The Hidden Duchess

CHAPTER 4

The hidden Duchess | Royalty series 1

Krizzybabes

Just like what I expected, it took a lot of time to make them agree with what I wanted, and it required a lot of explaining. Nariyan yung papayag na si Mama, pero ayaw pa rin ni Papa, so in the end, I'd have to convince them again hanggang sa tuluyan ko rin silang napapayag.

"Kyla, yung mga bilin ko ha? Lagi mong tatandaan," Mama Mila reminded me again habang pababa kami sa bangka. "Huwag kang lalabas ng kwarto mo na walang suot na lens. Wag ka rin masyadong lalabas pag nasa bahay si Ma'am dahil ayaw niya talaga na may pakalat-kalat na mga katulong sa bahay. Lalabas ka lang kapag maglilinis ka na," she added, so I smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Ma," I responded.

She had been reminding me about that since last week, and now, habang ihahatid na nila ako sa bahay na pagtatrabahuhan ko, nire-remind pa rin niya ako.

I packed only a few of my clothes using a backpack. We have our own uniform to wear while working, so bringing too many clothes wasn't necessary. One more thing, I'll just stay there as Mama's replacement for a month, and right after that, I'll go back to the island with them.

After the boat ride, we took a tricycle for 30 minutes before arriving at a huge, modern mansion. It looked classy, with neatly trimmed bushes, wide grounds, a garden, a fountain, and more. Enough to say that the family who owns it is a wealthy one.

Mama Mila rang the doorbell, and minutes later, an elderly woman exited the front door to open the gates for us. "Oh, Mila," she said upon seeing Mama Mila, while glancing at me, so I offered her a warm smile.

"Manang Lydia," Mama greeted. "Si Kyla nga po pala, pamangkin ko. Siya muna ang papalit sa akin pansamantala habang nagpapagaling ako sa pilay ko. Anak, si Manang Lydia nga pala. Siya ang mayor-doma dito sa bahay. Mukha lang 'yan suplada, pero mabait naman," she explained, making the woman look at me, scanning me from head to toe, which felt a bit uncomfortable.

I gave her an awkward smile before gently reaching for her hand para mag-mano. "Magandang araw po, Manang," I greeted.

She eyed me with a furrowed brow before turning to Mama. "Sigurado ka ba rito sa ipapalit mo, Mila? Unang tingin pa lang, parang anak-mayaman itong pamangkin mo. Kita mo naman yung kutis, halatang hindi sanay sa gawaing bahay. Sigurado ka bang kakayanin niya magtrabaho rito?"

Nagkamot ng ulo si Mama Mila. "Ang totoo niyan, Manang, kaunti lang talaga ang alam ng batang 'to sa gawaing bahay. Laking Europe kasi, umuwi lang dito dahil nagkaproblema. Ayaw ko naman sanang pagtrabahuhin, kaso, mapilit talaga na gustong sumubok kaya wala na akong nagawa."

"Mabait naman po 'yang si Kyla, Manang. Mabilis ho 'yang turuan. Tsaka, isang buwan lang naman po akong magpapahinga eh. Makakabalik na ho ako bago pa dumating si Madam galing America," she added.

Manang Lydia heaved a sigh before glancing back at me again. "O, siya, pumasok muna kayo. Nariyan naman siguro 'yung bio-data ng pamangkin mo? Kailangan ko lang interview-hin nang kaunti," Manang said while leading us into the house.

Some maids prepared brunch for us as we sat at the garden table in the backyard. Manang Lydia scanned the bio-data that Mama had prepared for me.

She looked up at me and removed her glasses. "Graduate ka naman pala ng kolehiyo, hija. Sa Italy pa. Bakit dito mo gustong magtrabaho? Marami kang pwedeng pasukang trabaho na mas malaki ang sahod, hija. Sayang yung pinag-aralan mo," she said.

I gave her an awkward smile because really, I didn't know how I managed to "graduate" from a bachelor's degree in Italy just like what was written on my bio-data. Although I graduated with the exact program, it was in Santa Maria de los Rosales in Madrid, not in ITS Bari, Puglia, Italy. I don't even know how they came up with that.

"I'll just work for experience lang naman po and, I'll just stay here until Mama Mila gets back to work," I smiled.

"O, siya, sige-sige," she responded, turning her attention to Mama Mila. "Huwag kang mag-alala sa pamangkin mo, ako na bahala. Makakaasa ka't hindi ko siya pababayaan."

Mama smiled gratefully at the old woman. "Salamat, Manang Lydia. Makakaasa ka rin na mabait 'yang si Kyla. Hindi ka bibigyan niyan ng sakit sa ulo."

I was ready to thank Manang Lydia as well, but we were interrupted by a manly voice. "Manang Lydia, I already told you that I want my breakfast to be cooked by you, right?" the man said in a loud voice, although he hadn't yet reached where we were. Mama Mila and Manang Lydia automatically stood upon hearing him, and they greeted the man in unison as he stopped in front of us.

"Sir Vienson, magandang umaga ho," Mama addressed her boss. Our gazes met, and I was shocked to see that face again.

He's that man-the one I bumped into at the mall-and now, he'll be my boss for a month. I hope he doesn't recognize me. It's been weeks since that happened naman.

"Naku, hijo, pasensya ka na. Dumating kasi itong si Mila kasama ang pansamantalang papalit sa kanya bilang katulong, kaya kinailangan kong interview-hin tsaka i-check ang resume," the old lady explained, but he and I locked eyes. Good thing I managed not to show any reaction because I guess he was trying to remember my face.

He turned to Manang Lydia after a few minutes of our staring contest. "Is it her?" he asked, pointing at me.

"Ah, o-oo, hijo."

"Where's her resume? May I check?" he asked again, making me raise a brow, but I didn't say a word. Maybe it's his right because he's the boss.

"Eto, hijo," Manang Lydia responded, handing him my resume.

"Hmmm," he nodded after reading my personal information. "Mikyla Xyril Evangelista," he looked up at my face. "How long will you be staying here as a maid?" he asked.

"Just until my Mama Mila recovers from her injury, sir. Probably one month," I said.

The corner of his lips lifted into a smirk while nodding, then he dropped the piece of paper on the table. "I see. I suppose you're going to start your work now, miss. Please do your job properly," he said before turning his back on us. How arrogant.

"Manang Lydia, please cook me breakfast po. Let the other maids attend to them. Manang Mila, una na po ako," he proceeded.

"Yes, Sir Vienson," Manang Lydia responded, blinking in acknowledgment before walking after their arrogant boss. My gaze followed them until Mama Mila grabbed my hand to get my attention.

"May isa pa pala akong nakalimutang sabihin at ipaalala sa'yo, Kyla. Stay away from Sir Vienson. Kahit anong mangyari, kailangan mong iwasan siya lalo na't babaero 'yan. Baka saktan ka lang niya o ng pamilya nila," Mama uttered in a warning tone.

@Krizzybabes