CHAPTER 6

The Alforque manor.

It seems like yesterday that I was inside there celebrating what was supposed to be one of the most unforgettable events in my life, and that was to be formally engaged to Matteo. But after all that they’ve done that night, that wonderful evening turns out to be my greatest nightmare.

It is all because of that traitor. Unfortunately, I just can’t remember the exact picture of that traitor. The traitor’s face is blurred every time I try to visualize it.

However, this isn’t the time to think about that traitor. If I can’t find the traitor quickly, I better warn my mother and my original self to avoid such faith ever coming to my present self again.

The Alforque manor was always secured with men back in the days, however, this time, it is entirely different. It seems odd to me that there are fewer guards stationed around the compound; given that the Alfoque should be increasing the level of security they have at this point. 

Especially after the incident that happened to the Silverstones, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they will add more people to double the security for the Alforques.

However, this loose security is still to my advantage. With this, I could easily sneak in and find my mother. 

Yes. My mother works for Alforques as a chef. She is well compensated here and Matteo’s mother is so fond of me that she insists I join her son at the same university where he goes at their expense.

At first, my mother refused the offer since she didn’t want to feel too indebted with the Alforques, but since she knew that I would certainly have a better life with the Alforques' plans, she eventually agreed for me to go to the same university as Matteo.

I can’t forget that ever since my mother and I moved into the Alforque manor to work,  my relationship with Matteo grew from being friends to lovers. And since Matteo’s mother likes me so much, it isn’t even hard to tell her about it. In fact, she looks forward eagerly to the day when Matteo and I begin dating.

To be honest, Matteo isn’t really as cold as he was when I last saw him. He used to be kind and loving, particularly to me. I knew the moment I saw him that he was my mate. And yet, for some kind of blame that I didn't even do, Matteo immediately discarded all of those memories that we had shared together despite the fact that it wasn't even my fault.

It is as if with one mistake, he can easily dispose of me, neglect me, and the most painful of all, reject me as his mate in front of everyone. He didn’t just hurt my feelings but he also stooped down on my ego and pride.

I can not forgive him for what he did to me. After I am able to lead my mother and my past self away from their paths, I will make sure to crash Matteo’s life and make him miserable too. Just as I'm getting closer to the manor, I'm also getting closer to both happy and sad memories associated with that place.

Even though Mrs. Alforque was very fond of me back then, I never took advantage of it. As a matter of fact, I always use the back gate of the manor whenever I come home. There are times when Matteo would insist I walk with him from the front, but I just don’t wish for other servants to get the wrong idea.

although that is still something that I can’t help with. As my relationship with Matteo grows, so does the envy in the eyes of my mother's co-workers. They often do her dirty work behind her back in exchange for the attention that the Alforques are giving us. 

At first, I paid them no attention. I am still hoping that they’ll soon realize that we didn’t force ourselves to be favored by the Alforques, but as time goes on, their attitudes worsen. And that was when I decided that perhaps it is finally time to step up and defend our side.

Although that didn’t go well, since after I told Matteo all about it, those servants were laid off from work the next day. And ever since then, my mother and I were treated fairly by the remaining servants.

I quickly snapped myself out of that recollection and immediately hurried my footsteps into the kitchen. If my recollection serves me correctly, my mother is probably already in the process of preparing the ingredients that she will use to cook for the Alforque's lunch around this time.

One of the things that I can’t simply forget is that my mother often asks me to help her in the kitchen around this time. I came inside the kitchen expecting to see my mother, but I just ended up being disappointed since she wasn’t even around.

That is very peculiar, considering that she ought to be in the kitchen right at this very minute. This makes me wonder about other things all of a sudden. Immediately, I went to our rooms to check on her and see if she was even there, but the door was apparently locked when I got there. 

I wonder if she eventually is out to buy something and that’s why she isn’t around the manor, especially the kitchen. Somehow, it’s really making me even more curious where she could be. 

As I was about to head for the exit, I heard the back door open. Since I am afraid of getting caught, I immediately hurried my footsteps inside the living area. My knees are shaking as I force myself to sneak inside and hide myself. 

I shouldn’t be doing this inside the Alforque manor. If they find out that I am here, they’ll surely kill me. I am well aware that the Alforques are kind to people who deserve their pity, but brutal to those who don't deserve their mercy.

Since I can still hear the footstep getting even more closer, I am stuck with no other option but to walk much further inside the manor. My only advantage here is that I’ve lived here before so I won’t get lost. I also know some secret rooms that can help me get out of here easily. Although at this point, I just have to make sure that whoever it is who just entered the kitchen is not my mother.

As the sound of footsteps draws closer, I am able to say with absolute certainty that the person approaching me is not my mother. The source of the footsteps is also whistling. And from the sound of the footsteps, it appears to be a man’s leather shoes. 

After hearing that, I really can’t be certain that I would be safe had I been found. Immediately after hearing the footsteps go on the other side opposite to my direction, I then swiftly went out from the large sofa set where I hid myself and stormed my way upstairs. 

If I can’t make my way to the next exit from the location the man went, perhaps I can just use the extra room upstairs. That room has a balcony and staircase that extends to the garden.

How can I forget the exact room from where I wore that sapphire gown as I climb down that staircase while everyone looks at me with fascination. Little did I know that is just for a show since all of them might possibly know of those false accusations on me.

As I help myself out of this manor, I simply realized what a big mess my reckless decision cause me right now. For sure, Klen and Taylor are already loosing their minds trying to find where I have gone to.

That’s why I am trying my best not to get caught. For some reason, the appearance of the hallway and even interior colors are different from the present time. It’s making me a little confused where exactly is that particularly room that has the balcony.

I am supposed to be planning on checking the doors silently one by one but immediately have to abandon that plan after hearing another footsteps coming up here. 

Just when all the footsteps stop coming to scare the hell out of me?

I had no choice but immediately hide inside the room infront of me. I just need to hide here for a while until the hallway is free from that footsteps again. But as I turn around to look into the room, my eyes widened in disbelief after seeing it…