Chapter 1
(1)
Jade
If I knew how hard it was going to be for me to stop loving you, I would still have longed for you.
"Here, carry these to the third floor and make sure you nicely place them in the third sir closet without a single crippled trace on it". I was handed a bunch of finely pressed shirts. The scent of freshly ironed clothes smells different, especially when you have to wear crippled dresses yourself.
The task was not difficult assuming everyone got harder and more complicated tasks. I should be grateful to our ma'am for giving me this task. Now, Jade, you have just one job and it's to safely place these clothes in the closet of the third sir on the third floor. It can't be difficult, can it? I have been doing this for two years now but I am still very nervous today. Because one slight mistake and I am gonna be heavily punished.
"Jade, quit debating with yourself and get to work" I heard the ma'am from the living room.
With a deep breath, I placed my right foot on the first step. Ensuring the clothes were alright, I moved with a tightness clenching my heart.
The first task was successful, I was standing outside the room. I breathe out the air which was long sucked in before I entered the room. I entered the room without having other thoughts. I looked around the room which was ridiculously huge for one person. The private bar, the huge king-size bed, and the biggest walk-in closet. This whole room was something only I could imagine living in. I went toward the huge closet which looked like another room. Clothes that were hung nicely as if no one ever touched them before. The shoe rack is without a single ounce of dirt there. I wonder if someone ever even lived here. Not forgetting my task, I opened the closet and nicely placed the shirts beside other shirts.
The preparations for today are on the rise because the sons are coming. Sons? How funny to think like that. The mighty sons…I can't help but have a mocking tone about them. As much as I hate this place, I hate the Arnall family more and more.
But I am here serving their shitty sons. I closed the closet behind me and walked to the door but before I could open it, the door slammed against the wall. My eyes widened in horror with furrowed eyebrows in confusion. It was Lily…with her light brown hair closer to hazel than brown and her fragile-looking body, panting against the doorframe.
"Lily, how many times have I told you? Don't run like that and we are gonna be doomed if you crack any wall here". I looked behind the door to see if there were any cracks. Lily placed her hand on her chest, looking at me with a wary face. "You forgot that you promised to clean the toilet with me". How can I forget that? She has been begging me to help her with the toilet. I thought my work would be over with this but until Lily is with me, I can't help it. "Fine, I won't go back on my words".
"Umm…Jade, are you sure toiletries should be placed here?". I can't help but glare at her obnoxious words. "Lily, I know where I am supposed to place them because they have to be placed here". I quickly placed them in the sink's lower cabinet as Lily swept the floor making it gleam.
Even if Lily was annoying she was the sweetest friend I made while being here. Lily washed her hands and looked for something in her apron's front pocket. She took out two apples "I sneaked them out of the kitchen". I sat down hiding my smile which of course failed to burst into laughter. The room was filled with laughter.
Even though we were 50 steps away from the kitchen. The smell of roasting chicken tingled my nostrils. My stomach made a gurgling sound when Lily beside me yawned. "Jade I feel so tired, it would be so good if we could sleep anytime and whenever we want to." My heart felt burdened and I let out a sigh. It was heart-wrenching that Lily has been working here since her childhood without any break or holidays unless she was sick. "Sleep after they have arrived." We entered the kitchen and I couldn't keep my eyes off the feast. The manager was standing near the counter making sure everything was fine. I moved towards her, even though she was in her mid-60s. She had aged perfectly; her prominent laugh lines indicated her as a happy person in her young years with white hair and ash brown eyes. She must have been the prettiest girl. "Jade, why are you lurking around in the Kitchen?". I smiled at her trying to get away from another chore. "Next work is yours in the town, You have to pick up bed sheets from the dry cleaners.". Great other work and that too in town. I gave Head Ma'am Isabella a forced smile as she handed me the receipt.
I asked Lily to come with me but of course, she had to get a stomach ache as usual. I went back to my room to grab a robe from there.
The sign in front of the town indicated that it was gonna be centuries old now. I walked down the lane passing through old and rusty shops. The fact that we all are prisoners in one way or another and can't escape this island just makes us alike.
"Hey, Jade!" Trisha came toward me with a usual cheerful voice. Her black genes outnumbered her age.
"Hey Trisha, how is your shop going?". I swear her hands have magic, the bread she makes is top of the town. "I just made some bread. Do you want some?". Sweet as usual.
"I would love to but right now I am on an errand, you know for the guests who are coming over ''. She got quiet and gave me a pat on my shoulder. And pass a fading smile to me. She placed the bread in my hand which was wrapped in foiling paper. I took a bite out of it as I continued my walk. The sun was hidden in the clouds, even though it was the end of November. My long dress protected me from the cold wave. I quickened my steps so I could reach the place in no time. The frostiness made my legs wobble from the fastened steps.
"Thank you" I took the bag from the shopkeeper and headed out. Thank God before I could faint, I reached the shop.
The whispers around the town were causing a ruckus. People couldn't stop gossiping and throwing rumours here and there about the guests that were arriving. The guests are certainly the sons of this family who call themselves royalty but let's admit at least royalties have a face mask for the public while these mafia are just one faced with hideous crimes.
Girls are dying here to see their son's faces, and I am curious too. I wonder how happy they are by destroying other people's lives. I looked at the bag in my hand making a grunting sound.
Leaving the town behind, all that was left was a distance of 6km, wild grass, Sandy Lane, and a lake. I couldn't help but feel thirsty because of the draining sun. I heard the sound of water moving and fluttering because of the light wind. Even though the lake was at a distance. I shifted my tracks towards the sound of the lake. And after looking around I felt…no, I was lost. Shit. Why am I so bad with directions? Well looking around I never knew that our island had a jungle there as well. The trees were as big as a castle and they looked old and aged. The sound of the lake got louder and louder as I moved closer. And there it was a lake, beautiful, clean, and covered with trees on top of it not allowing sunlight to pass through it. No single trace of a person here..it was truly peaceful and a half hour late wouldn't hurt that much. I deserve a break too. Hanging the bag on a tree with a long and thick stem. The lake was clear and neat… my knees hit the ground, filled my hand with water, and drank it. It was surprisingly sweet and warm. Without a second thought, I stripped off my dress leaving me in my undergarments.
I slowly slipped myself in the water letting the warm water hit my warm body. The warm water made me drowsy and the feeling of refreshing up cleared my mind. I dunked myself in the water and pulling out was the most right thing I ever did. It felt so good and away from the problems. Why was the water so warm? It was weird but I couldn't care less.
I dunk myself again, making my hair sleek and smooth. Gradually, swimming around made a great impact. The birds chirped and whistled. I wished I could stay like this forever away from all the worries. This lake just reminds me of the time when my mother used to bring me and my sister to a lake. So we can cool off the heat.
I felt a tingle on my feet as if something brushed past them…it must be a plant or a fish inside the water. I couldn't let a missy thing take over my enjoyment.
Suddenly, I felt a hand around my leg which pulled me down. My heart starts to race as my vision gets blurry. My mouth gasped for air. I was struggling with heavy movements in my arms and feet. My vision started to get black when I felt the hand loosen and I swam on the top of the lake. I was panting and coughing out the water. My breath got heavy as I saw a black figure in the water. I quickly swam back as fast as I could to reach the surface of the land.
The figure pops up in front of me through the water. It was a man, he swiped a hand through his hair. And looked at me with a stern stare. I couldn't help but gush over him. Even after coming out from the water. His visuals weren't affected at all. They just enhanced more and more. If someone thought a perfect man couldn't exist. Well, they were wrong. He had an upturned nose, his eyes shade was the same as the water clear and blue, and his black hair made sure he would stand out the most even in public.
His gaze fixed on me as he moved near me. Closer and closer passing every second. My hands become sweaty even though I was still in the water. He got near me, his gaze not leaving my eyes for a second.
Leaning against my ear, "What are you doing on my property?". My heart starts to beat out of order. I looked in his eyes trying to find out if he was joking but his eyes were empty. My lips feel dry, I slightly bit my lips. His gaze fell on my lips. The intensity of the heat just caused tension between us.
"You shouldn't look at me with that stare". He placed a hand on my back. I wanted to leave but my body was not in my control. I feel attracted to him. Whoever he is. I feel like it's not gonna end up pretty. This pretty boy and our situation. I have to get out of here before the tension between us increases. His lips parted slightly looking at me with his cold and stern stare.
