Swept Away

Chapter 1

It was Friday morning as Dustin  kneeled down waving her old dollar-store feather duster across the tall bookshelf.  She had a very long day ahead of her. Miss Arlington had given her an endless list of chores. Among them were sweeping and mopping the marble floors, washing the China, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes, and painting the sandalwood chair Miss Arlington had ordered . She got paid $7.15 an hour. She stood up from the attic floor and smoothed her apron. She knew she had to be downstairs to prepare breakfast for Miss Arlington and her daughter, Tallie. Miss  Arlington's expectations never changed. Breakfast at 9 am sharp. 

Dustin marched down the stairs, contemplating what dish to prepare. She smelled the scent of expensive Baccaret Rouge . She knew that scent all too well. It was the same scent that haunted her daydreams while she worked. The same scent that was there when she spilled coffee on the carpet shipped from Turkey. The one that struck her nose when she burnt the garlic bread and used too much butter. The scent that was there for the past seven months constantly reminding her of her insignificance. Miss Arlington's perfume. 

"Dusty, hurry up! We're hungry. You couldn't be on time to save your life!" Miss Arlington shouted, wearing her signature pig-eyed glare. Besides her cruelty, she was everything everyone wanted to be. She was the CEO of her father's business. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. The richest lady in town. Her walk in closet was full of more Burberry, Gucci, and Prada that Dustin could count or even imagine.

Dustin, at hearing her nickname, began to recall the day she got it. It was the first day she arrived in the Arlington manor.

Flashback... 

She pressed her worn flats on the doormat and pressed the bell, captivated by it's ornate style and aesthetic sound, she grinned. Little did she know that it would be one of the dreariest moments in her life. The door opened. 

"Hello, I'm Dustin."

"Come in." Her new boss ordered.

Dustin stepped onto the white marble floor.

"Take those off and follow me." Arlington demanded pointing a perfectly manicured nail towards Dustin's flats.

"First thing's first, if you are going to live here, you are expected to look presentable at all times. Is that understood?"

"Oh...Of course, sorry. I just haven't had enough time to buy new shoes lat-."

"Rule number two, no excuses. You are expected to do your work and look presentable. No horsing around."

"Okay."

Leading her up the longest staircase she'd ever seen, Miss Arlington finally stopped at a room. She opened it. It was a storage room and at the back was a petite staircase. 

"Up those stairs is where you'll be staying." Miss Arlington stated carelessly. Hurry up and get settled, you're work starts tomorrow at seven o' clock sharp." She slammed the door. 

Dustin, making her way between the cardboard boxes, antique vases and old furniture, finally made it to the  little staircase and there stood a plain square-shaped door. She climbed the little stairs that greeted her with squeaks and repeatedly pushed at the door's handle. After enough pushing, it flew open. Entering, she was bombarded with a multitude of dust and cobwebs. A mouse ran into a a small crack in the wall. This was her new home. 

Pulling out her new duster and cleaning mask, she dusted, swept, vacuumed, scrubbed, and finally placed her things in the desired places. 

She walked downstairs to exit the manor for a trip to her favorite care, but when she stepped in the living room, she saw four well-dressed women staring back at her, Miss Arlington among them. Miss Arlington's guests companions began to snicker.