Nathan
I sat across from Ara in the hushed sanctuary of the university library, the faint scent of aged paper and polished wood lingering in the air. My mind was still tangled in quiet confusion. Why had she so gently but firmly rejected my offer of friendship? Yet every time I looked at her, the question softened.
Her face was a study in quiet grace—porcelain-smooth skin, delicate features framed by strands of dark hair that caught the golden light filtering through the tall windows. I couldn't help but smile, captivated by the subtle curve of her lips and the way her lashes cast faint shadows across her cheeks.
Before I could lose myself further in thought, rapid footsteps shattered the silence. Joy burst into view, breathless, her eyes wide with urgency. She rushed toward our table, her school uniform slightly disheveled from running. We stood up instinctively, startled by her sudden appearance.
"What happened?" I asked, concern sharpening my voice.
"Your sister is coming," Joy whispered urgently, her gaze darting toward the entrance.
"Whatever you do, don't let her know you've been talking with Ara for so long."
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Ara's wrist and pulled her away.
I nodded quickly, though confusion swirled inside me. The two girls slipped between the tall bookshelves, disappearing into a shadowed corner far from my table. I forced myself to sit back down, heart beating faster than I cared to admit.
Picking up my book once more, I pretended to read, eyes scanning the same paragraph repeatedly while my mind raced with unanswered questions.
Minutes later, the heavy library doors swung open with more force than necessary. My sister stormed in, her face twisted with fury. Her eyes—usually bright and commanding—burned with barely contained rage, as if she were fighting the urge to lash out at the first person she saw.
"Nate," she snapped, voice low but venomous as she approached my table. "Have you seen our two housemaids?"
I kept my expression neutral, slowly closing my book. "No. Why are you looking for them?"
"They embarrassed me in class," she hissed, her gaze sweeping across the library like a predator searching for prey. Her fingers clenched into fists at her sides.
I leaned back slightly, studying her. My sister had always been a force of nature—beautiful, intelligent, and utterly spoiled. She never accepted defeat, and she certainly never forgave those who made her look less than perfect. "How did they humiliate you?" I asked, genuinely curious now.
For a moment she hesitated, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Nothing," she muttered.
"Nothing?" I raised an eyebrow. "You don't get this angry over nothing."
She exhaled sharply, the anger flaring again.
"Our teacher gave them bonus points. They finished early and were allowed to leave while the rest of us had to stay behind and copy extra homework. In front of everyone." Her voice dripped with indignation. "Those two maids… acting all innocent, like they're better than they are."
I said nothing, merely nodding as if I understood. Inside, however, the pieces were falling into place. No wonder Ara and Joy had looked so frightened.
They lived under the same roof as my sister, serving her family by day and attending the same elite classes by some strange arrangement. And now they had inadvertently bruised her pride.
My sister lingered for a moment longer, scanning the shelves with narrowed eyes. I kept my face calm, the weight of unspoken secrets pressing against my chest as the library's silence returned—thicker and more tense than before.
I kept my tone light and reasonable as I looked up at my sister. "They're smart, Crissy. That's probably why the teacher let them out early with bonus points. It doesn't mean anything more than that."
Her eyes narrowed instantly, a dangerous frown creasing her perfectly arched brows.
"So now you're saying I'm not as smart as them?" The accusation hung sharp in the air, laced with wounded pride.
"No! No, no—of course not," I said quickly, raising both hands in surrender. I could see the storm brewing behind her gaze and knew I had to diffuse it before it escalated.
An idea struck me. I stood up smoothly, closing the distance between us, and slipped my arm around her shoulders in a warm, familiar embrace. With my free hand, I gently squeezed her soft cheeks the way I knew she secretly loved, my smile easy and affectionate.
Crissy had always been weak to this kind of attention from me. Beneath her spoiled, fiery exterior was a girl who craved love and validation—especially mine. Though we shared no blood, I was the adopted son of the Madrid family, brought in years before she was born.
Over time, her fondness for me had grown into something deeper, more possessive. She grew visibly jealous whenever another girl showed interest in me.
"Forget about them," I said softly, my voice low and soothing. "No matter how angry you are right now, it's not worth it. Come on—let's go get some drinks outside. My treat. And I'll head home with you afterward."
Her expression shifted in an instant.
"Really, Nate?" she asked, her eyes widening with genuine surprise and delight. The anger that had been radiating from her only moments ago melted away like frost under sunlight. She couldn't hide her happiness at the rare offer of my undivided company.
"Hmm," I nodded, smiling wider as I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Let's go."
We left the library together, my arm still draped casually around her. I could feel the tension easing from her body with every step. My true intention, however, remained hidden: to draw her attention far away so that Ara and Joy could finally slip out safely.
Ara
My nerves finally began to settle as I watched Crissy and Nathan disappear through the heavy library doors. The knot in my stomach loosened, though my heart still raced from the close call. I didn't even want to imagine the mess that would have unfolded if Crissy had caught us talking—especially Nathan and me.
I turned to Joy, who was still peeking cautiously from behind the tall bookshelf.
"Wait… how did you know Crissy was coming to the library?"
Joy exhaled slowly, brushing a strand of hair from her flushed face. She leaned against the shelf, her usual calm confidence returning now that the danger had passed.
"You know me," she said with a small, knowing smile. "Just like you, I answered every question our teacher threw at us perfectly. Once class ended early for us, I followed you here right away. But when I arrived, I saw you and Nathan talking at the table." Her voice dropped slightly. "I stayed near the entrance, pretending to browse the shelves closest to the door. That way, I could spot Crissy the moment she arrived and warn you in time."
I nodded, gratitude warming my chest.
"Thank you, Joy. I don't know what I would have done without you today."
She gave my hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.
"We're in this together. We always have been."
The library fell back into its peaceful hush around us, but the weight of secrets, hidden feelings, and the complicated dynamics of the Madrid household lingered in the air like unspoken promises.
"Thank you, Joy," I whispered, my voice thick with genuine gratitude. Without her quick thinking, I had no idea how I would have escaped if Crissy had discovered us together. The mere thought sent a fresh wave of anxiety through me.
Joy gave me a small, understanding nod, her expression serious.
"All I can advise is that you avoid Nathan as much as possible. Don't wait until Crissy's anger spirals out of control."
I stared at her, confused and a little helpless.
"How can I avoid him when he keeps coming so close to me? We live under the same roof."
Joy let out a long, weary sigh. She knew as well as I did how impossible that request truly was. The Madrid mansion was both our workplace and our shared prison—there was no easy way to create distance from the young master of the house.
After a brief pause, she lowered her voice even further.
"You know… I think Nathan is falling in love with you. The way he looks at you, the way he tries to get close—it's more than just kindness. I think he genuinely likes you."
Her words struck me like a sudden gust of wind, leaving me stunned and speechless. My heart stuttered in my chest. A big mess—that was the only way to describe what would happen if Crissy ever found out.
She would hate us even more, the "poor housemaids" who dared to exist in her world. Worse, she would accuse me of seducing her brother. I could already picture the cold fury in her eyes, the venom in her voice.
I shook my head slowly, pushing the frightening images away.
"I never dreamed of having a rich boyfriend, Joy. I don't want that kind of life. I believe I can lift myself out of poverty through my own efforts. One day, I'll give my father the comfortable life he deserves. I don't need anyone else to do it for me."
Joy watched me quietly, respect flickering in her gaze. She knew how determined I was—how hard I studied, how relentlessly I worked, all for the future I envisioned.
"I'll try," I said at last, my voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside me. "I'll avoid him as much as possible. But I have to stay prepared every single day. I never know what's going on inside Crissy's mind."
With our nerves still frayed from the close call, Joy and I gathered our things and slipped out of the library. The afternoon sun had already dipped lower, painting the sky in soft hues of orange and gold.
It was five o'clock, and I knew my father would be waiting patiently outside the university gates, just as he did every day, ready to take us home after our long hours of classes and duties.
As we stepped into the cooling evening air, the weight of secrets, unspoken feelings, and the constant tightrope we walked in the Madrid household pressed heavily on my shoulders. Yet beneath it all, a quiet resolve burned in my chest. No matter what happened, I would carve my own path.
We spotted my father leaning against the old family car just outside the university gates. The golden afternoon light cast long shadows across the pavement as he watched us approach, his weathered face etched with quiet concern.
His eyes scanned the path behind us, searching for someone—undoubtedly Nathan. He always seemed to carry that subtle vigilance whenever he picked us up.
"Where is Sir Nathan?" he asked as soon as we were within earshot, his voice carrying the familiar mix of respect and fatherly worry.
"He's going home with Crissy today," Joy replied smoothly, offering a small smile.
My father nodded slowly. "Oh, I see. Alright then, both of you, get in."
The car ride home was unusually quiet. I stared out the window at the passing city streets, the hum of the engine the only steady sound between us. My father kept glancing at us through the rearview mirror, his brow furrowed.
He knew us too well. Every other day, Joy and I would chatter nonstop—recounting classes, laughing over small moments, filling the car with life. Today, the silence felt heavy, almost suffocating.
"What happened to the two of you?" he finally asked, unable to hold back any longer. "This year, I've noticed something's changed. You're both so quiet lately."
I forced a casual smile and met his eyes in the mirror. "Huh? Nothing, Dad. Joy and I are just thinking about the big research project our teacher assigned us. It's more complicated than we expected, that's all."
The lie tasted bitter on my tongue. I hated deceiving him—he had sacrificed everything for me after my mother passed. But this time, I had no choice. The truth would only burden him with worries he didn't need.
He was the only family I had left, the only one who truly loved and cared for me without condition. Protecting his peace was more important than my discomfort.
"Ah… Is that so?" He sounded only partially convinced. "I thought something might have happened at school."
I simply nodded and looked away, letting the conversation fade. The rest of the ride passed in thoughtful silence.
When we arrived at the sprawling Madrid mansion, Joy and I hurried to the servants' quarters. We changed quickly into our crisp maid uniforms—black dresses with white aprons, symbols of our dual lives as students by day and household staff by evening. Duty called without delay.
Joy headed straight to Madam Lucia's cherished garden, carrying a watering can to tend the blooming roses and orchids under the softening evening light. My assignment was in the grand kitchen, where I joined Mrs. Amalia, the head cook, in preparing dinner for the entire household.
The rich aroma of simmering garlic, herbs, and slow-cooked meats soon filled the air as I chopped vegetables and stirred sauces with practiced hands.
I felt a quiet wave of relief that the siblings still hadn't returned. Their absence granted us a fragile pocket of peace. No sharp words from Crissy, no unexpected tension from Nathan. For now, the mansion felt almost calm.
From this moment on, I silently vowed, I would do everything possible to avoid Nathan. No matter how kind his smiles or how gentle his attention, my peace—and my future—depended on keeping a safe distance. I would focus on my studies, my duties, and the dreams I carried for my father and myself. Nothing else.