REPLICA OR A SISTER?

Pushing the cleaning trolley faster as possible, Lily tried not to get sighted by Demus or Vivian, but when she was about to insert the key into the keyhole, she heard a voice startling her. The key fell off her clutches, making a 'CLINK' sound when it touched the ground.

"You must be Lily, am I right?"

"Yes, I am. How may I help you, sir?"

"How's my to-be-fiance doing? Will I be able to meet her?"

"I'm sorry, sir, but she has strictly ordered that she does not wish to meet anyone at the moment," said Lily gritting her teeth and waiting for the man to leave, but he was standing at the same spot gazing at Lily.

'You freaking jelly being! The nerve to meet my poor Vilian after all that you've done!' screamed Lily's mind. If looks could burn by now, Eric's shoes might have bored holes burning his feet.

"Anything else, sir?" She questioned as she raised her head and looked him straight in the eye.

Eric was caught off guard, for no servants or maids had behaved in such a way. For some reason, he felt like meeting a replica or a sister of Vilian when the maid glanced at him. He shook his head and started walking straight in the other direction.

Lily huffed and made weird faces behind Eric as he walked away, not knowing the maid was making weird faces from behind.

Picking up the key she unlocked the door and pushed the trolley inside the room, locked the door, and started cleaning hastily. Within an hour or so, the whole room was back to how it was, clean and tidy as usual.

______

The fresh breeze steered her deep slumber. Her long eyelashes fluttered lazily, glancing at her surroundings. As she tried to lift her head, she felt it heavy and banging.

"Ahh!" a small cry left her lips when in an attempt to grip her temple and forehead, she winced in pain as she felt the pain in her palm.

"Oh, you're awake! I was wondering when might you wake up," chided the small voice of Lily as she stood up from the chair.

Hissing out, Vilian glanced down at her hand which was dressed white in a bandage.

"H-how... long... have I been sleeping?" she questioned in a hoarse voice. Lily walked to her side and fed her water.

"Don't strain yourself. Your foot and palm are injured and not to say there are little scratches here and there. It'll be alright in no time, Mi'lady," she said as she stroked Vilian's hair.

"Lily... I don't remember what happened. I walked out to the patio and that's all that I remember..."

"It's ok, Mi'lady. Why let me bring something for you to eat? You've been empty stomach since yesterday night, not to say it's evening already," said Lily as she stood up and left the room. Vilian sighed as she was reminded of yesterday's events.

'You have to be strong, Vili. There's so much to do,' thought Vilian as she bit her lips and sat upright as she rested her head on the headboard with all her might. A long exhale left soon after she settled comfortably. Slowly and carefully, she supported her injured hand with her left hand and left it on her lap. As the cloud of thoughts floated, she fiddled with the strings hanging from the bandage with her free hand.

BUZZ!! BUZZ!!!

The buzzing sound of a phone took her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the bedstand. Her phone was ringing and it was far from her reach. Vilian moved to the corner inch by inch, sliding the blanket off her body. Her feet ached, but she could not resist the constant ringing of her phone.

When she was finally at the corner to reach the phone, the door flew open, startling her. She felt the mattress dip down due to the sudden jerk of her body, and she fell off the bed, hitting the elbow of her injured hand. A muffled cry escaped her lips.

Lily came running in fear.

"Mi'lady!!"

"I'm fine... I'm fine... Just get me my phone. It's been ringing for so long.

"Please don't do this, Mi'lady. You're hurting yourself," came the worried voice of Lily as she helped Vilian to get onto the bed.

"Damn... Lily! You were the one to startle me opening that damn door. I was gonna reach the phone," she muttered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mi'lady," said Lily and gave the phone to Vilian. "I'll bring the bring food, Mi'lady." Vilian nodded her head and went through the nonstop notifications popping on her phone. 'Looks like Mia's on high. I better get energized first before I go for a shower.'

Lily placed the bed table and started to serve Vilian.

"Lily, could you please prepare a hot bath?"

"Why sure, Mi'lady," said Lily and left Vilian to prepare the bath. Vilian had her food in silence.

'I must come up with a plan to get rid of that bullsh*t, or he's gonna leech into me once again.'

After having her lunch Lily helped her take her bath. She was teasing that what she said had been answered all day, taunting Vilian.

"Play all you want, but don't blame me once I'm all healed," warned Vilian.

"Oh, I'm really scared, Mi'lady," she teased once again. A sudden knock made both of them stop their teasings and warnings.

"Who is it?"

"Vili dear, it's your mother. Can I come in?" came the voice of Vivian from the other side of the door. Lily opened the door, and soon after Vilian gestured for her to do so but her stepmother didn't come in but stood there near the door.

"Come in," said Vilian but her stepmother didn't come in but just glanced at Vilian.

"Does your maid not know to leave?" She questioned glancing at Lily disgustingly. Lily bowed her head and went forward to leave.

"Lily will not leave," said Vilian giving a cold gaze at her stepmother who wasn't less than that.

"Vilian, you're being unreasonable!"