Tessa's POV
I jumped when I heard the loud honking of a car outside the large gate. I quickly dropped the broom and dustpan I was holding and hurried towards the window.
"It's Senyorito Darius!" I exclaimed, a wide smile on my face.
I wanted to jump for joy when I saw the gray car entering the gate of Altagrasia Mansion. Mamang Olga was the one who opened the gate because she was also excited to welcome Senyorito Darius.
To be honest, out of all of Don Enrico's children, Senyorito Darius and Ate Isabella were Mamang Olga's favorites. Ate Isabella was already abroad, and Senyorito Darius rarely visited. But since his birthday was coming up, he came home to Hacienda Altagrasia to celebrate his 30th birthday there.
I quickly left the large and spacious living room to greet the senyorito. The smile on my face wouldn't fade because finally, after months, I would see his handsome face again.
"Darius! Son! How are you?"
"Manang, I missed you!"
"I missed you too, son!"
My longing heart was filled with joy when I heard Mamang Olga and Senyorito Darius greeting each other. I had been longing to hear Senyorito's baritone and captivating voice for so long!
As I stepped out of the mansion's large door, the intense joy and wide smile on my face quickly disappeared. The joy I felt gradually faded when I saw the woman standing beside Senyorito Darius.
After all this time, this was the first time I had seen Senyorito with someone. She was beautiful, tall, with porcelain skin and a gentle face. Even her clothes were very sophisticated.
I felt small when my eyes fell on myself. I was only wearing a maid's uniform, I wasn't very tall, I had brown skin, and compared to the woman with him, I was nothing.
"Who is this with you, hijo?"
Before Senyorito Darius could answer Mamang's question, Don Enrico emerged from the mansion's large door with his wife, Donya Magda.
"Darius."
"Pa!" Senyorito Darius approached Don Enrico and hugged him with a smile. He didn't even acknowledge Donya Magda, which we all noticed.
After what happened to Master Daryl and even Donya Magda's son, Anika, Hacienda Altagrasia had changed a lot. One of those changes was Senyorito Darius. He avoided coming home to the hacienda, and if he was here, he was clearly avoiding the donya.
I couldn't blame Senyorito Darius. It was common knowledge throughout Hacienda Altagrasia that Donya Magda had betrayed the Altagrasia father and son—Don Enrico and Master Daryl. In fact, Master Daryl died without them making amends.
"Is this Martha?"
Senyorito Darius approached the woman with him and put his arm around her, smiling. "Yes, pa."
My heart ached a little when I saw Senyorito's smile as he put his arm around the woman named Martha.
Martha approached Don Enrico and kissed his hand, even Donya Magda's.
"It's a pleasure to be here, tito. I've been wanting to visit here for a long time. Darius is just so busy with work that this is the first time we've been able to come."
"It's alright, the important thing is that you're here for my son's birthday celebration."
I was even more disheartened when I noticed that Don Enrico seemed to like Martha. He seemed to approve of her for Senyorito Darius.
I bit my lip at what I heard. They weren't a couple, were they? Yes, Martha was beautiful, but Senyorito Darius wouldn't like her. Senyorito was aloof with women and didn't like those who were too pretentious.
I nodded at my thought. I hoped that Senyorito Darius hadn't found a girlfriend yet. I had waited for his return for so long. Maybe now, I could finally confess my true feelings to him.
"By the way, Manang Olga, this is Martha, my girlfriend."
The world crumbled around me when I heard those words from Senyorito. My heart pounded, and I looked back and forth between Senyorito Darius and Martha, gasping for breath.
Even Mamang Olga was stunned and looked at me. She knew that I had secretly loved Senyorito Darius for a long time.
I thought nothing could hurt more than what I had just learned, but Don Enrico's next words completely shattered my heart.
"On the night of your birthday, I will also announce to everyone your upcoming wedding!"
Tessa's POVIt was Senyorito Darius' birthday. Everyone was celebrating outside, while I was here in a corner of the kitchen, mourning my dead heart."Condolences, friend."I turned to the speaker and saw Sasa, one of the maids who was also my friend. We were the same age, and she knew how I felt about Senyorito Darius."I was so excited for Senyorito Darius to come home, Sasa. I thought I could finally tell him my true feelings."She approached me and put a hand on my shoulder. "You know, you've been together your whole lives. But you never thought to confess to him sooner?""Who am I to do that, Sasa? I'm just a maid in their family. I'm nothing compared to the women who like Senyorito.""That's why you're hurting now because of that mindset."Tears streamed down my face as I heard the happy laughter from outside. I don't think I can bear to see the only man I loved marry someone else."I love him, Sasa. I love Senyorito Darius so much." A tear escaped my cheek.My chest tightened a
Tessa's POVI wasn't feeling well, and Mamang Olga noticed, so she advised me to just rest in my room. I felt listless as I entered my own room in the maid's quarters. Every maid here had their own room with their own aircon and bathroom.I slumped onto my bed and, feeling like I was going to cry, grabbed a pillow and hugged it. I wanted to cry because of the mix of pain and resentment. Senyorito Darius was going to marry someone else, that nasty woman!Why her? I could accept my heartbreak if Senyorito Darius ended up with a good woman, but her? It's infuriating!I stopped sulking when I saw a small bottle on top of my side table. "What is this? It wasn't here earlier, was it?"I picked up the bottle and read the small note attached to it. When I understood what it was for, I quickly stood up and ran back to the kitchen."Sasa!" I called out to my friend. She immediately left what she was doing and approached me."I thought you weren't feeling well? Manang Olga said she let you rest
Tessa's POV"Senyorito Darius?"I stopped in my tracks when I saw Senyorito Darius at the entrance of the mansion. He couldn't walk properly and looked like he was about to collapse any minute.I looked around, and when I was sure no one was around, I quickly approached him and helped him up. "Senyorito, what's happening to you? Are you okay?"He answered me with a groan. Even speaking seemed difficult for him. I took his arm and put it on my shoulder. We almost fell because of his weight.Senyorito Darius was heavy and tall. He had a gym-toned body and was probably 6 feet plus tall. I, on the other hand, was only 5'5. I was only up to his armpits.We started walking. As we passed the stairs, I looked around again to make sure no one saw us. The other maids were busy in the kitchen, while the others were outside helping with the party.We went straight to the maid's quarters—to my room. When we entered my room, I carefully laid him down on the bed, but because of his weight, we both f
Darius' POVI was stopped from getting up by a sudden headache. I sat up on the edge of the bed and instinctively clutched my head with my hand."Fuck this hangover."How much did I drink last night that I just passed out? I couldn't even remember what happened. I grabbed the side table and was about to stand up when I noticed I wasn't alone in the bed.I glanced around my surroundings. My eyes widened as I stared at the woman beside me. "Shit!"I couldn't help but swear. It's Tessa, our maid's niece. She was lying on the bed, fast asleep."What the fuck happened?"Like me, she was also naked. And now I could clearly see her beautiful and smooth body exposed to me.Damn it! Why is this woman in my room? I suddenly froze when I noticed my surroundings. Oh, shit. I'm not in my room, and I think I'm in her room!"Oh, fuck!" I groaned when I noticed the red stain on the bed. "She's a fucking virgin!"I was about to stand up but I suddenly froze when I noticed something slowly waking up an
Tessa's POVI could see the disappointment on Mamang Olga's face. She didn't say anything, nor did she scold or advise me on what I should do. She remained silent as she took care of my clothes."I'll bring these clothes to your room upstairs. Don Enrico doesn't want you sleeping in the maid's quarter anymore.""Mamang... "I stood up to approach her but she avoided me and left the room without a word. I sadly went back to my bed and sat on the edge.I can't say that I'm truly sad about what's happening because this is what I've dreamed of since then. But maybe I'm feeling guilty. After Mamang Olga trusted me, this is how I repay her.I heard the door open and close again. I thought it was Mamang Olga so I quickly stood up and faced it, but I froze when I saw who came in."Miss Martha, what are you doing here?"She looked at me for a long time, as if she was memorizing every feature of my face. I raised my brow. If she's here to fight me, well, I won't let her bully me.I was ready fo
Tessa's POVI don't know if I should be happy that I finally married Senorito Darius, the man I've always dreamed of, or if I should be sad because of the things he said to me earlier.He wasn't done hurting me. Now, at the reception, he doesn't even want to be with me. I watch him talking to other people, while I sit alone at our table.I just keep swallowing and avoiding everyone's stares. I can't even look at them because I see pity and mockery in their eyes. They feel sorry for me, and they're laughing at me.Martha was making a scene. Because of her, I ended up looking like the bad guy. I clenched my fists in anger.Nobody knows the real story, but everyone knows Martha is Senorito Darius's girlfriend, the one he was supposed to marry. He only married me because something happened between us.I can't even enjoy our wedding day. Don Enrico is so generous. He spent a fortune on our wedding, so it's a grand affair. There are beautiful decorations everywhere, tons of flowers, and a f
Tessa's POVI stood there by the mansion door for a long time after hearing those words. My knees felt weak. I wanted to collapse on the floor and cry, but I didn't."I wanted this. Why would I cry?"I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs. I didn't go back to the reception because I knew the guests would just make fun of me. I went straight to Senorito Darius's room, but I stopped short when I saw who was inside.It was Martha, sitting on the edge of Senorito Darius's bed, looking pale. Her eyes were red, like she'd been crying. When she saw me, her expression changed quickly."What are you doing here?"My head started to boil. Senorito Darius's friends were making fun of me, and the guests were laughing at me. I wouldn't let her insult me too."That's what I should be asking you. What are you doing in my husband's room?""Your husband?" She stood up.I smiled and showed her my ring. "We're married, Martha. Stop chasing him."A mix of pain and anger filled her eyes as she looked
PrologueI stood in front of our bedroom door, pacing back and forth, while my husband, Darius, was busy packing his things inside. My eyes were wet with tears, my heart breaking with pain."Martha... I'm on my way."Hearing that, I rushed inside. I found him just finishing packing, so I stopped. My heart felt like it was going to explode with pain as I thought about him leaving me for Martha... his mistress.When he was finally done, he turned to the door where I was. He paused for a moment when our eyes met, but he seemed indifferent to my tears and walked past me.Each step Darius took towards the door felt like a stab to my heart. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the sobs that wanted to escape my lips."Where are you going?"He stopped walking. He didn't answer, so I ran to him and tried to get his attention."What? I'm talking to you!"He sighed deeply. "You wouldn't want to know."I bit my lip tightly. My lips were trying to hold back tears, but my heart was screaming with
Tessa's POVI stood there by the mansion door for a long time after hearing those words. My knees felt weak. I wanted to collapse on the floor and cry, but I didn't."I wanted this. Why would I cry?"I took a deep breath and climbed the stairs. I didn't go back to the reception because I knew the guests would just make fun of me. I went straight to Senorito Darius's room, but I stopped short when I saw who was inside.It was Martha, sitting on the edge of Senorito Darius's bed, looking pale. Her eyes were red, like she'd been crying. When she saw me, her expression changed quickly."What are you doing here?"My head started to boil. Senorito Darius's friends were making fun of me, and the guests were laughing at me. I wouldn't let her insult me too."That's what I should be asking you. What are you doing in my husband's room?""Your husband?" She stood up.I smiled and showed her my ring. "We're married, Martha. Stop chasing him."A mix of pain and anger filled her eyes as she looked
Tessa's POVI don't know if I should be happy that I finally married Senorito Darius, the man I've always dreamed of, or if I should be sad because of the things he said to me earlier.He wasn't done hurting me. Now, at the reception, he doesn't even want to be with me. I watch him talking to other people, while I sit alone at our table.I just keep swallowing and avoiding everyone's stares. I can't even look at them because I see pity and mockery in their eyes. They feel sorry for me, and they're laughing at me.Martha was making a scene. Because of her, I ended up looking like the bad guy. I clenched my fists in anger.Nobody knows the real story, but everyone knows Martha is Senorito Darius's girlfriend, the one he was supposed to marry. He only married me because something happened between us.I can't even enjoy our wedding day. Don Enrico is so generous. He spent a fortune on our wedding, so it's a grand affair. There are beautiful decorations everywhere, tons of flowers, and a f
Tessa's POVI could see the disappointment on Mamang Olga's face. She didn't say anything, nor did she scold or advise me on what I should do. She remained silent as she took care of my clothes."I'll bring these clothes to your room upstairs. Don Enrico doesn't want you sleeping in the maid's quarter anymore.""Mamang... "I stood up to approach her but she avoided me and left the room without a word. I sadly went back to my bed and sat on the edge.I can't say that I'm truly sad about what's happening because this is what I've dreamed of since then. But maybe I'm feeling guilty. After Mamang Olga trusted me, this is how I repay her.I heard the door open and close again. I thought it was Mamang Olga so I quickly stood up and faced it, but I froze when I saw who came in."Miss Martha, what are you doing here?"She looked at me for a long time, as if she was memorizing every feature of my face. I raised my brow. If she's here to fight me, well, I won't let her bully me.I was ready fo
Darius' POVI was stopped from getting up by a sudden headache. I sat up on the edge of the bed and instinctively clutched my head with my hand."Fuck this hangover."How much did I drink last night that I just passed out? I couldn't even remember what happened. I grabbed the side table and was about to stand up when I noticed I wasn't alone in the bed.I glanced around my surroundings. My eyes widened as I stared at the woman beside me. "Shit!"I couldn't help but swear. It's Tessa, our maid's niece. She was lying on the bed, fast asleep."What the fuck happened?"Like me, she was also naked. And now I could clearly see her beautiful and smooth body exposed to me.Damn it! Why is this woman in my room? I suddenly froze when I noticed my surroundings. Oh, shit. I'm not in my room, and I think I'm in her room!"Oh, fuck!" I groaned when I noticed the red stain on the bed. "She's a fucking virgin!"I was about to stand up but I suddenly froze when I noticed something slowly waking up an
Tessa's POV"Senyorito Darius?"I stopped in my tracks when I saw Senyorito Darius at the entrance of the mansion. He couldn't walk properly and looked like he was about to collapse any minute.I looked around, and when I was sure no one was around, I quickly approached him and helped him up. "Senyorito, what's happening to you? Are you okay?"He answered me with a groan. Even speaking seemed difficult for him. I took his arm and put it on my shoulder. We almost fell because of his weight.Senyorito Darius was heavy and tall. He had a gym-toned body and was probably 6 feet plus tall. I, on the other hand, was only 5'5. I was only up to his armpits.We started walking. As we passed the stairs, I looked around again to make sure no one saw us. The other maids were busy in the kitchen, while the others were outside helping with the party.We went straight to the maid's quarters—to my room. When we entered my room, I carefully laid him down on the bed, but because of his weight, we both f
Tessa's POVI wasn't feeling well, and Mamang Olga noticed, so she advised me to just rest in my room. I felt listless as I entered my own room in the maid's quarters. Every maid here had their own room with their own aircon and bathroom.I slumped onto my bed and, feeling like I was going to cry, grabbed a pillow and hugged it. I wanted to cry because of the mix of pain and resentment. Senyorito Darius was going to marry someone else, that nasty woman!Why her? I could accept my heartbreak if Senyorito Darius ended up with a good woman, but her? It's infuriating!I stopped sulking when I saw a small bottle on top of my side table. "What is this? It wasn't here earlier, was it?"I picked up the bottle and read the small note attached to it. When I understood what it was for, I quickly stood up and ran back to the kitchen."Sasa!" I called out to my friend. She immediately left what she was doing and approached me."I thought you weren't feeling well? Manang Olga said she let you rest
Tessa's POVIt was Senyorito Darius' birthday. Everyone was celebrating outside, while I was here in a corner of the kitchen, mourning my dead heart."Condolences, friend."I turned to the speaker and saw Sasa, one of the maids who was also my friend. We were the same age, and she knew how I felt about Senyorito Darius."I was so excited for Senyorito Darius to come home, Sasa. I thought I could finally tell him my true feelings."She approached me and put a hand on my shoulder. "You know, you've been together your whole lives. But you never thought to confess to him sooner?""Who am I to do that, Sasa? I'm just a maid in their family. I'm nothing compared to the women who like Senyorito.""That's why you're hurting now because of that mindset."Tears streamed down my face as I heard the happy laughter from outside. I don't think I can bear to see the only man I loved marry someone else."I love him, Sasa. I love Senyorito Darius so much." A tear escaped my cheek.My chest tightened a
Tessa's POVI jumped when I heard the loud honking of a car outside the large gate. I quickly dropped the broom and dustpan I was holding and hurried towards the window."It's Senyorito Darius!" I exclaimed, a wide smile on my face.I wanted to jump for joy when I saw the gray car entering the gate of Altagrasia Mansion. Mamang Olga was the one who opened the gate because she was also excited to welcome Senyorito Darius.To be honest, out of all of Don Enrico's children, Senyorito Darius and Ate Isabella were Mamang Olga's favorites. Ate Isabella was already abroad, and Senyorito Darius rarely visited. But since his birthday was coming up, he came home to Hacienda Altagrasia to celebrate his 30th birthday there.I quickly left the large and spacious living room to greet the senyorito. The smile on my face wouldn't fade because finally, after months, I would see his handsome face again."Darius! Son! How are you?""Manang, I missed you!""I missed you too, son!"My longing heart was fi
PrologueI stood in front of our bedroom door, pacing back and forth, while my husband, Darius, was busy packing his things inside. My eyes were wet with tears, my heart breaking with pain."Martha... I'm on my way."Hearing that, I rushed inside. I found him just finishing packing, so I stopped. My heart felt like it was going to explode with pain as I thought about him leaving me for Martha... his mistress.When he was finally done, he turned to the door where I was. He paused for a moment when our eyes met, but he seemed indifferent to my tears and walked past me.Each step Darius took towards the door felt like a stab to my heart. I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the sobs that wanted to escape my lips."Where are you going?"He stopped walking. He didn't answer, so I ran to him and tried to get his attention."What? I'm talking to you!"He sighed deeply. "You wouldn't want to know."I bit my lip tightly. My lips were trying to hold back tears, but my heart was screaming with