La Familià (Lim X Vergara Family) Au

XXXIX

Selah stands at the doorstep, preparing to leave . She has to work as a maid in the secretive family’s household, a strange but require. Selah, dressed in plain clothes, shoulders her bag and gives a brave, if slightly uncertain, smile.

Her mothers, Charles and Loyden, stand nearby. Loyden gently rocks baby Silas in her arms, her face tense with worry and sadness. Charles stands close, holding back tears, her hands reaching out instinctively as if to protect Selah from the challenges ahead.

Though Charles trusts Selah’s strength, the thought of her daughter working in an unfamiliar, potentially demanding environment weighs on her.

Loyden’s voice cracks slightly as she speaks words of encouragement, “Remember why you’re doing this, Selah. And if you ever feel unsafe, come home. We’ll be here, waiting.”

Selah nods, meeting her mothers’ eyes with determination. She steps out, and as she walks away, Charles finally lets a tear escape, while Loyden holds baby Silas a little closer, silently hoping for her daughter’s safe return.

                           ------------

Selah steps out of the car and takes in the grandeur of the estate before her. She feels a mix of nerves and curiosity, clutching the handle of her small suitcase as she walks up to the front door. After a moment, the door opens, and there stands Ariah a confident, calm presence with a gentle but mysterious smile.

"Welcome," Ariah says, her voice warm yet formal. "You must be Shaniah Cruz."

Selah's heart skips a beat. *Shaniah Cruz?* For a moment, she’s thrown off, but then she remembers her Dada's assistant's advice: she would need a new identity here, to remain unknown for her safety and the secrecy of her assignment.

"Yes," Selah replies, finding her voice and adapting to this new name. "I'm Shaniah Cruz."

Ariah gives a nod, her eyes showing no hint of doubt. "Good. Come with me, Shaniah. I'll show you where you'll be staying."

As they walk through the lavish halls, Selah feels increasingly out of place, surrounded by opulence and elegance she’d never encountered. Ariah, radiant and kind, seems far from the intimidating figure Selah imagined. She glances at Selah and smiles, her eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement.

"You're quite pretty to be working as a maid," Ariah comments, studying her face thoughtfully.

Selah blushes, feeling both flattered and embarrassed. She can’t seem to find her voice, her mind still reeling from being called “Shaniah Cruz” and the reality of her assignment sinking in.

Ariah leads her into a cozy sitting room, pointing to a framed family photo on a nearby table.

"This is my family," she says, her tone softening. "My wife, Mac, and our two daughters, Mairwen my firstborn and Iyah."

Selah's eyes freeze on the picture, her breath catching in her throat. The face of Ariah’s daughter, Mairwen, is all too familiar. It’s the same girl she had clashed with back at school the girl she’d bullied, even humiliated, never imagining they’d cross paths again, let alone like this.

A cold sweat breaks out as she realizes the gravity of her situation. Mairwen, her “amo's” daughter… Selah feels her stomach twist with dread.

Ariah continues, unaware of Selah's internal turmoil. "You’ll have a list of tasks to manage, and some responsibilities with the family when needed. But mostly, you’re here to help with household work and stay observant."

Selah can only nod, forcing herself to keep her expression neutral, but inside, her mind races. She has no idea how she’ll face Mairwen again let alone in her role as a maid.

                       ----------------

As evening settles in, the house fills with a warm glow, and Selah stands in the kitchen, nervously wiping down the counter, trying to keep herself busy and unnoticed. She knows Ariah’s family will be home soon, and the idea of seeing Mairwen again makes her heart race with a mixture of dread and anxiety.

A few moments later, the front door opens, and Selah hears soft voices and laughter drift through the house. Mac, Ariah’s wife, steps in first, her presence calm and composed, followed closely by Mairwen and little Iyah. Mac greets Ariah with a gentle kiss and begins talking about her day, her voice full of warmth.

But then, Mairwen’s gaze shifts toward the kitchen, and her eyes land on Selah. She freezes mid-step, her expression instantly shifting from a casual smile to one of shocked confusion. She blinks, as if trying to make sense of what she’s seeing.

"Selah?" Mairwen’s voice is barely above a whisper, her tone laced with disbelief. She takes a few cautious steps closer, her brows furrowed. "What… are you doing here?"

Selah swallows hard, her throat dry. She stammers, desperately trying to keep up her new identity. “I… I’m Shaniah,” she manages, but her words lack conviction.

Mairwen’s confusion only deepens, a hint of anger flashing in her eyes. "No, you're Selah. I know you are. Why are you… here as our maid?"

The tension in the room is thick. Mac notices Mairwen’s reaction and glances between the two girls with a concerned expression, picking up on the undercurrent but uncertain of its origin. Ariah, sensing something is off, steps in, her gaze sharp but patient.

“Mairwen, do you two know each other?” Ariah asks, her tone gentle but direct.

Mairwen's face is a mix of confusion and something else maybe recognition but then she shakes her head, her expression hardening as she looks away.

"No," she finally says, her voice cool and distant. "I don’t know her."

Selah feels a pang of relief but also guilt. She wasn’t expecting Mairwen to deny knowing her, especially after their past.

She catches a glimpse of Mac and Ariah, who exchange a quick look of curiosity but seem satisfied with Mairwen’s response. Mac gives a warm smile and steps toward Selah, extending a hand.

“Welcome to our home, Shaniah,” Mac says, her voice gentle. “We hope you’ll feel comfortable here.”

Selah nods, managing a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Ma’am.”

Mairwen watches from the corner of her eye, her expression unreadable. There’s a flicker of something maybe a mixture of hurt and confusion but she stays silent.

Iyah tugs at Mairwen's sleeve, breaking the tension, and they both wander off to their rooms, leaving Selah alone in the kitchen with the lingering weight of unspoken history.