CHAPTER 3

The dining room of the mansion was too silent. Naririnig ko ang marahang tunog ng kubyertos tuwing tumatama ito sa mamahaling plato. Lucian was sitting at the head of the long table, casually cutting his steak as if he didn't have a care in the world. Habang ako naman ay walang ganang pinaglalaruan ang pagkain ko. This first breakfast was completely awkward and suffocating.

I couldn't take the silence anymore. Ibinaba ko ang aking tinidor at tumingin nang diretso sa kanya. Lucian didn't even look up, but I knew he was aware of my stare. Dahil curious talaga ako simula pa kagabi, hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili kong magtanong.

“Can I ask you something?” tanong ko, breaking the silence.

Lucian gracefully wiped his mouth with a napkin. Tiningnan niya ako gamit ang kanyang mga seryosong mata. “You are already asking, Miss Sevilla. Go ahead.”

Huminga ako nang malalim bago nagpatuloy. “Bakit hindi mo ako pinagwawalis or pinagluluto rito? I’ve been waiting for your instructions since earlier, but the other maids told me not to touch anything.” Nangunot ang noo ko habang nakatitig sa kanya. “Private maid ang nakasulat sa kontrata, right? So why am I just sitting here doing nothing?”

Lucian let out a small, calm breath. Ibinaba niya ang napkin at sumandal sa kanyang upuan. “Let’s clear things up, Eleanor. You are my private maid, not a housemaid. Malaki ang pagkakaiba ng dalawang ’yan.”

Napataas ang aking kilay sa sinabi niya. “And what exactly is the difference?”

“A housemaid cleans the mansion, cooks the meals, and maintains the property,” paliwanag niya sa isang kalmadong boses. “You don't need to do any of that because I pay a whole agency to handle this place. Your only job is to follow whatever personal orders I give you.”

I rolled my eyes horizontally. Ang gulo ng logic ng lalaking ito. It didn't make any sense to me. “Personal orders? Like what?”

Lucian leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table. Isang mapang-asar na ngisi ang lumitaw sa mga labi niya.“

“Like… walking my dog, helping me choose my suit for work, or fixing my tie every morning,” sagot niya habang nakatitig nang deretso sa mga labi ko. Bahagyang lumalim ang boses niya bago nagpatuloy. “Why? Were you hoping I'd make you clean the toilets?”

Nairita agad ako sa tono ng pananalita niya. He was testing my patience again. “Are you making fun of me?” matigas kong tanong.

Lucian didn't answer. He just smiled faintly and picked up his knife again to continue eating. I clenched my fists under the table. Sobrang nakakainis ang ugali niya dahil alam niyang naaapektuhan ako sa bawat galaw niya.

Before I could snap at him, my phone suddenly vibrated on the table. I checked the screen and saw Nica’s name. Tiningnan ko muna si Lucian para humingi ng permiso. “Excuse me. I need to take this.”

Lucian just nodded once, not even looking up from his plate. I quickly swiped the screen and answered the call. “Hello, Nic?”

“Eleanor! Good morning!” bati niya mula sa kabilang linya, pero halatang pilit lang ang sigla ng boses niya. “I’m calling to check on you. Are you doing okay over there? Kumusta ang pagtulog mo?”

I glanced at Lucian before turning slightly away. “I’m fine, Nic. Don't worry too much about me. May update ba tungkol sa career ko?”

Nica sighed heavily on the phone. Naramdaman ko agad ang bigat sa dibdib ko dahil sa katahimikan niya. “I just received the official reports from the network management. It’s not good, Eleanor. Pinutol muna ng dalawang major brands ang endorsement deals mo dahil sa lumalalang issue ng daddy mo.”

My heart sank instantly. Pakiramdam ko ay lalo akong nabaon sa sitwasyon ko ngayon. “Is it that bad? Is there any chance we can appeal to them?”

“Sa ngayon ay mas mabuting huwag muna tayong gumawa ng ingay,” payo ni Nica sa akin. “The media is still digging for information. Sabi ng agency, update na lang kita kapag may magandang balita.”

I forced myself to remain calm. Hindi ko pwedeng ipakita kay Lucian na unti-unti na akong dinudurog ng sitwasyon. “I understand. By the way, Nic, can you do me a favor? Can you drop by my condo later?”

“Sure. Ano ang kailangan kong gawin doon?” tanong niya.

“Please pack some more of my clothes and personal things. Dalhin mo na lang dito sa address na isesend ko sa iyo later,” bilin ko sa kanya.

“Alright, isend mo agad sa akin ang address. Take care of yourself, okay? I’m always here for you.”

Nangiti ako nang bahagya dahil sa suporta niya. She was the only person who stayed by my side through this mess. “Thank you. I love you.”

I ended the call and placed my phone back on the table. Pagkababa ko ng tawag ay napansin kong tahimik lang si Lucian habang umiinom ng kape. He was looking at his cup, completely motionless. Ilang segundo ang lumipas bago ito dahan-dahang nagsalita.

“Who was that?” Lucian asked coldly.

I straightened my posture and looked back at him. Ayaw kong isipin niya na may karapatan siyang pakialaman ang personal kong buhay. “None of your business.”

Lucian placed his coffee cup down. Lumikha iyon ng matalim na tunog nang tumama sa table. Diretso lang ang tingin niya sa akin, and his eyes were starting to get darker. “You are not allowed to see any boys. You are not allowed to have a boyfriend.”

Napakunot-noo ako sa narinig ko. Did I hear him right? “Excuse me?”

“I don't want you to be distracted,” he stated firmly. Kalmado lang ang boses niya, pero may kakaibang bigat na tila ba nag-uutos at hindi mo pwedeng balewalain. “You are under my contract, Eleanor. Your attention should only be on my orders, not on anyone else.”

I rolled my eyes again out of pure frustration. He was being completely unreasonable. “Don't worry. I'm not interested in anyone.”

Bahagyang umangat ang sulok ng labi niya. The dark tension in his eyes suddenly vanished, replaced by that annoying and confident smirk.

“Good. Keep it that way.”