Table of Contents

+ Add to Library

Previous Next

Chapter 8

  • "You do know that it's part of your job to clean that up too, don't you?" She asked. It was one of the most cold-hearted questions that I'd ever heard in my life. That was when it dawned on me that those servants were right and I was so wrong to judge a book by its cover.
  • "Yes, I do," I responded as the tears freely flowed down my cheeks.
  • "That, too," she continued, referring to my tears. "Hopefully, you'll do it with some seriousness so I won't have to help you out, okay?"
  • I nodded, but she kept staring at me so I knew she wanted me to speak. "Yes...Yes, ma'am."
  • That thought never left me. I had always done all I could, to make sure I didn't get on her bad side. Sometimes, I fail. More times than not, I did succeed. As I rode from my bed, I made up my mind that I was going to succeed.
  • It was already 6:30 am, and I had to be in the kitchen by 6:45 am, so I had no time to have a bath. I just went to the little water container very close to my bathroom and I took some water from it with a small, yellow bowl, just on top of the container, with which I washed my face as quickly as I could.
  • On getting to the kitchen, I saw that it was exactly 6:45 am. Layla was nowhere to be found and it was unlike her. She was never one to be late, so I guessed something was up. The other servants talked amongst themselves and laughed rather loudly. I didn't join in. I couldn't. I didn't want to risk Layla's ire and I wasn't friends with everyone so it was pretty easy.
  • I quickly went to the sink and began to sort out the plates so I could wash them. I couldn't find the soap so I looked around to see the blonde who did the dishes the previous night.
  • "What's going on here?"
  • Everyone turned around on hearing that voice. What seemed like a marketplace immediately became as silent as a graveyard. She wasn't alone. She had someone with her. A guy; a very young handsome guy. His hair was red. It was the first time I'd ever seen that. It looked so cute. I wished I could touch it. My hands felt better by my side though.
  • "This is the newest servant in this palace and I need you all to welcome him with open arms." I opened my arms wide to welcome him before remembering that it wasn't a literal statement. I felt ashamed and I put my hands back down by my side and bowed my head a little, biting my lip. "What's your name?"
  • "My name is…"
  • "It doesn't matter what your name is, kid. What matters is that you do all you're asked and stay out of trouble as much as you can," she rudely interrupted. "If you need anything, just reach out to me and I'll gladly be of help to you.".
  • I recognized that line. She told me that too. It was one of the biggest lies I'd ever heard. Layla was so full of lies and deceit and I wondered why she wouldn't just be honest. It wasn't like we were going to beat her up if she showed us how mean and unhelpful she was from the start. Such hypocrisy wasn't really necessary.
  • Somehow, my eyes kept clashing with that of the young man who looked to be in his early twenties. I would have loved to know his name but Layla wouldn't let me. I guessed I'd just have to find a way to get it one way or another.
  • "Lisa!"
  • "Yes, ma'am." I was lost in my thoughts as our eyes met and her voice brought me back to reality. She smiled a bit and pulled the guy in front of her.
  • "Since you've looked welcoming to the young man, I'll be handing him over to you." I was overjoyed by that statement but I did well to maintain a straight face. I didn't want her to change her mind for any reason and I also didn't want the guy to feel like I was one cheap lady so I held the smile in. "I want you to show him around the pack and just take responsibility for him. I'll hold you accountable for anything that happens to him, so you must be on the lookout. Am I clear?"
  • "Yes, ma'am." I was beginning to sound like a robot but it was the safest way to stay safe. My dad always used to tell me that as long as I kept saying 'yes,' I was going to have no problem with anyone. I found it very helpful in my dealings with Layla. She was a terror I didn't need on my back.
  • As the young man approached me, I couldn't help but feel drawn to him. I was attracted to him and there was no denying it. Yet, I knew nothing about him. I didn't know how he made his way to this Pack and for what purpose so I knew I had to be a little wary about him. That didn't change the fact that something about him just seemed to be of interest to me.
  • As he got to me, he bowed a little and smiled. He must have been trying to show me a little bit of respect. He was new, so he could be forgiven for not knowing that respect was something I never got from anyone in the Pack. It felt so weird. I did know that it was only a matter of time. He'd understand just how I was supposed to be treated.
  • I reached out to him, with my right hand, staring right into his face. "Shall we?"