The Mafia's Contract

Chapter 16

JOAN'S POV

Sitting on Lady Irene's bed felt surreal. Yes, you heard that right. After I was done tidying up her room she invited me to sit with her on one of the long couches by the window to have a chat. I was beyond surprised. When she asked me, I had to turn back to make sure I was the one she was talking to.

The lavish feel of the couch and plush pillows screamed luxury. Lady Irene sat beside me. She was talking non-stop, and I tried to focus on her words, not wanting to seem distracted or, worse, disrespectful.

"Have you ever tried these?" Lady Irene held up a tiny, delicate macaron. "They’re from this lovely patisserie in Paris. I just got back yesterday. They taste lovely! Have some"

I managed a small smile, accepting the treat. "Thank you, Lady Irene."

"Oh, please, just Irene," she insisted with a wave of her hand. "We’re not in some ballroom. Besides, formality is so overrated."

I was shocked by her words. Why was Lady Irene, a figure of high society, spending her time with me, a mere maid? It was shocking. She seemed to nice.

Irene kept talking. I enjoyed her conversations, even though I mostly listened. She was a great person to talk to. She was entertaining and funny. I liked her instantly.

She started talking about the latest gossip about her in the magazines. She even showed me some rumours some blogs posted about her on i********:. I had heard some of them a few days ago.

"You know, the magazines always get it wrong. They make me out to be such a snob. Can you believe that? Do I seem snobbish to you?" she asked me.

"No, not at all," I replied quickly, hoping I sounded sincere.

In truth, Irene was the opposite of what the tabloids said she was. She was friendly, almost too friendly for my comfort.

"I’m glad you think so," she said "I mean, I try to be nice, but I guess people see what they want to see. Anyway, enough about me. What about you, Joan? What do you like to do when you’re not working?"

Her sudden interest in me was startling. I didn't know what to say. I was scared of saying the wrong thing.

"Oh, um, I like to sew," I said, choosing my words carefully. "I find it relaxing."

"Sewing! That’s wonderful," Irene exclaimed. "I wish I had a talent like that. The only thing I’m good at is spending my brother’s money."

She laughed loudly at her joke.

I couldn't help but chuckle softly. "I’m sure that’s not true."

"Oh, but it is," she said, still smiling. "You're easy to talk to. I really hope we can be friends, Joan. I don’t have many real friends, you know. It’s hard to find good people in my world. Everyone is after their own selfish interest and I'm tired of it. Don't get me started on the models"

Her admission surprised me. I didn't expect her to say that.

"I’d like that, ma'am."

She beamed. "Great! So, tell me more about your sewing. What kind of things do you make?"

I relaxed a bit. Sewing was something that helped me feel relaxed. I hadn't done it in a while.

"I make clothes, mostly. I used to have my own i********: page. It was a part time business while I went to college."

"That’s so impressive," Irene said "You said you used to. Why did you stop then?"

I looked at my fingers, trying hard not to cry as I remembered the reason.

"My mom got sick" I said "Really sick. I had to stop to focus on other things"

"Oh no" she gasped "How is she?"

"She's in the hospital. She's getting treatment"

I could see the sympathy on Irene's face. She held my hand comfortingly.

"I'm so sorry" she whispered "Everything will be fine. Trust me"

I cleaned the stray tears from my face, forcing a weak smile "Thanks"

"Hey" she smiled "Maybe you can show me some of your work some day"

"I’d like that," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease.

Then, out of nowhere, Irene asked, "So, what do you think of Derrick?"

I nearly choked on my macaron. "Sir Derrick?" I echoed.

"Yes, Derrick," she repeated, watching me intently. "What do you think of him?"

I tried to sound casual. "He’s... he’s a good boss. I haven't spoken to him much"

Irene raised an eyebrow. "Just good? You have nothing else to say?"

Why is she asking me this?

"He saved me. I'll be forever grateful to him for that".

She leaned in closer with a teasing smile on her lips.

"Come on, Joan. You can tell me. Do you think he’s handsome?"

The question threw me completely off balance. I struggled to find a neutral response. I thought he was gorgeous. He was the most handsome man I laid my eyes on.

"I suppose he is" I whispered.

Irene laughed again, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "He is, isn't he? You should see the way some women throw themselves at him. But he’s always so cold. It’s almost like he’s waiting for something, or someone."

I tried to move the conversation back to safer ground.

"He seems very focused on his work."

"Yes, he is," Irene agreed "But I wonder if there’s more to him than that. I'm his sister but even I can't get through to him sometimes. What do you think, Joan?"

I felt trapped. What did she want me to say?

"I really don’t know him well enough to say."

Irene sighed dramatically. "You’re too modest, Joan. But I like that about you. It’s refreshing. Most people in my circle are so full of themselves."

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Thank you, ma'am."

She smiled warmly. "You’re welcome. And please, don’t feel like you have to be so formal around me. I want us to be friends. Real friends."

I smiled weakly "I’ll try."

"Good," she said, clapping her hands together. "Now, let’s talk about something more fun. Have you ever been to Paris?"

I shook my head. "No, I’ve never traveled outside of the country."

"We’ll have to change that," Irene sad "You’d love it. The fashion, the food, the people. It’s magical."

Her happiness was contagious, and for a moment, I allowed myself to dream about going to Paris.

"It sounds amazing."

"It is," she said "And who knows? Maybe one day, we can go together."

I couldn’t help but smile. "That would be wonderful."

*

Later that day, I busied myself in the kitchen with Sarah and Emily. As I got lost in my work, I couldn't help but smile when I thought of Lady Irene. She was so nice to me and I enjoyed her company.

Miss Sullivan had left early for her youngest son's birthday, leaving Emily in charge. We were done with making dinner. We still had about an hour to spare before Sir Derrick would be ready to eat.

Emily glanced at the clock and then at us. "Alright, ladies. I think we've done enough for the day. Why don't we take a little break?"

"A break?" I asked "But we're not done with the dishes"

Emily grinned "We'll do it later. Let's rest for now. Let's head to the barn."

"The barn?" Sarah asked. Her tone was cold.

"Yes, the barn. It's one of the only places we can speak freely. And, it’s the only place Derrick doesn’t enter."

We followed Emily out of the kitchen annd down the quadrangle. We walked to the other side till we got to a barn at the edge of the estate.

As we stepped inside, I was struck by how comforting it felt. She was right. It seemed like a good place to take a break.

Emily flopped down on a bale of hay and motioned for us to join her.

"This is my favorite spot," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "No one bothers us here."

Sarah sat down beside Emily, and I hesitated for a moment before joining them.

Emily turned to me with a smile. "So, Joan, how was your chat with Lady Irene?"

"It was... unexpected," I admitted. "She’s very different from what I imagined."

Emily nodded. "She’s a nice lady, once you get to know her. A bit lonely, I think."

Sarah scoffed "What could she possibly want with you?"

Emily glared at her. I looked down at the floor, not knowing what to say. I ignored Sarah. It was better not to say anything. I had no idea why she disliked me so much.

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the distant sounds of the estate.

Emily broke the silence with a mischievous grin. "So, Sarah, when are you going to tell Sir Derrick about your crush on him?"

Sarah's face turned a bright shade of red. "I don’t have a crush on Derrick!"

"Oh, come on," Emily teased. "It’s obvious to everyone."

Sarah looked mortified. "Please, Emily, stop."

I looked at them in surprise. Sarah had a crush on Sir Derrick? I had a mix of emotions inside me at the thought. I couldn't help but feel a bit.... Jealous?

Emily laughed and turned her attention to me. "What about you, Joan? What do you think about Sir Derrick?"

My heart skipped a beat. Twice in one day? What was it with people asking about Sir Derrick?

"I... I don’t know him very well," I stammered, trying to find the right words.

Emily raised an eyebrow. "Oh, come on. You must have some opinion."

Before I could respond, the barn door creaked open, and we all turned to see Derrick walking in with a man I didn’t recognize. My heart raced as Sir Derrick's eyes scanned the barn and landed on us.

"I thought you said he doesn't come in here" I whispered to Emily.

She looked at me with a shocked expression "He doesn't"

We stood up and bowed our heads at him.

"Good day sir" we chorused.

His expression was cold as usual "What are you doing here?"

"We were just taking a break," Emily said "We're sorry, sir"

Sir Derrick's eyes landed on me. I felt small under his gaze. I looked at the floor, wishing it could swallow me whole.

Emily and Sarah rushed to leave. I was about to leave as well until...

"Joan" Sir Derrick called, making me wait "Stop"