Chapter 1
“What do you mean she’s not going to be here again? Is she out of the country or something?” I ask harshly. It wasn’t the maid’s fault that she was the one who is going to face my wrath today. “No madam, she’s still sick but she has instructed me to tell you that you only need to read this book and evaluate it when you’re finish.” I fiddle with my charm bracelet, shaking it around and only stopping when the rose charm was at the bottom. “Fine.” I grit my teeth, snatching the book away from her. She bows her head to dismiss herself.
Twirling a piece of my dull brunette hair, I flip the book over so I could read the title.
‘Beauty and the Beast’
I’ve read this book once; it was when I was 10. It was okay in my opinion but the only thing that was bothering me was that how could a girl fall in love with a beast? He’s a beast. No one can ever fall in love with a beast. Even though he’s a prince and he’s rich and all, I still wouldn’t even touch or even come near his palace. He’s a mythical creature that looks disgusting. Who would want to even be friends with such a thing?
I’m blessed of course. I’m rich and beautiful. Everyone would come flooding towards me once I get out of this hell of a damn place. Don’t get me wrong, I love that it’s very spacious and it has nooks and crannies that even I haven’t discovered yet from all the years I’ve lived in here but I want to see the world and to see if everything that Fiona tells me is true.
“Luis!” I shout, bringing the book with me to my study. I sit on my comfiest and definitely my favourite chair, facing the roaring fireplace. A few seconds later, the lanky man came tumbling in after me. He looks like he needed some rest after the many flights of stairs I must have made him run through. Not my problem.
“That took you long enough, I was getting impatient. Anyway, I want some tea. Have Mrs. Pots bring it to me.” That wasn’t really her name. It was just a nickname I’ve grown accustom to just because she brings me a pot of tea or coffee every time. “Yes, Annabelle. Anything else?” I take one look at the book then remembered that I need to evaluate it. “Yes, some paper and pen.” With that, I dismiss him.
I already have one negative point for the evaluation and that is the girl’s incompetence. I still need to find out a positive point . Should I say something about the writer’s excellent imagination? No, that’s too vague. It should match my negative point as well. Maybe reading the book over again would help me, besides; this is what I was supposed to do from the start.
Turning the book so that I could read the blurb to refresh my memory, I find that this version did not have a blurb written for readers. Annoyed, I flip to chapter 1. I’m ready to read until I finish the whole thing or if I get bored. It wasn’t like I had anything better to do. I’ve already showered and eaten, I was not needed to do any chores. The only ‘chore’ I get to do was to water my lovely roses in my room’s balcony.
I’m always careful with handling the roses. I came to liking this hobby when I was 5 years old. I came across a book about gardening and immediately requested for the prettiest and finest of quality seeds from Luis and Cole. Luis and Cole are my most trusted servants and they are who I come to whenever I have a problem or when I need everyone to know something. They were both near their forties. Anyway, there are two reasons why I choose to handle the roses carefully; it was because if you don’t, the petals would fall off almost immediately. I even considered placing them under a glass cover just so those damn birds or anyone really won’t ever touch them. The other reason was that the roses bore thorns and they are extremely prickly. I’ve learnt that the hard way. I had to have my whole hand bandaged by Cole.
“Ms. Annabelle?” There was a knock on the door. “Come in.” I turn to find Mrs. Pots balancing a tea tray with both hands. “Good afternoon Annabelle, I threw in your favourite cookies just in case you get hungry.” She was always considerate like that. “Thank you, place the tray on that coffee table and you may go.” She’s done what she was instructed and went.
I find myself finishing three chapters before placing a pin on the page and closing it. Reaching for the tea tray, I begin on pouring myself an appropriate amount of tea and then putting one sugar cube and just a dash of milk. Bringing that to my side and a cookie, I start on chewing on the cookie.
Not even half way done with my snack, someone knocks on my door. “Annabelle, it’s time for you to water your roses. If you don’t, they’ll die from dehydration.” It was Cole’s voice on the other side of the door. I roll my eyes at his exaggeration but found out that he is right about the part that I need to water my lovely roses. It was 5 in the afternoon, nearing dinner.
I place my half eaten cookie and almost half empty cup of tea on the tea tray, bringing it with me to give to Cole. “I want a new tea set by next week. I’m bored of seeing this.” This design consisted of black swirls around the teapot and the cups with little green gems decorating it when the swirls end. It was pretty but using it for a month bores me. Cole’s right eyebrow rose at my request but didn’t dare question anything.
“I’ll be going now.” I watch him retreat to the main kitchen before I moved my feet towards my bedroom. It was quite a walk actually which leads me to not using the gym room very often because walking from places to places takes quiet the energy already. My bedroom is on the very end of the west wing which is annoying because the study was situated at the east wing.
Once I’ve finally reached my bedroom, I hurry to the balcony. I smile at the roses with the spray in hand. I often talk to them but I never let anyone see me doing that of course. I first put on the gloves to protect my hands from the thorns before I went to work. I spray the leaves first, fascinated about the little droplets that decide to form on the leaves. Whilst humming, movement from the corner of my right eye made me stop. I drop the spray on the table where my roses were and stood up.
Someone was approaching my mansion and it wasn’t Fiona or my father. From where I was, the person looks like a man. He was looking around in amazement and I felt proud that I own the place, looking at him smugly but the realisation hit me quickly as I squat down to hide myself.
Looking around in panic, I went on all fours and crawled my way in the safety of my own room, shutting the balcony door gently so it wouldn’t attract attention. Standing up, I felt disgusted as I realised that I just crawled on the floor. It wasn’t like it wasn’t clean, it was very clean indeed. If it wasn’t then I’d happily fire a couple of maids.
“Cole! Luis! There’s an intruder! I want him out of my property imme-“My eyes widen as the doorbell rang its melodious tune.
I could faintly hear the door opening and both Luis and Cole were greeting the man. “Freaking traitors.” I mutter to myself before I closed the door to my bedroom. I pace around the spacious room thinking of ways to get rid of the man. But first, I would need to face him. Something that I don’t usually do because of the lack of guests I get from the 17 years I’ve lived.
“Ms. Annabelle! Annabelle!” It was not normal for them to shout out across the mansion so this man must be very important that they require my presence immediately. This of course makes me more anxious than I already was. I could already hear advancing footsteps towards my bedroom. Before Cole or Luis can knock on my door, I pulled it open, drag them inside and then pushing it close almost in the span of two seconds.
“I want him out of my house immediately.” I spit out with a venomous tone. For a split second, Cole looks like he was about to have a heart attack but his face contorts to relax before speaking almost in a professional way. “Your guest wants to speak with you.” He declares. “From all the years I’ve been locked up here, I have not had a single guest except for my dad and Fiona. Now tell me, do you really think I would face this anonymous man with open hands?!” I shriek, throwing my hands up and stomping my right foot. Cole looks at me with dissatisfaction. “Well then, what do you propose we tell him?” I give him a blank look. “I don’t know! Tell him to get lost! I don’t really care just get him out of my house!” I feel uncomfortable that there is an unknown man in my house right now. Possibly sitting on one of my finest sofas. The highly likely thought makes my blood boil.
“Fine, wait here.” I did a double take at his choice of words and his tone. “Fine.” I spat out, turning swiftly to sit on my bed and wait for his report. Cole went without a word and I was left alone once again.
“Stupid.” I murmur. Why would they even let this man in without my permission? What would’ve happen if I wasn’t on my balcony?! I could’ve been waltzing around the mansion and he could’ve seen me! What a humiliating thought that is!
Cole appears in front of my doorway again, now bearing a miniscule smirk but I could see it. I could definitely see it. “He said that he’s not leaving the mansion until you see him.” I groan in annoyance, hating this man even more. “Why?!” I whine, sounding like a little girl. “I think it’ll be better if he explains everything instead of me, Annabelle.” He tells me. My cheeks are beginning to turn into a velvet colour from the anger I’m experiencing right now. I’ve never been this angry since I was a small kid.
“I don’t care! Do whatever it takes for him to leave my house! I’ve had enough!” I shout, it echoed around the mansion and I was so sure that this was enough for Cole to do what I say and not question it but he stood tall and he did not move an inch. “Annabelle.” He uses the tone my father would use with me, making me look up at him with wide eyes. “You are to greet this man nicely and listen to what he has to say. Am I making myself clear?” He said this with authority just like how my father has always talked to me.
Without a word, I stand up and walked towards the door, brushing past Cole who still didn’t move an inch. “Fine.” I mutter. Taking a deep breath and composing myself, I smooth out my dress, fixing my hair a little before walking towards the east wing. I didn’t need to get Cole to guide me where the man is, I already knew from the laughter and chatter that came from my study. Three maids were also peeking at the doorway but immediately scattered to do their work when they saw me approaching, only muttering a ‘Good evening Ms. Annabelle.’ when they passed by me.
I walk in on the study and the man had its back to me. Mrs. Pots was offering him a small smile and a cup of tea. Luis is in the room as well, laughing at whatever the man has previously said. I could feel Cole’s presence behind me so I stepped inside, feeling the warmth of the fire. I was about to say ‘good evening’ when I realise something.
“Why are you sitting on my favourite chair?!”
Author's Note
Hey daydreamers! First chapter done! Honestly, I wrote more than I expected for this chapter. I have no idea if its going to be like this for every chapter (lets hope so. Pray that I don't get lazy).
Anyway, it's christmas eve and I just want you guys to know that I want you all to have a merry christmas!
It's too early to start on putting goals but my goal for this would be simple: 10 votes, 10 comments and have a merry christmas!
Stay pretty my daydreamers! Unless you're a dude! Then stay handsome!
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Love you xxx
:)