Sinking With You

Secret

“I saw a dead body,” Aria said, her eyes fixed on Derrick’s.

“Call the authorities immediately,” Clara instructed, urgency clear in her tone.

“No, this cannot go public,” Daniel replied with resolve.

“What do you suggest we do, bury her? We need to contact her family and handle this properly,” Clara pressed.

“And expose ourselves to the media? We can’t risk that negative attention,” Daniel insisted.

“Why do you always seem to protect your illegal son? It’s time he faced the consequences,” Clara shot back.

“Dad, you’re just making it worse for him, he'll never change at this rate,” Andre added, joining the discussion.

“Enough!” Daniel exclaimed, his authority unmistakable. “My decision is final.”

Aria could see Clara’s determination; she was clearly prepared to challenge that decision. Moments later, the police arrived, heading for Derrick’s mansion.

From the main mansion, Aria observed as the body was carefully taken away. A chill ran through her, and her heart ached at the thought of how young the girl was.

“The police will be speaking with you soon,” Clara said, drawing Aria back to reality.

“Me? Why?” Aria asked, surprise evident on her face.

“Don’t worry; they just need your statement and will bring you back,” Clara reassured her. “When you get to the station, mention that you saw Derrick with the body,” she added, emphasizing her point.

Aria furrowed her brow in confusion. “But…I didn’t actually see him do that,” she protested.

“Look at me. Did you see his face earlier? He’s involved. Besides, his reputation speaks for itself—everyone in MayRich knows,” Clara insisted.

“I understand, but…” Aria began, wanting to argue further.

“Just do as I say,” Clara interrupted firmly. “You’ll tell the police you saw him putting the body in his closet. That’s the statement you’ll give,” she ordered.

“Yes ma,” Aria responded quietly, feeling a weight of sadness.

It wasn't even up to a day Aria started working for the Wilsons when she started regretting her decision to come here. She didn't expect to be caught in the family drama, as she thought she could just be a maid whose presence would be barely noticed.

A short while later, Aria found herself in the back seat of a police car, with Mabel beside her. Upon arriving at the station, Aria decided to recount the events honestly, sharing her experience without adhering to Clara’s directive.

“Are you alright? This must have been shocking for you,” a tall, handsome young man asked, his concern genuine.

“Ahh, yes, but I’m okay now,” Aria replied, confusion written all over her face.

“I'm Stephen, the last son of Daniel Wilson, and this is my wife, Rebecca,” the man introduced, pointing to the fair-skinned slender woman standing beside him.

“Oh, yes sir, I'm fine now,” Aria replied, with ease…

***

“How dare you defy my order?” Clara fired, as soon as Aria stepped into the house.

“I'm sorry ma, I…,” Aria tried to speak.

“You think it's because I hate him? With time you'll come to understand why someone like him should rot in jail,” Clara cuts in.

“I'm really sorry ma, I…,” Aria tried to speak again.

“Save your energy; from today, you're assigned to his mansion alone. Go and clean up Derrick's closet now,” Clara ordered before exiting the room.

“What? Clean the crime scene? Assigned to his mansion alone?” Aria asked herself, obviously shocked. “Is she punishing me for going against her order?” she wondered.

After taking a moment to compose herself, she gathered her cleaning supplies and made her way to Derrick's mansion. Climbing the stairs slowly, she approached the third floor, where his room stood ajar.

With a deep breath, she stepped inside. The sight of the closet was overwhelming, and as she started cleaning, the strong stench of blood made her stomach churn.

Once she finished, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. However, as she stepped out of the closet, she froze; Derrick was standing there, his hands tucked in his pockets. A rush of anxiety surged through her, her bladder threatened to fail her as she tightened her grip on the bucket she was holding.

“Where are you going? I can still smell the stench from here,” Derrick stated, his gaze intense and unwavering.

“I... I was just going to get a disinfectant,” Aria stammered, her voice shaky.

“But there’s one in the bathroom. Didn’t you see it?” he asked calmly, a hint of anger in his tone.

“Right, okay,” Aria replied, retreating back toward the bathroom.

She retrieved the disinfectant and thoroughly cleaned the closet before making her way back out. As she stepped out of the closet again, she found Derrick still standing in the same spot.

“Are you done?” he asked with an unsettling calmness, his gaze still locked on her.

“Yes,” she said, carefully avoiding his eyes.

“Good. You can leave,” he stated, stepping aside to let her pass.

Aria moved toward the door, glancing back occasionally to ensure he wasn’t following her. When she reached the door, she tried to push it open but suddenly felt a firm grip on her arm, pinning her against the wall. Startled, she looked up to meet Derrick's penetrating gaze.

“What did you tell the cops?” he demanded, his voice low and threatening.

“I... I just...,” she struggled to respond as fear coursed through her.

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t punish you for lying,” he said, his grip tightening around her neck.

“Please, I didn’t lie!” Aria gasped.

Derrick’s expression flickered with anger before he finally released her.

“I told them exactly what I saw,” she said, catching her breath. “I swear I didn’t lie!”

“Listen carefully,” he instructed, his tone stern. “While you’re here, you will steer clear of anything related to me. Do your chores but don’t touch my belongings. You are not to speak of me or to me.”

“Y-yes, sir,” Aria managed, trying to steady her voice.

“Do not ever look at me. If I get you starring, you'll definitely be punished. And do not come near my mansion after 8 p.m.,” he concluded.

Aria was shocked at the last rule, but before she could react he yelled. “Get out, now.”

Aria quickly carried her cleaning supplies and scrambled out.

She ran out, heading to the main mansion while trying to calm her racing heart. She didn't know what transpired at the police station after she left, but she was sure someone had altered her statement but she couldn't think of anyone who would do that…

***

The next day began like a normal day; Aria went about her duty as directed by Mabel, who was still putting her through the basics in the house. She hadn't recovered from the shock of yesterday when she was asked to serve drinks to the Wilsons who were already in a meeting. A part of her was curious, wanting to see the complete Wilson family as she had always seen on the news but the other part of her was scared of being in the same space as Derrick.

She walked in alongside another maid, holding two bottles of wine and glasses.

“I don't understand; why would your illegitimate son hold the highest position?” Clara demanded, her tone firm.

“He is my first fruit; he is my heir,” Daniel responded.

“Oh, cut the crap, Daniel; he is the same age as your legitimate son, only some months apart, so shouldn't you make your legitimate son the heir?” Clara fired.

“Dad, think about it. His reputation will only cause damage to the company,” Andre reasoned.

“I didn't call you here to question the decision I make regarding my company. I own the company, and I decide who I hand it over to,” Daniel stated firmly.

“Dad, I have no interest in taking over the company, I have my own company to run,” Derrick cuts.

“Tell that to the bulls. Do you think I don't see the way you always play the good boy role around Dad? You're just a heartless murderer who is constantly looking for a victim to murder,” Andre interjected.

Aria swallowed hard; she couldn't believe she just heard those words directly from his stepbrother. It dawned on her that she was in for a really rough ride.

“What difference does it make?” Daniel asked. “You own a fish farming company and I run a company that grows and supplies everything used for cooking, why can't we merge?” he added

“It makes a lot of difference; you made the mistake of sleeping with a cheap bartender and got her pregnant the same time I was pregnant with your child, now you want to make another mistake of handing your company to an outcast,” Clara spat.

“I was drunk, Clara. And my son is not an outcast,” Daniel warned.

“Drunk? Or she drugged you just to force her way into the family,” Clara continued.

“I think I've had enough of your accusations. I won't stand here and watch you call my son an outcast,” Sandra, Derrick's mother, shot.

“I'm not ready for this drama,” Daniel said before exiting the room, with Derrick following closely behind.

“And what would you do if I called him an outcast one more time?” Clara challenged.

“Then I'm afraid I'll have to let everyone in on your little secret,” Sandra threatened.