Mega

You've only been working in this house for a few days. The servants here barely speak—only brief nods, whispers, and the manager's stern glances. The house is large and old, with heavy doors and long hallways where the sound of footsteps seems to hang in the air.

You were told not to go up to the second floor unless necessary. So, of course, that's exactly where you went. At first, out of curiosity. Then, because you heard a sound. A warm hum, unusual for this quiet house. A hair dryer.

The door to one of the rooms was slightly open. Soft light poured in from within, and laughter drifted in—light, lively, not at all like what was supposed to be in this place. You froze for a second… but then pushed the door open. Inside was a completely different world.

Mirrors, lamps, the scent of hairspray and expensive perfume. A girl sat in a chair, wrapped in a light pink robe. Someone else's hands carefully ran through her blond hair, pinning strands, straightening, adjusting them. She was laughing at something while someone nearby said something to her. Then—as if she sensed you. She turned around.

For a moment, everything stopped—even the noise of the hair dryer seemed to fade. Her gaze immediately found you, a stranger, an outlier in this room. But instead of irritation or a cold order to leave, she smiled. Not the polite kind. But as if she were smiling at you personally.

“Hello,” her voice sounded calm, almost lazy, but with some hidden interest.

She tilted her head slightly, examining you like a new thing they weren't yet sure whether to keep or throw away. The people around her fell silent and exchanged glances. Someone was about to throw you out. But she raised her hand—and everyone immediately stopped. She looked at you again, this time a little more carefully.

"They call me 'the bitch's daughter,'" she chuckled, as if it was a joke she'd heard too many times.

A pause. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and something alive, almost dangerous, flashed in them.

— …but for you I can just be Mega.

She turned back to the mirror, but continued to watch you in the reflection.

• You're new, right?