1 "Ruthie - Forbidden Master"

Gosh! It's so hot!

I am screaming internally as I walk under the sun's scorching heat, carrying bags of groceries. I worry that my smooth, light brown skin will turn to charcoal before reaching my destination. It was already noon when I woke up. I had been staying up late for several days, reading the novels that mom gave me for my eighteenth birthday last month.

"I want to take a dip in Dyrroth's pool. Is he awake yet?" I continue to grumble as I approach the high gate of the Hales' palatial home.

"That's a lot you are carrying there, Ruthie. Let me help you," Ernesto, who has been guarding the mansion for thirty years, offered.

"No, thank you. It's fine." I politely declined the old man.

My rosy pink lips formed a lovely curve. Ernesto smiled brightly in turn.

"All right. Come in. Your mom has been waiting for you."

I bowed my head politely. "Thank you!"

Ernesto opened the gate quickly and let me in. I hurried into the thousand-square feet mansion owned by billionaire Argon Hales.

My mother, Kiara Bernaldez, had been working here as a maid for a long time before I was even born. Because of her family’s loyalty to the household, we were allowed to live in the mansion and were given decent rooms.

"Oh my goodness, Ruthie! Quick! What took you so long?!"

Mom quickly grabbed the groceries from my hand and scurried to the kitchen. I followed and helped wash the fruits and vegetables.

"It was so hot outside, and there wasn’t any ride. I had to walk on my way back,” I complained.

"And why do you think that is, huh? I told you to read those books in the afternoon and to sleep early. You can’t complain that it's hot outside because it’s already noon. You should’ve woken up early."

I pouted. "I know that. I’m sorry…."

"And you do know who you bought this for, right?"

"I know..." I sighed. "For Dyrroth."

"That’s right! This is for the master. And now he’s going to eat late! What if we get scolded for this? Rosa will surely use it against you. People will think we have no regard for the people above us."

I frowned at mom's mention of the name Rosa. All the maids and helpers here were kind to us, except for that woman. Mom is older and has worked for the Hales family for a longer time, but Rosa treats us very rudely. That woman loves to gossip about me. Rosa tells people I use my body to get master’s favor.

I snorted. "I really don’t get Rosa. What did we ever do wrong to her? She acts like the boss here. She isn’t even the head maid. You are. You should talk to that woman."

"Just don’t mind her," said Mom as she washed the vegetables. "The important thing is we don't cause any trouble here."

I rolled my eyes. "She's just jealous because Dy and I are close."

My mom's ears tingled at what I had said. She turned off the faucet in the sink and turned to face her daughter. Her eyes squinted, and I saw those lines on her forehead again.

"There you go again! Everybody knows you two are close, but still, know your place!"

She scoffed at me and then walked to the table to cut the pork meat. She is shaking her head.

"Even if you are friends, you are still a maid, and he is your master. In the first place, you should not be friends with him. Especially with Sir Dyrroth. People think you have a relationship with him, which is not good for you. I am telling you, child. You will get in a lot of trouble. Do not say I didn't warn you."

My lips pouted at what mother said. It was not the first time I had been told to stay away from Dyrroth. Mom has a point, but I can't help it. Don't they know how sad Dyrroth’s situation is? He is always alone, with only me as his friend. Besides, I am not taking advantage of him in any way. We are really just friends. I do not care about the rumors.

For some reason, Mom did not want me to be close to Dyrroth. I still remember the first time I went out to play in the garden. There is where I first saw and met him.

Mom nearly tore my ear when it was found out that I was playing with Sir Argon's only son. But since no other children were here for me to play with, I continued to play with him until Mom gave up on my stubbornness.

Well, it was hard for me to play alone. I wanted to be surrounded by people and make connections with everybody. The more, the merrier was my reasoning. I also don't have much choice in this vast mansion. Dyrroth is the only one in my age group here, so I get along with him better than the other maids. We are both eighteen years old.

But more surprisingly, the other helpers and workers here are avoiding Dyrroth too. Whenever I ask questions, the answer is always that it is Sir Argon's order not to get close to his son. Because of that, I stuck with him even more.

I felt sorry for him. I could not imagine being alone in a vast mansion neglected by my parent and servants. I do not care what Sir Argon says. I will be friends with his son. I had never met the man anyway. The master of the mansion, Argon Hales, has not returned home for almost two decades. So I am not afraid to disobey him.

"Just let me know when it's cooked. I'll take it to his room," I said after putting away all the groceries.

"All right, wait there in the corner.”

I sat and browsed on my cellphone. After about an hour of waiting, Mom finished cooking the Dinuguan. I put the food on a tray and carry it up to the third floor, where Dyrroth’s room is. I am only a few steps away when the door opens, and my handsome master peeks out.

I had never knocked on his bedroom door, ever. It is always open for me. Dyrroth knows if I am coming. He greets me before I can come close. I am not sure how he does that. Or maybe my steps are just too heavy that he can hear them from inside.

"Hey, Ruthie, you’re late," he greeted in a calm tone.

"Good morning, Dy!" I beamed at him.

I hurried until I was only a step away from him. He is several inches taller than me, so I had to raise my head to look at his Adonis-like face. He has a sharp nose that perfectly matches his deep and sexy eyes. His white skin has a pale complexion, but it looks flawless. His chin and angular jawline are well-defined too.

“I'm sorry your food is late today. You must be starving,” I said sheepishly.

He smiled softly. "That's fine. You are here now."

Other masters would have lashed out at their servants, but Dyrroth was different. He was always sweet and gentle.

"Did you just wake up?” I pointed to his hair with my lips for a quick second. “Your hair is a bit messy.”

"Nope. But I thought I would look sexy if my hair's like this.” He smiled at me charmingly. “Aren’t I?"

I chuckled. "You’re being silly again."

My eyes drop to his bare top. This nonchalant guy is only wearing blue shorts and nothing else in front of me, a lady in her prime.

I secretly swallowed. Even though I had seen those abs several times before, I still could not help but be dazzled by how perfect they were.

He always looks like this when I go to his room. Sometimes, he only wears a boxer. If I were a malicious person, I would think he was seducing me. But I know it is because he constantly works out. Thus him always being half-naked. He has some gym equipment in his room.

But still, doesn't he realize how his pet dinosaur down there is bulging? We are no longer children, and I shamefully can not unsee it. Just a glance at it makes my throat dry.

I wonder how big it could get when it’s arouse— Wait! What am I thinking?!

I quickly returned my gaze to his handsome face before my mind got lost someplace else. That was very inappropriate. How dare I think of something like that about my best friend?

I cleared my throat before speaking. “Here’s your food.”

“Thanks.”

Dyrroth’s eyes are smiling with his lips while he takes the tray from my hands. His sticky gaze looks as if he is teasing me. My cheeks blushed slightly. Did he realize what I was thinking? I hope not.