The Maid's secret

10

Tony is gripping the steering wheel, panic etched across his face.

He glances in the rearview mirror, the back seat empty where Brina once sat. He reluctantly pulls out his phone and dials Ricca.

"M- ma'am.... We have a problem."
Tony's voice trembling.

The sound of horns blaring and engines revving fills the background. A moment of silence on the other end, then Ricca's voice erupts.

"What do you mean we have a problem? What’s going on, Tony?"

"Brina... she jumped out of the car. I couldn’t stop her. She’s gone!" Tony swears under his breath.

An audible gasp from Ricca, followed by a heavy silence.

She finally speaks, her voice shaky yet filled with fury.

"What do you mean she’s gone? You were supposed to be watching her! Do you have any idea what you've done?" Halata sa boses niya ang pagkapanic.

Tony's grip on the phone tightens as he struggles to maintain his composure in the chaos of the traffic around him.

"I didn’t expect her to—she was just so—she just saw her chance and took it! I tried, I really did!"

"This is unacceptable, Tony! Do you understand what happens if we can’t get her back? If Brina is lost, so is everything!" This time, tumaas na ang boses ni Ricca.

Ricca’s voice trembles, the reality of their situation begins to sink in. The weight of her deception hangs in the air.

"I’m faking my pregnancy, Tony! Xin and his family think I'm carrying His child. If I can’t bring Brina back—if they find out that it’s all a lie....." Ricca's voice began to break.

Tony can hear the desperation in her voice, mixing with anger.

"I’ll find her, I swear! I know I messed up, but—"

"Find her and bring her back—no matter what it takes! If you can’t, I swear, I’ll make you wish you did."

Tony’s face pales at her threat.

He glances around, feeling trapped in the midst of traffic, knowing he has to regain control.

"I’ll do it. Just give me some time. I’m on it."

Ricca inhales sharply through her nose, trying to gather herself, but her voice is still taut with frustration.

"You better be..."

The call ends abruptly. Tony sits back, feeling the weight of the world crashing down on him. He grips the steering wheel tighter, determination flaring in his chest.

"Fuck! Fuck!"

He starts the car, pushing through the traffic like a man on a mission.

Meanwhile, somewhere far away, Brina hides—safe and unaware of the storm brewing behind her.

----

The luxurious car glides to a stop in front of the sprawling private resort.

Brina watches, wide-eyed, as ten elegantly uniformed maids walk gracefully toward them, their presence imposing yet welcoming.

Riyo, the stoic bodyguard, steps out first.

Riyo opening the door for the old man. "Sir, we’ve arrived."