With time, Mel got closer to the rest of the maids, including Bella. One evening, while they were getting ready for bed, Bella came to Mel with a puzzled look on her face.
"Mel, I've observed that you're always very secretive about the past," Bella said in a whisper. "What led you to the Placid Mansion? You can trust us," she added.
Mel paused, unsure of how much information to share. But Bella's gentle eyes eased her worries. She breathed a deep breath and told a tale.
"I hailed from a small village in the rural area," Mel began, her tone tinged with a hint of sadness. 'My parents were ill, and I wanted to find a job to take care of them. I heard of Placid Mansion and its kind employer, Mr. Lucas. I knew it was a long shot, but I had to apply when I heard he was looking for a new maid'
The other maids were listening to Mel with sympathetic ears. Their faces were etched with concern. Mel's story sounded convincing enough, and there was nothing to shake their belief.
But unbeknownst to them, Mel was telling a very skilled and crafty tale. The truth was, Mel had her own true agenda. She was determined to get the facts about the strange occurrences of people vanishing within the walls of Placid Mansion.
Later that evening, while they played a drinking game, Lucas focused his attention on Mel. "And what is your name, my dear?" he drawled, his voice low and husky.
Mel's heart skipped a beat. She knew that she had to think quickly. 'I'm June,' she quickly responded, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "June? I like it. You know, June, you look familiar. Have you altered your appearance in some way?"
Mel's heart began racing. "Oh, yes! I cut my hair and colored it. I wanted a new beginning," she said.
Lucas's eyes lingered on her, as if looking for any discrepancies. However, Mel's disguise had been successful. She did not resemble her real appearance in the slightest, and Lucas did not seem any wiser.
But as the night wore on, Mel continued the character of June,-laughing and smiling with the rest of the maids. However, there was still more going on in the background as she kept her eyes and ears open for the truth.
Mel, along with the othermaids, was asked to meet Lucas, the infamous mafia lord, in his study later that night. There was an air of tension as they all congregated outside the door.
One of Lucas' bodyguards, Damien, stood guard near the door. Mel could feel the chill run down her spine as she remembered the event that occurred earlier that day. She and another maid were discovered peeping through the door by Damien and another servant, and to their surprise, the whole event had been recorded by a camera.
"Enter!" shouted Lucas' voice coming from the study. The maids were reluctant, but they eventually entered. Lucas, seated behind his huge desk, welcomed them with an inviting gesture.
"I have summoned you all today to speak with you about something of the utmost importance," he started with a stern gaze around the room. "As of now, I require you to all wear something more. attractive. What you wear is much too bland for my liking."
The housemaids looked at each other uncomfortably, not knowing what to do with Lucas' demands. Mel felt a sense of discomfort wash over her.
Later that night, Mel told Lilah about the meeting the maids had with Lucas. "He wants us to dress more provocatively, Lilah. I don't feel comfortable with this."
He's a lunatic,he asked us to dress up more attractively and sent us £350 saying that's our salary and we are not to return back under any circumstances. Lilah's face turned serious. "We'll have to be cautious, Mel. Lucas is not a man to be messed with. And we still have no leads on the missing girls."
Mel's mind turned back to the missing girls, and a surge of determination ran through her. She was more determined than ever to get answers about what was behind their disappearance
***
Drinking Game
The maids were told to gather in the grand ballroom that evening. Lucas was in the middle of the room, a charming smile plastered on his face.
"Tonight, we will play a little game," he declared, his eyes twinkling. "Each of you will be asked to take a glass of wine. That's all. It's just an everyday test of loyalty," he added.
The maids were unsure but eventually started drinking. However, Mel wasnt. "I'm allergic to alcohol," she said with conviction. "It makes me. break out in rashes."She was forced to drink alcohol but soon started to feel the reaction of her skin as her lungs gasped for air.
***
The way that the other maids kept drinking caused Mel to feel a growing sense of discomfort. She attempted to excuse herself but Lucas guard blocked her path.
She tried to act as if nothing was happening, but it didn't work. The itching became unbearable, and she felt her skin burn.
Desperate for relief, Mel made a split-second decision. She ran to the window and threw it open; cool night air was like a welcome shroud. She didn't hesitate but climbed out onto the windowsill and leaped into the dark.
Time seemed to slow down as Mel plummeted towards the ground. She landed with a very sickening thud on the pool deck, jarring her entire body with the force of the impact.
Lying there, Mel felt a burning sensation that spread across her skin. She looked down to see a pool of blood forming around her-skin raw and broken from the itching.
She felt herself teetering on the brink of unconsciousness when she saw something looming over her. Mel saw Lucas above her with his frigid eyes staring down, his expression unreadable.
"June," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "What have you done?"
Laying on the pool deck, Mel's vision began to blur. She felt strong arms scoop her up, lifting her off the cold stone. He cradled her into his chest, icy eyes filled with a hint of concern.
"Get the doctor," Lucas barked, his voice carrying through the night. "Now."
He whisked Mel away to the infirmary, a fully equipped, ultra-modern medical facility within Placid Mansion. The doctor was a bespectacled man with a kind face and was already waiting.
"Señor Lucas, what did happen?" asked the doctor, while his eyes widened in surprise at Mel's condition.
"She jumped out of the window," Lucas replied, his voice tight. "She's allergic to something. I don't know what."
The doctor was quick to get down to work and began assessing Mel's injuries. "We have to hurry," he murmured. "She's in danger of dying."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. His mouth clenched. "Do whatever it takes," he growled, "She is important to me and I don't know why."
The doctor merely nodded, his hands already moving to administer medication and tend to Mel's wounds. Lucas watched, his eyes fixed on Mel's pale face, as the doctor worked to save her life.
The eyes flickered open for a moment, and Mel saw the face above her, which belonged to Lucas. She tried to speak, but her voice turned into no more than a mere whisper.
"Don Lucas." she whispered.
His eyes locked with hers, and for a moment, Mel saw something there, something that looked almost like. concern. But it was quickly replaced by his usual icy demeanor.
"Save your strength, June," he whispered, his voice husky and low. "You're going to be all right."
And as the news of Mel's accident and the heroic gesture of Lucas spread like ripples in Placid Mansion, Natasha's eyes seemed to narrow with growing unease. She had always been his favorite-the one he pampered and adored. But now it would appear that his eyes were focused on another.
Natasha's jealousy churned, building to a storm. She just couldn't stand the thought of Lucas taking care of some other woman, especially one so insignificant-a maid. Her pride and ego hurt, she lashed out in anger.
Bursting into the infirmary, Natasha's eyes surveyed the room, locking with Lucas, who was positioned alongside Mel's hospital bed, his eyes fixed on her ashen skin. Natasha's anger reached a boiling point, and she rushed towards Lucas, fists clenched.
"How could you?" she spat, her words laced with venom. "Why did you rush to protect her, to save her? What about me? Don't I count with you anymore?"
"Natasha, this is not the time or the place. June is hurt and needs medical attention." Lucas' eyes flared with anger, and he clenched his jaw.
But Natasha would not be quiet. She went right on ranting and raving, consumed by her anger and jealousy. Lucas had had enough, so he turned to the guards that had taken up positions outside the infirmary.
"Take her away," he growled, his voice cold as ice. "Put her in the dark room. She needs to calm down."
The guards paused for a moment before moving to restrain Natasha. Natasha struggled and kicked, but they overpowered her, dragging her away to lock her in the darkness room.
As the door shut behind Natasha, Lucas turned back to June, and his eyes gentled. "Don't worry about her," he whispered. "You're safe now."