Miss Anderson (2)

''....''

Calla said no words in response to Rose's declaration of attending her university. Even if she was curious why a young missy like Rose would want to attend a public university like hers, she still kept quiet her opinions, knowing that her mother-in-law wouldn't appreciate her words.

''Calla's university?'' Her mother-in-law's forehead creased together. '' Why on earth will you want to go that public university?'' Her mother-in-law's voice rose, speaking as a prideful woman from a wealthy family.

''Mrs. Kings. There is no problem attending in a university like that. For Miss Anderson to be attending, means that the education from there is quite up to standards. Am I right, Miss Anderson?'' She directed her question with a sweet smile.

''….You speak well.'' Calla had no choice to answer with the two pairs of eyes on her figure.

''I am glad that we are on the same page.'' Rose's smile widened, briefly fixing her stare on Calla. ''There's no way Miss Anderson would have wanted to learn from a poor environment. Also, I am not familiar with this city and the people here. I feel it will be better if I stay close to Miss Anderson. I wouldn't want to create trouble for you, Mrs kings.'' The tone of her voice lowered a bit, seeming to express the sincerity behind her words.

''….I suppose I didn't consider that. '' Her mother-in-law's eyebrows knitted together, finding Rose's reasons plausible. A smile then graced her lips, obviously directed at the latter. ''As expected of my Rose, always thinking of others. If you were my daughter-in-law, my son and I would have been so lucky to have you in this family….unlike some girl…''

Feeling a condescending glance on her figure, Calla didn't need to think twice before knowing that her mother-in-law was responsible for that brief stare.

'I should leave….' Calla no longer wanted to stay in main living room. Since she knew the face of this woman, then she should leave, less she feels more misery.

At the same time she was about to stand up, Carol entered the room with a tray and another lady dressed in a black and white maid's uniform following right behind her.

''Ah yes! Rose dear, if you want to know more about my son's likes and dislikes, you should speak more with Carol. She has been a servant working my family for a long time, even before I got married to my late husband. Do I speak the truth, Carol?''

'Again…' Calla watched the interaction between her mother-in-law and Carol.

Dropping the tray on the side table, Carol stood upright with a wrinkled smile. ''You always speak right, Mrs. kings. I also know the preference of the late old master and late master. Though I am but a mere servant.''

''You!''

''Mother….'' Calla shot up, noticing the red-face of her mother-in-law. She was aware that her mother-in-law could never do anything to Carol, but she just wanted to leave main living room right now.

She didn't want a scene to erupt, and staying in the same place as the woman intending to replace her beside her own husband was very nauseating.

 ''What is it, girl?'' Her mother-in-law's resentful gaze shifted in her direction. Unlike before, her address towards changed to how it had always been from the beginning of her marriage.

''Nothing mother. I want to give you more time with Miss Collins, while I have some work to discuss with Carol.'' Before her mother-in-law voiced out her displeasure, Calla eyed Carol and the maid behind her to follow herself out the room.

''Madam is a kind soul.''

''I just wanted to leave that place. I'm also in need of an urgent bath right now.'' Stopping on the hallway outside the main living room, Calla turned around to meet Carol with an exhausted smile. The maid behind remained quiet and invisible as always.

''I understand, Madam. I will send a servant to bring the dinner to your room, Madam.''

''Thank you, Carol. Don't forget to clear Mother-in-law's room and our guest's as well.'' Calla gave a reminder before walking ahead to her room. By tomorrow morning, her mother-in-law should have gone back to the busy part of the state, where the wealthy and influential dwelled more.

Her husband also lived amongst them. If it hadn't for her request, he wouldn't have had a mansion in this part of the state.

This was one of the reasons why his presence was hardly seen. The distance between where he lived and here was quite far.

''Finally….'' Shutting the door of her room, Calla sighed to herself, pleased that she was in her room. Getting rid of the coke-stained hoodie from her body, she flung the cloth somewhere to the side. Following this, her back touched the closed door, sliding downward, until she was sitting on the ground.

Bringing her knees to her chest, Calla's arms went around them, placing the side of her head on her knees. Her gaze naturally landed on the disfigure part of her body, the arm visible to her eyes.

''She's beautiful….'' Calla mumbled, thinking back to the beautiful woman who bore a little resemblance to her dead twin sister. Perhaps, it was because of the resemblance that she truly said out the word 'beautiful.'

She had never complimented any of the ladies in the past. However, her insecurities were always there, but she never voiced them like this.

That last time she did something like that was when her twin sister was alive. Now that someone with little resemblance was near her, she couldn't help but picture that person as her twin sister.

Tears welled up in Calla's eyes. Her forehead shifted, now touching her knees and the tears threatening to spill from her eyes dropped one by one.

''If Irie was alive, she would have been that way with his mother.'' Her voice cracked, reflecting a drop of the sadness and pain she truly felt in her heart.

****

''Good night, Miss Carol.''

''Good night, Miss Carol.''

''Sleep tight, Miss Carol.''

One by one, the servants bid Carol good night, going to their respective quarters.

''Good night.'' Walking around the entire mansion, Carol smiled to them one by one. Lowering her gaze to the watch on her wrist, she stared at the time for a moment, a tired sigh escaping her lips.

''It's almost midnight…..I wonder if he will be awake.'' She mumbled to herself, walking through the hallways leading to the kitchen.

Pressing the switch on, light only reflected the center counter. Carol made her way over there, her gaze lowered to the lighted screen of her phone, tapping in some series of numbers.

*Ring*

*Ring*

Moving the phone over to her ear, she waited a bit anxious until the line connected to the person on the other end.

''….Carol?'' it didn't take long before a voice was heard on the other side of the connected line.

'Thank goodness he picked up.' Carol expressed her relief in her thoughts, and then replied to the person calling her name.

''Good evening, Young master.''