CHAPTER 1 — THE DELACRUZ HEIRESS

THE MAID'S REVENGE

Written by SIGHWRITES

CHAPTER 1 — THE DELACRUZ HEIRESS

Narrated by Serene Athena Delacruz

Twelve years.

Twelve years had passed, but I still remembered that night as if it had happened yesterday.

The rain. The screams. The flashing lights outside our mansion. And most importantly, the lifeless body of the only man who had ever made me feel safe.

My father.

I was only twelve when he died.

Back then, I was too young to understand why people suddenly stopped visiting our house, why my father's business partners disappeared, and why my mother refused to speak about what happened.

But I remembered one thing.

The name of the family my father had trusted.

Chaviz.

They took everything from us. At least, that was what I had believed for twelve years.

And now, I was finally ready to make them pay.

"Miss Serene, your car is ready."

I looked at the woman standing by my bedroom door.

"Thank you, Maria. You may leave."

She nodded before closing the door.

I turned toward the enormous mirror in front of me. A young woman stared back. Long black hair, sharp eyes, and a smile that could easily fool anyone.

To the public, I was Serene Athena Delacruz, the only daughter and heiress of the Delacruz family.

A woman with money, influence, and everything she could ever want.

But today, that woman would disappear.

On my bed lay a simple black dress with a white collar, a small white apron, and a pair of black shoes.

A maid's uniform.

I picked it up and examined it.

"Well," I whispered, "this should be interesting."

I placed the uniform inside my suitcase and opened the drawer of my bedside table. Inside was an old photograph of my father.

He was smiling.

I gently touched the photograph with my fingers.

"Just wait, Papa. I'm going to find out what really happened to you."

I placed it inside my handbag.

This was not a vacation.

This was the beginning of my revenge.

An hour later, I arrived at the Delacruz family office.

My personal assistant, Daniel, was already waiting with a folder in his hands.

"Good morning, Miss Delacruz."

"Good morning. Do you have everything?"

"Yes, ma'am. Your new identity, employment records, and references are all prepared."

He handed me the folder.

I opened it.

Name: Serene A. Santos.

Occupation: Household Maid.

I raised an eyebrow.

"Santos?"

"Is there a problem, ma'am?"

"Nothing. I just hope nobody asks me to explain why a woman with my face wants to become a maid."

Daniel looked at me.

"With all due respect, Miss, you don't look like someone who knows how to clean a room."

I slowly turned toward him.

"Excuse me?"

"I mean..."

"Daniel."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"If you want to keep your job, I suggest you stop talking."

He immediately lowered his head.

"Understood, ma'am."

I smiled.

Good. At least someone still knew how to behave.

"Now, tell me about the Chaviz family."

Daniel opened another folder.

"The Chaviz family owns several businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and real estate companies. The current head of the family is Mr. Sebastian Chaviz. His son, Aaron Chaviz, is expected to inherit the entire business empire."

"And the fiancée?"

"Miss Beverly Usaka. She comes from a wealthy family. Their engagement has been announced, although the wedding date has not been confirmed."

I nodded.

"Anything else?"

"Mr. Adrian Chaviz Reyes also lives in the mansion occasionally. He is Mr. Sebastian's nephew and Aaron's cousin."

I closed the folder.

"Interesting."

Daniel hesitated.

"Miss, are you sure about this? You don't have to enter their house personally. We can investigate from here."

I looked at him.

"Daniel, I've spent twelve years waiting for answers. I'm tired of waiting."

"But—"

"No more questions."

He became silent.

I stood up and fixed my blazer.

"From today onward, I am not Serene Delacruz."

I looked at my reflection one last time.

"I am just a maid."

The Chaviz mansion stood behind enormous iron gates.

It was even bigger than I expected.

A beautiful garden surrounded the property. There were expensive cars parked near the entrance, perfectly trimmed bushes, and a large fountain in the middle of the driveway.

The mansion looked like something taken straight from a magazine.

I stepped out of the car and stared at the building.

"So this is where my enemies live."

I adjusted my handbag.

"Not bad."

A middle-aged woman approached me.

"Are you the new applicant?"

I immediately changed my expression.

"Yes, ma'am. My name is Serene Santos."

"I am Mrs. Clara, the head housekeeper. Follow me."

"Yes, ma'am."

I followed her inside.

The interior was even more impressive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, expensive paintings decorated the walls, and polished marble floors reflected the light.

I almost laughed.

These people certainly knew how to spend money.

"Miss Santos?"

I blinked.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Are you listening?"

"Of course, ma'am."

"Then tell me what I just said."

I smiled awkwardly.

"That... the mansion is beautiful?"

Mrs. Clara sighed.

"Pay attention. You will be working here, not sightseeing."

"Sorry, ma'am."

I lowered my head.

If only she knew.

I had no intention of being a good maid.

At least, not yet.

Mrs. Clara showed me the kitchen, dining room, guest rooms, and staff quarters.

"Your responsibilities include cleaning, serving meals, and following the household schedule. Do you understand?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"One more thing. Avoid disturbing the young master."

"Which young master?"

"Mr. Aaron Chaviz."

I nodded.

"Is he difficult?"

Mrs. Clara looked at me as if I had asked something dangerous.

"Very."

I almost smiled.

"How unfortunate."

"Miss Santos!"

"Sorry, ma'am."

She continued walking.

I followed her upstairs, memorizing every hallway and every door.

Then we stopped in front of a large bedroom.

"This is Mr. Aaron's room. You are not allowed to enter without permission."

"Understood."

"And don't touch his personal belongings."

"Of course."

"Lastly, don't argue with him."

I tilted my head.

"Does he argue a lot?"

Mrs. Clara gave me a tired look.

"Just do your job."

I nodded obediently.

Inside my head, however, I had already made a different promise.

Let's see who gets tired first.

As we returned downstairs, a familiar voice suddenly echoed through the hallway.

"Where is my coffee?"

A tall man appeared near the staircase.

He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up, expensive trousers, and a wristwatch that probably cost more than an ordinary person's monthly salary.

His expression was cold.

His eyes moved toward Mrs. Clara.

"I asked for coffee twenty minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, sir. I will prepare it immediately."

He sighed before noticing me.

"Who's that?"

Mrs. Clara straightened her posture.

"This is Serene Santos, sir. Our new maid."

The man looked at me from head to toe.

I lowered my head.

"Good morning, sir."

He didn't answer immediately.

"New maid?"

"Yes, sir."

"Can she work?"

I slowly raised my eyes.

What a wonderful first impression.

Mrs. Clara quickly answered.

"Of course, sir."

Aaron looked at me again.

"What's your name?"

"Serene, sir."

"Just Serene?"

"Yes, sir."

He nodded toward the kitchen.

"Make me coffee."

Mrs. Clara immediately interrupted.

"Sir, she hasn't started her training yet."

"Then she can start now."

I smiled politely.

"Certainly, sir."

Aaron turned and walked away.

I watched him disappear around the corner.

Then I whispered under my breath.

"Arrogant."

Unfortunately, he stopped walking.

"What did you say?"

My eyes widened slightly.

I quickly smiled.

"I said, what an honor, sir."

He stared at me suspiciously.

"Really?"

"Of course, sir."

He shook his head and continued walking.

Mrs. Clara looked at me.

"Be careful with your words."

I nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

But the moment she turned away, I rolled my eyes.

Wonderful.

My first day hadn't even officially started, and I already wanted to resign.

That evening, I finally entered the small staff bedroom assigned to me.

I placed my suitcase beside the bed and locked the door.

The smile disappeared from my face.

I took out my father's photograph and placed it on the bedside table.

Then I opened the hidden compartment inside my suitcase.

A small collection of documents lay inside.

Old newspaper articles. Business records. Photographs. And a list of names.

At the top of the list was one name.

RAYMOND BALTAZAR.

I stared at it for a moment before looking at the Chaviz family photograph attached to the folder.

"Your time is coming," I whispered.

I still believed the Chaviz family was responsible for my father's death.

I had no idea that the evidence I had trusted for twelve years was carefully designed to deceive me.

I stood up and walked toward the small mirror.

Tomorrow, I would officially begin my work inside the Chaviz mansion.

Tomorrow, I would smile at the people I hated.

Tomorrow, I would serve the family I wanted to destroy.

And someday, I would make sure everyone involved in my father's death answered for what they had done.

I picked up the maid's uniform and placed it neatly beside my bed.

A small smile appeared on my lips.

"Good night, Miss Delacruz."

I switched off the light.

"Tomorrow, you're just a maid."