“Why are we here, Sister?” I asked sister, who has been taking care of me since I was a child, with a confused tone.

“Someone is going to adopt you, my dear!” she said happily to me. I smiled widely, finally, someone will adopt me. I have a family now!

“Really, sister?” I asked again, and she nodded at me.

I grew up waiting patiently for someone to adopt me.

“This house is really big, sister, isn’t it?” I innocently asked sister, amazed by the size of this house, which will be my new home!

“sister, will I be living here?” I asked sister while a smile remained on my face.

“Yes, oh my! Oh my! Oh my! You’re so lucky, kiddo!” sister joked, stroking my neck.

After waiting for a few minutes, I saw two men coming down the stairs. If I were to compare them, the one at the back is handsome, with a big build. But the one in front is different, his face is unique, he’s so handsome, especially his eyes, eyebrows, and lips. He’s taller than the one behind him, he’s wearing a black turtleneck while the one behind him is wearing a white shirt.

When they reached the bottom of the stairs and looked at me, his eyes widened and immediately looked at sister.

“Did I say to bring me a useless girl to my house, Linda?” He said calmly, but his voice was intimidating. I looked at sister, then back at the man talking to sister Linda.

“A-ah, Senyora said to send Aihne, uh, Aihne Monica Oxford.” sister explained, but he just held his forehead and looked at me, but immediately looked back at sister.

“Bring her back, I don’t want her.” He said to sister, looking me up and down. I smiled at him while trembling with fear that he wouldn’t like me.

I was right, he didn’t like me. He snubbed me and looked back at sister.

“It’s not possible, Senyora said to take care of Aihne.” sister insisted.

“FINE. Tsk.” He agreed coldly, but I knew it was against his will to let me stay in the house.

“Ethan, guide her.” He said coldly to his companion, probably his servant.

He left without saying goodbye, I just gasped for air and looked down.

sister approached me and took my arm. “My dear, before I leave, I just have something to tell you.”

“What is it?” I politely asked her.

“Follow all of Senyorito Sartori’s orders, don’t make him angry, and don’t bother him. Be careful, my dear!” sister said. I nodded and hugged her, then she left. Tears welled up in my eyes. I’ll miss sister, she’s been like a mother to me since I was a baby..

“Are you okay, ms?” I looked to my side and saw the man named Ethan.

I nodded. “Yes, I-I’m okay.” I answered. I looked at the handkerchief he offered me.

“Here.” He offered it to me. I looked at him but then I realized I was staring so I quickly looked away and took it, wiping my face with it. After that, I returned it to him.

“No, no.. keep it.”

“Thank you..” I said, smiling at him. ‘He’s so kind’ I thought.

“Come on, I’ll tour guide you, so you can know all the rooms and the beautiful garden in the mansion.” He said, and I followed him.

FAST FORWARD

“This is the Flora de Harden, Senyorito Xavier’s favorite place. He goes here when he’s tired and has nothing to do.” He explained to me. I nodded and smiled.

He was right. It’s beautiful. Aside from the different kinds of flowers and plants, there’s also a beautiful place where you can sit. It’s a small hut made of bamboo, and it has a pool. Inside, there’s a bed.

I wanted to go inside, but I might get scolded. Like Manang said, I have to be good here..

“Did you enjoy it, ms Aihne?” he asked me while we were walking and touring the garden.

I nodded. “Yes, I enjoyed it..” I answered and smiled.

“How old are you, Aihne?” He asked me.

“I’m 17..” I answered him. “How old are you?” I added.

“I’m 21 years old.. Btw, I’m Ethan Knight.” He answered and offered his hand to me.

I took it and we shook hands. His hand was warm and big compared to mine. It was also smooth.

“I’m Aihne Monica Oxford, po..” I introduced myself and smiled.

Then we continued touring the mansion.

“And these are the rooms, and this second room is Senyorito Xavier’s room. And the one opposite it is your room.” He explained and immediately opened the door. When I looked, I was wowed by the beauty of my future room. It was clean and prepared, there was a soft bed, a balcony, wow!

“WOW! I-is this my room?” I asked. He nodded and continued walking inside, explaining what was inside and what I could use.

..........

“Okay, little lady. I’m going to leave you now, it’s getting late.” He said goodbye to me while standing at the door.

“Okay, thank you again. Bye.” I said goodbye and immediately closed the door.

He’s so kind! And.. handsome, hayss I wish my family would be like this, kind. What I noticed is that the other man is grumpy. And why is he so grumpy? Does he have a wife? Maybe he’ll kick me out?, no, that won’t happen, I guess, because Senyora promised me that she’d take care of me here.

I just ignored the questions that didn’t have answers yet and lay down on the soft bed. “Ahhhh!!” The bed is so soft... This is the first time I’ve had a big, soft bed. In the orphanage, we shared a bed. And it was a double-decker… But I was happy there.

Hayst, I miss the orphanage, especially sister.. “I hope he likes me and changes. He’s so grumpy, it’s scary!” I prayed to God before I went to sleep.

“Ugh, this is so boring!” I complained. It really was boring. I was just sitting on my bed, looking outside, with nothing to do. I have no one to play with.

Ah, I know! Why don’t I just clean or cook dinner for us tonight? So I can help, I don’t want to be a burden in this house.

So, I stood up and went down from my room. I followed the handsome Ethan’s instructions on where the kitchen is.

And when I got there, I saw an old maid cooking. So I approached her, and she looked at me.

“Oh, my dear. Why are you here?” she asked me while continuing to cook. It smelled so good!

I was curious about what she was cooking, so I went closer and looked at it. I drooled because it looked so delicious. I didn’t know the name because it looked like a rich person’s dish that Auntie was cooking.

“Can I help? Maybe I can help with something?” I asked Auntie while holding my hands.

“Oh, no, my dear. I can handle this. You’re better off sitting there because your food is already cooked.” She said to me while serving what she cooked.

“Oh, okay, Auntie.” I answered politely and sat down. She served it and then placed it on the big table. She also got cold water and rice, as well as spoons and forks.

“Here, my dear.” She said and handed me the plate with rice. I took it and smiled.

“Auntie, aren’t you going to eat with us?” I asked Auntie while getting some food.

“I-I can’t. Senyorito might get angry, and I’m full anyway, my dear.” She declined my offer. What a waste. Why doesn’t Xavier, Daddy Xavier, let her eat with us? Hayst, that’s so strange!

“Really, are you okay?” I asked again, making sure because maybe she was forced. And maybe she was really hungry.

But Auntie nodded, so I ate. Oh, “hmmm! It’s so delicious, Auntie!” I was so happy with Auntie’s cooking, it was so delicious!

“Thank you, my dear.” She thanked me. I could see on her face that she was happy and proud. “Uh, my dear, what’s your name?” Auntie suddenly asked.

I couldn’t answer right away because I was still putting rice in my mouth. “Aihne Monica Oxford, po. What’s your name, Auntie?” I introduced myself and asked her name.

“I’m Joanna Krupa, 46 years old.” She introduced herself to me.

We talked about our lives, and Auntie said that she’s been working since Daddy Xavier was a child, and she said that Daddy’s always been like that. He doesn’t like women, they have a broken family, and he has tra*ma, so he acts that way.

“That explains it..”

FAST FORWARD

While we were eating and talking, Auntie and I heard a car horn, maybe it was that Daddy.

“I’ll leave you for now, my dear. Senyorito is here.” She said goodbye, I was right. Daddy was already here.

Auntie left and I saw Daddy enter while glaring at me.

“Let’s eat, Daddy.” I offered, but he just ignored me, not even looking at me for a second. Hayss, why is he like that. I’m not bad. I just want him to notice me.

“Please forgive Senyorito, my dear!” Auntie apologized for Xavier’s behavior.

“It’s okay, Auntie.” Even though it wasn’t really okay…

After they left, I cleaned up the plates and spoons I used, and then put the leftover food in the refrigerator. I couldn't finish it all.

I washed them while singing. I love singing when I'm doing something. I used to do this in the orphanage, sing. I would even sing to the children there, and they would be so happy. They said I had a beautiful voice, like an angel, they said. But for me, it's normal because that's just my voice when I speak, that's just how it is.

While I was washing and singing, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me, so I looked back.

And I thought it was someone else, but it was just Ethan. So I smiled when I saw him, he was handsome even in the dim corner. Yes, it was dark, it was midnight so only the kitchen had lights.

His face was still beautiful, especially his nose. It’s long, and his face seems to glow.

He was just grinning while looking at me, so I was a little confused.

“Your voice is beautiful, like an angel.” He said, but what I was wondering was why his voice sounded like it was echoing.

“N-no, it’s not!” I said.

I put away the dishes I had washed, but I was surprised when he grabbed my stomach while I was facing away from him.

So, my eyes widened and I looked at him. He was grinning while still holding me.

“P-po?” I asked innocently, but… I was ticklish from his touch.

“W-what are you doing?!” I asked as his face got closer to mine.

“D-don’t---” His face got closer and…

“----AHHH!!” I suddenly screamed when--- it was just a dream, oh my God!! Huhu, I thought it was real. No one has ever kissed me, huhu. That was a nightmare!

“Are you okay, my dear?” Auntie asked me while holding my shoulder.

“Y-yes, Auntie.” I answered.

“You fell asleep while telling me about Ethan, so I just let you be. It’s almost midnight, so go upstairs and get some sleep too.” She said.

I touched my face, my head suddenly hurt, huhu why was my dream like that. It’s scary!

“Are you sure you’re okay, my dear?” Auntie asked me again, with worry on her face.

“Yes, I-I’m okay.. I’ll go ahead.” I answered, then stood up from where I was sitting.

“Okay, good night, my dear.”

“You too, good night.”....

As I was going upstairs, I suddenly heard something from Daddy Xavier’s room, so I slowly went there, out of curiosity. I slowly peeked inside. It was dark, so I couldn’t see what was inside, but…

I-I heard someone moaning, so I peeked further into the darkness and… and… and…

I-I saw D-Daddy sitting on the floor with no pants on and a M-MONSTER between his legs! It was big, fat, and long.. If I were to describe it, it was longer than his stomach, it was also fat. I-I don’t think I can handle it, it’s so big. He was moving it up and down while moaning, m-maybe he’s in pain?! Poor guy.

He looked at me, so I immediately ran to my room and closed it right away.

“W-what was that monster?” I asked myself while biting my lip.. My day was so weird today, haystt...

I just sat down on my bed and took my comb and combed my long hair..

“Hmm.. I should get some sleep.”