The Beauty In Our Scars.

A New Hope?

Mandy approached the building's huge door. She tried to open it, but it was locked. She knocked at the door but there was no answer. She had to knock two more times before the door slowly opened. A well dressed man opened the door and took a look at Mandy. She wasn't just dripping wet but she was also covered in dirt.

"Young lady how may I help you?" The man asked, his facial expression was bland.

"Uhmmm I entered through the open gate because....." Mandy couldn't finish her statement before she was interrupted by the man.

"I guess you are here for the job then, come in" he said. Mandy was confused but she didn't protest. She believed that the man wouldn't let her in if she explained herself and she needed a place to stay for the night so she decided to go with his assumption. Immediately Mandy stepped into the house, she was blown away by what she saw. The house was a sight to behold, every furniture and art pieces screamed of exquisite taste and luxury. The golden chandeliers positioned in different areas in this big house was magnificent, Mandy could see class and wealth in every corner her eyes turned to.

"Welcome to the mansion of the Andersons. Many people don't have an opportunity of being here but here you are. You should count yourself lucky" the man stated as he took Mandy up the stairs. Mandy initially was puzzled, she knew she had heard the name somewhere but she couldn't place it.

"Sir, this is the house of late Mr Sheldon Anderson, am I right?" Mandy asked the man. He stopped and slowly turned to her, Mandy's eyes grew wide in anxiety.

"Did I say something wrong?" She though to herself as she looked at him anxiously. The man smiled at her,

"Yes my dear, it seems you are very familiar with your history. Well now it belongs to Me Craig Anderson" the man responded and continued moving up the stairs. Mandy's ash coloured eyes grew wide in suprise, she wasn't just in any house, but she was in the house of the richest family in the country. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't in some sort of crazy dream but to her excitement, it was all real. The man alongside Mandy had reached the end of the stairs and proceeded to walk down the hallway. Many rooms were lined at both sides of the hallway. Suddenly, the man made an abrupt stop in front of one of the doors.

"Young lady, this is your room. When you go in, you'll find two pairs of uniforms folded on top of the bed. The madam will meet you tomorrow so you can properly introduce yourself" the man said.

"Thank you very much sir" Mandy said as she bowed in appreciation. The man didn't answer, rather he walked off. Mandy immediately opened the door and rushed into the room. Immediately she got in, she was wawed once again. The room wasn't just neat, it was classy, too classy for any help or worker in the house according to Mandy's opinion. She instantly shut the door firmly behind her and looked around.

"Oh my goodness this is wonderful" Mandy muttered to herself in excitement. She looked at the well dressed bed and saw the neatly folded uniforms on the bed, two pairs of white socks were beside the uniform and in front of it were two pairs of black shoes. Mandy admired the dresses and the shoes after which she put them in a drawer.

"These uniforms do look fancy" Mandy said to herself. She found a few toiletries and a sleeping shirt in drawer after she had dropped the clothes. She smiled to herself and tears began to gather round her eyes. For the first time in a while, she felt peace, one she never know she would ever have.

"A night here is the best gift I have gotten so far, and I will enjoy it" she muttered as she picked the sleeping shirt and closed the drawer.

The day broke faster than usual and the sun graced the clear sky with it's radiance. Mandy was already dressed in the uniform she was given, a cute black gown with a pair of socks and shoes to match. She looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath.

"Alright Mandy, it's a new day" she chanted to herself until suddenly she heard a knock on the door. She rushed and opened it, it was the man who urshered her into the house yesterday night.

"Good morning sir" Mandy greeted.

"Good morning young lady, I hope you are ready and also properly dressed" the man asked.

"Yes sir, I sure am" Mandy answered with a smile on her face.

"Very well then, but you might want to pack your hair backwards and make a bun behind it. The madam hates hanging hair" the man said. Mandy smiled and swiftly packed her hair as described by the man.

"Thank you very much sir for the tip" Mandy said.

"It's okay. By the way I am Mr Maurice and I am in charge of running the household. You are?" The man asked.

"Mandy Sir, my name is Mandy" Mandy answered.

"Very well Mandy, let's go. The madam is at the penthouse" Mr Maurice said. Mandy immediately shut the door behind her and followed Mr Maurice down the stairs.

Maria was sipping a cup of tea when she heard footsteps approaching from behind her. She instantly dropped the tea cup and instantly, the footsteps stopped.

"Who is that?" Maria asked coldly.

"Good morning madam, I came to inform you that someone had taken up the job offer yesterday night, and I came along with her to meet you" Mr Maurice stated. Maria's eyes widened.

"Alright then, come to the front were I can see you two" Maria said calmly. Both Mr Maurice and Mandy walked forward till they were in front of Maria.

"Good morning madam" Mandy greeted as she took a deep bow and lifted her head up again. Maria looked at her with keen interest. For some reasons, Maria found the young girl interesting. She didn't know why, but she just had that feeling.

"A redhead, this is different" Maria responded. "How old are you young lady?" The woman asked.

"I'm nineteen madam" Mandy answered.

"Interesting. So do you have any experience as a maid in any wealthy household? Perhaps I could see your résumé" Maria asked as she keenly focused on the girl. Mandy's heart skipped when she heard those questions.

"Résumé? Experience?" Mandy thought to herself. She bowed her head in confusion, she didn't know the answers to give to this intimidating woman sitting right in front of her. "Well at least they let me pass a night here, I should at least tell them the truth. At least most of it" Mandy resolved in her thoughts.

"Madam I have a confession to make" Mandy said solemnly. Maria shifted her head backwards and looked at Mandy.

"A confession? What's that?" The woman asked.

"It was raining heavily yesterday and I had nowhere to go. I was kicked out of the house by my stepmom so I kept walking and walking foward till I stopped at the mansion's gate. I figured out that I should walk in and ask or figure out a place to sleep for the night and that was how I walked all the way to this building" Mandy stated. Maria looked at her in shock, so did Mr Maurice.

"So are you trying to tell me you didn't come here for the job?" Maria asked, her brow was beginning to knit in anger and this scared Mandy.

"Yes madam. But I am willing to work and live here for as long as possible. I do not have any place to go to, I can't remember my way back and I do not want to go back to my stepmother and step siblings. I would do anything you ask me to, please don't send me away, please" Mandy pleaded as she rubbed her two palms together while she begged.

"Maurice what is the meaning of this?" Maria roared.

"Madam this is a mistake, I'll fix it" Mr Maurice answered in a panic.

"Just take this girl out of my sight and out of this mansion!" Maria screamed.

"Please madam, I promise to do anything, anything at all. I can cook, clean and do other chores around. Please madam, all I ask for is a warm bed and roof over my head, nothing more" Mandy continued to plead.

"Maurice take this young lady out of here before I loose my temper" Maria warned as she sipped some tea from the tea cup. Maurice bowed and immediately dragged Mandy out with him.

"Seriously? You just saw an open gate and strolled in like nothing happened?" Mr Maurice asked Mandy, his frustration had already heightened at this point.

"I was desperate Sir, I didn't have anywhere to go. I initially wanted to explain everything to you but you immediately labeled me the person for the job. Plus I felt you would kick me out if I told you the truth" Mandy answered, her voice was already cracked as she spoke. The way Maria shouted at her gave her scares and chills.

"Still you would have told me instead of making me look like an i***t" Mr Maurice complained.

"I'm so sorry sir, I'll leave as soon as possible" Mandy said solemnly.

"Better do" Mr Maurice said, Mandy turned to walk away but immediately, something caught Sir Maurice's attention. "Wait young lady, what's that on your arm?" He asked, Mandy turned to him and immediately looked at the back of her hand.

"It's a scar, it was caused by a hot iron" Mandy answered.

"Oh my goodness, that's one big wound!" Mr Maurice exclaimed, he took a closer look at the young lady and discovered she had visible bruises on hands and on her neck.

"Was it you stepmother who did this?" Mr Maurice asked Mandy. Mandy didn't say any word, she just nodded slowly. Maurice sighed and dropped Mandy's arm.

"I'll talk to the madam, just go back to your room and dont cause any trouble. You remember the way right?" Mr Maurice asked.

"Yes sir" Mandy answered.

"Alright then, off you go" Mr Maurice said. Mandy nodded and walked off.

"Madam, I need to talk to you" Mr Maurice said to Maria.

"Yes Maurice, speak up" Maria said, she dropped the book she was reading and raised her face to look at Mr Maurice.

"Madam I'll be honest with you, one month has passed and no one has indicated any interest to take care of Mr Craig" Mr Maurice said softly. Maria's face turned sour immediately she heard those words.

"Give it time Maurice, someone is going to show up soon" Maria said, she tried to put up a bold face while she spoke.

"Madam we both know that the chances of this happening is very slim. Mr Craig needs immediate care and attention as the day goes by" Mr Maurice said.

"So what are you suggesting Maurice, that I take that girl in?" Maria asked, fury was beginning to build up in her tone.

"Madam please listen to me this once, not as worker in this household, but as a friend" Mr Maurice responded. Maria took a deep breath before she looked at Mr Maurice again.

"Alright Maurice, let me hear your thoughts" Maria said calmly.

"This young lady really has nowhere to go, from my observations so far, she has been heavily abused and probably ran off to escape further abuse. She doesn't ask for much, except a warm bed and a roof over her head. Let's just keep her for the meantime while we search for a more competent hand to take care of Mr Craig" Mr Maurice stated calmly.

"Why do you think this would be such a great idea?" Maria asked curiously, her eyes searched for answers as she looked at Mr Maurice. Mr Maurice in the other hand, smiled at her.

"She is clearly destitute and in desperate need of shelter and a new identity. She wouldn't just leave like. Plus we can make sure she signs an undertaking, a contract that would prevent her from leaving until after three months" Mr Maurice said.

"Interesting, it makes perfect sense, but what is she is a spy? Wouldn't she be a threat?" Maria asked.

"Well I'll make sure every necessary clause would be added to the lady's contract as well as the consequences for breaking them. She didn't come into this place with a single thing, let alone a cellphone, also I'll keep an eye on her" Mr Maurice assured. Maria kept quiet for a minute, pondering on Mr Maurice's suggestion. After a minute, she turned back to him.

"Very well then, I'll listen to you. But if anything goes wrong, you'll be held responsible for it" Maria finally spoke. "Besides, I just kinda like this girl, she gives me a different vibe from all the others. And make sure you sack the men who were supposed to be on duty at the gate yesterday, we would have all been dead had it been rouges came into the house yesterday night" Maria continued.

"Very well madam. Thank you for listening to me" Mr Maurice said as he took a bow and left her alone at the penthouse.