The Beauty In Our Scars.

The truce (1)

Mandy lay on the bed, he thoughts drifting to and fro as she looked up at the ceiling. Although Mr Maurice had volunteered to help her, she wasn't sure of the outcome of his plea. She wondered where else she could walk to or if painstakingly, she would return back to the house of horrors she had just left.

"Maybe it is true, I can't escape my fate from Venessa" Mandy thought to herself, just as she was lost in thoughts, her stomach rumbled loudly.

"Damn it, I haven't eaten since yesterday" Mandy muttered. Almost immediately, she heard a knock on the door, she immediately sprang up from the bed and rushed to get it.

"I'm coming!" She called out as she rushed towards the door. Immediately she opened the door, she saw Mr Maurice. He wore a blank expression on his face, one that lacked any hint of any sort. Mandy nodded in defeat after she saw his face.

"I guess I am leaving this place then" Mandy said softly as she let out a pale smile. Mr Maurice also smiled dryly at her.

"Well my dear, it seems you are staying here" Mr Maurice announced. Mandy couldn't believe her ears, her ash coloured eyes widened in both suprise and excitement. She tried to speak but the words just seemed to get stuck in her throat.

"Thank you Sir, thank you so much, I really don't know what to say or how to express my gratitude. But all I can say is thank you" Mandy said as she bowed deeply to show her appreciation. Mr Maurice smiled for a bit.

"But, there are certain conditions you must meet, are you sure you are willing to accept those conditions?" Mr Maurice asked.

"Yes sir, I will do anything, as long as I can get a roof over my head and food on my table, I'll be okay" Mandy replied hastily. Mr Maurice nodded with a smile.

"Very well then, come down and meet with the madam at the penthouse. When you are done, food would be made available to you" Mr Maurice said. Mandy smiled at him and proceeded to walk behind him.

Once again, Mandy and Mr Maurice got to the penthouse again, Maria still sat on the same spot earlier. Immediately she heard the two approaching, she lifted up her head elegantly, this time, she had a pale smile on her face. Mandy stood in front of Maria once again, Mandy was still a bit scared but she didn't loose her composure in front of Maria, the woman had a piercing gaze, like it searched the soul.

"What is your name again?" Maria asked.

"Mandy madam" Mandy responded with a bow.

"Introduce yourself properly young lady. Don't you have a surname?" Maria asked sharply.

"Miller, my name is Mandy Miller" Mandy answered graciously. Maria smirked,

"That's better. I have decided not to ask specific questions about your upbringing or your past, I could dig that up if I want to but for now, I am not interested. But I must say, there are certain conditions you must agree to if you really want to stay and work here, I believe Mr Maurice has told you that right?" Maria asked as she stared directly into Mandy's eyes.

"Yes madam, and I am willing to work for free, as long as I have a place to stay and a place to live, I really don't mind anything" Mandy answered without hesitation. Anything that was worth keeping her away from the monsters she called her family was well worth it.

"You sound really desperate. But there's no problem, I will pay you, maybe not like the other maids but you'll receive your dues. Just sit over there, Mr Maurice will bring the document of confidentiality for you to sign" Maria stated. Mandy nodded and walked over to seat in front of Maria and sat on it. There was an awkward two minutes silence before Mr Maurice returned. He place a sheet of paper in front of Mandy and immediately, Mandy began to go through everything written on the paper. After a while, Mr Maurice gave Maria a copy of what she had given to Mandy. Maria went through everything on it and smiled pleasantly.

"You've really done well Maurice, you really made sure to put the necessary things on this paper" Maria said softly.

"Thank you madam" Mr Maurice responded as he bowed a little. Meanwhile, Mandy struggled to believe what she had just read, everything on it was quite bothersome buy her eyes were fixed on a particular section. She had seen the name Craig Anderson and she read below it, she was going to become his personal maid. Her eyes widened and she lifted her face slowly from the paper. Maria looked at her reaction and smiled to herself.

"What's the problem Miss Miller?" Maria asked. Immediately, Mandy snapped out of her self-induced trance. She then smiled sweetly at Maria.

"There's no problem at all. I was just surprised, I never knew Mr Craig Anderson lived here too" Mandy answered innocently.

"Well he does, which is why you must go through everything written on that paper before signing" Maria said stiffly. Mandy nodded and began to go through each clause stated in the paper again. After about a minute, she lifted her face from the paper and looked straight at Maria.

"I have gone through every written thing here on this piece of paper. I understand that confidentiality about what goes on here is a must and many other rules are to be observed too but there is one part I am confused about" Mandy said. Maria looked at her for a while before talking.

"Alright, speak" Maria said.

"On the last one here, you said I am not to leave this place no matter what unless you say so. Does that mean I cannot leave this premises at all?" Mandy asked. Maria smiled calmly to herself when she heard the question.

"That's a part of what I meant" Maria answered.

"Sorry I might sound rude but I must ask, what do you really mean madam?" Mandy asked again, this time, curiosity was written all over her face.

"Well, you aren't leaving this place until two years have elapsed, so you are mine once you sign on that paper" Maria answered calmly. Mandy's eyes widened in fear immediately she heard the answer.