I quickly nodded as soon as I heard Arnold, I didn't want to offend him. My only goal now is to be able to get out of this building and find my way from that.
"I promise I won't run away. You can send me your man if you don't trust me. They can tail me all they want." I added just to convince him.
"That is not the order of the big boss. You are free to go because we have your family as the collateral just in case you think of running away."
I smiled in my heart when I heard him. For me, that is an indication that I can finally set my feet off at this place and disappear!
"The big boss doesn't want to see you in your old clothes, so he ordered that he take everything in that closet with you."
I know that before he gestured the two ladies with me to pack the clothes. I didn't disagree because I just wanted to get out. That's it.
After a few more minutes everything was ready, so the driver showed me the way to the vehicle and drove me home. When we arrived at the driveway, I asked the driver to stop so I could walk home alone. At first, he hesitated, but I explained to them that I don't want our neighbors to make a fuss when they see me walk out from a luxury car which he understood.
After he dropped me off, I made sure that he disappeared from my sight before I took out my mobile phone from my pockets and booked a cab for me. To make sure that I wouldn't be seen by any of our neighbors, I took out the wide cap and put it on quickly then pulled my face mask which was enough to hide my familiarity.
10 minutes and the cab arrived. I have enough pocket money, so I ordered him to bring me to the villa in the countryside where I used to work before. During summer I go there to work for an employer that I never met. I clean his house as a substitute to his regular cleaner who often takes vacations during summer for his family overseas. She is a Filipina named Celestine, I met her twice if not thrice already. I was told that he is a super-rich man, but he has this trait that doesn't meet with people a lot. It is not yet summer, but I will plead to volunteer that I will work for free until I figure out how to leave this country.
"Oh, what brought you here, Miss Madeline?" The guard smiled at me as soon as he saw him jump out of the cab. I forced myself together and gave him a wide smile. I will begin convincing him.
"Oh, I know that it isn't summer yet. But I'd want to meet with Miss Celestine if you don't mind. I am not sure if I understood her over the phone, but I'd like to make a personal conversation about something, so I came." I started to explain. Although I was the one who first called Miss Celestine and told her that I have an important matter to her, I have to disguise myself in front of Mr. Born to be able to get into the mansion.
"Is that so? Well then, come in." He smiled, although I can sense that he was still curious about the traveling bag that I have. Yeah, by the way, I took the clothes that the big boss bought for me. This is also enough for me to wear while I am here in the mansion.
"Mr. Born, don't be confused by my traveling bag. I'm traveling after meeting with Miss Celestine." I explained first, even without being asked. Defensive maybe. Well, I don't care. What matters to me is that I am already here, and I will do my best to stay here, even for one or two months.
I slowly walked towards the maid's quarters and looked for Miss Celestine. This time of the day, she sure is already resting at her quarters. She doesn't do a lot of things in this house; she only has to make sure that it is clean and serves the employer when he comes here because he doesn't usually live here. good for her because she had those rare moments of serving the employer and met him several times. I also wonder why this mansion doesn't have a single picture of that employer. I have long been so curious about what he looks like.
"Oh, come here. Come here…" Miss Celestine quickly pulled me to her room and locked the door worriedly. I understood her expression because I was surprised. We've met several times here. We have been friends already, although she is five years older than me- she is already 27.
"Miss Celestine, I'm really so sorry for coming here, surprisingly. I don't have anywhere to go." I started to explain, then cleared my throat before I continued because I can see that she is waiting for further explanations. "You see, my parents were forcing me to get married to a big boss that I haven't met before. I don't even know what he looked like. I mean, it is so devastating and disgusting for parents to sell their child for money, right?" I couldn't hide my sorrow already.
"Oh, my poor lady. I'm so sorry that you have to go through that. But why would they do that? I mean, is your family bankrupt already?" She questioned while she was rubbing my back because my tears began to fall, and I couldn't hold it anymore.
"Their small business was long bankrupt already. That is why I always come here to help every summer. The worst thing is they have to sell me because their other daughter is going to study abroad. It is ironic right?" I held out a bitter smile.
"I didn't know that things like those also happen in this country. I mean, you see, this is a first world country, but parents send their other child abroad at the expense of the other." I could sense that Miss Celestine feels sorry for me and I am grateful for that. At least I have found someone who understands me for this matter. "What is your plan now?" She continued.
"I don't know yet. I was thinking of coming to ask you how life is in your country. I mean in the Philippines, because if I will be given the chance, I'm thinking of going there to hide from the big boss who bought me." I was straight forward about my intentions and as expected she was shocked.
"You must be kidding. You do not have any idea what kind of life we have in the Philippines. Well, I mean, although I know that you can survive their life in my car home countries far different from the life that you have been used to."
I understood what Miss Celestine meant, but I also know that my research about the Philippines is so much enough for me to have had a good plan of living my life there. If there might be a difference, I know that it won't be that far from what I am expecting.
"Don't worry about the life that I will have to leave there. I promise that I will not bother you once you help me get through there."
Before she was able to answer, we heard a knock outside her room. It was the gardener's voice we heard next.
"Miss Celestine, the boss is coming in 30 minutes… You have to get ready for his meal!"
We were both surprised by what we heard. What are we going to do?!