Chapter 3

Narrator’s POV—

A week passed and Emily and her mom Sella Miller have settled down in Odessa. Sella has even joined a local boutique as a cashier. Emily has been having these dreams which have only got more and more vivid! She thought many times to wander in the woods but thinking of what unknown dangers might be hiding out there for her, she refrained from doing so, until this Saturday morning----

“Emily! Get your things packed for Monday. Your text books, stationaries, dress…whatever you will need on Monday!” Sella chirps happily while eating breakfast with Emily.

“I have already set my dresses aside Mom! Don’t worry!” Emily replies taking her eyes off the newspaper. She is looking for a part time job of a waitress or baby sitter. She has been working in New Work as a private tutor for a rick kid and from the salary she has been taking care of her educational expenses a lot. She even saved some money.

“What are you looking at Emily?” Sella asks curiously seeing her daughter so engrossed in the newspaper.

“Nothing much Mom! Just looking for a job and….” Emily notes down a number on her notepad and jumps up with her mobile, “and….I think I found something!”

Sella sighs and speaks sadly, “I wish I could have done more Emily! From Monday your classes start and you should be focusing on your studies!”

Finishing her tea, she asks, “Do you really need to work Emily?”

Emily stops on her track and turns towards Sella.

“I mean Linda will be here tomorrow and well, whatever I will earn will be enough for taking care of our basic needs!” Sella says sadly.

Emily puts a hand on her mom’s shoulder and says kindly, “I know Mom! But I have decided to save money for emergencies and also I want to contribute at least a small part of the rent!”

Sella just nods quietly knowing that perhaps Emily is right and Sella’s salary won’t be enough to cover everything! She wished she could do more.

“And besides that.. this one is a good job Mom! Monday to Thursday I need to take care of a library in the Ford Mansion and spend time with Mr Jason’s youngest daughter! It is only a four hours Job and the Salary is really good! I need to go for an interview today itself Mom!” Emily says assuring Sella that it would be an easy job and quickly rushes to her room to get dressed.

She chooses to wear a simple black long skirt and a clean white shirt. She lets her wavy long brown hair loose, letting them cascade down to her waist. With a simple peach lipstick, she finishes her makeup and sets off for the interview.

----

Emily drives to the address given on the newspaper. Luckily their old car has been sold and they could buy a small second hand car in Odessa. She though is quite excited about the job, yet she has also a feeling of tension and nervousness somewhere deep inside! The job is pretty good as she would be able to utilise her time in the library to study and besides the salary is very lucrative.

‘Many others must have also applied! What if they don’t choose me?’ --- Emily frowns at the thought! The Fords are multibillionaires and it is not surprising that they have a huge library in their mansion that needs a librarian!

‘My dress is old and not fashionable! Anyone with eyes will be able to say that I belong from a poor family! What if they don’t wish to have someone poor like me?’

With a thudding heart, Emily reaches the address and as she reaches the gate of the mansion, her jaws drop with awe!

“Oh My God!! This is like a palace from the fairytales!!” – the words automatically come out of her mouth as she gasps looking at the huge mansion standing proudly in front of her spreading its aura all around!

Knock! Knock!

The gentle tapping on her car window brings her back to the reality and she unwinds her window glass.

“Where are you headed miss?”

A tall and muscular guard in white uniform asks her politely, though he looks suspiciously at Emily’s shabby car.

Emily clears her throat and mustering some courage speaks confidently, “Ahem! I am here for the interview.”

“Please fill up your information here Miss.” The guard quickly holds an open ledger and a pen in front of her where Emily quickly leaves her name, address and contact number.

“Thank you. You have to park your car outside, that way!” The guard points out to an extreme end of the huge paved path, in front of the mansion. Emily parks her car at the location directed by the guard and returns, holding the folder with her certificates close to her chest.

“Please wait a moment madam, you shall be escorted inside.” The guard says politely and offers Emily a seat inside the small post but before she could proceed, a small car stops right in front of the gate on the other side and a man gets off the car.

“Miss, he is Deker and he will escort you to the mansion.” The guard opens one side of the iron gate and leads Emily to the car. Emily can’t help but frown at all the formality. The car that is supposed to take her to the Mansion which is by the way only ten minutes by walk crossing the huge lawn, maybe small but it is so clean and polished that it seems as good as brand new. The chauffer Mr Deker is also dressed in a neat and wrinkle free white uniform.

‘Do they escort all the visitors like this? How many cars and chauffer do they have at their disposal?’--- Emily again gets lost in her thoughts and the more she watches, the more she gets nervous.

“Miss!”

Coming out of her train of thoughts Emily notices that the Chauffer has already opened the door for her and is now standing at a side, waiting for her to get off. Embarrassed for keeping him waiting, Emily quickly gets off the car and thanks the gentleman.

“Thank you Sir!”

The gentleman blushes in embarrassment as no one speaks kindly to a chauffer. Composing himself he points out to a middle aged woman, standing with her hands curtly folded in front of her, near a fleet of stairs that leads to the huge Mahogany door of the mansion.

“This is Mrs Gomz and she will take you inside for the interview.” The chauffer Deker says politely and takes his leave.

Emily walks to the woman and Mrs Gomz smiles at her.

“Hello! You must be Miss Emily. We got your details. Please follow me.” The lady escorts Emily inside the mansion. As Emily enters through the door, she feels like she has walked into a real fairy tale. Her eyes go wide with the luxury of the mansion!

Mrs Gomz leads her through the huge living area towards a door. The living room itself is four times of the whole ground floor of their new duplex which Emily thought is quite big. There is a huge chandelier in the middle of the ceiling made of golden metal and shining crystals. The floor is made of very expensive marble and the furniture must cost a fortune! Several maids and servants wearing neat uniforms quietly moved around doing their jobs. The floor is carpeted wall to wall and the carpet is so soft, furry and thick, that Emily’s foot got covered by the furs from all around as she stepped on it.

Emily follows Mrs Gomz through another huge wooden door and as it opens, her eyes almost pop out of the sockets! It is a grand library!

“Please have a seat Miss Emily, Madam will be with you shortly.” Mrs Gomz leads her to a big desk, points to a chair and leaves.

Emily sits nervously looking around at the huge and intimidating library! She knew that the Fords are very rich and they own the Academy where Emily will be doing her classes but she couldn’t imagine that their place would be like a palace with an almost two storied library!

‘How many books could be there in those selves?’ --- Emily keeps wondering!

‘Must be more than a million???’

“One million and fifty six thousands!”

Emily yelps at the voice and stands up immediately as her eyes meet that of an elegant woman around sixty years old, following the voice. Emily blushes realising that she might have said that loud!

The woman walks slowly towards her in her beautiful and stylish mid length, maroon dress. Her body movement is extremely poised and everything about her screams power and kindness both! A rare combination, Emily thinks in her mind.

The lady gestures her with her hand to sit and she takes the comfortable cushioned chair on the opposite side of the desk. Without saying anything more, she picks up the folder that was placed on the desk and quickly goes through Emily’s profile while Emily sits in complete silence, nervously looking at her face trying to read her expression, in vain.

After a long torturous five minutes of absolute silence, the lady puts down the folder on the desk and speaks, “So Ms Emily Millers! YOU are one of the five who got the scholarship this year from William Ford Academy, scoring hundred percent marks! Very impressive.”

“My name is Diana William Ford, and the academy was erected by my late husband, Mr William Ford himself!” Mrs Ford informs politely and Emily feels overwhelmed to be in presence of the legend’s wife!

She bows her head curtly and says, “I cannot express in words how I am feeling right now Mrs Ford! It is so nice to meet you!”

“It is nice to meet you too dear!” Mrs Ford chuckles a bit and then asks, “So, tell me Emily, why do you want to work that too in a library? Young girls like you would prefer to spend time with friends and boys, maybe watch movie and all…why work in a library?”

“Well, first of all I really need a job to carry out my expenses and save money for my family. I know at my age girls love to spend time with friends and I also have a very special friend with whom I love to spend time but my first friendship is with books! I love to read and I love books! Besides, the timing also is very suitable for me!” Emily answers honestly.

“Oh! I see! So you have a SPECIAL friend? A boy I guess?” Mrs Ford asks with a mysterious smile.

“Umm..no…not a boyfriend! She is Linda, my childhood friend who is more like a sister to me! She didn’t get a scholarship unfortunately but still she persuaded her dad and took admission just to be there for me!” Emily replies smiling politely.

“That’s really rare! That kind of friendship. You both are lucky to have each other! So, what about your family Emily? Did your parents also shift here with you?” Mrs Ford asks.

Sighing a bit, Emily replies, “My father died in a road accident when I was very small and now it is only me and my mother Mrs Sella Miller. Yes, we both have shifted here from New York and she works as a cashier in ‘Floral Boutique’. She has been taking care of the family alone since years and now that I have grown up, I want to share the responsibilities.”

“Oh I am so sorry to learn about your loss!” Mrs Ford speaks in a soft voice and then asks, “Have you handled kids before Emily?”

“Oh yes! I have worked as a private tutor and I love kids.” Emily promptly answers to which Mrs Ford nods seemingly impressed.

“Ok. That is good. But I have to say that my granddaughter, Leona is a bit naughty. She is thirteen years old and she is a pampered child. I am afraid her behaviour can be rude sometimes!” Mrs Ford sighed and said shaking her head, “Actually, most of the times. Anyways, I think I can trust you with her! She has gone through a lot since I am the one who raised her after her mother Amora died during childbirth…….umm.. during Leona’s birth, I mean…but she is a kind hearted girl deep inside and she needs a friend. Something common about you both is that she also loves books.” Mrs Ford explains smiling at Emily.

“That is so interesting. I am sure we will be good friends, then.” Emily replies showing her excitement.

“Well, as you know you will have to work four hours from Monday to Thursday from three thirty to seven thirty and you will take care of Leona and the library. I have to say that there may be occasions when you might have to come by sometimes on the weekends too, if needed or stay a bit late if need be! Of course, we will arrange your transportation and also you will be paid for extra hours and it shall not be regular. Hope that won’t be a problem?” Mrs Ford asks raising an eyebrow.

Emily takes a moment to think and then she assures her, “That won’t be a problem at all Mrs Ford.”

“Great! So you can start working from the coming Monday. Mrs Gomz will introduce you to Leona since she is not home right now!” Mrs Ford says as she gets up.

“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity and I assure you that I won’t let you down.” Emily nods happily. Finally she got the job and it was a great moment of relief and happiness!