Chapter 1
*Static*… “Baby girl, come help mom with the dishes.”
*Static* … “Scarlett, can you go get me the Phillips screwdriver.”
*Static* “I’m so sorry, sweetie. It seems like everyone is busy today, I wish they told us in advance. Don’t worry, you still have us to celebrate your birthday…”
*Static* “Scarlett, my little baby. What would you do without me?”
*Screaming* Mom, wake up please. D-dad. Don’t leave me with her. I will be better.
*Static* “I will take care of you for the rest of your life, Scarlett. Don’t worry, your sister is the only person who loves you in this world. Don’t you ever forget that.”
*Static*… “Scarlett! Come back here and help me. Now! Scarlett, don’t you dare Betray Me!”
“SCARLETT!”
My body once again jolted me out of the nightmares I have been plagued with for over a decade. This time I woke up in a cold sweat that has drenched my blankets and sheets. I shoved the blankets off my legs and made my way to my vanity. I could feel my body shivering anxiously, my anxiety pills were on the edge of my vanity with a cup of water next to them. I leave out two anxiety pills every night, so I know exactly where to go when I need them. My hand shook as I put the pills in my mouth, I gulped down much of the water right after. Then, I took 10 slow deep breaths to calm my shaking. It took around 20 minutes to completely stop shaking but once it did, I jumped into the shower.
I am luckier than most people living in Silver-Tong. I am one of the few workers that has access to their own water supply, thanks to my employers. Silver-Tong is the capital of Direwood, one of the richest countries in the Eastern region of the continent. However, the popular status of residents is, the Higher Class (Royalty, Billionaires and Millionaires, as well as Governing People), Residents with a high status in military or with trading Contracts, otherwise the other residents are servants, slaves or orphans. There is no in-between, this is a place where you either contribute to making things run better or become an example to others, to become who you work for or who you are.
I am a Blood Servant, meaning I would have been killed if my employer didn’t see good in me. Blood Servants are at that last mark in society, where someone gave you one more chance to live a life. I was to be sentenced to death for my sister’s wrongdoing.
The things she did still haunted every inch of me.
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. Fashioning it tight above my chest. I wiped off the mirror’s condensation and stared at my reflection. Nothing special, darker than last summer’s burnt Carmel shade, eyes as soar as usual. One of my eyes drops lower than the other, it’s not noticeable when I wear my glasses, but you can tell when I don’t. People who know the family I come from tell me that I was born like this because of the sins of a family member. I laugh at them, why am I always the one fully punished for what my sister has done. Even before I was born.
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I looked at my hair full of coils; I must straighten them before I start working. My name is Scarlett, and I just turned 30 not even 4 months ago, my last name was removed from my Birth Status until I die. After this fact, the government will restore it to its proper place. I’m legally not allowed to use it, or I will be killed, it would be a disrespect on those who took it away. I gave a last glance at myself, turned and got ready for my day.
* * * *
I walked through the servant’s entrance of the mansion, where I found Hadley Aria sitting on a stool in front of the laundry room, folding Ava-Lynn’s clothes for the next week. Hadley looked like she had a worse night than I did. She had bags under her eyes, and her brunette hair seemed to fly everywhere when it is usually neatly put in a bun.
“Arguing with your husband again?” I asked her, she looked up and smiled weakly at me.
“Yeah, he is having a hard time with his boss, He keeps taking it out on me. The man doesn’t understand that I just want to sleep when I get home as well. However, I cook for him, I do everything else around the house. I don’t get a break either from the constant bullying from my boss, constant threats from the management, threats from the children of my boss, etc. I don’t need him to do the same, about the shit I do at home. I am a maid here and at home; I mean I can make him do the same crap he does at work and at home. But then I would be the bad guy, right.”
I looked at her and smiled. I wasn’t sure what to say on this subject. I don’t date and the times I did, I was a teenager. Hadley has been married for the last 10 years, she goes through ups and downs with her husband, but they make it through unscathed. However, when it comes to conflicts with work in either field, they both become stubborn and refuse to see each other’s stress. This is because they both are going through the same thing, bickering and bullying. The problem is that her husband likes control, and she likes peace, so to get what they both want, they butt heads worse than siblings.
“Don’t worry Scarlett, I’m just Ranting and venting. You don’t have to answer me. I can see the wheels turning in your head and just to make me feel better. It’s not necessary, I do thank you for listening however.” I laughed. Hadley hates to feel like she is burdening others, however she likes to talk to me. For a few reasons, one I listen to her and think of a well-put answer, or I ask questions to clarify. She hates it when people jump to conclusions.
“Sorry about that, I’m not strong in relationship help. Any other questions like literature, history, things like that feel free to ask. Though, you don’t have to worry I’ll always listen to you if you need it.” She nodded. Before I could speak again, a loud smash came from one of the rooms down the hall. I guess the Forer.
“What is going on so early in the morning?” I said, Hadley jumped up from her seat. She looked frightened like she did something wrong.
“I am going to check what’s going on.” I told Hadley. It was strange, she just stood in place petrified. I walked down to the Forer, realizing there was screaming coming from the kitchen area. It sounded like Aaron Blackwood, the 23-year-old son of our Employer. He was yelling at the staff about something; I could hear him getting louder when he burst through the Forer doors.
He was only in a pair of pajama pants, and his eyes were furious.
“Scarlett! Where is Hadley Aria! Bring her here right now!”
