Chapter 6 Officially In- Challenge Accepted

Stefanie’s POV

The car slowed down, and my heart sped up. Maraming mansion sa TV, sa magazines, pero itong Zubiri mansion… iba. Marble floors na parang yelo, chandeliers na parang gusto mong hawakan pero alam mong mapuputol ang kamay mo sa bigat, at walls na may paintings ng mga Zubiri ancestors. Parang museo, pero may aura ng warning: “Enter carefully, you are on our turf.”

“Stefanie Rivera?” tanong ng driver habang inaabot sa akin ang maliit na business card.

“Opo… ako po,” sagot ko, pinipilit magmukhang composed, kahit ramdam ko na nanginginig ang mga kamay ko sa excitement at kaba.

“You’ll stay here for your assignment,” sabi niya, diretsong tono. “Doña Beatriz expects you in the study in ten minutes.”

Napaangat ang kilay ko. “Ten minutes lang po? Bago ko pa po ma-unpack gamit ko,” biro ko, pilit na ngumingiti.

“Ten minutes is all you get,” sagot niya, deadpan. Parang may invisible ruler sa kamay niya.

Pagpasok namin sa main hall, sinalubong kami ng mayordoma na si Yaya Loring. Elegant, stern, parang artista sa stage — hindi basta nakatingin, sinusuri ang bawat galaw.

“Ah, so you are really accepting the challenge here,” sabi niya, naka-crossed arms. “I am Yaya Loring Valdez, mayordoma. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

“Opo, Mrs. Valdez. Sisiguraduhin ko pong hindi ako magiging pabigat,” sagot ko, medyo may sass pero respectful.

“Good. ..you can call me Yaya Loring . Follow me. Rules of the house are… strict. Observe, do not question openly, unless you have backbone. And you need backbone, nurse.”

“Oh… backbone, noted po.” sabi ko sa sarili ko, pilit ng ngiti habang ini-adjust ang bag ko.

Habang naglalakad, napansin ko ang mga staff na nagmamasid sa akin. Other maid na may hawak ng mga maliliit na notepad, security guard na nakaposisyon parang may hawak na baril kahit walang nakikita, at ang gardener na nagpu-practice ng zen face kahit may tao sa paligid.

"Okay, Stefanie. Deep breaths. This is your new playground… or cage."

I whispered to myself

Pagdating sa Doña’s suite, napansin ko agad ang commanding presence niya. Nakaupo sa malaking leather chair, nakatingin sa akin parang ina-assess bawat galaw ko.

“Ah… you made it. Ten minutes late from my standard, but I suppose it’s acceptable,” sabi niya, halos smirk.

“Opo, Doña Beatriz. I apologize po… the traffic on the driveway was unexpected. But I’m here now, ready to serve,” sagot ko, tuwid ang posture.

She leaned back, scrutinizing me. “Serve… interesting choice of word. I hope you mean professional service, not hero complex.”

“Oh no po, Doña. Kung may hero complex man, I save lives, hindi egos,” sagot ko, subtle sarcasm pero polite.

Tumigil siya saglit, parang sinusuri kung totoo ang sinabi ko. “Hmm. Backbone… and wit. Not many survive my glance.”

Napangiti ako, kahit kaunti lang. “ I believe in honesty and efficiency… combination po Doña Beatriz.”

“You will live here. This is your workspace and residence,” she said, pointing around the suite. “Your room is prepared. You will attend to my health, assist in my schedule, and observe everything. Do you understand?”

“Yes po, Doña. Understood po. I will adjust and perform accordingly,” sagot ko, while secretly thinking, Adjust? I’ll survive. Maybe thrive too.

“Good. I don’t tolerate nonsense. If you fail, you will be replaced… swiftly.”

“Yes, ma’am. Understood po,” sagot ko, keeping a calm face while my heart raced.

Habang naglalakad kami papunta sa study, hindi ko maiwasan na huminga nang malalim. Every step, ramdam ko ang bigat ng mansion, parang bawat painting, bawat chandelier, bawat sculpture… feeling ko may mga mata sa kanila na nagmamasid.

Sa study, may stacks of papers, schedules, and a tablet na parang maliit na fortress ng information. “Your first task,” sabi niya, handing the tablet. “Review my weekly schedule. Note the meetings, doctors, and important contacts. I need precision.”

“Opo, Doña. Will do,” sabi ko, pilit pinapawi ang kaba at excitement...although parang beyond na sa job description ko as nurse....I'm open to challinging loads...and work extra extra mile.

“Also,” she continued, “observe my health. Notice patterns, symptoms, reactions. If I fall ill, I expect swift action, not hesitation. And yes… I expect honesty. Brutal honesty, if needed.”

“Yes po, Doña. I will monitor closely and report appropriately,” sagot ko, trying not to flinch at the intensity.

Short pause. She looked at me, eyes narrowing. “I was warned… you have backbone. Let’s see if you survive more than a day.”

Napangiti ako, subtle, almost playful. “Go po ako diyan… I plan to survive. And maybe even earn your approval.”

She smirked slightly. “Approval is earned. Not given.”

“Yes po, ma’am. Then I’ll earn it,” sabi ko, keeping my tone light but firm.

By afternoon, Yaya Loring guided me to my room. A simple room, clean, minimalistic, but still luxurious in its subtle way.

“First night. Rest well. Tomorrow… real test begins,” she said.

“Thank you, Yaya Loring. Will do po,” sagot ko.

Habang nakaupo sa bed, iniikot ko sa kamay ang tablet, ang business card, at ang maliit na notebook ko.

"Okay, Stef. Deep breaths. You are here. You survived her glances. Tomorrow… may bagong challenge. But you can handle it. Backbone intact."

At bago pumikit, isang thought lingered: This is just the beginning. I can feel it. This mansion, this family… may power, but also a storm is brewing. And I’m stepping right into it.