The door to Hina and Maizy's room creaked open.
"Step-witch wants to see you, Hina," Maizy said, flopping onto the bed beside her.
"See me? For what? What could that bitch possibly want?" Hina groaned, rising to her feet. "I need to read. They should leave me alone."
She slammed the door as she left.
Voices and laughter echoed down the hallway. The moment they spotted her, silence fell.
"Come here, Hina," Olivia Kent called out, her eyes scanning her from head to toe. Hina fought the urge to scowl.
"What's with that look again?"
"Hina, you look so… beautiful. Look at your boobs H or J cup?" Olivia's hands hovered as if measuring her chest. "Answer me, what size are they? They're huge for your small frame!"
What again? What kind of silly question is this? Hina thought, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"She seems so… ripe now. We'll have to wait until she turns nineteen," Olivia said, her tone calculating.
"No, we can't wait. As you said, she's ripe there's no need to delay. You may return to your room now," her dad said dismissively, waving her off.
Hina's frown deepened, a chill running down her spine. Prepare me for what? she thought, unease twisting in her gut. She quickly walked away from those two mad people she couldn't stand them.
---
"What did they say?" Maizy asked the moment she came in.
"I don't know," Hina whined. "The bitch was asking me if my boobs were H or J, talking about something ripe. I pray whatever their lunatic plan is doesn't work out for them like seriously."
"Ripe? Your boobs — H or J? You sure they're not planning to marry you off or something? Because those people are crazy; they're capable of anything," Maizy said, her eyes serious as she watched Hina pick up her books to continue reading.
"They wouldn't dare," Hina replied, her voice calm but tense. "I don't think their madness has reached that level… yet."
"I thought you were only writing maths tomorrow. So why are you reading physics and chemistry together?" Maizy asked, noticing all three books on the floor.
"Those were the ones I was supposed to write today," Hina replied, exasperated, "before bitter Ashley made me clean and watch her clothes."
"Oh, good luck tomorrow — even though I know my smarty-pants won't need it," Maizy said, walking toward Hina and tickling her lightly.
"Giggles Maizy, stop!" Hina squealed, trying to pull away.
***
A slim, curvy figure with golden-brown hair and emerald-green eyes leaned against the balcony railing, sipping her drink. Her phone rested on the table, the screen showing a video call. A gorgeous blonde with brown eyes smiled back at her, while a maid stood nearby, head bowed.
"He hit her again? Oh my God, we should sue him for domestic violence! This is unacceptable! After he promised never to touch her, he had the guts to do it again!" Ashley exclaimed, her tone sharp with outrage.
"She deserves it," Chelsea replied calmly, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
"Come on, Chelsea, don't talk like that. She's our friend," Ashley countered, rolling her eyes.
"She didn't care I was her friend when she told me! I can't get a man for myself, while hers hit her all the time like a piñata! And she goes on and on about 'my man, my man, my man,' giving advice as if her life were perfect. Glad he hits her at least reality's hitting her back!" Chelsea laughed harshly, a sound that made Ashley giggle in response.
Ashley smirked, muting the call briefly. "Ophelia, go get me Hina." She unmuted the phone, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"I can't wait to hear her lie about falling on the stairs when her neighbor confirmed he hits her," Chelsea said, making them both break into another round of giggles.
"So, when are we shopping for Caterina's wedding gown? Did she tell you?" Chelsea asked casually, leaning back in her chair.
"No, she didn't. And I also forgot to ask her," Ashley replied, tapping her nails against the table with a hint of impatience.
A few minutes later, the maid Ophelia appeared at the balcony door, bowing her head. "Um, Miss Ashley… Hina has gone to school."
"What? What time is it? How and who lets her out? Go call me Maizy, now!" Ashley snapped, her voice sharp, the smirk replaced by urgent agitation.
Ophelia froze for a moment, then hurried to obey, glancing nervously at the phone screen. Ashley's eyes narrowed, already plotting the next move.
Soon, Maizy arrived, bowing her head.
"Chelsea, I'll call you later. I have some scores to settle. Muah," Ashley said, blowing a kiss at the phone.
"Bye, gorgeous! Kisses to you too, my love," Chelsea replied, smiling. Ashley cut the call immediately.
Turning to face Maizy, Ashley's eyes glowed with displeasure. "What is this nonsense I heard? I thought I told you to make sure Hina washed the curtains and did not go to school."
"I'm sorry, ma'am… I forgot," Maizy said softly, keeping her head bowed.
"Oh, you forgot? For forgetting, you will wash the curtains on her behalf. Ophelia, tell the rest of the maids to leave their duties for today. Maizy and Hina will do all of it. When Hina gets back from school, she will continue with Maizy. Foolish girls! Get the fuck out of my face, you fool," Ashley snapped, her glare forcing Maizy to bow slightly as she stepped aside.
"Ophelia, prepare clean, fresh water for me to bathe," Ashley ordered, her voice sharp, echoing slightly off the walls..
"Add scented oils… and prepare the wax," Ashley continued, pacing slightly as she surveyed the balcony. "I need to be flawless. Raphael will be back today. He hasn't 'tested' me in weeks, and I can already imagine how starving he'll be for this gorgeous coochie of mine, I must be perfect clean, smooth, irresistible so that when he arrives, there's no flaw,. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," Ophelia replied, hurrying away, her cheeks flushing