Chapter 6 Enough!

Furious, Gabriel slammed the door without letting go of Viviane's arm. They locked eyes as he turned, and Viviane glimpsed the contained anger on his face. Cornered, she felt her legs weaken. The idea of getting close to Mr. Welsch didn't seem so good at that moment.

"Do you like snooping?" Gabriel's fingers pressed into her skin.

Her boss's hostile behavior frightened her. For a moment, Viviane thought about grabbing her suitcase and leaving the house.

"What did you hear?" he asked, releasing her arm.

"Nothing!" Her trembling voice broke the silence. "I was heading to the dining room."

She stepped back as Gabriel approached. She took a few more steps and lost her balance when her hip hit the mahogany table. A picture frame and some papers fell to the floor.

Instinctively, Viviane bent down. She gathered the papers and picked up the golden frame with Elizabeth's photo. She had to force herself to maintain her posture and conquer the fear that had taken hold.

"Remember your duties in this house and do your job," he demanded. "My mother will supervise you during your probationary period."

"Yes, Mr. Welsch!" She placed everything back on the table.

"I don't want to see you wandering the corridors near my office. I hope you understand."

Gabriel scanned her from head to toe, stroking his own chin and shaking his head. Viviane braced herself for the worst; she knew her boss would soon mention her leg.

"My mother will provide the uniform. You need to be well-dressed and appropriate for your role."

The resigned woman nodded. For the first time, he noticed the beautiful translucence of her jade-colored eyes. Viviane's cheeks were flushed. The way he scrutinized her made her even more nervous.

"You may leave now." Clearing his throat, he turned and opened the door.

Taking a step back, he waited for Viviane to exit the office. Although she was formally dressed, he noticed her slow walk.

"Miss Bernardi!"

"Yes!" She stopped and turned.

"This way!" He pointed to the opposite side of the corridor.

He took a step back and let her walk ahead. For a moment, Gabriel focused on the fabric accentuating her slim waist. He knew the importance of avoiding any harassment with his employees, which is why he had insisted Viviane wear it during work hours.

The metallic pendant chandeliers, finished in rose gold, hung above the expansive table with ten seats. Viviane glanced at her reflection in the large mirror mounted on the wall. She felt small in the face of the room's luxury and sophistication.

"You're five minutes late!" Kathy stood on the other side of the room. "What is she doing here?" She gave a slight wave toward Viviane. "She should be having dinner in the kitchen."

"I invited her, Mom!" Gabriel pulled out a chair.

Even though she disapproved of her son's action, Katherine sat and instructed the housekeeper to serve dinner.

"Sit down!" He sat and gestured to a chair for her.

Silence fell over the room as the staff served them. Viviane shifted in her seat and smiled at the housekeeper.

"Where's Liz?" Viviane dared to ask.

"I sent her to bed early for misbehaving."

"I thought she would have dinner with us," Viviane regretted speaking, immediately catching Gabriel's sharp glare.

"Your job is to assist me with my granddaughter's care. I don't want you interfering with how I raise her."

Gabriel sipped a bit of white wine, ignoring his mother.

Instead of eating, Viviane folded her hands in her lap and stared at them, thinking of her own daughter. She imagined Pietro's wife might be raising the girl the same way.

"You don't like sophisticated food, Miss Bernardi?"

"I do, ma'am!" she answered.

"Sit properly," Katherine ordered.

Viviane straightened her back immediately and lifted her chin, unaware that the man at the head of the table kept his gaze fixed on her. She had a pert nose and prominent cheekbones.

"She's very thin," Kathy commented, trying to draw her son's attention, and laughed at her untimely remark. "You need to gain a little weight."

Viviane didn't respond. Instead of arguing with the matriarch, she focused on her plate of oyster tartare with vegetables.

"I noticed you have a problem with one of your legs." Gabriel held his crystal glass and sipped the wine.

"You should stop drinking, Mom," Gabe said.

"I just want to know if Viviane will be able to handle Liz when I'm not home."

"I can, ma'am!" Viviane replied.

"Were you born with this disability?"

Gabriel cleared his throat and widened his eyes at his mother.

"It was an accident!"

Viviane barely touched her food under the matriarch's interrogation. She set the fork beside her plate and sighed.

"Were you driving drunk?"

"No, ma'am!" She took a sip of water.

Viviane shook her head. She wasn't ready to talk about it yet. The terrible nightmares kept that day alive in her memory.

"Enough!" Gabriel interrupted his mother, revealing his irritation.

He had been aware of every step the new nanny had taken just before entering his house. According to the detective he had hired, Viviane had made headlines four years ago. He had read the article about the robbery followed by an attempted homicide.

"Excuse me!" Embarrassed, she stood up.

She didn't wait for Gabriel's permission. She left, walking frantically. She couldn't remember where her room was. Leaning against the wall, she pressed a hand to her mouth.

"Are you all right, Miss?" the kind woman asked.

"It was just a bad headache," she said, standing up.

"Do you want a painkiller?"

"Thank you, I'll be fine!" She wiped away tears with the back of her hand. "Yolanda, how do I get to my room?"

The woman in a black uniform with a white apron smiled.

"Do you need anything, Mr. Welsch?"

"You may leave, Yolanda! I will accompany Miss Bernardi to her room."

Gabriel rolled up the sleeves of his shirt on both arms as he stared at the nanny's tearful eyes.