SOLD

2

I was suddenly pulled away from my family, barely getting a chance to say goodbye, for I'd been sold.

Elijah Darrian Harrison was a rich man who owned a mansion—or to my understanding, many mansions— tending to his sickly wife. He'd made his fortune from selling software for computers and investing in a wide range of things from metal to diamond mines. He owned many businesses so of course he'd still be a busy man.

The cab ride to my new home was so quiet and scary. The driver kept mum and so did I. I silently watched the roads and trees pass by through the window.

A tall black gate greeted us at the entrance to the mansion. Security guards stood in tow with machine guns while the cab driver typed the gate code in.

The guards didn't say or do anything; they let us go on our way, pulling up to the front door. The expansive white mansion towered over me causing me to drop my jaw a tad.

The driver unpacked my luggage, (though it was only one bag) and carried it in his hands leading me to the front door.

He did not knock; neither did I. We didn't get the chance. The door swung open revealing a tattered old man.

"How do you do?" He greeted us with a head nod. The cab driver quickly passed my luggage to the man. "I'm Frederick and welcome to the personal Harrison Estate." He tipped the driver without looking, pulling whatever bills he had from his pocket. The cab driver tipped his hat and left just as quietly as he came.

"Do come in," Frederick invited. I had no choice. Hesitantly, I stepped foot on the white marble. Fred closed the door behind me and began talking so fast I couldn't keep up.

Within a span of twenty minutes, I had: befriended the butler, met the maids, discovered this entire mansion just might be all white, & found my sleeping quarters.

My duties had been explained thoroughly to me and I'd been given a pamphlet to help me. A knock at the door made me look up.

With a smile on her face, Freya spoke, "Hey, I know things are crazy, but you'll be okay. We're all okay. It's a nice place."

"Yeah, looks nice," I said.
She giggled, "You're just too cute. I think the master will welcome you just like he did the rest of us."

"But why was I brought here?" I interrogated.
Her smile dropped and she sighed, almost like she didn't want to talk about it. She shut the door then walked over to my bed, gently taking a seat to face me.

"You're new so I understand. The lady of the house needs some extra tending to," she disclosed. "You've been brought here to help us, that's all," she explained. "Get some rest. Master will see you soon," she squeezed my hands before leaving.

Freya was so nice. So was Fred. Everyone was nice.

Weird.

Maybe the master was kind too? I wondered what he was like.. the way he looked, the way he talked, the way he felt right about now.

Why me? A tear fell from my eye. I have no family here. I have nothing.  This was so new and too easy to cry about. I could only think about me. My life.

My life had turned around yet again.
Again. Again. Again.

I ogled the ceiling, letting my mind wander until sleep washed over me.

☀️☀️
Sunshine and noise woke me. My uniform was hanging on the door in a plastic bag. I searched for my pamphlet. The map would guide me to the bathroom. I followed the map, realizing that this house huge house was also somewhat simple.

When I arrived at my room, I found Freya & Fred waiting on me. They led me around, showing me my station and where I would be working.

"This way," Freya directed, "I don't want you to freak out, but.." she dragged before flipping the switch of the room. A room full of plant products sprouted into my eyesight. "This is where you'll be."

"You're kidding," I scoffed. This was an indoor space for garden tools. "What's to do here?" I asked.

"Oh this is only the small part. You'll come here first; if you need help, there's always more employees in the house," Freya stated.

Fred continued, "Your main job will be to tend to the arboretum."

The what? The look on my face must have clearly expressed what I was thinking.

"It is a place for trees and plants to thrive," Frederick clarified. Fred and Freya walked me through the gigantic gardening shed. I was to put the supplies in a wheelbarrow and transport the items I needed to the arboretum. There, I would take care of the plant life.

After Freya & Fred taught me everything they thought I should know, I was searching through the shed for fertilizer and other such things that I knew were vital for all plant life. Shears, a ho, a garden knife, gloves, a rake and plenty more things were stuffed into the wheelbarrow.

Wheeling myself out the garden room, I took my pamphlet from my pocket. This estate was huge. Who has a personal arboretum with specific staff that tends to it? If it weren't for this place, I'd probably never know what an arboretum is. Why couldn't they settle for a simple garden? That's easy and nice to take care of.

The fare to the field was not a short walk. The breeze carried many scents throughout my nostrils, but I didn't complain.

Wheeling on, I finally arrived. Fearing I might get lost, I took out my pamphlet once again hoping it would tell me the paths of the arboretum.

The crackle of leaves invaded my ears followed by a cough. I looked up to see a man in a suit; he looked so young. He didn't look like an employee either.

I gasped.
"Are you okay? Are you lost?" He asked.
"No," I replied quickly. "I mean it's my first day."

He nodded, telling me to follow him. I watched him as he taught me how to care for the plants; he even helped me plant new trees & he escorted me to the garden. He even drew me a tiny map onto my pamphlet for this area.

"We should get going," he said calmly.
"I'll clean up. You go ahead. Many thanks," I said gratefully.

"What are you on about?" He eyed me. I didn't say anything else; I joined him in the clean up, taking everything back to where it belonged. I dusted my hands and washed them.

"I've been waiting to meet you actually," I heard his voice from behind me. "Follow me," he instructed.