Two of Hearts [ON HOLD]

8

CHAPTER 8

DARK SIDE

Seyren's POV

"Breaking news, the statue commemorating the comfort women, which had been removed by the former president from Baywalk Boulevard, suddenly reappeared in the middle of the Manila Bay sidewalk this past Sunday. This unexpected return delighted netizens and the relatives of the former comfort women from World War II. The new president declared that he had secretly erected it there to surprise the public, a gesture that brought tears to the eyes of many who had waited years for such recognition."

I heard this news while I was cleaning my car in the garage, my ears perking up at the broadcaster's enthusiastic delivery.

"Yan ang gusto ko sa bagong presidente, may respeto sa mga babae at aktibo pa" said one of the maids as she passed by the entrance of the house, her face alight with approval.

When she saw me, she stopped walking, concern creasing her brow.

"Oh my! Madame Seyren ano pong ginagawa nyo dyan? Kami na po dyan Madam!" They panicked and ran outside, their voices rising in a blend of worry and dismay.

"Huh? No need, I'll handle it. I don't have anything else to do anyway," I reassured them, smiling softly as I resumed cleaning the car's interior, enjoying the peaceful task.

I took a short break, wiping sweat from my brow as I surveyed the spotless interior, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

"Ma'am, Madame Elowen instructed us not to let you do any housework because you rarely get a day off. We'll handle it, Kennedy and I!" they insisted, their expressions earnest.

I pointed the hose at them playfully.

"I'll shoot you with this if you come closer," I warned with a mischievous grin, my eyes twinkling.

"You'll get wet, you want that? No, right? I'll do it myself, and I'm also doing this as an apology because I owe Azara. Remember..." I tapped both of my cheeks, making them laugh and breaking the tension.

"Don't worry, Elowen won't find out that I cleaned the car. As long as no one snitches, it's our little secret, okay? Shhh." I pressed my index finger to my lips and made a "shhh" sound, winking conspiratorially at them.

The two maids blushed, their embarrassment visible as they exchanged shy glances.

"Magluluto nalang po kami ng pagkain para sa inyo as a reward. Pwede po ba 'yon?" one of them offered, eager to please.

"Absolutely, I like that. Thank you," I responded, giving them a thumbs-up, which they returned enthusiastically.

As they walked away, I overheard one of them whispering to her companion.

"Madame is so handsome and beautiful at the same time. If I were a man, I'd court her," she said, and I couldn't help but smile, watching them disappear around the corner.

I continued cleaning, losing myself in the familiar routine for a few more minutes.

Afterward, I decided to attend to my moped, which had been malfunctioning in the middle of the road for days when I was going to or coming from work.