Chapter 18: Laundry, Cooking, and Serving Them?
A Housekeeper?
Laundry?
Cooking?
Serving them?
Did they really think she’d agree to something so degrading?
Sonya let out a wry laugh, too lazy to respond. She turned to leave.
Seraphina’s sweet voice followed her—
“Sonya, because we’re friends, I considered you first. The salary will be good. Don’t worry about saving face. Think about it—your rent must be expensive.”
Sonya quickened her pace.
She refused to waste another second on these people.
And when she was finally out of earshot—
The world felt peaceful again.
Bringing Color to Life
The next day, Sonya started painting.
The walls were plain white, cold and lifeless.
She decided to paint the upstairs bedroom and small living room a soft light blue.
Something calm. Warm.
She watched tutorials, slowly getting the technique right.
It was tedious work.
By midday, Leo called.
“Need help?”
Sonya exhaled.
“Yes.”
An hour later, Leo and Jake arrived.
Seeing her progress, they gave her thumbs up.
“Sonya, it’s just a rental. Why go through all this trouble?” Leo asked.
Sonya smiled, stirring paint.
“If I’m living here, I want it to feel like home.”
Jake, more experienced, corrected her strokes, smoothing out imperfections.
Then he said, half-jokingly—
“This place looked depressing before.”
Leo raised an eyebrow.
“What do you mean?”
Jake leaned against the wall, glancing around.
“White walls. Gray tiles. Cold. Empty. What does it remind you of?”
Leo frowned.
“What?”
Jake smirked.
“A morgue.”
Leo froze.
“What?! No way—” He looked around again, shivering.
Sonya paused, taking it in.
From the first day, she had felt it—
The coldness. The emptiness.
That’s why, when Henry suggested renovations, she didn’t hesitate.
She didn’t want to live in a lifeless space.
Like a zombie.
The thought made her shudder.
She thought of Henry.
Did he even have warmth?
When he said, “Okay,” “I’ll cook for you,” “Let’s get married”—did he have any expression at all?
Or was it just… empty?
A robot fiancé.
More Than Just Paint
“The color doesn’t match the tiles. Are you changing them?” Jake asked.
Sonya snapped out of it.
“I’m putting in hardwood floors.”
“Upstairs and down?”
“Yes.”
“You should hire professionals. This villa is huge.”
Sonya smiled.
“I’ve already contacted someone.”
By nightfall, they had finished painting.
They rarely did manual labor, so even Leo and Jake were exhausted.
Sonya ordered takeout and set up a table in the yard.
Drinking. Chatting. Relaxing.
“I want to build small flower beds on both sides,” Sonya mused.
Leo took a sip of beer.
“I saw a huge backyard and a swimming pool.”
Sonya shrugged.
“Yeah, but the pool is dry, and the yard is neglected.”
Jake glanced around.
“This is Cloud Haven Villas. Even the smallest units cost millions. This one? It’s in the best location and has the biggest lot. Must be tens of millions.”
Sonya froze.
“Really?”
Jake nodded.
“At least.”
Sonya pursed her lips.
Henry must have taken out a huge loan to buy this place.
Was he still paying it off?
Jake nudged her.
“You should check with the homeowner before renovating the yard. You don’t want problems later.”
Sonya hesitated. Then said, softly—
“This villa belongs to my fiancé.”
Both men stared at her.
Leo burst out laughing.
“Fiancé? Since when do you have a fiancé?”
Jake was equally skeptical.
Sonya hummed.
“My aunt set me up.”
The two exchanged glances.
Then clinked their bottles.
Leo grinned.
“Sure. And I’m a billionaire.”
Sonya rolled her eyes.
“I’m not lying! I’m getting married!”
Leo suddenly looked serious.
“When?”
“September 6th.”
Jake blinked.
“The same day as Julian and Seraphina?”
“Yes.”
Leo paused.
Then looked at her, worried.
“Sonya… are you okay?”
Sonya glared.
“Of course, I am!”
She turned to Jake.
“Do you believe me?”
Jake studied her for a moment. Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Sonya was about to sigh in relief—
Until he added—
“As long as you’re happy.”
She rolled her eyes.
He still didn’t believe her.
A Familiar Presence
A car pulled up.
Julian.
Leo waved.
Sonya glared at him.
Leo scratched his head.
“What? It’s not polite to ignore him.”
Julian stepped out.
Black suit. Slicked-back hair. Gold-rimmed glasses.
Cold. Distant.
He stopped at the gate, looking at the villa.
At the messy yard.
At the three of them.
Then his gaze settled on Sonya.
“Have you considered Seraphina’s offer?”
Sonya didn’t bother looking at him.
“No. I refuse.”
“Name your price.”
Sonya scoffed.
“I don’t need the money.”
Julian adjusted his glasses.
“Think it over.”
Her anger flared.
“Do you enjoy bullying me? Is it amusing?”
Julian’s expression didn’t change.
“Seraphina’s well-meaning.”
Sonya laughed bitterly.
“Tell her to keep her kindness. I don’t need it!”
Julian nodded, then casually dropped—
“I’m planning to demolish and rebuild your parents’ house into a café. What do you think?”
Sonya’s heart stopped.
She stood up abruptly.
“Julian, you promised to return the house!”
Julian adjusted his sleeve.
“I did. But you know the damage your photo caused.”
Sonya took a deep breath.
They just wanted to make her suffer.
Her lips curled.
“Fine. I agree.”
Leo and Jake froze.
Julian’s eyes darkened.
Sonya smiled coldly.
If they wanted to make her miserable…
Let’s make everyone miserable.
