Lynn love

Chapter 4

The next morning, the mansion was eerily quiet, as if it were entirely empty. The silence was so profound that every small sound—a creak in the floorboards or the faint rustle of curtains—felt amplified. It was unsettling, almost oppressive. Even with the sun streaming through the windows, the atmosphere remained heavy.

Breakfast was served in the staff dining hall, a modest but cozy space compared to the rest of the grand estate. The food, I noticed, was prepared only for the staff; whatever the owners of the mansion consumed was a mystery. Rose had mentioned that only the private chef was allowed to know what the bosses ate, which I found strange.

Rose introduced me to two other girls, mia and Sophia , though everyone seemed to call her Cat. They looked so similar they could have been twins, always finishing each other’s sentences. The pair invited me to join their table, and I gratefully accepted.

“So, what’s for breakfast?” I asked, trying to break the awkward silence.

“Mashed potatoes, peas, toasted bread, and soup,” Sophia replied with a smile.

“That sounds nice,” I said. “I’m starving. Feels like I haven’t eaten in years.”

Mia tilted her head, curious. “How come?”

I hesitated. “I haven’t had much of an appetite lately. It’s been… hard to eat anything.”

Sophia, ever the blunt one, chimed in, “How’s that possible? The meals here are amazing!”

“Enough, you two,” Rose interjected firmly. “She’s been through a lot. You don’t need to pry.”

Mia and Sophia exchanged sheepish looks before apologizing in unison. “We’re really sorry to hear that. We hope you enjoy your stay here. It’s… a little weird and scary sometimes, but you’ll get used to it.”

That piqued my interest. Folding my arms, I leaned forward. “Weird? What do you mean by that? I’ve noticed some things, but…”

Mia leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “At night, I hear things—strange sounds. Sometimes, I hear footsteps right behind me, but when I turn around, no one’s there.”

Sophia nodded, her eyes wide. “And sometimes… there are bloodstains on the walls. Just faint smears, like someone tried to clean them up. But everyone’s always fine the next morning, like nothing happened. And the grown-ups? They just ignore it all, like it’s normal.”

I shivered at the thought, but Sophia wasn’t finished. “Then there’s the boss’s son,” she added with a smirk. “He’s the most attractive man I’ve ever seen, but he never gives anyone the time of day. Except for his ex. No one knows what happened to her, but she’s been gone for years. We hated her,” she added, her voice dripping with mock disdain.

The two girls laughed in unison, but Rose quickly shut them down. “That’s enough gossip, girls,” she said, her voice stern. “You’ll get yourselves in trouble. Breakfast is almost over, so finish up. We’ve got a lot of work to do today.”

The table fell silent, the only sounds being the clink of cutlery against plates. Once we finished, Mia, Cat, and I were assigned to work in the west wing while Rose headed elsewhere. As we walked through the mansion, I couldn’t help but ask more questions.

“Why does no one leave their rooms after 9 PM?” I asked.

Mia looked at me, her expression serious. “You don’t know much about this place, do you? Strange things happen at night. It’s better to stay indoors for your own protection.”

“That’s not exactly reassuring,” I said, frowning.

Sophia shrugged. “It’s just how things are here. You get used to it.”

I hesitated before asking my next question. “Why are you two even here? You’re about my age. Shouldn’t you be out living your lives, enjoying your freedom?”

Sophia gave me a small, sad smile. “Our family owes debts to the mansion. Working here helps pay it off. It’s not ideal, but at least we’re helping our families in some way.”

“Does everyone here owe a debt?” I asked quietly.

Mia shrugged again. “Pretty much. I don’t know what brought you here, Lynn, but let me give you some advice. Keep your head down and your curiosity in check. This place has secrets, and asking too many questions can get you killed. Just try to live your life quietly while you’re here.”

Her words hung heavy in the air as we walked in silence through the vast, empty halls of the mansion.