CHAPTER 3 — THE ARROGANT MASTER

THE MAID'S REVENGE

Written by SIGHWRITES

CHAPTER 3 — THE ARROGANT MASTER

Serene's Narration

There were three things I had learned since entering the Chaviz mansion.

First, Mrs. Clara could turn a simple mistake into a national emergency.

Second, Beverly Usaka believed the entire mansion existed to serve her.

And third, Aaron Chaviz was the most arrogant man I had ever met.

Unfortunately, I had to see him every single morning.

It was only my second day as a maid, and I was already questioning my life decisions.

I stood in front of the kitchen counter, staring at the breakfast tray.

One cup of black coffee. Two slices of toast. Scrambled eggs. And a glass of orange juice.

Apparently, the young master had a very specific breakfast routine.

"Serene!"

I nearly dropped the spoon.

Mrs. Clara appeared behind me.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Take this to the dining room. The young master is waiting."

I looked at the tray.

"Is he always this hungry?"

"Excuse me?"

"Nothing, ma'am."

She narrowed her eyes.

"Be careful. Mr. Aaron has an important business meeting today. He doesn't want to be disturbed."

I nodded.

"Understood."

"And don't spill anything."

I smiled.

"Of course, ma'am."

She gave me one final warning look before leaving.

I picked up the tray.

"Don't spill anything," I repeated quietly. "As if I'm planning to throw breakfast at him."

Then I walked toward the dining room.

The dining room was unusually quiet.

Aaron sat at the head of the table, looking through several documents on his laptop. His sleeves were rolled up, and his expensive wristwatch reflected the morning sunlight.

He didn't even look at me when I entered.

"Coffee."

I placed the cup beside him.

"Good morning to you too, sir."

He continued reading.

"You're late."

I glanced at the clock.

"It is exactly seven thirty, sir."

"I know how to read a clock."

"Wonderful. That saves us both some time."

His fingers stopped moving.

Slowly, he raised his eyes.

"What did you say?"

I immediately smiled.

"I said, wonderful morning, sir."

He stared at me for a moment before returning to his documents.

Strange man.

I placed his breakfast on the table and stepped back.

"Is there anything else you need, sir?"

"Silence."

I blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"Just leave."

I smiled politely.

"With pleasure."

I turned around.

Finally.

Peace.

Unfortunately, peace and Aaron Chaviz apparently did not belong in the same room.

"Wait."

I stopped.

"Yes, sir?"

"Where is my other file?"

I looked at the table.

"I wouldn't know, sir."

"You were the one who arranged the documents yesterday."

"I was assigned to clean the room, sir. Not organize your business files."

He leaned back.

"Then perhaps you should learn to follow instructions."

I smiled.

"Perhaps you should learn to keep your important things in the proper place."

Silence.

I could practically hear Mrs. Clara's future headache approaching.

Aaron slowly closed his laptop.

"Are you always like this?"

"Like what, sir?"

"Annoying."

I tilted my head.

"I was about to ask you the same question."

Before he could respond, another voice interrupted us.

"Good morning, lovebirds!"

I turned.

Adrian Chaviz Reyes entered the dining room, holding a piece of toast.

Aaron immediately frowned.

"Don't start."

Adrian grinned.

"I haven't even started."

He glanced at me.

"Good morning, Serene."

"Good morning, sir."

Then he looked at Aaron.

"Why does your face look like someone stole your favorite toy?"

"Get out."

Adrian laughed.

"See? Such a welcoming cousin."

I lowered my head to hide my smile.

This family was going to be entertaining.

THE COFFEE DISASTER

A few minutes later, Aaron returned to his business documents.

He had several expensive-looking papers spread across the dining table.

I was instructed to refill his coffee.

Simple task.

Pour coffee.

Place cup.

Leave.

Even a child could do it.

I approached the table with the coffee pot.

"More coffee, sir?"

Aaron didn't look up.

"Yes."

I carefully reached for his cup.

Unfortunately, my apron caught the corner of a chair.

I stumbled slightly.

The coffee pot tilted.

And before I could recover—

SPLASH!

Coffee spilled across the table, landing dangerously close to Aaron's documents.

I froze.

Aaron froze.

Adrian slowly lowered his toast.

For three seconds, nobody moved.

Then—

"WHAT THE HELL?"

Aaron immediately stood up.

"Are you out of your mind?"

I stared at the table.

A small amount of coffee had reached the edge of one document.

"Oh."

"Oh?" Aaron repeated.

I quickly placed the coffee pot down.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Do you know how important these documents are?"

I looked at the papers.

"They look important, sir."

His jaw tightened.

"These are confidential business documents!"

I picked up a napkin.

"Then perhaps they shouldn't be placed beside a coffee cup, sir."

His eyes widened.

"What?"

I pointed toward the table.

"The table, sir."

He looked at me.

"What about the table?"

I pressed my lips together, pretending to examine the surface.

"It seems unstable."

Silence.

Adrian covered his mouth.

I continued.

"Perhaps one of its legs is shorter than the others. I believe that's why the coffee moved."

Aaron stared at me as if I had just announced that the sky was green.

"You spilled the coffee!"

I nodded sympathetically.

"Yes, sir. But the table clearly contributed to the situation."

Adrian suddenly coughed.

It sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

Aaron turned toward him.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"You're laughing!"

"I'm not!"

Adrian turned away, his shoulders shaking.

I continued wiping the table.

"I'm very sorry, sir. I'll report the unstable table to maintenance."

"SERENE!"

I immediately straightened.

"Yes, sir?"

"Stop talking!"

I nodded.

"Understood, sir."

Adrian finally lost the battle and burst into laughter.

Aaron pointed at him.

"Get out of my dining room!"

Adrian grabbed another piece of toast.

"Gladly. I don't want to be the next victim of that dangerous table."

I almost laughed.

Aaron looked like he was one second away from losing his mind.

After the disaster, I was ordered to clean the remaining mess.

Aaron stood beside the table, checking his documents.

"Look at this!" he complained. "One of the pages is ruined!"

I leaned closer.

"It appears the damage is very small, sir."

"Small?"

"Yes, sir. You can still read it."

He slowly turned toward me.

"Do you want to lose your job?"

I looked genuinely surprised.

"Oh, no, sir. I need this job."

"Then start acting like someone who deserves it."

I lowered my head.

"Yes, sir."

He returned to his chair.

I continued cleaning.

A few moments later, he spoke again.

"What's your name?"

I looked up.

"Serene Santos, sir."

"How long have you been working here?"

"Two days, sir."

"Two days?"

"Yes, sir."

He rubbed his forehead.

"It feels like two years."

I smiled.

"Time flies when you're having fun, sir."

Adrian, who was still standing near the doorway, burst into laughter again.

Aaron threw him a warning look.

"Adrian!"

"Sorry! I'm leaving!"

And just like that, my morning became considerably more entertaining.

THE ARROGANT MASTER'S LITTLE PROBLEM

By lunchtime, I was arranging fresh flowers in the living room when Aaron approached.

I immediately stood straight.

"Good afternoon, sir."

He stopped in front of me.

"You're the new maid, right?"

I blinked.

"Yes, sir."

"Serene?"

"Yes, sir."

He nodded.

"Good. I need something."

"What is it, sir?"

"Bring me a glass of water."

I looked at the glass already sitting on the nearby table.

Then I looked at him.

"Sir?"

"What?"

"There's water beside you."

He glanced at the glass.

Then at me.

"I want fresh water."

"Of course, sir."

I picked up the glass and walked toward the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I returned with another glass.

"Here you go, sir."

He took it.

"Thank you."

I smiled.

"You're welcome."

He took a sip.

Then he frowned.

"Why is it cold?"

I looked at the glass.

"Because it's water, sir."

He stared at me.

I stared back.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then he sighed.

"Just go."

"Certainly, sir."

I turned around, hiding my smile.

Behind me, I heard him mutter something about needing a new maid.

Poor man.

He had no idea what was coming.

A QUESTION FROM ADRIAN

That evening, I was carrying a basket of clean towels upstairs when Adrian appeared beside me.

"Serene!"

I stopped.

"Yes, sir?"

He looked around before lowering his voice.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you hate my cousin?"

I nearly laughed.

"Why would you ask that?"

"Because I've never seen anyone survive three conversations with him without getting fired."

I adjusted the basket.

"Your cousin is a very... interesting person."

Adrian grinned.

"That's a polite way of saying he's unbearable."

I smiled.

"I didn't say that."

"But you were thinking it."

I remained silent.

He laughed.

"Don't worry. I won't tell him."

"Thank you, sir."

Adrian stepped aside to let me pass.

Then he suddenly added, "You know, I think he likes you."

I stopped walking.

"What?"

"Your ability to annoy him. It's impressive."

I shook my head.

"That's not something to be proud of, sir."

"Trust me. In this family, it is."

He walked away, laughing.

I continued upstairs.

Like Aaron would ever like someone like me.

I was here for revenge, not romance.

At least, that was what I kept telling myself.

THE FIRST WARNING

Later that night, I returned to my room and removed my headband.

I opened my notebook and reviewed the names and information I had collected.

The Chaviz family.

Their businesses.

Their connections.

And Raymond Baltazar.

I was about to close the notebook when my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

I opened the message.

Stop searching through the Chaviz family's past.

My expression changed.

Another message appeared.

Some secrets are better left buried.

I stared at the screen.

Whoever sent that message knew what I was doing.

I typed a reply.

WHO ARE YOU?

No response.

I placed my phone on the table and looked at my father's photograph.

"Someone is getting nervous, Papa."

I closed my notebook.

"Good."

But before I could turn off the light, another notification appeared.

This time, it was from an unknown email address.

There was only one sentence.

The Chaviz family is not the enemy you should be afraid of.

My smile slowly disappeared.

I read it again.

And again.

For the first time since entering the mansion, I wondered whether I had made a terrible mistake.

Meanwhile, somewhere inside the mansion, Aaron Chaviz was still looking at the damaged business document from breakfast.

He remembered the new maid's ridiculous excuse.

"The unstable table," he muttered.

He shook his head.

"Unbelievable."

Adrian, sitting across from him, grinned.

"You're thinking about her again?"

Aaron immediately looked up.

"Don't be stupid."

Adrian laughed.

"Sure, cousin. Whatever you say."

Aaron returned to his work.

But for some reason, he couldn't forget the irritating smile of the new maid.

And that was something he found even more annoying.

TO BE CONTINUED...