CHAPTER 5 — THE CURIOUS COUSIN

THE MAID'S REVENGE

Written by SIGHWRITES

CHAPTER 5 — THE CURIOUS COUSIN

Serene's Narration

There were many things I could tolerate about the Chaviz mansion.

The expensive furniture, the endless household chores, Aaron's unreasonable demands, and Beverly's daily attempts to make my life miserable.

But there was one person I was beginning to find particularly troublesome.

Adrian Chaviz Reyes.

Unlike his arrogant cousin, Adrian was friendly, funny, and always smiling. Unfortunately, he was also observant.

Too observant.

And I had a feeling that he was starting to notice things about me that I would rather keep hidden.

"Good morning, Serene!"

I looked up from the kitchen counter.

There he was again.

"Good morning, sir."

Adrian leaned against the counter and grabbed an apple from the fruit basket.

"Why so serious?"

"I'm working, sir."

"Do you ever smile?"

I gave him a small smile.

"Like this, sir?"

He shook his head.

"No. That's your employee smile. I want a real one."

I stared at him.

"Sir, are you asking me to smile while working?"

He laughed.

"You're funny."

"Thank you, sir."

He took a bite of his apple.

"By the way, where did you work before coming here?"

My hand stopped for half a second.

"Why do you ask, sir?"

"Just curious. You seem different from the other maids."

I continued arranging the plates.

"Different how?"

"Well, you speak confidently, you don't get nervous around my cousin, and you seem to know how to handle expensive things."

I smiled.

"Maybe I am just a fast learner."

"Maybe."

He studied my face.

"Or maybe you're hiding something."

I looked at him.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then I laughed softly.

"Sir, I'm just a maid. The only thing I'm hiding is how tired I am."

Adrian laughed.

"Fair enough."

But the way he looked at me told me he wasn't convinced.

THE UNUSUAL MAID

An hour later, Mrs. Clara asked me to organize some documents in the family library.

I entered the room and began arranging the books and magazines.

There were several business magazines on the table. One of them had an article about the Delacruz family's former business empire.

I immediately picked it up.

The headline caught my attention.

THE FALL OF THE DELACRUZ CORPORATION: A BUSINESS TRAGEDY THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING.

My fingers tightened around the magazine.

I opened it carefully.

There was a photograph of my father.

I read the article, searching for any information I had missed.

"Still interested in reading?"

I quickly closed the magazine.

Adrian.

Again.

I turned around.

"Good morning, sir."

He looked at the magazine in my hands.

"That's an interesting choice for a maid."

I smiled.

"I was just checking if it needed dusting."

He glanced at the cover.

"By reading it?"

I nodded.

"Reading helps me identify the dust."

He stared at me.

Then he laughed.

"You're unbelievable."

I placed the magazine back on the table.

"Is there anything you need, sir?"

"Actually, yes. I'm looking for a book."

"What book?"

He gave me a mischievous smile.

"The one that teaches people how to become less suspicious."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Perhaps you should start with a mirror, sir."

Adrian burst into laughter.

"Okay. I deserved that."

He walked toward the shelves, but I noticed him glancing at the magazine again.

I needed to be more careful.

A LITTLE TEST

That afternoon, Adrian decided to test me.

I was carrying a tray of refreshments toward the living room when he suddenly called my name.

"Serene!"

I stopped.

"Yes, sir?"

"Can you help me with something?"

"Of course."

He pointed toward a large table covered with several papers.

"I need these arranged."

I approached the table.

"What would you like me to do?"

"Sort them according to their dates."

I looked at the papers.

They were business documents.

Some contained financial reports, while others included company records.

I carefully arranged them.

Adrian watched me.

"You know how to read financial statements?"

I looked up.

"A little, sir."

"A little?"

"Yes, sir."

He picked up one document.

"Then what does this mean?"

I glanced at it.

"It's a quarterly financial report. The company had a decrease in revenue during the second quarter, but its operating expenses also increased."

Adrian raised his eyebrows.

I immediately realized my mistake.

That wasn't exactly something an ordinary maid would casually say.

I quickly added, "I used to help my uncle with his small business, sir."

He nodded slowly.

"Your uncle?"

"Yes, sir."

"What kind of business?"

I smiled.

"A small store."

He looked at the document again.

"Interesting."

I picked up the remaining papers.

"Is there anything else, sir?"

"No. That's enough."

I turned around and walked away.

Behind me, Adrian smiled.

He had just found another reason to be suspicious.

THE NAME THAT SHOULD NOT BE MENTIONED

Later that evening, I was cleaning the hallway when I heard Adrian talking to someone inside the study.

I wasn't trying to listen.

At least, that's what I told myself.

"Have you found anything about the Delacruz case?" Adrian asked.

I froze.

Another man's voice answered.

"Not yet. Most of the old records are missing."

"That's strange. My uncle said there were documents proving Raymond Baltazar was involved."

My heart skipped.

Raymond.

The name I had been searching for.

I moved closer to the door.

"Be careful," the other man said. "If Raymond finds out you're investigating, things could get complicated."

"I know."

I stepped backward.

Unfortunately, my cleaning bucket made a small noise against the wall.

The conversation stopped.

"Who's there?"

I immediately grabbed my mop and pretended to clean the floor.

Adrian opened the door.

"Serene?"

I looked up.

"Yes, sir?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Cleaning, sir."

He glanced at the bucket.

"At this hour?"

I nodded.

"Mrs. Clara asked me to finish the hallway."

He looked at me suspiciously.

"How much did you hear?"

I blinked.

"About what, sir?"

He studied my expression.

Then he smiled.

"Nothing. Never mind."

I lowered my head.

"Good night, sir."

I walked away as calmly as possible.

But inside, my thoughts were racing.

Adrian was investigating my father's death.

Why?

And how much did he know?

THE COUSIN'S INVESTIGATION

The next morning, I was surprised to find Adrian waiting near the kitchen.

"Serene!"

I sighed internally.

"Good morning, sir."

"Come here for a moment."

I approached him.

He held up a small photograph.

"Do you recognize this man?"

My eyes landed on the picture.

It was my father.

I immediately controlled my expression.

"No, sir. Who is he?"

"His name is Victor Delacruz."

My heart tightened.

My father's name.

"He's an old businessman. He died twelve years ago."

I nodded slowly.

"That's sad, sir."

Adrian watched me carefully.

"Have you heard of the Delacruz family?"

I shook my head.

"Not really, sir."

"Really?"

"Yes, sir."

He put the photograph away.

"Strange. You seem interested in their history."

I smiled.

"Maybe because you keep showing me their pictures, sir."

He laughed.

"You're right."

Then he leaned closer.

"Can I ask you something, Serene?"

"Of course, sir."

"Are you really who you say you are?"

My smile remained, but my stomach tightened.

"Of course, sir. I'm Serene Santos."

He stared at me.

"That's what your employment papers say."

I tilted my head.

"Would you like to see my identification again?"

He laughed softly.

"No. Not yet."

He stepped aside.

"Go ahead. I won't keep you."

I nodded and walked away.

But I knew something had changed.

Adrian was no longer simply curious.

He was investigating me.

A WARNING FROM THE CURIOUS COUSIN

That afternoon, I was watering the plants in the garden when Adrian approached.

He stood beside me, watching the water flow from the garden hose.

"You know, Serene, I've met a lot of people."

I continued watering the plants.

"That's nice, sir."

He laughed.

"You're not even curious about what I'm going to say?"

I glanced at him.

"Should I be?"

"Maybe."

He placed his hands inside his pockets.

"Most people who enter this mansion want something."

I turned off the water.

"And what do you think I want, sir?"

He looked directly at me.

"That's what I'm trying to figure out."

I smiled.

"Maybe I just want a peaceful job."

"Then you definitely chose the wrong mansion."

I laughed lightly.

For a moment, we both remained silent.

Then Adrian spoke again.

"Just be careful, Serene. This family has secrets. Some of them are better left alone."

I looked at him.

"Are you warning me or threatening me?"

He smiled.

"Neither. I'm giving you friendly advice."

I nodded.

"Thank you, sir. I'll remember that."

He started walking away.

But before he disappeared, he turned around.

"One more thing."

"Yes, sir?"

"You're a terrible liar."

My smile slowly disappeared.

He grinned.

"Have a nice day, Serene."

And then he left.

I stood there, holding the garden hose.

For the first time, I felt genuinely uncomfortable.

Adrian Chaviz Reyes was becoming a problem.

THE NAME IN THE NOTEBOOK

That night, I locked my bedroom door and opened my notebook.

I wrote three names.

AARON CHAVIZ.

ADRIAN CHAVIZ REYES.

RAYMOND BALTAZAR.

I stared at Adrian's name.

He was asking too many questions. He knew about my father's death, and he was investigating the same case.

Was he trying to protect his family?

Or was he hiding something?

I opened the drawer and took out my father's photograph.

"Papa, what exactly happened twelve years ago?"

My phone suddenly vibrated.

An unknown number.

I opened the message.

You should be careful with Adrian Chaviz Reyes.

I frowned.

Another message appeared.

He knows more about your father's death than you think.

My fingers tightened around the phone.

I quickly typed a reply.

WHO ARE YOU?

The sender didn't answer.

Instead, another message appeared.

And whatever you do, don't trust him.

I stared at the screen.

Then I slowly looked toward my bedroom door.

Someone was watching me.

Someone knew my identity.

And someone was trying to turn me against Adrian.

I placed my phone down and closed my notebook.

"Interesting," I whispered.

I had entered the Chaviz mansion to uncover the truth.

But now, I was beginning to wonder whether the people I was investigating were also investigating me.

And somewhere inside that mansion, Adrian Chaviz Reyes was looking at an old photograph of my father.

Beside it was a document containing a name he had never expected to see again.

SERENE ATHENA DELACRUZ.

He leaned back in his chair.

"So, who are you really, little maid?"

TO BE CONTINUED...