Chapter 2

THE LIES

~TARA’S POV~

A week has gone by since I woke up, and I'm now finally discharged after my laboratory tests showed positive results. Lea stayed by my side, telling me stories of the past, helping me recover the memories I lost.

She told me about the mansion where we lived, the chores I did daily, and the life I spent with her family. I believed everything she said, because what else I coul do?

Lea said I’m an orphan and that’s why she’s treating me like her real sister, thinking of me as her family. She’s kind and sweet, though I couldn’t help but notice some things about her that makes me wonder if it’s truly okay to trust her words. But Lea didn’t abandon me all this time and even paid for my hospital bills. How heartless I’ll be if I doubt the only person who treats me kindly despite losing my memories about her?

As we leave the hospital, I wonder how my life will be from now on. With stories that Lea told me, I figured out my role in the mansion. However, I know it won't be easy.

As a maid, Lea told me that I've been doing chores in the Jackson mansion for years, but looking at my hands, I don't think I've done any rough jobs. When I asked her about it, she said that's only because she gave me expensive hand creams so the chores won't ruin my palms.

There's also something else that bothers me. Every night sicne I woke up from a coma, I keep seeing a man in my dream, though his face is blurry, I hear him calling me by my name. He whispered my name sweetly… his gentle and loving voice filling my ears.

I would talk about it to Lea in the mornng and ask if I have a lover, she simply said no. Lea sounded so certain when she said I don't have a lover, if so, the man in my dreams may be someone I was in a relationship with that Lea didn't know about.

That man… I'm not sure but maybe I can recognize his face when I see him in person.

Well, I hope that whoever that man was, he's someone who cares for me.

“We're here!” Lea exclaims as we step out of the car. Her cheerful voice pulled me back to reality.

I look up, take a deep breath, and stare at the mansion in front of us. I should feel at awe, staring at the grand mansion where I'll be staying, but instead… I feel so small. Lea said it's okay for me to live here and continue doing chores like I used to, and I thought that would be helpful for me to recover my lost memories.

“How is it? This is your home, Tara. Welcome back!” Lea guides me through the mansion. Her hand gently holds me as she walks by my side.

“This is also where you'll be working,” she continues, gesturing to the kitchen. “The staff will show you what to do. So, don't hesitate to ask if you don't know something. I already told them about your condition, so they will help you with anything you need.”

I nod my head and smile back at her. “Thank you, M-Madam.”

These past few days, I thought I had gotten used to calling Lea as Madam… But I can't ignore feeling awkward when doing it…. It's like something's not right when I do it.

“Good. Alex wants everything clean and organized. Make sure you do your job properly. Make everything spotless, do you understand?” She smiles again, though it doesn't reach her eyes.

“Yes, madam. I understand,” I reply as I nod.

“Good,” Lea grins at me. “Alexander, my husband will love to see you working hard for us again.”

“Y-Yes. I'll try my best.”

I haven't seen this Alexander after the accident, yet it stirs something inside me. Whenever Lea talks about him, calling Alexander her husband… I feel an ache in my heart… a longing and pain I can't describe in words.

I want to protest whenever she speaks of Alexander and how great a husband he is to her, but my tongue feels heavy and my mind becomes a mess. Who am I even to him…for me to react this way?

I had no proof or memory to fight her with even if I know there's something going on that I didn't know about. So, I just nod when I need to, pretending that I have no qualms about everything even if it didn't sit right with me, and swallowing the unease that claws at me.

I won't say or do anything without knowing the truth first. After all, Lea has been very good to me aside from her unusual behavior sometimes.

**********

“Good! Very good, Tara,” Lea praises, clasping her hands together. “You finally made the floor sparkly clean!”

“Thank you, Madam,” I replied quietly.

It's been days since I started working from dawn to night, learning the chores in the mansion. I find it hard to get used at first, which seemed strange for someone who should have gotten used to chores.

When Lea said I was a maid, I assumed I would be able to do the chores with ease. But that wasn’t the case for me. It doesn't make sense that I couldn't remember… Well, my mind may have forgotten it, but my body should have known.

Yet, everything felt strange and unfamiliar when I first started doing the chores in the mansion.

Meanwhile, Lea continues doing what she likes in the mansion, acting like a queen and getting spoiled by Alexander. I always feel a pang in my chest whenever I see them together, and Alexander has that cold gaze when looking at me, making me wonder why he seemed angry.

“Go back to work. Stop dawdling,” Alexander mutters, pulling his gaze off me.

Lea sighs and hugs his arm. “Don’t be too hard on her, Alex. Tara is doing her best,” she says, glancing and smiling at me.

I couldn't look at her so I bowed my head and excused myself after that.