Hello, sorry for not updating soon, but I'm finally on Spring Break, so I'm going to put off the two essays I have to due, and hopefully post at least three chapters over the break! Anyway, lot's happened, I'm feeling excited because I'm going to be in my school's talent show! Yay! Wish me luck! Now without further a due, chapter 15!
The day progresses slowly in the Avaline manor, for today marked the fifth anniversary of La Rosa Divina Company. As the servants went along with their chores, they all began to notice how slowly and quietly the day was going by. With Bibiano and Nico in the kitchen preparing the afternoon meals, while the three maids, Jupita, Juno, and Junee taking down the laundry from outside. Finally, the two Avaline gardeners, Cortez and Corazana were enjoying a small ride on the horses on the stables.
The aroma of fresh vegetables and seasoned meats all mixed in the kitchen accompanied by the sound of boiling water and crackling fire; a small radio softly playing Santa Lucia. The sound of a knife hitting wood and the crunch of the cut roots; the kitchen was overall warm due to the steaming stove making a great spot for the Ibizan hound to reside, watching the two master chefs at work. Overall, the kitchen had a very homey feeling with its warmth and openness.
Nico mixed the contents in the metal pot with bored expression. Bibiano, who was chopping some vegetables, looked back at his younger brother who let out a soft sigh, "Niño, que te pasa? What is wrong?" he asked as he continued chopping. Nico placed the wooden spoon down and carefully got down from the chair he was on, making his way to his older brother.
Bibi seized his chopping and looked down at his brother, "Bibi, why is it that on the same day every year Señorita Cecilia is so quiet?" the younger brother asked.
Bibiano thought of his question for a moment. He too has noticed this strange pattern. On the anniversary of the entertainment company, and only on the anniversary, the young mistress gets a little depressed. She refuses to leave her study or will a fake a smile. Being servants to the young Lady Avaline for almost five years, they all knew the difference between her genuine smiles and her fake ones.
"Hm, you're right. I've noticed that as well." Bibi finished before the back kitchen door opened revealing the three maids with baskets of clothing in their hands. Nico and Bibi went to assist with Nico holding the door open and Bibi taking the baskets.
"I know, ever since we were hired by Señor Fransisco, on this specific day, she is not happy." Nico responded after they returned to their tasks. The three maids perked up at the exclamation.
Jupita took a seat on a stool at the island counter of the kitchen, "What are you talking about?" she asked as the other two sat beside her.
"Have you three noticed that on the anniversary of La Rosa Divina, Señorita Cecilia always seems depressed?" Bibi asked as he returned to chopping. Jupita nodded in understanding.
Juno shrugged her shoulders as she spoke up, "I would have thought you two know why, since you were hired before us."
Bibiano shook his head, "No, Cortez and Cora were here before us. I think they were here for about two months before we came along. I think three months later you three came." He answered. Junee tilted her head to the side as she tried to remember the past when Señor Fransisco had chosen them and hired them to work for the young lady Cecilia. The memory of their tragic pasts; each and every one of them were chosen. Señor Fransisco said that he chose them because they all had a specific purpose, though Junee still doesn't know what that specific purpose was.
"Do you think they know?" Juno asked as she watched the man chop the vegetables. Bibi shrugged as he reached for an onion.
"They might. We should ask them, where are they?" he asked looking up at the three maids.
"Ah, they're still outside with the horses." Junee piped up.
Bibi let out a soft hum, "Hm, then we should wait until they come back in and ask them later." a resounding mutters of agreements resonated throughout the small kitchen. After that the warm room was enveloped by an ear piercing silence. It almost bothered the servants with the mixed noises in the kitchen and the lack of speech from anyone of them.
Juno shrugged a bit as she suggested another offer, "Or we could just call them inside now, it is about time for a snack, no?" The group nodded and muttered a few agreements as they headed out the back kitchen door; all of them eager to get answers. As they made it outside they spotted the look-a-like siblings just leaving the stables.
Bibi brought his thumb and middle finger to his mouth emitting a sharp whistle to get the gardeners' attention. The two responded with a wave and began to run toward the group.
Once they finally made it to the group, Cortez spoke up, "What is it, is something wrong?" he asked slightly concerned.
"Nothing's wrong, sweetheart, we just want to talk for a bit, is all." Juno answered the young boy as they all filed into the kitchen once more.
After the meal for the young lady was set to cool and all the servants sat at the table, the curious servants began to interrogate the two teens.
"You two have been here longer than we have, right?" Juno began as she handed the two a glass of water.
Cora nodded as she took a sip, "Yes, Señor Fransisco said we were the first recruits, why do you ask?" Cora questioned.
Bibi let out a sigh as he began, "Well, we've noticed how Lady Cecilia seems depressed only today, the anniversary of the company. Do you two happen to know anything about it?" the group surrounded the two, eager for an answer.
Cortez cleared his throat as he began, "Well, when we first came here we weren't quiet trusting of Señor Fransisco and Señorita Cecilia yet. Living as homeless thieves in the streets of Ireland, we learned that we couldn't trust anyone, but ourselves. So, we kind of did snoop around a bit. Once Mr. Fransisco taught us the Spanish language, we began to pick up on the small conversations the two had when they were alone." The group grew quiet as they listened to the young pair.
Cora nodded and took on after that, "She seemed to be reminiscing about her past quiet a lot. Sometimes she would mention some kind of agreement or contract. She would also speak about her dead mother. Though after a while of snooping, and almost getting caught twice, we stopped in fear of getting kicked out by Mr. Fransisco." She took a deep breath before finishing, "We sort of guessed that her must have died when the company started or her mother was the one to start the company, so every time on the anniversary she is reminded of her mother's legacy."
The group was silent as they took in this information. Jupita speaking up first, "You know, for being so close, I don't think we know each others' pasts that well." She claimed softly. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"You two didn't have a family?" Bibi asked the two gardeners with a look of empathy and sadness in his eyes. The two hesitated, but nodded.
"We don't remember much, but we lived in an orphanage for a short time until we ran away. They never treated us right and they tried to separate us. So, we ran away and grew up on the streets living off what we could manage to 'borrow'." Cortez spoke emotionlessly as he remembered their past.
Bibi sighed as he, too, saw flashes of his past life with his younger brother; clearing his throat before speaking, "Uhm, Nico and I used to live in Italy. Our family was involved in a mafia and uhm, things got a little too serious that I had to move out of my country or risk losing my whole family. I guess it was fun traveling, but the constant fear of having someone on your tail and being followed and hunted, it was stressful, agonizing. " He claimed as he stared off into space. Nico, sensing his brother's mood worsen, gave him a hug which was returned.
"And I didn't want to lose my big brother Bibi, so I followed him, even it meant risking my life, because that's what brothers do. We risk our lives for each other, even if we're told not to." Nico recited the words their father had said to them before.
The three maids looked at each other as they saw the two siblings share a hug. Juno then took both her sisters' hands as she began their story, "We three, were part of a strict organization in France. It was sort of a family business, our mother," Juno said raising Junee's hand up a bit, "used to be a bounty hunter. Father wanted us to follow in those foots steps as well."
Jupita sighed, "Uncle was always power hungry and insane. After his sister, my mother, left and his wife passed he began to use us as pawns. He would black mail us to do jobs we would regret." She spoke stoically. The room fell silent after the group's sharing of back stories.
Bibiano let out a scoff as he looked at his fellow colleagues. He gave them all a genuine smile, shaking his head as he chuckled a bit.
"What is it?" Junee asked curiously.
"It's amazing. When we think that we might have it the worst, there is always someone else who is having a shittier time then we. Maybe, Lady Cecilia has had a past like ours." Bibi inquired.
The group nodded in agreements with faint smiles, "It would be nice to share a similar past with her." Juno agreed.
"Unlike most rich earls and baronesses, that inherit their title and money, Lady Cecilia has worked for her own title." Cora smiled as she praised their young lady master.
"In a way she is just like us. Who knows, she might've had it worse than us." Cortez finished, speaking the thought that was in everyone's mind.
"What could be worse; she met the devil?" Juno retorted sarcastically, the group resounded in a fit of giggles and chuckles. They know what hell felt like, so they were able to joke about, at least once.
"Ahem, I see you are all enjoying your break?" a voice hissed at the main entrance of the kitchen. The group turned to see their superior with what looked like a sarcastic grin. The servants all stood from the table and bowed in apologies and quickly returned to their designated chores.
Fransisco straightened his uniform's coat and running his gloved hand through his long ebony hair. Letting out a satisfied sigh, he began to make his way to his mistress's study. He heard the whole conversation the servants were having. It amused him how empathetic humans can be, and quite sarcastic.
Fransisco chuckled as walked down the empty corridor; it echoed creepily, "Oh, Ms. Juno, meeting the devil would be the worse to happen to our treasured Cecilia, but I'm afraid it has already happened." He spoke to himself.
"Hablando del diablo, no?"
Translation:
La rosa divina- The divine rose
Niño, que te pasa- Boy, what's the matter
Señorita- Miss or lady
Señor- Mister or sir
Hablando del diablo, no- Speak of the devil, no
And that is all for this chapter. I know thing shave been very slow and what not, but if you can bear with me a bit. Here we get to learn a bit about the Avaline servant's past. Next chapters will be posted soon. And I'll post a link to Santa Lucia on my profile. It was used in Tom and Jerry once, one of my favorites! Anyway, I hope you all have a happy break, if you are currently in break and happy Easter if you celebrate it!
~The Phoenix Of Halos