Chapter four
1020 Words
ANDYXOLENE
We arrived in Nestleton, a bustling town that had been modernized. I had only just heard of it and had never visited before, as I'm not particularly fond of traveling.
Before long, we drove beyond the town into a mountainous area filled with lush greenery and towering trees. We found a path leading to the mansion.
From a distance, I could see it looming above, its dark roof quite intimidating. It had a gothic appearance, and noticing my reaction, Scale explained that it was an ancestral home passed down through generations, which explained its gothic look.
I smiled trying to hide the uneasiness that filled my stomach.
We alighted and Scale paid the driver off. We got to the gate and as he was looking for a button to press, I saw a guard approach us from inside.
He looked at the paper in his hand as if comparing our faces before asking. “You're the new workers right?” We nodded, and he opened a smaller gate, letting us in.
The inside had a fountain that wasn't turned on, and flower hedges stood at corners, decorating the yard.
Soon, we were led to a room with more people, and we took our seats.
“You're here for the job too?” A red-haired boy with a thick brow and pale skin asked.
“Yes, we are,” Scale replied.
“I knew there were going to be more people!” He turned to the short-haired girl named Becky beside him. “I heard they are clearing out all servants and bringing in new ones. Since we didn't get interviewed before, I hope we won't be today”
“Come on Scott, don't tell me you didn't prepare for an interview?” Becky asked.
“This is not a professional job, so why bother?” He blurted out.
Jake, a mocha skin colored guy, asked. “Serving the Baron ain't professional? Do you know how lucky we are to sit here? There are no jobs out there”
I sat beside Scale watching them. I agreed with Jake, jobs were hard to get. I was nervous, I wasn't sure I even fully accepted.
Scale placed his hand on mine. “Are you alright?” he asked and I smiled weakly.
“Yes, I'm just getting ready for my new life with a salary.” He smiled using his thumb to rub my hands. I looked around me to see the tearing gazes of our colleagues.
“You guys are in a relationship?” Beck asked, surprised. “I thought the contract banned relationships”
“We are not in a relationship” I answered quickly “Scale is like my brother”
Scott laughed. “We've heard that a million times. What a name Scale”
“My name is Kevin” Scale spoke up “And she's Andyxolene”
“Andy what?” Jake asked.
I shook my head. “Short form Andy. Just call me Andy”
I didn't really know the meaning of my name. I didn't know my mother, to ask her the meaning of my name. But after much research, I found a meaning. “Queen above all.” How did I manage to bag that name?
Suddenly a man walked in wearing a corporate suit with a bow tie so straight, it looked as if it was choking him. He looked friendly and smiled. “Welcome to Nestleton for those of you coming from afar. Here you're to serve this grand mansion and follow the rules laid down. Soon enough, we'll have a new Baron that's why you are all here, for a start in everything.”
A woman in a bob hairstyle, also dressed formally with her skirt so tight, walked in. She introduced herself as Selena, but she looked strict, and her words proved it. “There are rules governing this house and if any, even by mistake is broken, anyone responsible would be dismissed”
She gave us dissatisfaction and exaggerated every rule making it frightening to break. She was blunt with her words and talked about romantic relationships coarsely, banning it in the mansion.
Soon, we settled in, and old servants began to teach us the way the household was run.
We were given a uniform; a flare dress, with an apron in front of it. Our hair was to be tied up, and makeup was also banned.
*****
It was my morning to learn how to serve tea at breakfast and I stood behind the family who ate. I was holding a tray of china ware, the kettle filled with ginger tea.
Baron Gold Goodwill sat at the end of the table picking up a newspaper. His wife Cassandra and daughter Alicia, Selena, and two guests also joined at the table.
“When will Christian be here?” Mr Goodwill asked from behind his paper and Selena answered immediately.
“Soon enough. I'm sure he must have finished his meeting with the Mayor”
I heard about Christian from the other servants. He was the Baron's only son, and they claimed he resembled a Greek god, with a voice so enchanting it could make a woman pregnant on the spot. I chuckled at their fantasies of him making love to them and how, if they did get pregnant, they'd be the happiest women on earth.
I wanted to see him.
I doubted what they said. I bet he wasn't even that handsome.
Tracing the gaze of everyone in the room, I saw a man in full glory. He extended some sort of fluorescence that it mirrored on their faces. He looked divine and his footsteps transcend and sophisticated.
I was entranced too. So this was the man everyone wanted. He deserved every compliment.
His eyes met mine, and I had a feeling of Déjà vu, and the tray of tea went crashing down. I felt goosebumps on my skin and fear enveloped me. His eyes shone like the moon.
This was surreal because he was a human and not the flash of the Angel I saw that night.
- Writer
