My day started with taking a shower then dressing up in my disguise. At six in the morning, the dining hall opens, and I would have a hearty breakfast.

I followed Calliope's routine, to check the staff's work schedules during breakfast. To listen to their concerns and address them.

"We should start cleaning in the living room, it's more convenient for us to start from the inside rather than the other way around," Debbie, one of the cleaners suggested. She always had a way to contradict Calliope's instructions and decisions.

"The master walks in the living room in the morning, so we have to wait until he leaves the mansion," Calliope answered in a very calm voice.

"We would be finished by the time he wakes up," Debbie insisted, "If I'm in charge here, I would go for the convenience of everyone."

"Too bad, you're not in charge here," Calliope snapped at her.

"I should be the one to replace you, not her" Debbie pointed at me, then glared angrily at Calliope, "you're such a selfish bitch! You hired a new overseer instead of picking me. I'm the most qualified here. I have the highest education and I've been here for too long."

"Did you just call me a bitch?" Calliope's eyes bulged, her temper flared up.

Oh gosh. They spent about five minutes arguing. They only stopped when Hector came between them.

Mr. Stavrakos left early for work, so I could clean his bedroom. It was my first time to clean his area, Calliope did in the past two days.

Bringing along the vacuum cleaner and a cart of fresh linens, containers filled with cleaning bottles, rags, brushes and sponges, air freshener and others, I entered his room.

I could smell his scent inside the room. That distinct cologne and masculine scent that still lingered in my nostrils since he carried me on the balcony and dropped me into the giant pool.

"What a bastard," I gritted my teeth. I could not help but curse, whenever I remember it. I could have died! Good thing I know how to swim, I did not need rescue from Hector and Calliope.

I changed the linens on his bed, vacuumed the carpet, wiped every counter, table, and corner of the room, leaving everything spotless for the savage beast. If not for aunt Jodie, I would have run off after the incident yesterday.

Next was his walk-in closet. All clothes inside the glass cabinets, counters and closets were very neat and in order. I did not have to touch or fix anything. I just had to clean the floor, the table and walls.

First thing I did was took his dirty clothes hanging on a chair. Navy blue jacket, shirt and sweatpants that he wore when I saw him jog this morning.

Darn it. The thought gave me anxiety already.

"I wish you never saw the real me," I said, talking to his jacket, "or if you did, I wish you have poor eyesight like Hector."

I dropped his clothes inside a hamper, then picked the same suit he wore yesterday when he carried me.

The thought of it made me so furious. Of him, and of myself too. When he picked me up, I was so shocked, and at the same time, felt this sudden physical awareness of him. I felt drugged by his clean and manly scent... my heart is hammering foolishly.

Stop it, Pia. I wrenched myself away from the ridiculous notion. No, I was just imagining everything. I could never ever feel any attraction for that savage beast.

I put his suit inside the hamper, then picked his white shirt. My eyes caught the red stain on the collar. I stared at it closely and realized it was a red lipstick.

Well, what do you expect from a rich spoiled billionaire. It was not all about business. Business all day, and pleasure at night... pleasure that involved women. No wonder, he arrived at midnight.

If you're curious about his underwear, there's a laundry chute inside the bathroom. Thank God, I don't have to deal with his underwear.

The rest of the day, I checked the work of the staff. Debbie was still upset with Calliope, and targeted me with her anger. I just listened to her, until she stopped ranting.

In the kitchen, Jean was pounding meat.

"The master requested a tender juicy beef steak, so I'm making this very special," Jean said, then putting all the sauce and seasoning on the kitchen counter.

"I'm sure it will be very delicious."

"Of course, I would spend the whole day making sure that all ingredients are perfect. It will be the most delicious beef steak that he would ever taste on the whole planet."

"I'm sure it will be so yummy that he'll lick his plate and ask for more," I reassured her, then turned to go, "I'll see you later. I have to see Larry at the Tool House."

In the Tool house, I met Larry, the gardener. He gave me a list of things to buy.

I also met their dog, Snow. A white female Pomeranian. She was in the corner, under a table, lying and looking so sad.

"What happened to her?"

"She lost her boyfriend three months ago, and until now, she's very sad," Larry chuckled.

"A boyfriend?"

"Yeah. Prince, a Beagle. He drowned in the river."

My heart squeezed tightly, the pain of losing someone very dear suddenly overwhelmed me. I stood frozen, speechless, and stared at Snow.

"Are you okay?" Larry frowned, looking at me intently, "seems like you've seen a ghost."

"I... um..." I choked back a tear that I was holding, "I'm okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah," I inhaled deeply, erasing all the bad memories, "maybe Snow needs a walk."

"An exercise would help, but we don't have patience with her. She walks so slow, and lacks energy."

"I'll take her," I volunteered.

"Of course," Larry looked pleased at my suggestion, "you need a leash so she won't wander around."

The next hour, I was patiently walking with Snow, adjusting to her pace. We walked to a different area of the estate, until she saw something, and suddenly walked faster, almost running.

"Slow down, Snow. You're making me tired," I panted, as I followed her, half running also.

We arrived at the back of the house. Behind the huge beautiful landscaped garden, there was a narrow path that led to a small secluded garden by the river.

It was more like a private garden, very stunning with the captivating view of the calm water. Trees surrounded the garden, making the area cooler, and a bed of fine green bermuda grass so tempting, one would like to lie down and roll.

Snow went to a stone bench and played with the dried leaves. I sat there, studying every detail of the scenery in front of me.

Why is the place so familiar? I remember every detail of the view. It was the same as I saw it before.

My eyes fixed at the big oak tree, across to where I was sitting. I knew there was something carved on the trunk. I could remember it clearly.

"Stay here, okay?" I secured Snow's leash on the bench and went to the tree. There I saw what I was looking for. The engraved heart with a hole in the middle. I stared at it, and realized that it was the saddest heart that I had ever seen. Broken and empty.

I looked around and saw a big stone. Then I remember, there were many stain of paints on it. I went closer and saw the paint marks, but some were covered with dirt.

I've been here before, exactly in this spot. I continued to look around, recalling everything that I've seen in the past.

But it was a different house.

I remember, nine years ago, I was thirteen. Dad and mom brought me along with them to a lunch party at the Stavrakos mansion. It was located at the pool area of the massive estate.

"Behave, okay?" Dad warned me, "this is my boss' house, so don't act silly."

"Of course, dad. I know that. You don't have to remind me all the time, I'm a big girl now."

"I know, I'm just making sure. I want to make a good impression with my boss."

"I understand dad, don't worry," I gave him a quick hug.

It was my first time attending a Stavrakos party, and I remember how excited I was, anticipating the delicious food that I would eat. I was not disappointed though, my eyes popped looking at the stunning buffet made for the gods, the colorful drinks like rainbow that I tried everything, and the delicious sweet desserts that I had a fill with.

After lunch, I was so full and sleepy. Dad and mom were occupied talking to their colleagues at our table, and the baby that I had been playing with was fast asleep.

I was so bored. And a blonde boy sitting at the other table kept on eyeing me, waiting for my head to drop on the table. So annoying.

"I'll go to the bathroom," I asked Mom, and she just nodded, not even looking at me. She was busy talking about the latest celebrity rumor with the pregnant woman sitting beside her.

I went to the bathroom inside the mansion. I remember, it was the most beautiful bathroom that I had ever seen at that time.

"Wow, this is way bigger than my bedroom," I looked at myself in the mirror and struck a pose, then another one. I fixed my long chestnut hair, "hmm... should I put it up? Or nah..." I let it loose flowing behind me, and went out of the bathroom.

I explored the ground floor of the mansion, then my feet led me to the garden. I saw a colorful butterfly, and got very excited. I could not remember the last time I had seen a butterfly. I chased it until I arrived in a secluded place.

I was mesmerized by the beautiful garden. It was a perfect hideaway. So cool and the smell of fresh clean air felt like heaven.

There were a few butterflies in there, and I had fun playing with them. I laughed aloud when one landed on my nose. I continued chasing them until I got tired. I leaned on the big tree, and saw the carved heart with a hole.

The bed of bermuda grass was so tempting, I laid down on it, and giggled with laughter when the butterflies joined me. The sky looked so blue and stunning, I could not help but stare at it. I did not realize that my eyes slowly dropped off and I fell into deep sleep. Food coma, that happened to me.

"Pia! Wake up!"

I opened my eyes and saw dad's furious face.

"What the hell are you doing? You almost gave me a heart attack! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

I scrambled on my feet, removing the leaves from my dress.

"I'm sorry dad, I fell asleep."

"Go back to your mother now, hurry up" he bursted.

I ran away, following the track I did earlier. I made dad so upset that day, that he never brought me to any Stavrakos party again.

________

I went back to the Servant's hall and found Calliope. I asked her about the mansion and the spot I found earlier.

"You shouldn't go there, it's the master's private area. No one is allowed to go there, except for Larry when he trims the grass and keeps the area clean."

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's his order, so we should follow. That area is obviously special to him."

"You mentioned that this house was built four years ago, right?" I clarified to her.

"Yeah. When the master inherited this estate, he tore down the old house and made this modern mansion. Everything was developed differently, except for that spot you've mentioned."

"I see," I nodded, confirming my doubt.

So, I've been here before.

_____

Hello Dreamers!

How are you?

I want to thank you all for your lovely birthday greetings. You made me all so happy. I had a great time, spending it with my family :)

Our new update schedule of this story is TUE-THU-SAT. Three times a week. 

I'm so glad, we're now almost 100K reads, yayy!! You're all amazing. 

You can submit your Fan Arts on my Instagram: sweetdreamer33_xoxo. Just tag me, sweetdreamer33_xoxo or neilanialejandrino or sweetdreamer33 in your post, and I'll share it in my IG story.

Here's my playlist for today:

Sparks Fly by Taylor Swift

Butterly by BTS

One Thing by One Direction

Into You by Ariana Grande

I Like Me Better by Lauv

Crush by David Archuleta

Fall For You by Secondhand Serenade

See you on Thursday! Take care guys. 

Lovelots,

Neilani