Entwined With the Villainous Guardian
Chapter 124: The Box

Chapter 124: The Box

When Viviana came out of the bathroom after filling the tub, she heard Leander downstairs. Steve was addressing the servants. Fearing that Leander might have found out about Juno, Viviana had a listen.

Steve was reading about changes in the duties of the servants of the house. Many of the servants who were working inside the house were transferred outdoors. After spending time with the servants, Viviana knew that they won’t like that.

The "indoor servants" were of higher status than the "outdoor servants" sparing the gardeners. She was surprised to learn such a hierarchy existed. Hierarchy usually meant different pay grades. And apparently, no one knows how much the other one gets paid and no one gets paid according to their job, but according to their loyalty. So, one cleaning maid might work harder but could be paid less because her loyalty doesn’t match the one who doesn’t work all that much.

It might seem unfair, but maybe it’s fair for Leander Kastello who valued loyalty more than anything.

And this is not the regular world. Well, even in the regular world, hierarchy exists. Just the markers that determine the hierarchy is different.

She listened to know whether Mary or Martha (the other kitchen staff) were among the ones who got transferred outdoors. She had formed a friendship with them lately. She’d be sad to lose them. They were not transferred and she was relieved.

And some of the gardeners were brought indoors. One such gardening staff was Maya who would talk to her about this and that. Maya is interested in fashion and so Viviana offered her the fashion magazines that were left untouched on the side table of the reception. Maya greatly appreciated that and they had some good feelings between them.

Viviana was happy that the people she liked will be working inside the house. And some of the people she liked were stationed in the areas she visited often. Even the guards were relatives of Steve and they always treated her with respect. She liked this new arrangement.

Katerina still was the housekeeper. She didn’t sound appreciative of this change.

Viviana too didn’t understand the logic behind this change. How would they adapt to an entirely new job? Well, it was not her problem, and she didn’t care.

After Steve finished reading the new arrangement, Leander asked if anyone is dissatisfied. Viviana rolled her eyes. As if anyone would speak against Leander even if they had grievances!

As expected, no one said a word and Steve dismissed everyone. Viviana quickly dashed back inside the room. She wetted her hands and greeted Leander as he entered the bedroom.

He stared at her and sighed. She didn’t know why. Maybe because he was tired.

As usual, she helped him with removing his jewelry. He got undressed and stepped inside the tub. Viviana stood by the door wondering what to do.

"There’s a box inside my jacket’s chest pocket. Bring it to me," he said.

Viviana searched his jacket and found the box. It looked a little big for a ring box and a little smaller to be a bracelet box. She got curious as she remembered him saying that he was going to buy her a ring.

She wanted to sneak a peek. With just a little pop the box would open revealing what secret its holding. But she decided not to.

She didn’t want to be disappointed. She doesn’t know what or to who’s this box belongs. It looked like a jewelry box, but he was the one wearing jewelry in this house. And he could have bought the jewelry for anyone—his mother, grandfather, friend, or...even his mistress.

Does he have a mistress? He must have one.

She entered the bathroom. In the tub, he was leaning with his eyes closed. His hand was hanging by the side and the sound of the streaming water in the jacuzzi was soothing. It obscured any view of him. A thin layer of mist rose above the water making his strong shoulders shimmer.

What a sight to behold!

And how can someone weary look so sexy at the same time?

"Here," she passed the box to him.

He opened his eyes. Without turning his head, he looked at her. And then the box in her hand. His hand was still hanging by the side. He was not going to get the box from her.

"Did you have a look?" he asked.

"No, I don’t want to invade your privacy," she told him the diplomatic answer.

She’s used to not speaking the truth. She’d call them white lies, but those who love her would be hurt by her lies. She never allowed anyone to see her heart.

What can she do? She grew up to be insincere because of her insecurities. She never thought that she deserved better.

Because every time she liked something, she lost it.

Leander sighed. Closing his eyes, he took a couple of deep breaths.

What can he do with her?

She is a woman. She should know what a jewelry box looks like. He told her just days back that he will get a ring for her. And yet she didn’t get curious enough to open the box.

He wished she is lying. But she was not. The reason she told was a lie. But she didn’t lie about not opening the box.

There goes his dream to watch her jumping in surprise.

But why is he expecting anything happy from her? If there is one being in this world who would force themselves to be unhappy, it would be her.

Ugh! What a bother!

"Step in," he said, without opening his eyes.

Viviana looked at the box in her hand. What should she do with it? She placed the box at the side.

She looked at herself. Should she just get in wearing her clothes?

She was confused. But maybe she should make the decision herself.

She tried to unzip her dress, but she couldn’t. Her fingers were frozen.

As she was struggling, he opened his eyes, again.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"The water..." she gestured that she was trying to undress.

He looked at the movement of her hands and then sighed.

She understood that sigh.

He thinks that she is an imbecile.

He then turned to see the box at the side. He sighed again.

"You don’t have to undress to scrub my back," he said.