Chapter 5
Sharon gently placed a pair of brand–new soft slippers at Seraphina’s feet, her voice warm and welcoming. “Ms. Seraphina. please change into these.”
Seraphina stood there for a moment, unsure of what to say. The shoes she had worn were cheap imitation leather sandals, their edges scuffed and worn, completely out of place on the gleaming marble floor beneath her feet. She slipped out of them and slid her feet into the plush slippers, their softness a stark contrast to her previous footwear.
Just as she bent down to pick up her old sandals, Sharon swiftly intercepted, gracefully lifting the worn shoes from the ground.
“Sharon, I can do it myself- Seraphina started, feeling a little embarrassed.
But Sharon merely smiled, shaking her head gently as she said, “You’re Mr. Clarence’s guest. It wouldn’t be right to have you lift a finger, Ms. Seraphina. Her tone was warm, yer with a tinge of formality, as she placed the shoes neatly into the shoe
cabinet.
As a seasoned housekeeper, Sharon knew exactly when and how to be observant when it came to her employer.
She couldn’t help but think, ‘Mr. Clarence has never brought a woman to this particular villa–his temporary sanctuary when he needs solitude. And now, not only has he brought one here, but he’s also asked me to… This pretty girl, innocent and shy as she is, must mean something to him. That means I should be extra attentive!
thick
“MsSeraphina, let’s head upstairs.” With that, Sharon led the way to the second floor, her footsteps nearly silent on the carpet that covered the entire floor. It was so soft beneath Seraphina’s feet that it felt like she was walking on clouds–cach step as quiet as a whisper.
Sharon opened a door and gestured towards it, her smile still firmly in place. “Here you go, Ms. Seraphina.”
As Seraphina entered the room, she was greeted by a subtle, sweet fragrance that hung in the air, something like honey–sol soothing and pleasant that it instantly calmed her nerves. Sharon guided her toward the walk–in closet.
Seraphina’s breath caught in her throat as she took in the sheer size of it–it was larger than her living room back home. The walls were lined with empty shelves, except for one package sitting neatly on a shelf.
Sharon picked up the package and handed it to Seraphina with a knowing smile. This is the swimsuit Mr. Clarence bought for you. Please change into this. He’s waiting by the pool”
Seraphina froze for a moment, her mind racing. He wants me to change into a swimsuit? She took the package hesitantly, her heart sinking slightly at the thought.
After Sharon left, Seraphina tore open the package and unfolded its contents. Her face immediately flushed red–it was a bikini. A very revealing bikini.
Her thoughts spiraled as the realization hit her. So this is what Clarence meant by showing him what I’ve got He was talking about my body. He wants to see if I have a nice body, she thought.
The humiliation stung, but more than that, a wave of helplessness washed over her. While she clutched the bikini to her chest, her throat tightened as the pressure to cry mounted. But then she thought of her father lying in the hospital, waiting for the treatment that would save his life, and she forced her tears back.
You brought this on yourself, she scolded herself inwardly. You offered to be his mistress, so why act all self–righteous now? Of course, he would want to see what he’s getting before he agrees. If anything, you should be grateful. Being Clarence’s mistress is far better than those two women at the bakery. This could change everything for you, Seraphina. You should feel lucky
Taking a deep breath, Seraphina squared her shoulders and turned toward the grand, gilded mirror that adorned the wall.
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Chapter 5
Slowly, she reached behind her to unzip her simple dress, letting it slide off her slender frame.
A cool breeze swept through the room, kissing her bare skin as reminding her of the weight of the choice she was about to make.
She wrapped a towel around her body and glanced at the pool outside. Clarence was still swimming, his long, powerful strokes cutting through the water effortlessly. The man was the very definition of grace and power, his body moving with the fluidity of someone entirely in control.
Hesitantly, she mustered all her courage and padded barefoot across the blue mosaic tiles surrounding the pool. The coolness seeped into her skin, making her shiver, her feet looking even more delicate against the tiles. She stood there for a moment, her feet almost glued together in nervousness, her toes curling into the tiles as if they could keep her grounded.
She didn’t call out to Clarence. He didn’t seem to notice her standing there, nor did he care to. He swam freely, the muscles of his back and shoulders flexing with every stroke. His form was flawless–if swimming were a performance, he was giving an impeccable one.
‘Clarence really is a blessed man, Seraphina mused, watching him glide through the water. ‘He has everything men desire- money, power, looks. And surely, there must be countless wormen who’ve fallen for him.”
Seraphina’s mind wandered, floating somewhere between anxiety and uncertainty, when suddenly she felt a splash of water on her legs. “Ah!” she gasped, instinctively hopping back a step.
Clarence had swum right up to the edge of the pool by her feet, surfacing with a powerful stroke that sent droplets scattering in all directions.
He slipped off his goggles, a cold smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he watched her startled reaction. There was something almost playful in the way he looked at her–like a predator amused by a little rabbit’s skittishness.
Seraphina’s heart raced as she stared at him, feeling completely our of place under his piercing gaze. Her slim figure, delicate and perfectly curved, caught his attention, but the glint in his eyes wasn’t just appreciation–it was something more mischievous, almost dangerous.
Without warning, Clarence’s hand shot out, fingers curling around the edge of the towel draped loosely over her legs. With one swift tug, the towel slipped away from her body as if it had never been there.
“You!” Seraphina yelled in shock, her words barely leaving her lips before she felt herself being yanked off balance.
A loud splash followed, Clarence had pulled her by the ankle, dragging her straight into the pool. The water was cold, and the shock of it stole her breath. Panic set in as she thrashed in the water–Seraphina couldn’t swim. Her arms flailed uselessly as she struggled to stay afloat.
Clarence, clearly not expecting her to sink like a rock, swiftly reached out and pulled her up from the water with effortless strength. He glided through the pool with her in tow, his strokes languid and unhurried. After a few more strokes, he pressed her gently against the side of the pool, trapping her between him and the smooth tiles.
Seraphina’s breath hitched in fear as she found herself face to face with Clarence, his expression a chilling mix amusement and indifference. He looked down at her as if she were some kind of curiosity–a plaything to be toyed with
him.
“The audacity,” he mused, his voice dripping with cold mockery. With such an inexperienced little body, where did you get the idea to be my mistress?”
The words stung, and Seraphina fell silent, her heart sinking. So he’s not interested in me. A sharp pang of despair twisted inside her, not for herself, but for her father. What will I do if I can’t get the money for his surgery?”
Just as her thoughts spiraled, Clarence spoke again, his voice carrying that same biting tone, “From now on, eat more soybeans. I hear.they’re good for…improving your situation.”
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Chapter 5
Seraphina didn’t respond, but her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment. Before she could even process his words, she felt his fingers under her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes were cold, devoid of any warmth or affection.
“Since you’re so desperate for money,” he said, his voice emotionless, “I suppose I’ll let
you be my mistress.”
Then, without another word, his hand slid down to her waist, lifting her out of the surface with surprising ease. Seraphina. barely had time to react before she found herself sitting on the edge of the pool, dripping wet and completely speechless.
“Go shower,” Clarence said, his tone dismissive as he turned away and swam off. “I prefer my women nice and clean.”
His words echoed in her ears as she sat there, trying to suppress the tears threatening to spill over. Her lips trembled, but she bit down on the feeling, forcing herself to hold back the flood of emotions. I’m a virgin and I just turned eighteen, she thought, barely more than a whisper in her mind. “How am I supposed to handle all this?”
Seraphina made her way back to the room where she had changed earlier. Inside, the bathroom was already prepared- Sharon had drawn a bath for her, steam curling up from the water like a welcoming embrace. On a nearby rack, fresh towels and a new set of undergarments and clothes were neatly folded.
The undergarments still had tags on them, and as she glanced at the size printed on the label, Seraphina couldn’t help but let out a dry laugh. “He guessed my size perfectly. Of course he did. He must’ve been with a lot of women, she pondered.
She sank into the bath, the warmth enveloping her as she tried to wash away the weight of everything that had just
like Clarence. happened. She scrubbed her skin until it was raw, terrified that she might not be “clean enough” for someone the untouchable big shot.
It wasn’t until the water had gone cold that she finally stepped out, dried herself off, and put on the clothes he had provided. The fabric was soft, luxurious, hugging her in all the right places–a stark contrast to the emptiness she felt inside.
After a long while, still no sign of Clarence, Seraphina, feeling lost, finally opened the door and stepped out. She was about to head downstairs when she saw Sharon coming up with a small tray of pastries.
“Ms. Seraphina,” Sharon said with a gentle smile, “I am just bringing you some afternoon tea.”
“Thank you,” Seraphina responded, her voice soft, but there was something hesitant about her tone. She shifted uncomfortably, unsure of what to do next.
Sharon’s eyes flickered with understanding. “Is there something you need, Ms. Johnson?” she asked quietly.
Seraphina hesitated for a moment, lowering her voice as she inquired, “Is Mr. Vanderbilt around?”
The thought lingered in her mind. He had told her to shower, but beyond that, he hadn’t given her any further instructions She didn’t know if she was supposed to stay or leave. Everything felt so uncertain.
Sharon gave a small, polite nod. “He’s in a meeting with Mr. Burton at the moment. Why don’t you have something to eat and wait for him to finish?” She gestured back towards the room. “Please, just head back to your room for now,”
With a tight–lipped smile, Seraphina nodded, her heart heavy as she silently walked inside to wait for whatever
ne next.
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