breakfast

Yesterday's dinner was a true revelation, an unexpected journey down paths I never imagined traversing. I silently thanked myself for keeping alive my reading habit, even amidst the pulsating technology of New York City. After all, it was this passion for the classics that provided such a deep connection with Antony.

As we savored the delights served at the table, we exchanged stories and opinions, diving into an ocean of conversation that seemed never to exhaust itself. Every shared laugh, every smile drawn from Antony, was a small victory for me, proof that even in such different worlds, we could find harmony and camaraderie.

The house seemed quieter that day, with Antony's absence. Sandy, with her white hair and few wrinkles marking her face, appeared at the door of my room, inviting me to breakfast. I followed her to the dining room, where the table was being set with an array of foods.

As she began to serve, I noticed she wouldn't join me. "Sandy, why don't you have breakfast with me too?" I asked, trying to understand her hesitation. Her eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting the invitation. "Antony wouldn't approve of that, Miss Amélia," she replied, her voice betraying concern.

I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and led her back to the table. "I insist you enjoy this meal with me," I insisted, trying to ease her worries. "There's more than enough food here for both of us, or even someone else... is there someone else in the kitchen?" I queried, curious about who else might be in the house.

Sandy hesitated for a moment but eventually relented. "Yes, there are more people in the kitchen," she said.

With a burst of energy and a radiant smile, I dashed to the kitchen, determined to share breakfast with everyone in the house. Upon entering, the people in the kitchen seemed surprised and confused by my unexpected presence. Nonetheless, I didn't hesitate to invite them to join me at the table.

"Hello, good morning everyone, I'm Amelia," I introduced myself, trying to ease the tension. "Antony must have mentioned me. Have you all had breakfast?" I received only timid nods in response, and it was clear they weren't quite sure how to react to my offer.

Without allowing discomfort to settle in, I insisted enthusiastically, "Well then, let's go! Quickly, everyone to the dining room now. Breakfast is served, and I won't be able to eat it all by myself!" My excitement seemed to infect the atmosphere, and gradually they began to move.

"I don't take no for an answer," I declared, determined, with a challenging smile. "And you can bet I know how to be persistent!" One by one, they took off their aprons and followed me in a line to the dining table.

As I sat down at the table, I felt the curious and surprised gazes of the employees, all still trying to understand what was happening. Silence hung in the air, heavy and uncomfortable. Determined to break the tension, I looked around and smiled warmly.

"You can help yourselves... What are you waiting for?" I exclaimed, trying to inject some lightness into the atmosphere. The hungry looks from each of them were evident, revealing a mixture of surprise and gratitude.

One of the employees, an older gentleman with a serious expression, finally broke the silence. "We didn't expect this, Miss Amélia. It's very kind of you to invite us to your meal."

"I'm just returning the hospitality I've received since I arrived here," I replied, trying to convey sincerity in my words. "And besides, food is meant to be shared, isn't it? It would be a waste to leave it just for me."

The employees exchanged glances, seeming to feel a bit more at ease. With a sigh of relief, they began to help themselves, filling their plates with the delicious food before them.

With a keen gaze on each of those present at the table, my eyes settled on a young man, whose countenance bore a striking resemblance to Sandy's. A theory began to form in my mind, but I endeavored to express it with care, choosing my words with precision.

"It seems you and Sandy share some similar features," I commented, opting to address the matter with sensitivity. The young man seemed somewhat tense, as if fearing the response, but he found the courage to speak. "Although our master Antony is not a bad person, I have never seen him, or anyone else, invite us to a meal at the table," he confessed, letting out a nervous sigh.

Before I could respond, a playful intervention occurred when he exclaimed a "Oh, mother!" and glanced at Sandy. She had pinched him, probably in a complicit and playful gesture. Laughter escaped my lips at the scene, and I couldn't help but wonder about the dynamics between mother and son.

"Sorry for the boldness," I said, trying to ease the situation. "May I know your name?" The young man seemed to relax a bit and replied calmly, "My name is Vitor," while lightly rubbing the arm where he had been pinched by his mother.

With a gentle smile on my lips, I turned to Sandy, acknowledging her son's lovely gesture. "Your son is delightful," I commented, expressing my genuine appreciation for the young man. She looked at me with surprise, as if not expecting such praise from me.

Then, I addressed everyone present, feeling the need to clarify some things. "I believe that, as the insightful Vitor pointed out, you probably aren't accustomed to this kind of treatment," I began, seeking to establish a connection with them. "I understand that this may seem strange at first, and you have the right to be wary."

Taking a deep breath, I felt the importance of what I was about to ask. "However, I would like to make it clear that I am not from here. Where I come from, the distinction of class is a bit less pronounced, do you understand?" I stared at each of them, hoping my words would resonate with them.

"Furthermore, I would feel extremely lonely without Antony around," I continued, now revealing some of my vulnerability. "So, I would like to make two special requests." I took a deep breath, gathering courage to express my desires.

"First, please treat me as one of you. I am not royalty and I don't possess riches," I requested, seeking to establish equality among us. "And second, I kindly ask that when Antony is absent, you could keep me company during meals. What do you think?"

After voicing my requests, a tense silence hung over the table. Gazes met, and I could sense the hesitation in the air. Then, one of the employees, a middle-aged man with a serious look, finally broke the silence.

"Well... I understand what you're saying, Miss Amélia," he began, scratching his beard as he pondered my words. "We've never had a guest like you around here, and, well, I admit it's somewhat unusual for us."

Sandy, beside me, nodded in agreement, seeming to contemplate my words. "That's true. But on the other hand, it's also a noble gesture on your part to want to connect with us and treat us as equals," she added, looking around the table at her colleagues.

A younger, somewhat more timid man seemed touched by my words. He spoke up with a soft yet firm voice. "I don't think there's any harm in sharing meals together, but I still think Mr. Antony won't be pleased about this at all."

The words echoed in the small circle, each syllable laden with an intensity that reverberated in the hearts of those present. "I think you haven't understood," I murmured, my voice laden with a mix of despair and determination. I lifted my eyes to meet the gaze of the others, hoping they would see beyond the surface.

"I truly am just like you," I continued, my voice gaining strength as my words unfolded. "In fact, I believe I'm in an even worse situation... because I don't own land, nor a home. I don't have a job, and I'm not from here either."

There was a moment of tense silence, where I could feel the weight of my words hanging in the air. Then, a murmur of understanding spread among them, like a gentle breeze soothing the troubled heart.

"That's why," I continued, my eyes burning with the need to be understood, "I think it's only fair that you treat me as an equal. Do you understand?"

Sandy, with her gray hair and kind eyes, was the first to respond. She placed her hand on mine and said softly, "We understand, my dear. No one here is a stranger to life's struggles. We are all equal in the face of difficulties."

The other employees nodded, expressing solidarity in their gazes. A young waiter, with a spark of determination in his eyes, spoke up: "It doesn't matter where you come from or what you have, Miss Amélia. Everyone deserves respect and companionship. We'll stand by your side, like a family."

Throughout the remainder of the morning, a sense of calm and comfort settled in the house. As I wandered through the hallways, I felt enveloped by an aura of acceptance and familiarity that left me speechless.

When we arrived for lunch, the atmosphere was completely different from that of breakfast. The employees seemed more at ease, smiling and exchanging jokes as if we had known each other for years. Conversations flowed naturally, and I found myself participating eagerly, sharing laughs and stories with each of them.