CHAPTER 4 — A MAID'S LITTLE REVENGE

THE MAID'S REVENGE

Written by SIGHWRITES

CHAPTER 4 — A MAID'S LITTLE REVENGE

Serene's Narration

If I thought Aaron Chaviz was the biggest problem inside this mansion, I was terribly mistaken.

There was someone worse.

Beverly Usaka.

Beautiful, wealthy, well-dressed, and apparently allergic to seeing other people happy.

I had only known her for a few days, but I was already convinced that her favorite hobby was making other people's lives miserable.

Unfortunately for her, she had chosen the wrong maid.

It was eight in the morning when I entered the living room carrying a tray of freshly prepared tea.

Beverly was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through her phone.

"You're late," she said without looking at me.

I glanced at the wall clock.

Eight exactly.

"Good morning, ma'am."

She finally looked up.

"I didn't ask you to greet me. Put that there."

I placed the tray on the table.

"Would you like anything else, ma'am?"

She examined the teapot.

"Is this how you serve tea?"

I looked at the tray.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then you clearly need more training."

I smiled politely.

"Thank you for the advice."

Her eyebrows immediately pulled together.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Oh, no, ma'am. I would never."

She stared at me for a moment before taking her cup.

I quietly stepped backward.

"Wait."

I stopped.

"Yes, ma'am?"

Beverly pointed toward the curtains.

"Those are dirty. Clean them."

I looked at the enormous curtains covering the windows.

"All of them?"

"Do you see anyone else here?"

I smiled.

"Of course, ma'am."

She returned to her phone.

I walked away, carrying my cleaning supplies.

What a lovely woman. I hope she has a wonderful day.

I smiled to myself.

Preferably far away from me.

THE FIRST LITTLE TRAP

An hour later, I was cleaning the guest hallway when Mrs. Clara called me.

"Serene! Come here!"

I hurried downstairs.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Miss Beverly is looking for her diamond bracelet."

I blinked.

"Her bracelet?"

"Yes. She says she left it in the living room yesterday, but now it's missing."

I nodded.

"How can I help?"

"She wants you to check the cleaning area. She suspects someone moved it."

Before I could answer, Beverly appeared.

"There you are!"

She approached me with an irritated expression.

"Did you touch my bracelet?"

I looked at her.

"No, ma'am."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She crossed her arms.

"Because I remember seeing you near the living room yesterday."

"I was cleaning the tables, ma'am."

"Exactly!"

I tilted my head.

"Exactly what, ma'am?"

"Don't play innocent with me."

Mrs. Clara looked uncomfortable.

I lowered my head.

"I'm sorry if I caused any inconvenience, but I didn't take anything."

Beverly gave me a suspicious look.

"Then you won't mind if we check your things."

I smiled.

"Of course not, ma'am."

She seemed surprised by my answer.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Clara checked my small locker.

Nothing.

My handbag.

Nothing.

My uniform pockets.

Still nothing.

Beverly's expression became increasingly frustrated.

"That's impossible!"

I looked at her innocently.

"Is something wrong, ma'am?"

She ignored me and walked toward the living room.

I followed quietly.

Then, as she approached the sofa, something shiny caught my attention.

A diamond bracelet was lying beneath one of the decorative pillows.

I pointed at it.

"Ma'am, is that yours?"

Everyone turned.

Beverly immediately picked it up.

Her face changed.

"Oh. There it is."

I smiled.

"How wonderful! I'm glad we found it."

She looked at me suspiciously.

I continued.

"Perhaps it fell beneath the pillow yesterday."

Mrs. Clara nodded.

"That must be it."

Beverly pressed her lips together.

I lowered my head.

"Would you like me to clean the sofa again, ma'am?"

"No!"

I blinked.

"Okay, ma'am."

I turned away with the sweetest smile I could manage.

One point for the maid.

Zero for Beverly.

THE WRONG WOMAN TO MESS WITH

By lunchtime, I was helping arrange the dining table when Beverly entered.

She was speaking to someone on the phone.

"Yes, I know. I don't care how much it costs. I want the dress delivered today."

She ended the call and noticed me.

"You!"

I turned.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Bring my shopping bags from the entrance."

"Certainly."

I walked toward the entrance and returned with three large bags.

She pointed toward the sofa.

"Put them there."

I followed her instructions.

Then she handed me another bag.

"Take this upstairs."

I accepted it.

"And be careful. Those things are expensive."

I nodded.

"Of course, ma'am."

As I turned around, she deliberately dropped a small box onto the floor.

"Oh!"

I stopped.

She looked at the box.

"Look what you've done!"

I stared at her.

"Ma'am?"

"My bracelet!"

I looked at the box, then at her.

She pointed an accusing finger at me.

"You damaged it!"

I slowly bent down and picked up the box.

I opened it.

Inside was a beautiful bracelet, perfectly placed on its cushion.

I examined it carefully.

"Ma'am, I don't think it's damaged."

She snatched the box from my hands.

"Don't tell me what to think!"

I nodded.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

She looked satisfied.

"Next time, be more careful."

"Yes, ma'am."

I walked away.

But just before I reached the hallway, I heard another voice.

"What's happening here?"

Aaron.

I turned around.

He was standing near the staircase, looking between Beverly and me.

Beverly immediately changed her expression.

"Nothing, darling. Your maid was being careless again."

Aaron looked at me.

"Again?"

I lowered my head.

"I'm sorry, sir."

He sighed.

"What happened?"

Beverly quickly answered.

"She almost damaged my bracelet."

Aaron looked at the box.

"Is it damaged?"

Beverly hesitated.

"No, but—"

"Then what's the problem?"

She opened her mouth.

Nothing came out.

I quietly looked at the floor.

It was becoming increasingly difficult not to smile.

Aaron turned toward me.

"Just be careful next time."

"Yes, sir."

Then he looked at Beverly.

"And please stop making a scene over everything."

Beverly's eyes widened.

"Excuse me?"

Aaron walked away without answering.

I followed him with my eyes.

Interesting.

Perhaps the arrogant master wasn't completely useless.

THE COUSIN WHO NOTICED EVERYTHING

Later that afternoon, I was arranging flowers near the staircase when Adrian approached.

"Serene!"

I turned.

"Good afternoon, sir."

He leaned against the wall.

"I heard you had another exciting morning."

I sighed.

"Do you have cameras everywhere, sir?"

He laughed.

"No. But news travels fast in this mansion."

I continued arranging the flowers.

"Then I hope the news includes how hardworking I am."

"Oh, definitely. It also includes how you somehow manage to irritate everyone."

I smiled.

"That's a talent, sir."

Adrian laughed.

Then his expression became curious.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why does Beverly seem to dislike you so much?"

I shrugged.

"Maybe she doesn't like my face."

Adrian studied me.

"That's a strange reason."

"People have strange preferences, sir."

He laughed again.

"You're something else, Serene."

Before he could say anything more, Aaron appeared behind him.

"Adrian."

Adrian turned.

"Oh, hello, cousin."

"Why are you bothering the staff?"

"I'm having a conversation."

"Find someone else to talk to."

Adrian looked at me and smiled.

"See? This is why I enjoy talking to you. You're much more entertaining than him."

Aaron rolled his eyes.

"Go away."

Adrian raised both hands.

"Fine, fine."

He walked away, leaving Aaron and me alone.

Aaron looked at the flowers.

"Are you finished?"

"Almost, sir."

"Then bring them to the dining room."

"Yes, sir."

He started walking away, then suddenly stopped.

"And Serene?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Don't let Beverly intimidate you."

I looked at him.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

Then I smiled.

"I'll remember that, sir."

He nodded and left.

I stared after him.

Was that concern?

I shook my head.

Impossible.

A LITTLE REVENGE

That evening, Beverly returned to the living room with a terrible mood.

She had apparently discovered that her favorite designer dress had not arrived on time.

And naturally, she decided that it was everyone's fault.

"Where is my tea?"

I approached her with a tray.

"Here, ma'am."

She took the cup.

Then she looked at me.

"Did you clean my bedroom?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"And arrange my wardrobe?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. Then why is my favorite dress missing?"

I blinked.

"Which dress, ma'am?"

"The red one!"

I remembered seeing it earlier.

"It was sent to the laundry this morning, ma'am."

Her expression changed.

"What?"

"Mrs. Clara instructed us to send the clothes for washing."

Beverly stood up.

"Who gave you permission to touch my clothes?"

I lowered my head.

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I was only following instructions."

She looked furious.

"You're incompetent!"

I nodded.

"I'll try to do better."

She grabbed her handbag.

"Don't think this is over."

I smiled politely.

"Have a wonderful evening, ma'am."

She walked away.

The moment she disappeared, I finally allowed myself to smile.

I hadn't done anything wrong.

But I had learned something important.

Beverly was easy to provoke.

And if she wanted to play games, I was perfectly capable of playing along.

THE SECRET BEHIND THE DOOR

It was almost midnight when I finally finished my work.

I was walking toward the staff quarters when I noticed a small light coming from the study.

The door was slightly open.

I stopped.

Mr. Sebastian's study was usually locked at night.

I slowly approached and glanced inside.

Nobody was there.

But something on the desk caught my attention.

An old photograph.

I stepped closer.

My heart suddenly began beating faster.

It was my father.

Standing beside Mr. Sebastian Chaviz.

And beside them was Raymond Baltazar.

I stared at the photograph.

Why were they together?

I reached for it, but before my fingers could touch the frame, I heard footsteps behind me.

"Looking for something?"

I quickly turned around.

Aaron stood at the doorway.

His expression was unreadable.

I immediately lowered my head.

"No, sir. I was just checking if the room needed cleaning."

He glanced at the photograph.

Then back at me.

"At midnight?"

I swallowed.

"I couldn't sleep, sir."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You're a very strange maid."

I smiled nervously.

"Thank you, sir."

He shook his head.

"Go to bed, Serene."

"Yes, sir."

I walked past him, trying to keep my expression calm.

But my mind was already racing.

My father.

Raymond Baltazar.

The Chaviz family.

There was something connecting all of them.

And I was going to find out what it was.

As I reached the end of the hallway, I heard Aaron call my name.

"Serene."

I turned.

"Yes, sir?"

He looked at me for a moment.

"Stay away from my father's study."

I forced a smile.

"Of course, sir."

Then I continued walking.

I had entered this mansion to destroy a family.

TO BE CONTINUED...