Chapter 4

It was a cold night, and Elena was thirsty for tea. She lay on her bed, lost in thoughts. It had been two days since Leo mentioned to her that he was returning to Napa for good. But he still hadn’t told their father about it. She sat up, picked up the receiver of the intercom by her bedside, and dialed the number of the kitchen.

“This is Paige, ma’am. What would you like?”

“A cup of tea,” she said into the receiver.

“Okay, ma’am. I’ll make one for you right away.”

Elena ended the call and drove her mind back to Leo’s return. She could hear the sound of dripping water in the bathroom. Fabian was taking a shower. She wondered why Leo had still not said anything to their father about his return.

Had he changed his mind and acquired second thoughts? Had he second-guessed his plans to marry Isabella Conte? No, she didn’t think he had. Leo didn’t tend to hesitate. She curled up in her pillow and then rolled over to the right side of the bed. A feeling of sadness swept over her as she thought about how her mother was no longer alive to witness his return.

What was taking Paige so long, she thought? She waited a little longer before redialing the kitchen to find out why Paige hadn’t brought the cup of tea yet. Armano responded.

“Paige is attending to Rebecca at the moment. But I can ask Lana or Meg to make a cup of tea for you,” he said.

Elena boiled. She didn’t know if she wanted to crush the receiver or yell into it. She kept her calm and hit the end-call button instead. She would give Paige a slap when she saw her.

Fabian came out of the shower, a white towel wrapped around his waist. He mouthed something, but she was too upset to listen. Furious, she stormed out of her room and headed to Rebecca’s room, which was four rooms away.

With an empty tray in her hand, Lana was in the corridor. As she and Elena brushed against each other, the latter recklessly shoved her to the side, causing Lana and the tray to crash on the ground.

Paige should have known better than to disobey me, Elena thought. While yelling Paige’s name, she made a loud bang on Rebecca’s door. She was not going to ignore this. Never! She’d had about enough of Rebecca’s nonsense in this house. She pounded on the door once more. Still, there was no answer. She realized that it was unlocked and pushed it open. She walked into Rebecca’s bedroom and found her lying on her stomach. Paige was kneading her half-naked back covered by flimsy white clothing.

“Didn’t I ask you to make me a cup of tea?” Elena shouted.

“Where is my tea?”

Paige turned frightened.

“You did, ma’am, but Mrs. Mancini asked me to massage her,” Paige stuttered with her fingers trembling.

Elena moved closer to them and slapped Paige hard in the face. Surprised, Rebecca turned. She stretched the white clothing to cover her boobs.

“When I give an order, I expect it to be followed,” Elena barked.

“Now, go make me that tea before I have you fired.”

Paige nodded and was about to move when Rebecca dragged her back by the hand.

“She’s going nowhere, sweetie,” Rebecca said calmly.

“Now, Paige, carry on with what you were doing.”

The scared maid was about to continue with the massage, but Elena quickly hauled her to the side.

“I said she’s going to make me a cup of tea,” she said.

“But Lana or Meg can do it for you.” Rebecca remained calm.

“I want a cup of tea prepared by Paige, and that’s what I’ll get.”

Rebecca got up from her bed and helped Paige up. Elena wished she could strike her in the face, but it would incur her father’s wrath.

“What’s really the problem, sweetie?” Rebecca said.

“Sharing shouldn’t be as hard as you’re making it. While I have your father’s romantic love, you get to keep his fatherly love for you.”

Elena scoffed. She imagined beating Rebecca up and stripping her of the white clothing wrapped around her.

“Your tantrums only make me pity you,” Rebecca continued.

“You’re about 22 years old but can’t seem to grow up. You act like an abandoned child all the time.”

Elena dug her fingers into her palm. What irritated her the most about Rebecca was her calm and composure. How could one be so wickedly gentle?

“Just ask your father. I’m the main reason he has been happy since your mother died.”

“Don’t talk about my mother.”

“Why not, sweetie? After all, her era is over.”

“How dare you?” she said, baring her teeth.

Rebecca smiled. “I’m your father’s wife now and your stepmother. So, you either get used to it or stay frustrated about it.”

“What’s going on here?”

Elena turned to see her father standing behind her. He was wearing black satin pajamas—his piercing blue eyes clothed with astonishment. He must have heard their voices from his room, where he often slept with Rebecca. The old witch had insisted on having a separate room from the one they shared.

“What’s going on here?” he repeated.

“Honey, Paige was giving me a massage when Elena barged into my room. She claimed that she’d asked Paige to make her some tea. So, I suggested she tell Lana or Meg to do it for her since Paige is occupied with me, but she refused.”

“That’s a lie, Dad. I asked Paige first. Why can’t she tell Meg or Lana to massage her? Why does it have to be Paige?”

Her father shook his head in disappointment.

“Can you imagine that she slapped Paige because of it?” Rebecca said.

Her father’s eyes revealed irritation.

“Why prattle like this all the time? Why can’t you just behave yourself?” he said.

“How can you take her side over mine, Dad? I’m your daughter.”

The cell phone in his hand rang, and he looked at the caller and back at her.

“Look, stop disturbing this household and go back to your room. Your brother is calling.” Her father walked away to answer the call.

“You heard your father, sweetie.” Rebecca was smiling.

“Well, you win today, Rebecca Tilley, but I assure you that things will change around here soon.”

Elena silenced her anger. Leo would return in a couple of days and alter the shape of things in their family.

“I can’t wait,” Rebecca said.