MIHARA stared blankly at the wind-blown branches of trees outside the window of her room. This place is quite different from where she’s living before… before she became the monster wife of a handsome CEO, Mikhail Villaruiz.

She never thought that she’ll be in this kind of complicated situation. Even in her wildest dreams, she never thought or even wished to be Mikhail’s wife, worse to be Elise. Mihara knew that Elise is a liberated woman, but she didn’t expect that she could be this… worst. How can she take to carry in her conscience the infidelity and negligence towards her family? Towards Mikhail and Nancy.

Mihara couldn’t ditch in her mind the painful expression on Mikhail’s handsome face when he told her about what he saw at the vineyard. She can see in the way he looked in her eyes and how he spoke those sinful words that he really despised his wife. She caught her aching chest. She knew she shouldn’t be feeling like this because she’s not Elise. Still, she can’t help but felt pity for Mikhail. She doesn’t know why Elise did this to him because, as far as she can remember, Mikhail Villaruiz is a good man… Or, maybe he also has dark secrets?

She heaved a sigh. “It’s for me to find out…”

After spending almost an hour finding comfortable clothes to wear, Mihara decided to go out of the room and explore the house. Since the doctor has told Mikhail that she might be having temporary amnesia because of head trauma, Mihara can now be confident to walk outside and act independently because the people around the hacienda will think that she’s just in the process of recollecting her memories. Thus, she’ll be able to do her plans.

‘But the first thing that I need to do is to let the network know that I am alive…’ she told herself as she opened the door to her room. “Wow…” she commented upon seeing the carpeted floor of the hallway. “It must be hard to clean the carpet in a house surrounded by mud land.”

“Since when did you worry about the carpet getting stains by mud?” A sarcastic voice asked Mihara from her side. When she turned to look, she was welcomed by an arched brow of a woman. “And, since when you have started to like that kind of lousy clothes?”

Mihara looked at the gray loose shirt and denim shorts that she’s wearing. “I found it in my cabinet,” she said matter-of-factly. “Then, maybe I like this style even before the accident?”

The young woman gave her a scrutinizing look. “Do you really have an amnesia?”

Mihara nodded hesitantly. “That’s the doctor’s explanation on why I couldn’t remember anything here or about this family?”

She smirked. “So, you don’t know me?” She sauntered towards her with an arched brow. She blew her bubble gum in front of her face and popped it. “You can’t remember everything that we did together?”

Mihara swallowed hard. She looked at her from head to toe and took a mental note of her fashion. She’s wearing a tight black sexy dress that reveals all her perfect curves. The low neckline is giving more than a man could ask for. What is this woman talking about? Is Elise having a homosexual affair with this woman? She wanted to throw up. Before she spoke, she took a step back.

“I’m sorry… I can’t remember anything…” she said and avoided her look. “But, if you don’t mind… Can you fill me with the details? It will help me bring back my memories—”

“What the fuck?” the woman asked irritably. “I’m sure you’ll remember it all soon.” She turned her back at her, but she walked away. She looked back. “And, if that time came, the dirty play will start again.”

Mihara’s eyes widened in shock. She covered her mouth to fight her nausea. If what she thought was right, then… “Oh, my gosh…”

As much as she wanted to go back to her room, Mihara restrained herself. She has to explore the house, familiarize herself everywhere, and get all the information she needed before discovering that she’s an impostor. If that time came, she has already prepared herself to act that she’s also the victim here and not just them because they have amnesia. And that they’re the one who claimed that she’s Elise.

Mihara wanted to congratulate herself on being smart in this kind of situation. She didn’t expect that she’s gonna use this skill soon.

She reached the top of the grand staircase and got speechless to what welcomed her eyes. The top of the stairs overlooked the spacious living room of the hacienda. The whole floor is carpeted, the settees are elegant and so the other furniture around the house. Mihara felt like she was in a palace rather than in a hacienda. She didn’t expect that the Villaruiz family is this rich. They’re not just rich because they’re living like royalty.

“Miss Elise, is there something that you need?”

Mihara looked on her side and found two housemaids. They’re both looked scared and nervous as they stood beside her. She looked at them in a slightly knotted forehead, thinking of what they could do for her.

“Sir Mikhail told us to not leave your side, give everything that you need, and follow all your orders,” the other woman said. She’s not looking straight in her eyes as if she’s scared.

“Really? Can you please introduce yourselves to me?” Mihara asked with a curt smile.

The two women looked shocked by what she told them. “Uh, My name is Aura…” The one who has curly hair said.

“I’m Sandra, Miss Elise…” the younger one said. “If you can’t remember, Miss… I’m the maid that always brush your hair before you go to bed—”

The one named Aura nudged Sandra in the waist. “I told you, if Miss Elise is not asking us, we shouldn’t talk—”

“It’s fine, Aura,” Mihara told her and smiled. “Sandra, you looked young. How old are you?”

Sandra was surprised by her question. “I-I’m eighteen years old.”

Mihara gasped. “You’re so young! You should be studying instead of working here.”

The two housemaids fell silent. They just looked at her as if she’s an apparition. Before they started to have suspicions about her identity, Mihara thought of an excuse.

“I still can’t remember everything here…” she said, rubbing her temple. “I feel like… I was born yesterday.”

The two maids nodded as if they understand now why she’s acting strange. “Sir Mikhail told us about your temporary amnesia, Miss Elise. We just didn’t expect you to talk to us casually…” she lowered her head. “I’m sorry for what I said, Miss Elise.”

“It’s fine…” Mihara said. “Now that I saw your reactions, I guess I’m really a monster before the accident, am I?”

The two young ladies chose to not answer her. But Mihara already knew that the answer is yes, Elise is a monster.

“By the way, you told me that you’re here to follow my orders, right?” she asked, and when they nodded, she continued. “I want you to bring me in Nancy’s room… I want to check if she’s keeping up with the recovery.”

The two exchanged worried glances. “Uhm… Miss Elise, we can’t take you to Nancy’s room…” Sandra said hesitantly. “Because your daughter doesn’t want to see you.”

***