Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Lisa’s POV

“Hurry up, Lisa!” our head maid’s voice rang through the hallway.

Dragging my tired self down the stairs, I sighed. I had just finished cleaning the last room—Master’s bedroom. In my rush to move on to my next task, I bumped straight into my best friend and fellow maid, Clara.

She had that mischievous grin on her face again. Not this time, I groaned inwardly. Clara always found a way to get us into trouble. I opened my mouth to give her a piece of my mind, but Madam Mary, the head maid, stepped in before I could say a word.

“Oh, come on, both of you! There’s no time to waste. The master will be here soon!”

Picking up our cleaning supplies, we hurried off to complete our tasks.

Speaking of the master… It’s been two years since I started working at the De Ford mansion, yet I’ve never met Mr. Ford. Still, I’ve heard plenty about him—thanks to Clara and the other maids. Not a single day passes without them singing praises about how handsome and attractive he is. Honestly, it’s starting to hurt my innocent ears. You wouldn’t believe the kinds of things these girls say about the master.

It’s been a hectic week for everyone since the announcement of his arrival. We’ve all been on edge—nobody wants to get on the master’s bad side. They say he’s cold, ruthless, and only ever softens up around his wife. Apparently, they were betrothed since childhood. He must really love her.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a gossip—it’s just that news travels fast. There’s so much said about Mr. Ford that even I have grown curious to see him with my own eyes. Just out of curiosity, of course. I’m not one of his fan girls. He’s married. Off-limits. But I still wonder why the other maids keep throwing themselves at him.

I also wonder why he never visits the mansion. I know he’s a busy man, but this place holds his childhood memories. If it were me, I’d never stop coming back.

I miss my parents—especially my dad. I hope he gets better soon. My mom is the strongest woman I know. She’s been taking care of both of us ever since the accident that almost took my dad’s life. She never talks about it, but I heard he tried to save his boss and the boss’s wife. I’ve always wished I knew the full story.

Two years ago, when I told Mom I wanted to work and support the family, she was so upset. She wanted me to focus on school. Believe me, I want that too. But how can I, when we have bills piling up? I just pray Dad recovers soon. When he does, I’ll go back to school. I have to.

Now that I think of her, I should call her after work today.

Working here has been a blessing. It’s so peaceful—sometimes too peaceful, almost boring. But I appreciate the calm. It gives me time to be with Clara, my best friend. She’s sweet, beautiful, and always has my back like an older sister. Well, she is a year older than me.

Though she often gets us in trouble with Madam Mary, I end up taking the blame. Still, life with Clara is fun. But deep down, I’ve always craved something more. A little adventure. And now, with the master on his way, I have a strange feeling that things are about to change.

It excites me... and terrifies me at the same time.