I quickly nodded as soon as I heard Arnold, I didn't want to offend him. My only goal now is to be able to get out of this building and find my way from that.
“I promise I won't run away. You can send me your man if you don't trust me. They can tail me all they want.” I added just to convince him.
“That is not the order of the big boss. You are free to go because we have your family as the collateral just in case you think of running away.”
I smiled in my heart when I heard him. For me, that is an indication that I can finally set my feet off at this place and disappear!
“The big boss doesn't want to see you in your old clothes, so he ordered that he take everything in that closet with you.”
I know that before he gestured the two ladies with me to pack the clothes. I didn't disagree because I just wanted to get out. That's it.
After a few more minutes everything was ready, so the driver showed me the way to the vehicle and drove me home. When we arrived at the driveway, I asked the driver to stop so I could walk home alone. At first, he hesitated, but I explained to them that I don't want our neighbors to make a fuss when they see me walk out from a luxury car which he understood.
After he dropped me off, I made sure that he disappeared from my sight before I took out my mobile phone from my pockets and booked a cab for me. To make sure that I wouldn't be seen by any of our neighbors, I took out the wide cap and put it on quickly then pulled my face mask which was enough to hide my familiarity.
10 minutes and the cab arrived. I have enough pocket money, so I ordered him to bring me to the villa in the countryside where I used to work before. During summer I go there to work for an employer that I never met. I clean his house as a substitute to his regular cleaner who often takes vacations during summer for his family overseas. She is a Filipina named Celestine, I met her twice if not thrice already. I was told that he is a super-rich man, but he has this trait that doesn't meet with people a lot. It is not yet summer, but I will plead to volunteer that I will work for free until I figure out how to leave this country.
“Oh, what brought you here, Miss Madeline?” The guard smiled at me as soon as he saw him jump out of the cab. I forced myself together and gave him a wide smile. I will begin convincing him.
“Oh, I know that it isn't summer yet. But I'd want to meet with Miss Celestine if you don't mind. I am not sure if I understood her over the phone, but I'd like to make a personal conversation about something, so I came.” I started to explain. Although I was the one who first called Miss Celestine and told her that I have an important matter to her, I have to disguise myself in front of Mr. Born to be able to get into the mansion.
“Is that so? Well then, come in.” He smiled, although I can sense that he was still curious about the traveling bag that I have. Yeah, by the way, I took the clothes that the big boss bought for me. This is also enough for me to wear while I am here in the mansion.
“Mr. Born, don't be confused by my traveling bag. I'm traveling after meeting with Miss Celestine.” I explained first, even without being asked. Defensive maybe. Well, I don't care. What matters to me is that I am already here, and I will do my best to stay here, even for one or two months.
I slowly walked towards the maid’s quarters and looked for Miss Celestine. This time of the day, she sure is already resting at her quarters. She doesn't do a lot of things in this house; she only has to make sure that it is clean and serves the employer when he comes here because he doesn't usually live here. good for her because she had those rare moments of serving the employer and met him several times. I also wonder why this mansion doesn't have a single picture of that employer. I have long been so curious about what he looks like.
“Oh, come here. Come here…” Miss Celestine quickly pulled me to her room and locked the door worriedly. I understood her expression because I was surprised. We've met several times here. We have been friends already, although she is five years older than me- she is already 27.
“Miss Celestine, I'm really so sorry for coming here, surprisingly. I don't have anywhere to go.” I started to explain, then cleared my throat before I continued because I can see that she is waiting for further explanations. “You see, my parents were forcing me to get married to a big boss that I haven't met before. I don't even know what he looked like. I mean, it is so devastating and disgusting for parents to sell their child for money, right?” I couldn't hide my sorrow already.
“Oh, my poor lady. I'm so sorry that you have to go through that. But why would they do that? I mean, is your family bankrupt already?” She questioned while she was rubbing my back because my tears began to fall, and I couldn't hold it anymore.
“Their small business was long bankrupt already. That is why I always come here to help every summer. The worst thing is they have to sell me because their other daughter is going to study abroad. It is ironic right?” I held out a bitter smile.
“I didn't know that things like those also happen in this country. I mean, you see, this is a first world country, but parents send their other child abroad at the expense of the other.” I could sense that Miss Celestine feels sorry for me and I am grateful for that. At least I have found someone who understands me for this matter. “What is your plan now?” She continued.
“I don't know yet. I was thinking of coming to ask you how life is in your country. I mean in the Philippines, because if I will be given the chance, I'm thinking of going there to hide from the big boss who bought me.” I was straight forward about my intentions and as expected she was shocked.
“You must be kidding. You do not have any idea what kind of life we have in the Philippines. Well, I mean, although I know that you can survive their life in my car home countries far different from the life that you have been used to.”
I understood what Miss Celestine meant, but I also know that my research about the Philippines is so much enough for me to have had a good plan of living my life there. If there might be a difference, I know that it won't be that far from what I am expecting.
“Don't worry about the life that I will have to leave there. I promise that I will not bother you once you help me get through there.”
Before she was able to answer, we heard a knock outside her room. It was the gardener's voice we heard next.
“Miss Celestine, the boss is coming in 30 minutes… You have to get ready for his meal!”
We were both surprised by what we heard. What are we going to do?!
Not only me, but even me, Celestine was scared that her employer would arrive in 30 minutes. I cannot think of a way to help her make an alibi for my presence, so I slumped on the floor and held my head. My brain is so empty that I couldn't think of a solution.“OK. Your arrival is just in time. Anyway, since you didn't come last summer and I was not able to go home to the Philippines, I will tell my boss that you will be here in replacement for me. What do you think about that?” Miss Celestine suddenly suggested. That surprised me even more. If that's the case and our employer will agree to her, then that means that I couldn't go to the Philippines as well. And my very main purpose for hiding here is just to buy some time to live as soon as possible.“Madeline, tell me something… We have to go out and meet the sir once he arrives.” She urged me so I nodded abruptly. What can I do if I don't say yes rather than I will be sent out of this mansion, then I don't have any place to go.“OK
“Sir, please don't be mad at me. I decided without informing you, but of course, you still have the say in this matter. There is an emergency back home and I had to call Miss Madeline to substitute for me for three months because I have to go home. I hope that I get your approval.” Miss Celestine’s voice was shaking, but I know that she was used to the boss already, so she already knows how to speak with him in a convincing manner.“Even if you had to go home, who gave you the permission to choose on my behalf? I don't even know this woman.”The sir in front of us was a little bit frozen when he turned his gaze toward me. Our eyes met. I was frightened, so I quickly withdrew my eyes from him and stared at the floor, bowing my head. I am praying in my heart that he will agree for me to stay here. Miss Celestine has already taken the sacrifice of volunteering to leave for me. Although she has an important matter at home, I didn't expect her to lie about the emergency that she has to att
The first time he talked about my clothes, I was insulted. I know that I wear cheap clothes but look at him. Anyway, who am I to disagree with him? I am just a new employee who just signed a contract that I have not even read. Well, who knows if clothing is one of its contents of it? I'd better just shut it and not argue about it since he is my boss.I forced a smile and nodded as I finally stepped out of his study room. Only then that I was able to breathe freely. I calmed myself before I started to look for me, Celestine.“Over here!” She took my attention. Miss Celestine was seated in the garden area of the mansion. She was with a gardener, chatting, probably waiting for me. I walked fast to approach them, then sat beside her with a heavy heart.“How did it go?” She excitedly inquired, but I was in no mood to share what just happened. I didn't speak for a few moments then said with a frown afterward.“I signed the contract.”“Well, what was in the contract? Was he not joking that I
Miss Celestine quickly hugged me and walked away without looking back. I wiped my tears as I watched her walk away.This time facing the reality that I will be left alone with our arrogant boss of ours.“You're having a lot of dramas there. It's time to come here and be familiarized with my medication schedules.”I heard him. Yes, he was already instructing me to begin my work. I shrugged the idea of pitying myself, then walked upstairs where he was seated in his wheelchair staring at me. His eyes were too sharp looking at the prey. This is the reality and I have to accept it.When I was already standing in front of him, I waited for another instruction.“What are you looking at? Why don't you push me towards my bedroom?” He nailed it again this time. This man is the cruelest I’ve ever met in my entire life. Not to mention my father who sold me, of course, he was the very reason why I'm here right now!“I am sorry, Sir. It is just that I am not familiar with the things that I need to
I was very scared and confused but I tried to reach for his medicine to give him to drink. I easily positioned him before reaching for his pill."Please open your mouth, sir." Scared but I still ordered him.After he yawned and swallowed the medicine, he closed his eyes, and because I wasn't satisfied that the medicine would help him, I decided to call an ambulance."What are you doing?" Even though he was weak, he still managed to sneeze after noticing that I reached for my cell phone from my pocket."Ah, I was going to call an ambulance sir, we'll be surer when the doctors take a look at you," I answered with concern.He pulled one of my hands before speaking again. "Don't lead me on, wait ten minutes and I'll be fine. Don't ever take me to the hospital because I won't like it."Because of his scary look, I just nodded in obedience, I was nervous because after he told me, he closed his eyes again and didn't move. "Sir?" I patted him but he seemed to have lost consciousness. After a
Even though he is sick, he is undeniably handsome except for the fact that he doesn't know how to smile and always seems to be hot-headed."What are you just standing there? Are you going to stare at me only?""Sorry, sir.""Are you feeling okay, sir? Do you need anything?""I just want to drink water.""Okay sir, I'll take it. Sorry!"I immediately went down and got some water. My hands are still shaking. Why am I panicking, especially when the boss is looking at me?My gosh! Madeline, you will lose this job if you will not concentrate. Remember when you get kicked out of here you have nowhere to run and you will be seen by the person who bought you. This always plays on my mind."Here’s your water, sir.""You can go out," he answered.I just bowed and immediately went out. I walked into the garden to get some fresh air. I'm crazy thinking about what I should do especially since Celestine is not here to come with me. Suddenly, I thought of my family. I’m sure they will be angry
I'm already in my room, I'm really restless. I'm getting sweaty, why did I forget to change my clothes? It's really embarrassing huh! Will I be fired from my job? How am I, where am I going now considering that Celestine is not here yet so that someone can help me?I'm crying because I'm afraid that the person who bought me will see me when they kick me out of here. Why did I not change this short dress? Why did I still wear it? I didn't have a face to show them anymore so I just lay down and wrapped my whole body in my blanket. It's like I'm cold and I can't understand what I feel."My Gosh! Why can't I sleep? I hope they will not call me again and do anything to keep me from going out!" Suddenly she remembered Celeste. I called her to tell her what happened. Because the big boss might tell them what happened and suddenly send her back here, and they will kick me off here. I have nowhere to go when that happens. It's the end of my life! I told her that I didn't mean it so that she w
"Bring a tray outside, Madeline," Arnold ordered me. I wiped my hand before taking the tray from the center table. They said that the big boss has some friends who have come and they are in the pool area now. I wouldn't have gone out and pretended to be sick so he could avoid seeing them but they called me because they still had a lot to cook and there was no one to deliver to the pool. Everyone was busy so I went out to help. I walked through the backdoor of the kitchen that leads to the garden. From here I heard the laughter and conversation of the big boss's group. I noticed the woman next to him who was beautiful and had her arm around him. Maybe that's his girlfriend that he and Arnold were talking about yesterday. That's why they prepared for his arrival. When they saw me, they were silent for a moment and looked at me intently. I became more conscious that's why I was double careful with the tray and also with the walk I was doing. Like sir, his friends are also handsome. Ta