"Where did William go? I thought he wanted to talk to me," Linda returned to the kitchen after finding out William was not outside anymore."Sir William said he will go to his horseback riding already," Anita told her. "Oh! We need to bring food there then," Linda replied."W-we?" Anita asked after hearing what Linda just said."Yes. You don't want to come?" Linda asked, a bit confused by Anita's reaction. She then thought maybe she didn't want to go to the place where they were going to bring breakfast. "You better see that place!""I will come with you then," she answered which made Linda smile."I thought you didn't," Linda murmured, and the two returned to preparing food.***The breakfast was ready in a basket when the wireless phone on the counter started ringing. Linda answered it and Anita saw how Linda's forehead wrinkled while talking to the person on the other line. "Okay, we're going now," Anita heard Linda utter, giving her a cue to move and take the medium-sized basket
"You don't have to warn me, Linda," William said. He looked away to escape from Linda's gaze. "My only concern right now is if she would agree.""She would without any choice, William," Linda answered. "Knowing her—on how she thinks about her family, and her sick father right now, that poor girl would," she added. Linda ended their conversation by leaving William. She went back to the pavilion to check if Anita left there setting the table.She had so much concern for the Filipina girl. She believed William wanted to use the servant's soft heart and love for her family for his plans and with all the problems Anita had, she was an easy target. Deep inside her heart, she wanted to protect her, but with the kind of situation she was in at that time, William was the only one who could help her as fast as a snap of a finger. With his connections and money, he could turn all paperwork right on his hands like lightning and she wanted to help Anita through him.When she reached the pavilion,
Third-Person's Point of ViewWilliam called his secretary to ready the papers. Because everything was said to be a contract wedding, William gave Anita some terms and conditions that would benefit them both. He treated it like a business and he was delighted he won. Linda who saw the different smile on William's lips shook her head in disbelief. Anita and Linda went back to the mansion after William finished his food. He promised to ready the agreement before the end of the day. Linda was the first to read it. It was clean, and all the things written sounded like they would benefit Anita more than him, but Linda could smell William's other agendas hidden. Despite of that, Linda chose to remain silent, but as she had previously stated to William, she would not hesitate to intervene. She gave the printed paper to Anita. "Read it carefully before signing it. You can return that paper to me tomorrow morning. Sleep on this for tonight. You need a decent sleep to clear your mind and rev
Third-person's Point of View"Can you hand me the salt, Anita?" Linda requested, but it seemed Anita was not in herself while wiping the table where they prepared all the ingredients for the dishes they were cooking that late afternoon.It had been a few minutes since she returned to the kitchen and went back to what she had left, and since then, Anita has been acting strangely."Anita?" Linda called and gave the young Filipina a gentle tap on her shoulder.Anita was startled. "I-I'm sorry, are you saying something?""No," Linda lied. "Are you okay?""Y-yes, I am." Anita stammered. Linda could sense something was bothering her. She lowered the fire on the induction stove to make sure what she was cooking wouldn't get burned before facing Anita."Come on, you can talk to me about it." With that, Anita bowed her head. She didn't know how to explain how she was feeling. It was hard to sort, but the fear was too much.Anita raised her head and took a deep breath as she tried to wrap eve
Anita's Point of ViewI went to the servants' quarter after tidying up in the kitchen. Another day will be over. After preparing for bed, Bian told me Ms. Peters was looking for me and she asked me to meet her in the kitchen. I didn't waste more time and headed towards where she was, wearing a pair of floral pajamas. I saw her standing next to the counter holding a folder and when she noticed me arriving, she smiled."Here is the agreement William prepared. Read it carefully tonight and read it again tomorrow when you wake up before signing it. Okay?" Ms. Peters handed me the folder."Yes, Ms. Peters," I replied before taking it. When I returned to the servant's quarter, Bian was already on the separate bed, facing the wall. She was busy with her phone watching a movie with earphones on and it seemed she didn't see me coming in. I closed the door behind me and went to my bed. I took the chance to scan what was written in the agreement. It was stated that I needed to help Sir Lennon
The waffle tasted amazing. It didn't taste ordinary like those packed ready mixtures available in the supermarket. There was crunch right on every corner and soft and moist inside. Not too sweet for someone who doesn't like too sweet treats and that was what I wanted."By the way, what brings you here?" I was busy identifying the ingredients they put on the waffle when Adam asked me this. I raised my head to look at him and our eyes unexpectedly met. I promptly looked away, returning to my food to avoid looking into his beautiful eyes. I couldn't deny it was truly mesmerizing and if I dared to stare at it any longer. "I was looking for something," I answered. I heard him sip into his coffee and I was about to put a slice of waffle inside my mouth when she asked, "Something or someone?" I stopped, putting my fork back into my plate to answer, "Something.""Wait, are you sure that something, nonhuman—not someone?" I didn't know what he wanted me to answer, but when I glanced at him
Anita's Point of View"Let's go!" Adam called me. I didn't know I was already spacing out while staring at the car in front of me. It was making me feel small and poor. I even thought of just walking away and calling a taxi because I felt I didn't deserve to sit inside that royal blue two-seater sports car, but when I heard another vehicle nearby Adam was blocking the way, I got forced to get in."Are you sure this is yours?" I asked out of disbelief. "Of course. Are you accusing me of carnapping now? The first time you thought I was a kidnapper." He chuckled."My bad then. I didn't mean to think like that, and besides, I'm a foreigner to this country, and I love my precious life just to let anyone abduct me in the middle of broad daylight," I said to defend myself."I let that slide because you have a great point. It was also quite smart for a woman to think that way. You're making me wonder what you were doing in the Philippines before you became a servant to the Martins." "I was
While on the road, I noticed how heavy the atmosphere was inside his car. All I could hear was the engine and the honking of vehicles outside.Frankly, it frightened me at how quiet Adam was. I hated the thoughts my brain was giving me at that time. I tried to move when I felt my muscles were getting stiff. A long silence passed and I was getting close to my destination. "A-are you okay, Adam?" I asked when I could no longer bear the silent treatment I was getting. That was the only moment he moved his head on my side since we sat inside the car. "Yes, I am," he answered, but with the tone of his voice, I knew it was a lie.It was my turn to be talkative. We still had more than ten minutes before reaching the mansion and I didn't want to leave him like that."Why does it seem you are not okay?" I asked. I waited for him to answer but he remained silent. "You are making me think your friend offended you a while ago. Having a relationship here is a big deal, as I observed, but in th
An hour before ten in the morning, the stylists were done giving us a wonderful service. They put my hair in a bun that looked like a bouquet. The bobby pins they used had small pearls on the edge that added design to my hair and believe it or not, I couldn't recognize myself. I couldn't stop looking at my reflection in the mirror. I looked blooming and younger with my makeup. I heard the stylist and her companion talk when they were deciding what suited me and the one putting so much liquid on my face while preparing it said to do Korean-style makeup. I mostly see those Korean makeups she mentioned when watching Kdrama and I was pretty impressed when they magically made me look like a Korean even though I was a little tan. I couldn't stop blinking because of the fake eyelashes I was wearing. It was a bit heavy, making me uncomfortable, but to my surprise, my eyebags and skin imperfections were hidden perfectly. It was hard to find a trace, even my pores—they made it invisible. "Y
The sun was about to come out when I opened my eyes the next day. I knew I was too early, but I had to prepare earlier for the wedding. No trace of excitement in my heart. All I could feel was this great amount of worry about how the day would end and whether Sir Lennon would appear or not. I walked near the curtain and slid it to the side. The room location was perfect to watch the sunrise and because it was only around six in the morning, I was right on time to witness a beautiful scene as the sun scattered its light into the surroundings. "Good morning, sunshine!" I muttered with a smile and I walked into the bathroom when the light was already too blinding. I took a shower as the first step of preparation. Wore the simplest dress I saw inside the walk-in closet, pairing it with flat sandals before going to the kitchen to see Ms. Peters. The servants were greeting me. They were bowing their heads as I walked in front of them. It was too uncomfortable, but I couldn't tell them
My thoughts were all over the place when I suddenly heard someone knocking on the door. I rushed to open it for whoever it was and saw a servant with wide eyes right after seeing me."T-the dinner is ready, Ma'am," she announced, stammering as she bowed her head right after speaking. There was an awkwardness in her voice, but if there was anyone to feel more awkward in that situation, it was me after she addressed me as Ma'am. I was a teacher back in my country. I was used to being called that way as respect for my profession, but being called Ma'am by a servant was something I was not used to."O-okay, thank you," I replied. I waited for her to leave after getting my answer, but she stayed standing with her head lowered. When I realized she was waiting for me to come with her, I immediately excused myself. I went back inside to check how I looked in the mirror, thinking I would be facing Sir William again or if there would be someone else in the mansion who would join us for dinne
Right after Ms. Peters closed the door, my shoulders dropped. The smile on my face faded as I felt so much exhaustion after a few hours of strolling through the mall. I took a heavy sigh and turned my head to examine the beautiful room, but then thought about the wedding the next day that would eventually solve my problems.I was uncertain whether to call myself lucky or to meet such people because, at the back of my head, I was still frightened of what would happen after the wedding.While thinking about those things, my eyes landed on the large bed inside the room. The temperature inside was too cold for someone who grew up in a tropical country, even though I had never tried going home during my three years of contract abroad. It seemed like I would never get used to the low temperature.It was quite hot outside because we were in the middle of summer, but it appeared the air conditioning system inside was set too low. I tried looking around to find it, but I couldn't see anything
I had no choice but to follow Ms. Peters while carrying the things I thrifted. She took the route at the front entrance and not the back door on the cooking area. I saw unfamiliar faces around. We were greeted by servants and I didn't recognize any of them. What surprised me the most, they were addressing me as ma'am.We climbed up the stairs and when no one was around, she explained everything to me.They had already moved my belongings to one of the guest rooms. All the servants were new and the recent ones were moved to different employers.It was Sir William's order and those were all preparations for the wedding because once I got married to his son, my status and identity needed to change as well. We continued walking into the long hallway until we reached one particular door. Ms. Peters used a key to open it and the moment she pushed the door open, my jaw dropped in disbelief."This will be your room from now on," she announced, but my attention was all on what was in front. I
While on the road, I noticed how heavy the atmosphere was inside his car. All I could hear was the engine and the honking of vehicles outside.Frankly, it frightened me at how quiet Adam was. I hated the thoughts my brain was giving me at that time. I tried to move when I felt my muscles were getting stiff. A long silence passed and I was getting close to my destination. "A-are you okay, Adam?" I asked when I could no longer bear the silent treatment I was getting. That was the only moment he moved his head on my side since we sat inside the car. "Yes, I am," he answered, but with the tone of his voice, I knew it was a lie.It was my turn to be talkative. We still had more than ten minutes before reaching the mansion and I didn't want to leave him like that."Why does it seem you are not okay?" I asked. I waited for him to answer but he remained silent. "You are making me think your friend offended you a while ago. Having a relationship here is a big deal, as I observed, but in th
Anita's Point of View"Let's go!" Adam called me. I didn't know I was already spacing out while staring at the car in front of me. It was making me feel small and poor. I even thought of just walking away and calling a taxi because I felt I didn't deserve to sit inside that royal blue two-seater sports car, but when I heard another vehicle nearby Adam was blocking the way, I got forced to get in."Are you sure this is yours?" I asked out of disbelief. "Of course. Are you accusing me of carnapping now? The first time you thought I was a kidnapper." He chuckled."My bad then. I didn't mean to think like that, and besides, I'm a foreigner to this country, and I love my precious life just to let anyone abduct me in the middle of broad daylight," I said to defend myself."I let that slide because you have a great point. It was also quite smart for a woman to think that way. You're making me wonder what you were doing in the Philippines before you became a servant to the Martins." "I was
The waffle tasted amazing. It didn't taste ordinary like those packed ready mixtures available in the supermarket. There was crunch right on every corner and soft and moist inside. Not too sweet for someone who doesn't like too sweet treats and that was what I wanted."By the way, what brings you here?" I was busy identifying the ingredients they put on the waffle when Adam asked me this. I raised my head to look at him and our eyes unexpectedly met. I promptly looked away, returning to my food to avoid looking into his beautiful eyes. I couldn't deny it was truly mesmerizing and if I dared to stare at it any longer. "I was looking for something," I answered. I heard him sip into his coffee and I was about to put a slice of waffle inside my mouth when she asked, "Something or someone?" I stopped, putting my fork back into my plate to answer, "Something.""Wait, are you sure that something, nonhuman—not someone?" I didn't know what he wanted me to answer, but when I glanced at him
Anita's Point of ViewI went to the servants' quarter after tidying up in the kitchen. Another day will be over. After preparing for bed, Bian told me Ms. Peters was looking for me and she asked me to meet her in the kitchen. I didn't waste more time and headed towards where she was, wearing a pair of floral pajamas. I saw her standing next to the counter holding a folder and when she noticed me arriving, she smiled."Here is the agreement William prepared. Read it carefully tonight and read it again tomorrow when you wake up before signing it. Okay?" Ms. Peters handed me the folder."Yes, Ms. Peters," I replied before taking it. When I returned to the servant's quarter, Bian was already on the separate bed, facing the wall. She was busy with her phone watching a movie with earphones on and it seemed she didn't see me coming in. I closed the door behind me and went to my bed. I took the chance to scan what was written in the agreement. It was stated that I needed to help Sir Lennon