Chapter 23

Ava was already dozing off by the time the maids came back. She opened her eyes immediately when the door opened. Thinking it was Luther, she quickly sat up from her bed but when she saw the maids, she had no idea whether to be relieved or not happy.

Valerie smiled broadly immediately she saw Ava and Ava gave them all a small smile.

“What took you guys so long?” She asked them because she had waited and waited and waited before finally dozing off thinking they won’t be coming anymore.

“I thought you guys won’t be coming anymore.” She added. “So you miss us.” Valerie replied, making all of them smile.

She noticed they all just continued standing without trying to sit so she urged them to sit down with her on the bed.

Patting the space beside her on the bed, “you shouldn’t continue to stand. Come sit here guys.” She said.

“What if Young master suddenly shows up?” Cathy asked, looking quite afraid. Even though Ava didn’t think about that before, she was a little sure he wouldn't do anything to the girls. She’d beg if she had to.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of that.” She said reassuringly. So the three girls sat beside her. Valerie as usual already began blabbering happily.

“What do you want to do?” She asked Ava. “I really have no idea what to do.” Ava replied truthfully and they all went silent, thinking.

Soon, Valerie soon came with an idea. “How about we do rock paper scissors. If I win, I get to choose what we will be doing and vice versa.” She suggested.

Ava wondered if Valerie is always this happy and optimistics. She’s so vibrant and full of life. Anyone around her couldn't help but be happy around her. Even the reserved Samantha couldn’t help but be giddy too.

“I agree.” Ava said

“Alright! Let’s do this.” Valerie exclaimed happily.rubbing her hands together in anticipation.

“One, two, ready, go. Rock, paper scissors!”. “I won!” Valerie exclaimed happily as the other girls lost to her.

“Why does it seem you planned to win from the start?” Ava asked, narrowing her eyes at Valerie playfully.

Raising her hands up in mock surrender, “it’s not my fault ma’am.” She replied and they all bursted out laughing.

“Alright. Let’s hear your evil plans.” Ava said teasingly. “Ouch! You hurt my sincere feelings.” Valerie said dramatically, earning another fit of laughter from the girls.

“But here it comes. How about we take turns talking about ourselves? That way, we get to know ourselves better.” She said,

“But.. Cathy began to say and immediately Val cut her off quickly. “No buttttssssss.” She slurred.

“Okay, you get to go first though.” Ava said, smiling at the cheeky girl. “I was going to say you go first but you already beat me to it.” Val said in a somewhat disappointed voice but cheered up again almost instantly.

“Y’all already know my name.” She said giggling. “Nooooooo. You have to start from your name.” Cathy said teasingly.

“Urgggh, Fine!” Val exclaimed dramatically. “We are waiting.” Ava added.

“My name is Valerie as y’all know. I’m 21 years old of course from Y city. I’m an orphan and I came to work at the young master’s house when I had no job.” She said By the time she was done with her introduction, the room that was once lively wasn’t so lively anymore. It seemed like all of them could relate to her story.

“Common guys. What’s with the sudden mood?” Val asked with raised eyebrows.

“Ha-ha-ha-ha.” Ava gave a weird laughter which was cringe to her hearing herself. Clearing her throat lightly so as not to appear too embarrassed. “I guess Cathy is up next.” She said, pushing her lightly to get up.

Cathy stood up and came to face everyone. “Okay. My name is Catrina, of course from Ycity. I’m 26 and a mother of a sweet little boy. I came to work here because I need to have enough to gain custody of my baby boy.” She said with a small smile and proceeded to sit back.

Samantha reluctantly stood up from the bed. “I don’t have much to talk about, myself. My name is Samatha, and I'm not from Y City.” she said.

“Really!” Val exclaimed loudly. And Ava quickly covered her mouth to stop her overly enthusiastic self from shouting the more. “Keep your voice down girl.” She shushed.

Nodding her head vigorously, Ava finally released her hands from her mouth. “You’re not from Y City?” Ava resumed talking but whispered this time making Ava to shake her head at the drama queen.

“I’m French.” Samantha replied, smiling gently. “Oh! That explains your thick accent. I was always wondering why you sound so different.” Val spoke again, making Samatha blush a little.

“Go on.” Ava urged her. “I’m a little above 30. That’s all.” Samantha said and proceeded to sit down.

“Why are you in Y City?” Curious Val asked but Samantha didn’t reply as she only responded with a small smile.

Ava understood she didn’t want to say further more than that but not Val. She was about to ask another question when Ava nudged her slightly.

“Ouch. What was that for?” She asked with a pained expression on her face making Ava and Cathy roll their eyes at her dramatic expression.

“Okay, you caught me.” she smiled sheepishly. “Yay, it’s your turn.”

“I know, I know.” Ava said and stood up to face them. “My name is Ava. I’m 23. I graduated from Y city university and of course I'm from Y City. I’m also an Orphan. And I'm staying here for a short period.”

“So, you’re leaving soon?” As usual, the overly curious Val was the first to speak up. “Sure.” Ava said a beamed smile at them.

“So this brings us to the end of our introduction, I guess.” Ava announced. “More, more, more, more.” Valerie suddenly began to say, making Ava narrow her eyes at her.

“Madam, you’re the youngest here. You shouldn’t even be here talking with us.” Ava said teasingly. But as usual, Valerie won’t let the opportunity go to display her dramatic self.

“Really.” She asked, pouting her mouth. “Yes, at this point, we have to send you out on the basis that you’re too young to be here and you’re disturbing everyone.” Ava continued teasing with a straight face.

“Now, leave.” This time, Val thought she was really serious. So quietly, she stood up and began walking towards the door dejected when suddenly Ava and the girls began to laugh.

Looking back with her eyes moist, she asked “what’s funny?”

“You’re funny, miss.” Cathy was the one to speak up. “The fact that you thought ma’am was so serious.” Cathy said, mocking Val.

“Really?” She asked. “Of course I was joking with you.” Ava replied, still laughing at her silliness. Happily, Val went back to sit down and sniffed. “Don’t joke like that again, ma’am.”

“Aye, aye captain.” Ava replied, earning a smile from Val.

“You’re such a cry baby.” Sam commented and Val glared at her playfully. Ava finally felt a little peaceful as she and the girls chatted nonstop and happily.

She thanked Luther in her heart for bringing those girls. Soon, it was already late in the evening and the girls had to leave. Reluctantly, they all stood up to leave Ava.

And even Ava wasn’t so happy to let them go. But they left after biding her goodbye and promising to see her again.