CHAPTER 13

The next day, she woke up at four in the morning. It was her first day at work so she was adamant to do things well. She was wearing green polka dots and a pair of pink slacks. Meanwhile, she put her thick hair into a bun, making it look as if she was carrying a big ball of hair in her head again. She also put on her big glasses to complete the look.

She only drank a cup of coffee because she still didn’t feel like eating as it was still very early. Before the clock struck five, she had already left the boarding house. There were already a number of people outside the apartment as there were stores lined up nearby. She was only walking, reading the address that was sent to her. She didn’t want to hail a cab because it would only cost her more money.

As she was standing beside the road, waiting for a jeepney, she asked people for directions, and she was told to ride a jeepney twice before she could finally reach her destination. Even when it was still early, she still fought for a seat in the jeepney.

Her grandmother was really right. It was chaotic in Manila. There was a big bag that was hanging by her shoulder, and when she saw the look that the guy in front of her was giving her, she held it tightly.

She also knew that the rest of the passengers were also looking at her from time to time. She wasn’t certain whether it was because they weren’t used to seeing a girl who wore colorful clothes.

When she saw the landmark that the person she asked for directions was talking about, she asked for the jeepney to be stopped before getting off it to ride another jeepney once more. She was thankful that the street wasn’t that busy yet so she was able to ride one faster. After approximately twenty minutes, she got off the jeepney again after seeing the street that would lead her to the address that she was going to.

In that alley, she saw a street, and as she walked, tracing it, she could see that there were a lot of plants that were hung on the walls as decorations. It didn’t feel like she was walking towards a subdivision. It was only a few steps when she saw the post of a guard who was wearing a black uniform and was standing straight and firm, unlike the regular guards that she was accustomed to seeing. He even looked like one of the bodyguards of the president itself as he was even wearing an earpiece.

“What do you want from here, Miss?” he asked immediately after seeing her.

Natasha couldn't help but feel a little scared and intimidated because of how serious the guard was, and the way he asked the question seemed like he was casting an investigation on her like a criminal.

"Uhm, I’m looking for the house of Mrs. del Espania. Is this the right address?” she said before showing him her phone where the address was sent to her by Kyle himself.

“You’re right, this is the address. What is your business here?” The look of suspicion on his face was even greater as he looked at her from head to toe.

She gathered a deep breath.

“Miss Zara asked me to fetch some clothes for her. She told me to get them from here,” she explained.

The guard’s forehead creased before he took out a logbook, and it seemed like he was searching for something in it.

“What’s your name?” he asked in a fiercely manner.

"Tasyang," she quickly answered.

"You may leave now. Your name is not listed here.” He was quick to close the logbook.

“I mean Natasha. Natasha Policarpio. That’s my name,” she quickly added, alarmed.

The guard’s forehead creased once again before opening the logbook once more.

“ID?” He held out a hand without looking at her.

Natasha quickly searched her bag for a wallet that contained her identification card which she handed to the guard. He looked at her ID before looking back at her face.

“Okay. Sir Kyle told me last night to let you in to fetch the clothes,” he said before letting her in.

“Thank you,” she said, smiling as she thanked him, before putting the wallet back inside her bag.

She saw a massive gate in front, and she was about to ask the guard about who’d open the gate for her when it automatically opened when she was already near.

‘Wow! Very cool,’ she thought, amazed by it.

When she entered the gate, there was another gate. He was talking with someone using the two-way radio that he was holding, confirming her existence before he motioned for her to enter. Even when she was hesitant, she started walking in the direction of the veranda of a large house. She could see a lot of beautiful plants as she walked towards it, it was like she was walking in a mini garden.

She was greeted by the head housemaid who was an old woman standing in the doorway.

"Good Morning, Ma'am! Are you Miss Policarpio?" the old woman who was wearing a pink uniform immediately greeted her.

"Yes," she answered with a huge smile on her face.

She couldn’t help but stare at her clothes because they didn’t look like the usual maid uniform that she’d often see.

It was really nice!

The old lady smiled after noticing that she was staring in an amazed manner at the clothes she was wearing. She also smiled at herself before talking.

"Madam Gloria is the one who designed this,” she told her.

" Really?" she asked, feeling happy after hearing that.

She knew that most of the time, it was Clyde’s grandmother who would design the clothes that the models would wear. That was why it was no longer a surprise that she was also the one who designed her maids’ uniforms.

"As what the folk healer said to our boss, the maids should wear pink so that the aura of the house would be good. It seems effective as we hadn’t had any troubles with my companions yet,” she added.

Folk healer? Was she referring to her grandmother?

She almost corrected her that her grandmother was not a folk healer, but she thought. She also didn’t know what to exactly call her grandmother. Usually, she would be called a fortune teller who could also bewitch people. She chose not to say anything, and just smiled at the maid.

"By the way, I’m busy with kitchen work. I just went out here because Sir Kyle told me that someone would fetch the clothes. Would it be okay if you’ll go upstairs alone? The clothes are inside the fourth room, left side. They are already ready on the bed,” she said, smiling.

"Ah, yes," she agreed.

"Come. Let’s head inside.” The old woman started walking first, and Natasha just trailed after her.

She was even more amazed the moment she stepped inside. The house was massive. Every corner had decorations with a golden color. The curtains were colored gold as well. That was when she remembered what her grandmother advised the old woman. So she really did follow what she said even until now.

"Please walk up those stairs, Ma’am, as I still have duties in the kitchen.” She pointed at the huge staircase.

She breathed deeply because the amazement that she was feeling in her chest still hadn’t settled. She felt like she just entered a palace.

Did Clyde and Kyle still go home there?

She just shrugged as she walked on the stairs. She was thinking that the two boys probably had their own houses which would be a pity because she wouldn’t be able to see Clyde in there.

The old woman was still asleep probably because it was still early. The house was even still and quiet when she entered, she didn’t even know where the maid and helpers were.

She was excited the more she walked towards the direction of the office. She could no longer wait to see Clyde again.