A few hours later, I found myself standing in front of Dad’s mansion. It was already noon, and my stomach growled with hunger. We hadn’t stopped for fast food earlier because I wanted to get back as quickly as possible. I didn’t want a repeat of those black cars chasing us; stopping would have been too risky.
“Miss,” Anya called out. “All the luggage has been brought down.”
I turned to face them. My bag was on the floor, and the driver was leaning against the closed passenger seat. I snorted. Right, I hadn’t paid him yet, so maybe that’s why he was waiting. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. But then, I hesitated and glanced at the driver. He was engrossed in his phone and hadn’t noticed me watching him.
I studied him from head to toe. His driving skills weren’t just average. I could tell. He drove fast and handled the car well. For a moment, I wondered if he had been a drag racer before, but his calm demeanor made me discard that thought. Drag racers were known for their brash attitude.
I cleared my throat to get his attention. When he looked up, I asked, “Do you have any other job besides being a taxi driver?”
He stared at me for a moment, then shook his head. I nodded and smiled broadly. “Well then, if I offer you a position as my personal driver, would you accept?”
He blinked a few times and then nodded. He seemed taken aback but didn’t say anything. I sighed. “Okay. What about the guard? How do you know the guard who picked you up last Saturday morning?”
“He’s acquainted with my father, Miss.”
Acquainted with his father? I looked at him again, wondering if he was telling the truth. Well, he was older than me, maybe late twenties or early thirties. And the guard was in his mid-twenties. I had thought they were friends or something, but I hadn’t expected it was just a casual acquaintance through his father. That meant he was free from Simmy’s influence. I could rely on him when I needed help.
I grinned mischievously. “Well, you’re welcome here. I’ll call on you if I need a ride.” I pulled out some bills and walked over to him. Placing the bills in his hand, I slightly furrowed my brows as I felt his warm, strong hand on mine.
I quickly withdrew and stepped back in surprise when I heard Simmy’s voice.
“Azora, are you flirting again?”
I furrowed my brows in anger and turned to face Simmy standing at the entrance of Dad’s mansion. She crossed her arms and glanced at Anya and then at the driver. Simmy’s frown deepened, and she glared at me.
“Who said you could bring a stranger into the mansion, Azora? You don’t know how dangerous that is.” She shook her head. “Looks like I’ve been neglectful. You don’t realize how risky it is to bring a stranger into the mansion.”
I rolled my eyes at her. She didn’t know that Anya was a maid in this mansion since they hadn’t crossed paths last Saturday morning. She didn’t know who the driver was either. Too bad. I knew them both, and I couldn’t help but grin, realizing I had an advantage over her.
“So what? I don’t need you to lecture me. I know them both, but you don’t. So stop nagging and get back to your business.”
Simmy’s eyes flashed with anger. I smirked at her. I enjoyed playing my role. If it weren’t for my desire to embarrass her in front of these two, I would have ignored Simmy and gone straight to the kitchen. I was starving.
“You never do anything but defy those who raised you, Azora. You have no respect!”
“If only you could keep your ambitions in check, Simmy, I might still have some respect for you. But you’re so ambitious that even my slightest respect has evaporated. I can’t just stand by and watch you act like Dad’s mistress, knowing it’s something only Mom should do. I despise you for that.”
Simmy was dumbstruck for a few seconds. I smirked at her again and turned to the driver. “Go. I’ll call you when I need a ride. I called you before, so you should have my number. Save it, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
He nodded, walked to the driver’s door, and got in. A few minutes later, I watched the car leave through the gate until it disappeared from view.
Then, I turned back to Simmy, who was still standing at the door, staring at the gate where the car had vanished. I squinted at her. “Don’t you dare try to seduce my driver,” I warned. She glared at me but didn’t say anything.
I grabbed Anya’s wrist and pulled her towards the entrance. Surprisingly, she kept up with my pace, so I didn’t have to drag her.
I walked past Simmy, who continued to bore holes into me with her sharp gaze. I snorted. As if I were scared. I wasn’t a child anymore, to be frightened by her stare.
I went straight to the kitchen, still dragging Anya. I didn’t trust anyone in this mansion. They could devour Anya, so I had to protect the girl from these hungry wolves.
I sat her down beside me and instructed the maid to prepare food for us. A few minutes later, the food was served, and we ate in silence.
After we finished eating, I took Anya to my room and began to share my plans with her. I emphasized that she shouldn’t trust anyone in this mansion, except for me and Dad.
Now, the real battle between Simmy and me…