Her past (1)

Evelyn stared blankly at the delicate flowers in her hand, recalling some old memories.

"Mother, look at what I brought for you!" Six year old Evelyn skipped happily towards her mother while holding a chain of flowers.

"Is this for me?" Little Evelyn's mother asked in surprised as she bent down. Evelyn placed the chain of flowers on her mother's head. She smiled in satisfaction. "Mother looks just like one of those beautiful princesses in the fairy tales you used to read to me."

"And you are mama's little princess," Evelyn's mother poked her little nose playfully.

"Do you like it?" Little Evelyn asked shyly.

"Very much," she nodded.

"Then I will make another one for you," Evelyn clapped her hands happily.

"This one is enough. I promise to never take it off." The little one's mother stroked her little head gently. Evelyn closed her eyes, basking in her mother's warmth.

"Mama also has something for you."

Evelyn opened her eyes and looked up in anticipation. Her big eyes blinked. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise," she whispered and grabbed her little hand. "Come with me."

The woman led her daughter into the house. Evelyn giggled on the way. "Mother hurry! I want to see my present."

"Almost there," she responded. They reached little Evelyn's room. She opened the door slowly. Evelyn immediately pulled away from her mother and ran into the room excitedly.

There was a small box on the bed. Evelyn looked at her mother.

"Go on," she urged her.

After getting her mother's permission, she hurriedly climbed onto the bed and picked up the box. She opened it carefully to reveal a necklace with a tear drop sapphire pendant. It was old but still exquisite.

"It's so beautiful!" Evelyn gasped as she held the necklace. "It's for me?"

Evelyn's mother was standing at the door way with her arms crossed. Her lips were curled up into a doting smile. "Happy birthday little one."

"I love it. I love it!" Evelyn shouted. She climbed off the bed with the necklace still in her hand and went to hug her mother. "You are the best mother in the whole world!"

Her mother took the necklace from her and clasped it around her neck. "This was your grandmother's favorite necklace. She gave it to me when I came of age. I should have given it to you when you also come of age but..."

She trailed off. Evelyn stared innocently at her mother, waiting for her to finish speaking.

"It's yours now." That's what she then said with a smile.

Evelyn touched the pendant. Her mother had once told her that her grandmother died before she was born so she did not know her. "What was grandmother like?" She asked curiously.

"Your grandmother was a kind and gentle old woman who loved growing flowers and feeding the pigeons."

"I wish grandmother was still alive."

Her mother pointed up. "Your grandmother is watching us right now in heaven. She will always be with us."

Little Evelyn lowered her head.

"You should always wear this necklace. It will protect you. Take care of it, okay?"

Evelyn nodded. "Yes, mother."

Back to the presence, Evelyn smiled bitterly. That was the last birthday she had with her mother before she abandoned her. Thinking back to where she had called her the best mother in the world, she wished she could take back those words.

Her mother was the opposite. She was the worst mother in the whole world.

She did not remember what her mother looked like. Her face was blurry in her memories. All she remembered was her angelic voice...

"You are spacing out again," Margaret said. Evelyn came back to her senses and shook her head. "I will take these flowers to our room."

"Sure. Go ahead."

Dwelling in the past was not Evelyn's thing but there were so many things around her that always reminded her of the past. She wished she could hide away and forget about everything about the past.

Evelyn went to their room and placed the flowers onto the dressing table. She had a happy family once. A family of three. Loving parents and a little lively child, her. They treated her like a princess, showering her with all their love and attention. And Evelyn always thought that she was the luckiest girl in the world.

But that did not last. Her father died of some strange illness when she was at the age of four. She and her mother mourned for his death. But still they had get themselves together and learn to move on.

Her mother always stayed by her side, doting on her and protecting her like she always did.

Until one day, things changed...

The day passed away peacefully. When it was starting to get dark, Mrs Richards left in a hurry. She looked gloomy and a little bit scared, her previous arrogance was gone.

"Do you think that the second miss bullied her too?" Margaret said as they watched the woman walk away briskly as if something was chasing after her.

"Looks like it," Evelyn agreed.

"Evelyn, Lady Rosalie wants to see you," Janette came up with a sour look on her face.

Margaret and Evelyn exchanged glances. "You did not do anything wrong, did you?"

Evelyn shook her head and turned to ask Janette. "Where is Lady Rosalie?"

"In the lounge room."

Evelyn nodded and left, wondering what Lady Rosalie would want from her. Janette stared at Evelyn's disappearing back with resentment. She had tried all means to curry favor from Lady Rosalie but she still did not manage get her attention.

But this little pest used some despicable means to get the second miss to like her and successfully gaining the Lady Rosalie's attention. Cunning little pest!

"Hey, Miss Sour face. I see you haven't changed," Margaret laughed teasingly at her. Janette turned to glare at her. "Just because you are the niece of that old butler doesn't mean you are superior than me."

With that, she stormed off with her head held high. Margaret snorted. "Whatever."

In the lounge room, Lady Rosalie was scolding Bethany. "I won't tolerate this behavior anymore, Bethany. Do you know that the people outside laugh at us and point fingers at us for not raising you well?"

"I won't do it again," came Bethany's small voice.

"That's what you always say. But what would you do after that? Children shouldn't tell lies!" Lady Rosalie kept scolding her. Bethany lowered her head.

Evelyn knocked the door softly before she entered.

"Go to your room and don't come out until I say so! I want you to reflect on your actions!" Lady Rosalie gave an order.

Bethany stood up and was about to run out of the room when she say Evelyn. Her eyes lit up in joy. "Evelyn!" She was about to rush to Evelyn when Lady Rosalie barked. "Bethany, go to your room once!"

Bethany was frightened by her mother's angry voice and subconsciously took a step back. This was the first time her mother had raised her voice at her. She knew that this time she had pissed her mother very much.

She burst into tears and ran out of the room.

Evelyn felt awkward. She did not know what made Lady Rosalie furious but she hoped it had nothing to do with her. She bowed and greeted her.

Lady Rosalie stared at her in silence. Evelyn's influence on her daughter was not to be underestimated. She had once tried to get rid of this maid by sending her away.

When Bethany found out that Evelyn was sent away, she torn and broke down everything in her sight. She went crazy. She refused to eat nor talk to anyone for days. They had to bring back this little maid again for Bethany to calm down.

Evelyn felt uncomfortable under her intense gaze. It was like she wanted to skin her alive. She did not know how she managed to offend her.

"I don't know and I don't care how you managed to bewitch my daughter. I want you to go Bethany's room and talk to her." Lady Rosalie tapped her fingers on her thigh.

"She should stop scaring everyone who gets close to her and start behaving like an obedient and well behaved child. If she plays any of her tricks again, you will be held responsible."

Evelyn, "?" What the heck! She cursed in her heart. This was an extremely difficult mission. The one that can cost her freaking life! Who would be able to control that little devil if she can't even listen to her own mother?

When Evelyn remained silent, she turned to give her a gloomy stare. Evelyn shivered and immediately bobbed her head vigorously. "I understand, milady."

Lady Rosalie scoffed as she looked at her from head to toe. "I don't know what Bethany likes about this lowly filth," she muttered.

Evelyn heard her but she did not mind. She was used to these kind of insults. She had heard worse.

"You may go," Lady Rosalie waved her hand as if she was shooing a fly.

Evelyn bowed and left with a sigh. Lady Rosalie seemed to be in a very bad mood. She had heard some yelling and loud shouts a few hours ago. She must have fought with the master again!