Trapped in the Underworld

I sucked it up. I didn't have anything to say anymore, other than to apologize. I have a lot to lose, but she doesn't. "I'm sorry."

She scoffed. "Is this the kind of maid you keep around? She's so disrespectful. How can she do that to me? How?"

"Leave," Nicholas ordered, and I took my leave. I didn't want to wait one second staring at them. I'd heard enough of them. This is the most annoying thing right now.

I went back to the kitchen and saw Ms. Maya trying to clear up the dirty plates. "Do you need some help there?"

She turned and smiled. "No, I don't. I'm almost done already. You can go up to take some rest."

I nodded. "But can I take a little stroll outside? Please, I just need the sun on me. It's been days now since I went outside."

Maya wasn't sure if she should allow me, so I kept on pleading with her. "Please."

She had no choice but to allow me. I was the happiest when she nodded her head. "Okay, fine. But don't go too far. You know Sir Nicholas won't like it if we step out of boundaries."

I nodded. "I promise, I won't do that. I'll be back immediately."

A plan set in immediately. I went upstairs to pull off the apron I wore. I saw no need to change out of my clothes since I'd be called to come do some chores. Instead, I went out of the house to take a quick stroll before they start to look for me.

****

I was the happiest when the sun hit my skin. I'd forgotten how it used to be so sunny out there. I live like a prisoner now. There are guards around the house. Even if I want to escape, I won't be able to, because of the number of guards surrounding the whole house.

I gently walked behind the house, or should I say, mansion. This place is too big to call a house. It's a huge mansion. There are various cars parked in the lots. Nicholas must be filthy rich. I wonder how much money he has in his bank account. Why is he after the loan I didn't even take when he has so much money in his bank account?

I heaved a sigh. I kept walking until I found a sitting spot. I sat down there and took my time to stare around. I need to find a way to be out of here. What should I say to Nicholas to make him allow me to leave? What should I say to him? I need to be out of this place. I have a life ahead of me. I have so many things I need to uncover. What am I going to do now?

"You seem to be in your thoughts," I heard a voice say from behind, almost scaring me. I turned, only to see the guard I once met in the house. He had this cute smile on his face.

"I'm sorry if I scared you. I didn't mean to scare you," he said.

I waved it off. "It's fine. Aren't you supposed to be working or something?"

He chuckled. "There are lots of guards here. I don't think anyone will be so bothered if I was talking to a beautiful lady like you."

I blushed. "Oh, please. I don't want to implicate things for you."

"It doesn't matter," he waved it off. "So, have you found your friend?"

I was surprised he still remembered. "I haven't found her yet. Seems as though you don't have anything you know about her?"

He nodded. "I don't have anything about your friend. Most of the time, there's this certain group of guards that are in charge of cases like that. They are the boss's most trusted guards."

I was irritated. "Why would someone want to be involved in a deadly job like this one? But you don't seem to be as cold as the others. You are kind of nice."

He chuckled. "Don't judge a book by its cover."

"Where aren't they to judge? They are all looking so serious. It's even hard to communicate with them. This place is like a zombie den. I'm sick and tired of this place already."

He looked around, then said something that caught my attention: "Seems like we have the same motive here."

I was confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"I hate that I'm currently here too. I was forced to be a guard here. I worked at an engineering company before coming here. I was doing just fine, but life happened."

"What happened to you? What's the reason why you had to come here?" I asked, confused.

"I got framed at my place of work. I was framed by my own best friend. There had been several losses of money, and then they made it look like I was the thief. I don't know how they did it, but it happened."

"That's so unfair. You should have fought for your rights," I said.

He shrugged. "Well, I tried my best, but no one was ready to help. Then I was introduced to this job, even though it's something I shouldn't be doing. Now I want to be out of here, but it's not possible."

"Why isn't it possible?" I asked.

"Don't you know that as long as you're working here, you're under a contract? The time you're supposed to leave or stop working is known only by the boss," he explained.

"This is disgusting. For crying out loud, how can they bring us here against our will? We should have the right to decide what we want. Why would they make it compulsory for us to be here? Why?"

"I'm sorry; I don't have an answer to that. But then, I want to leave too. If you're interested in the plan, let me know now, so I can put you on the list," he said.

I was even more confused. I had to tone my voice down a bit because I didn't want any passerby to listen in on our conversation.

"What list is that?"