(The Portrait Room)
*November 24th, 1941*
*8:32 pm*
*Glen Cove, New York*
*Miller Manor*
Anya and Alice were sitting in one of the living rooms within the manor as the two girls were chatting amongst themselves in hopes of getting to know each other better.
"So, how long have you been working for Judith's family? You seem quite young to be working for those people, but I understand you need to support your family.." Anya asked Alice with a curious voice while waiting for an answer as Alice began to speak politely.
"Just for a couple of weeks. My mother was the maid before but she fell ill so I had to take her place to support my family. As for my father, he passed away almost a year ago so he's out of the picture.." Alice responded while Anya was surprised by what she had just heard as she had a look of sympathy on her face.
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry to hear that. I know things are rough right now so I'm hoping that this new job just treats you right despite what Judith is doing to you" Anya spoke back with a sympathetic voice which made Alice smile warmly.
"Thank you, Mrs. Miller treats me with respect and kindness while Mr. Miller and Judith treat me unfairly but I'm still smiling like the good girl I should be" Alice spoke back while letting out a warm smile which made Anya smile back.
"Well, don't worry about Judith and her father, okay? They're just awful people but I do believe Judith has some good in her. It's just gonna take time for her to realize that" Anya spoke back with a smile on her face as this tender moment was interrupted by the sound of the door opening and it was none other than Judith.
"There you are! I was looking for you. I have something to show you so come with me" Judith spoke out in a commanding tone to Anya while glaring at Alice with a disgusted look.
"Can that wait? I'm talking to Alice right now. I want to get to know her better so I'll let you know once I'm done" Anya spoke back to Judith in an annoyed voice as she felt Alice's hand gently touching hers which caught her attention.
"It's okay. It seems it's important and go ahead and see what Judith has to show you, okay? I'll be here waiting for you so don't get worried about me leaving or anything" Alice advised Anya as this made Anya nod her head in an understanding way before she got up from the couch.
"Okay, I'll go with Judith and I shouldn't be out for too long or anything" Anya spoke back while looking over to see Judith tapping her foot rather impatiently which annoyed her as she walked over to her bully.
"You done? Gosh, you are always trying to make friends everywhere you go! It's so damn annoying but anywho, let's go.." Judith spoke out in an annoyed voice to Anya while turning around to walk towards the hallway while Anya followed her.
"Well, it's just in my nature to be kind towards others and maybe you should try it one of these days Anya responded while continuing to follow Judith as this made the girl even more annoyed as she stopped in her tracks.
"Kind? KIND? Being kind and all that other crap is for the weak. I only tolerate those I like so don't get any ideas, okay? I didn't have to invite you here, remember that!" Judith spoke out to Anya in a defensive voice before she resumed walking while opening the door for Anya.
"Okay, whatever you say but it still doesn't hurt to be kind towards others.." Anya spoke out rather quietly as she followed Judith into the hallway while hearing the door close behind her.
"Yeah right. Being kind is just gonna bite you in the ass and trust me, you don't want people to take advantage of you" Judith responded while letting out a chuckle as she and Anya continued to walk across the hallway much to Anya's dismay as she sighed to herself.
"Whatever you say but what do you wanna show me? I'm quite curious to know" Anya asked Judith while looking at the many paintings that were on the wall as she waited for an answer from Judith.
"It's something to do with Emily and my grandmother, the matriarch of our family. I want you to know who I'm up against so that you'll fully stay on guard" Judith responded before stopping in front of a large door which captured Anya's attention.
"Listen, you should be privileged that I'm even allowing you to enter this room. I don't even allow Megan and Lisa to enter so that should be special in your eyes" Judith spoke to Anya once more while looking at her before opening the door to reveal the beautiful room filled with portraits and pictures of Judith and her family which Anya found to be beautiful.
"Woow, this room is beautiful.." Anya uttered out in awestruck while looking over to see Judith smiling rather proudly at what she just heard.
"I know, my family is quite important considering that they came from England almost like two hundred years ago to expand their lineage but it's a long story so I won't tell you that" Judith spoke out while walking around before stopping at a photo of her smiling with Emily from when she was six which made her disgusted.
"That photo is cute. You have such a beautiful smile.." Anya spoke to Judith as she was also observing the photo alongside her which caught Judith off guard.
"I-I do? People like Emily usually say it's ugly but thanks…" Judith spoke back in a rather soft voice before quickly reverting to her usual self.
"Anywho! That's not what I wanted to show you so if you kindly follow me.." Judith spoke to Anya once more while walking over to where the picture of Emily was currently resting while Anya followed her along.
"So that's Emily, right? She's beautiful I must admit.." Anya spoke to Judith while admiring the picture of Emily. Emily had medium black hair shaped in a bob cut with chic bangs to go with it while having brown eyes.
"Beautiful? As if! She's ugly and fat as a cow but I'm not surprised that you would find her attractive!" Judith spat out in a rather disgusted voice which made Anya frown in disappointment before speaking up.
"Judith, you can't keep holding grudges like this. I know Emily has done some rather.." Anya spoke out to Judih; however, she wasn't able to finish what she was trying to say due to Judith cutting her off.
"Shut up! I'm tired of your preachy nonsense, okay? I can do whatever I want so just back off! You are so damn annoying!..." Judith spat back in a rather annoyed voice while glaring at Anya who sighed to herself.
"Okay, I won't bother you like that but one thing, you should at least smile some more. It's quite beautiful from what I've seen.." Anya responded in a caring tone which caught Judith off guard as she blushed.
"Nah, you are just gonna say it's ugly like my personality or something but I don't see why you care so much anyway. All I did was be honest with you" Judith spoke back rather defensively.
"Well, you smiled when taking a photo with Emily and it was beautiful and different from your usual smug smile and I thought it would be wonderful to see your genuine and beautiful smile." Anya spoke to Judith once more as her comments made Judith flustered while looking away.
"F-Fine but I'm only doing this so you could stop bugging me about it!" Judith spoke out once more while sighing to herself before forcing a smile and despite it not being genuine, Anya still found it to be beautiful.
"You have a beautiful smile. Don't listen to what anyone says when they tell you otherwise, okay?" Anya spoke to Judith while complimenting her smile even more.
For the first time, Judith felt a genuine warmness in her heart for Anya when she heard that which caused her to put her hand over her mouth to hide her true warm smile while beginning to respond to the comment.
"T-Thank you. I don't understand why you are so kind but thanks.." Judith responded in a rather soft voice while feeling herself beginning to cry; however, she quickly caught wind of this and reverted to her usual self.
"A-Anywho! You've seen my smile so you can finally leave me alone about it but I also gotta show you one more thing before I send you back to that Alice brat" Judith spoke to Anya in her usual vain tone while Anya smiled back.
"You welcome and I hope you take my advice one of these days" Anya responded to Judith while following Judith over to a huge portrait of a young girl who greatly resembled Judith along with another portrait that had a much older lady.
"Wow, is that you and your grandmother? It's quite a lovely portrait.." Anya asked Judith while looking at the two portraits in admiration which was met with Judith somewhat nodding her head.
"Somewhat but both portraits are of my grandmother. One from when she was my age and the second from a year ago. I know, I get my good looks from my grandmother. You must be jealous.." Judith responded while laughing to herself much to Anya's dismay.
"I see, How is she doing these days and will she attend the Winter Ball? I'm quite curious to know" Anya asked Judith in response and there, Judith nodded her head but in a rather disappointed way which surprised Anya.
"Of course, she's the matriarch of my family. It's gonna be challenging to impress her since she's quite strict on me but like always, I just keep it going. I need to show my grandmother that I'm not some girl stuck in Emily's shadow.." Judith responded while walking over toward the door which was followed by Anya following her along.
"So that's why you want me to become a proper lady or rather someone that you think will impress your family, right?" Anya asked Judith rather curiously while this was met with Judith smiling at her in the usual smug manner.
"Bingo. You are finally understanding everything. To my grandmother, Emily, and all the other people from my family, you are an outsider meaning that your behavior will be reflected upon me since I invited you and I don't want to take any risks as well so you better at least put up a good act, okay? Do it for me.." Judith advised Anya with a mixture of worry but hidden with pride while Anya smiled back,
"Don't worry. I understand this event means a lot to you so I will try my best to be a good example for your family" Anya responded to Judith.
"Well, my mother already likes you so she's already checked out but it's my grandmother and Emily who I'm worried about But, let's go back to my room unless you wanna spend more time with Alice" Judith spoke back while seeing Anya exit the room alongside her as she closed and locked the portrait room door.
"I'll spend more time with Alice since I promised her I was gonna go back but to change topics, I'm having a good time with you despite the hiccups.." Anya spoke out to Judith while this made her scuff as she turned around rather pridefully.
"Yeah yeah. I know, go back to your little friend and I hope you have a bad..no. I hope you have a good night.." Judith spoke out to Anya for the final time before quickly running across the hallway to head for her room while Anya smiled.
"Oh, Judith. There is kindness in you, I just know it…" Anya thought to herself before turning around to head back to the room where Alice was currently sitting and from there, Anya knew that things at the Winter Ball might play out in a good way.
6 Days until Winter Ball
