The Guardian (protecting Lucifers daughter)

His eyes shone

        Nestleton beamed, and spoke with the tongue of modernism. The city grew in population, with diverse technologies which made it distinctive in culture and styles. Austy had a picturesque setting and lacked the florid spread any other town had.

       Andy devoted her time in watching the developed town, the swiping of the buildings, due to the speed of the vehicle, made her gain a wider knowledge about the settings and platform Nestleton possessed. Soon enough there was an alteration in the scene and the buzzeling life of the city diverted to lonely vast spaces, then greenery and wild trees.

           The sight was comforting and she perceived the air of freedom. Liberty, which she only wish she could give to herself. Her nights had being restless and the dark feelings she gets, made her expression gloomy, pointing to depression.

    She turned to Scale who was busy making references about his visit to a new town. One where the baron rest. "Do you sometimes feel a dark force taking over you? Or sometimes you have this connection with a strange being that comes to you once in a while in your dreams?"

     Scale stared at her in disbelief and gently buried his pen amidst the book.  "What sort of movies have you being into lately?  Horror?  What's up with you?"

    "Scale I'm not joking"

   "Well I have nothing to offer. I've never felt that way. I'm just the free guy I've always being" He laughed and watched her smile but her grin was that of pretense. "When did you start feeling that way?" His tone became serious.

      Andy could recall as a child she usually had sleepless nights and then a stranger would come from nowhere and rocked her to sleep in its cosy embrace. As she grew older, he stopped visiting her and she dreamt about having a family at a different place. A different world she guessed due to its elaborate surrounding, embellished with magic. But the place had a hint of anguish, which made her uncomfortable.

     She tried making herself stop dreaming and for sometime the dreams went away but she felt as if being watched and followed on a daily basis, but by no one in particular. No matter what bounds held her together with Scale, she never told him all these.

"Not long ago" She tried to spare herself from telling him all she went through.

   "Then I say, whenever you feel that way, come to me. I'll give you the comfort you desire and those feelings will wipe away"

  She felt a sort of relief, the kind Scale always granted her and she beamed as they came to a halt before a grand gold colored gate, with arc and bowed metals, displaying luxury.  By the gates stoods guards in waiting and with confirmation of identities they were let in, ushered by one soldier whom Andy could detect had a higher ranking.

         The Barons mansion was grandiose yet welcoming, with a rare sight of a fountain, its falling waters humming as it crashes against its stone barrel. The gravel floor created pathways to different location and on parts without concrete, layed a lush green and  from that spot, a tree stood high, its branches waving. Privet hedges stood at corners and rare flowers bloomed everywhere. In other words, Andy could define the outskirt as gratifying.

          She was elated. After a year and few months of searching for a job, she never knew a blessing would come lastly and lead her into the unknown barons premises. One thing she was sure of was that, she was willing to serve the baron, even if he embodied  bad reputation. She was forever thankful to Scale.

        The marble floor reflected and the glass walls shone like mirrors. The wallpapers showed explicit scenes of battle characters and the Furnitures scattered across the lower ground, were chosen with extreme expensive taste, that none fell out of place. At the grand hall,  a huge chandelier hung down, its golden lights illuminating,  together with the white ceiling craved with exquisite design of florals, flowing to the balconys and upper walls. The house was a heaven right in the middle of earth. A low class like her, never imagined stepping foot in such a home of luxury.

        They were led to a small room, Andy guessed was bigger than the homes she've lived in and right before them were other job seekers who sat across the room and watched them approach them.

      "Wait here. I will go get the grand master now" The Soldier said and immediately turned around and walked out.

       Scale directed Andy to a sit and they sat down quietly while the other people the room contained,  scanned them countinously.

       "You're here for the job too?" A blond haired boy asked. His brows were thick and his skin pale. His eyes were brown and restless, and funny looking. And his thin structure made him look like he was in want for food.

   "Yeah we are" Scale answered

    "I knew there was gonna be more. I heared they are almost clearing up all the servants and bringing in new ones" He said to Beck the short haired girl beside him, before relaxing on the couch crossing his arms over his chest. "I hope none shows up again. We will do. And I hope there would be no interview because, I can't bare serious questions"

    "Come on Scott. You can't say you didn't get ready for an interview if there will be one" Beck pronounced.

         "Its no professional job" Scott said sounding cocky "I doubt if there will be"

    "Serving a Baron ain't professional?" Jake, a mocha skin coloured guy joined, asking. "Do you know how lucky we are to sit here?  Many high class people out there wished they had such an offer"

      "To be a servant?" Scott widened his eyes. "That sounds ill"

    "Well as far as we are sitting here today, let's count ourselves lucky Scott. Professional jobs, as you call it are hard to find lately. So let's just shut up " Beck concluded and Scott made no attempt to speak anymore.

      "Are you okay?" Scale asked Andy who just sat quietly beside him. "Or just nervous?"

    "Well what do you see. I'm getting ready for a new life with wages" She whispered and smiled at him and he took her hand.

    "I'm glad you appreciate such little things" He grinned using his thumb to rub her hand failing to notice the tearing gazes from their colleagues. 

     "So amongst us there are love birds" Beck said looking astonished "But the rule said, no relationship required"

   "We are not dating. Scale is just like my brother" Andy said and their faces reflected doubt.

       "We've heard such a million time" Jake laughed "What a name Scale?"

    "His name is Kelvin. Friends just call him Scale" Andy Notified. "My name is Andexolene"

     "Ande..  What!?" Scott exclaimed. "Andyzlone? What does it mean?"

  "No Andexolene" Andy laughed "Andy for short. The meaning I barely know"

          Never had she being told the meaning of her name, not even by her mother. The name was peculiar and had a force to it. Later after making inquiries accompanied with researches, she got the words. 'Princess above all' It baffled her. How did she get hooked up with such a name her unknown father had bestowed her with? If she was his princess then why didn't he stay. He left immediately after her birth, her mother had told her.

         She looked up and a man walked in with a slow gait. He had aged and that was revealed by the grey hair that had dominated his scalp, the wrinkles, that was straighten by cosmetics on his face was also an informer. He was dressed up formally, his collar looked almost choking. His eyes looked friendly and the reason he looked younger was the expression of a smile that was upcoming. He made himself familiar as Mr Jordan.

    "Welcome to Nestleton" He began.  "Which will become your new home. You're to serve in this grand mansion and follow the rules layed down. Soon enough the new Baron will be declared and that is the reason you all are here. A start in everything"

      "A new Baron? Not Gold Goodwill?" Scott asked before remembering his place and crawled back into his shell.

       Mr Jordan gazed at him and without thinking of a backlash, he answered him. "Baron Gold Goodwill is setting down his title to his son Mr Christian Goodwill. He had being a generous lad, if I must say flawless and he gained the admiration of some elites at the public seats and they administered him, the position after Baron Gold Goodwill retirement, which will take place shortly. You children are too occupied to see the headlines of any news" He smiled watching them give into tiny laughter.

"There are rules governing this mansion and if any of them are broken, the culprit would be dismissed." He began to pace.

"Rules I can say are easy to abide to. The first important ones are obedience, punctuality, respect and perfection. If you follow these steps then the other rules might not be complicated to follow" He watched a woman walk in. She was also dressed up formally, her skirt gripping her body, outlining her figure. Her shirt was unbuttoned at the top and that gave way for the revelation of her cleavage. Her short gold plus brown  hair was curled attractively and it fell over her face which was pasted with a scrowl. She had a look of independence.

     "Miss Selena Jenkins will have those rules layed down bit by bit and after you may retire to your quarters" Mr Jordan concluded and stepped out.

        Selena gave her audience dissatisfaction and exaggerated every law, making it scary to break. She was blunt at her words, and talked about romantic relationship in a coarse manner, banning it in the mansion. She made it known that the older servants will communicate how to manage the house to them, but she offered her own words about management before leaving.

   Andy held onto the tray properly and stood by the table opposite Beck and few servants followed in line. The long dinning table was filled up with sumptuous meals, and she was ordered to stand still with tray of drinks, waiting to fill up the masters cup. They had resumed their duty as servants, rendering services to the occupants of the mansion; The daughter and son of Baron Gold Goodwill,  their relations and guests. Christian who was going to take the seat of a baron had being on a trip and they never knew when he would return.

           Their uniform was a skimpy white dress with red frails and an apron attached to the front. Their hair was held back in a ponytail and they were banned from applying any makeup. They were stripped from any distraction and makeup would seem to attract men to them. Life as a servant meant you had no say over anything and no matter how tired you were, you must comply with the orders given to you. You work as a slave but payed handsomely.

       Selena was a burden and one lazy being, unable to handle any mini jobs, or chores. She was the house keeper,  keeping records but never had she lay her fingers on anything. Andy heared from few servants that she orders other servants to strip her whenever she goes in for a shower. Just hearing rumors made Andy dislike her, followed by the pride Selena possessed.

     "Christian would be here any moment" Baron Gold Goodwill said to his children who sat chatting before taking the head chair at the end of the table. He picked up a newspaper and buried his eyes into it.

       He was a witty old man, who was full of humor. He respects everyone, down to the servants and that never declined his respect, instead he was adored and almost worshipped. Many tales spoke of his wisdom, how he handled matters of the citizen with extreme care and sort out differences, feeding the poor and clothing their children. He was the reason why Nestleton had grown into a fine town and he believed his son could do best.

     Andy wondered if Christian could be like his father. Older servant gossiped about him, focusing on his handsome features and the way he held himself in high exteem. The gossips goes on and on unstopping and the servants imagine him having an affair with them and they eventually get pregnant. They would be the proudest women alive. They daydream and wait patiently for his return in order to set their eyes on him.

     Andy doubted their words and found their infatuation amusing. Never would a man ever make her so obsessed, even her ex boyfriend,  Trance, who had all qualities a woman deserves, never caught hold of her. She broke up with him, same way she does with other men, his qualities never mattered.

          Tracing the eyes of everyone in the dinning room; who had looked up when they saw a person by the entrance, she saw a man in full glory. He extended a sort of fluorescence and the light mirrored on their faces. He looked divine and his footsteps, transcend and sophisticated. Andy stared at him entranced as he moved gracefully, his head held high. She had a feeling of deja vu, and when his eyes caught hers, her tray went crashing to the ground. She trembled, fear taking over her entire being, her eyes widened and she paused, her gaze in his. His eyes shone like the moon but it appeared surreal because he was a mortal and not a flash of an angel she had seen.