Veiled In Deception

“You’re so stupid, Helda!! Why did you let her ran away?!” Sofia is so mad.

“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t know she ran.” Helda felt so helpless.

Stella went out looking for Athena and she even asked the servant’s head.

“Damn it!” Sofia groaned.

“She’s nowhere to be found. She really left the place. She knows we’re up to something.” Stella catches her breath.

Sofia kicked the flower. She was so pissed.

“Hey, ladies. How’s the party going?” A guy showed up.

“Hayden, we’re upset.” Stella sighed.

Hayden is their friend and Helda’s cousin. Like them, he’s also rich.

“What are you upset about?” He asked.

“Your cousin upset me.” Sofia just answered.

Hayden gasped seeing her.

“S-Sofia? I thought… what?” they felt like he knew something based on his expression.

Stella and Sofia looked at each other, with their eyes communicating.

“Hayden, tell us. Have you seen her?” Stella asked him.

“Sofia, I saw you earlier. You’re wearing a cap, and you even bumped at me. I even asked you where you’re going but you just ran away.” They gasped.

They asked him for more information.

“That wasn’t her, Hayden.” Helda said.

His eyes widened and scoffed. He thinks they are joking but Sofia’s glare made him believe it.

“Sh*t. No way. You have a twin?!” Sofia quickly covered his mouth.

“No one needs to know about this. It’s just the four of us, understand?” She asked them.

The three of them nodded. Stella explained the reason why but still, Hayden couldn’t agree to their plan. He’s scared of it.

“What? I thought you wanted to marry him too.” He asked.

“No, Hayden. She just wants his money. Plus, Sofia thinks he might be ugly.” Helda scoffed.

Hayden couldn’t believe what he just heard, but who wouldn’t marry a guy they never met but rich, right? and rumors said that he couldn’t bear a child. To her, it’s useless. So she will use Athena. Athena is her trap to getting rich.

“Are you sure about this, Sofia? You will not regret it?” Hayden smirked.

Sofia made up her mind.

“Yes. Tomorrow, we will find that maid.” She grinned.

“Her name is Athena.” They all looked at Helda with a confused expression.

There’s a part of them that won’t believe her.

“What? I asked her, okay? Besides, I think she’s honest.” Helda shrugged her shoulder.

Sofia just closed her mouth while they are arguing about Athena. She is thinking of a way how to find her quickly before the wedding her parents arranged for her.

“There’s no way I will marry that ugly sick guy! I don’t care if he’s rich. Athena will help me.” She said in her mind.

She takes a deep breath and looks around. Her eyes stopped to the owner of the house and the party.

“Where are you going?” Stella asked her.

“Wait for me here.” She just said and walked away.

Sofia was successful of her plan. She is finally waiting for the person who recruited Athena to serve at the party. After minutes, a woman wearing a decent jean and shirt walked toward her. She looks shy but her face seems innocent.

“Who is she?” Hayden asked.

“Athena’s best friend.” She smirked.

They were all stunned but Sharon was more stunned looking at her.

“I know I look like your best friend. I just want to know her full name and where she lives.” Sofia made it straight.

Sharon thinks twice before answering.

“Are you the reason why she left in a hurry?” She bravely asked.

Sofia chuckled and rolled her eyes. Sharon looked hesitant, her brows knitting together in confusion. She glanced around, as if searching for some kind of escape, but Sofia's piercing gaze rooted her in place.

“I… I don’t know if I should tell you that.” Sharon stammered.

“Athena wouldn’t want me giving out her information.” Helda scoffed, folding her arms. “Oh, come on. We’re her friends, too. Why wouldn’t she want us to know?” Sofia’s lips curved into a charming, persuasive smile.

“Listen, Sharon, we have a very important opportunity for Athena. It’s something that could change her life,” she said softly, leaning closer.

“And if you help us, I will make sure you’re taken care of, too. I’m sure a little extra cash wouldn’t hurt, right?” Sharon’s hesitation wavered.

She bit her lip, her eyes flickering between Sofia and her friends.

“Athena… she’s been struggling lately.” Sharon murmured, as if trying to convince herself.

“But… promise me you won’t do anything to hurt her.”

“Of course,” Sofia replied smoothly, placing a comforting hand on Sharon’s shoulder. “We’re only looking out for her best interests.”

After a tense moment, Sharon nodded and gave them Athena’s address. Sofia’s face lit up in triumph, but she kept her smile soft, hiding her true intentions. Sharon had no idea what kind of trouble she had just delivered her friend into.

Later that night...

Athena paced around her small living room, trying to shake the uneasy feeling that had settled over her ever since the encounter at the party. She couldn’t erase the image of Sofia’s cold, assessing eyes or the strange sense of familiarity that had jolted through her. She had met all kinds of people working as a maid, but none had ever left her feeling as unsettled as Sofia.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud knock on her door. She froze, her heart pounding. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Cautiously, she approached the door, her hand hovering over the doorknob as she tried to peer through the peephole.

But before she could even look, the door burst open, and Sofia, along with Helda and Stella, strode in as if they owned the place.

“What are you doing here?” Athena gasped, instinctively backing away.

Sofia gave her a cold smile, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

“Athena, we have a proposition for you.”

Athena’s stomach twisted with dread. She knew, whatever it was, it would not end well for her.

“What… what do you want from me?” she whispered, clutching her arms around herself as if that could shield her from the sudden, overwhelming threat in her own home.

Sofia stepped forward, a predatory smile on her face.

“I want you to become Sofia Monett… and marry Anton Almeda.”