Luna In Distress

ROSITA LAUREN’S POV

“You will leave this house now that you're 18!” I heard my aunt furiously scream after I blew the candle off my birthday cake.

I just turned 18 today. We had a simple celebration where there was pasta, a small chiffon cake, and a one-liter carbonated drink enough for us to share.

Rosita Lauren is my name, and I've lived with my aunt for as long as I can remember. My parents abandoned me when I was a baby, so my aunt was forced to keep me after they disappeared.

The only thing that they left for me was this golden locket I kept hidden inside my shirt. It’s very precious to me, my aunt told me that it was already on my neck before my parents decided that they don’t want me.

She told me to keep it safe because my parents might come back for me someday, which I deeply appreciated. And I won't lie, I wait for them daily. My hopes are always shattered just like the glasses I clumsily carry into my room late at night.

My aunt, Teresa, was divorced from her husband, but he keeps on sending support to her and their child who's currently at school right now because he is still in high school.

His name is Dexter. I never got to be close to him because he does not talk too much and always stuck himself inside his room like some prisoner.

It was probably because he grew up as an introvert-type of person, he didn't even breathe a word to me, but that didn’t bother me that much because of our age differences.

“Did I hear that right? Was my aunt talking to me?” I finally mumbled before looking at the back, gasping when I saw my aunt there who looked like she was fuming in anger.

I then immediately thought of the possible things that I may have done to push her to her limits, but couldn’t remember anything I did wrong.

“A-Aunt? Is there something wrong?” I worriedly asked. She only glared at me before looking at the envelope that was filled with numerous papers and documents.

“I decided to look after you because I thought your parents would leave you money in your bank after your legality, but they didn't even leave you a single penny!” Aunt Teresa furiously screamed.

I couldn't believe what I had just heard, “W-What? I have a bank account?” I almost stammered, closing my eyes instinctively when she threw those numerous documents at me.

Anxiously, I decided to check what was inside, my eyes widened after reading that it was all about my important documents. 

It includes my birth certificate, the bank account that I didn’t know was existing, and everything that I used for school back then. 

I have only decided to finish a two-year course in college which was information technology because I didn’t want to burden my aunt with the money she spends on me.

“You will leave this house right this instant, pack your things, you’ve already graduated, pay me back for all the money I spent on you because if you don't I will sue you,” Aunt Teresa suddenly threatened me.

She looked like she was ready to end my life with those intense glares that I haven’t seen before in my entire life. 

Aunty looked highly different. I’m sure that who she is right now was not the aunt I used to know back then. She was caring and thoughtful, so why has she changed so suddenly?

“A-Aunty, I'm sure you don't mean this right? I just graduated too,” I worriedly bit my lower lip. I haven’t gone job hunting yet because I was too preoccupied with helping her with the small business she had.

“Just leave this house, Rosita, I will not spend a penny for you anymore, come talk to me if you already have a job and decent money,” After she said those words, everything came to an end.

Tears were forming around my eyes while I was packing my stuff. I was trying too hard to hold back my tears while folding some of my clothes.

She threw some of it out of my room, forcing me to pick it up and place it in the bag she prepared for me.

I was just about to get out of my room when I crossed paths with Dexter, he looked at me and the things I was carrying tightly.

My heart was thumping inside of my chest because I was hoping that he would say something. After all, I took care of him back when we were kids.

He was wearing his uniform and carrying this small sling bag that was holding some of his books and pens. He probably just got home from school.

After giving me a slightly long staring contest, Dexter decided to leave me without saying a word. I almost teared up with what had happened before deciding to pace downstairs to meet with my aunt one last time, who had her arms crossed against her chest.

I was surprised when she casually handed me a box of pasta and cake. I knew that she still cared for me, she probably thought I would starve on the streets.

“Aunty, please tell me that this is all a dream that I just need to wake up to, you greeted me so sweetly a while ago…why does it all have to change this quickly?” My voice cracked, almost sounding like I was pleading with her.

Aunt Teresa averted her gaze at me, “I'm sorry, but I can't just spend our money on you without your parent's support, Dexter's about to go to college soon,” 

I sighed deeply after hearing her valid statement. I don’t know why I suddenly felt bad because she was right, my aunt has huge plans for her one and only son.

“I-I understand, I'm sorry for causing you two troubles,” I sincerely apologized, “I'll be leaving now aunt,” 

She didn't say anything as she watched me leave their home while clutching to her chest, “You're a bright child, I'm sure you'll find your purpose somewhere,” She whispered solemnly.

I closed my eyes after hearing the main doors shut behind my back. Just like that, I was independently out of the world by myself.

It was never my plan to leave their house that early, I don't have any plans just yet for my future because I want to help her first.

After sighing deeply, I pulled my slightly old luggage while threading my backpack lightly on my right shoulder. My eyes peered at the road and were just thankful that it was not raining.

The moment I finished that statement inside my mind, I heard the pitter-patter of the rain as it started falling down the road.

“Great, what are the odds? What's next, thunder?” I sarcastically commented, flinching when lightning and thunder spread across the grayish skies.

I finally broke into tears before hugging myself, “Now everything that I say works, will my aunt go out and take me back again?” 

After I said those words, I curiously glanced from behind. Unfortunately, no one was there, “Well, it’s pure coincidence if everything I say comes true,”

My feet decided to take me to the city, no one was out in the streets because everyone was probably trying to take cover to avoid getting wet.

Despite that the rain was that harsh, I was content with the small umbrella I had that didn't even cover half of my luggage and backpack.

“I need to find somewhere to stay, but where can I find something like that when I don't have enough money in the first place?” She spoke to herself.

I decided to sit on the side of the road while thinking about the options I have left. I almost didn't notice that the rain had stopped when a gust of wind came to greet me.

“Ah!” I screamed in fright when a paper slapped my entire face. Blinking, I slowly removed that from my face and read what was written over there.

My eyes squinted after seeing a poster about hiring a maid and it had benefits that I couldn't even believe someone would boldly give.

“Maid for hire, you can stay at the mansion for free, the food is free as well when you cook for your master, and the salary is…what in the name of–” I restrained myself from speaking when I was about to curse.

“20,000$ for a maid, are these people for real? This sounds like a scam,” I bit my lower lip while tightly gripping the flier.

I was certain that I wouldn't obtain any job relevant to my course for this day, so it was highly recommended that I take any job that she could easily get aside from selling my body.

“I had no other choice for today, there’s no point in being picky,” I breathed before taking out my cheap keypad phone to call the number placed below the flier.

Also, I had to make sure I wasn't entering some serial killer's house because the benefits were too tempting, [Hello, this is Judeo Albert speaking, may I help you?]

Hearing that voice on the other end of the call made me want to gulp. It sounded calm and reassuring as if I were speaking to a handsome man.

“U-Um hello, this is Rosita Lauren, I'm calling because I found your flier, is the position of the maid still available?” I formally asked.

There was a pause on the other line before someone spoke to me again, [Yes, it's still available, the current maid quit right this moment,] Judeo sounded like he was smiling.

Just now? I shook my head, “Uh, great?! Should I pass my resume and go to this address that is given in this–”

[Can you clean, cook, and withstand devil behavior?] He cut me off, which made me stop before nodding.

“Y-Yes, we can all withstand dealing with devils, right?” I nervously chuckled, thinking that he was probably joking.

[Alright, you may follow that address, we'll be waiting for you at the main entrance of the mansion,] Judeo was about to call when I called out his name. There’s something that I have to ask before it’s too late.

“W-Wait! I'm not entering the house of a serial killer right?” I instantly regret it after asking that. 

I was about to get accepted, and now I'm being too rude and curious to the point where they might think I'm insane.

[Ha, interesting, is that because of the benefits you read there?] Judeo curiously asked, which made me nod even though he couldn’t see me.

“Y-Yes, it's just too much that I don't know if it's for real,” I sighed in relief because I thought everything was over for me.

[Don't worry, I'll fill you up after you arrive here, just come A-S-A-P, he's about to come home,] Judeo mumbled before ending the call.

My gaze was drawn to my phone before I shrugged. It seemed odd, yet his voice was enough to persuade me that everything would be well. I can't afford to be fussy now that she has nothing but my possessions and me.

I pulled my luggage before staring at the flier, “This is near the mountains of Pearl,” I mumbled before deciding to wait at the bus stop. 

It wasn't long until a bus arrived and rode an hour away from the center of the city. I almost fell asleep, but instantly opened my eyes when I heard my destination was near.

I discovered the bus stop was in the middle of a forest after getting off the bus. I looked around and bit the bottom of my lip.

“Where am I? This is the tip of the oyster, right?” I mumbled while rechecking the address I read on the flier.

Pearl is a city that is near a mountain full of strange and mystical stories. It was said that numerous supernatural creatures were living there before.

Lots of people used that as a tourist attraction but things happened that forced them to avoid the mountains, women, and men started disappearing whenever they hiked the mountains.

Some even said that they saw fairies and wolves, twice as big compared to regular ones, “I'm in the right place,”

“Judeo isn't pranking me, right?” I muttered anxiously before stopping as I noticed a fancy automobile coming my way. I wanted to whistle because that Ferrari looked too good on its own, a handsome one indeed.

It stopped right in front of me as the tinted windows slowly went down, “Rosita Lauren?” A familiar voice called.

I curiously peered to the side, noticing that the driver was wearing elegant formal attire and black glasses.

“I-I am, and are you Judeo?” I politely asked. He happily nodded before gesturing to the back of the car.

“Help her place her things in the compartment,” Judeo ordered. I started wondering who he was talking to and was surprised when two men went out to grab my luggage and bag.

“A-Ah, wait, um, okay?” I bit my lower lip before deciding to sit on the passenger seat and buckling my seat belts.

She watched those two place her things in the compartment, gasping in surprise when someone handed me an iced coffee.

“Sit tight, we're still a bit far from the mansion,” Judeo took off his glasses, confirming that I was chatting to a handsome man a while ago.

“T-Thank you,” I gratefully accepted the coffee, “I thought the address was where the mansion was.  Was I wrong?”  

Judeo chuckled at what I had said, “Well, that is just the entrance towards the villa, right now we're entering the mansion through these gates,” He pointed to the right.

I looked over there, my eyes widening as I noticed tall golden gates opening as if they recognized our presence.

“The mansion of the master I'm going to work with is that far and huge?” I gasped in awe, making Judeo laugh.

“Y-Yeah, it's the first time someone applied that talks this much,” Judeo mumbled happily while stepping on the pedals.

What he said terrified me for a moment, “A-Are you sure you're not leading me to my death?” I boldly asked.

Judeo looked at her before chuckling, “No, I promise you, but are you prepared mentally?” He sniggered.

I started wondering about what he was trying to say but got preoccupied upon looking at the view before them.

The mansion was to be seen at the far corner of the huge villa, the owner of that place probably owes billions of money.

Numerous pine and oak trees were to be seen on the sides of the road while wild and colorful flowers were below it.

At the main entrance of the mansion, she almost gasped after seeing such a huge white fountain there that contained gold leaves on the corners as designed.

“Oh my heavens, is this place for real, or am I dreaming?” I was only supposed to comment on that inside of my mind, but my mouth blurted that out.

To be continued…