We walked all the way to the back of the servants quarter, and when I felt we were at a safe distance where we could talk without being eaves dropped on, I stopped on my tracks and turned to her. Her expression was neutral but her hands were still folded. I dropped the bag of sorvenir Chad had handed to me on a wooden seat by the side."You have something to say to me, don't you?" I broke the silence.She lowered her gaze, before raising it up to meet mine again. "Remember when we first started working here, I had asked you to be careful of the Masters right?" Her voice was strict, and I felt like I knew the direction this conversation was heading. I bit my lips and lowered my gaze."Just say what you want to say Gina." I mumbled and she sighed before moving closer to me and unfolding her arms."I know," she started, "I know you are confused about this whole issue with the Masters, and now there is Miss Eleanor to worry about. And avoiding them is not an option either because you work
"Move your lazy asses, we have a ball to plan!" A senior servant yelled and clapping her hands together to get everyone's attention. "Pack Master wants this to be a night to remember, so let's get to work! And mistakes would not be tolerated or Miss Felice would be sure to kick you out." She warned.The other servants scurried into action, each knowing their tasks. Clara, a young and nimble servant who was part of the new recruits, began arranging the silverware and fine china in the dining hall. "Tara, have you polished the candelabras?" she asked a fellow servant."Not yet, I couldn't find them. The older servants would search for them.""We need to get it done quickly or we would be yelled at." She said worried.Meanwhile, in the kitchen, The senior kitchen servant was barking orders at the kitchen staff. "More flour, Anne! We need to make sure those pastries are light as air. And don't forget to add the sugar!""I'm going to die!" Anne whined as usual as she struggled to keep up.
As the bathroom door creaked open, Eleanor emerged, her face pale. My eyes widened with concern as I approached her. Eleanor's usually impeccable hair was now tangled and damp, her eyes sunken and her skin sallow. She had also washed off her make-up she spent so much time on. She leaned against the doorframe, her hand on her stomach, as if still trying to catch her breath."Are you okay?" I asked worried as I approached her."Don't come near me! Stay there." She said weakly and I stopped on my steps.I felt a surge of worry as I watched her, my mind racing with possibilities. She suddenly had the urge to throw up after sniffing on the croissant I had brought from the kitchen. Maybe she was allergic to something in it?Eleanor's gaze met mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. I saw a flicker of embarrassment and annoyance in her eyes, followed by a stern warning. Eleanor's lips pressed together, and she shook her head slightly, as if to say, "Don't ask, don't tell."I no
I was on my bed some where between being half asleep and awake when my alarm rang aggressively in my ears. It was 3:30pm on the dot and I needed to wake Miss Eleanor up by 4::00pm to start getting ready. I hurried to the bathroom and freshened up before rushing to her room. She hasn't even picked out her outfit yet."Hey," someone held onto my arms as I was scurrying along. I looked up to see Chad's smiling face. "Where are you hurrying off to?" He asked."I need to make sure Miss Eleanor is settled and ready on time." I said hastily as I continued on my step but he pulled me back and held me in place."I know you are in a hurry but please walk carefully. You might bump into someone with this pace, and you know the guards are busy lifting heavy objects." He said concerned. I smiled and nodded at him as I released myself from his grip and strided more carefully to my destination.I arrived at her room at exactly 3:56pm. I knocked lightly and let myself in. She was still in bed, so I w
The grand ballroom was abuzz with excitement and elegance, filled with the cream of society, all gathered to see and be seen. The air was electric with anticipation, as guests mingled and chatted, their laughter and conversations mingling with the sweet strains of the orchestra. Everyone showcasing their lovely outfits, wanting to outshine the other.Gentlemen, dashing in their finery, escorted their partners with ease, their eyes shining with charm and sophistication.Candlelight flickered, casting a warm glow over the scene, as the scent of flowers and expensive perfume wafted through the air. The dance floor was a whirlwind of movement, with couples gliding with ease across the floor in perfect harmony.Servants moved discreetly through the crowds, refilling glasses and offering delicate canapés, their faces expressionless but their eyes shining with curiosity as they moved around."Make sure we aren't out of champagne." Gina ordered the servants. Miss Felice was with the Pack mast
For some reason, my heart felt stiff and I found it very hard to breathe all of a sudden. His gaze was icy and it belittled me even more."Are the servants in this household so unruly?" His voice harsh as he spoke. I should apologize and leave but I couldn't bring myself to do it, I couldn't even speak or move my feet."We are sorry, I apologise." Gina said from behind me as she grabbed my hands and pulled me to the side."Apologize now!" She whispered to me."I am sorry." I managed to utter. He gave me a condescending look before going his way. He moved fluidly as the guest gave way for him. He was certainly a man that commanded respect. I was too busy staring at him that I didn't notice Archie and his Mate, Ethel Lane walk past me. Or maybe I just didn't care."Are you okay Iris?" Gina asked concerned."I'm fine, I just.." I struggled to say."It's okay, just get some rest." She advised and I nodded. It's not like I could just go ahead and rest anyway, I still needed to serve Miss E
I followed Ethel through the winding corridors of the grand estate, my mind racing with curiosity. What could Ethel Lane want to discuss with me in private? We have nothing to do with each other.As we walked, the sounds of the ball grew fainter, replaced by the soft rustling of Ethel's gown and the creaking of the old wooden floorboards. We eventually arrived at a small, secluded garden, surrounded by tall hedges and filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers at the edge of the Troy mansion.Ethel stopped beneath a willow tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. She turned to me, her expression neutral."Iris, I wanted to speak with you about my husband, Archie. I am sure you are very familiar with him," Ethel began, her voice gentle but firm. "I know he still has feelings for you, and I understand why. You were his first love, after all."Feelings? What feelings? He must be very stupid and those feelings can rot with him for all I care."But I must ask you, Iris, to sta
I walked away confused but still happy. At least I had been relieved for the night since Pack master had excused me himself. Some of the girls were still busy while some had gone back to rest. I definitely couldn't just go back to my room as I still had to be around until Eleanor was ready to retire to her quarters since it was my job to serve her anyway."Iris!" Anne called me as she took sight of me. She ran towards me."Hey Anne, I haven't seen you all day." I said to her and she began her usual sobbing."I don't want to be a kitchen lady anymore," she whined. " My arms hurt from kneading dough all morning. I didn't even get to see the inside of the ballroom and all the handsome guests. I feel so wronged." She sobbed harder and I patted her head. I can't even tell if she was upset about cooking all day or because she didn't get to see handsome men. Probably the later."There weren't that much handsome men so you didn't miss much." I tried to console her."Lair! I saw a few come out
I floated in a void and it was hard to breathe. I struggled till I finally found my balance. "Here again?" I muttered to myself as I walked the familiar path and was met with the same woman that has been appearing in my dreams almost every night.I still couldn't understand what she was saying, but I knew it was something very important."Remember!" She whispered before a whirlwind blew me away and I woke up abruptly, panting heavily.I looked around and I found myself in the comfort of my own room. I sighed as I sat up and rubbed my eyelids with my palms. I tried to move, but I hissed in pain as I was still sore from last night's activity in the garden.I felt drained and tired, with my body still humming from the memories of last night's passion with Leigh. The sunlight streaming from the window seemed too bright, that I winced as I turned to look the other way. I stretched, yawned, and swung my legs over the side of the bed, with my feet dangling in the air.I went to the bathroom
It was probably 10pm or something. I wasn't exactly sure because I drifted off to sleep after Anne tucked me in and I hadn't gotten up since then. The vibration of my phone woke me up."Ugh," I sighed as my head began to throb. I reached for my phone and saw an incoming call from Leigh. Immediately, I sat up before picking up."Hello." I said carefully."Iris." He said in the calmest of voice and my previous anger and dissatisfaction with him watched away as if it was never there."Can we meet up?" He asked."Now?," I glanced over at Anne's side and she was tucked in with her earpods in, probably watching a movie. "Okay." I said as I climbed out of bed.My movement alerted Anne as she turned her attention to me. "Going somewhere?" She asked taking one bud out of her ear."Yeah. I'll be back shortly." I smiled as I put on something simple but nice. I headed to his mother's garden. He didn't have to tell me that that's where he'd be before I could go, because I could probably read his
I haven't seen or heard from Leigh all day. I was really worried and unhappy about this. I would be going back home tomorrow, so I had hoped I would be able to at least speak with him today. I sighed as I made my way back to my room. Since he isn't picking up his call, I should probably go finish packing up and sleep for a while. I headed down the corridor when someone pulled my arms to the side. Shocked and alarmed, I turned back with my fist in the air, it could be another attack, but I was surprised to see Miss Clarisse."You..!" I said shocked. "What do you want?"Her eyes scanned me as she stared as my fist. "Oh, sorry, I thought it was someone bad." I laughed awkwardly as I dropped my hands and stood properly.She just stared at me without saying anything which greatly surprised me. "Uh, do you need anything?" I asked just in case, but she was awfully quiet, but the next thing she did greatly shocked me. She started sniffing me."Hey!" I pushed her off as she grabbed my arms ho
Who could this important guest be? I started on my way and followed the other servants to the entrance, curiosity got the better of me. Who was this important guest that had everyone scrambling?Upon arrival, we formed two precise single file lines, with guards at the front and Miss Felice leading the way."Who is the guest?" I asked the girl besides me."I don't know exactly, I just followed the others here. But it seems like someone important." She said."By the look of things, this guest would probably stay here since we have been asked to come welcome them." The other one by my side whispered."Yeah, true. This was also how we welcomed that snake Miss Eleanor." One said."Hey, don't call her that." I shot at her.She hissed in displeasure. "I can say what I want. And stop acting so noble." She spat.I turned from her because it was clear she only wanted trouble."Is it male or female? I just want to know." Another whispered and thus the gossips started."What if it's a woman? May
I felt myself floating in an endless void, I felt disoriented and I didn't know what I was doing here, or how I got to this place. My feet landed on the ground and my footing balanced."Hello?" I called out looking around, but my voice echoed back.I moved forward, searching for a reference point, but there was nothing, only emptiness. Suddenly, a figure materialized in the distance. A woman stood at the center, with her back to me."Excuse me," I said, approaching her. "Where am I?"She didn't turn it speak to me, but just stood with her back to me.I paused before going forward. "Sorry to bother you, I just want to know where I am. I am lost." I said to her while still approaching her.The woman turned to me suddenly. Our eyes met and familiarity struck me instantly, but I knew we had never met before."Who are you?" I asked as I was having this strange feeling.In a flash, the woman stood inches from me, but I could swear she was standing far away a few seconds ago.Her skin trans
Finally, me and the girls were done. It was a total mess in here. I couldn't help but wonder what sort of grown adult would mess with books and leave them scattered everywhere."I'm hungry, let's go find something to eat." One of the girls suggested and the other supported with a nod."I'll go handle something first before joining you guys." I said and they made fun of me thinking I was going back to talk to Leigh, but I was actually going back to find Miss Felice.I stepped out of the library, with my resignation letter clutched in my hand. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. I did tell her that I had nothing to say before, but now, Leigh thinks it's a good idea to stop working here.I headed straight to her office, hopefully she was in. I knocked softly and let myself in when I heard her say 'come in' from inside."Ah! Iris, what brings you here?" She said lifting her head from a pile of paper work in front of her. She was busy calculating all the expen
As I walked away, a force pulled me back in place. I spun around, startled for a brief second before I got my composure. Leigh stood before me, his eyes blazing anger."Shit!" I whispered to myself. For a moment, I wondered if he had seen me hug Chad. A misunderstanding was the last thing I wanted right now between us."Leigh, what's wrong?" I asked carefully, trying to sound calm."Are you still seeing him?" he demanded, his tone rough and my yes shone."What do you mean?" I backed up a little.He moved closer in an intimidating way. "I am asking if you are still going in between Chad and I?" He scowled and I bristled."How dare you," I snapped at him. "You have no right to say that to me. Do I look like some cheap harlot that double dates? Hell, we aren't even in a relationship." I shot at him immediately and his expression changed as he realized he just fucked up."Look I..." "If you are going to keep talking to me this way then you better leave." I cut him off. Why does he always
I should really stop entertaining this kind of conversations and exchanges to not give anyone a wrong impression or false hope. I do not know if he's serious about his advances or not, but I have to avoid him too."Iris," Miss Felice called out to me and I hurried to meet up with her."Madam?" I said and she had this look on her face that was hard to put into words. She just stared at me for a quick second before opening her mouth to speak."You are one lucky girl Iris." She said in a rather fond tone which greatly amazed me."Ah!" Was all I could say because I didn't know how to react. She moved closer to me and placed her hands on my shoulder."Leigh is a child I watch grow up. He knows nothing about love, but since he has chosen to love you, and the goddess also seems to be in your favour, I hope you do not disappoint him." She smiled softly and I nodded."Oh, I remember you said you had something to tell me. You can say it now." She said and the words got stuck in my throat. I did
"Okay father. But I have to process my resignation. I cannot just up and leave." I said trying to sound reasonable and thankfully he listened to me."Okay." He sighed. "In two days time, I will come to pick you up. By then, everything should have been sorted out right?" He asked and I nodded."Okay dear, I will return to the hospital now. Please stay away from trouble my dear child." He patted my head and I smiled as I hugged him tightly."Bye dad." I said and he hugged me back before going his way. As I watched him leave, I clenched the resignation letter I already had prepared in my pocket. I had wanted to leave because I thought I had lost Leigh forever, but that wasn't the case now. I wanted to stay. I finally have a chance. But now, father wants me back home. What was I going to do now?"Iris!" Anne called me as she rushed towards me. "Are you okay? I heard that you were involved in a fist fight? I hope you won? Is it true that Eleanor wasn't carrying Leigh's child? So no more U