Elena smoothed the front of her dark blue maid uniform before walking into the sunlit kitchen.
The massive estate sat on a high hill overlooking the blue ocean waters below.
Richard Sterling was a wealthy businessman who built his firm from the ground up.
He lived in the grand house with his infant son Leo and his young wife Beatrice.
Beatrice had married Richard only two years after his first wife sadly passed away.
Elena had served as the chief housemaid for the Sterling family for over five years.
She loved little baby Leo with all her heart and protected him every day.
The estate felt tense ever since Richard updated his legal trust fund documents last month.
Elena: Good morning, sir, your coffee is ready on the marble counter.
Richard: Thank you, Elena, you always keep this household running smoothly.
Elena: It is my genuine pleasure to care for you and little Leo.
Richard smiled warmly as he picked up his silver briefcase from the breakfast table.
He looked tired from working long hours at his corporate office downtown this week.
Richard: I have important board meetings today, so please keep a close eye on Leo.
Elena: I will protect him with my life, sir.
Beatrice walked slowly into the grand kitchen wearing an expensive silk morning robe.
She did not look at Elena or offer any polite morning greeting to anyone.
Her eyes were fixed entirely on the thick legal file sitting on Richard's desk.
Beatrice: Are you leaving for the downtown office early again today, Richard?
Richard: Yes, the merger papers require my personal signature before noon today.
Beatrice: You care more about your legal papers than spending time with me.
Richard: That trust fund secures Leo's entire future if anything happens to me.
Beatrice folded her arms tightly across her chest and turned her head away silently.
Elena noticed the sharp glare that Beatrice cast toward the quiet baby bassinet.
It was no secret that Beatrice resented the heavy inheritance left to young Leo.
If anything happened to the baby, Beatrice would control the entire family estate.
Elena: I will take Leo out for his morning stroll near the gardens now.
Beatrice: Leave the stroller by the patio doors, Elena.
Elena: The fresh morning air is very good for his breathing, ma'am.
Beatrice: Do not question my direct instructions in this house!
Richard frowned slightly as he looked between his young wife and the loyal maid.
He set his coffee cup down on the polished wooden table with a soft clink.
Richard: Let Elena do her job, Beatrice, she knows what Leo needs.
Beatrice: You always take the side of the staff over your own wife!
Richard: I just want peace and safety in this home while I am away.
Richard kissed his small son gently on the forehead before heading toward the front garage.
Elena picked up the diaper bag and walked toward the sunny backyard pool area.
She felt a heavy sense of unease settled deep inside her chest that morning.
Beatrice followed closely behind her with slow and quiet footsteps across the stone tile.