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A Rival in the Making
"Madam, you're back so early—"
Melody's voice echoed through the grand halls of the Taylor mansion, but Tania didn't even spare her a glance. Her heels struck sharply against the marble floor as she stormed upstairs, moving like someone being chased by her own thoughts.
"What's with her?" Melody muttered, tossing the duster onto the couch, clearly offended.
"Tsk."
She shook her head and returned to cleaning, though irritation lingered in her chest.
Tania slammed her bedroom door shut.
Back and forth, she paced restlessly, her mind in chaos, her chest tight with emotions she couldn't quite contain.
Bang. Bang.
A knock interrupted her spiraling thoughts.
"Yes? Who is it?" she called out, her tone strained.
"It is I… Stewardess Madeline."
Tania paused.
"I… I came to check if you're alright," Madeline said gently, trying not to overstep. "You left not too long ago, and the way you returned… I can't say everything seems fine."
She hesitated.
"Would you like me to—"
"Stewardess Madeline."
Tania cut her off.
"Do you know what I would like?"
She walked to the door and opened it halfway, revealing only part of her face—just enough for Madeline to see the storm brewing in her eyes.
"I'm not sure I do, Madam," Madeline replied carefully.
"I would love to be alone," Tania said coldly. "And whatever you think happened… I do not wish to discuss it."
Before Madeline could respond—
Click.
The door shut again.
Madeline stood there, staring at the blank surface, troubled.
What could have gone wrong? she wondered.
It was the first time she had ever seen her madam like this.
Earlier That Day
Tania had woken up earlier than usual.
Today felt different.
After indulging in a long, soothing bath—one she could have easily stretched into hours—she stepped back into her room, refreshed and determined.
"I can't keep staying at home all day, doing nothing," she muttered, scanning her wardrobe.
"I need a life."
Her mind wandered.
"The cinema… amusement parks… maybe even that high-end restaurant I've been dreaming about…"
She paused, pulling out an outfit.
"No… too casual."
Another one.
"Definitely not."
Her wardrobe suddenly felt inadequate—too informal, too ordinary for the life she now lived. Marriage had taken over her time; she hadn't even had the chance to shop properly.
Then—
"Wow…"
Her eyes lit up.
She pulled out a sapphire, sleeveless gown adorned with delicate floral patterns. It had elegant slits on both sides—bold, yet refined.
"This is perfect."
In minutes, she styled her golden hair into an effortless updo, leaving a few strands to frame her face. Her makeup was light, just enough to enhance her natural beauty.
Not too much. Just right.
"Finally," she exhaled, satisfied.
Throwing a coat over her shoulders, she took one last look in the mirror.
She smiled.
She had learned this.
From watching Sienna—quietly, secretly—back when she worked for her family. Every move, every detail. Sienna had a natural elegance… and now, Tania had mastered it.
"Yeah… I got this."
As she descended the stairs, Madeline approached, visibly impressed.
"Going somewhere, Madam?"
"I must say… you look stunning."
"Oh please, you're making me blush," Tania laughed softly, covering her cheeks.
"Aren't you staying for breakfast?"
"I'll pass."
She hesitated, then asked, "What about your boss?"
"Mr. Richard stepped out a while ago."
"I see… these days, he's always busy."
"Nonsense," Madeline cut in. "He doesn't work weekends."
Tania forced a small smile.
So… he's avoiding me.
Her chest tightened.
Does he really hate me that much?
"It hurts…" she whispered under her breath.
"You should get going, Madam, or you'll be late," Madeline reminded gently.
Soon, Tania was on her way downtown.
The car came to a stop.
"Madam, is this the place?" Gary, the driver, asked.
Tania glanced at her phone, then outside.
"Yes. This is it."
She stepped out gracefully.
"You can take some time off. I'll call you when I'm done."
"Understood."
The car sped off, leaving her standing before the elegant restaurant.
"Welcome to Have a Bite Restaurant," a waiter greeted warmly.
"Thank you. Could I use the restroom first?"
"Of course, this way."
The Restroom
Tania pushed the door open—
—and froze.
A couple.
Locked in an intimate embrace.
For a second, she almost turned away.
Then she saw his face.
Her heart stopped.
"Richard…"
The name barely escaped her lips.
And the woman—
Who the hell is she?
Shock turned into rage.
Without thinking, Tania spun around and stormed out, forgetting everything—even why she came there in the first place.
"Miss! Wait—"
A voice called after her.
She ignored it.
The sharp sound of heels followed closely behind.
"Hey, wait a minute! You don't have to ignore me."
Tania stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
And there she was.
The same woman.
The one from the restroom.
"You…" Tania hissed.
"Me," the woman replied casually, pointing to herself with a smirk.
"Since you're clearly confused… I'm Zakira Ambly—Richard's fiancée."
Silence.
Then—
Tania laughed bitterly.
"Do you even hear yourself?"
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Oh, it has everything to do with you," Zakira said, her tone sharpening.
"You're his nominal wife."
She stepped closer.
"And don't pretend you weren't hurt back there. If you weren't, you wouldn't have run."
Her lips curled in disgust.
"You even forgot to wash your hands. How filthy."
Tania's eyes darkened.
"We should really be asking—between the two of us, who's more disgusting?"
She stepped forward, unbothered.
"I don't have time for this. I'd rather not waste my breath on someone as worthless as you."
Zakira's smile vanished.
"What did you just call me?"
"You heard me."
A pause.
Then Zakira laughed.
Cold. Sharp.
"You sound pathetic," she said. "Maybe you should see a doctor."
Her voice dropped, venomous.
"Tell me… between us, who's truly worthless?"
"You—the girl whose family sold her off to pay their debts."
"You played along like a puppet… just to get close enough to drain Richard dry."
Tania's expression didn't change.
"Believe whatever you want," she said calmly. "I don't care."
Zakira leaned in slightly.
"Just remember this—Richard is mine."
"No matter what you do… he'll never fall for someone like you."
A slow smirk spread across Tania's face.
She shivered dramatically.
"Oh no… I'm so scared."
Her eyes locked onto Zakira's.
"Was that supposed to be a threat?"
Zakira faltered.
For the first time—
She wasn't in control.
As Tania turned and walked away, completely unfazed, Zakira clenched her fists.
"She's just pretending," she muttered to herself.
But deep down—
She wasn't so sure anymore.