One maid had her head hung low, shoulders tense, as if trying to shrink into herself. The other stood across from her, face scrunched up in fury, eyes practically spitting fire. For a while, I just watched from a distance, unsure of what exactly was happening, but it didn't take long before the picture became clear — the angry one was yelling, maybe even scolding the quiet maid for something. Her hands moved sharply with every word, and her tone, though I couldn't hear it clearly, had that unmistakable edge — the kind that didn't sound like a normal conversation.
I knew I was new here and, logically speaking, it probably wasn't smart to get involved in drama that had nothing to do with me. I mean, few hours here and I was already sticking my nose where it didn't belong? Not the best strategy. But unfortunately, ignoring bullying had never been one of my talents. I wasn't raised to turn the other way when something wrong was happening right in front of me — especially not when one person clearly had the upper hand.
So, I walked over to find out what was going on. I wasn't trying to start a fight or anything — just make an enquiry, Like a regular peace-loving person.
I didn't like this vicious maid one bit. From the moment I laid eyes on her, she was radiating nothing but bad vibes — the kind that prickled under your skin and made your instincts scream stay away. On top of that, she seemed unusually hostile toward me, like my very presence offended her. She didn't even bother to hide it. Her glare practically screamed, You don't belong here, and the way she looked at me? I hated it with everything in me.
Condescending.
Not just casual, I-think-I'm-better-than-you condescension. No — it was deep, cutting, and deliberate. The kind of gaze that picked at old scars I would rather stay buried. I didn't hate it because it made me feel small or worthless. No. I hated it because it reminded me of that night. Of her. Leah's cold, empty eyes. That frozen expression that had haunted me ever since.
My chest suddenly felt tight — suffocating, even. Something sharp and invisible twisted behind my ribs, and I couldn't breathe properly. Before I could think twice, before I could even process the weight of the memory crashing over me, my body moved on its own. I stormed over, fast and full of fire, grabbed her by the arm, and — without any warning — yelled right into her face.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, hitting her like you own her?!"
For a split second, the vicious maid lost her composure — her eyes widened like she'd just seen a ghost. But she recovered quickly, letting out a snort and throwing me a nasty look before flicking her head to the side in disdain.
"I asked you a question!" I snapped, stepping closer, refusing to back down.
As our eyes met, I caught something in her gaze — something disturbingly familiar. That same cold, unmistakable glint Leah used to give me anytime I spent time with Max. Back then, I hadn't understood what it meant. But now? Now I did.
Hate.
Detest.
A hint of disgust.
And not the passive kind — the kind that makes your skin crawl because you know it's personal.
I was thrown off for a moment, confused. I barely knew this girl. What could I possibly have done to deserve that much bitterness from someone I had just met? It didn't make sense.
Before I could piece it together, she hissed — loudly and dramatically — then turned on her heel and stormed out through the back door.
"What's with her?" I muttered under my breath, then turned back to the other maid, who was now staring down at her feet. She looked like she wanted to disappear, her posture shrinking, her entire body cowering in fear — for a reason I couldn't begin to understand.
---
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked gently.
She nodded after a long pause but kept her eyes glued to the floor, like she'd made some sacred covenant with it. I crouched slightly, trying to catch her gaze.
"What's your name?"
Her head lifted just a bit — not enough to meet my eyes — and she muttered, "Paulina."
My heart ached. She looked so small, so fragile — like a wounded rabbit that had learned to flinch before the blow even came. It didn't take a genius to see she was probably being bullied on the regular. Her petite, trembling frame screamed of someone constantly stepped on.
I knew I didn't hold much power here — at least not officially — but I was married to their boss. That had to count for something. They should at least give me a little face. And if they didn't, I'd make them.
With that thought burning in my chest, I grabbed Paulina gently by the wrist and headed off to find Xavier.
And just like the universe was listening, he walked in right then — right through the back door.
"Xavier," I said, my voice sharp with purpose. "I want this maid as my personal maid."
His eyes widened. He looked completely thrown off — like he'd just watched the sun rise from the north. The confusion on his face was almost funny.
I knew what that look meant. He saw me as that timid, submissive woman anyone could boss around. Well, that version of me was dead and buried.
It was time I made it clear — to him, to everyone in this place.
I was the boss now.
The MADAM.
And no one — absolutely no one — could mess with me.
The universe handed me a second chance, and this time, I wouldn't just survive.
I'd shine.