2025-02-24 14:14:31Chapter 3
Juliana’s phone buzzed, slicing through the heavy silence in her dimly lit room. She stared at the screen before answering with a weary sigh. “Hello.” Her voice was flat. “Hi, it’s Alex.” The voice on the other end was cautious. Her brows furrowed. “From the office?” she asked, surprised. “Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry—” Juliana scoffed before he could finish. “I already know. I got fired. Before I even stepped foot in the office, the report was filed, right? I get it. It’s not your fault—he’s your boss, after all.” There was a bitter edge to her voice. “Yeah, but…” Alex hesitated. “I wasn’t the one who submitted the report. I think he sent it in before you even got home.” He sighed. “But listen, if I come across an opportunity, I won’t hesitate to call you.” Juliana’s grip tightened on the phone. “It’s fine. All thanks to your heartless boss.” Her words were venomous, and before Alex could respond, she ended the call with a sharp tap. Her mother’s voice came from behind. “Who was that?” Juliana turned to see her mother standing in the hallway, arms crossed. “The personal assistant of the ingrate who got me fired.” Her mother gave her a long, disapproving look before sighing. “Well… you’ll have to go back to the coffee shop.” Juliana let out a bitter chuckle, shaking her head. “Not a chance.” Her mother frowned. “What are you murmuring about?” Juliana huffed. “Why on earth should I go back to that coffee shop? I’d probably end up paying more for broken glass than I’d earn. Besides, they don’t want me anymore.” She crossed her legs and flicked on the TV. Her voice turned dramatic. “I’d rather spend an eternity glued to the TV than step foot in that place again.” Her mother exhaled sharply, shaking her head in irritation. Elsewhere... What in the world is going on today? Everyone is testing my patience. Julian clenched his fists, seething with rage as he stormed through the mansion. “Alex!!!” His voice thundered through the grand halls, making the chandeliers tremble slightly. Alex appeared instantly, his posture tense. “Why isn’t my food ready?” Julian’s glare could have cut through steel. Alex swallowed hard before stepping forward. “Sir, I’m terribly sorry. You fired the chef this morning, and we haven’t been able to—” “Just shut up!” Julian’s voice was sharp as a blade. Alex instantly fell silent, his heartbeat hammering in his ears. Julian took a menacing step closer. “What did you just say?” Alex’s throat tightened. “You… you fired your chef, sir.” Julian’s expression darkened. “And who asked for your input?” “I’m sorry, sir—” “Shut up!” Julian barked. His voice was like a gunshot in the silent room. “Before noon, I want a new chef in this house. Find one. Now. Get lost.” He stormed off, leaving Alex standing frozen, his pulse erratic. Desperate Measures Not even my mother has ever scolded me like this, Alex thought grimly. If not for the ridiculous paycheck, I would have quit this job ages ago. Where does he expect me to find a new chef before noon? He’s already burned through every candidate the agency sent! Alex raked a hand through his hair, frustration boiling over. Then, an idea struck him—Juliana. She just got fired. She needed a job. Without a second thought, he pulled out his phone and dialed. “Hey, buddy!” Alex said with forced enthusiasm as Juliana picked up. There was hesitation on the other end. “H—i.” “Cheer up! I’ve got some good news for you.” Juliana let out a small gasp before bursting into excited screams. “I knew it! I knew they’d miss me! Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you! I love you!” She ended the call before Alex could explain. A minute later, his phone rang again. The excitement in Juliana’s voice was gone. Instead, it was replaced with cold fury. “How dare you?! You dare mess with me?!” Her voice was razor-sharp. “Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think I’m desperate enough for you to taunt me?” Alex groaned. “Just calm down, okay?” “Don’t you dare tell me to calm down! Do you know what you made me do?! I just called my boss and thanked him for nothing! Really?!” Alex sighed. “I found you a new job.” But Juliana wasn’t listening. She continued her furious rant. “What stupid job could possibly be better than the one I just lost? Do you even know how much I was making?” “Fifty thousand USD a month.” Alex’s voice was flat, exhausted. Silence. Juliana’s breath hitched. “What?” Her voice was suddenly calm. “Yeah. Fifty thousand. Monthly.” “…W—ow. That’s huge.” A pause. “What job is that?” “Chef. We need a new chef immediately. Say yes, and I’ll pick you up.” Juliana inhaled sharply. Fifty thousand dollars? That was a fortune. But cooking? What if she broke their dishes? Would they deduct it from her salary? Alex’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Hello? Are you still there?” Juliana cleared her throat. “Umm… yeah. I mean, yes, I’m here. Can you, um, give me a second? I’ll call you back.” “No problem. Just don’t say no. I’ll even negotiate a raise for you if needed, just please don’t reject it.” Alex’s desperation was obvious. After hanging up, Juliana dashed to her mother. “Fifty thousand?!” Her mother’s eyes widened. “We’re going to be rich! Why didn’t you accept immediately? What if he changes his mind? Call him back, now!” Juliana nodded and quickly dialed Alex. Before she could speak, he answered. “It’s a yes, right?!” She hesitated before exhaling. “…I suppose so.” Alex whooped with excitement. “Send me your location! I’ll be there immediately.” Juliana barely had time to pack. She grabbed a few essentials and rushed to the door, where her mother waited. She hugged her tightly. “I promise to call every day.” Her mother kissed her forehead. “I’ll miss you, sweetheart.” A sharp knock on the door made them both jump. Juliana swallowed. “I guess he’s here.” Her mother nodded, and together, they opened the door. Alex stood there, dressed sharply, a professional yet welcoming smile on his face. “Good day, ma’am.” They exchanged greetings before he quickly explained the details of the job. Moments later, Juliana was in the car, heading toward the unknown—a house where power, mystery, and danger waited behind closed doors. And she had no idea what she was walking into.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
THE MAID Contract with the devil
Epic 4"Wow..."Juliana's breath hitched as she stepped out of the car, her eyes widening in disbelief.Before her stood a mansion so grand, so exquisite, it looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Its towering pillars, sparkling marble floors, and sprawling gardens stretched beyond what her eyes could take in. The crisp air smelled of fresh roses, and the golden glow from the chandelier-lit windows made the entire place look like a palace.Her heart raced with excitement."They must be swimming in money to afford this."Unable to contain herself, she spun around, facing Alex with sheer enthusiasm.“Hey! I'm really going to live here, right?!” she asked, her voice bubbling with joy.Alex chuckled, his cheeks dusted with a light blush. “Of course. And, please… just call me Alex. I feel more comfortable that way.”Juliana instantly nodded. “Ah! I’m so sorry for being too formal,” she apologized quickly before adding, “I must say, your house is truly breathtaking!”A small smi
THE MAID Second chance
Chapter 5"You asked me to fire her just a few minutes ago," Alex said defensively, his brows furrowed in confusion.Julian, who had been lost in thought, snapped his gaze back to Alex. "Did I? Why?"Alex hesitated. "Umm... Julia—na," he stammered, unsure how his boss had suddenly forgotten.Julian’s eyes flickered with recognition. "Oh... The Peacock? You mean she made this?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and intrigue."Yes, sir. But we already fired her," Alex repeated, still trying to piece together what was going on.A long silence stretched between them before Julian finally spoke."Call her back." His tone was calm but held an edge of finality.Alex blinked. "Sir?"Julian’s gaze darkened. "Call her back and double her salary."Alex stared at him, stunned. "I'm sorry, sir—what did you just say?"Julian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You heard me. Now, leave."Alex hesitated, wanting to question him further, but he knew better. With a quick nod, he tu
THE MAID A night with terror
Chapter 6Juliana clenched her fists as Julian’s words echoed in her mind. Messy hair? Of all the things he could have commented on, that was what he fixated on? The nerve of that man! Just because he was rich, he thought he could treat people however he pleased.A sudden knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.“Can I come in?”She hesitated for a moment before responding, “Yeah, sure.”The door creaked open, and Alex stepped in with a casual smile.“Oh, it’s you,” she said, relaxing slightly.“Mind if I sit?” Alex asked, motioning to the chair nearby.Juliana smirked. “What if I say no?”“Then I’ll stand.” He grinned before settling onto the chair anyway.She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile.“I’m really glad you decided to stay,” Alex admitted.Juliana made a playful pout. “Why do you sound like I did you a huge favor? I mean, it was for my benefit too, so technically, I should be the one thanking you.”Alex raised an eyebrow. “You don’t realize what you did for me, d
THE MAID loved by a stranger
Chapter 7Julian couldn't concentrate the entire day. No matter how much he tried to push her out of his mind, Juliana kept creeping back in. Something about her unsettled him, yet he couldn’t quite place what it was. He tapped his pen repeatedly on his desk, deep in thought, when a knock interrupted him."Excuse me, Boss," Alex said as he stepped inside.Julian shot him a cold stare. "Who gave you permission to come in?"Alex swallowed. "I'm sorry, Sir, but your father has been trying to reach you. He said you haven’t been picking up his calls."Julian’s eyes darkened. He leaned back in his chair, the pen still between his fingers. "And that alone didn't tell you I don’t want to speak with him? Sometimes, Alex, you act so unprofessionally. Couldn’t you have made up an excuse?""I tried, but he knew I was lying," Alex admitted."That's because you're an amateur," Julian said, exhaling sharply.Alex's phone rang again. He hesitated before glancing at Julian. "He's calling again, Sir."
THE MAID Be my guard
Chapter 8Girls. A bunch of disgusting perverts. How the hell did this loser keep track of my life? And how did she even know about Lucy?Julian exhaled sharply, kicking off his shoes with a tired grunt. "Damn, these shoes hurt." He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.“Tisha… ahh, Tsh…” he muttered, a strange smirk playing on his lips—one that disappeared the moment his phone rang.His jaw clenched as he picked up. “Hello, Mum.”“How are you, dear? I assume that worm at the office has been giving you a hard time again?” his mother’s voice came through, laced with concern.Julian remained silent.“We need to see you this weekend. There’s an important matter we must discuss,” she continued slowly.“Dad already told me,” he mumbled, rubbing his temple.“Yes, I know. But I need to tell you myself. I want you to understand just how serious this is.”Julian shook his head, his patience wearing thin.“I’ve heard you, Mum. I’m driving. I’ll call—”“You can use your earpods, Julian.
THE MAID My boss's best friend
Chapter 9Juliana barely had a moment to herself when Alex’s sharp voice sliced through the air, pulling her back to reality.“What do you think you’re doing sitting on my boss’s couch?”She turned to him, her expression instantly hardening. The irritation in his voice was clear, and his body language screamed disapproval. He was rushing toward her with the kind of urgency that made her feel like she had committed a crime.Juliana straightened, squaring her shoulders. “Excuse me?” Her voice was firm, though laced with irritation.“You heard me,” Alex snapped. His glare was unwavering. “We need to talk.”She let out a short, humorless laugh. “We?” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Since when do we have anything to talk about?” She turned on her heel, ready to walk away.But Alex wasn’t done. “That reminds me,” he said suddenly, his tone dropping just enough to make her pause. “We do need to talk—because I’d love to understand why you think I wanted to fire you.”Juliana froze. Her finger
THE MAID Matching his energy
Chapter 10Accepting this job was a mistake.Or maybe the real mistake was tolerating every insult Julian threw at her.Juliana paced her room, hands clenched into fists, still fuming from the humiliation. How dare he belittle her in front of his friend? Did he even know she was a graduate? The way he dismissed her, as if she were nothing—was she supposed to just ignore his friend? Was she supposed to snub him?She scoffed.Julian was never kind. Not for a second.Everything had been an act, a disguise. Beneath it all, he was still the cold, heartless man she always knew him to be.Juliana let out a frustrated sigh, but just as she turned, a sharp knock at the door made her pause.“Juliana… Ana…”The whisper sent a chill down her spine.She knew that voice.Why can't this man leave me alone?Her body tensed, but she forced a smile before opening the door.Alex stood there, grinning as if he had just heard the funniest joke.“Umm… any problem?” Juliana asked, confused by his expression
THE MAID Day one
Chapter OneThe morning was shrouded in an eerie darkness, a stark contrast to the usual brilliance of the rising sun. Julian sat motionless, his fingers clenching around his phone, his jaw tight. The message on his screen burned into his mind, each word a dagger twisting deeper into his chest."It’s been two years, yet she saw it as nothing..."His voice was low, bitter. Rage simmered beneath the surface, an untamed storm ready to break loose. A sharp knock on the door disrupted his thoughts, and within seconds, the scent of food filled the air.The servant placed the tray before him with a cautious glance, but the second Julian took a bite, his expression contorted with disgust. The tray crashed to the ground, the ceramic plate shattering into jagged pieces.“Who prepared this disaster?!” His voice echoed, a sharp blade slicing through the silence.The servants instinctively stepped back, their faces pale. Only Alex, his assistant, dared to respond.“That must be the chef, sir. I’m
Latest Chapter
Matching his energy
Chapter 10Accepting this job was a mistake.Or maybe the real mistake was tolerating every insult Julian threw at her.Juliana paced her room, hands clenched into fists, still fuming from the humiliation. How dare he belittle her in front of his friend? Did he even know she was a graduate? The way he dismissed her, as if she were nothing—was she supposed to just ignore his friend? Was she supposed to snub him?She scoffed.Julian was never kind. Not for a second.Everything had been an act, a disguise. Beneath it all, he was still the cold, heartless man she always knew him to be.Juliana let out a frustrated sigh, but just as she turned, a sharp knock at the door made her pause.“Juliana… Ana…”The whisper sent a chill down her spine.She knew that voice.Why can't this man leave me alone?Her body tensed, but she forced a smile before opening the door.Alex stood there, grinning as if he had just heard the funniest joke.“Umm… any problem?” Juliana asked, confused by his expression
My boss's best friend
Chapter 9Juliana barely had a moment to herself when Alex’s sharp voice sliced through the air, pulling her back to reality.“What do you think you’re doing sitting on my boss’s couch?”She turned to him, her expression instantly hardening. The irritation in his voice was clear, and his body language screamed disapproval. He was rushing toward her with the kind of urgency that made her feel like she had committed a crime.Juliana straightened, squaring her shoulders. “Excuse me?” Her voice was firm, though laced with irritation.“You heard me,” Alex snapped. His glare was unwavering. “We need to talk.”She let out a short, humorless laugh. “We?” she scoffed, shaking her head. “Since when do we have anything to talk about?” She turned on her heel, ready to walk away.But Alex wasn’t done. “That reminds me,” he said suddenly, his tone dropping just enough to make her pause. “We do need to talk—because I’d love to understand why you think I wanted to fire you.”Juliana froze. Her finger
Be my guard
Chapter 8Girls. A bunch of disgusting perverts. How the hell did this loser keep track of my life? And how did she even know about Lucy?Julian exhaled sharply, kicking off his shoes with a tired grunt. "Damn, these shoes hurt." He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.“Tisha… ahh, Tsh…” he muttered, a strange smirk playing on his lips—one that disappeared the moment his phone rang.His jaw clenched as he picked up. “Hello, Mum.”“How are you, dear? I assume that worm at the office has been giving you a hard time again?” his mother’s voice came through, laced with concern.Julian remained silent.“We need to see you this weekend. There’s an important matter we must discuss,” she continued slowly.“Dad already told me,” he mumbled, rubbing his temple.“Yes, I know. But I need to tell you myself. I want you to understand just how serious this is.”Julian shook his head, his patience wearing thin.“I’ve heard you, Mum. I’m driving. I’ll call—”“You can use your earpods, Julian.
loved by a stranger
Chapter 7Julian couldn't concentrate the entire day. No matter how much he tried to push her out of his mind, Juliana kept creeping back in. Something about her unsettled him, yet he couldn’t quite place what it was. He tapped his pen repeatedly on his desk, deep in thought, when a knock interrupted him."Excuse me, Boss," Alex said as he stepped inside.Julian shot him a cold stare. "Who gave you permission to come in?"Alex swallowed. "I'm sorry, Sir, but your father has been trying to reach you. He said you haven’t been picking up his calls."Julian’s eyes darkened. He leaned back in his chair, the pen still between his fingers. "And that alone didn't tell you I don’t want to speak with him? Sometimes, Alex, you act so unprofessionally. Couldn’t you have made up an excuse?""I tried, but he knew I was lying," Alex admitted."That's because you're an amateur," Julian said, exhaling sharply.Alex's phone rang again. He hesitated before glancing at Julian. "He's calling again, Sir."
A night with terror
Chapter 6Juliana clenched her fists as Julian’s words echoed in her mind. Messy hair? Of all the things he could have commented on, that was what he fixated on? The nerve of that man! Just because he was rich, he thought he could treat people however he pleased.A sudden knock at her door interrupted her thoughts.“Can I come in?”She hesitated for a moment before responding, “Yeah, sure.”The door creaked open, and Alex stepped in with a casual smile.“Oh, it’s you,” she said, relaxing slightly.“Mind if I sit?” Alex asked, motioning to the chair nearby.Juliana smirked. “What if I say no?”“Then I’ll stand.” He grinned before settling onto the chair anyway.She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but smile.“I’m really glad you decided to stay,” Alex admitted.Juliana made a playful pout. “Why do you sound like I did you a huge favor? I mean, it was for my benefit too, so technically, I should be the one thanking you.”Alex raised an eyebrow. “You don’t realize what you did for me, d
Second chance
Chapter 5"You asked me to fire her just a few minutes ago," Alex said defensively, his brows furrowed in confusion.Julian, who had been lost in thought, snapped his gaze back to Alex. "Did I? Why?"Alex hesitated. "Umm... Julia—na," he stammered, unsure how his boss had suddenly forgotten.Julian’s eyes flickered with recognition. "Oh... The Peacock? You mean she made this?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and intrigue."Yes, sir. But we already fired her," Alex repeated, still trying to piece together what was going on.A long silence stretched between them before Julian finally spoke."Call her back." His tone was calm but held an edge of finality.Alex blinked. "Sir?"Julian’s gaze darkened. "Call her back and double her salary."Alex stared at him, stunned. "I'm sorry, sir—what did you just say?"Julian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "You heard me. Now, leave."Alex hesitated, wanting to question him further, but he knew better. With a quick nod, he tu
Contract with the devil
Epic 4"Wow..."Juliana's breath hitched as she stepped out of the car, her eyes widening in disbelief.Before her stood a mansion so grand, so exquisite, it looked like something straight out of a fairytale. Its towering pillars, sparkling marble floors, and sprawling gardens stretched beyond what her eyes could take in. The crisp air smelled of fresh roses, and the golden glow from the chandelier-lit windows made the entire place look like a palace.Her heart raced with excitement."They must be swimming in money to afford this."Unable to contain herself, she spun around, facing Alex with sheer enthusiasm.“Hey! I'm really going to live here, right?!” she asked, her voice bubbling with joy.Alex chuckled, his cheeks dusted with a light blush. “Of course. And, please… just call me Alex. I feel more comfortable that way.”Juliana instantly nodded. “Ah! I’m so sorry for being too formal,” she apologized quickly before adding, “I must say, your house is truly breathtaking!”A small smi
hired
Chapter 3Juliana’s phone buzzed, slicing through the heavy silence in her dimly lit room. She stared at the screen before answering with a weary sigh.“Hello.” Her voice was flat.“Hi, it’s Alex.” The voice on the other end was cautious.Her brows furrowed. “From the office?” she asked, surprised.“Yes, ma’am. I’m sorry—”Juliana scoffed before he could finish. “I already know. I got fired. Before I even stepped foot in the office, the report was filed, right? I get it. It’s not your fault—he’s your boss, after all.” There was a bitter edge to her voice.“Yeah, but…” Alex hesitated. “I wasn’t the one who submitted the report. I think he sent it in before you even got home.” He sighed. “But listen, if I come across an opportunity, I won’t hesitate to call you.”Juliana’s grip tightened on the phone. “It’s fine. All thanks to your heartless boss.” Her words were venomous, and before Alex could respond, she ended the call with a sharp tap.Her mother’s voice came from behind. “Who was t
fired
Epic twoJulian couldn't stop thinking about the sheer audacity of that woman—Juliana.“The nerve…” he muttered under his breath, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel as he drove. His mind replayed the scene over and over again—her fierce glare, the way she had the guts to grab his tie, her voice laced with anger as she demanded he pay for her drink.“Tshh! Ju-lia-na…” he hissed, whispering her name like it was venom on his tongue.It wasn't just the incident that irked him—it was her presence. Her boldness. The way she had spoken to him with no regard for who he was. Did she have any idea who she had just messed with?Then, suddenly, reality struck him.“Oh my goodness! My phone.” His voice hardened as irritation flared up again. He had left his phone with Alex.With a frustrated sigh, he yanked the steering wheel, making a sharp U-turn back to the office.THE OFFICE SHOWDOWNAlex was pacing back and forth when Julian stormed in. His assistant exhaled in relief