A/N: Hey everyone! I promised you another chapter and here it is. Things will be a little slower for the next few chapters but this is only the calm before the storm. I'm going to dive more into the backgrounds of some of our characters in the coming chapters, so I hope you all enjoy it. I've gotten some interesting feedback about what people predict is going to happen, and I have to say, some of them have given me inspiration of what I want to do. So thanks for some of the suggestions, and if anyone else has anything that they could see or want to see happening, either PM me or comment in the reviews.
Shortly after breakfast the first class dining room was converted to a chapel. The tables were taken away and the seats lines up in aisles. In the front was an improvised altar where Captain E.J. Smith will preside over the congregation. As it was approaching the time for the service to begin, passengers from both the first and second classes began to fill the room. It was the first and only time second class passengers were allowed up in first class.
Arnold and Gerald got their early, wearing their Sunday best. They were able to select their seats near the front of the room. As they flipped through the songbook, Rhonda and Nadine came and sat next to them. Since Rhonda discovered that Nadine was the one who started telling everyone about Lila, they became even closer.
Although Arnold was happy for Rhonda for avoiding the ruin of her reputation, he was still morose about not seeing Helga. He knew it was for the best right now, though he hated it. He would have done anything to see her face once again.
"Arnold," Gerald whispered as he elbowed his employer. Arnold turned to Gerald, confused. The valet nodded towards the entrance. As Arnold followed to where Gerald was gesturing, Arnold's eyes widened. He saw the blonde haired beauty he was just thinking about, but that wasn't what surprised him. Walking beside her, other than Phoebe, was her older sister.
"What is Helga doing with Olga?" Rhonda whispered. Apparently Arnold and Gerald weren't the only ones who took notice of the peculiar spectacle before them.
"I have no clue," Arnold whispered back. As he looked closer, he recognized Helga's scowl. "But she doesn't look happy about it. I know they haven't gotten along much. And it's surprising that she is out of her room. I was certain Bob restricted her to the suite."
"He did," a soft voice said nearby. Arnold and Rhonda turned to see Phoebe sitting on the other side of Gerald. She must have snuck over when they weren't looking.
"Then what is she doing out here?" Rhonda asked, looking over where Helga and Olga were sitting. Olga was talking animatedly about something while Helga rolled her eyes.
"Mr. Pataki agreed for Helga to leave the room, but only if she would be accompanied by Olga," Phoebe told them. "And as you can see, she decided to take her chances with her sister."
"But why would she go through that suffering?" Arnold asked. Phoebe, Gerald, Rhonda, and Nadine all stared at him, surprised that after everything, he still didn't get it. Arnold looked at both sides to see the multiple glares. "What?"
They all either shook their heads in disappointment or rolled their eyes in frustration. How could anyone be that oblivious to the world around them? Rhonda then looked at Phoebe, now curious about something else.
"If Helga is allowed out, then why isn't she sitting near us?"
Arnold also realized that if Bob wasn't around, then perhaps they could talk. "Am I allowed to be near her now? Her father isn't here, so maybe she can sneak over here and we can sit next to each other?"
Phoebe's face fell. "I'm afraid that's not possible," she replied regrettably. "Mr. Pataki told Olga that if he agreed to Helga leaving the room, then she still had to stay away from you. He said that if you or her even tried to go anywhere near one another, then he guarantee that your business partnership will end and she'll go live in a convent. And then I'll be out of a job."
Arnold groaned softly as he looked over at Helga. She looked back, bearing the same pained look that was worn across his face. It was pure torture to only be able to look and not allowed to touch. It was a worse punishment than not seeing or speaking to her at all.
"What is she doing here?" Arnold heard Rhonda gasped in disgust. He looked at her and followed her gaze to the entrance of the dining room/makeshift chapel. There stood Lila, wearing her best Sunday outfit. The room became quiet as she walked down the end aisle and sat in the back. The whispering picked up again momentarily before the captain took his place at the altar and began his sermon.
Arnold almost felt sorry for her for having to deal with this, but he remembered that she did it to herself. She lied to everyone about who she was, spread nasty rumors about Helga, professed her love for him in front of an entire dining room, and threatened to tell everyone Rhonda's darkest secrets. That pity turned to rage for a moment, but in the end, he knew she wasn't worth any of his emotions.
Arnold was barely able to focus on the service. His eyesight continued to glaze over Helga. He could barely see her face because of her hat, but every once in a while, she would turn her head enough to that he could see the glimmer in her eye. He absorbed it as much as he could, for he didn't know when they would see each other again.
"Do I really have to wear that?" Helga asked as she snubbed her nose to the dress Olga picked out. It was not her style to say the least, and she couldn't believe that Olga would pick something like that out for her.
"It looks beautiful on you, baby sister," Olga assured as she hung it across Helga's body in the mirror. Helga's face contorted to one of disgust. "And it's entirely appropriate for church. You can wear it just for that and then you can change afterwards."
"Absolutely not," Helga argued. "I refuse to wear it, and you can't make me. It's absolutely atrocious!"
Olga's bottom lip quivered as her eyes welled up with tears. Helga closed her eyes and shook her head. She knew what was coming. "I was just trying to help, baby sister," Olga whined. "I just wanted to be a good older sister and be there for you, and I'm just ruining it! How you must hate me so. I'll just go tell Papa that this will not work and that it might be best if you just stay in the room."
Helga's eyes shot wide open. There was no way she was going to miss her one chance to see Arnold. "Now, now," she said. "Let's not be hasty about this. It really isn't a bad dress."
"Do you really mean that, baby sister?" Olga sobbed softly. Helga nodded.
"I was just being my overdramatic self, I guess. I will wear the dress, but only for church. After that, I go back to wearing my regular clothes."
"Oh, baby sister!" Olga exclaimed gleefully. "Thank you so much! I promise you won't regret it. And after church, I have something special planned for luncheon! So, I'm going to let you get dressed and I'll meet you in the sitting room in thirty minutes. I'll tell your little maid she can come in."
Helga gave a fake smile that quickly turned into a scowl as Olga left the room. "Ugh," she sighed as she looked at the dress. It was hideous, and Helga was surprised that someone who loved designer outfits such as Olga would think that was beautiful.
"Good morning, Helga," Phoebe said as she entered. "I'm surprised to hear that you will be leaving the room for church. Did your father change his mind or is it only so you can repent for your sins?"
Helga laughed wryly. "A new deal was made. Olga talked to him and convinced that we needed some sisterly bonding time, so I have to spend the rest of the trip next to her. We already had breakfast together in the promenade."
"Oh my," Phoebe said, trying to hide her chuckling. "How was that?"
"A pure nightmare," Helga responded. "She kept going on about how much fun we will have together and maybe we could meet up with Rhonda and Lila for luncheon."
"Then I guess she hasn't heard," Phoebe said as she began to dress Helga.
"Heard what?"
"The truth about Lila has been spreading all throughout the ship," Phoebe said. "Everyone is talking about how she came off the farm in Pennsylvania snuck her way into high society."
"Is that so?" Helga wondered as a mischievous grin spread across her face. "I guess Rhonda finally had enough of that little demon tormenting her relentlessly and finally decided to admit the truth about her."
"It wasn't Lila," Phoebe said, continuing to dress her employer. "But in fact, it was her maid, Nadine. She couldn't bear it anymore and told Mrs. Brown all about it. Then Mrs. Brown told some others and it has been all anyone can talk about all night. No one even remembers what happened with your father. Or they no longer care. This is the biggest gossip to hit the higher society, let alone first class. I even believe that there are people in second class who know as well."
"Hmph," Helga said while Phoebe fixed her hair. "It appears that Little Miss Perfect's reign was just that: little. Olga is going to be aghast when she finds out the truth about this. She always liked Lila after they met at the Lloyd's Christmas party."
Knock. Knock. Knock. "Baby sister?" Olga asked from the other side of the door. "Are you ready yet? We're going to be late if we don't hurry."
"I'm coming!" Helga shouted and looked back at her reflection. "My God, why did you allow such a dress to exist? When we get to New York, I'm burning it."
The two Pataki sisters, accompanied by Phoebe, entered the dining room that was being used for the service. Helga scoured the room for that one particular face. She soon found it amongst a group of friendly faces.
"Olga, look, there's Rhonda and Arnold," Helga pointed out. "Perhaps we could sit near them? I'm sure that you would love to talk with Rhonda and see how she's doing."
Olga smiled uncomfortably. "That would be swell, baby sister, but I think that it would be best if we keep to ourselves for now."
Helga eyed her suspiciously. "There's something you're not telling me, and I want to know what it is. Right now."
Olga sighed. "Papa made me swear that if we were to go out of the room, I had to keep you away from Arnold. He believes that it would not be wise for you two to be together."
Helga's heart sank. The whole reason she even agreed to this was to get close to Arnold, and now it was ripped from her grasp. Helga looked to Phoebe pleading for her servant to help her. Phoebe nodded and headed towards the others.
As Helga and Olga took their seats on the other side of the room, Helga couldn't help but look over at Arnold. "Do you know why our father doesn't want me around Arnold?" Helga asked. "I thought he liked him. I mean, they are business partners after all, and Arnold is a gentleman."
"That may be, baby sister, but anytime you two are near each other, you always seem to get into trouble," Olga said. "And to be honest, I have to agree with Papa on this."
"What do you mean?" Helga asked, her scowl starting to appear.
"Well, think about it. Every time at dinner, there has been some commotion that involved either one of you or the both of you. You yelled at him in front of everyone in this room. And this was the same area where he embarrassed poor Lila after she told him how much she loved him. And then the crème de la crème, you two met each other for dinner after Papa explicitly told you to stay away from him. And unlike you, I'm going to respect Papa's wishes."
Helga turned her head to see Arnold staring back at her, sharing the same expression she had. They were so close to one another, and yet, they might as well be continents apart. The congregation silenced. Helga first thought it was because service was about to begin, but as her head turned towards the front, she could see why everyone was quiet. Helga's eyed glared as the redheaded farmer past the elite society.
"Why is everyone staring at Lila?" Olga asked in a hushed tone. Helga eyed her sister, still in disbelief that Olga didn't know.
"Everyone just found out that Lila isn't who she said she is," Helga answered. Olga looked at her confused. "It just so happens that Lila Sawyer is in fact the daughter of dairy farmers from the wonderful land of Pennsylvania. The only claim she has to our way of life is that her farm's milk is used for Hershey's chocolates."
Olga stared at Helga in shock. "That cannot be," Olga denied. "Lila is such a sweet girl! Surely she belongs in our world. There is no way she is from a farm."
Helga shook her head at her sister's ignorance. "Rhonda told me so herself. The only reason Lila holds a first class ticket for the Titanic is because she knew something about Rhonda that she wanted to keep secret. She blackmailed her way in."
"Enough!" Olga hissed. "I don't want to hear anymore lies about Lila. And it is apparent that Rhonda is making up stories to save her face about something. After all, Rhonda is not known for her honesty. And to show you that Lila is a good person, she shall be joining us for luncheon. Ah, service is about to begin."
Helga kept her scowl on her face during the entire service. She couldn't believe how delusional her sister was. And now she was going to have to suffer through what will be the most uncomfortable luncheon she will ever endure. At that moment, she regretted leaving the room.
Lila walked into the service and could feel all eyes were on her, watching every step she took. She knew what they were thinking: how could a farm girl from the country wiggle her way into first class with the assistance of one of the wealthier passengers on the ship? She had went into the dining room earlier that morning to tell people about Rhonda's indiscretion. Her reception, however, was not welcoming.
"How dare you think to spread such lies when you haven't been honest with us about yourself from the beginning?"
"Rhonda Lloyd is far too classy to behave in such a way. Shame on you!"
"I was wondering where that stench of manure was coming from."
"You can put face powder and a fancy dress on a cow, but at the end of the day, it is still a cow."
Lila had remained in seclusion for the rest of the morning, embarrassed that her secret was discovered. She contemplated skipping the service and going to the one that will be performed in second class later that day. However, she refused to let them see her defeated. Lila wanted to show them that she was not going to go down so easily. So she walked her way down the aisles and sat in the back of the room. Even though she wanted to appear strong, she didn't want to be uncomfortable the entire service. As Captain Smith performed the service, Lila couldn't help but think of how she had come to the embarrassing and solitary demise that she endured now.
When Lila was little, her family made very little money from the farm. Her mother ended up homeschooling her, preparing Lila to be a working woman. Her mother knew that the farm was no place for a girl like Lila, who had such natural beauty. Since her parents couldn't afford for her to go to any formal finishing school, preparing Lila for work was the next best thing. Lila learned how to read and write. Her parents knew someone that owned a typewriter, and Lila was able to learn how to use it. But her mother still had big plans for her daughter, and taught her one important lesson.
"Don't let anyone keep you down," her mother used to always tell her. "Everyone will say what they can to rip you apart. But you keep your head up and show them you are meant for greatness that will extend beyond this farm."
The lessons came to a sudden halt when Lila's mother passed from typhoid fever. Every night, Helga would recite the words that her mother would say, taking them to heart. When Lila got older, she took the lessons her mother gave her and started looking for jobs in Philadelphia. She was able to get a job as a secretary for the steel company. She worked for them for a few years. Lila enjoyed it greatly and made a decent living from it.
About a year after working in Philadelphia, Lila received a letter from her father. He told her that the farm was failing and for her to come home immediately. Instead, Lila started sending part of her paycheck to her father to help with expenses. The farm was able to stay afloat for several years longer before Lila received another letter. Soon, the money she was sending wasn't enough and her rent started to get expensive. She offered to send for her father to come live with her in the city, but he refused to leave his beloved farm that was in his family for generations. Lila couldn't bear to have her father be unhappy, so she quit her job and moved back to the farm.
It was a miserable time. Lila enjoyed her time in the city. She was enjoying the city life and she soon realized that was where she was meant to be. Now, it was all gone, and she was stuck shoveling manure and retrieving milk from the cows.
One day, Lila had to run into town to retrieve some items when she was nearly run over by a motor car. She managed to get out of the way just in time. The motor car stopped and the passenger asked if she was all right. She looked up to see a well-dressed man kneeling before her. He introduced himself as Milton Hershey and offered to take her back to her farm. She conceded and told him about her family's farm. Interested, he met with Mr. Sawyer and the two were able to strike up a business deal, thus saving the farm for good. As a condolence for almost running her over, Hershey offered to escort Lila to a ball that was occurring in a few weeks. Lila automatically accepted the offer, excited to be among American nobility.
When the day of the ball came around, Lila was sent to New York by motor car. Hershey had promised to buy her a new dress, but the tailor messed it up and it didn't fit. Luckily, Lila brought a spare dress with her. It wasn't extravagant, but it did belong to her mother, as a way to have her with her on this special night.
That special night soon turned to a disaster when Lila met Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. Never had Lila encountered someone who treated her so vulgarly because of where she came from. When she discovered Rhonda in the arms of her driver, Lila first thought of ignoring it completely and acting like she never saw anything. Then the words of her mother echoed into her ear. Her mother would not want anyone to walk over her precious daughter, and Lila was going to make sure that never happened again. Plus, it didn't hurt that there was a certain gentleman that caught her eye.
As the service continued, Lila thought about the hours of training she received to adapt to upper society. It was difficult at times, and Lila forgot several things, but she still managed. She was just about ready to make her début to Arnold when Helga came into the picture. Lila could see how much Arnold adored her, despite the way she acted at parties and various functions. Instead, Lila kept her distance until the right moment came along, which was on the Titanic. It came unexpectedly, since no one knew Arnold was going to be on board, but there was no use hiding now. Little did she know what was in store for her in the coming days.
As the passengers began to file out of the dining room, Lila continued to sit there. She had failed her mother by allowing herself to be torn down by everyone around her. Lila looked up with a hateful look and breathing heavily. She won't allow them to keep her down, especially Helga and Rhonda. Helga for taking Arnold's affections, and Rhonda for telling everyone her past. They will pay, and they will pay greatly.
"Lila?" The redhead looked up to see Olga was standing before her. "I was wondering if you would like to have luncheon with me and Helga this afternoon."
Lila put on her sweetest smile. "I would ever so love to join you and Helga!"
A/N: So I was a little late in getting this in on my scheduled time due to work and trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to say. I apologize for that, but I will have the next one up very soon since I have plenty of time before I'm scheduled to work again. And who knows? I may have some added surprises along the way to make up for this. I'll see you all soon and don't forget your predictions! I'm curious to know what you think.