Strike one

Leticia woke up to the gentle knocks on her door, her eyes slowly opening. She sat up, yawned, and rubbed her eye then stretched her arms.

"Wow, that sleep was so comfortable," she said to herself, smiling with her eyes still half-closed. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, walking over to the door on her bare feet. For a moment, she forgot about her predicament.

When she opened the door, Karina stood before her, a wide tray filled with lots of dishes in her hands. Leticia's eyes widened in surprise. "Morning, Miss. You missed breakfast but Lunch is ready," Karina said, bowing her head respectfully.

Leticia blinked, taking in the spread before her. "Just Lunch?" she asked, her voice incredulous. This was enough food to last her for two days! Karina nodded, "May I come in, Miss?"

Leticia stepped aside, allowing Karina to enter and place the tray on the bedside table.

"Call me once you're done eating," Karina said, her eyes cast downward. Leticia's heart fell at the thought of eating alone. She's never. "Can't you join me? I don't think i can't finish this alone."

Karina's expression remained soft, "Maids aren't allowed to interact with the masters, Miss." She bowed her head again.

Leticia's face flushed at the title, "M-master? I'm not... " she stammered, feeling a little overwhelmed.

Karina interrupted her, "Excuse me, Miss, I am needed in the kitchen." With a quick curtsy, she turned to leave, her short gown flowing with her.

Leticia called out, "Oh! Thanks for the meal!" She watched as Karina shut the door, feeling a little more awake.

She turned her attention to the food, her stomach growling at the aroma. She realized she hasn't eaten for a while now and seeing the delicious, hot food made her so hungry.

She didn't even think about brushing or anything like that. She made herself comfortable and dug into the meal, savoring each bite. The more she ate, the more she realized how hungry she was. She didn't eat for days. How was she even alive?

Leticia slumped onto her bed, overly full. Her eyes closed, and she slept off immediately.

***

Devon growled at the servant before him, "Bring her to me."

***

Leticia found herself on her knees before Devon, her head bowed as she shook in fear. 'Damn, how could I have slept off?'

Devon glared hard at her, "How dare you not answer when I call you?!" "I'm so sorry, I fell asleep. Forgive me," she pleaded.

Devon snarled, "I already told you I'll make you pay if you dare disobey me, bloody murderer."

"But I didn't mean to," she frowned up at him, her eyes wide with fear. She was scared, but he had called her a murderer. She had killed no one!

Devon raised a brow as their eyes met. Her opal eyes had fear in them, but stubbornness took over the fear. She looked him straight in the eye! Such a brave bitch. He leaned forward and grabbed a handful of her hair. Before Leticia could react, he pulled it hard and growled at her face, "How dare you talk back at me, bitch."

Leticia clenched her jaws, the pain he was inflicting on her was bad, but did he seriously call her a bitch?! "Fucking talk when I ask you a question!" he growled, pulling her hair even harder.

Leticia felt a whole new kind of pain on her head, as if she was being hit with a hammer. "I'm sorry, master," she whispered in pain, tears lacing her eyes. That wasn't what she'd intended to say but to her own surprise, that was what came out.

Devon pushed her away, letting go of her hair, and she fell on her back, a groan leaving her lips. Devon snapped at her, "Get on your knees!"

Despite the pain on her head, back, and knees, Leticia quickly knelt before him. He eyed her in contempt. "That's strike one. I give you two more strikes, then I'll make you bleed out of every hole in your fucking body! Out of my sight! Now!"

Fearfully, Leticia sprang up and dashed out of the room, tears falling from her eyes as she blindly rushed to her room.

Suddenly, she bumped into someone. "Hey!" The person yelped in annoyance. Leticia just ran off, not stopping to apologize properly.

The person she bumped into scoffed, using her hand to dust her obviously expensive dress." Brother Devon can't even hire quality maids anymore," she muttered before walking on.

She knew Devon would be in his meeting room, sitting on his throne-like seat, and she was right. There he sat, like a demigod, his presence commanding attention. Gosh, he's so handsome she could worship the gods a billion and one times for making him exist!

She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration, "Brother Devon."

He looked up, his piercing gaze locking onto hers, and then his devilish smile grazed his lips. "You're here, Sera." His deep voice sent shivers down her spine.

She grinned, her excitement evident, and went to him, pulling him up and wrapping her arms around his waist k. "I missed you, Brother." She squeezed him tightly, her head pressed against his chest. He chuckled, "Did you?" Raising a brow, he teased her, his voice laced with amusement.

She nodded. "Too much, in fact, which is why I decided to spend a few days with you."

Devon's grin widened darkly. His expressions are so sly that even the closest person to him would have a hard time telling if he was being sincere or not. "So lovely of you, Sera." He said, patting her head/hair gently.

Sera felt her cheeks heat up at the little gesture, her face flushing. "I believe you have nothing left to do," he said knowingly. She nodded.

Devon smiled, his lips curling upward. "Good girl."

She giggled coyly and was about to say something when...

"Hey, Sera," a voice interrupted, and they turned to face the speaker.

Immediately, her eyes rolled and her expression turned unfriendly, "What is it, Cecil?" she asked, her tone laced with annoyance.

Cecil grinned jovially, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "And I'm happy to see you too, Seraphim." He spoke, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Seraphim scoffed, her lips curling in distaste. "Don't let me start with you, Cecil. As you can see, I was discussing something with Brother Devon, so get out." She waved her hand dismissively, her light red eyes flashing with irritation.

Cecil shook his head, his annoying grin never wavering. "As you can see, Luis and I have much more important things to discuss. You should get out." He gestured towards the door.

Seraphim shot a glance at Luis, who smiled courteously as usual! . She hadn't noticed his presence. No one ever does because he's always so unnecessarily quiet.

She scoffed at Cecil before turning to Devon, who had taken his seat, with a pout. "Brother, should I excuse you?" She blinked cutely at Devon, her eyes sparkling. He gave a sly smile, his eyes glinting with amusement, knowing exactly why Seraphim was always so sweet to him. She's just being silly.

"Please, do, Seraphim." His voice was low and smooth, yet dismissive.

"Promise to spend time with me after this," she requested. Devon simply hummed, "Hmn."

Seraphim sighed, knowing that was the end of the discussion. She bowed slightly before leaving the room, throwing Cecil a nasty stare as she departed.

"I wonder where they got a worked-up ass like her," Cecil murmured with disdain, before the trio began their discussion.

***

Leticia lay in bed, her body curled up in a ball, her face buried in the pillow. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, her cheeks flushed and tear-stained.

'Would I ever be free?' She thought, hopelessness clouding her. Maybe not. It was really serious and the thought alone made her cry some more.

She has been treated so harshly in her life. Her head was hammering, and the tears were unstoppable. Is this how she would spend the rest of her short term life? "No! I don't want this. I can't, I just can't," she sobbed, her body shaking.

"Dinner is ready, miss," Karina's voice interrupted, a knock following.

"Take it away. I don't want," Leticia literally screamed.

"Are you okay, miss?" Karina asked, her concern evident.

"Go away!" Leticia snapped, her anger and frustration boiling over, before resuming her tears. Devon had meant what he'd said;it was just the beginning of her tears.