Beneath shattered glass

Helen's POV

I stood still, nodding to every command and apologizing to every reprimand. Shattering sounds echoed through the hallway—it had to be Mena. No one else threw tantrums like that.

My wounded foot did me no pity as I ran up the stairs.

Pushing my way through, I couldn’t believe my eyes. The room I’d arranged perfectly a while ago was shredded into a mess. Shattered perfume bottles and vases all over the place.

What the hell?

And there she was—Mena.

Sitting still like nothing happened. Like she didn’t just waste hours of my hard work.

I got this job three days ago, which was perfect for me—until I met her. Mrs. Hartley is a warm-hearted woman, no big deals or reprimands from her. But Mena? It seems she’s a weapon fashioned against me.

When Lisa gave me a breakdown of each of the Hartleys’ wants and needs, I found Mena’s expectations quite dreadful.

Started with a shattered teacup, then shattered mirrors. Who is she anyway?

Her words were like a two-edged sword, but I dared not respond.

Why? Because I needed this job. Ashley needs it—for tuition and other college expenses.

My gaze locked into hers, like I could pierce her soul—I wish I could.

Maybe knock in some manners into that pretty head of hers.

“Why are you standing there? Clean up this mess,” she said.

Wow! So she knows it’s a mess—and still didn’t hesitate to make it.

I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rage building inside of me.

You need this job to survive—not just you, Ashley depends on this, a subtle voice in my head reminded me.

Urgh.

I let out a loud breath and walked in carefully, avoiding the shattered glass scattered everywhere.

My foot was already injured from the fragments of the teacup she threw—and now this.

Each step was a step into a trap. The glass edges stuck up dangerously. I grabbed her dustbin and picked up each piece carefully. She sat there watching me with eyes like a hawk.

I actually wonder if Mrs. Hartley truly gave birth to this girl. Her character is out of this world—she saw everyone beneath her as slaves.

Now I understand why the former housekeeper in my position resigned.

But I won’t.

I won’t let her mannerless attitude remove food from my mouth.

Soon, I was done picking up the glass, leaping all through the place, cleaning and arranging—just as I did hours ago.

I left her room with the trash bin in my hand. I was a few steps down the stairs when I bumped into Lisa.

“Miss Mena, right?” she probed.

“Of course.”

“Sorry about that. You just have to endure for a while,” she encouraged.

Definitely, I have to. If not for anything, then for Ashley.

I gave a curt nod in response to her encouragement.

“Mrs. Hartley asked to see us when she returns from the book club. Please take a rest and have something to eat before then,” she added.

“Yes, I will. Thank you.”

I leaped out to the general garbage bin and disposed of the trash.

Fuck.

I had to return the trash can to Mena’s room—urgh.

Just as I was about to head back upstairs, I ran into Zara—another house worker.

She’s a sweet lady. She took the bin from me and let me go take some rest when she noticed my limping.

And with that, I headed to the workers’ cottage behind the mansion, to my room, and freshened up to rest.

The day wasn’t over yet, but the weight of tiredness I felt was like I’d worked the entire day.

I took the opportunity to glance through my phone and saw a message from Ashley.

"Hey big sis. Thank you so much for the funds." Followed by a heart emoji. "I'll call you later. I have classes soon."

A sense of satisfaction filled my heart.

She’s all I have left, and taking care of her is my top priority.

Our parents died years ago while I was still in college. My college fees were barely paid—we came from a poor background.

I tried to get menial jobs to support myself and my mom’s family, but none came through. Everyone wanted a graduate for some reason. And the housekeeping job I applied for was full-time, which I couldn’t manage due to college.

My mom was a housekeeper and my dad a taxi driver. They could barely keep up with bills and ended up in debt.

Thinking about all this brought tears to my eyes.

One day, while I was in school, I received a call from a strange number saying my parents had been in an accident and were rushed to Saint Charles Hospital.

My heart skipped a beat. My ears buzzed. Trying to process the information, I ran to the hospital—just a few streets away, since I had no transport fare.

By the time I got there, my parents were pronounced dead.

From that day, my struggle in life doubled. Debts closed in fast.

I had to drop out of college to get a job. I found one as a bartender. The pay was little, but it fed me and Ashley for days.

Rent was overdue, and the landlord threatened to kick us out in a few weeks. I then had to borrow money from my boss at the bar, who gave an ultimatum—nine hundred dollars for a night with him.

After much deliberation, seeing how choiceless I was, I gave in.

He paid as promised. The money was enough to clear the rent and debts.

But it didn’t stop there.

My boss kept demanding intimacy, even refusing to pay my salary. I was frustrated. Then Ashley got admitted to college.

I couldn’t let her dreams slip away, and I couldn’t continue as Ryker’s sex puppet. When I saw the job vacancy here at the Hartleys, I didn’t hesitate to apply.

The approval wiped off shame from our faces. The pay—five thousand dollars a month—was a turnaround. Plus accommodation.

I took care of Ashley’s needs and managed myself.

I’d be damned to let Mena’s mannerless attitude get to me.

A subtle knock came on my door. I quickly got up and opened it.

It was Lisa.

“Mrs. Hartley is back, and she wants to see us now,” she informed.

I nodded and wore my loafers, heeling up with Lisa and the other workers.

Mrs. Hartley was seated in the mansion’s living hall. Her legs crossed. Lisa served her favorite tea and plain biscuits to complement.

“Good day, ma’am,” we all greeted, bowing our heads slightly.

“Good day,” she responded. “My son, Sebastian, is returning home today—at noon. And I want everything done to perfection. You’ve all done a great job so far, and I must commend you.”

Sebastian is coming home?

My cheeks fluttered.

I’d searched him up previously after Lisa gave me the rundown of the Hartleys.

He was away on business when I was hired. Now he’s coming home.

“You all can continue your work now,” she dismissed. “Lisa, stay behind,” she ordered.

The rest of us left to continue with our tasks—even though I didn’t have any at the moment.

I’d cleaned his room yesterday. It was spotless. But still, I went in to check for any missed shifts.

I entered the room—nothing was wrong. Everything in place. His room exuded pure aura.

He didn’t have pictures up, though, but the serenity of the decor was impressive.

Dark blue chairs and bedframe, white mirrored vanity. His closet was magnificent.

Clothes of different brands. Suits and tuxedos in perfect order. Designer shoes.

Oh my.

I left the room to help with other tasks, heading downstairs.

“Helen!” Mrs. Hartley called out to me.

“Yes, ma’am?” I answered.

“How’s your foot?” she asked—ever so caring.

“It’s fine, ma’am,” I answered.

“You can take a few days off to recover,” she offered.

Nah. I didn’t need days off.

It was just a slight cut beneath my foot. And besides, what would I do with time off?

Mena’s college is full-time. I paid for her to stay in the hostel to cut down on taxi costs. Every dollar counted.

Besides, rent would be a waste when I have accommodation here.

“No ma’am, I don’t need days off,” I replied.

“Alright, if you say so,” she said.

I gave a curt nod and went to the kitchen to help with the meal being prepared.

Lisa is the head housekeeper and chef.

Her meals are always delicious.

Mrs. Hartley had us workers eat almost the same meals served at the mansion.

Lisa handled everything—and she’s perfect at it.

She was making chicken curry, vegetable rice, and grilled steak with gravy for the lunch welcome. The aroma already filled the kitchen, making my stomach growl.

I took the vegetables and washed them, ready for chopping.

While chopping, my thoughts wandered to Sebastian Hartley. The mysterious heir of the Hartley Empire. All I knew were pictures online and Lisa’s brief rundown: intimidating, ambitious, rarely smiled, and didn’t tolerate incompetence.

According to the handbook, Sebastian didn’t have much of a problem—unlike Mena, the storm.

By the time the food was ready and served on the long, elegant dining table, footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Sharp. Calculated.

I stepped out of the kitchen slowly, wiping my hands on a towel.

And then—I saw him.

Sebastian Hartley.