[~Song Recommendation: Miracle by Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding~]
Noticing Mr. Park's beaming face, Layla's heart skipped a beat. Could this be the job she had longed for? But she quickly reminded herself that such things didn't happen overnight. She forced a smile, still standing by the door, her confusion evident on her face.
"What are you doing there? Come inside! Today, I'm throwing you a little farewell party," David said with a warm, inviting tone. As his words sank in, Layla felt her heart race, her body breaking into goosebumps at the unexpected news.
"Si-Sir… Is it about the new job?" Her voice wavered, her nerves getting the better of her. She was scared it might be something else entirely.
"What else could it be?" Mr. Park chuckled, his smile growing.
"Really? Oh my God!" Layla gasped, unable to hold back her emotions any longer. She rushed toward him, grabbing one of his hands in hers, her eyes welling up with tears that weren't from sadness but pure joy.
"Thank you so much, sir… I'll be forever grateful to you," she stammered, her voice cracking with the weight of her gratitude.
"Come on now, this is the least I could do. You're like a daughter to me. Never forget that," David replied, gently patting her shoulder. But Layla, overwhelmed with emotion, couldn't stop herself from crying. Her sobs were loud, raw, like a child whose favorite toy had been ripped away.
Her crying caught the attention of the other maids and even some of the family members of the mansion. Soon, a small crowd had gathered outside Mr. Park's room, all of them wearing puzzled expressions.
"Layla! What are you doing? Leave Sir right now!" Elysia's voice snapped Layla back to reality, and she realized the mistake she'd made. She had crossed a line, letting her emotions spill over. Blushing in embarrassment, Layla immediately apologized, but Mr. Park waved it off with a warm smile, dismissing it as nothing.
The rest of the day, Layla stayed in her room in the maid quarters. David had excused her from her duties as a little gift. That evening, a small farewell party was held in her honor. The other maids gathered to wish her well, sharing snacks and drinks. Some envied her, others congratulated her. But no matter the reaction, Layla felt a deep sense of relief and hope she hadn't felt in a long time.
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It was late when Layla finally closed the door behind the last maid, who had shared a brief but heartfelt hug before leaving. She sighed and her gaze found her mother, Elysia, sitting by the table. Elysia's eyes were fixed on a photo of them both, hanging on the wall.
Despite not being her birth mother, Elysia had always been more than a mother to her. Layla recalled the days when she was just an infant, crying, and how Elysia had comforted her, holding her close as she clutched her skin like a child does to its mother.
"What's wrong, Mom?"
"Nothing, Layla… It's just that… You'll be living alone now, and who will take care of you?" Elysia asked, her voice thick with worry as she stared into her daughter's eyes.
"I'll be fine, Mom. Don't worry about me." Layla tried to reassure her, but it was clear her words weren't enough. Elysia's worried expression didn't falter. "I know you'll miss me. To be honest, I don't want to leave either… but I have to do this so you can finally be free from that filthy Robert."
Elysia rose from her seat and pulled Layla into a tight hug, her body trembling as she sobbed quietly. She kept apologizing, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. Had she not taken that loan, Layla wouldn't have to leave and work for some wealthy man in a far-off mansion.
"I wanted you to have a better life, Layla. A chance at education. Not to end up like… like this," Elysia whispered, her voice breaking.
Layla could feel her mother's pain, her own heart aching for the sacrifices Elysia had made for her. She gently pulled back from the embrace, cupping her mother's face in her hands. "I'll be okay, Mom. I promise. This is the only way out. Once I pay off the debts, we'll both be free."
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The next morning came far too soon, marking the beginning of a new chapter in Layla's life. She had to leave Cristine City, her home, and travel to Rozenville to work as a maid in Alfred Conner's mansion.
Thanks to Mr. Park's generosity, Layla now had an opportunity—one that paid far more than she had ever expected. It was enough to cover her mother's debts and still leave room for her to pursue her education.
Her bags had been packed the night before. Elysia had quietly done it while Layla slept, still exhausted from the emotional whirlwind of the previous night. Layla quickly dressed and freshened up, stepping out of the bathroom, feeling the bittersweet sting of the moment.
She chose to wear her best clothing—a simple olive-green long-sleeve floral dress, a small luxury she had allowed herself on rare days off from the mansion's work.
"Goodbye, Mom… and Mr. Park. Take care. I'll call you both as soon as I get there," she said, trying her best to hold back the tears. Her throat felt tight as she kept her gaze fixed on her mother, who stood at the gate, waving her off. A few tears had already fallen down Elysia's cheeks, and Layla's heart shattered at the sight.
As the car pulled away from the mansion, Layla allowed herself to let go. She sniffled softly, her chest tight as the tears threatened to spill over. The driver glanced at her, concern written on his face.
"I'm fine," she said, offering a weak smile. "It's just… I've never been away from them before."
He nodded, his eyes softening. "He must be a kind person," Layla muttered to herself as she stared out of the window, watching the landscape change as the car drove on.
The car finally stopped in front of a massive gate, and Layla's breath caught in her throat as it slowly opened. Inside, the mansion loomed—a grand estate with a pond, lush gardens, swimming pools, and tall trees that lined the path leading to the front porch.
Layla's hands clasped together in awe, her mouth falling open as she took in the beauty of the place. The car stopped beside the porch, and a butler stepped forward to greet her, guiding her into the mansion. Her eyes wandered in wonder, taking in the grandeur of the interior—a modern palace with intricate designs and luxurious finishes.
"My apologies, sir, but aren't maids supposed to live in separate quarters?" she asked the butler as he led her into a room inside the mansion. The butler remained silent, leaving Layla with a growing sense of unease.
"That's strange…" she muttered, but didn't have time to dwell on it as she rushed to the bathroom, feeling the urgency of her bladder.
As she emerged from the bathroom, her eyes caught sight of several papers scattered by the door. Curious, she bent down to pick them up. The more she read, the more tense she became. But when she reached the final page, her skin went pale.
"Sl-Slave…"