The golden mask of Curtis shone brightly in the darkness of his room. He was ready to face the challenge of serving as a waiter at Ágata Stanton's birthday party, knowing that he would likely face mockery and humiliation from the hosts and guests. What was worse, he would come face to face with his mafia past, represented by a Charles Ballmer who posed a complete threat if he were to be recognized."The things I do for you, Joseph," he said to himself while adjusting his bow tie.Curtis shrugged in front of the mirror, sighed deeply, and was ready to go. In the mansion's kitchen, he found a complete mess as Beth had made the lives of the hired workers miserable. Beth was giving instructions like a traffic cop, enjoying shouting and ordering the workers around."Come on, we don't have all day," she yelled with her shrill and irritating voice, "justify the fortune I'm paying you.""She's a bitch.""Stubborn old woman."These were some of the things the workers whispered in very low voic
Curtis was caught between a rock and a hard place. Balancing his goal of seeking forgiveness from Amber and the pressure exerted by Beth in front of all those millionaires, including Charles Ballmer and his daughter."Let it go, Mom," Agatha said, jealous that Curtis was stealing all the attention instead of her, the celebrity and the star of the night."No way," exclaimed Beth, "I'm sure this scoundrel has something up his sleeve.""He's probably stealing something," remarked one of the refined millionaires at the celebration."Norton has been in prison for theft before," Beth insisted."He's learned his lesson, let's get back to the party," urged Agatha."First, show me what you're hiding behind your back," Beth stood her ground and wouldn't let Curtis escape."Show us what it is, Norton... what did you steal this time?" Agatha asked irritably, "a silver tray? a bottle of champagne?""I haven't stolen anything," Curtis expressed angrily, defending himself against the accusations.Be
"Are you lost, dear Norton?" Charles Ballmer broke the silence in that dark and lonely corridor.Curtis turned immediately and felt a small heart attack upon realizing that his worst nightmare was standing in front of him."Or should I say... Curtis?"Charles let out a foolish mocking laugh. It was like the cat cornering the mouse and having the luxury to play with its food before devouring it, knowing it couldn't escape.A shiver ran down Curtis's spine, leaving him completely immobile in front of Charles. It was a dead-end, and there was no escape this time."To be honest with you, I never believed you were dead."Charles took small steps back and forth while reciting his monologue. It was a glorious moment, and he wanted to savor it to the fullest, extracting every last drop of fear from the expression on Curtis's face."They never found your body, and I also know you're like a cockroach... elusive and disgusting."The moment came when Charles pulled out his gun, letting it gleam i
"As you heard, dear friend," Charles settled into the Persian armchair for comfort and fixed Joseph with a direct gaze, "I want one of your sons to marry my little Kim."Joseph immediately knew he needed another drink, so he poured it with great patience."I want my last name to be linked to your empire and have a claim to your boundless fortune.""I heard you the first time you said it."Joseph sighed disappointedly and let out a lazy smile."Money... nothing is more important than money," Joseph reflected poetically as he looked at the cognac in his crystal glass."That son of a bitch entered my house and stole thousands of dollars from a safe," Charles shouted angrily, pointing at Curtis.Joseph looked at Curtis and could only laugh, thinking about how amusing it must have been."Many have died for less than that.""So, you're telling me this isn't about money?" Joseph raised his face and waited for Charles' response."This is about power.""Power?" Joseph raised his eyebrow and sh
The clock indicated a very late hour at night, and Amber finally finished washing the last dish used in Agatha's party.She was exhausted, her hands aching from all the effort she had put in that day, but the time to rest had finally come.She hung her wet apron on the proper hook and stretched her back until her bones cracked, her expression one of laziness.Turning off the light switch, all the kitchen lamps went out, leaving that section of the mansion in complete darkness.She walked the long path through the garden to reach the room assigned for her to sleep while working in the mansion.Fatigue weighed on her shoulders, and the beats of her feet reminded her of the time she had spent standing and walking, carrying that tray everywhere to satisfy those millionaire guests.Taking the keys out of the door to enter the room, she inserted the correct one into the lock to open it, but a small mistake caused the keys to fall to the floor, and some detached from the keyring."Damn it!"
The next morning, Joseph woke up in a very good mood. His ailments and pains seemed to have vanished as if by magic.All the mansion's employees were astonished to see him so lively and energetic, a true miracle compared to how they had seen him in years. He urgently summoned a meeting with his two sons in his private office, energetically traversing the mansion with the vitality of a fifteen-year-old, using a cane for support.While Curtis worked alongside Amber and some new employees to quickly prepare breakfast for the Stanton family members, Amber, who had been ignoring Curtis in the preceding days, didn't even glance at him that morning."Amber, please listen to me," Curtis pleaded in a low voice, discreetly, amidst the other employees.But Amber completely ignored him, as if no one else were there, as if Curtis were speaking to the wind.Everyone, including Curtis, was surprised to see Carson Stanton enter the mansion's kitchen. It was uncommon for a family member to enter the k
Beth had woken up searching for her daughter. She hadn't seen her since the previous night when she danced with Curtis and left her alone at her birthday party.She searched throughout the mansion, but the property was vast, and it would likely take her the entire day to find her."Have you seen Agatha?" she asked the breakfast-serving employees.But everyone shook their heads. No one knew where Miss Stanton was."Useless trash," Beth said contemptuously to the employees and continued searching for her daughter.Beth looked everywhere Agatha could be, but she was nowhere to be found, as if she had disappeared."Agatha... Agatha..." Beth shouted, placing her hands around her mouth to amplify the sound.But it would be in the garden where she would finally find her. Agatha had made a fool of herself the previous night at her party. She became the laughingstock of the night, dancing semi-nude on the tables in the main hall and, for some strange reason, ended up sprawled on the grass in a
While all this was happening, Curtis and Amber exchanged glances discreetly. She might have taken her revenge too far, but she also wanted to change her fate, no longer wanting to be a poor woman without money, and she didn't mind the sacrifice she had to make. Meanwhile, Curtis couldn't bear it anymore, his heart shattered by the news he had just heard.Carson had successfully gotten his way, and now he cared least about his family's opinion. No one bothered to check on Beth because everyone knew her exaggerated reactions and silly dramatizations. The only one attending to her was her daughter Agatha until she woke up."Mom, are you okay?" Agatha asked as she saw her open her eyes again.Beth blinked, looking at the ceiling of the mansion and the gigantic chandelier hanging above them."Daughter, I had a horrible nightmare. I dreamed that your brother was marrying one of the maids.""But it's not a dream, Mom. Carson is marrying that gold digger."Beth immediately got up and saw her