Vionessa clinked her glass with her ring, and the light dimmed. A circular light shone on her, and she smiled, revealing her gaping white teeth. Valeria scoffed.

This woman loved attention; well, she will be getting lots of it today.

Vionessa took a mic from Xavier and began her speech,Dear friends... Vionessa's words were cut short when she heard a gunshot.

She screamed, all the guests screamed, and the party turned into chaos. More gunshots were heard, and Dorian saw a red light on Selena's chest.

Without thinking, he grabbed her, and they fell together. Selena screamed, and so did Vionessa.

The terror in her eyes was so visible that one would notice from a mile away. Dorian groaned, and that gained Vionessa's attention.

He was wounded.

The bullet didn't hit him, but it grazed his arm and blood was oozing out. The gunshots continued, and on the big screen in the hall, a big sentence appeared.

"This is the beginning of your nightmare". Vionessa's eyes widened, and she cleaned her jaw. The gunshots died down, but the guests were all running away.

Xavier quickly called for a doctor; he helped Dorian sit, and he noticed that Selena also had a cut on her wrist. She was shaking frantically, and so was Vionessa.

Dorian and Xavier tried to hide their fear, but it was visible on their faces.

Valeria stood at the entrance. She watched as the Ravenmoors hid in fear. She enjoyed the sight, and she couldn't help but smile. Valeria felt a sense of fulfillment wash over her.

This is just the beginning, Ravenmoors; you will wish you never saw the light of day.

Vionessa paced around in her room. Her jaw was clenched tightly.

She gritted her teeth in anger; the glass in her hand was on the verge of breaking from her strong grasp.

"The doctor already attended to Dorian and Selena; they are sleeping now".

Xavier says as he pours himself a drink and sits down. Vionessa gulped down the whiskey in her glass.

"Who do you think is responsible for this?" Vionessa asked. Xavier sighed.

"We've got many enemies mom". He replied with his brow furrowed tightly. Vionessa scoffed.

"To hell with our enemies; none of them has ever pulled off something like this."

"They have always been too scared to do anything, but with this person, I think it's a new enemy,"Vionessa stated.

"A bold one". Xavier chipped in.

"This person wants to give us a real scare, and he did". Vionessa sighed; her eyes twinkled with determination and anger.

She was going to get to the bottom of the issue. Valeria stood at the door with a smile on her face. She just got started, and Vionessa is already losing her sleep.

"Game on." She whispered and left.

The next day, Vionessa came downstairs with dark circles under her eyes. It was obvious that she didn't sleep a wink. She ordered coffee, and Valeria prepared it.

Two men in black walked in, just as they were having breakfast.

"Good morning Miss Ravenmoor". They greeted her . Vionessa nodded and dropped her coffee. "What am I paying you for?" she asked. The men looked at themselves.

"To protect you and your family ma". They replied.

"And can you explain how me and my family were almost killed in our mansion during our annual gala?" she asked. Her voice was so loud that it echoed through the hallway.

"Do you know what that has done to our name, to my name?" She asked again, this time she slammed her fist on the table.I'm giving one last chance to make things right, so don't fail me."

"I want you to investigate the events of last night properly; I want you to pay attention to every little detail."

"And also, you'll have to hire new bodyguards for my children."The men nodded.

"And what are you still doing here?" She asked with her eyes almost bulging out of her face.

Meanwhile, upstairs Valeria was asked to take Dorian's food to him.

His right hand was now bandaged. Valeria knocked and walked in. Dorian sat on his bed with his hand on his hair.

His hair was messed up, and it covered almost half of his face. Valeria cleared her throat and asked, "Can I come in, sir?"

"Aren't you in?" He asked with a playful smirk. Valeria smiled; he was injured, but he still managed to look so hot. He was wearing a black tank top and blue shorts.

If not for the bandage in his right hand, one wouldn't know that he is injured. Valeria snapped out of her thoughts and dropped the tray on the bedstand .

"How are you, sir?" she asked.

"I'm doing better". Dorian replied. Valeria nodded. She turned to leave, but he grabbed her hand. Her breath hitched.

"I can't eat with my left hand". Dorian whispered. Valeria nodded and picked up the food. She started feeding him, but she avoided his gaze. Dorian smiled.

After feeding him, she packed up and was about to leave when she heard him speak. "Valeria, I would appreciate it if you stop calling me sir".

He said. Valeria nodded. She ran into Xavier on her way out. He shot her a hard glare, and she left.

Xavier walked into the room and saw Dorian smiling to himself. He scoffed.

"Please don't tell me you're smiling like that because of a maid. Dorian frowned.

"She's not"....

"Oh come on, she is-what do you want me to call her-a servant?"

Xavier asked with a grin. Dorian clenched his jaw; he was obviously upset, but Xavier wasn't done.

"I didn't know your standards were that low."

Valeria was passing Vionessa's room, and she heard her talking on the phone.

"Yh, we are alright; the kids suffered minor injuries, but they are fine now."She said calmly.

Valeria raised a brow.It was unlike her to smile like that. The person on the other end said something, and Vionessa chuckled.Valeria frowned.

She had to find out who this person is.

Valeria arrived in her room, and her phone rang.She smiled and answered the call.

"Did you like it?" the person on the other side asked.Valeria nodded.

"I just couldn't contain my joy when I saw the fear in their eyes". She replays the moment in her head, and her smile grows wider.

"When will they arrive?" She asked.

"Soon".

The other person replied.

***

Valeria looked in the mirror and smiled. She has dreamt of this moment.

The moment she have been preparing for all these years, and finally she is living it.

The next day, Vionessa called for all the workers to gather in the living room. Before getting there, Valeria knew what was going on. She walked to the living room and saw two familiar faces.

They were two men. The both of them had similar facial features, the same blonde hair, the same brown eyes, and almost the same height. It was obvious that they were twins.

"The men before are the Draven brothers, and they are going to handle security matters in the mansion." Vionessa says to the staff. They nodded, and she left. The Draven brothers gave Valeria a knowing look, and they left.

Later that day, Valeria was cooking in the kitchen when Selena walked in. She smiled, and Valeria smiled back.

"What are you making?" Selena asked. "I'm making rice, Ma." Valeria replied. Selena waved her hand.

"Oh, please spare me the formalities; you can call me Selena." She said and sat on the kitchen counter. Valeria nodded and smiled. Dorian stepped in; he gave Valeria a little nod and went to talk to his sister.

They were talking about something, and they both laughed out loud. Valeria smiled as she watched them.

So far she could see the difference between them and Xavier. Unlike Xavier, they are easygoing and not proud. Xavier, on the other hand, was like his rude mother.

Their laughter echoed in the kitchen, and Valeria chuckled.

Outside the kitchen, Xavier watched with his hands in his pockets He couldn't understand why Dorian and Selena were fond of the maid.

Later that day after lunch, Valeria entered her room and saw two familiar faces. Arthur sighed softly and hugged her. She pulled out and hugged Luciano afterward. He smiled and kissed her hair.

"How have you been, kid?" he asked. Valeria pulled out from the hug and smiled. She has missed them.

Arthur Draven and Luciano Draven were her childhood friends, and they had a secret grudge against the Ravenmoors too. They came here to help her with her plans.

***

Flashback.

In a small apartment moscio , a girl stood in front of a birthday cake. She looked beautiful in a pink floral dress that made her brown hair shine in the dimly lit room.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them, she heard a voice from behind her.

"Blow out the candles, dear." The woman said. The little girl smiled, and she blew out the candles.

"What did you wish for?" the woman asked. The little girl's eyes twinkled with excitement, and she whispered.

"I wished for us to always be happy!" The older woman smiled and hugged the little girl.

"I love you so much, Elena." The girl whispered.

"I love you too, baby." She replied. Their moment was interrupted when two identical young boys barged into the room.

They each had a wrapped present in their hands.

"This is for you, Rynna " The the first boy said and gave her the gift. "Thank you, Luciano!"

The little girl said and hugged him tightly.

The next day, the three children were playing in the living room.

"You know Uncle Will is coming to visit soon; I can't wait to see him." Luciano said to his brother.

"It's so sad that I don't have a brother " The little girl said with a pout.

"You have a brother; in fact, you have two".

"We are your brothers!" The twins chorused and pulled her into a tight hug. She chuckled, her brown eyes filled with joy.

The same joy was mirrored in Valeria's eyes as she looked at the men before her.

"Our plans are already in motion, guys."

Valeria said with a proud smile. Luciano nodded. Arthur sat on her bed.

"I think we need to do some digging." "Have you been able to find anything, Val?" he asked Valeria. She nodded.

"I'm not sure about it, but I think Vionessa is seeing someone." She said firmly.

"And what makes you say that?" Luciano asked. "I heard her talking on the phone, and her body language showed that she was talking to someone she loves " Arthur smirked.

"The old hag with a love life-that sounds about right".

He turned to Valeria and held her shoulder.

"For now, you have to be careful; you can't risk getting caught. The Ravenmoors are vicious; you of all people know that " Valeria nodded.

"I'm doing this for her, so I know I won't mess it up." She stated with determination flashing in her eyes.

Meanwhile, in a study upstairs. Vionessa replayed the footage from the night of the annual ball.

She felt like something important would be hidden in the shadows. Vionessa was getting frustrated; she couldn't find anything.

She slammed her fist on the table and growled. She came across something, and her eyes darkened.

Valeria walked into the study, with her hands gripping the sides of her dress.

Vionessa had ordered for her to come, and she didn't know why.

"Good day, ma'am." Valeria greeted and bowed slightly. Vionessa gave her a look that made her uneasy.

"Do you have any hidden grudges against my family, young lady?" Vionessa asked. Valeria felt her heart skip a beat. It slammed harshly against her ribs, and her body shook slightly.

"No ma". She managed to say.

"Really?"

"Then what is the meaning of this?" Vionessa asked, pointing at the screen of the computer. It was CCTV footage from the annual gala.

In the video, Vionessa was screaming while Valeria stood at a corner with satisfaction written all over her face. She wasn't smiling, but her face showed that she was enjoying the show.

"Why were you so happy to see my family in pain?" Vionessa asked.

"No, ma, I don't have a grudge against your family. I don't." Valeria denied it

"Oh really, so you just..." Vionessa's phone buzzed, and she answered

"Come pick me up; I'm at the airport." The person on the other end said. Vionessa nodded and smiled. She turned to Valeria, and her smile turned into a grin.

"Listen to me, young woman, if I find out that you lied to me today and you have something against my family..."

She picked a paper from the table and squeezed it while maintaining eye contact with Valeria.

"I will crush you with my hands." She completed it and left.

Valeria released the breath she didn't know she was holding.

"You old b*tch!" She cursed and clenched her fists.

Valeria entered her room and saw Arthur and Luciano standing with worry written all over their faces.

"So?" Arthur asked. Valeria didn't reply to them, even though they were on the verge of losing their minds. She picked up a glass and poured herself water.

"Vionessa suspects that I have a grudge against her family!" Valeria blurted out. Arthur frowned. Valeria looked pale.

"Are you okay , Val?" "Did the old witch hurt you?" He asked and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"No, she didn't; she didn't hurt me, but for a moment I thought she discovered the truth about my identity ."

Valeria stuttered. Luciano came forward and held her hands.

"That's the reason why we are here, to protect you " . "As long as we are here, Vionessa or anyone from her family will not be able to harm you in any way." He reassured.

***

Selena walked down the stairs and saw an unfamiliar figure in the living room. His back was facing her, but she could tell that he had an astonishing physique.

He was wearing a black top and a pair of black trousers. His hands looked so strong that she felt her throat go dry from just looking.

The man turned, and Selena felt her heart skip a beat. If she was impressed before, now she was speechless.

The man before looked like he was made when God was in an excellent mood. His skin looked so pale, like that of a baby, and his lips.... His lips were so pink that Selena wondered if he was wearing a lip liner. Her eyes moved to his chest, and she swallowed hard. His chest looked so strong-his pecs were almost bulging out of his shirt.

And his tattoos....

"Good day, ma'am." Arthur greeted. Selena blinked and snapped out of her daydream She nodded and left. She couldn't say anything because she knew she just embarrassed herself.

Without thinking, Selena ran into the hallway with her cheeks flushed and her eyes closed. She didn't know when she bumped into someone.

Selena closed her eyes and expected to fall. But a pair of strong hands caught her; she managed to open her eyes, and she almost fell again.

The man in front of her looked like the man that she just saw in the living room. He had the same face, the same pink lips.

From the way he held her, she knew he was stronger. She stood awkwardly before she could melt into his embrace.

"Did you disappear from the living room?" Selena stuttered; she was still trying to gain her composure. Luciano frowned, but he smiled when he realized something.

"Oh, that wasn't me, ma'am; that was Arthur, my twin brother." He said with a smile that made Selena uneasy.

"I'm Luciano, by the way."

He said and brought his hands forward for a handshake. Selena took his hand; her eyes still didn't leave his face, though.

"I'm Selena, Selena Ravenmoor."

She replied. Luciano nodded and left. Selena sighed in relief. She dealt with one, and a few minutes later she fell into the arms of the other one.

"This isn't good." Selena exclaimed and went upstairs.Xavier stopped by the kitchen to take an apple.

He saw Valeria washing dishes in the kitchen, and he decided to troll her.

"You are becoming quite comfortable here, aren't you?" he asked as he chewed the apple. Valeria sighed.

She didn't know if Vionessa was worse than her son at this point. "Is there anything you need, sir?" she asked. An idea hit Xavier, and he nodded.

"I want chicken soup made with only chicken breasts, and I want Chinese sushi." He said calmly. Valeria nodded, but she didn't know what was coming next.

"I want you to buy the ingredients from the market by yourself.

Xavier blurted out and dropped a credit card on the kitchen counter. He looked at his wristwatch and then at her.

"I want it done in less than two hours." He said it calmly and left. Valeria cursed inwardly. If Vionessa was an old witch, then Xavier was a wizard. She quickly rounded up the dishwashing and left.

It's a good thing that she took catering classes before coming to work as a full-time helper for the Ravenmoors.

The house was quiet until Vionessa came in with someone. Selena was in the living room when they arrived.

She saw the familiar person beside her mother, and she jumped for joy.

"Aunt Vina!" she squealed and ran into the woman's arms. Ravina caught her, and she smiled.

"Hi, Aunt." Selena greeted after the woman kissed her hair. "Have you been a good girl, Selena?"

Ravina asked with a smile. "Yes aunty, and if Mom had said you were coming, I would have organized a welcome party for you!"

She replied with a smile. Ravina chuckled They both went inside the house together, and they wouldn't stop talking.

Vionessa smiled as she watched them. Selena isn't one that warms up to people or associates with people.

Ravina is one of the few people that she opens up to And that is no surprise, because Ravina is Vionessa's childhood friend and Selena's godmother.

She left Puerto Estrella for over twenty years after being involved in an accident, and this is the first time she is visiting the place after all these years.

They used to meet in places for vacations; Selena even stayed with Ravina for some years, but this was the first time that Ravina set foot in the country after all those years.

Xavier came downstairs and greeted her. He wasn't surprised to see her-his mother had already informed him that Ravina was visiting.

Typical Vionessa telling Xavier everything. Meanwhile, in the market.

Valeria was throwing curses everywhere. She didn't understand why Xavier hated her.

She hates him too, but it's for a good reason. Xavier ruined her life in a way, so it was expected that she hate him.

But Xavier? He doesn't have any reason to hate the new maid, but for some reason he does.

From the moment he set his eyes on her, he has been showing her different shades of hostility.

Valeria sighed and collected the last items.

She checked the time, and more than twenty minutes had passed Sh*t! She cursed and packed the bags.

On getting to the mansion, Valeria continued cursing. She still couldn't understand why Xavier was acting like a b*tch.

Valeria went to the kitchen and started preparing the meal. She loved cooking, so that made her calm down.

Valeria finished cooking, and she served the food to Xavier. He took the food and looked at his time.

"Right on time." Valeria said confidently. He shot her a hard glare.

She turned to leave, and he asked her to stand there.

Valeria nodded and cursed inwardly. Xavier tasted the food; he chewed slowly and raised a brow.

"I know it's good, sir." Valeria said again she knew she was being cocky, but she could trust her cooking skills.

Xavier continued eating, and he looked at Valeria. She had a proud look on her face, but she had the right to.

"So, sir, is it good?" she asked with a tone that made Xavier frown.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves." He whispered and continued eating.