Episode 9

As soon as Damian left to follow his mother, Aunt Lina entered the living room.

"Miss, please stand up; no more bowing," Aunt Lina encouraged Leticia to rise to her feet.

Leticia got to her feet with Aunt Lina's assistance.

"You've injured your forehead, Miss!" exclaimed Aunt Lina, wincing at the sight of the abrasion on Leticia's brow.

"It's fine, I don't feel any pain, Auntie!" Leticia replied calmly. Indeed, she felt no pain, perhaps due to the overwhelming burden of her thoughts, which numbed her to any physical discomfort.

Aunt Lina helped Leticia back to the pavilion.

"Isn't there a bandaid? Let me help cover your wound," Aunt Lina suggested.

Leticia pulled open a drawer of a small wardrobe in the corner of the pavilion's living room.

Inside, Leticia retrieved a small box.

Auntie accepted the box, opened it, took out a bandaid, and began to clean Leticia's cut.

She then placed the bandaid over Leticia's abrasion.

"Rest now, Miss. I'll fetch your lunch," Aunt Lina said.

"Thank you, Auntie."

"You're welcome, Miss."

Aunt Lina left to get Leticia's lunch.

Leticia adjusted her hair, slightly lowering her bangs to cover the bandaged area of her forehead.

Before long, Aunt Lina returned bearing Leticia's lunch.

Afterward, Aunt Lina left Leticia to carry on with her tasks.

The weather this afternoon looked somewhat overcast, likely heralding rain again tonight.

Leticia had to finish her work tidying the garden then assist Aunt Lina and Janet in cleaning the Mansion.

By four o’clock, they finished the cleaning, as the day seemed to grow cloudier.

Leticia noticed Damian's car entering the Mansion's driveway.

She quickly excused herself from Aunt Lina and Janet to head to the pavilion first.

Leticia didn't want to run into Damian; she would come only if needed.

She didn't want Damian to see her as though she were anticipating his return.

Per their contract, Damian had stipulated that Leticia should not be visible when he returned home.

She would present herself to Damian only if necessary.

Leticia closed the pavilion door as the wind grew fierce and the sky darkened further.

She made sure the pavilion windows were shut tight.

The rumble of thunder sounded in the heavens above.

Soon after, the pitter-patter of rain began, the deluge arriving earlier than expected.

The rain then fell heavily.

If the rain lasted into the night, Damian most certainly wouldn't call on her for anything.

Leticia smiled gleefully, feeling liberated from the obligation to enter the Mansion.

Alone in the pavilion amidst the torrential rain and dim light, not a hint of fear crossed Leticia’s mind.

The booming thunder and vivid lightning didn't frighten her either.

She cleansed herself while humming, relishing her solitude.

Leticia sang out loud, her voice muffled by the rain, spurring herself to sing more passionately.

Her voice was surprisingly melodious when singing; she was quite adept at hitting the high and low notes of the song.

Occasionally, she swayed her body left and right, following the rhythm of the music she sang.

Leticia grabbed her towel, drying herself off completely.

She wrapped the towel under her arms, then stepped out of her small bathroom.

Still humming, Leticia then twirled around, dancing to the beat of the song.

Her long hair cascaded freely down her back, and dancing barefoot, she reveled in joy.

She gyrated her hips, her face alight with happiness, and a smile etched at the corner of her lips as she sang.

Dancing her way toward her room, still clad in her towel, she continued to sway her hips.

Suddenly, she screamed in shock as a tall, imposing figure stood in the center of the pavilion's living room, staring intently at her.

To be continued...

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