Sinking With You

Determination

“I can do this,” Aria whispered to herself, gathering her resolve as she stood before the mirror.

Her grey eyes scanned her reflection, taking in the sight of the peach-colored long-sleeve gown that gracefully accentuated her slender figure. The bun she crafted with her blonde hair framed her oval-shaped face beautifully.

“You look lovely,” Alina, her younger sister, said with a warm smile.

“I have to; I’m about to begin working for one of the most influential families in MayRich. I need to present myself at my best,” Aria replied, her voice laced with determination.

After three long years of searching for employment, Aria had endured numerous menial jobs to support her younger sister and their blind mother, who also struggled with diabetes. Fortunately, her friend Mabel, who worked for the Wilson family, found her a spot.

Despite the promising pay, Aria was aware of the unsettling rumors surrounding the family she was about to join—tales of bitter disputes over inheritance and a notorious heir known for his violent tendencies, especially towards young women.

Her mother’s worries tugged at her heart, but the job’s allure was powerful. Aria couldn’t afford to let her fears hold her back.

“Take care of mom while I'm away, I'll visit as often as I can,” Aria advised.

“I will, take care of yourself and be very careful with the violent heir,” Alina said, her voice laced with concern.

“I will, don't worry about me. Just be good,” Aria replied, chuckling.

“Have you heard from Mabel yet?” Alina inquired, curiosity evident in her eyes.

“Yes, I—” Aria attempted to respond, but a sudden crash from the backyard interrupted them.

Startled, they both raced outside, grabbing whatever weapon they could find along the way.

“I think it’s… a woman,” Alina said, stepping back nervously.

Aria took a bold step forward and found a woman lying unconscious in a pool of blood. Without hesitation, she knelt beside her, lifting the woman’s head and checking for signs of life.

“She’s still breathing! We need to get her inside,” Aria urged.

“What? We don’t even know her,” Alina protested, fear creeping into her voice.

“She deserves a chance—she might die if we leave her here. We can’t just turn our backs,” Aria insisted firmly.

Together, they carefully carried the woman inside and tended to her injuries, working diligently until Aria was confident she was stable.

Once they had done everything they could, Aria took a deep breath and prepared to head to her new job.

***

Arriving at Pearlstone Villa, Aria hurried along the path, excitement, and anxiety coursing through her. The villa welcomed her with its enchanting beauty—vibrant flowers danced in the gentle breeze, and magnificent buildings with swimming pools littered in front of each building created a beautiful scene.

“What took you so long?” Mabel asked, noticing her breathless state as she opened the door.

“I’m so sorry, something unexpected happened,” Aria replied, catching her breath.

“Come in; they’re waiting for you,” Mabel said, guiding Aria inside.

As they entered the opulent mansion, Aria adjusted the red gown she changed into, ensuring it looked presentable despite her earlier mishap.

Stepping into an opulent sitting room, Aria was awestruck by the luxurious interior, a testament to the wealth of this family. It was no wonder they held the title of the richest in MayRich.

“This is the girl I mentioned, Ma,” Mabel said to a blonde and slightly plump woman dressed in an all-white suit on gold heels.

Recognizing Mrs. Clara Wilson, the wife of the owner of ‘Evergreen Foodies,’ Aria felt a mix of anticipation and nervousness.

“Good morning, ma,” Aria greeted, bowing her head slightly in respect.

Clara responded with a straightforward question, “What is your name?”

“I’m Aria,” she replied, her palms clammy as she tried to stay composed.

Clara scanned her with a curious expression, as if trying to read her demeanor. “For now you're not assigned to any mansion, you'll work wherever you're told but mostly in the next mansion. Be a good girl,” a warm smile graced her lips.

Although Clara’s smile was meant to be reassuring, it only heightened Aria’s nervousness.

Aria’s duties for the Wilsons began right away, and with Mabel’s support, she was able to settle into the villa comfortably.

“Working here could be dangerous like I told you,” Mabel began. “You just need to do as you're told and stay out of the family business.”

Aria nodded, her fingers clasped together. “Who owns the mansion next to this?,”

Mabel paused, a playful smile emerging. “Actually, that mansion belongs to Derrick Wilson, the illegitimate son of the family,” she explained, raising her eyebrows and anticipating Aria’s reaction.

“Wait, is he the one rumored to be a r****t and murderer?” Aria asked, her shock evident.

Mabel nodded. “But don’t worry; you’ll be just fine,” she reassured, giving Aria a gentle pat on the shoulder.

A wave of fear washed over Aria as she contemplated her situation. For a brief moment, she considered leaving, but the thought of her blind mother suffering from diabetic ketoacidosis, the debt from her mother’s insulin, and her younger sister sacrificing her education to care for their mother steered her decision in a different direction.

***

“The boss is currently in a meeting with Derrick. You need to serve drinks to them,” Mabel informed her.

Aria’s heart sank at the mention of Derrick. The prospect of encountering someone with such a reputation filled her with unease. “What if he looks at me inappropriately?” she worried, ensuring her outfit was modest.

She made her way to the third-floor balcony, where an older man sat with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Aria recognized Daniel Wilson, the owner of ‘Evergreen Foodies.’ A young man was also present, standing with his back to her while engaged on a phone call.

Approaching the table, Aria carefully set down the ice bucket of champagne.

“Pour the drink,” Daniel commanded, exhaling smoke. “Wait to pour his,” he added, gesturing towards the young man who had just finished his call.

As Aria looked up, she was taken aback by the striking appearance of the young man: fair-skinned and around 6’2”, he exuded an effortless charm. She caught a glimpse of his golden-brown eyes framed by thick lashes before quickly diverting her gaze. He took a seat across from Daniel, casually crossing his legs. As her eyes fell on his strong jawline and well-defined physique accentuated by an oxblood suit, Aria swallowed hard and looked away, feeling both captivated and nervous.

“Did you bring the files?” Daniel asked, adjusting in his seat.

“No, they’re on the desk in my room,” Derrick replied, still focused on his phone.

“You,” Daniel said, turning his attention to Aria. “Get the files from his room,”

Aria felt a rush of urgency as she quickly made her way down to the next mansion belonging to Derrick. Her plan was to grab the file and get back so that Derrick does not meet her there.

Upon entering the mansion, she didn’t take the time to admire its luxury; her focus was solely on finding the file. Instinctively, she climbed to the third floor. After trying two locked doors, she finally managed to push open the third door, which was slightly open.

As she entered the room, the file was easily visible on the table. However, something unusual caught her attention—something was dripping on the floor coming from a closed door that appeared to lead to a closet.

“Is that… blood?” she murmured to herself, a feeling of apprehension washed over her. Taking a deep breath, she cautiously approached the door and slowly turned the doorknob, the hinges creaking softly.

Following the trail of blood, her gaze fell upon a sight that almost made her heart stop: the lifeless body of a girl lay naked on the cold floor, with blood dripping from her mouth and nose.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh,” She let out a loud scream.

Aria left the file behind and hurried toward the main mansion, her heartbeat in chaos. As she stepped outside she screamed on top of her lungs, her voice resonating through the air.

A young short man quickly emerged from the house alongside a fair skinned slender woman, closely followed by Clara and Mabel. Mr. Daniel joined the gathering, intrigued about what was unfolding. When Aria reached the entrance to the main mansion, several maids surrounded her, their expressions a mix of concern and empathy as they tried to soothe her.

“What’s going on?” Mabel asked, her face reflecting her surprise.

Aria, panting heavily, struggled to gather her thoughts.

“Can someone explain what’s happening?” Clara spoke up, her tone revealing her growing frustration.

“I…I…” Aria stammered, too breathless to express herself clearly.

“Speak the f**k up already ” Andre yelled impatiently, his voice laced with frustration.

“Calm down, dear. She clearly needs a moment,” Heather, Andre’s wife, reassured him gently.

“Please, young lady, tell us what the issue is,” Daniel encouraged, his curiosity evident in his eyes.

Aria examined the faces surrounding her, her vision clouded by fear as her heart raced.

Taking a few deep breaths, she lifted her gaze to the balcony, determined to share what had distressed her. Her eyes locked with Derrick’s, and a sinister smirk played on his lips as he sipped from his glass of wine.