Is there a problem?", Scarlett asked with fear in her eyes
The woman who is the housekeeper was trembling as she was looking directly at the closed door.
"Mr Maguire likes his privacy alot and i don't think you should go close to the door" she said
Scarlett didn't listen to her, she just stepped forward a bit more and then she saw a red light blinking on the closed door. It was a camera. Scarlett's eyes were fixed on the camera as she was wondering what it was doing in her room. The camera wasn't even hidden, it was open for her to see and it unsettled her so much.
But Scarlett wasn't afraid . She had stopped being afraid of things like this ever since she started her nightlife job.
She felt if she panicked, she would be careless and carelessness cost too much. But she was still unsettled but not out of fear but out of awareness.
She stepped further towards the door as she was studying the angle the camera was placed. It wasn't placed to monitor just one part of the room but to monitor the entire room.
She walked away quietly from the camera as she doesn't want to give the person at the other end the satisfaction of her reaction. She stepped towards the window and stared down at the lawn.
She thought about what she just signed. Did she sign her freedom as well? Being the wife of the arrogant CEO of Maguire Industries shouldn't cost all these. She thought.
Scarlett exhaled slowly as she took off her heels and reached for the zipper at the back of her dress. The sound of the zipper could be heard softly as the dress was loosening against her skin.
She paused and realized the red light of the camera was directly on her but before she could hold the dress from falling, the dress already fell.
She stepped out of the dress and walked directly to the bathroom without looking back.
The water ran longer than necessary. Scarlett closed her eyes briefly. "This is temporary. It's just ten years. Moreover , I had suffered for more than ten years for lesser reward" she said as the water poured on her.
She turned the water off and breathed a fresh air of relief. She grabbed a robe, wrapped herself in it and walked back into the room.
The camera was still blinking . But Scarlett ignored it and went straight to the closet where there were new designer clothes in her size .
She picked one and dressed up quickly . She knew there was no going back now, no long thoughts and everything from now on is on how to survive for the next ten years.
Knock! Knock!! On her door.
Scarlett stood still for a bit before she replied . "Come in".
The door flung open and a woman in her mid-twenties, looking composed as she was dressed in a clean corporate outfit stepped inside.
"Good evening Mrs Maguire. I'm Betty. Betty Kane . I am Mr Maguire's personal assistant" she said as she looked round the room observing.
Scarlett just looked at her without reply.
"You are welcome to the Maguire Mansion . Mr Maguire has told me to ensure your smooth transition here", she continued
Scarlett had a faint smile on her face . "hmmmmn…. I'm sure he has told you that" she said as she walked towards the bed.
Betty moved further inside the room as her eyes caught the camera and then she looked at Scarlett from head to toe.
Scarlett saw her eyes on her but didn't bother .
"He'll see you shortly ", Betty added as she was about to leave
"Where?" Scarlett asked
Betty didn't reply immediately as she stared at her
"In his office he wouldn't want you to be ..."
Scarlett didn't allow her complete her statement as she walked past her . Her steps were measured as if she had been preparing for this life for a long time.
Betty quickly walked in front of her to lead her to the office.
The hallway was long and quiet as Scarlett followed Betty with precision.
The mansion felt bigger from the inside . Every door was closed but you could feel the spaces weren't empty.
Then they stopped in front of a door and Scarlett already knew that was the door they were going to.
Betty turned towards her slightly . "He is waiting for you inside"
Scarlett didn't say anything . She just stepped forward, pushed the door open and entered.
Jude Maguire stood by the window. He didn't turn immediately when she entered.
He didn't acknowledge her as he already felt her presence .
Scarlett closed the door softly behind her .
Jude took a sip from the glass he was holding. "You noticed the camera"
Her eyes were fixed at his back. "It was too obvious for me not to notice, don't you think?" She said as she moved forward a bit.
He turned slowly "it's not for security, it's for observation" he said as his eyes met with hers coldly
Scarlett didn't react immediately because she didn't want to give him that satisfaction.
"What do you want to observe?", she asked
Jude took a step closer to her, his presence was overwhelming even without any effort. "I want to observe you and you can consider it as part of the contract", he said quietly.
Scarlett stood still as she stared at him in his eyes.
"If this is part of the contract, you should have included it", she said
Jude smiled faintly as he stepped closer again
"It is included"
Scarlett was shocked
"It's in the clause you didn't talk about"