Maria's POV
All the while in the mansion, I couldn't help but notice the attitude of some staffs to their duties. You could tell the ones who did their evil deeds wholeheartedly and those who were on stiff compulsion.
But out of all, one person stood out to be more mistreated and disregarded.
Jojo the caregiver for old decapitated Rodriguez. Aunt Lucille, Bianca and Jordan subjugated her greatly. After one of my regular tortures. A guard brought Jojo to my room so she'd tend to my injuries. It was one of the promises made by Jordan to me, "I'd torture you. Treat your wounds. And let you live to see us harvest the diamonds your Father, refused mine from getting!" he said before I was drowned in a drum of water.
Fear was written all over her. At a point, some meds fell to the ground as she trembled. "Easy. I'd do it" I said taking the cotton wool for her hands. Dabbing it on the surface of my wound. I felt the excruciating pain as I cursed Jordan and his entire household in my heart. "I don't want to get into trouble Miss...I'd do it" she said and immediately snatched it from my grasp and attended to it.
"Held against your will huh","I can see the fear in your eyes.....What are they doing to you?" Jojo didn't say a word. She didn't answer my question either. After she was done wrapping my injuries up in a bandage. She picked up the tray and left in haste. Days on, Jojo returned to change my bandages. The moment she got in, she requested that the guard leave us. And despite the guard's stubbornness to leave, Jojo was firm in her orders.
The very moment the door got shut by the guard. Jojo busted into tears. Mumbling out statements I couldn't hear due to the sobbing. I made her calm down and take deep breaths. "I'm being held against my will" she said the moment she relaxed. I heaved a deep sigh and gave her a hug. It was obvious she needed someone to talk to. "How did you come in contact with these monsters?" I inquired.
Jojo revealed her father was the contractor assigned to build the mining tunnel. Same one which collapsed on Rodriguez due to a massive bomb explosion. He was accused by the rest of the family members of deliberately attempting to kill the secret Mafia king. Adding, he was in cohort with their enemies. They drew to the conclusion that that was the reason he sent his second in command who didn't survive the collapse. To guide Rodriguez through the tunnel instead of him was because of his secret plans.
But that day, Jojo's father narrowly escaped death due to an emergency phone call from home. But death wasn't far from him as he was killed in his residence by Jordan. While Jojo was captured to become the caregiver for Rodriguez, one who was medically diagnosed to be brain dead due to the accident and might never regain himself again.
In Jojo's words, Jordan welcomed her into the mansion with rules. One she must abide by and follow. "And the sins of the father shall be inherited by the son.....no...daughter," he said mockingly as she was made to kneel before him. "Today marks the beginning of your prison in this mansion". Then came the rules, "If you must get hurt to save my father...do it" ,"If you must die for my father to live, do it", " If you ever, allow the great Mafia king Rodriguez…..defecate or urinate on himself. I promise, your face would grace that surface!"
Just when she thought it was all over, he continued saying, "And if you ever attempt switching off his life support machine or oxygen tank. I promise to switch off the lives of your younger siblings. Just like I did. With your father!"
Words which sent arrows of fear in Jojo's heart and a flame of burning desire to avenge her father's culprits.
Her siblings were the only family she had left and for over a year, she was separated from them. Only allowed to visit once every month for three days. Where they stayed in a family friend's house. Jojo was my route back into the mansion and I contacted her. Andres had arranged for a secret meeting with Jojo where the entire plan was explained to her.
Jojo was all in. She wanted so badly to bring justice to her late father. And so, the scheming and plotting began. On her end, she told a convincing lie with proof. That one of her siblings was diagnosed with stage one cancer. The fake medical reports were all arranged and prepared by Andres.
She added that the little one insists she'd be there for the surgical procedure and her recuperation afterwards. Just as expected, Jordan vehemently refused. "My father is your ONLY responsibility. Got it. Moreover, if I'm to budge. Who would fill in for your responsibility?" he asked, not seeming as though he meant it. "My distant cousin", "Would fill in for me, till I return" Jojo answered. "And who is this distant cousin?" he asked passively with no knee interest. "Her name is Mirabelle". Jojo spoke of me.
My transformation to this character 'Mirabel', was unmatched. From a gorgeous heiress, healing from the bruises of the brutal torture. To a naive, poor, nerd looking, insignificant female. All the while, my bruises were treated and subsequently they got healed. My hair color was changed. From the gorgeous black color to brownish red. Braises were installed into my teeth, enhancing the naive look. My grey coloured eyes were covered with contact lenses, ones I must ensure to always wear. I changed my intonation, the way I spoke and I was set to go. But for the last touch came, The Harry Potter spectacles. Which sealed the entire transformation.
Wearing a pink scrub paired with a wool sweater and a tote bag under my arm. I walked towards the mansion gates acting timid and confused. The four guards at the gate gazed at me suspiciously. I switched up and became Mirabelle the caregiver. The sweet young lady from a small village. Who's ready to continue in her cousin sister's enslavement. Completely putting away Maria who absolutely be glad to download bullets into the skulls of the as*sholes before me.
"Oh Sir..." I began with a warm broad smile. "I mean no harm. I'm the new nanny for the brain dead….." immediately I said those lines, glared at me, wondering how audacious I was. "Just joking," I said, laughing aloud. "What I mean is, I'm heard to take care of Sir Lord Rodriquez. I'm filling in for Jojo, my cousin" I added swiftly. Suddenly they lowered their guard. And the gates were opened. I walked in.
The character 'Mirabelle' was out to be melodramatic and chatty at the same concealing her agenda. One month was all I had to prove myself worthy to The Rodriguez that I perhaps had what it takes to slave more and best for the old weary Mafia king. Till I get my hands on solid evidence. Despite the Six months deal, I planned not to stay that long, in Rodriguez mansion. I was asked to wait in the chill spot outside while my arrival was announced. Not long after I sat, I saw my arch enemy arrived. Dressed in all black fit, from head to toe. Carrying with him his usual dangerous grace. Behind him was a five man team of armed men.
I dipped my hands into my tote bag and removed what looked like a hand gun. Abruptly, I pulled the trigger and said, "Day of retribution as*hole. This is for my parents!" and I shot Jordan in the head. He flattened to the ground. And I stood savouring the satisfying sight.
"Hey!" I heard faintly but I kept on smiling at what I had just accomplished. Not until I was struck mildly in the arm. I jolted in shock. Staring at what seemed like a rifle so close to my side belly, then I jerked in fear. Looking forward before me was an unexpected reality, Jordan. I got absolutely disappointed as my imagination wasn't reality. But of course, there's no way with such a hasty step would the five armed men not scatter my insides with bullets.
"I must confess, Sir. You're the MOST handsome man I've ever seen….." I started drooling over him in pretense. The Mafia Prince of course was flattered but as usual, he acted like didn't care and showed no appreciation. "What are you?" he asked like I was some insignificant figure. "Some call me…..Mira…..Ira...My friends call me Belle but you Sir... can call me.....", "Clown" he interjected me and said. "I'm sure Jojo your sister must have briefed you on the do's and don't" I nodded in response.
"Let me refresh your memory on this," "You don't do your job right, you die. You get nosy, you die. You piss me off in the slightest way. You definitely, Die" he concluded and instructed one of the men to show me to the staff quarters. I sat on the bed and reminisced about the past. But I hadn't returned as Maria the subjugated and battered heiress. But as the Imposter who's primary motive is to bring justice to all that was wrong by The Rodriguez. And they have no idea what's coming.