The lady with Ambitions

Chapter 9

Hello, Irene.

"Miss. Hart, you're 15 minutes late." Mrs. Carmen says, a displeased expression on her face, as I run into the kitchen wearing my uniform.

She had told me to meet her here before proceeding to the bedrooms to tell me something.

"I apologise, Mrs. Carmen. One of my teachers had to talk to me after class," I mutter, my fingers interlaced anxiously. I hated having to lie to her, but if she found out the true cause of my tardiness, I wouldn't be shocked if I was fired right away.

"I'd want you to assist in serving beverages at dinner tonight at 7 p.m. Make sure the bedrooms are also cleaned before your shift finishes, as always." She speaks while she inspects the servants and cooks who are preparing dinner.

I felt queasy just thinking about it, but all I could do was follow Mrs. Carmen's instructions.

I had a few hours until supper, so I decided to clean Caden's room first, knowing he wasn't home.

I felt anxiety flow through my skin while cleaning his chamber, which appeared almost as dark as his soul.

Why would he believe I was a spy? What was he doing out there that made it so horrible for him to be caught? Perhaps he simply didn't want his folks to know...

When I complete the room, I feel relieved, and I check the clock, which is 6:45.

Grabbing all of my equipment, I race down the stairs, returning everything to the cleaning cupboard before entering the kitchen, which was packed with maids racing back and forth to complete supper.

"All you have to do is bring out the beverages, which shouldn't be too tough. "Do not drop anything." Mrs. Carmen scrambles out, running around the entire kitchen to ensure everything is great.

"Y..yes, ma'am," I remark, staggering back somewhat, as a maid shoves a tray with an expensive-looking bottle of wine and a pitcher of lemon water into my hands.

I steady my hands and take a big breath as I gaze across at Mrs. Carmen, puzzled.

" Go on! "What are you doing staring at me?" Mrs. Carmen shoos me away, and I hurriedly nod my head before going as steadily as I could towards the dining hall entrance.

When I opened the door, I felt my nerves tighten as I saw a spacious, well-lit dining room with a beautiful table in the centre.

A beautiful woman with long brown hair sat next to a man who was smiling at something she had said.

It must be Mr. and Mrs. Agosti.

Ace took a seat across from them, listening to his mother. Caden was nowhere to be seen, which was not surprising.

Mrs Agostis' eyes had a warm stare that reminded me of Ace's, although being different colours. He had the same thick hair as Mr. Agosti, and I assumed they were the same height.

Caden's gloomy eyes were very similar to his father's, as was his black hair.

I was curious how Mr and Mrs Agosti met, given her timid appearance as opposed to Mr Agosti's threatening one.

As I approached the table, I felt Ace's gaze on me, and for some reason, I turned back to face him, quickly falling into his stunning blue eyes, which appeared like a peaceful ocean every time I looked at their gentle but deep colours.

He offers me a little smile, and I smile back before pouring the beverages into the cups.

" Ace, where's your brother? "How many times will he miss dinner?" Mrs. Agosti speaks softly, tinged with dread.

"I'm not sure; it's not like he talks to us anyways." Ace shrugs and picks at the food on his plate.

"I wish he would tell me what is wrong. I've tried talking to him for years, but he always ignores me." Mrs. Agosti frowns. I could see grief in her eyes.

It was the type of grief you'd expect from a mother. Her children's pain affected her more than any other anguish in the world.

The identical one my mother had for me before my father's death.

I attempt to ignore the sharp anguish in my heart. The notion of my parents always made me melancholy.

I wanted them back. I simply wanted things to be normal, my normal, when I was just an innocent little kid weeping over her ice cream melting and going on walks with my mom and dad around our neighbourhood during hot summers.

I simply didn't comprehend it. I didn't see how Caden could just shut his family out. They were right in front of his face, near enough to embrace, converse, and share memories with, but he just shut himself off.

Time is terrible, and no one lives forever. Did he not know how this was impacting his parents? What about his brother?

Their words become softer as I walk away with the now-half-empty drink bottles, my mind racing with inquiries that are not my business in the first place.

For the rest of the supper, all I had done was refill everyone's beverages when they ran low. I nearly fell asleep until Mrs. Carmen slapped her finger in front of my face, jolting me awake.

Once it was over, I quickly cleaned up my belongings before returning to the cleaning closet to finish the remainder of the rooms.

I am not sure what time it was; all I knew was that it was late at night as I was closing up the rooms when the sound of the front door opening resonated through the peaceful halls.

I heard a woman weeping shortly after, and being the inquisitive person I am, I hid in a corner to observe what was happening.

" Caden, stop doing this; what is going on? You can't just come home beaten up and expect me to overlook it!" Mrs Agostis' voice cries out in anguish as she grips her son's arm.

Her voice was unsteady; I could see she was attempting to fight back tears and appear strong in front of her kid.

I couldn't see very well in the dark, but I could make out the black dots where there was blood on his face.

Her body was so little in comparison to his tall frame as she sought to stop him from going away.

"Drop it, Mom. I'm alive, okay?" He grumbles while staring down at his mother.

I felt sorry for her. I couldn't image what it would be like to have your child cut themselves off from everyone and not understand why.

"You know you can trust me with anything, Caden; I'll always be here for you. Just please don't worry me like this." She tears as she delicately wipes the blood off his face with a cloth.

"Yeah, I know," is all he says as he lets his mother wipe the blood, but his voice is lifeless, empty, and cold.

"What are you doing?" The abrupt voice behind me almost gave me a heart attack. I turn around, feeling my breath catch as Ace stands in front of me, hands in his pockets, looking down at me bewildered.