3. WHFL

Aurora stood still in front of a luxurious mansion with modern classical architecture, located in the elite neighborhood of Kensington. Tall pillars supported the second-floor balcony, and large windows overlooked a garden so well-landscaped that it looked like a painting.

But what puzzled her the most was not the splendor of the house, but the fact that she was now standing in front of its main door with no idea how she had gotten there.

"Why am I here?" she murmured softly.

A deep, heavy voice whispered in her ear, sending chills down her spine.

"Because starting today, you will be living here, Aurora."

Aurora turned around quickly and found Rafael standing very close behind her, with a faint smile that held far too many secrets.

"What do you mean?" Aurora squinted, suspicious. "Do you... want to take me prisoner?"

Rafael chuckled, a low, sharp laugh that sounded far more cynical than pleasant. "Oh, Aurora. Don't be so dramatic. This isn't a prison; it's a new home for you."

He opened the large door and gestured for Aurora to enter. Hesitant, Aurora stepped inside and found the interior of the house equally luxurious: white marble, crystal chandeliers, and a towering spiral staircase.

But all admiration vanished when Rafael walked over to the sofa, picked up something, and tossed it at Aurora. The girl barely caught it and then stared at the object with a furrowed brow.

That... waiter's uniform?

"What is this?" she asked sharply.

"Your work uniform. From today on, you are my personal housekeeper." Rafael folded his arms, leaning against the wall with a satisfied smile.

Aurora glared in disbelief. "You're crazy."

"It could be," Rafael replied lightly. "But you can rest easy; I'll give you a decent room, a soft bed, and two meals a day. Breakfast and dinner at home, and for lunch, you'll eat at the office."

Aurora clenched her fists. "I'm a marketing officer, not a maid."

"A half-paid employee who is carrying his father's debt and has no proper place to live," Rafael said, approaching. "You can refuse, of course. But then, please go back to your cramped room and live on instant noodles every night."

Aurora fell silent. Her laughter was dry.

"You really want to embarrass me, huh?"

"I'm just making sure you learn the meaning of responsibility," Rafael replied. "Starting tomorrow, at five in the morning, you have to have breakfast ready. By six, my work clothes should be prepared. And in the evening, a hot dinner on the table. Don't be late."

Aurora shot him a hateful look, but she knew there was no way out.

"You think I'll accept all your games? Don't expect me to! Even if I have to live on the streets, I will never set foot in this house and prepare breakfast for you!" Aurora exclaimed loudly and stormed out.

Leaving Rafael smiling slyly, as if there would be another surprise in store for Aurora.

***

Aurora arrived at her rented room in the suburbs. However, her steps were halted when she saw her two large suitcases unceremoniously placed in front of the boarding house gate. Aurora broke into a small run, her eyes widening in disbelief. Before she could open her mouth, the boarding house door opened. A plump, bespectacled landlady came out, purse in hand.

"What is this? Why are my suitcases outside?" asked Aurora quickly.

The landlady let out a short sigh, then handed her a small envelope filled with money. "This is your rent. I'm returning it. Sorry, I can't let you stay here anymore."

Aurora was flabbergasted. "What does that mean? This is the only place I can afford! I don't have anywhere else!"

"I can't explain," the landlady said briefly, then turned around to head back inside.

"Please! I'm working now; even if I only get half the salary, I can still pay." The landlady paused for a moment in the doorway. "I don't want trouble. Sorry, Aurora. It's better if you just leave."

Without further explanation, the door closed.

Aurora stood transfixed. Her eyes stared blankly at her suitcases, now symbols of how her life had completely lost its footing. Her face was downcast, feeling her breathing heavy, but again, not a single tear escaped.

It was getting late. It was getting cold, and her stomach was starting to ache. She stood up tiredly, pulled her suitcase slowly, and walked down the streets of a city that was no longer welcoming.

As she passed by a small restaurant with the tantalizing aroma of cooking, her stomach rumbled again. She hesitated for a moment at the door, then entered. There was no other choice. She still had some change left in her wallet, enough for a simple meal tonight.

Aurora sat in the corner of the room. She ordered potato soup and a slice of bread. As the waiter left the table, someone rushed into the restaurant and bumped into her hard. Aurora staggered slightly; the man mumbled an apology, but his face was covered by a large hoodie and mask. He immediately walked away and exited through another door without giving Aurora time to observe.

Aurora gave a small shake of her head. "People are getting weird," she muttered. She went back to enjoying her food with gusto.

But once the food was gone and the bill came, she opened the small bag on her lap... and froze.

There was no wallet. Aurora rummaged through the contents of her bag, rifled through.

Her jacket pockets, and even the back pocket of her jeans, were empty; even the rent money was gone. "No... no way," she whispered frantically, her breath catching in her throat. The waiter stood there with an impatient expression. "Excuse me, Miss. Your payment?" Aurora looked at him, her face close to tears, but she was unable to speak.

Aurora is now at the police station, sitting on a cold plastic chair, clutching her small, almost empty bag. Her face is pale, and her hair a mess. A young policeman is questioning her while the restaurant owner stands nearby, arms crossed with an annoyed expression.

"I'm not trying to escape," Aurora explained for the umpteenth time. Her voice was soft but firm. "I had my wallet taken. Someone bumped into me before I finished eating. I can file a missing persons report."

"Ah, the classic excuse," muttered the restaurant owner in a sneering tone. "You already ate, then pretended your wallet was missing. Perhaps that was your original intention."

Aurora looked down, her cheeks hot and her heart aching-not from fear, but from having her pride trampled upon.

Then, the sound of footsteps could be heard outside the room-firm, steady, filling the air with an aura of dominance. The door opened slowly, and there stood Rafael Valentino in a neat suit, a faint smile on his lips.

"I'll pay for this lady's dinner, and provide additional compensation for wasting your time," he said, looking at Aurora triumphantly.

The restaurant owner immediately softened, his smile appearing suddenly. "Ah... thank you, sir. Then I will not prolong this matter." He left quickly, avoiding further trouble.

The policeman, who had been checking, gave a small nod. "In that case, we'll consider this over. But you should still report the pickpocketing."

Aurora remained transfixed, her eyes shooting daggers at Rafael, filled with distaste. "Are you stalking me?"

Rafael chuckled softly. "Don't get too confident. I'm just making sure my new investment doesn't starve or spend the night in a cell."

"You think this is funny?" whispered Aurora, her voice trembling. "You think I enjoy being the one you have to save, after everything you've done?"

Rafael leaned in, locking eyes with her. "I'm just helping. But if you'd rather starve, I can leave now," he said, walking away and leaving Aurora in a dilemma.

*_*