Chapter 1

I was seven years old when we came to the Villareal's' mansion. Mama worked as a maid for the Villareal couple's child. As an only child, my mother took me with her because no one would take care of me if she left me alone at home. 

Unfortunately, my father abandoned us. He ran away from his responsibility when he got my mother pregnant, causing us to be left by ourselves. My mother raised me independently, and because we were impoverished... she has to work hard for us to survive. 

It took several years before she found a decent and permanent livelihood. She was hired as a maid of one of the most affluent family here in our country. What I've heard was that the couple are prominent doctor and businessman whom would be my mom's master. 

I remembered how speechless I was as we entered in an extravagant and enormous mansion. It was the first time I had seen such a house. As we reached inside the mansion, I could only cling to my mom's cloth while she held my other wrist, afraid that I could break any of the homeowner's entities. All the things here are eminently luxurious that even if my life is an expenditure, it is not sufficient to reimburse for any of those.

Lengthy gold curtains on the oversized windows, I am inquisitive to know how it was placed in such a position... The chandeliers above are luminous and pompous. I tightened my grip on my mother because I was afraid it might drop and we would be crushed by it immediately. In the middle, there is a long and elegant staircase made of beautiful concrete. 

You can hear the sound of heels being worn by a sophisticated woman as she descends the long stairs. She is glamorous, and I assume that she's just the same age as my mom. She was wearing a white dress that was wrapped around her emaciated body. A white and neat coat that was always worn by the doctors I always saw on the television hung on her delicate wrist.

"What are you doing here?" the woman stopped as she glanced at the direction we were standing. Her demeanor was formal, but her voice was cold as if it came from the depths.

 

My mother flinched as she heard the woman's powerful voice. Even I, was startled.

"I... I just want to implore something, madame... if is it okay for my daughter to stay here while I'm working for your—"

"I don't care as long as your daughter won't do something stupid here," the woman cut her words off as she took a glance at me once. That made me hide behind my mom's torso because of the intimidation I've felt from the woman. 

"You can count on me, señyora. Thank you for your consideration," my mother uttered with a bow.

Señyora walked and passed us. "But it doesn't indicate that it's free. If you prefer your daughter to stay here longer, she must begin helping," she said finally before exiting the big passage of the mansion. 

Mom's grip tightened on my shoulder. I couldn’t understand what the woman meant, but I felt how my mother became upset by the last thing she said.

_

We are at the maid headquarters and mama is currently talking to me. She's currently informing me the do's and don'ts here in the mansion. 

"Tiarra, you can help with the chores here, right?" she asked softly as she brushed my long black hair. I stared at her face. Concern was evident on her expression. 

"Sure, mama. I'm used to housework." Mom smiled at my answer. Tears dripped from her eyes abruptly. Before I could speak she already pulled me closer and hugged me tightly. "Tiarra, I'm really sorry... I couldn't give you a good life..." her voice cracked as she spoke those words. 

I was perplexed.

"W..What do you mean about that, mama? As long as I'm with you, I'm already content with it," I uttered with a serious expression. My mother let out a soft laugh. She touched my cheeks and kissed my nose. 

"You should be careful here, Tiarra. If you can, don't touch the things they possess. Remember our hands are unpleasant, they do not want to get stain from us. Do you understand what I'm trying to say, sweetheart?" Although confused, I nodded at her with determination.

 

Our hands are unpleasant? They don’t want to get stain from us? Does she mean I can’t touch the things here and even the people we would serve? It's not that difficult to do though... Even if my mom doesn't say so, I won't approach them myself. They think too little of us, so if probable... I would certainly avoid them myself.

_

 

A few days have passed and I was only staying in the maid quarters. I began helping the gardener, Sir Jude. Sometimes I even water the plants here in the garden of the mansion. It's just really an easy task to do. It's not really that tough. In fact, the life that mama and I used to have is even more complicated than this life we have presently. 

"How old are you, little girl?" the old man asked me. 

"Seven," I answered sparingly.

"You are the same age as Señor and Señyora's son." I stopped watering the plant and glanced at him because of what I've heard. 

"Why can't I see him? Does he even come out of his room?" I asked one question after another. I couldn't see our boss' son. I always heard his name but I couldn't remember due to the fact that it is complicated to pronounce. 

The old man laughed at me.

"The boss' son only came out of his room once in a blue moon. He is always in his own room. Our Master Luxious really doesn't want to be disturbed..." 

So it is Luxious, huh? That's his name... Very nice to listen to. His name comes off wealthy as him. Pretty cool too!

"Many have given up on his behavior though. Many maids had stopped working and had no choice but to leave here in the mansion because of him." The old man chuckled and glanced at me with his strange smile. "Your mother is actually unbelievable. She seems brave to stay here longer than expected. It happens very often, you know? Young master's former maids retired immediately." Sir Jude smiled bitterly.

I was completely stunned hearing those.

_

I looked for my mom and I immediately found her in the dirty kitchen. I looked down at her uniform and saw the food stain on it. There's also a wound on her finger. I was even more worried to see how swollen my mom's eyes were. Seems like she was crying. 

When she noticed me, she was immediately confused as she approached me. "What are you doing here, Tiarra?" she asked calmly. 

"What happened to you, mama?" My gaze dropped on what she is wearing. 

"Ah..." She looked down on her clothes. "The food just dropped on my clothes while working. Do you need anything?" I shook my head. I stared at her seriously. She is obviously fabricating a lie!

"I'll just change my clothes, you should come back outside..." she said before walking and went inside the maid quarter. 

I remained where I was. Suddenly I heard voices, they came off panicking. 

"Tiarra's here!"

"Tiarra!" called Linda, one of the maids here in the mansion. 

"What's the matter?" I asked, confused by their behavior.

"Where's your mother?! Shit! Sir Luxious has been looking for her already!" 

"My mother is changing. What does the boy need?" Suddenly someone pulled me over and handed me the glass of water. I stared at it, more puzzled.

"T..Tiarra, after all, your mother isn't here yet and there's only you— The young master might be bored waiting, we'll be fired if he becomes impatient! W..Why don't you give this to him instead? Please..." Jenna, also one of the maids, implored me.

My forehead furrowed. They pushed me and pointed to the door on the second floor. "That's his room. You need to knock three times first, is that clear?" Jenna told me. I don't understand why they are frightened to give this simple glass of water to a little kid. But it seems like what Sir Jude said was true... Luxious behavior might be really terrible and that's the reason why the housemates are fearful of him. 

I nodded at them and walked up the stairs. I carried the glass as I knocked three times on his bedroom door — just as they had ordered me.

"Come in," an unfamiliar voice spoke.

I was stunned for a second before I turned the doorknob and immediately entered the room. 

In an instant, something sticky poured out on me. I closed my eyes and stiffened, still holding on tightly to the glass I'm holding. When I opened my eyes, I immediately saw the red paint on the floor. My hair was wet; even the clothes I'm wearing. The paint feels... really sticky and uncomfortable.

The red paint mixed the water in the glass I was carrying. Looks like someone really plotted this circumstance... 

A roar of laughter escaped from someone's mouth. I looked at where it came from and was immediately stunned when I found who it was. 

His grin vanished instantly when his eyes met mine. We both stared at each other for a few seconds before he speak. 

"Oh..." He tilted his head as he stared at me, analyzing my face. "New face? So who are you?" the boy asked without any hint of sentiment on his face. 

Sir Jude is indeed right. It seems like we have the age. We also have the same height. His blonde hair was kinda long that a few strands of it almost blocked his strange-colored eyes. His skin was more fair. His nose is pointed, lips are glossy red. 

He looks like an angel came from above and was sent in this world to make someone's life a living hell.

"What are you doing here? As I foresee, you're not supposed to be in my room." He put both of his hands in the pocket of his black hoodie. I can’t help but be irritated just by his guise.

Also, he is very calm as if he didn't do anything improper!

I'm not supposed to be here, huh?  "Who do you think that should be here then?" I asked and eyed him sharply. 

"Hmm?" He beamed. "Who else? My slaves of course— Oh? Perhaps you're one of them that's why you are here?"

He walked closer to me, staring at me as if there was something interesting on my face.

A sarcastic laugh came from him. "You look exactly like a slave." He smirked boyishly.

This little... swine.

Without hesitation, I splashed the water inside the glass I'm holding into his face.

He didn't move from his position. He didn't even flinch. He kept his gaze on the ground, watching the water dripping from his face that I had splashed into him. 

Then he turned his attention back to me. His apathetic eyes went intense and ferocious. It completely astounded me for a second. He looks quite unusual.

No doubt.

This boy might be a devil in disguise.

Our first encounter was just a normal childish bickering, after that it went abruptly lethal.