Chapter 7

• Breakfast goes by in a blur. The chairwoman is chirpy and excited, talking about our honeymoon and living arrangements. Unfortunately, neither Brandon nor I are interested in talking about our future together. After breakfast, the chairwoman tells us that she has to be at an orphanage for a charity event. At first, I'm bothered that I'd have to spend the day alone with Brandon but he leaves the house almost immediately after his mom.
• Alone with barely anything to do, I start to wander around the house. God, this house is so big, I feel like I can get lost inside it. In the kitchen, three maids are scurrying around, preparing what I suspect is lunch for the family. They are startled when they see me in the kitchen, but I smile nicely and ask for their names. Because I can tell that they're uncomfortable and distracted by my presence, I do not spend too much time there but go to find the butler, Miguel.
• Although he is initially unwilling to converse with me like an equal, he soon lets down his guard and tells me a little about himself. He is French and comes from a line of high ranking butlers. His pride makes me laugh and he shows me how to curtsy before leaving me to attend to more pressing matters. By noon, I have met all the servants. I know all of their names. I know how many children Kathryn, the housekeeper has, and I know that the gardener's wife suffers from arthritis.