After a week-long holiday, Sena returned to the capital pulling with her a black trolley and a large tote bag filled with local delicacies she bought from the island. She left the new couple saying she will handle the company while they frolic and enjoy the short period of relaxation.

From the airport, Sena went straight to the villa where she spent most of her childhood. She was about to get off when it dawned on her that the house already has a new owner ready to move in and that she already moved to her apartment two months ago.

Since she woke up on the beach a couple of days ago, she still has this lingering feeling of unrealness. Always expecting for the other shoe to drop and that she would suddenly wake up inside the bathtub in her rickety apartment. Looking at the red roof stucco house, she felt a little strange.

Suddenly going back to this neighbourhood did not give her as much pain as before. Perhaps because she had matured and let go of her sentiments, unlike the first time she found out it was her father’s unscrupulous sister who bought it or maybe because of other things. The house is located in one of the most upscale neighbourhoods west of the Capital City with a living space of 5000 sq feet. During this period, owning a house with this space for only two people is already a lot.

When she heard it was bought by those people, her heart tore into pieces especially on how her cousin gloated on finally living in it. Her former paradise. Sena sighed inwardly,  her aunt had been eyeing this house because of its location. Though it may not be as comparable as the modern mega-mansions a few years from now, at this time it’s open design is a fresh concept to any owner. 

Thinking about it from the business viewpoint and her prospects, it wasn’t that bad. She managed to gobble up over thirteen million dollars from those hypocrites, and based on the future market, this house is going to be hard to sell unless they make a lot of changes.  

“Miss?” The driver asked, seeing her staring into a gated villa lost in thought. 

“Sorry, bring me to," she paused unsurely. "Bring me to Paragon Residences instead.” 

The driver whistled inwardly. Isn’t that newly built tower near the harbour? An ultra-modern structure that rises 250 meters above sea level with its phenomenal winding and twisting design resembling a blade of a flamberge sword. It’s all over the news but as of now only a sneak peek of one of its palatial apartments’ expansive view and world-class amenities were shown. 

Mr Driver was a little awed when he drove upwards the porte-cochère of the Paragon. How many public vehicles had the privilege to come near its grand entrance? Close to none because this place had its luxury car service ready to cater to its resident's needs.

Sena paid him the fare and entered it’s massive glass and iron doors. 

“Welcome home Miss Erde.” the doorman greeted.

She stiffened but then recovered herself and inclined her head slightly before going ahead. 

Heck, that scared me.

Truthfully she was shaking inside. How long had she been away? For everyone here, it’s only five to six short days but for her, it has been fifteen years. Although she did not want to, she still felt anxious and somewhat hesitant. 

She never thought her life was at this level of extravagance before. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she recalled everything she knew of this apartment while she ascended. When she’s finally ready, Sena dragged her suitcase out of the elevator towards her door. 

She dawdled for a moment then bit her teeth. Go! 

After entering the password she was greeted by darkness and a mouldy smell. She expected this since this is within the time she had been living like a recluse for two months but she was utterly dumbfounded how she choked by the sheer odour of it. 

Goodness, it smells like someone died in here.

No wonder her mood never improved. What a waste of a beautiful place. She's amazed how she did not die with just its fumes alone!

This apartment belonging to the renowned Aiguille 8-star global hotelier brand is located in a focal area of Pearl Marina City. It is a very private property of a 70-floor building with limited 75 bespoke residences in which every detail is meticulously crafted by master architects and interior designers. Her place itself is stunning. North facing lush rows of trees from the park can be seen and on the west side a spectacular waterfront view behind dramatic floor to ceiling windows. It was enough to uplift one’s mood, unfortunately, she did not pay attention to it before.

She works in a real estate business, has seen beautiful properties and even helps to stage houses but she neglected her very own home. Terrible. According to the original track, it will take more years for her to realize what she had been doing wrong and stop abusing herself. At some point, she even sold this space to gather funds and moved to a studio apartment which was two hours' commute from downtown and a lot smaller than her bathroom. This place has been one of her biggest regrets because this was her mother's gift.

Compared to the villa, this is the real gem. But right now it stinks! 

Sena hurriedly opened the blackout curtains and windows to ventilate the whole floor as if the devil is after her butt. As the killer fumes slowly dissipate, the sun pours in, lighting the house in cool tones and soft glow. The place has good northern exposure that is not too bright complimenting the light interior colours. Glass doors lead to the spacious balcony with a row of plant boxes that were supposed to be thriving with hydrangeas, lavenders and asters but they have wilted and dried. Her favourite outdoor rattan couch and the four-seater dining table are all filled with dust. She couldn’t keep looking at it and called the concierge for housekeeping service. 

Ten minutes later a team of six rang her doorbell.

“Splendid,”  she said. Two people wouldn’t be able to finish cleaning half of her home and the concierge is well aware of that since the last she called them was many many weeks ago.

“Rest assured ma’am we will turn your home spick and span before the sun sets.” the leader smiled widely.  

She let them in to begin and went to her room to arrange her luggage back to her wardrobe. Sena’s eyes shined seeing the custom-built glass shelves, fine wood hanger racks and floor to ceiling cabinetry with the panoramic view of the city. Her little castle, still filled with gifts and things she brought from their old house. There were even unopened boxes stacked on the chaise by the gilded mirror from Linda and her mother. 

Although she managed to stabilize the company at thirty-three she could never bring back the things she sold and gave up. Let alone enjoy luxury. The valuable trinkets she inherited from her mother and grandmother are all still here. Sena kicked her shoes off, stepped into the soft white carpet and checked every nook cranny. She stopped in front of her jewellery glass case tearfully. 

“Mama, granny, I’m so sorry I let those leeches take them away. I won’t do it again.”  

She was sobbing her eyes out when her phone rang.

“Hello…”

“Baby girl, are you home now?” Linda’s sweet playful voice sounded. 

She uttered a groan and quickly dashed the tears from her eyes.

Linda always had that breathy sexy voice that can induce a person to a dreamy state. Her melancholy stopped instantly and her mood brightened. Every time she calls, Sena would feel like she was being spoiled rotten although she is only four years older than her.     

“What’s wrong? Did you cry? You sound terrible.” Comes the rapid-fire inquiry.

Sena giggled, how she missed this. “I slept on the plane and woke up with a scratchy throat.” she lied then stuck her tongue out.

“Then don’t forget to gargle with salt, wash your hands and face. Also, boil water and make honey, ginger and lemon tea. Adjust the temperature of your AC. It might be hay fever.” 

Sena bobbed her head up and down while noting every detail to heart. “Hey, wait a minute. Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon? Why are you calling me at this hour?”

“What? I can’t check on you now that I’m married?” Linda gasped.

She grumbled, “I did not say that. I thought you would be uh… busy.”

Linda coughed. “It’s still early!” 

“Right…” Sena inadvertently looked outside and felt awkward. 

“Eat properly okay? If you start feeling worse, go to the doctor.”

“Yes, ma’am.” 

“I’m serious.” She could imagine Linda plunking her hands on her hips. “Leave the company to our people for the time being.”

Upon hearing that name, Sena’s face darkened. How could she? Their Diamond Realtors will fall if she doesn’t do something soon. The spy is a lot more clever than she thought and hid too well. Their property listings for the next six months might have been compromised, possibly leaked to the competitor. 

They must have started talking to the clients to withdraw the deals off their company. Luckily, Sena knows which properties are going to be hot for the following years so she won’t panic over these stolen deals. She can give them away as alms. But still, she won’t let the traitor off just like that.  

She will make sure to return everything that has been done. With interest. 

Sena has to make contact with new home architects, developers and sellers as soon as possible and draft a plan. During this period, luxury living is slowly rising among celebrities, businessmen and foreigners.

Out of these targets, her job is to find houses to be sold, transact with sellers to let their company represent them by doing advertisements and putting their properties in the market so that they can reach out to a wide range of people who are seeking to buy. She will make new prospects or listings that will be given to agents who are more qualified and loyal to their company, not to some opportunistic double-faced traitor.   

“Hello Sena, still there?” Linda prompted.

“Sorry I was unloading my stuff,” she said.

“Leave that for now, go and boil your tea.”

“But I hate ginger…” she blurted out before she could stop herself. Too late because Linda heard her and flipped out.

“If you get worse by the time we return I will make you chew on ginger without peeling it. Do you believe it or not?”

Aiya scary… “Y-Yes, yes. I’ll do it.” 

“Better do it.” She heard Leo butting in from the background making her face crumple.

Is it fun adding oil to the fire?! She wanted to ask Leo. 

On the other side, Leo snaked his hands on Linda’s soft thin waist then started nibbling on her nape. He couldn’t stop himself from sniffing the alluring vanilla scent, every time he got a whiff of it his little brother would react. 

Noticing her husband being shameless in broad daylight she softly elbowed his stomach and gave him an eyeful.

It was a good thing Sena was focusing on other things.  

A few more grandmother-like reminders were given before she let Sena off.

As soon as she hung up, Leo flipped her skirt up and saw the lacy panties underneath. His eyes darkened a few shades, a naughty laugh came out from his mouth. “Have I told you how good you look in these?”

Linda pushed him away making him sit on the settee, she crossed her arms on her ample chest and jutted her chin like a ruffian. “I’m talking to your eldest child, can’t you at least behave?”

“Relax, that kid doesn’t know what we’re doing. She would only think we’re just horsing around like always.”

“Do you think Sena is an idiot? We managed to fool her when she was sixteen but she’s twenty one now.” Linda said with emphasis. She could still remember the shame of being caught in the swimming pool. 

What did Leo said that time? Big sister has cramps, I'm carrying her for the meantime-- be a good girl  big brother will buy your favorite ice cream later.  

Poor baby just blinked her eyes innocently then happily ran home. Obviously they cannot use the same trick now.

Leo’s grin grew wide. He looked at his wife with a lazy hot gaze enough to burn the flimsy summer dress, “Speaking of it, let’s go make a baby sister or a baby brother for her to play.”

“Make one yourself, shameless!” Linda raised her foot and pressed it on his bulging crotch deliberately. 

Leo licked his lips. “I can't do it without a wife.” 

 

After the call, Sena began to feel sorry for the unborn children of those two. Might as well start learning a few moves on how to escape the nagging so she can pass it on to her future godchildren. 

When the six cleaning staff finished, they looked like they were thrown into the zombie apocalypse hellhole. As compensation, she gave them a generous tip and told them not to tell their superiors about it. The severely beaten soldiers cried tears of joy after receiving their compensation. 

Such a huge condo that hasn't been cleaned since forever. It was truly a tragedy.

Now that the dust is clear and the air is light, the original look of her 8,000 square feet duplex apartment would naturally shine. A luxury space of three bedrooms with huge en-suite baths and closets, theater room and library office. Her mother, Paula, was the one who picked every piece of furniture to be placed here. The very carefree person who believes that the best things must be given to the people you love. If you can, you must spare no expense to offer it to them.  

The design is chic with colours of warm muted pastels. Bought from some of Central Europe’s top furniture brands they were all shipped to this city. Sena absolutely loves everything from visually elegant and comfortable velvet sofas paired with crystal coffee tables, the sophisticated design of dining furniture to lighting fixtures, delicate wall decors and shelves. 

With fine details combining elegance and comfort, every piece is a stamp of timeless beauty. 

Her mother’s side of the family, the Erde Clan are from old money, sadly her grandparents only had her mother. However, she did not disappoint because of her natural smarts and a knack for business. It was said that their line will only produce one heir thereon and the predecessors won’t live past fifty. When Sena was born, a fortune-teller warned her parents that the same fate will also happen to her. As a natural sceptic, her mother of course never believed in that story neither was her father until their divorce when she turned six. 

In the later part of her life, she was fortunate enough to witness the real faces of her father’s relatives. Especially that new wife and her child. When the real estate company was in dire straits she swallowed her pride and went to loan money from her father. Knowing that she no longer leaned on her backer, they gradually revealed their nature. First, they coaxed her into selling off shares in her father’s company, then her assets and eventually her valuables.

In the end, the so-called mysterious buyer turned out to be from her father’s side of the family and half of it went to the stepmother and daughter pair. The vicious attacks and dirty speculations about her character online cannot be excluded from them either.   

She did get money but if she had known her things would end up on them she should have auctioned them someplace rather than let everything fall in their hands.