Well, I finally got chapter four out! I've been busy these couple weeks, what with the World Equestrian Games and midterms just around the corner. I apologize in advance for the horrible quality of this chapter. I tried, I really did, but it just didn't come out the way I wanted it to. Well, I hope you enjoy!
The soft filtering of early morning light shined through the curtains, making dust motes visible and illuminating everything with a golden glow. It spilled from the window and onto the floor, lighting up the black finish on Mr. Edelstein's piano. On a normal day I wouldn't step foot in the room until the afternoon, but I had strict orders from the head housekeeper that I was to clean the music room at once. Mr. Edelstein was going to be busy completing his latest work and had requested no one step foot in the room unless he instructed them to, which meant you needed to clean it before Mr. Edelstein awoke.
Still, the picturesque scene was one I had to admire. It would be a waste not to appreciate such beauty. Besides, I wouldn't tarry for too long. After all, my job wouldn't do itself. Although, that was a nice thought; my broom and duster moving about the room as I reclined on the couch. Now that was a nice picture.
With a sigh, I grabbed my duster and set about the first chore. The bookcases, the piano, the tables; it all needed to be dusted. Then I needed to wipe everything down with its respective cleaner until it shined. Perhaps I would even make sure the books were in their proper order, though I doubted I'd have the time.
Putting the last bottle back into the carrier, I looked around the room for anything I might have missed. Finding everything as close to perfect as it could get, I smiled and picked up my supplies. Just in time, too, for the head housekeeper was heading down the hallway to fetch me. She seemed pleased I'd done my job in such a short amount of time, but it was short-lived as she ordered me to clean up the dining room before washing the dishes.
It was a surprise to find a certain silver-haired male sitting at the dining table with Mr. Edelstein. The red-eyed man had always been at odds with Mr. Edelstein, yet they somehow held a semblance of friendship for each other. Still, I never thought Mr. Edelstein would allow the "unruly peasant" to sit at the same table with him. Even if Gilbert Beilschmidt was just as much royalty as Mr. Edelstein, he was rather brash and somewhat annoying.
"Well, well; look who it is." Well, even if he did embarrass me all through high school, he was a guest of Mr. Edelstein's and I would act accordingly.
"Hello Mr. Beilschmidt." I responded with a forced smile before turning my attention to the dishes on the table. "Are you finished with these?" I addressed them both, gesturing at the cups and plates.
"We are." Mr. Edelstein answered and so I set about my duty. Just ignore him, just ignore him, ignore him, I repeated over and over in my head. Easier thought than done.
"My, my…" Dishes slipping from my hands, I found myself pulled down onto the lap of Gilbert. My face felt hot and I knew it had to be bright red, especially when his arms wrapped themselves around my waist. "This is no way to treat an old friend." He teased as his fingers played with the hem of my skirt.
"G-Get your hands off me!" I attempted to sound commanding, but it only made him laugh in that annoying way of his.
"A few years ago you couldn't get enough of me." My eyes darted to Mr. Edelstein's chair, hoping to find it vacant; it wasn't. In fact, to further add to my embarrassment, he was looking right at me.
"Th-That was in the past." Focusing on the wall, I swallowed hard and hoped the harassment would be over soon. It wasn't that I couldn't get enough of him; he was the one who wouldn't let me go. Coincidence, no? "Now let me go Mr. Beilschmidt. That restraining order is still in effect and I will not hesitate to report this."
"Why do you always ruin the fun?" He groaned as he released me. I scrambled up from his lap, gripping the edges of my skirt and pulling it down.
"Excuse me." I murmured to Mr. Edelstein as I lowered my head and fled the room.
I reached the kitchen just as the tears began to fall. Another maid, I believe her name was Jenny, was so shocked to see me that she dropped the pan she was holding. She rushed to see what had upset me, but I told her not to worry and asked her to please clear the table in my place. She'd nodded and left to do as I asked.
Gilbert Beilschmidt: One of my secrets. We'd had a relationship back in high school, though it was only because I was too afraid to leave. He was always drinking and, in his intoxicated state, would beat me both physically and verbally. I'd been too afraid to tell my sister, but after she'd found me the night he raped me, she took it to the authorities. That was where the restraining order came into place.
I'd worked hard to bury this memory, and I had succeeded very well. It wasn't too hard, considering I never had to see him anymore. Sometimes, though, as I thought about all the mistakes in my life, the memory of what he'd done was the strongest. If I'd just told someone, if I'd stayed away from him to begin with…
Wiping away the tears with my apron, I walked towards the sink to clean the dishes Jenny had brought in. She didn't ask anything, though she probably assumed it had something to do with Gilbert. He was always harassing the other maids, so I couldn't be any different. Perhaps it was for the better; only my sister, Gilbert, and I knew about the event and I wanted to keep it that way.
When I got home, my sister could tell I was upset. I'd merely said the name of my problem and requested we not talk about it anymore; she was going to throw a fit, but then decided to let it be. She must've known I'd had enough troubles for one day.
Don't forget to review, even if it's to tell me what I did wrong. Contructive criticism is what helps me improve! Have a nice day!