The Garden was her new favourite place. Especially with the book she had to read. There was something quiet and calming about being in the presence of nature with no one else around but the flowers and the sound of dripping water. So far, she had enjoyed the Wrights garden more than she had thought it would and every few hours in a day she would escape into the garden and smell the roses for a while. It was described as a formal rose garden. It had roses ranging from red to white roses but that wasn't all about the garden. But the roses interested her more.
There was a small sitting area in the garden with a shade, like a little spot for relaxation.
Everything was neatly kept and impeccably beautiful. She doubted if anyone in the Wrights family apart from Damon paid it a visit. It certainly always looked abandoned most of the time. Except for the gardener who took great care in making the garden look well kept and loved.
Her mind went back to the conversation she had with Damon the other day as she flipped a page and she smiled remembering how nervous she had been when he had entered his room unannounced. But he didn't worry about that and it turned out that when it came to books they had a lot more in common.
She was still in her thoughts when Rachel called out her name.
"Caelia!!! You've got work to do!"
"What are you always doing here?"
Rachel asked frankly, a little annoyed and wondering why Caelia kept risking her job for some time in the garden.
Sill lost in the tranquility she always felt whenever she stayed in the garden, she ignored Rachel for a bit.
"I can't really explain it."
Was the answer that came out from her. It was a lie. She knew precisely why but Rachael wouldn't understand.
"I feel choked everywhere in this mansion. This is the only place I can breathe." Would have probably annoyed Rachel even more.
"You spend way too much here. You're very lucky Ms Margaret has been occupied lately or her nosey self would have picked this up."
Rachel replied quickly, issuing her a warning.
Caelia nodded in agreement and they walked quickly back into the house.
As hard as they had both managed to sneak into the house, unfortunately they could escape the all seeing eyes of Ms Margaret.
"Caelia, where have you been all morning? I haven't seen you today."
She prodded, sensing something amiss.
"She ate some bad shrimps yesterday."
Rachel jumped on her question, using her experience to get effect.
Mrs Margaret turned to Rachel, visibly irritated by the answer.
"Rachel, I am sure you know better than talking out of place."
She paused to return to her normal, cold self.
"I trust this will not repeat itself. "
Switching to Caelia she gave her a steely glare.
"I've been unimpressed with you since you moved into this house."
She said plainly without the annoyance she had in her tone at Rachel.
Perhaps sensing it was too harsh, she clarified.
"You work hard but you don't act well mannered."
Rachel and Caelia both feeling the effects of her word, expressed their remorse with a chorused.
"I'm sorry ma'am."
Picking up the wrapped boxes next to the table to her left she handed it to Caelia.
"Take this to our neighbour. You are to personally hand it over to their daughter, Samantha."
She placed the neatly packaged, homemade cookies in the hands of Caelia.
"Me?"
Caelia asked puzzled. Rachel didn't show any reaction.
A glance from Mrs Margaret turned her response quickly.
"Yes, ma'am."
She murmured.
...........
Caelia wiped her sweaty hands on her uniform as she examined the Dortmund's house with a bit of anxiety. She didn't know why Margaret had decided to send her, she had never left the house since she arrived. Tasks like grocery shopping and errands were often run by Greta and Margaret. She wasn't even aware that the mansion that was next to theirs had people living in there. She always assumed it was isolated.
The mansion was just as big as The Wrights mansion, except it looked older and eerie looking. Unlike the Wrights household that always had an impeccable appearance, the Dortmund mansion's lawn looked like it had not been mowed in a week. But as she stood in front of the beautiful wrought iron gate and pressed the intercom, a sweet voice answered only a few seconds later asking who she was and Caelia replied eagerly.
"I have a package from the Wrights household for a Ms Samantha Dortmund."
She said as she read from the little card that Margaret had given her.
"Oh Alright. You can come in."
The wrought iron gate clicked open and Caelia began the walk to the short pathway that led to the mansion. The pathway was lined with tall trees with overbearing branches and rustling leaves. When she reached the patio, the large mahogany door was opened by a petite woman in soft flats and a dark grey uniform.
She had long black hair almost like Caelia's in a long braid and her wrinkly face looked kind.
"Good Day Ma'am, I am here from the Wrights. I was asked to drop this off for a Ms Samantha"
Caelia said in a tone that Ms Margaret would be proud of for being professional.
Olga wasn't impressed though. She appeared to be totally unfazed by this introduction.
"Come inside."
She grumbled.
"How long have you been working for the Wrights?" Olga asked with curiosity on her face.
"I am fairly new here."
Caelia chose the vaguer answer.
"Give me a minute."
Olga excused herself to call Ms Samantha.
Climbing up a staircase whilst Caelia sat humbly, like a good maid, like the maid Ms Margaret would like.
True to her word, Olga returned very quickly. She had a kind of grace around her. The uniform didn't seem to take from her but added to her.
"Ms Samantha will be with you shortly. Let me get you something to drink."
Olga updated Caelia but before she left to get her a drink. The stomping and running of Samantha stopped her.
Samantha Dortmund was nothing like Caelia expected, at least that was who Caelia thought she was. She had long flowing blonde hair and there was a small smirk on her pale pink face. her clothes were small and boyish, like she was deliberately trying to look younger than her age.
"Hey. I am Samantha Dortmund."
She extended a smile and her hand to Caelia.
In the same breath, she added without the smile.
"But don't call me Samantha. Just Sam!"
"What's your name? You must be new."
"I'm Caelia. And yes I am new to the Wrights residence."
Caelia replied.
"I was asked to deliver this to you."
She presented the box to Sam who receives it with a snarky look.
"I wonder why the Wrights always feel the need to gift me things when it feels like a chore."
She thought out loud.
She handed the gift over to Olga, her eyes focused on something else, on Caelia.
"How long have you been working with them?"
Samantha asked directly.
"About a month or so."
Caelia said still trying to be a little vague.
"Are your eyes real?"
"Yes."
Caelia answered sharply, aware of Sam's eyes roving around her body. She felt exposed.
"You have a really small waist! What length is your waistline?"
Her eyes were firm on Caelia's body.
Caelia ignored the question, motioning to leave.
Olga watching carefully whispered something to Samantha's ears.
"Oh!!!"
"Caelia wait! I'm sorry. I just recently started making dresses. I get carried away sometimes."
Caelia was a bit relieved.
"That makes more sense now but I'm sorry. I have to go."
Samantha nodded understandingly.
"Come any other time you want. I have a very impressive dress collection you'd love to see!"
..........
Samantha was definitely a very interesting character, Caelia thought as she walked up the stairs. She was back in the Wright's residence and back to her chores. Mr Wright had finally left the study and she had to clean it out before he was holed up in it again. As she carried with her a bucket filled with cleaning supplies she would most likely not need, she wondered when she would have the time to finish reading the book Damon gave her. She was on kitchen duty for the evening and dinner in the Wrights household was getting more and more stressful as they sometimes had guests over.
"Let me help you with that."
Damon offered as he took the bucket from a startled Caelia. She felt self conscious all of a sudden and ran her hands through her hair in a futile attempt to smoothen it. She felt like she looked like a mess. Damon on the other hand looked as breathtaking as ever. He was wearing a flannel shirt and casual black jeans as he effortlessly took the bucket of supplies to the top of the stairs. There was something so simple and elegant about him that made him look younger than he was. He also had a large smile on his face.
"Thanks."
Caelia murmured lowering her eyes as she reached the top of the stairs too.
After a short moment of quiet glances, he summoned up the courage to ask her a question.
"How's your day?"
He said very casually.
"The book. How are you enjoying it?"
He added, just in case the first question bore no fruitful reply.
Caelia ever so timid around him answered.
"The book is really good."
Knowing her answer was not good enough, she continued to explain.
"Almost everyone has read Pride and Prejudice, I have a lot of times but this special edition proves real insights to Jane Austen and the deeper meaning behind what she wrote."
She paused to take a look at him, worrying if now she went too far. His face was kind, that was the first thing she noticed, followed by his enchanting blue eyes.
His face and eyes edged her on so she continued.
"I feel like it's almost a new book I am reading. A deeper level."
Damon was impressed by her dedication.
"I have the perfect book series to share with you."
Caelia observed his excitement.
"It's my favourite."
He said.
"I can tell."
"Few things in life equal the pleasure of sharing your favourite books with someone."
Caelia voiced out her understanding boldly, then she looked away. It seemed her courage only lasted that sentence.
"Yes. Exactly."