FLAME OF THE WOODS

“Finally, my new life begins,” Mair said softly as she stood in front of the tall silver gates. Behind them, a cobblestone path curved through neat hedges leading to a big, old mansion. The house is made of light stone, with ivy climbing the tall windows. Wide balconies hung above, lined with pretty, detailed railings. At the center of the garden, a small fountain flowed gently. White roses grew in neat lines around marble statues of angels. Tall columns stood under a round roof that glowed with a hint of gold. Then the gates opened with a quiet creak. The air greeted Mair with a smell like lemon flowers and fresh grass. Suddenly, a man in a red suit walked towards her. He moved calmly. His white moustache curled above his lips. His face looked old, but he wore a pleasing smile on his cheeks. He gave a small bow and said in a rasped, kind voice, “We’ve been expecting you, Miss Mair.” Mair’s POV ********** I had never seen such a big mansion before. After we sold everything to pay off my parents’ debt, I forgot what it felt like to be somewhere this rich. The kind old man led me inside. He showed me the rooms, the guest house, the paintings, the antiques, and everything. It felt like stepping into a billionaire’s private museum. I kept looking around, amazed by the shining metal details. Then he gently tapped my shoulder and turned me toward him. I was still speechless, soaking in every part of this beautiful place. “We’ve read your resume, and you’re exactly the kind of person we’re looking for,” he said as we walked across a polished, diamond-smooth floor. “Your past employers say you’re good at cooking and caregiving.” “I can also help with the cleaning,” I added. “And I know a bit about room design.” We stepped into a room with tall glass windows. He opened a brown envelope and pulled out my documents from the agency, already been passed along. “So, your full name is Marinelle Mair Winslowe,” he said, glancing up. “Yes, but just call me Mair, it’s short, and I love the meaning behind it,” I said softly. He smiled kindly. “Would you like to meet the boss today, or rest for a day before signing the contract?” I knew what the contract meant. One month. That’s the usual term for a new helper. After that, both sides can choose whether to continue or not. The agency always looks after us, which is why we are allowed to leave and transfer if things don’t feel right. I paused. If I signed up today, I would have to start work immediately. But if I waited, I could enjoy this beautiful mansion for just one day. It had been so long since I felt what it was like to rest. Most of my past bosses had been… inappropriate. They watched me. They peeked into my room. They made me feel unsafe. I never truly rested. Even at night, I had to stay alert and guard myself. But they never crossed the line unless I allowed it. And that, I never will. I just hope that this time, things will be different. After a quiet walk through the halls, the old man brought me to my room. Along the way, we had short conversations. He pointed out the kitchen, the dining area, and shared a bit of the mansion’s history. The house had been passed down for over a century through the hands of his lord’s family. Now, the young master owns everything they left behind. He promised that I would meet him after signing the contract. “Your life will change tomorrow.” The old man said as I could feel that his grinning eerily. The old man didn’t say much more about the boss nor of what he said, and I didn’t ask. I don’t care about being clueless, I just need this job. When we reached the door, he handed me the keys and offered a simple goodbye before walking away. I wondered what the new boss would be like. Would he be like the others? Creepy? Controlling? I hoped not. Switching jobs every month has drained me. I just wanted a place where I could feel safe. And standing inside this mansion… I don’t know. Something about it made me feel like I could stay here forever. I tossed myself onto the queen-sized bed. It bounced gently beneath me as I stared up at the chandelier. Light sparkled across the ceiling. The paintings on the walls looked like something out of a museum. Then I heard whispers from outside the walls. I told myself it was nothing. Before I knew it, I had drifted off to sleep.