My gut twisted with fear.
“For now, let’s meet your new staff.”
As we headed forward, one by one the staff welcomed me. The butlers and maids bowed deeply, the chef and his assistants greeted me too. Security and management also gave me warm welcomes.
Gianni watched the interactions closely as if he was my personal bodyguard.
All remained respectful and gave me adequate space when they greeted me.
When we reached the doors, they swung open to reveal the grand entrance hall, a massive space filled with chandeliers made of black crystal. White paint covered the walls. The floor was polished white marble.
As Gianni led me further inside, the staff closed ranks behind us and gave me a final bow.
The heavy doors shut with a resounding thud.
I stepped into the grand entrance hall and couldn’t help but gasp. The sheer grandeur of the castle was overwhelming.
I looked back up at those big chandeliers made of black crystal. “Where did you get those?”
“I had them made.”
A servant appeared. “Can I get your coat, Mrs. Fortunato?”
“Oh.” I took it off and then handed it to her. “Here you go. Thank you.”
Gianni took us deeper in the castle.
The hall stretched out endlessly before us, leading to a sweeping staircase that curved gracefully to the upper levels. Every inch of the space screamed wealth and power.
One of his men appeared on the side. “Don Fortunato, the chef wanted you to know that brunch is ready for you both at any time.”
Gianni nodded, and his hand still firmly held mine. “We’ll eat soon, but first, I want to show her around.”
“I’ll tell him, sir.” He left.
Gianni took us off in the opposite direction, leading me through the grand hall and stopped us in front of a pair of large doors.
“This room barely gets used, but I know how much you enjoy reading.” Gianni pushed opened the doors, revealing a massive library that took my breath away.
The walls were lined from floor to ceiling with books. A grand fireplace roared at the far end of the room, flanked by two high-backed leather chairs that looked as though they had been designed for deep thought.
My fingers itched to explore, to pull books from the shelves and lose myself in the world of words, but Gianni tugged me gently away and guided me to a door just next to the library.
“This is my office,” His tone came out guarded.
I turned to step inside, curiosity getting the better of me, but Gianni quickly stepped in front of the door and pulled it shut before I could even glimpse inside.
That startled me. “Why did you do that, Gianni?”
“This is the one place I don’t want you to go for a few days.”
“Why?”
“There are some things in there you don’t need to see just yet.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I said no secrets.”
“And I said give yourself time to get to know me first.”
