"Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
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The shadow in the receiving area slowly went out from its hiding place and slowly went upstairs, making sure to avoid to make noise. Once upstairs, it went directly to Christine's room. It tried to open the door but it was locked. Since it was locked, the shadow retreated and went back to its room...Celine's room. Once inside, she was so angry that she wanted to break things but she restrained herself or else she will wake the entire mansion up. She will patiently wait. She looked at the mirror and smiled at herself, a sinister smile.
Christine woke up from a knock on the door. She opened her eyes and adjusted her sight, she left the window open last night and now the sun freely entered her room. She looked at the clock on her nightstand and it is already 8:00 in the morning. She slept late last night and she wondered what happened to Celine.
Knock, knock, knock. She heard the knocking on her door again. She hurriedly left the bed and put on her robe to open the door.
She slowly opened the door and saw a maid outside.
"Good morning Miss, I am sorry if I had to wake you up but Master Joseph asked me to", she explained with her head down.
"That is okay, I think I overslept", she smiled and tried to meet her in the eyes. She is not used for being treated like royalty. The maid a little younger than her and avoided her eyes. She sighed.
"Why would Joseph call for me?", she asked in a polite voice.
"They are waiting for you downstairs", she said and finally looked at her in the eyes.
"Master Joseph said he will bring you and Miss Claire to the beach today. Everything is already ready", the maid said with a little excitement in her voice.
Christine smiled at her.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot", Christine's eyes widened and covered her mouth with one hand.
The maid smiled shyly at her.
"I am here to help you get ready Miss Christine", she said and looked at her asking for permission to go inside the room and help her.
"I am okay, I can handle it" Christine declined politely, she does not want to be treated like this, she is not used to it. She is used to taking care of herself, without anybody's help.
"But Master Joseph told me specifically to help you", the maid insisted with her eyes begging. All the servants in the house would not want to cross their master.
Christine sighed helplessly and gave way for the maid to enter the room. The maid bowed her head and proceeded to help her change. It was awkward for her so she just asked the maid to prepare the bag for her to put her towel, swimsuit and other things that she may need at the beach.
Christine went to the bathroom to freshen herself up and brushed her teeth. She took her sunscreen lotion and she gave it to the maid when she went out. While the maid was busy preparing her bag, Christine chose a pair of blue denim shorts and a white loose tank top. She looked at herself in the mirror and she was satisfied with how she looked. She tied her hair into a bun. She applied a little powder and a lip gloss.
The maid was also mesmerized looking at her. She looked so beautiful and delicate even without make-up. Since her hair was tied up into a bun, her delicate and long neck is exposed. She left some strands of hair loose and it framed her beautiful face. She has seen her in the commercial and she is quite starstruck right now. She cant believe she is able to talk to a celebrity. She was on the farm her whole life and has not seen such a beauty before. Although there are many girls who visited the farm to flirt with their master they are nothing compared to Christine. She is so delicate to look at.
When satisfied with her look, Christine stood up and saw the maid observing her with awe. She smiled at her.
"What is your name?", she asked.
"I am Jane, Miss Christine", she was caught off guard so she smiled shyly and her face became red.
"Jane, can you just call me Christine?", she asked her with a wink.
"But..."
"No buts...please.." Christine held her on the shoulders and urging her to look at her.
The maid nodded her head but could still not bring herself to call her by her first name. That is not how it is in the mansion. All the guests they had in the mansion were addressed with Miss or Master, especially the lady guests. But Christine is different from them, different from all the women who were their guests since she started serving at the mansion.
Christine was satisfied, she smiled. She took the bag that jane prepared. To complete her get-up, she put on a pair of flipflops before heading to the door. Jane followed quickly and closed the door. She guided Christine don the hallway and the stairs. Joseph was not in the living room anymore. Christine decided to go out the front door and found Joseph inside the car waiting for her.
"I am sorry, I woke up late", she said to him.
Joseph nodded.
"Hop in", Joseph said and just smiled.
It would be awkward if she sits at the back so she decided to sit in the passenger seat, beside Joseph. Joseph is personally driving.
"Good morning", Claire happily greeted Cristine. She was seated at the back, her child seatbelt was fastened so she can only wave at Christine.
"Good morning to you miss beautiful", Christine playfully answered Claire.
Claire giggled, she obviously likes her compliment. Joseph just observed them and a smile slowly formed his lips.
Everything did not escape Celine's eagle-like eyes. She was looking at them from the window of her room. If stares could kill, Christine may be dead by now.