The Alpha Personal maid

Hope’s P.O.V I still remember that last day—how my parents were trapped in the burning mansion, screaming for help, and how I was shoved into the back of a stranger’s car and sent away to the orphanage. Life had been perfect once, filled with laughter and warmth. I didn’t ask for much, just the quiet joy of family dinners and the comfort of a home. Then, it was all ripped away. Now, this orphanage is my prison. Aunt Vera runs it like a fortress, but I wouldn’t call her family. I didn’t even know she existed until my parents were gone. She treats me like everyone else here—no special treatment, no kindness. If anything, she’s harder on me, as if she resents the blood we share. Girls are not allowed to let their hair loose, as my aunt would not like to see loose strands anywhere, especially in the bathroom. So my straight hair always remains tied up all day and now it has become wavy. My aunt closely resembles my mom as both possess the same beauty that I used to wonder at when I was young. That is all on similarities; she never resembled even an inch of Mom's kindness. New people often ask if she is my mom because we share the same pale skin, full lips, and similar features. Someone even said that I look like her younger self, but once they catch up with the true nature of Auntie, they take it back. The rule here is simple: no one leaves until they’re of legal age or got chosen for adoption. Yesterday, I turned eighteen. It should’ve been a special day, a new beginning. Instead, it was filled with more chores, and more work. No one came for me. Maybe it’s because Aunt Vera doesn’t want me to leave—maybe she enjoys the control. I’m crouched on the floor, scrubbing the wooden planks with a worn-out rag. Diana, my only friend in this place, is nearby, wiping down the stairs. We’ve been at this for hours, and my hands are raw, but the smell of disinfectant lingers. Aunt Vera is obsessed with cleanliness. One speck of dust, and we all suffer her wrath. The door swings open behind me, and heavy footsteps echo through the hall. I glance up, startled, as two men walk in—massive, with bulging muscles under black shirts, their faces grim. Dirt falls from their boots, scattering across the floor I just cleaned. I can’t help but stare, heart racing. Who are they? I glance at Diana, who gives me a tired, knowing look. We’ll have to scrub the floor all over again. Before I can mutter a word, Aunt Vera appears at the end of the hallway, her sharp eyes locking onto me. For a moment, I froze. There’s something in her gaze, something that makes my skin crawl. “Hope,” she snaps, her voice too sweet, too unnatural. I hesitate, rag in hand, wondering what she wants now. “Come here.” I drop the rag and walk over, my stomach twisting in knots. Aunt Vera’s smile is plastered on her face, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. There’s something wrong. Very wrong. “Take your hair down. Quickly,” she orders, eyeing me up and down. My fingers fumble to pull the bun loose, my long hair tumbling over my shoulders. Without warning, she pulls out a bottle of perfume and sprays me, the sharp scent making me wince. “You’re the only one who looks decent around here,” she mutters, smoothing my hair with quick, impatient strokes. “Now, don’t argue. You’re of age, and it’s time you pulled your weight. Do exactly as I say, and be grateful for this opportunity.” I blink, confused. “Grateful? For what?” She sounds different and kind. This is not great. But Aunt Vera is already turning, pushing open the door to her office. Inside, the two men from earlier are waiting. Their eyes land on me, and the room feels suddenly colder. One of them, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, looks at me over, his gaze lingering in a way that makes my skin crawl. “This is the best I can offer you,” Aunt Vera says, her voice slick like oil. “She’s strong, capable, and obedient. The perfect option.” My heart pounds in my chest. W-what's happening here? “She’ll do,” the man with the scar says, his voice low and rough. “Pretty enough. And she’ll follow orders, right?” What is happening? My throat tightens as fear claws at my insides. I open my mouth to speak, but Aunt Vera’s sharp glare silences me. “Hope, don’t you dare cause a scene,” she hisses under her breath. Her fingers dig into my arm painfully. “You owe me. I’ve kept you fed and sheltered all these years, and now it’s time to repay the favor. Unless you want me to sell off the others, starting with Jacob.” Jacob’s small, innocent face pops into my mind. He’s only seven—far too young for all this. He should be playing with friends, getting proper care, and feeling the love of his parents. Terror washes over me, freezing me in place. Diana. I glance over my shoulder, but she’s out of sight now, probably still cleaning, unaware of what’s about to happen. I can’t let Aunt Vera hurt her—or the other kids. They’re all I have left. “Alright,” the second man says, his voice more businesslike. He pulls out a thick wad of cash and drops it onto Aunt Vera’s desk. “We’ll take her now.” No. This can’t be happening. I feel the tears welling up, but I swallow them back. The two men turn to leave, and Aunt Vera drags me along by the arm, her grip like iron. The hallway seems to stretch forever as we pass by the rooms of the other kids, their small faces pressed against the barred windows of their doors, watching silently. They look like prisoners. Maybe we all are. Diana appears at the foot of the stairs, her face pale. “Hope? What’s going on?” she calls, her voice trembling. I try to answer, but my throat is dry. Aunt Vera’s grip tightens, pulling me forward. But Diana isn’t giving up. She rushes forward, grabbing my hand. “Where are they taking you? Hope, answer me!” she cries, panic rising in her voice. Aunt Vera whirls around, her eyes blazing with fury. Without warning, she slaps Diana across the face, the crack of it echoing through the orphanage. I gasp. “Diana!” Diana stumbles, clutching her cheek, tears spilling down her face. “Please... don’t take her...” Aunt Vera’s lip curls in disgust. “If you weren’t so hideous, I would’ve sent you instead. Now get out of my sight before I change my mind!” The kids watching from their rooms start to cry, their small voices filling the halls with helpless sobs. I can’t take it anymore. “Stop!” I shout, my voice cracking. “I’ll go with them. Just... don’t hurt anyone else. Please.” Aunt Vera gives me a cold smile and yanks me toward the door. As I step outside, the sun hits my face, but it feels distant, and unreal. I glance back at the orphanage one last time, seeing Diana’s tear-streaked face and the wide eyes of the other children, watching as I’m led away to a fate I can’t escape. Aunt shoved me into the back seat of the car, slamming the door behind me. The two bulky men sat up front, their silence unsettling. "Consider yourself lucky," Aunt said through the open window. "Rowan will be your new boss. He was the richest here. You’ll be thanking me soon enough." With that, she snapped the door shut and walked away without a second glance. Like throwing a can to the trash.