up.

Was he changing his perception of me? Maybe he's starting to see me as a human and not a thing.

"Maria."

I looked back to see Celeste walking towards me. The stone echoed her heel clicks. Her outfit was flawless as always, but her eyes stayed inscrutable.

"I saw you at breakfast with Mr. Willow," she said. "You two seemed... close now."

I scowled. "Did we commit a crime by just talking?"

Celeste moved nearer. "No! You're only getting comfortable."

"Is that an issue? Was I supposed to be uncomfortable?" I questioned because her expression was making it look like I had committed a crime just by speaking with Paul.

"Here's some advice. Stay alert." She smiled.

"Excuse me?" I blinked

"Everything in this house serves a purpose. The staff, the furniture, even the silence. You're here because you're useful for now. No strings attached."

I stared at her, not knowing what to say and becoming more confused.

"When your job is done, you'll be gone. And this place? It won't even remember your presence." She spat.

Her words hurt deeper than the glares from Paul.

"What makes you tell me this?"

"Because I've seen people mistake kindness for something more, and it never ended! Well. So stay as far as possible from Paul. Just get the job done and leave."

She smiled then walked away, leaving her warning hanging in the air.