The Bet

Chapter 5: The Bet. 

In the midst of the chaos and tension that hung heavy in the air, my mother rushed to my side, her protective instincts kicking in. With concern etched upon her face, she knelt down beside me, gently picking up the broken pieces of glass and attempting to salvage the remnants of the spilled wine.

Madam Amelia's face twisted with disdain as she witnessed the scene unfolding before her. Her voice dripped with condescension as she addressed my mother, her words laced with venom. "Seems like your daughter is not only incompetent but also clumsy. Perhaps she isn't fit to serve in this household after all."

My mother's eyes blazed with a mixture of anger and defiance. She stood up, facing Madam Amelia with unwavering determination. "Madam, accidents happen. But my daughter's worth and capabilities extend far beyond this isolated incident. She deserves a fair chance to prove herself."

Madam Amelia sneered, her tone dripping with mockery. "Prove herself? I highly doubt she has anything to offer besides her menial labor. She should be grateful for the opportunity to serve in this esteemed household."

A surge of indignation rose within me, but I bit my lip, restraining the words that threatened to spill out. My mother's resilience was a guiding force, and I drew strength from her unwavering support.

Suddenly, Alex, who had been silently observing the situation, joined in the mockery. A smirk played upon his lips as he added fuel to the fire. "It seems your daughter has left quite an impression, Mother. First, she dares to challenge me during an interview, and now she can't even manage to serve a simple tray of wine. Truly, a remarkable display of incompetence."

" What !!!!! You have met her before" Madam Amelia said and Alex nodded.

" We met before and I'm not surprised she's this incompetent " 

The words cut through me like a knife, reopening the wounds of the past encounter. The disbelief I felt at his callousness and lack of recognition only deepened with his mocking words. It was as if he reveled in the opportunity to humiliate me further.

My mother, refusing to let their words break her resolve, locked eyes with Alex. " I'm sorry for my daughter's attitude " 

Watching my mother apologize made me shed tears. 

Madam Amelia's eyes narrowed, her patience wearing thin. "Enough! Sara, you will be confined to your quarters for the next week as punishment for this display of incompetence. Perhaps it will teach you the importance of obedience and humility."

As the weight of the punishment settled upon me, I exchanged a final glance with my mother, a silent promise passing between us. Though confined to my quarters, my spirit would remain unyielding, and I would find a way to rise above the challenges that lay ahead.

In this moment of adversity, my determination grew stronger. The depths of Alex's cruelty and Madam Amelia's disdain had fueled a fire within me. Their mockery would not deter me from proving my worth, for I knew deep within my heart that I was more than the sum of their judgments. 

In a luxurious wing of the mansion, Ethan, the younger son of the household, found himself drawn to the commotion that had unfolded in Alex's room. Curiosity piqued, he pushed open the door and entered, finding his brother deep in thought, his expression a mix of frustration and intrigue.

Upon hearing Ethan's arrival, Alex looked up, his eyes reflecting a glimmer of mischief. "Ah, Ethan, you've arrived at the perfect time," he greeted, a sly smile playing on his lips. "You won't believe what just happened."

Intrigued, Ethan approached his brother, leaning against the ornate desk nearby. "Tell me, what has gotten you so riled up?"

Alex leaned back in his chair, his eyes alight with a mischievous gleam. "You remember that girl, The one who argued with me during the interview, The one I told you about…?"

Recognition flickered in Ethan's eyes as memories of that spirited encounter resurfaced. "Of course, how could I forget? She's a strong-headed girl, that one."

Alex chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, she is. Well, guess what? She's working here as a maid now, under our dear mother's employ."

Ethan's curiosity grew, his interest fully captured by the unexpected turn of events. "And how does that concern us?,Plus I've met her, She's calm " 

Alex's smile widened as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I propose a bet, Ethan. A wager to make this summer a little less boring."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "A bet? What could possibly be worth wagering over?"

Alex's eyes sparkled with mischief as he revealed his proposition. "The first one of us to sleep with Sara wins a Lamborghini."

Ethan's jaw dropped in disbelief, his expression a mix of surprise and disapproval. "Alex, that's absurd! We can't reduce her to a mere conquest. She's a person, not a prize."

Alex's smile faltered slightly at Ethan's reaction, but he remained determined. "I know it sounds callous, but think about it, Ethan. We both know how competitive we can be. Besides, she argued with me before. There's history there. It could make things interesting."

Ethan's face softened, his voice filled with concern. "Alex, this isn't right. We shouldn't manipulate someone's emotions for our own entertainment."

Alex's gaze hardened, the spark of competitiveness burning bright within him. "You're always too idealistic, Ethan. Just think about it. We're not hurting anyone. It's a simple bet, a game."

Reluctance warred within Ethan as he weighed his brother's words against his own principles. In the end, he sighed, realizing the extent of Alex's determination. "Fine, Alex. But remember, we're treading dangerous ground here. We must proceed with caution and ensure no harm comes to her."

With a triumphant grin, Alex extended his hand, sealing their agreement. "Deal, Ethan. Let the game begin."