Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134133 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 671(@200wpm)___ 537(@250wpm)___ 447(@300wpm)
I slip on my pajamas since I need to shower before school, but Silvan is already making breakfast. I don’t want it to get cold, so I’ll eat with him first.
“Hey, what did you do with the birth control Hugh got for me yesterday?”
I halt at the end of the hall when instead of seeing Silvan at the stove making breakfast, I see him sitting at the island waiting for breakfast.
My gaze drifts to Olena at the stove and my lips thin.
I look back at him and cock an eyebrow.
“It’s in my school bag. I’ll grab it,” he says, hopping off the chair.
I follow him, keeping my voice low. “You really brought the maid that wants to bang you?”
He smirks. “Gotta keep you on your toes.”
“How dare you.”
He laughs and grabs me, pulling me in for a kiss. “I’m just teasing. You know I’m only interested in you.”
“Yeah, that’s great, but I am not as trusting as your mom.”
“No one’s as trusting as my mom,” he says lightly as he lets me go and reaches into his bag.
“We do not need a maid,” I tell him.
“We don’t need a maid, or we don’t need that maid?”
“Either. Both. I don’t know. I’m perfectly capable of cooking and cleaning. Do you know how to cook?”
“Nope.”
“Then I’ll show you. It’ll be fun.”
“I’m fine with that, but I don’t see why either of us should waste our time cleaning. Why don’t we have her over a couple of times a week at least to keep the place in order?”
“If we must have someone come once or twice a week, can it at least be the maid who doesn’t call you master like she’d rather be working off her debt tied to your bed than cooking us breakfast?”
Silvan smirks. “Sure. If it makes you feel better, I’ll tell Ilona to come next time.”
“Thank you.”
He hands me the birth control, his amused gaze never leaving mine. “You’re welcome.”
___
Silvan’s classes run later than mine on Tuesday, so Hugh brings me home alone.
As soon as I scan in to enter the building, though, all I can think about is if Silvan is being notified.
He has completely taken over my life and hasn’t left even a sliver of it alone. I don’t like the idea that I’m unable to come and go without him knowing, so I hatched an idea between classes today.
Rather than go directly upstairs, I hoist my bag on my shoulder and approach the receptionist.
She beams me a big smile. “Hello, Miss Bradwell. Are you enjoying your new apartment?”
“Yes, it’s lovely, thank you.” I flash her a pleasant smile. “I was hoping you could help me with something, though.”
She nods, eager to help. “Of course.”
“This morning, Silvan had a maid come over to make us breakfast and clean up the apartment while we were out. Does she have a building key?”
She shakes her head. “No, Mr. Koch called down and requested that I let her in.”
I nod. “Is there something like a service key card for the doors?”
“Of course. Would you like one?”
“Yes, please.”
“Only one, or will there be more staff coming?”
“Just one for now. We are planning to hire a part-time housekeeper, but we won’t need that one just yet. Silvan might still ask you to let people in until we’ve decided on someone, then we’ll get her a key of her own.”
“Not a problem. Anytime you need to add or remove someone’s access to the building, just let me know and we’ll get a card made for them.”
I grab the card she slides across the counter. “Thank you so much.”
I feel a tenuous tie to the freedom I’ve felt slipping away with this key card in hand, but I’m not sure where to put it where Silvan won’t find it. I’d keep it in my purse, but I don’t want it to be detected every time my card is scanned when I leave the building. If Silvan has access to the log and he notices that, he’ll know I have another card.
I don’t know how sophisticated the system is or who monitors it, but since Silvan’s dad owns the building, it stands to reason Silvan can see it if he wants to even if he doesn’t get notified directly of my comings and goings.
All I know is I don’t have to scan anything to open the door leaving the building, but Hugh said there would be a log of my coming and goings, so that must mean the card is still detected somehow.
I unload my school bag on the counter and walk around the apartment in search of a hiding space. Since he wants someone to come and clean, it has to be somewhere no one else will stumble across it, either.
There’s a box of stuff in the bathroom that I need to unpack from my dorm room. I reach in and pull out a box of pantyliners I use sometimes at the tail end of my period.