Elena walked up the steep driveway toward the gigantic white mansion.
She adjusted the collar of her simple grey maid uniform nervously.
The crisp autumn wind whipped through the towering oak trees around her.
Elena needed this job more than anything in the world right now.
Her mother was sick and the medical bills were piling up fast.
She took a deep breath before opening the massive front doors.
The foyer opened up into a towering room made of pure marble.
A broad grand staircase swept up toward the high curved upper ceiling.
Near the sweeping railings, a huge American flag hung down the wall.
Elena held her duster tightly against her chest as she stepped inside.
The silence inside the house felt heavy and cold like a tomb.
Suddenly, sharp high heels echoed across the smooth upper floor walkways above.
Victoria, the wealthy mistress of the house, stepped to the railing.
Her beige designer dress looked expensive, but her dark eyes looked hollow.
She glared down at Elena with cold, obvious disdain in her expression.
Victoria: You are five minutes late today, Elena.
Elena: I am so sorry, ma'am, the bus ran late.
Victoria: I do not care about your pathetic excuses at all.
Victoria: Make sure the upper nursery is totally spotless before noon.
Elena nodded quickly and bowed her head to show total respect.
She walked toward the service stairs carrying her heavy cleaning supplies.
As she climbed up, she heard a soft baby crying softly nearby.
Little Leo was only six months old and sweet as could be.
His father, Arthur Sterling, was a powerful billionaire CEO in town.
Arthur adored his baby son more than life itself everyday without fail.
However, Elena had noticed Victoria rarely ever held the poor baby.
Victoria looked at the child as if he were an annoying chore.
Elena started dusting the polished dark oak banisters along the balcony.
She kept her eyes down, trying hard not to attract any attention.
Up here, the view down to the marble foyer was truly terrifying.
It was a dangerous two-story drop straight onto the hard stone floor.
Elena dusted carefully, making sure every inch was completely spotless today.
She caught sight of Victoria wheeling a dark stroller into view.
The baby inside was fussing softly under his warm knitted blanket.
Victoria did not soothe the boy or speak any kind words.
Instead, her face twisted into a dark and frightening bitter scowl.
Elena felt a strange, cold chill run down her curved spine.
She backed into the shadow of a large decorative hallway pillar.
Something about Victoria's stiff posture felt wrong and extremely dangerous today.
Victoria looked around the quiet hallway to check if anyone was watching.
She did not notice Elena standing silently behind the heavy marble pillar.
The house was silent except for the soft cries of little Leo.
Elena held her breath as Victoria leaned over the high stroller handle.