Chapter 3: THE FIRST MEETING

After giving a brief overview of the background information, the woman leaves and instructs them to introduce themselves to each other. Since Mia rarely communicates with strangers, she feels very nervous and confused. The girl looks at everyone and says softly:

 “Hello… my name is Mia Blair, nice to meet you all… Hope everyone can help me”

When she is finishing her sentence, she turns her expectant eyes to the other girls. But unlike what she is expecting, they don’t even pay attention to Mia, not even a glance. The girl is embarrassed but can only lower her face, purses her lips, and comforts herself. Suddenly a girl with golden brown hair, and a delicate and dignified face, in a long pink dress with a rose print, walk gently towards Mia. Smile kindly and speaks softly:

 “I'm Lita Shreya. What family does Miss Mia come from?”

Everyone laughed after her question. Mia smiled and replied:

 “I come from Blair's house”

The girl confidently replies and the other girls laugh even louder. A girl with shoulder-length curly hair props her chin and says in a mocking tone:

 “Blair? It’s the first time I have heard that. Do you know this noble family, Diana?” – While saying that, the girl looks behind her.

The girl names Diana smiles and shakes her head:

 “Maybe it's because this house is so noble that we don't know about it. How could anyone be so ignorant, right?”

Because Mia has lived in the poor countryside and she can't go to school, with such insinuating sarcasm, the girl completely doesn't understand. The girl just bewilderedly shakes her head and denies it:

 “No… I'm not a noble. I'm just a farmer's daughter living in a suburb in…”

 “Eww” - The girl frowns – ”No wonder I've been smelling something sour all this time. People like you even come here? Well, I'll go first. I don't want to be with someone like that”

Lita Shreya, after listening, goes to advise this girl.

 “That's why you still haven't been promoted even though you've been here for more than 2 years. Please restrain yourself” – Lita whispers to her, then turns to Mia and leaves.

Mia suddenly remembers Lita's last name and realizes that it is one of the country's noblest noble lineages. The girl never expected that one day she will face the daughters of such nobles. Mia nervously clenches her fist, afraid that she isn’t good enough to be kept

After being guided through the three floors of the house by Lita and instructed in the basic tasks, Mia continues with the girl to the garden at the back of the house. While talking, Lita says something that makes Mia feel quite bewildered.

 “Does that mean you're suitable for him?”

Mia does not understand what the two words 'suitable' meant, so she asks Lita again, when the girl receives the question, she just looks at Mia and smiles. 'Probably untested' – Lita thinks.

 “Anyway, today is Sunday, let's fly kites!”

The weather is very pleasant and warm, each strip of yellow sunlight creeps through the canopy of leaves, sometimes hidden and sometimes visible. Blue clouds float across the great stretch of sky, Mia enjoys sitting against a tree and watching. Wondering how her family is now. Are they still working in the fields? Homesickness floods the country girl's heart, she is sad but still manages to appear cheerful when talking with Lita Shreya.

 “How long have you guys been here?”

 “You don't need to be so polite. Anyway, we'll be close soon… Since when did I come here? When I was 16 years old. That's fast, it's been 4 years already”

 “You are 1 year older than me. Perhaps, you are one of the people who come here the longest, right? I want to ask you something but… I don't know if I should ask”

Lita smiles gently and advises her to be natural. After getting permission, Mia shyly asks:

 “It seems here… most of them are the daughters of nobles or rich. Then, why did everyone come here? Well, I want to pay off my family's debt… And you guys shouldn't be like that, right?” – The girl smiles wryly, afraid that she is saying something bad.

 “What should I say… You know, Mia, the Hiddleston family is the most powerful in the country right now. We're here for Sir Malcolm Hiddleston”

After chatting, Lita gives the girl a butterfly kite.

 “They must be… very expensive!” – Mia says.

 “Not really. You also try to get to know everyone”

Mia bows her head to thank that beautiful and kind girl

Of course, Mia also really wants to get closer to everyone here, but seeing their avoidant attitude, she understands that this is difficult. However, the girl still enjoys the joy of flying a kite, this is the first time she has used a real kite. In the past, she and Asher often used paper or leaves to make kites, although they could not fly as high as this kite. But there's nothing more precious than those old memories. At that time, life was also difficult but also very peaceful. Mia suddenly remembers the past, holds the kite in her hand, and freezes. Then, she gets bored with this fun again. Mia returns the kite to Lita. When she saw her reading a book, Mia feels very admired. Because she is not good at reading and writing. She used to go to school but only took a break until the middle of the second semester of first grade, so she couldn't go to school fully because of the housework and unpaid tuition. Poverty gradually pushed her into the path of illiteracy. But fortunately, there is Asher, he is extremely intelligent so he absorbs knowledge very quickly, so he showed it to Mia.

 “You don't play anymore?"

Mia shakes her head, answering in a slightly sad voice:

 "I do not…"

 “Are you homesick? This is the first time I've seen someone sad away from their family! It is an honor for all of us to come here… You should be happy too”

Lita says as she fixes her eyes on the book she is reading. Her face is strangely calm. Mia says her thanks, then leans against the other side of the tree, thinking about something.

The weather is so beautiful, and along with the fatigue from the long journey, Mia slowly fell into a dream. The wind gently caresses Mia's hair, stops, and kisses her radiant beautiful face. Eyes closed, lips slightly open. Mia has completely fallen asleep.

When the sun was about to descend the mountain, the sunlight gradually faded away. Lita also closed her book at this time and entered the house. The other girls also quickly cleaned up and went in with them. When entering, the girl looked at the sleeping Mia, her face did not change color, and calmly left. Mia is still sleeping soundly…

At sunset, on the other side of the window, a man was looking at Mia, smiling with satisfaction.

'As the rumors say...' - The man thinks, then turns his back and leaves.

By the time Mia wakes up, it is almost dark, she panics and quickly runs into the house. But because the girl moves so quickly after a long period of inactivity, she immediately falls limp. Looking around without a single person, Mia feels extremely insecure and scared. Seeing her dirty gesture, Mia is even more scared. But she still hesitantly enters, and she prays she will not be kicked out on the first day.

 "Why did I sleep?..." - The girl whispers, blaming herself. She hides behind the stairs, not noticing a man approaching.

When Mia sees him, she immediately bows politely and asks hesitantly:

 “Nice to meet you… do you know where everyone has been?”

The man stares at Mia and smiles.

 “Did you just get here?”

 “Yes… I fell asleep” – When she says this, the girl also has tears in her eyes at the think of being sent away immediately. But right after that, Mia immediately regains her composure and shyly says – “Please… don't laugh at this action.”

 "I think it's on the 2nd floor. But maybe you just arrived so you don't have your room yet."

Mia smiles brightly, her smile is very sweet and cute.

 “I don't need my room. I'm scared to be alone!... Well, I've bought time again. Thank you so much! Are you the chef here? I'm Mia, what's your name?"

The man looks down, sighs, and smiles.

 "John!"

 "Goodbye, John!"

The girl waves goodbye runs fast and falls carelessly. Both elbows are bleeding. Before the man can step forward to help the girl, Mia stands up by herself. Looking at the man, gently rubbing her elbow, smiling, and running away.

'She looks at this hat as a chef's hat. It's stupid, such a countryside girl. But, it's really pretty and smells so sweet…I want to try, but now's not the time’ - He thinks for a moment and then leaves.

Walking in the corridor, Mia sees Lita and rushes to ask about the situation. Lita looks at Mia's disheveled appearance, then says:

 “He will return today. Don't you remember what the housekeeper told you?"

Mia nods slightly. An important detail like this, but she forgot. However, the girl can not remember that the housekeeper has ever said that.

“Is he…?”

"Mr. Malcolm Hiddleston”

Mia is extremely scared, but is later reassured by Lita:

“Neither he nor the housekeeper has checked in yet. You need to take a shower, Mia. If they see you like that, they will both get mad!”

After listening to Lita's instructions on the location of the bathroom. She immediately goes there right away. The bathroom is extremely luxurious, but because it is luxurious and so modern, Mia doesn't know how to use it. When Mia sees the shower, she wants to take it down, but because of her height, she just stares at it. The girl talks to herself: “Why put it in such a position? It's too tall!"

The girl searches to find the switch to open the shower. Immediately, water sprays down from above, making her clothes all wet. 'So that's how it's used!'

Then, Mia remembers that she has no clothes to change into. It is such a terrible issue.

Meanwhile, Malcolm Hiddleston comes to the 4th floor. Everyone bows politely. The man looks around, not seeing the person he is looking for. Then asks Lita:

 “Where's the girl of the Blair family?”

Lita does not raise her face and replies respectfully:

 “Sir... She takes a bath already!”

Immediately, the man becomes angry. He continues in an annoyed voice:

 “Doesn't she know I'll be back today?”

 “I told and reminded her. But I haven't seen her yet...”

At this moment, Malcolm receives a phone call from Jean and knows that Mia has left her luggage in his car. He hangs up the phone, muttering:

 “Don’t expect her to be so clumsy” - Looking over at Lita – “Come and give her clothes. Then, go to my room tonight”

 “Yes sir!” – The girl smiles.

After that, he also leaves because he still has work to do. All the girls can breathe a sigh of relief now because Malcolm’s aura takes their breath away.

 “But why does he not punish her? Not like him at all” - A girl sighs.

 “Take back your words!” - Lita threatens.