Chapter 5

"Who’s on the other line?" Mrs. Vella asked, eyeing the telephone curiously as if she could see through it and find out who was speaking to the busy housekeeper.

But before her personal bodyguard could even approach the housekeeper, the woman quickly acted—placing Roxane’s biodata straight into the stack of accepted applicants… when it was clearly meant for the trash bin.

"Yes! I got in!" Roxane shouted.

It was like fireworks exploded in the silence. Everyone turned to her in shock—even the bodyguards stationed around the Vellamonte mansion, standing like human security cameras, snapped their heads toward her.

One scratched his head awkwardly, while another almost spilled his coffee.

But Roxane didn’t care. What mattered most was—she had a job now! Thirty thousand pesos a month—enough to pay for her father’s and brother’s treatments. So even if she embarrassed herself in front of the whole neighborhood, it was worth it!

She rushed home, not even waiting for Lyka, though she knew her friend probably passed, too. As she walked, her mind wandered back to that moment—the housekeeper had been about to toss her paper away, but then everything changed with one phone call.

She looked up and noticed a CCTV camera aimed directly at her—

and coincidentally, that camera’s feed went straight to Dark’s room.

Dark was caught off guard by what he saw.

Does she know I’m watching her?!

Of course not, sir! You’re just imagining things!

Hmm… no. She definitely knows!

In one corner of the Vellamonte mansion, Dark smiled secretly as he watched Roxane’s joyful outburst and that bright grin she gave toward the camera.

"I like her," he murmured. "I want her to be mine as soon as possible."

He leaned casually against the wall, swirling a glass of wine as if it were just water—he wasn’t drunk, but his mind was spinning… with thoughts of Roxane.

Behind him, his bodyguard could only shake his head.

"Oh no… here we go again," the guard whispered under his breath, though loud enough for Dark to hear. "Every time the señor says something like that… someone always ends up in trouble."

Moments later, the once-grand mansion of the Vellamontes had turned into what felt like a noisy marketplace—laughter and chatter filled the air, and some of the female applicants even started flirting with the bodyguards as if it were a speed-dating event.

Suddenly, one of the guards shouted like an emcee at a village fiesta:

"Make way! A guest is arriving!"

In an instant, slippers flew off and hair was being fixed everywhere, as if a celebrity was about to walk in. Some women quickly hid their lipsticks back in their bags while whispering little prayers that they might be the ones noticed.

Roxane froze mid-smile when she heard the announcement. She suddenly fell silent, a chill brushing past her.

Her eyes followed the car entering the Vellamonte gates.

"Is that even a car?" she muttered, eyes widening.

"It’s so long… and white! It looks like a limousine-shaped coffin!"

A shiver ran down her spine, but she tried hard to hide her innocence.

The white car stopped right at the foot of the mansion’s marble stairs. Out stepped a stunning woman—the kind who looked like she just walked out of a fashion magazine.

She had her own door-opener. Someone held an umbrella for her—even though there wasn’t a drop of rain. And wait—was that… a personal fanner?!

Wow. She doesn’t even look human—more like the queen of some kingdom of vanity.

Roxane frowned as she watched the scene.

"So fancy. But whatever… I don’t care about her."

With her head held high and a confident smile, she began to walk away.

"I’m going home to tell my mom I got the job! I start tomorrow!" she exclaimed cheerfully, oblivious to all the glamour around her.

She left the crowd behind—everyone’s attention fixed on the elegant woman who’d just stepped out of the car. But Roxane? She didn’t care about any of that. She didn’t want fame or drama. All she wanted was work, salary, and medicine for her family.

"Good luck to her. As for me—I’ve got a job now," she said with a wink to herself, walking away without looking back at the Vellamonte mansion.

Meanwhile:

From his room window, Dark saw the woman entering their home. He couldn’t help but frown, remembering what his mother told him earlier—that if he failed his current mission within two weeks, this woman would officially become his fiancée.

Without hesitation, he stood up and rushed out of his room, his loyal bodyguard trailing right behind him.

Before stepping out, they both changed into casual clothes to avoid recognition.

Dark threw on a simple coat, put on dark shades, and wore a black face mask to completely hide his identity. His bodyguard, on the other hand, stayed in his usual uniform but added a hat and sunglasses for extra disguise.

Quietly but with firm resolve, they slipped out of the Vellamonte estate—to follow the girl who, unexpectedly, was now making his heart race faster.

They managed to get out safely.

"Where are we even going, Señor?! They’re probably already looking for you at the Vella!" the nervous bodyguard said, glancing around as if being followed.

"Go ahead without me. If anyone asks, tell them you don’t know where I went," Dark ordered coolly, adjusting his hat and shades.

"But your mother’s going to scold me again…" the bodyguard groaned, spilling out all his worries.

"Don’t worry. I’ll handle her," Dark replied, patting his shoulder reassuringly.

The guard had no choice but to obey. Soon, Dark was left alone at a convenience store, sitting quietly in the corner, sipping a can of cold beer. With every gulp, he felt the weight of the world he was trying to escape—if only for a moment.

But it wasn’t just the beer clouding his thoughts. He noticed her—

the same woman he saw earlier… both on the road and inside his family’s mansion. The same woman who, by tomorrow, would officially become his personal maid.

He suddenly gathered the courage to approach.

This is it… this might be my chance, he thought to himself.

But as he neared, he saw she wasn’t alone. Beside her was that same mischievous girl he’d encountered earlier—the one whose antics almost got him scolded by his mother.

He hesitated, about to turn back to his seat, when suddenly—

"Hey, mister! Come join us!" Roxane called out, waving casually as if they’d known each other for ages.

Dark froze for a moment—then smiled to himself, pleasantly surprised.

This is my chance! his mind screamed.

He sat down, a strange joy flickering in his eyes. Roxane didn’t even ask who he was—it was like his presence alone was enough. She handed him a beer and said, "Cheers!"

They talked for hours, laughing and sharing stories, drinking can after can. With every passing second, he found himself falling for her even more.

Until eventually, Roxane fell asleep—her head resting on the table, like a tired child worn out from all the talking.

"Hey, man," Lyka said, rubbing her temples. "Take Roxane home to her mom, okay? Take care of her—I’m heading home too!"

"What?!" Dark blurted out, unsure if he was shocked or thrilled.

"Yeah, yeah! I’m leaving now!" And just like that, Lyka was gone—

leaving him alone with the girl who, moments ago, was just a dream…

and now, a responsibility sleeping peacefully right before him.