Chapter 5 —You don't bring a manual

Narrator:

When Sasha finally left the house, dragging her backpack reluctantly and rolling her eyes as if the mere fact of existing were already a burden, Aylin let out a discreet sigh.

She didn't know whether to be glad for the silence or worried about what was coming next.

She decided not to stand still. She wandered around the mansion for a few minutes, trying to memorize hallways that all looked the same, until she found Amelia in the kitchen, organizing the day's groceries with intimidating efficiency.

“Excuse me...” Aylin spoke softly, still feeling like an intruder with every word. “I'd like to know what I'm supposed to do now.”

Amelia looked up for just a second, gave her a brief gesture, and went back to what she was doing.

“The master wants to see you.”

Aylin blinked.

“The master?”

Amelia nodded as naturally as if she were saying it was raining outside.

“He said he'd wait for you in his office after Sasha left.”

Aylin felt a chill, but forced herself to nod.

“Now?”

“Now.”

There was no smile. No kindness. Just the dry confirmation that she had no choice.

Aylin swallowed and nervously tucked her hair behind her ear before turning on her heel.

As she crossed the hallways, each step sounded louder than it should, as if the entire house wanted to remind her that she was crossing into the Devil's territory.

And that he was already waiting for her.

Aylin reached the office door and paused for a second in front of the dark wood, taking a deep breath.

She knocked timidly, barely a brush of her knuckles, as if she didn't want anyone to hear.

Silence.

She exhaled with relief, taking a step back.

“Perfect, he's not here...” She turned to leave before someone else found her there for no reason.

But she didn't even take two steps.

“Come in.” Roman's voice boomed from inside with that deep, authoritative tone, as if he had been waiting for just that moment to stop her.

Aylin closed her eyes for a moment, silently cursing her luck, and retraced her steps. She turned the doorknob slowly, pushed the door open, and peered in cautiously. Roman was behind his desk, reviewing some papers without looking up, as if giving her permission to enter was just another formality in his day. “Close it.”

She obeyed, swallowing hard as she felt the room become smaller, heavier, more hers.

And in that instant, she knew that talking to him would never be just talking.

Aylin walked up to the desk, keeping her hands clasped together to hide the trembling.

“Mr. Adler... I wanted to know if... you wanted to see me.”

Roman looked up calmly, as if he had only just noticed her presence, although they both knew he had sensed her from the moment she knocked on the door.

“Yes. I wanted to know how it went with Sasha.”

Aylin swallowed and forced a smile, choosing her words carefully.

“She's... a sweet girl. Kind. Very polite.”

Roman slowly put the papers down on his desk and stared at her, raising one eyebrow slightly.

“Don't lie to me.”

Aylin blinked, losing what little confidence she had managed to muster.

“No... I...”

Roman tilted his head, resting his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers as if he had all the time in the world to enjoy her discomfort.

“I know perfectly well that Sasha is insufferable. I don't need you to try to curry favor with me.”

Aylin looked down, embarrassed.

“I'm sorry, Mr. Adler. I didn't mean to lie... I just thought it was better not to start off on the wrong foot.”

“Start by being honest,” he replied, his low tone sounding like a warning. “At least with me.” That will save you trouble.“ Roman gestured briefly with his hand, pointing to the chair in front of his desk. ”Sit down.“

Aylin obeyed without argument, settling in carefully, as if afraid of disturbing the air around her.

Roman watched her for a moment longer before speaking.

”Would you like something to drink?“

She shook her head immediately.

”No, thank you, Mr. Adler." I'm fine.

Roman smiled slightly, the kind of smile that wasn't quite friendly, but rather a silent warning.

“Then I'll ask you again.” Aylin looked up, feeling the tension rise in her neck. Roman rested his forearms on the desk, leaning slightly toward her. “How did it go with Sasha?”

This time she knew she couldn't dodge the truth.

“She's... complicated, sir,” she finally confessed bluntly. “Very challenging. She doesn't seem too interested in me being here, and she made it clear she's not going to make things easy for me.”

Roman nodded slowly, as if that was exactly what he expected to hear.

“Good. Now we're getting to understand how things work.”

Aylin looked down, feeling that she had somehow passed a test. Although she had no idea how many more she had left.

Aylin hesitated for a second before daring to speak.

“Are you sure you want me to be your daughter's nanny?” she asked cautiously. “The truth is... I don't know what I'm supposed to do.”

Roman looked at her as if the answer were obvious.

“That's exactly why. That's exactly what I need.”

Aylin frowned slightly.

“What do you mean by that?”

Roman leaned back in his chair, never taking his eyes off her.

“That you don't have a manual under your arm. You're not programmed to follow absurd rules. You'll act on pure instinct.”

She clenched her hands in her lap.

“Are you telling me I have complete freedom to treat Sasha as I see fit?”

Roman nodded, with the calmness of someone who has everything under control.

“Exactly. Do what you think is necessary. As long as she's okay and doesn't try to burn the house down, I'm not going to question you.” Aylin looked down for a moment, wondering if this was a trap or if he was really giving her power over something. Roman watched her silently, as if analyzing every gesture, every pause before she spoke. “Do you have children?” he asked suddenly, in that low, direct tone that brooked no beating around the bush.

Aylin shook her head slowly.

“No, Mr. Adler. I don't have children.”

Roman nodded slightly, as if confirming something he already suspected.

“Any siblings, then?”

“Yes. I have a younger brother, five years younger than me.”

“Does he live with you?”

“No... He stayed in my country.”

She said no more, but her voice trailed off at the end, as if it still hurt her.

Roman didn't press her. He just looked at her for a few more seconds before nodding and resuming his relaxed position in the chair.

“Then you know enough. That's enough.” Roman picked up the landline phone on the desk without taking his eyes off her, dialed quickly, and waited just a few seconds. “Get my car ready. We're leaving in five minutes,” he ordered, ending the call without saying goodbye.

Aylin frowned, puzzled.

“We're leaving?”

Roman got up from the armchair, buttoning his suit jacket with absolute calm.

“We're going to your house. To get your things.”

She looked at him as if she hadn't understood correctly.

“Excuse me?”

Roman looked at her with feigned patience.

“The job is full-time. You're moving into the mansion.”

Aylin opened her mouth in surprise.

“No... that's not necessary. I can come in every day and...”

Roman interrupted her calmly, moving close enough that his presence took her breath away again.

“I told you yesterday. You don't argue with me, Aylin. You obey me.”

She swallowed, clenching her hands on her legs.

Roman smiled slightly, tilting his head as if he enjoyed seeing her lose any attempt at defense.