Dirty Little Secret (GxG)

Season 2, Chapter 7 - Pretending

Sandra's POV

As the night progressed, the ballroom was filled with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the soft hum of conversation. I made my rounds, exchanging smiles and greetings, always with that same practiced elegance that had become second nature over the years. But underneath it all, my mind kept drifting back to Dria, to the intensity of our earlier conversation. The hope I had felt moments ago lingered in the air like a delicate thread, but I couldn't afford to lose focus tonight. Not with so many eyes watching.

After a few more polite exchanges, I made my way to my parents' table. It was something I did at every event—to show respect, to ensure everything was going smoothly. My father, as usual, was sitting quietly, observing the crowd with his usual detached demeanor. But it was my mother, Mrs. Domingo, who caught my attention the most. Even at sixty-five, she was as formidable as ever, radiating power and sophistication. The years hadn't dulled her sharpness one bit, and I knew that if there was anyone capable of causing a ripple in my carefully constructed world, it was her.

"Mother," I said as I approached the table, my voice warm but measured. "Father."

They both looked up, my father offering me a small nod of acknowledgment while my mother smiled faintly. But there was something in her eyes—something calculating, as if she were piecing together a puzzle in her mind. It set me on edge.

"Sandra, darling," she greeted, her voice as poised as ever. "Everything is absolutely stunning tonight. You've truly outdone yourself."

"Thank you, Mother." I smiled, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. I could feel it—the tension, the silent scrutiny. I knew my mother well enough to recognize when she was on the verge of something.

And then, as if on cue, she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. "That girl," she began, her eyes darting briefly toward the table where Dria and Alice were seated. "The one with Alice Eduardo... she looks familiar. Isn't she the same girl who used to work for you as your secretary?"

I felt my stomach clench. Of course she had noticed. My mother didn't miss anything, especially not when it came to me or anything that could potentially affect our family's reputation. I hesitated for a fraction of a second, but I knew there was no point in lying. She would see through it in an instant.

"Yes," I replied, my voice steady. "That's Lia. She used to be my secretary ten years ago."

There it was—laid out in the open. I could see the way my mother's expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. But she remained silent, her gaze distant as though she was calculating something behind those sharp eyes. The silence stretched between us, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on me.

I couldn't stand it.

"Mother," I said firmly, leaning forward just enough to ensure she understood the seriousness of my words. "Whatever you're thinking, just stop. Leave her alone. Don't mess with Lia—not anymore."

My mother's eyes snapped back to mine, and for a moment, there was an intense stare-off. She was always a master at maintaining control, but I knew her well enough to recognize that she was weighing her options, deciding whether to press further or to back off.

"You've always been protective of her," she said slowly, her voice laced with intrigue. "Even back then, when she was just your secretary. I never quite understood why."

I gritted my teeth. The urge to explain myself—to make her understand—welled up inside me, but I knew it would be pointless. My mother didn't think the way I did. She didn't understand love, not in the way I did, and especially not when it came to Lia. To her, everything was a chess game, every move calculated for maximum advantage.