Chapter 3

"Alright, how about we agree on eighty percent of your salary every month?" he asked, his tone serious.

"Hmm, could you please tell me how much my salary is, sir?" I asked gently.

"It's $300 every month," he replied.

I took a moment to calculate 20% of my monthly salary. I couldn't give a direct answer because I was unsure if we could meet our needs with only 20% of my salary. My father required daily medication, and my mother had to leave her shop to take care of him. My mind was filled with confusion during those moments, as I didn't want my father to end up in prison due to his debts.

"Now what? Don't waste my time, you idiot!" he said angrily.

Summoning my courage, I asked Sir Elijah if he could consider deducting fifty percent of my salary. After a few seconds, he agreed to my request. Relief washed over me, and I promised to perform my job diligently.

"Sir, could you make it 50%? I won't be able to support my parents with just 20% of my salary, especially since my father needs his daily medication. Please, Sir Elijah, I'm begging you," I pleaded.

"You have so many demands! Fine, I'll give it to you. You can start working at the mansion tomorrow morning. Don't be late!" he said firmly.

"Thank you, Sir. Thank you so much," I said with a smile, unable to contain my tears of joy. However, Sir Elijah abruptly ended the call.

I let out a sigh and noticed that my mother was silently watching me. I approached her, holding both her hands and smiling. The sadness and worry on her face were evident.

"Ley, I won't allow you to do this. You're not obligated to shoulder our responsibilities as your parents. You don't have to go through this," she said.

"Mom, I don't want Dad to end up in prison. We have to repay our debt to Sir Elijah. We owe him a lot," I replied.

"I'll be the one to work. You should stay here and take care of your father," my mother said firmly.

"Mom, you're getting older. Your body can't handle that kind of work anymore," I replied to her.

"Do you really think I'm incapable of fulfilling my duties as your mother? Do you honestly believe that I would allow you to do as you please? I know Sir Elijah's behavior all too well, and I cannot let your desires come to fruition!" My mother's voice was filled with anger and frustration.

"Mom, do you want Dad to end up in prison? You know he can't walk anymore. I'm certain that Sir Elijah will be even more furious if I don't keep my word, so please, I beg of you, allow me to do this," I pleaded.

There was a look of concern on my mother's face, and I understood why. I had felt her love for me ever since I was a child. She had warned me about Sir Elijah's behavior, but I had been stubborn. I had also confided in my father, but as expected, he was against my decision as well. However, I remained steadfast and promised them that I would return home if I couldn't handle the job. Eventually, they reluctantly agreed.

As I packed my belongings, I couldn't help but think about the piggy bank I had been saving for my college studies. I couldn't find a way to help my parents financially, so I had to put my education on hold for the time being.

"Mom, please accept this. Use it to provide for everything you need," I said to my mother with a smile.

"Where did this come from?" my mother asked curiously.

"I had been saving that money for my studies, but I know you need it more," I replied, smiling.

"Ley, I can't accept this. I know how much you need it, so please, keep the money," my mother said gently.

"Mom, you need it more than I do. I'm sure the food is for the maids there," I insisted.

I saw my mother sigh and smile at me. I immediately embraced her tightly. It was incredibly difficult for me to be away from my parents, but it was necessary. My mother helped me put away my belongings as we continued to talk.

After a while, my mother bid me goodnight and went to sleep, while I lay awake, unable to stop thinking about what the next day would bring. What would my life be like there? Would Sir Elijah continue to scold me? Would I be able to handle my responsibilities? 

The next morning, I woke up early to prepare myself for my first day at work.

I turned around to see a woman standing there, her eyes filled with curiosity. She had a stern expression on her face, but there was a hint of kindness in her eyes. 

"I'm Ley, the new maid," I replied with a smile, trying to hide my nervousness. 

The woman looked me up and down, assessing me. "Well, Ley, you better be prepared. This mansion is not for the faint-hearted. Many maids have come and gone, unable to handle the demands of this place."

I nodded, determined to prove myself. "I understand, but I'm ready for the challenge. I believe that every place has its own set of difficulties, and I'm willing to face them head-on."

The woman raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed by my response. "We shall see. Follow me, I'll show you to your quarters."

As we walked through the mansion, I couldn't help but marvel at its grandeur. The intricate details of the architecture, the luxurious furnishings, it was like stepping into a different world. But the absence of other maids made me wonder even more.

"Excuse me, ma'am," I finally mustered the courage to ask, "where are the other maids?"

The woman's expression softened slightly, and she sighed. "There used to be many, but they couldn't handle the demands of this place. Some left voluntarily, while others... well, let's just say they didn't have a choice."

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but I remained determined. "I understand the challenges, but I won't let that deter me. I'm here to work hard and make a difference."

The woman stopped in front of a door and turned to face me. "I admire your spirit, Ley. Just remember, this mansion holds many secrets. Be cautious, and never forget why you're here."

With those words, she opened the door to my quarters, and I stepped inside, ready to embark on this new chapter of my life. Little did I know, the journey ahead would be filled with unexpected twists and turns, testing my strength and resilience. But I was determined to uncover the truth and make a difference, no matter the cost.

I caught a glimpse of a woman donning a maid's uniform. Without hesitation, I approached her with a warm smile and introduced myself. To my delight, she reciprocated the gesture and revealed her name as Elizabeth, or Beth for short. 

As we engaged in conversation, a fancy car pulled up at the mansion's entrance, causing Beth to grab my arm and pull me closer. Confusion washed over me, unsure of what was happening. 

Within moments, a strikingly handsome man emerged from the vehicle. He was tall, fair-skinned, and undeniably attractive, but his expression was serious and stern. I found myself completely captivated, unable to tear my gaze away from him. It was as if time stood still, and my heart raced uncontrollably, drowning out the sounds around me. 

Suddenly, a tap on my shoulder jolted me back to reality, leaving me flustered and embarrassed. Beth scolded me for my absent-mindedness, reminding me of what Sir Elijah had said. 

"What happened to you? You were completely clueless and didn't even hear what Sir Elijah said," Beth exclaimed. 

Panicking, I asked, "Why? What did he say? Is he angry, Beth?" 

She chuckled and replied, "He simply called you an idiot! You looked like a complete fool!" 

"Really? Did he actually say that?" I exclaimed, mortified by my own behavior. "Oh my goodness! How embarrassing, Bailey!" I scolded myself silently. 

Beth shook her head, clearly amused by my antics, and guided me to my room. As she prepared our meal in the spacious kitchen, she shared numerous stories and cautioned me to be cautious in every action I took. She emphasized that even the slightest mistake could cost me my job, as Sir Elijah was known for his strictness. 

Her words filled me with worry, but whenever I recalled Sir Elijah's handsome face, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of readiness to serve as his housemaid for a lifetime. I chuckled at my own thoughts when suddenly, the telephone on the radio rang loudly. 

"I need someone in my room immediately. Hurry up!" a stern voice demanded from the other end of the line. 

"Go now, Bailey!" Beth urged me. 

Confused and nervous, I sprinted up the stairs to his room. The door was ajar, so I cautiously entered without knocking. However, what I witnessed inside left me utterly dumb.