FROM STREETS TO PALACE

THE ARROGANT VISTOR

The Memory That Would Not Fade

Inside his room, Leon was sitting alone. He was supposed to be getting ready for a big party tonight. But he could not focus.

His mind kept going back to what happened earlier. He kept touching his cheek. He could still feel the stinging heat of Lina’s slap. 💢

No one had ever dared to touch him, let alone slap him. He was rich, powerful, and everyone was afraid of him. But this small maid... she had stood up to him like a lioness.

“Why didn’t I get angry enough to hit her back?” he wondered. “Why is her face and her angry voice stuck in my head?”

He tried to think of other things, but he couldn't. He was thinking about her.

The Storm Arrives

Downstairs, Lina was busy cleaning the floor. Her body was tired, and her clothes were still a little dirty from the food incident. She was working hard, trying to forget the pain and the humiliation.

Suddenly...

BAM! BAM! BAM! 🚪🔨

Someone was knocking on the door very loudly and angrily.

Lina quickly wiped her hands and ran to open it. "Coming!"

As soon as she unlocked the door and pulled it open...

PUSH! 💥

A strong hand shoved her hard in the chest. Lina lost her balance and fell backwards onto the floor with a thud. She scratched her arm and her knee on the hard tiles. It hurt a lot.

The Proud Girl

Lina looked up, rubbing her pain. Standing at the door was a woman wearing very expensive clothes, high heels, and lots of jewelry. She looked beautiful, but her face was full of pride and hate. This was Clara, Leon’s girlfriend. She came from a very rich family, just like him.

Clara looked down at Lina with eyes full of disgust. She shouted in a loud, sharp voice:

"WHO ARE YOU? AND HOW CAN A FILTHY, UGLY GIRL LIKE YOU BE WORKING IN THIS HOUSE?!"

Lina was shocked. She held her hurting arm and looked at the woman. She did not know who this was. She thought, Is she a relative? Is she a friend?

"I... I am Lina, the new maid," Lina said softly, trying to be polite despite the pain.

"MAID?!" Clara laughed a horrible laugh. "You look like a beggar! You are making this house look dirty just by standing here! Get out of my way, trash!"

Clara pushed Lina aside again roughly and walked inside like she owned the place.

Lina’s Heart Grows Heavy

Lina stood up slowly. She looked at her scratched skin, and then at the rude woman walking away.

She sighed deeply inside her heart. "Is there no end to this?" she thought.

First the mother, then the sisters, then the master who threw food at her, and now this strange woman who pushes and insults her for no reason.

"They are all the same," Lina whispered sadly. "Rich, powerful, and cruel. Everyone here is so rude. Why is the world so unfair to me?"

She did not know yet that this mean woman was actually Leon’s girlfriend. She only knew that she was hurt again, and she had to keep working, even when her heart was crying.