Dangerous Substitution

Chapter 5

Maya woke to the soft rustle of curtains dancing in the morning breeze. For a moment she forgot where she was—then her gaze landed on the gold-trimmed furniture, the silk sheets beneath her fingers, the polished chandelier above. Prescott Mansion. Not a dream.

Just then she remembered the discussion about her from yesterday and once more she was filled with guilt. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and slipped out of bed. The uniformed staff had already laid out fresh clothes for her, and though she still felt unworthy of such treatment, she dressed quietly and stepped outside, wanting some air.

The garden was a world of its own,roses in full bloom, trimmed hedges forming neat patterns, and a marble fountain glistening in the center. She almost didn’t notice Liana, sitting alone on the stone bench, flipping through the pages of a fashion magazine.

“Good morning,” Maya said softly.

Liana glanced up, her expression unreadable. “Morning. Did you sleep well?”

“Yes… thank you. The room is more than I could ever ask for,” Maya replied with a small smile.

Liana gave a slight nod, her gaze returning to the magazine. Silence stretched between them, not unfriendly but not warm either. Maya could sense the distance, the invisible wall her presence had built.

She sat carefully on the far end of the bench. “I hope you don’t mind me sitting here. The garden’s beautiful. It feels… peaceful.”

“It’s one of my favorite places,” Liana admitted, then hesitated before adding, “I suppose it makes sense you’d like it too.”

Maya tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” Liana said quickly, though her tone betrayed a flicker of something, resentment, or maybe fear.

Maya didn’t press. Instead, she clasped her hands together. “I just want you to know… I never asked for all of this. Your mother’s kindness—it’s overwhelming, and I don’t want to be in the way. If I ever make you uncomfortable, please tell me.”

For the first time, Liana looked at her fully. There was curiosity in her eyes now, as though she were measuring Maya’s sincerity. “You’re… different from what I expected.”

“Different how?”

Liana gave a faint, almost reluctant smile. “Most people would be gloating if they were in your position. But you… you almost sound guilty.”

Maya lowered her eyes, whispering, “I just don’t want to dishonor my mother’s memory. I want to make her proud, wherever she is. That’s all.”

Something softened in Liana’s gaze, though she quickly turned away. “Well… you’ll have plenty of chances here. Let’s see if you survive my world.”

Maya looked at her, unsure whether it was a warning or an invitation.

“Can I ask what you're reading?” Maya asked because she really wanted to know.

Liana hesitated before speaking, “it's my fashion magazine. My mother might not have told you but I'm into fashion designing” she said not removing her eyes from the pages she flipped through.

“Wow, that sounds cool” Maya said with excitement.

Liana acted unbothered about Maya's excitement but deep down she was happy “Yes, I know”, she said to Maya

“Do you know why my mother brought you to be my assistant?” Liana asked Maya looking into her eyes. “To assist you?” Maya said and Liana gave a small laugh

“It's because I'm the heir of this family and I have to be business oriented, I have to attend meetings and talk with other socialites but my interest is really fashion designing.” She kept going, “ my mother thinks I can do both though, she allows me attend a fashion school with a condition that I must balance both fashion and business.”

“That sounds like a lot. How will you do that?” Maya asked, “this is where you come in” Liana replied her

“You'll be my assistant, the one who knows things about business and fashion. You help me balance both” Liana said

“But I don't know anything about business or fashion” Maya exclaimed

“That's not a problem. I'll teach you what you need to know about fashion and you'll study business and international relations in college. You'll be my personal assistant, exciting right?” Liana smiled at Maya who was trying to take in all she said

“Yeah..uhm it is exciting” Maya said in a low voice.

Two Years Later

Two years had passed since Maya first stepped through the polished doors of the Prescott mansion, wide-eyed and unsure of her place. What had once felt like stepping into another world, the glittering chandeliers, the hush of wealth in every corner, the quiet confidence with which the Prescotts carried themselves, had slowly become familiar, though never quite ordinary.

In that time, Maya had grown into her role as Liana’s personal assistant. What started as hesitant “yes, ma’ams” and awkward reminders scribbled into a notebook had blossomed into something more natural. Liana leaned on her now, not just for schedules and errands, but for advice, for company, and at times for quiet reassurance when the noise of her life grew too heavy.

Their friendship had taken root in unexpected ways. Liana, with her sharp eye for design and relentless ambition, often dragged Maya into her whirlwind of fashion shows, late-night sketching sessions, and fittings with designers from across the city. Maya, who once knew nothing of hemlines or silhouettes, had found herself learning names, fabrics, styles, and surprising both of them with how quickly she picked it all up.

College ran alongside this life, a shared rhythm between them. They both attended classes, though at different faculties, they often met on campus for coffee breaks or to drive back together with Liana's best friend. Maya balanced lectures with her duties, sometimes studying in the back of Liana’s studio while fittings went on around her. Liana, despite her privilege, often admitted she couldn’t imagine surviving without Maya.

One moment in particular had sealed their rhythm. At a major fashion event, surrounded by photographers and designers whose names Maya could barely keep up with, Liana had frozen. A reporter had asked her about a designer whose work was the highlight of the night, and Liana’s usually flawless composure faltered. The name slipped her mind, panic flashing across her face. Maya, standing just a step behind, leaned in gently and whispered the name. Liana recovered instantly, dazzling the cameras with her poise. Later that night, away from the lights, she admitted softly, “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Maya.”

For Maya, moments like that became both comforting and bittersweet. She often thought of her mother, wishing she could see how far she’d come—that the little girl who once cried in a hospital room was now standing confidently in a world she never thought she’d touch. She still whispered promises to her at night: I’ll make you proud. I’ll keep going.

That night, after they returned from a small fashion gala, Maya helped Liana who was exhausted out of her heels before helping her get on the bed. Sketches, fabric swatches, and glossy magazines were scattered around them and Maya proceeded to pack them all up and keep them where they belonged.

Liana leaned back against the headboard, a soft smile curving her lips as if her thoughts had drifted far away. “You know who I miss terribly?” she said in a hushed, almost secretive tone.

“Who?” Maya asked, looking up from the pile of papers she was organizing.

“Adrian,” Liana whispered his name like it was a delicate song. “My Adrian.” She said and drifted off to sleep. Maya positioned her head on the pillow so she wouldn't hurt her neck and when she was done she went into her room and plopped onto her bed straight to sleep with her shoes and dress on.