Quest For Justice

CHAPTER 9: THE GUZMAN’S MANSION

Physical beauty is nothing compared to a beautiful personality.

Cassandra wore simple clothes. An oversized T-shirt for the curb of her body would not be too obvious, that she tucked in underneath square pants, and a pair of flat sandals. If only she didn’t have white-pearl skin and a nice height, she wouldn’t look classy minimalist. This outfit did not contribute to gaining her confidence and it’s just as what as she needed to perform her job well. At the mansion, she needed to act as inferior to the Family Guzman, she needed to show them that she’s just someone who came from mud, who grew up in the slum. 

Cassandra descended the wooden staircase.

“Ready ka na ba?” Tony asked, sitting comfortably on one of the sofas in the living room.

“Of course!” Cassandra confidently said as she gulped.

“Mukhang hindi naman. Kinakabahan ka no?” Tony teased her.

Cassandra’s shoulders sagged.

“To tell you honestly. I was really fine until yesterday but when I woke up this morning, my heart was beating fast at the thought of entering that evil old man’s abode.” Cassandra put her hands on her waists.

Obviously, it annoyed her to feel nervous because of it. She was confident to enter the enemy’s territory, but now she felt quite nervous.

Tony placed a transparent envelope on the knee-level table at the center of the living space.

“I put there everything you need to present them. Your application letter, résumé, fake IDs, fake certificates, and all.”

Cassandra bent her back to reach the envelope.

“Thanks, Ton!”

Tony got to her feet. “Let’s go!”

Hinatid ni Tony si Cassandra sa labas ng gate kung saan may naghihintay na taxi. Binuksan ni Tony ang back door ng taxi and before Cassandra hopped in, Tony gave her a hug first.

“Mag-iingat ka doon. Always call me for updates.” Tony reminded her before he let her go.

After a two-hour-long drive because of the heavy traffic, Cassandra reached her destination. She paid the driver a hefty amount.

“Naku, ma’am. Sobra-sobra po ito.” The taxi driver reached at the back seat to return Cassandra back ang sobrang pera.

“Manong, you deserve it! Just consider yourself lucky today. Thank you!” Cassandra smiled at the driver before she opened the door and climbed down the vehicle.

Cassandra walked toward the wrought iron driveway gate guarded by three male personnel. She wasn’t allowed to enter the flat-top-designed gate immediately. One of the guards went near the gate and asked her what did she come for. She humbly answered that she came to apply for a maid. The guard called someone from inside the house, then he opened the gate to let her in and inspected what was in her bag. He only rummaged through her personal belongings. Inside her bag were comb, powder, handkerchief and a key-pad mobile phone. To make her look humbler, she left her iPhone 12 at home. She brought an android instead, but she hid it.

The mansion was a distance away from the entrance. So the guard walked her through, riding on a red luxurious golf cart. After passing through the long driveway, Cassandra was amazed to see a mansion with timeless architectural details in its exterior, with a red paver u-shaped driveway bordered with grey pavers leading up to a front portico in front of the front door, where the Guard dropped her. This family had indeed made a fortune out of illegal transactions and criminal records that had been all dismissed by the court. 

A woman probably in her 50s, wearing a maid uniform was standing at the doorway along with two younger maids. She was probably the mayordoma or the head servant in the household, looking strict. Although Cassandra was not intimidated by her, she acted like she was when she bowed at the mayordoma.

“Hindi ka ba marunong magsuklay, iha? Pasensya ka na pero ang mga amo rito ay sensitibo sa pisikal na anyo ng isang tao.” The mayordoma said in an apathetic behavior.

Cassandra was glad that her hair actually looked like that.

“Pasensya na po kayo, ma’am. Ganyan po talaga ‘yong buhok ko simula ng ipinanganak ako.” She bowed again. Wasn’t she being too humble?

“I hope you have something to do about that. You are actually the first one to apply after one of our maids left. How did you know anyway?” The head servant said in straight English.

Cassandra concluded that Tony was wrong, even maids here speak in straight English. Hindi na siya mahihirapan. But she realised, siguro matagal na ang mayordomang kaharap niya ngayon sa paninilbihan sa pamilya Guzman, kaya ito ay matatas na sa pagsasalita ng Ingles. Cassandra did not say anything for a minute. She was thinking if she should answer the headservant or pretend she didn’t understand anything.

“Excuse me? Hindi mo ba naintindihan? Pasensya ka na, bata pa lang ang mga alaga ko ay ako na ang nag-aalaga sa kanila kaya English na rin ang nakasanayan kong lenggwahe.” Paliwanag ng mayordoma.

Cassandra nodded. Yes, she must pretend she didn’t understand English grammar. The mayordoma introduced herself as Karina Seño, 51 years of age, and was indeed the head servant of the family. The other two maids with the mayordoma were Rima and Myka who were smiling at her when she looked at them. They led the way inside the mansion and Cassandra just followed behind them.

The living room was a contemporary design. Luxurious chandeliers were hanging at the high ceiling and two round sofa stood at the center of the living room. She also spotted a big aquarium placed beside the big flat-screen television, besides other luxurious furniture and a collection of glass objects stored inside a big glass cabinet placed at the left side of the living space. Cassandra was not impressed with the interior, it didn’t suit her taste and she didn’t like an aquarium in a living room.

“Cassandra?” Karina tried to get her attention as her attention was completely engrossed with the interior of the mansion. If Cassandra didn’t become a lawyer, she would’ve been an interior designer. That was her secondary dream.

“Cassandra? What are you looking at?” Karina followed her gaze.

“The high ceiling,” wala sa ulirat na ani Cassandra sa mahinang boses habang pinagmamasdan ang ceiling na tahimik niyang hinuhusgahan.

“What?” Good thing that Karina did not hear her clearly.

“huh?” Cassandra turned to the confused head servant.

Binalewala na lamang siya ng mayordoma. “Tara na sa opisina ni Doña Victoria. Hinihintay ka na niya,” anito.

Pasimpleng napa-kamot ng batok si Cassandra. Ano ba naman ang mga pinag gagagawa niya. Kung narito lang si Tony ay nasermunan na naman siya nito malamang.

Sina Rima at Myka naman ay umalis na papunta kung saang parte ng mansiyon man ang mga ito kailangan. Habang si Cassandra naman ay sumunod sa likod ng mayordoma na patungo sa kanang bahagi ng bahay kung saan naroroon ang isang elevator. Mabuti naman at may elevator ang bahay na iyon at hindi siya mapapagod sa pag akyat-baba ng hagdanan.

Pagdating sa ikatlong palapag ng bahay ay bumungad ang isang napakalinis na sala na talagang napakamamahalin ang mga furniture na naroon at mukhang bawal upuan ang sofa. Lumiko sila sa kanan at dumaan sa isang mahabang corridor. Sa pinakadulong kwarto ay doon sila patungo.

Karina knocked three times at the door before she opened it. They stepped into a bright cozy office where the influx of sunlight could help the one working in that office maintain a positive mood. The Bivi Desk for One stood in the middle of the office and was positioned by a window, with shortcut x-base chairs and bindu conference chair. It was totally Cassandra’s type. She liked natural light a lot, it felt like she was always outside to enjoy nature.

Cassandra finally met the wife of Don. Sebastian who still looked young at age 55. She was wearing a white luxurious dress and 3-inches heels and was standing by the round window, watching the scenery outside. When Victoria heard the door open, she turned to them.

Cassandra bowed before her as the lady walked toward them.

“So, you are the new maid?” Victoria crossed her arms as she raised a brow.

Cassandra hesitated to answer because she was confused if she had to answer yes or no dahil hindi ba’t nag-aapply pa lang siya?

“Pasensya na, Doña Victoria. The girl seemed to not understand an English structure.” Salo sa kanya ni Karina.

Hindi naman iyon ang dahilan, pero mabuti na ring paniwalain silang si Olivia ay mangmang. Cassandra forced herself to smile genuinely.

“Seriously?” Victoria almost laughed at her, na parang kinukutya nito ang pagiging mangmang niya.

Cassandra was happy to make the fool out of them. She wondered how stupid Victoria had been that she didn’t even know her husband’s affairs. She could name all of them to her if she wanted to. Pinigilan ni Cassandra ang sariling matawa.

Suddenly, somebody was knocking on the door. Binuksan ni Karina ang pinto and there stood a tall man, smiling widely.

“Hi, Nana!” The man smiled widely, throwing his arms around the head servant, squeezing her in his arms.

Nahawa si Cassandra sa magandang ngiti ni Jelo. Noon pa man nang una niya itong makita sa personal ay smiling face na talaga ito. Anyway, kailangan niya rin namang maging palangiti sa bahay na ito dahil kailangan niyang maging mabait sa mga amo niya. Tony repeated that to her several times.

“Mom!” Jelo went to her mom and gave her a smack on the cheek.

Napatingin si Jelo sa direksyon siya. Cassandra could hold an eye contact with him but decided to act shy.

“Magandang umaga po, sir.” Cassandra bowed.

Jelo gave Karina eye contact, asking who was the unfamiliar girl.

“She is Olivia Libara. Our new maid.” Introduced Karina.

Jelo turned to Cassandra. “Hi! Nice to meet you.” Jelo held out a hand. She reached out her hand and they shook hands.

Cassandra was amazed with Jelo’s kindness. Akala niya ay pakitang tao lang ito sa mga fan pero totoo palang may mabuti itong pag-uugali, but even that wouldn’t work on her. Jelo was still a part of this family. Kahit anong bait pa nito, she wouldn’t spare him. Even though his smile ay sobrang nakakahawa.

Victoria coughed to get their attention. Lahat sila ay napaharap sa Doña.

“I don’t like your looks, Oli..” Victoria forgot her name.

“Olivia, ma’am,” ani Cassandra. She didn’t feel bad at what Victoria said since she was the only person in this mansion who knew how beautiful her real face was. 

“Mom, don’t you think that’s too rude? Why would you say that to her?” Mukhang si Jelo pa ang nahiya sa sinabi ng ina nito.

“I just spilled facts, son.” Victoria raised a brow, showed no regrets.

Why don’t you spill facts about your family being a criminal? Shameless human beings! Cassandra thought. Although how much she’d been wanting to say that to them, but she swallowed the words. May tamang panahon kayo.

“Ok lang po, sir. Tama naman si, Ma’am,” Cassandra said.

“See?” Victoria walked gracefully toward her office chair.

“Kahit na, mom. Physical beauty is nothing compared to a beautiful personality.” Jelo lectured his mother.

Nagkibit balikat lamang ang Doña sa anak sabay tingin ng masama kay Cassandra.

“Leave us alone. We need to talk,” said Victoria as she sat in a straight back on her bindu conference chair.

“I’ll go now,” said Jelo in a low tone. He glanced at Cassandra piteously before he went out the door.

Cassandra could see that Jelo felt really bad about her mother giving rude comments on someone’s face.

Karina slightly tapped Cassandra’s back, just once, to signal her to move forward near the desk.

“Where are your IDs? Your application letter and résumé?”

Cassandra hurriedly put the whole envelope on the table. Victoria looked up at her. Cassandra had no idea why Victoria wasn’t opening the envelope. Kaya nagkatinginan lamang silang dalawa na pawang hindi nagkakaintindihan.

“I said give me your papers and not the whole envelope. Are you expecting me to rummage through that envelope?” Victoria raised her voice.

Cassandra breathed deeply through her nose. Courtesy at all times. She acted na para siyang natataranta and took back the envelope.

“Pasensya na po, ma’am. Kinakabahan lang po kasi ako.” Palusot ni Cassandra when the fact was, she had no idea it had to be done like that.

Cassandra opened the envelope and took the papers one at a time. First, she got the application letter and placed it on Victoria’s desk. Victoria skimmed through the text and asked for the résumé. It only lasted a few seconds in her grasped, she barely read the text. Then, she asked for Cassandra’s birth certificate. This time, Victoria gave attention and suddenly her forehead creased as she read it.

“What is this?” Victoria almost yelled but her face did not show anger.

Cassandra gulped as she prayed to the heavens. Could Victoria figure out it was a fake birth certificate? Oh no!

Nag-angat ng tingin si Victoria kay Cassandra, she raised her left brow. Cassandra pursed her lips doubtfully.

“You’re from Lameria? That’s far? How did you get here?” Victoria was surprised.

Paano pa nga ba? Edi nag taxi. Cassandra thought as she breathed deeply. She thought she got caught.

“Ah, isang buwan na po simula ng lumuwas ako ng probinsiya papunta dito sa Sekyu, Doña Victoria.” Cassandra could choke every time she uttered the word “Doña”. She wasn’t just used to call someone like that. Like she had much more assets than the Guzman family, but she would never stand anyone calling her Doña.

“Fine! You don’t have to go back to your place to get your things. Si Karina na ang bahala. You’re hired.” ani Victoria sa malamig na boses.

Victoria didn’t seem to like her. Was it because of her looks? Cassandra was lost in her thoughts again that she wasn’t able to respond immediately.

“Oh my god! Magpapatawag pa ba ako ng interpreter para sa ‘yo?” Victoria put her hand on her forehead, acted stressed and all.

“Tanggap ka na raw.” Karina served as the interpreter.

“Maraming salamat po, Doña Victoria!” Cassandra said with a forced note of optimism.

Victoria indicated her papers on the desk. “Also you can have these.”

Mabilis na kinuha ni Cassandra ang mga pekeng papeles niya sa lamesa ni Victoria. Buti nalang at binalik nito ang mga iyon sa kaniya at baka may iba pang maalam na makaka-bukas ng mga iyon.

“Also. Mag basa ka ng mga English grammar books.”

Bakit ikaw ang hindi mag-aral ng Good manners and right conduct? Mag group study kayo ng pamilya niyo. Cassandra thought.

“Opo, Doña Victoria. Pag-aaralan ko po.” She enthusiastically replied.

‘Yon lang at pinalabas na sila ni Victoria ng opisina nito. Ang inaasahan ni Cassandra sa isang Victoria ay mabait at maunawain ngunit tama nga siya na hindi lahat ng ipinapakita sa media ay totoo. At TV NEWS, as well as in magazines and newspapers, palagi niyang nababasa ang mga artikulong tungkol kay Victoria na nagkakawang-gawa. Napaka plastic ng demoñita. Syempre para maganda ang reputasyon ng kilalang pamilya nila, at kapag maganda ang reputasyon, matayog din ang lipad ng CPM company. They are all into profits.

Riding the elevator, Cassandra and Karina ascended another floor. Nasabi na ni Karina kanina sa kanya na ang mga kwarto ng mga magkakapatid ay doon sa mga kwarto sa dinaanan nilang hallway papunta sa opisina ni Victoria. Ang kwarto naman ng mag-asawa ay nasa ikalawang palapag. At ang maid headquarters naman ay nasa pang-apat na palapag kung saan sila naroroon.

Pumasok sila sa maid headquarters. Napakalinis ng kwartong may dalawang double-deck bed at may built-in ceiling-to-floor wooden cabinet. Tumuloy si Cassandra sa bakanteng higaan at naupo roon. Napagod na naman kasi siya kakalakad, hindi pa siya ni-offeran ng upuan kanina roon sa opisina ni Victoria. She was pissed that that Demoñita let her stand for almost half an hour.

“Dito ang magiging kwarto mo. Sina Rima at Myka ang mga kasama mo rito. Bukas ka na magsisimula sa trabaho. Ngayon ay magpahinga ka na muna. Kung gusto mong mag ikot-ikot sa mansyon mamaya to be familiar of this huge house, you can,” ani Karina.

“Ah, ma’am, paano po ‘yong mga damit ko? Wala po akong dala.” Cassandra was being a little worried.

“Wag kang mag-alala. Padadalhan kita mamaya rito. At mamayang mga alas-sais ng hapon ay hihintayin kita sa library na nasa first floor, ok? For your orientation.”

Paglabas na paglabas ng mayordoma sa kwarto ay agad na binagsak ni Cassandra ang katawan sa malambot na higaan. Pakiramdam niya ay pagod na siya kahit na iniisip niya palang ang magiging trabaho niya bukas. Ano kayang ipapagawa sa kanya? Baka paglabahin siya, at hindi niya alam kung paano. Ise-search na lang niya sa Youtube? Eh, keypad lang ‘yong phone niyang pwedeng ipakita. That Android phone was also for work transactions.

Naka-idlip si Cassandra at nang magising siya ay agad niyang tiningnan sa round wall clock ang oras. Alas-dos na ng hapon. Biglang tumunog ang kanyang tiyan at nakaramdam siya ng gutom. Hindi pa siya nakapag tanghalian. Bumaba si Cassandra sa first floor at hinanap kung nasaan ang kusina. Mula sa sala ay dumiritso siya at may nakitang mahabang lamesa, iyon ang dining room at sa gilid nito ay ang kitchen kung nasaan ang isang double-door refrigerator. Walang tao roon ni isa kaya mabilis na binuksan ni Cassandra ang ref at dismayado siya ng wala siyang makitang lutong ulam doon. Nagulat siya ng biglang may umubo sa likod niya. Sinara niya ang pinto ng reef at umikot upang makita si Jelo na nakatayo at nakangiting pinagmamasdan siya.

“Kayo pala, sir! Ano po ang kailangan ninyo?” Cassandra slightly bowed at the young master.

“Wala naman. I’ll just drink water. Ano nga ulit ang pangalan mo?” Nakangiti ni Jelo sa kanya.

“Olivia po, sir.” Ginaya niya kung paano ni Tony binigkas ang peke niyang pangalan.

“Olivia, I hope hindi mo dinamdam ‘yong sinabi ni Mommy kanina.”

“Naku, wala ‘yon, sir.” She waved her hand.

Sandali silang nagkatinginan habang nagngingitian.

Ano bang kailangan ng lalaking ‘to? Bakit hindi pa uminom ng tubig at umalis na? Cassandra thought.

Ang hirap sa mga extrovert ay hindi sila naiilang kahit kanino at palagi silang mayroong sasabihin.

Tumunog na naman ang tiyan niya.

“You’re hungry?” Jelo asked, smiling.

“Hindi pa po kasi ako nakapagtanghalian, sir.” She smiled shyly.

“Follow me.”

Sumunod siya sa likod nito at huminto ito sa tapat ng mahabang table kung saan may sosyal na pantakip para sa mga ulam. Nang buksan niya ito ay may tatlong dish na naroon. Beef steak, chicken curry and kare-kare.

“Kain tayo. Gutom na rin ako, eh.” Aya sa kanya ni Jelo.

“Naku, sir, nakakahiya naman po.” Cassandra gulped as she stared at the foods. Totoong gutom na talaga siya at isang yaya pa sa kanya nito ay hindi na siya magdadalawang isip pa.

Hindi ba at sa mga pelikula ay hindi pinapasabay ng mga mayayaman ang mga katulang na kumain kasama sila? Baka ganito rin ang sistema sa mansiyon ng mga Guzman kung kaya’t pinigilan ni Cassandra ang sarili. Sa mansiyon kasi nila ay pinapasabay nila ang lima nilang tagasilbi sa pagkain.

Jelo chuckled. “’Wag kang mahiya. Okay lang. Hindi ko talaga gustong kumain mag-isa that’s why whoever are around in the kitchen at the time of my dine ay talagang pinapasabay ko.”

Ganun naman pala.

“Sige, sir. Kain na tayo.” Mabilis pa sa alas-kuwatrong naupo si Cassandra sa mahabang lamesa.

Jelo smiled widely as he sat opposite her at the dining table.

Habang kumakain siya ay sekreto siyang pinagmamasdan ni Jelo at nahahalata niya ito. Kaya nang mag-angat siya ng tingin rito ay wala na itong nagawa kundi sabihin kung ano ang nasa-isip nito.

“You are the classiest maid I’ve ever dine with who knows how to use a steak knife,” Jelo said, amazed.

Cassandra dropped her steak knife, eyes wide open.

“Who sits with good posture,”

Cassandra’s shoulder sagged.

“You look elegant.”

Cassandra forced herself to laugh but it sounded like she was choking habang itinataas ang isa niyang paa sa upuan. Hindi ba’t ganon umupo ang tinatawag nilang walang class?

“Ganito po talaga ako umupo, sir. Tsaka hindi ho tala ako marunong gumamit ng steak knife.” She gulped.

Jelo just shrugged his shoulder and gave her a smile before he started eating again.

If only Cassandra had more time to practice. Hindi bale, matiyaga niyang isasaulo ang mga dapat at di-dapat niyang gawin bilang isang kasambahay na lumaki sa simpleng pamumuhay. Upang hindi na siya muli pang masabihan ng elegante ng kanyang amo.

Tahimik na kumain sina Cassandra at Jelo nang biglang…

“Jel!”

Sabay na napalingon sina Cassandra at Jelo sa lalaking tumawag. Si Verno ay palapit sa kanila, nakakunot ang noo nito at masama ang tingin sa kanya.