Episode 2
1749 Words
The next morning dawned with the sound of distant birds and the faint hum of the city outside. Inside the Martin mansion, the world was waking up — maids moved quietly through the hallways, the smell of coffee filled the kitchen, and soft music drifted from the living room.
Lydia, dressed in a simple gown that made her look even more modest than she really was, stood in the kitchen beside the chief cook, Mama Grace, learning her duties. Her heart raced slightly — she’d never done house chores in such an environment before. At her father’s mansion, others served her. Now, she had to play the role of a servant herself.
Mama Grace was kind, with a warm smile and the gentle voice of a woman who had served the family for years. “My dear, don’t worry,” she said as she handed Lydia a basket of fruits. “You’ll get used to everything soon. The Martins are good people — except, well…” She trailed off, her eyes flicking toward the dining room.
Lydia smiled knowingly. “Except David, right?”
Mama Grace chuckled under her breath. “Hmm. You’re smart. Just do your work and avoid crossing his path. He’s quick to anger and slow to apologize.”
Lydia nodded, though a part of her was curious. So the stories are true, she thought. He’s exactly the kind of man my father warned me about.
Just then, Jacob entered the kitchen, holding a few papers. His gentle presence filled the room instantly. “Good morning, Mama Grace,” he greeted politely, then turned to Lydia with a small smile. “Good morning… Lydia, right?”
“Yes, sir,” she said quickly, bowing slightly as if afraid. She had to stay in character — a poor girl grateful for help.
Jacob laughed softly. “Don’t call me ‘sir.’ Just Jacob is fine.”
Lydia smiled shyly, lowering her gaze. “Thank you… Jacob.”
Mama Grace watched the interaction with a knowing grin. “Jacob, you better eat before you head out. I made some yam porridge.”
Jacob waved lightly. “Later, Mama Grace. I have to finish a report for your boss.”
Lydia’s curiosity grew stronger. This young man didn’t act like the others. His voice carried humility, and his smile was genuine. She remembered what her father had said — observe David, but she couldn’t help noticing Jacob instead.
Minutes later, David walked in, sunglasses still on, dressed in designer clothes that screamed pride. His cologne filled the room before he even spoke.
“Where’s my breakfast?” he barked.
Mama Grace hurried to bring the food. “Coming, sir.”
David sat down impatiently, tossing his phone on the table. He glanced toward Lydia, who was arranging the fruit basket. “Hey, you!” he snapped. “You’re the new maid, right?”
Lydia froze. “Y-yes, sir.”
David sneered. “Don’t just stand there like a statue. Serve me some juice.”
Mama Grace quickly intervened. “Let me—”
“I didn’t ask you, Grace!” David shouted. “I said her!”
Lydia swallowed hard and walked to the fridge. Her hands trembled slightly as she poured the orange juice into a glass and placed it before him. David looked at her for a long moment — her simple clothes, the roughness of her hands, the innocence in her face. Something about her bothered him.
“You look like someone who hasn’t eaten in days,” he said with a cruel smirk. “My father must have picked you from a gutter.”
Lydia felt a sharp sting in her chest but forced herself to smile faintly. “I’m sorry, sir.”
“Don’t talk back,” he snapped again, turning back to his phone.
Jacob, who had returned to collect some files, heard everything. His heart tightened. “David, that’s enough,” he said firmly. “You don’t have to speak to her like that.”
David looked up with mock surprise. “Oh, look who’s talking — the charity case my father picked up. You suddenly think you can tell me what to do?”
Jacob clenched his jaw but said nothing. He’d learned that silence was often the best reply to David’s cruelty. Lydia, however, could feel the tension between them. It wasn’t just anger — it was pain, resentment, and something deeper that words couldn’t describe.
After breakfast, David stormed out in his usual dramatic style, leaving his half-eaten food on the table. Mama Grace sighed. “That boy will be the end of Mr. Martin’s peace.”
Jacob gathered the dishes quietly, and Lydia rushed to help him. “Please, let me do that,” she said softly.
Jacob looked at her and smiled. “It’s okay. You don’t have to.”
“But… it’s my job.”
He hesitated, then handed her the plate. “Alright. But be careful. Don’t let his words get to you.”
Lydia nodded, hiding her gratitude. “Thank you.”
As Jacob left, Lydia watched him go, her heart strangely touched. Why does he care so much? she wondered. He’s not even my target… yet he’s the only one who treats me like a human being.
Later that day, Mr. Martin called both his sons into his study. Lydia happened to be cleaning the hallway outside, so she could hear bits of their conversation through the slightly open door.
“David,” Mr. Martin began, “I want you to attend the board meeting tomorrow. It’s important you understand the financial state of our company.”
David groaned. “Dad, you know I hate those boring meetings. Can’t Jacob handle it?”
Jacob opened his mouth to speak, but Mr. Martin raised his hand. “No, David. You must learn. One day, you’ll run this company.”
David slumped in his chair. “Yeah, yeah. You keep saying that.”
Mr. Martin’s tone softened. “Son, I’m not trying to burden you. I just want you to be responsible.”
“Then stop comparing me to him,” David said suddenly, glaring at Jacob. “You act like he’s the perfect son and I’m the disappointment.”
Jacob’s eyes widened. “David, I—”
“Don’t!” David snapped. “You always pretend to be humble, but you love the attention. Admit it — you want to take my place!”
“Enough!” Mr. Martin’s voice thundered across the room. “David, apologize to your brother.”
“He’s not my brother!” David shouted, standing up. “He’s just some street boy you picked up to play family!”
The silence that followed was heavy. Even from the hallway, Lydia felt her heart twist painfully. Mr. Martin’s face darkened. “David,” he said quietly, “leave.”
David stormed out, slamming the door behind him. When he passed Lydia, he gave her a cold, bitter glare, as if she too was part of his humiliation.
Jacob remained seated, staring down. “Sir… I’m sorry.”
Mr. Martin sighed and came around the desk to put a hand on Jacob’s shoulder. “Don’t apologize for his mistakes, son. You’ve been nothing but good to me. Some lessons take time.”
Jacob nodded silently. Mr. Martin gave him a small smile and left the room. For a moment, Jacob sat there alone, staring at the family portrait on the wall — Mr. Martin, David, and himself standing beside them. A family that never truly felt whole.
That night, the mansion was quiet again. Lydia finished her chores and stepped outside to breathe. The moonlight fell softly across the garden, making the roses gleam silver. She walked slowly, her thoughts heavy.
“This is harder than I thought,” she murmured to herself. “How do you pretend to be someone else when your heart feels everything so deeply?”
“You talk to the moon often?” a voice said behind her.
Lydia spun around. It was Jacob, holding a mug of tea. He smiled faintly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She relaxed. “It’s okay. I just… needed some air.”
He walked over and handed her the mug. “Here. It’s warm.”
“Oh, I can’t—”
“Take it,” he insisted gently. “You’ve worked all day. You deserve at least one kind gesture.”
Lydia hesitated, then accepted it. “Thank you… you’re kind.”
Jacob smiled. “Kindness doesn’t cost anything. My mother used to say, ‘Even when life gives you nothing, don’t let it take your heart.’”
Lydia’s eyes softened. “That’s beautiful. She must be a wonderful woman.”
“She is,” he said, staring at the stars. “She raised me alone. We didn’t have much, but she gave me everything that mattered.”
They both stood in silence for a while, sipping tea, feeling the soft breeze around them. It was the first quiet moment they shared — one that neither could explain.
Lydia finally spoke. “Jacob, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why do you stay… even when people like David treat you so badly? Why not leave?”
Jacob took a deep breath before answering. “Because of Mr. Martin. He believed in me when no one else did. I owe him everything. And maybe… maybe I stay because I believe people can change.”
Lydia smiled faintly. “You’re a good man, Jacob.”
He laughed softly. “I’m just trying to be.”
Their eyes met — a gentle, lingering look that spoke volumes. But before either could say more, David’s voice echoed from inside the house.
“Jacob! Where the hell are you?”
Jacob sighed. “Coming!” he called back, then turned to Lydia. “You should go rest. Tomorrow will be another long day.”
Lydia nodded, her heart unexpectedly warm. “Good night.”
“Good night,” he replied, smiling as he walked away.
She watched him disappear through the corridor, then whispered to herself, “You’re supposed to test David, Lydia… not fall for someone else.”
The moonlight caught the faint tear in her eye — a tear she quickly brushed away.
In her heart, a silent storm was beginning.
And though she didn’t know it yet, that storm would change all their lives forever.
- Writer
