Chapter 4 LOST IN LUXURY

The sunroom was located on the east wing of the mansion. 

"Here we are," Mrs Darnell said. "I will be back in an hour to check what you've done, okay?"

"Okay, I responded.

"Do not touch anything, just clean what you are asked to clean and leave the others."

"Yes, madam," I answered and got to work immediately.

Her steps faded away, I looked around the room and started with the glass table. 

The surface became clean and shining, revealing my face after cleaning. 

"I don't belong here". I thought. "I don't even fit". Looking at my worn-out clothes - a pair of jean trousers and a faded shirt.

I cleaned other items as instructed and moved towards the library.

Two stories of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, a rolling ladder attached to a brass rail for reaching the highest shelves. 

"This is huge! How am I supposed to clean all these?" I whispered curiously. 

A massive desk sat near the window, its surface dark wood so polished I could see the reflection of the crystal lamp sitting on it. 

Leather armchairs the color of burgundy wine flanked a fireplace that probably worked. 

Oriental rugs covered the hardwood floor, their patterns intricate and faded with age in a way that meant they were valuable.

"I can do this" I shrugged as I reached out to clean the shelves by climbing a ladder. 

"Does anyone even read them?" I whispered as I dusted the books, revealing their titles.

They were books I had read from the school library, one particularly picked my attention. 

"This book." I nodded, smiled and took it out, opened it, and glanced through the pictures.

I had barely opened three pages when I heard someone sneezed, I became startled and attempted to return the book in a haste. 

I lost my balance, the ladder shifted, and I fell on the cold tiled floor.

Mrs Darnell came rushing in. I quickly sprang to my feet, pretending I was fine. 

"Sorry, my dear, what happened? Are you okay?" she asked.

I grinned. "The ladder shifted, so I fell, but I'm fine," I said sharply.

"Please take it easy and be careful." 

"Okay?" I nodded and she walked away sharply. 

My arm arm ached from pain but ignored it and kept working, avoiding the shelf at the moment. 

I cleaned the photo frames thoroughly, or so I thought.

After a while, slow majestic footsteps approached the sunroom. I already knew who it was.

"Who else if not arrogant Levi, the one born into wealth and fed with a golden spoon?" I thought and slowed down in my cleaning, without looking back.

Then the door creaked open, and he appeared. He looked surprised, then he grinned. 

"Scholarship," he said with a smirk.

"Anya" I replied. 

"Whatever, does it even matter?"

"Yes it does," I said again with a bold tone this time.

"Because my today does not determine my tomorrow." I added. 

"Oh, I see. You are smart, the more reason you were given a scholarship." He mocked, "Anyways, I wasn't expecting you here today."

"I need the money."

"You've chosen the wrong place."

"No, I didn't choose. They chose me."

"They? Who? Mrs Darnell and your family"

He stepped closer to me. "You don't get to talk about my family like that.

I see you are not afraid of me like the other girls."

"I am, but I'm more afraid of being homeless. Besides, I've got bills to pay."

"Stay out of my way. You're in my world, and you don't belong here."

"Of course, I know that. I'm sure I will stay out of your way."

He stared at me for a moment.

"And not a word to anyone, remember?"

"Why is that?"

"The old school will crash on you if they know you are here.

Stay out of my way and mind the exact business that brought you here."

I opened my mouth to speak, but Mrs Darnell suddenly appeared from nowhere and Levi disappeared immediately.

"I need to check your work now," she said. I stepped aside, and she checked through.

"I see you got distracted. The surfaces are not clean enough. Actually, you did a good job, but I expected more from you."

"I am sorry, ma. I will do better next time."

"It's fine." She said then she looked up at me. 

"And Levi, you must be very careful with him. If he says he doesn't want you hear, then you have no choice but to quit. Understand?"

"Yes, ma."

She looked at her watch. "Your check-out time is 7 PM, you've got twenty minutes left. Let's go to the music room."

She headed towards the door, and I followed right behind.

The music room had all kinds of instruments - jazz guitar, trumpet, saxophone, and a piano sitting at the far end of the room.

It looked like a music recording studio.

"Only mop the floor and clean the music table. Do not touch the instruments, we have someone who comes to do that."

"I understand."

"I will be back in twenty minutes." She walked away.

"Wow," I whispered and the beauty I saw in there - colored light, shiny surfaces, and new equipment positioned right where they should be. 

I was lost for a moment and recalled I had just a few minutes left, I started to work immediately. I tried to work better this time, as I was able to focus on my duties.

Twenty minutes exactly, Mrs. Daniel appeared in the doorway. I was cleaning the last frame when she came in. I stiffened.

"Impressive," she said after inspecting my work. 

"Work impressively like this, and you will get better at it."

"Thank you, ma. I will," I said, loosening a bit.

"So now that you are done, I will take you to the check-out point." She led the way, and I followed. 

I read my details on the screen quietly:

Anya Tesa

Female

Student

Part time Staff

Housekeeping

"Wow, this is real, I smiled inwardly.

How lucky I am to pay bills without stress. I would also be able to afford good meals." I thought.

There was a loud scream from one of the rooms upstairs, startling myself and Mrs. Darnell then a loud cry followed...