The Grand Mistress

Gabriella never came out from Lucy's apartment ever since the incident that took place in Primo's office and without knowing, time had passed by so quickly that a week had already passed.

Luckily this to her surprise, she wasn't as broken as she was before, like the way she was when she found out about Erwan's betrayal. Perhaps she had been used to the feeling already that the pain succumbed somewhere in her heart she couldn't take time to visit. Or perhaps she had become overly busy ever since she came back so that she had no time to worry about her broken heart.

These days, Sefarina had become an idol doll and Gabriella had been busy making new clothes for her. Lucy always brought the doll that she had been constantly exposed to the press that soon, many had requested for the doll's presence in her interviews and photoshoots. 

Also, Lucy had been receiving requests and inquiries about Serafina's outfits because many wanted to have custom dresses for their dolls too. The image of Lucy with a doll these days became a fashion and so many socialites bought dolls and brought it everywhere like a pet. However, because it was a new trend, the socialites had problems on where to buy classy outfits for their dolls and so they all asked Lucy where Serafina got hers. Thinking that this could keep Gabriella busy, she asked the girl if she could make outfits for the dolls of some of her celebrity friends. Gabriella who basically had nothing to do of course agreed and thought perhaps she can make a business out of it.

While Gabriella was cutting some of the materials, her phone suddenly rang. Not able to stop what she was doing, she had it on speaker.

"Miss Gabriella," It was Marie and her call of course surprised the girl. This was the first time Marie had called her and she was worried something might have happened.

"Is there something wrong Marie? Are you okay?" She asked and halted what she was doing to give her full attention to the old woman.

"Miss, can you have dinner in the mansion tonight?" Marie asked, her voice hopeful that Gabriella would say yes.

"Marie, I'm going back there again. I had nothing to do with your master, please understand," Gabriella replied politely. She knew Marie had always liked her, as well as everyone in the mansion but even she can't just go back to Primo's mansion and pretend nothing was wrong.

"I understand Miss but….." Marie sighed deep and Gabriella heard it. It seemed that Marie was not in a good condition. Is she perhaps sick?

"Marie, are you okay?"

"Miss, the truth is, I'm really worried about the master," Marie revealed. She thought of luring Gabriella into the mansion but she could think of any good thing to make her come so she just spilled the whole truth to her. "Ever since you had a misunderstanding, the boss never took time to eat his food. He never eats in the mansion and her secretaries in the office told me they had never seen him eating at the office too. He just work all day and do nothing I'm afraid he will pass out soon,"

"Marie, Primo is already an adult. He knows how to care for himself," Gabriella tried to ease her up but even when she said those, a strike of worry went into her heart. What's wrong with Primo? She had heard that he had bad eating habits but didn't think it was this bad. Does he want to die right away?

"But Miss, the master is used to not eating because he was once a captain soldier," Marie explained. "When their unit is at war, sometimes they don't eat for days so the master is used to it. However, in the army, he always celebrates with his men after the war,  so he can eat after a few days of a forced fast. Right now, he doesn't have men to look after and celebrate with so I was worried  he might have no reason to eat,"

"Marie…."

"Miss, can you just come by and join the master for dinner? If he knows you are coming then he'll have reason to sit at the table," Marie convinced her, sounding so pitiful at the other end. "The whole Umbresio estate is at the hands of the master, if he will get sick or worse will die because he had not forgotten his meals, it would be the end for all of us,"

Gabriella immediately got guilty at that. If Marie intentionally made her feel that way or it was an innocent attempt, well it was pretty effective because her heart was crushed right away. 

"Please Miss, I had never really asked you anything. Can you at least do this for me?" Marie bet on that. She knew Gabriella was a soft hearted person and she was hoping that this character of hers will make her return to the mansion. Besides, what she was really telling was the truth. She had never seen Primo take a bite ever since Gabriella left and she was really worried. 

"Alright," Gabriella was left with no choice but to say yes. She was really adamant to say no but was too polite to refuse the old woman's requests. 

Besides, Lucy informed her this morning that Primo was reviewing grandfather William's case and thought that he did it for her. Not that there was any truth to that because it's too early to tell that it was for her but somehow her heart moved. Perhaps it was grandfather Williams' case that was making the man busy and so she thought it would only be right if for her to be grateful of him. A little dinner won't hurt right?

"Miss, thank you so much! I'll make sure to cook your favorite dinner," Marie announced from the other line excitedly.

"I'd love to. Thank you Marie…"