Personal Maid?

CASSIE'S POV 

That ringing of an alarm clock drilled inside her ears. "Ugh, I have school today," she mumbles. 

What time did she fall asleep last night? She's been thinking about her conversation with the house's new owners. More to say, he is her master from now on. 

They have an unclear agreement about her living in the Villa; although it will benefit her to stay on the island, where she had happy memories with her parents, she no longer owns the Villa. She is just now a mere errand of someone, even though Shun mentioned her College, but what for? What is his true motive? Could she accept everything just like that? 

Ah... she needs to go to school first thing today! Cassie rushed to shower and then wore her PE uniform; she forgot to wash her school uniform and the extra one because of what happened yesterday. 

After getting ready, she went to the kitchen, surprised to see Auntie Ling. She then remembers that they will start working full time from now on, which she's not used to yet. 

So every day, she's the one who makes her meals before going to school. And she'll prepare more food for her aunt Lydia and Mimie, then come back during lunch to cook their food when the two decide to stay on the island. 

That's right. She's already been a maid by someone else before Shun came. She has more heavy household chores than Shun requests; only serving him every time he is on the island, with Auntie Ling and Uncle Jong around, will lessen her work. 

Cassie was eating quietly when a group of men entered the house accompanied by Mr. Rudolf, and they went straight to the second floor of this Villa. Before asking, Auntie Ling told her that the boss would auction all the stuff from the two bedrooms occupied by Lydia and Mimie.

Auntie Ling added that Shun told Mr. Rudolf to wait until she woke up not to disturb her sleep. She was surprised once again at how Shun considered her. Why is he giving her so much favor when she was just his personal maid? She's now wondering.

The correct word for her status now is being his 'personal maid'. However, that doesn't sound appropriate to the ears.

One of Shun's men blocked the driveway after finishing breakfast and settling herself on her bike.

"Miss, the boss instructed us to send you to school by car. So please, step out from your bike and get in the car," said politely a giant man she learned named Jing.

"The school is not that far, Mr. Jing... I'll be okay going on my bike. But, please, tell your boss I appreciate the thought, but he should not bother about it."

After saying this, she pedaled and left the huge man scratching his head. It won't be good for her classmates to see her riding in someone's car to school. That would be a massive gossip because the vehicle was too intimidating. No rich man on the island owns that kind of Mercedes Benz.

* * *

Cassie felt the cold wind while pedaling her bike like a free butterfly. The sun was soft on her skin, and the morning breeze calmed her; the ocean was still quiet this early morning, as the island has its peace somewhere in this Northern Asia.

She falls in love on this island, not because she was born here, but inside her heart, this island is giving her security somehow... that is why she doesn't want to be apart from here again.

The people are kind; helping each other is the main purpose of existence. They shared small things with others and didn't mind if nothing had left for them. Everyone was trying to survive but did not forget to help others—no wonder her dad fell in love with this island.

She used to knock on her door and see someone giving her fresh fish, fresh vegetables, and spices, or a freshly cooked pork stew and a chicken sometimes.

To think of it now, her life was always good regardless of what happened to her parents. Even when she becomes orphaned, many good things happen until her aunt betrays her.

Cassie looks at her Fushigi Yuugi wristwatch and still has more time before the first class period begins. She glanced at the watch again before taking the right intersection away from the main road.

She remembers that the watch was given by her uncle as her 15th birthday gift when they visited Japan around three years ago. She looked at it through the store window, and her uncle noticed. She was surprised that he had bought it for her. After learning that her uncle is stealing from her, she can't completely hate him. Maybe she's just wholly innocent or because her uncle shows too much kindness: which makes her blind to what's happening. At least he did not abandon her in the street, but her aunt Lydia and Mimie.

When her uncle died, they slowly changed and became cold toward her. They made her like their slaves when no one was around. Even though she still wishes they were in good hands wherever they are now.

Cassie stopped pedaling and observed the busy people in the distance. She heard rumors about a hotel resort that would begin construction soon, just next to her father's man-made forest. Who would have thought that it was that man named Shun Crow who owned it? She also learned that he is 30 years old but has already achieved so much.

Shun and her brother were the same age if her brother was still alive. But, she wonders, what kind of life would she have if her brother stayed?

She continued watching the men below when Shun turned around, and their eyes m—caught in the moment, something racing inside her chest. Then, to her surprise, when Shun turns around, she suddenly starts pedaling her bike and leaves as fast as she can. 

To think that she would be safe after arriving at the school, she was stormed with questions and curiosity instead... which was only about the handsome men staying at her Villa. This island is small, not to hear anything. 

*

SHUN'S POV

Waking up in a room he was not familiar with, Shun remembered. That is right, he was in Hiryuu Island and now is staying at Young Villa after he bought it. When he heard the rumor that the house and the whole property were for sale, he immediately investigated. When he learned the truth, he set up a trap against Lydia, the mastermind of all scheming of the Young properties.

He introduced himself as the hotel owner and the resort to start building near the Young properties soon. When he approached Lydia that he was looking for a particular land, the woman quickly showed interest until she openly said she would sell the Man-made forest as no one would take care of it anymore. 

Shun pretended he did not know that the property was about to be taken by the bank. The woman knew but still tried to sell it away, believing she was more innovative.

Shun agreed with him, paying 25% as a partial payment, then the rest spent the next month entirely. The woman signs the papers pronto, giving him valid evidence that she made multiple properties using the same legal documents. He learned that one of her partners in those schemes was the very own manager of a bank. They could access the collateral documents and make another loan to another bank through recommendations.

Shun suspects the mother and daughter will leave the island after wiring the money, but he has already sent his men to keep them from going. So then, in front of Lydia, he revealed all her schemes, and he has strong evidence and records: that is enough to imprison her for her entire life unless they surrender on their own.

Peacefully, Kier escorted the mother and daughter by helicopter to surrender to the police and admit their crimes. Shun carefully not revealing to Cassie that her aunt Lydia and Mimie are now paying for their crimes, and they will never get near her or step on this island again. He'll make sure of that.

After taking a shower and getting dressed in a casual t-shirt and jeans, he went to the kitchen to make breakfast. The sun is about to rise, he thought.

"Oh, good morning, boss," Auntie Ling greeted him. "I will make your coffee right away," the woman offers.

"Okay, Auntie Ling. Thank you." Shun pulls one of the chairs and sits. Not long ago, Rudolf appeared in the Kitchen yawning and went straight to the fridge. He pulls out the pitcher and then takes a full glass of cold water. After putting away the glass and putting back the pitcher, he sat across from Shun and rested his head on the table.

"Did you sleep late again last night? Unfortunately, this place has a bad connection, and you should limit yourself from playing online games with your age now," Shun scolded him.

Auntie Ling listens to the men who casually talk at the table like they are not the boss and an employee but good friends and brothers. 

"What? I stayed up all night reviewing some documents that were not my assignment," Rudolf stretched his arms while saying this. "I am just showing an extra consideration here."

Shun chuckled. "Okay. Expect a bonus. Do you ever see me abusing my men?"

Rudolf grins. Shun and he has been good friends since High School. Although separated during College, they still met with Kier, Meisha, and Daichi to hang out during summer breaks and do what normal boys do.

Auntie Ling places their breakfast when Daichi arrives from running outside. "Ah, so good to jog around this island because the air was so fresh! You both should run often," he told the two men in front of him, who took a glance at each other.

"You, right away, dug in just a moment before you arrived? You don't even wash your hands!" Rudolf scolded Daichi and grabbed his ear towards the sink. Shun shook his head and started eating.

Auntie Ling enjoyed the scene. When these men arrived at the house, although their deadly aura overflowed from their bodies, she could also feel good energy from these men. It seems they enjoy teasing each other but doing a serious job once they work hours. 

"Rudolf, have you already gathered the people we need?" Shun asked.

"Yes, boss. They have already arrived at the port and will be on their way here," Rudolf replied.

"Okay." Shun stops eating, then looks up to search for Auntie Ling. "Auntie Ling, what time does Cassie usually wake up?" he asked the middle-aged woman.

Auntie Ling comes out behind the counter, "She usually wakes up by six in the morning," she answered.

"Okay, thank you, Auntie Ling," he smiled at the woman. "Rudolf began the packing after Cassie woke up."

"Alright, understood."

Shun and Daichi left the house before Cassie came down, around 6:30. They went to the site to meet with the engineers, architects, planners, and workers to build his hotel and resort.

Past seven o'clock when he felt someone staring at his back. He turns around and finds it is Cassie, who's still riding her bike. He was surprised at first because he instructed Jing to drive her to school. But, unfortunately, it looks like the young lady refused it. 

He saw how Cassie was startled once their eyes met. He smiles at her, but she leaves without looking back once more. He noticed that she was scared of him, and she even thought he would kill a person. He sighed.

"Ahem!" Daichi pretends something is bothering his throat. 

Shun understood what Daichi was trying to tell him.