CHAPTER 2

I couldn't sleep last night.

Buong magdamag lang akong nakatitig sa kisame ng kwarto, pilit na prinoproseso sa utak ko ang mga nangyari. The room given to me here in Lucian's mansion was incredibly massive and modern, but I couldn't even appreciate the luxury.

Bumangon ako at hinarap ang aking maleta. Tahimik kong inayos ang aking mga damit sa walk-in closet. Habang hawak ko ang aking mga designer clothes, I couldn't help but cry.

I am Eleanor Ray Sevilla. I am a top actress who is used to always being at the peak of her career. Pero ngayon, nandito ako sa mansion ng isa sa mga hottest bachelor billionaires in the Philippines para lang maging isang private maid.

Can you believe that? From being a top actress, to a private maid.

Napatigil ako sa pag-aayos nang biglang tumunog ang aking cellphone sa ibabaw ng kama.

I checked the screen and saw Nica's caller ID. Siya ang manager ko at ang aking best friend.

I took a deep breath before answering. “Hello, Nica?”

“Oh my god, Eleanor! Thank heavens you finally answered!” halatang stressed at nag-aalala ang boses niya. “Are you okay? Nasaan ka ba? Kanina ko pa tinatawagan ang Daddy at Mommy mo pero hindi ko sila makontak!”

I sat on the edge of the bed. “I’m okay, Nica. We're safe, huwag kang mag-alala.”

“How can I not worry, Eleanor? The news is everywhere! Sumasabog ang social media ngayon! Your family is trending!” Sabi ni Nica na halos maiyak na. "The headlines are crazy! Nagnakaw daw ang daddy mo ng mahigit tatlong daang milyong dolyar sa Collins Group? True or not, this is destroying your family, Eleanor! Especially you!”

Napapikit ako nang mariin. “It’s a setup, Nica. My dad didn’t do it. May naglagay lang ng mga fake evidence para idiin siya.”

“I want to believe that, Eleanor. Kilala ko ang daddy mo, he’s a good man. Pero ang problema, ang publiko at ang mga investors, hindi ganyan ang iniisip.” She let out a deep sigh before continuing. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but... the major stakeholders called this morning. All your active projects, endorsements, and upcoming tapings... they are all on hold indefinitely.”

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig sa narinig. “W-what?! No, Nica, they can't do that! I have a contract!”

“The brand reputation clause, Eleanor. Kapag may ganitong kalaking iskandalo na sangkot ang pamilya mo, may karapatan silang i-freeze muna ang lahat. Even your upcoming primetime series, on hold muna ang shooting. Ang sabi ng network management, kailangan muna nating palipasin ang issue bago ka nila payagang humarap ulit sa camera.”

Tumayo ako mula sa kama, hindi mapakali habang naglalakad pabalik-balik sa loob ng kwarto. My frustration was slowly turning into pure panic. Naka-freeze ang career ko? This is insane!

“This is unfair! Wala akong kasalanan!” sabi ko habang pinipigilan ang luha ko. “I need to work, Nica! Kailangan kong ipagpatuloy ang trabaho ko para matulungan ang pamilya ko. We need money to clear my dad’s name and to deal... with everything! Paano ko lilinisin ang pangalan ni Daddy kung wala akong pera?”

“I know, Eleanor. I know how frustrated you are. Pero sa ngayon, wala tayong magagawa. The media is waiting outside your house and even on our agency building. Mas makabubuti kung mananatili ka muna kung nasaan ka man ngayon.”

“No,” matigas kong sabi, pinunasan ang namumuong luha sa sulok ng aking mga mata. “I cannot just sit here and do nothing. Tell the management I will fix this. I will clear my family’s name, and I will be back to work as soon as possible."

“No, you won't.”

Isang seryoso at kalmadong boses ang biglang nagsalita sa likod ko.

Nanlamig ang buong katawan ko. Sa gulat ko ay agad kong pinatay ang tawag nang hindi man lang nakakapagpaalam kay Nica. I turned around quickly and saw Lucian standing by the doorway.

He was leaning casually against the doorframe, his hands tucked inside his trousers' pockets. Naka-suit na siya at halatang handa nang pumasok sa opisina. Wala siyang emosyon sa mukha at seryoso lang siyang nakatingin sa akin.

“How long have you been standing there?!” galit kong tanong. “Do you know how to knock, Mr. Collins? For your information, this is my room!”

“This is my house, Miss Sevilla,” pagtatama niya, dahan-dahang naglakad papasok sa kwarto ko nang walang kahit anong pag-aalinlangan. “Every single room, every single corner of this property belongs to me. Including the space you are occupying right now.”

Hinarap ko siyang diretso. “Wala akong pakialam kung bahay mo ito! Matuto ka namang rumespeto! And what did you mean earlier? Anong ibig mong sabihin na hindi ako babalik sa trabaho?”

Lucian stopped a few steps away from me.

“You heard me clearly, Eleanor,” banayad ngunit mariin niyang sabi. “You are not going back to any taping, any endorsement, or any public appearance. Starting today, your career is officially over.”

I let out a forced laugh. Medyo nababaliw na ako sa idea that this guy literally holds the control to my life right now.

“Are you insane?! You cannot do this to me! Sino ka para diktahan ang buhay ko?! Pumayag ako sa deal para iligtas ang daddy ko, pero walang sinabi sa usapan na kailangan kong iwan ang trabaho ko!”

“Then let me remind you of the terms you signed, Eleanor,” malamig na sagot ni Lucian, hindi man lang natinag sa galit ko. “You agreed to be my private maid for one full year. You agreed to follow my personal orders. Do you honestly think I will let my maid run around from one studio to another, giving autographs and smiling in front of cameras while she is under contract with me?”

“That is my life! My career! Hindi mo pwedeng kunin sa akin 'yan nang ganoon-ganoon na lang!” I screamed, as the tears I was trying so hard to hide finally fell. “I built that career with my own blood, sweat, and tears! Hindi ako pwedeng mawala sa industriya ng isang taon, makakalimutan ako ng mga tao!”

“Then let them forget you,” tugon niya nang walang emosyon, tila ba walang halaga sa kanya ang lahat ng ipinaglalaban ko. “While you are under this roof, you have no other job but to serve me. Walang Eleanor Ray Sevilla na sikat na artista rito. You are just my maid. That is your reality now.”

Mas lalo lang akong na-frustrate sa kawalan niya ng konsiderasyon. Every single word he said felt like a slap in my face. I stepped closer to him, staring straight into his dark and serious eyes.

“You are a monster, Lucian,” pabulong ngunit punong-puno ng poot kong sabi.

Imbes na magalit ay dahan-dahang siyang lumapit sa akin. I could feel his strong aura, and it was making me so nervous. He leaned down a bit para mas mapalapit ang mukha niya sa akin, close enough for me to feel his breath.

A small smirk played on his lips, but his eyes remained dead serious.

“Yeah, I am a monster, Eleanor. That’s why for the next twelve months... your world begins and ends with me.”