Under the Red-Light District

Chapter 9

"My lady, are you awake?"

I groggily opened my eyes, the ringing in my ears began nang umupo ako sa kama. I felt a sharp pain between my legs, causing me to let out a painful moan. 

"My lady, are you okay? I'm going inside—" I cut her off immediately.

"N-no! I'm okay, Alice!" mabilis na sagot ko. "I'll head out after I finish preparing myself."

Nag-a-alangan pa siya na iwanan ako pero wala rin siyang nagawa. She just informed me that Frodo is waiting for me in the garden. I hastily responded.

I pursed my lips slightly. Just how much time has passed?

I got out of bed. My eyes wandered around. The sun poured into his cozy room. Base sa mahinang sinag ng araw, I think it's already between 1 and 2 o'clock in the afternoon.

"Your complexion is not well," Portia spoke begrudgingly. My other personal maid, the rude one who wants me gone. Kakabalik pa lang niya sa manor galing sa city.

Nagtaas siya ng kilay. "Sigurado ka bang natulog lang kayong dalawa?"

Likas na makapal ang kanyang mukha. May pagkamahadera rin siya at chismosa. Even though she's getting on my nerves, I can't find any reason to throw her out.

"Portia!" pinaningkitan ng mga mata ni Alice ang walang galang na si Portia. "Nasaan ang respeto mo?"

I stopped her nang akmang papagalitan niya pa si Portia. I gave her a warm and comforting smile. Kaagad naman siyang napahinto at bahagyang yumukod.

"Alice, bakit ka ba masyadong dumidikit sa kanya? hindi rin naman siya magtatagal rito e. Pinagsisilbihan pa natin ang babaeng 'yan. Mas mababa pa 'yan sa atin e!" idinuro niya ako, hindi inaalintanang naririnig ko siya.

"Hindi natin alam kung anong sakit ang dala niya! Baka mahawa—" hindi niya na naituloy ito nang may magsaboy sa kanya ng tubig na galing sa vase.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at hindi inaasahan na makita siya. It was the second child, Pietro.

"How dare you raise your voice at your master?" his voice was laced with anger.

Kaagad na napaluhod si Portia sa harapan namin na nanginginig at basang-basa dahil kay Pietro. Napatingin naman ako sa vase na hawak niya. Nilulumot na ito at sigurado akong mabaho na rin ang tubig nito. Nang akmang ibabato ito ni Pietro sa kanya ay umaksyon na ako.

"Stop, Pietro!" tiningnan niya ako nang matiim at nagtagis ang kanyang bagang.

"What do you mean stop?! She's insulting you! At least fight back to defend yourself!"

Sa kanilang tatlong magkakapatid ay siya ang may pinakamaikling pasensya. That's based solely on my observation. He always went into tantrums and had anger issues. Often. And it always ends up in violence.

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "No, it's fine. It doesn't matter to me."

"What do you mean it's fine?!" he groaned in annoyance. "It's not fine at all!"