Chapter 3
I took the badge, trying to look as demure and maid-like as possible. I shouldered my bag and followed the guard's directions, my heart beating just a little bit faster with every step.
As I walked towards the house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What would Aleoscar Nixon Gonzalo be like? I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on my mission. I had a job to do, and I wouldn't let anything get in the way.
The house loomed before me, its grandeur and beauty taking my breath away. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. It was time to put on a show, to play the part of the perfect maid. But beneath the surface, I was seething with tension, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
I was so caught up in staring at the Mansion in front of me that I didn't notice a woman approaching me, carrying a black plastic bag. "What do you need, miss?" She was pretty and seemed kind.
"Is this the Gonzalo house?" I asked, i tried to return her smile.
Her brow furrowed. "Yes, it is. Why, what do you need?" I breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm the new maid sent here."
The woman's expression changed from curious to welcoming, and she smiled. "Ah, you must be Ms. Lazarus. I'm Keyrel, I'm one of the maids here also. I've been expecting you, girl."
As I followed Keyrel into the mansion, I couldn't help but notice the opulent decor and impeccable taste. The gold and cream colors I had noticed from outside were carried through to the interior, giving the house a sense of luxury and sophistication.
Keyrel led me to a room that would be my quarters during my stay. "Will you be okay sharing a room with me? I promise I'm pretty laid-back and not a total slob - just a few personal things here and there. Hope we can vibe well and make this space comfortable for both of us!"
She showed me around the room and introduced me to every person we crossed paths. As Keyrel led me to the lead head of housekeepers, I felt a mix of nerves and i suddenly feel nervous. Manang Leticia, a stern-looking woman in her late 50s, looking straight straight at me and my soul.
"Ah, the new maid," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "Welcome, I'm Leticia, the head housekeeper. I trust you're ready to work hard and follow the rules?"
I nodded, trying to make a good impression. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm eager to learn and do my best."
Manang Leticia nodded, her expression softening slightly. "Good. Keyrel will show you the ropes. Let's get one thing straight: punctuality and cleanliness are key here. You'll be expected to keep the house spotless and be on time for your duties."
I nodded again, taking mental notes. "Yes, Ma'am. I'll make sure to do that."
Manang Leticia handed me a thick binder. "This is the schedule and duties. Study it well. Keyrel will go over everything with you."
As Keyrel took the binder from me, Manang Leticia added, "And don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions. One more thing don't obey any other order from other maids. Go."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "Thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate it."
Nang tumalikod ang matanda ay agad akong hinila ng babaeng nagpasok sakin sa mansyon. Habang hinihila niya ako ay nakatingin lang ako sa paligid, nadaanan namin ang kitchen bago niya ako pinasok sa isang kwarto sa di kalayuan.
Nilibot ko ang tingin sa loob ng silid at napansing may dalawang kama sa kwarto, isang pinto na siguradong akong banyo iyon at isang lamisa.
Mas okay pa ako sa apartment ko. Balik nalang kaya ako sa ibang araw?
I changed into my uniform and stepped out of the room, looking around for my coworkers. But the hallway was eerily quiet. Where was everyone?
Just as I was starting to feel a bit uneasy, a young girl's voice pierced the silence.
"Who are you?!"
A girl around 10 years old with a scowl on her face, looked me up and down. She was holding an iPad and wearing glasses, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
The kid stood in front of me, her hands on her hips and one eyebrow raised as she looked me up and down. Her forehead was furrowed, and her eyes seemed to bore into me. I met her gaze, refusing to back down.
"I'm Jaire, the new maid," I replied, trying to sound calm and friendly. "I'm looking for my coworkers. Did you see them?"
She shrugged. "They're probably avoiding you. You're probably going to be really annoying." She raised an eyebrow. "You're not even dressed properly. That uniform looks like it's about to fall apart on you."
Sinusubukan ng batang 'to ang pasensiya ko.
"I'll make sure to adjust it, ma'am."
Her gaze lingered on me for a moment before she turned to walk away. "Gotta go. Maid."
I stopped her, feeling a mix of frustration and irritation. This kid is getting into my skin. I was going to prove myself, no matter what this kid thought of me.
I took a deep breath, trying not to let her get to me. "I'm just trying to do my job and get along with everyone. Maybe you could show me where the other is?"
She looked at me like I was bothering her. "Fine. But don't touch anything that's mine. And don't think we're going to be friends just because I'm showing you around."
As the girl reluctantly showed me around the house, she pointed out various things, but her tone was curt and dismissive. I tried to ask her questions, but she just rolled her eyes and told me to figure it out myself.
The kid clearly didn't like me, and so do i.
"Thanks for the tour, kid," I said, trying to sound sincere.
She just shrugged and walked away, leaving me feeling a bit uncertain about my new job. New job huh? Really Jaire?
I caught up with Keyrel doing laundry in the washing machine at the back of the house, where the storage room and guard house were located. I was taken aback by the sheer amount of laundry she was doing, and I quickly jumped in to help her, which caught her off guard. She stopped what she was doing and stared at me in surprise, her eyes scanning my uniform before landing on my face.
"Hey, let me help you with that," I said, taking some of the clothes from her.
Keyrel looked up, slightly startled, and her eyes scanned my uniform. "Infairness, bagay sayo ang uniform natin, ang sexy mo girl!" she whispered, her voice low and teasing, as she nudged me with her elbow.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks, but I tried to maintain my composure. "Let's just focus on the laundry," I said, trying to sound neutral.
Keyrel's eyes sparkled with amusement, but she didn't push the issue further. Instead, she handed me some detergent and we continued working together. As we loaded the washing machine, Keyrel occasionally glanced at me, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.