Chapter 13: Flora's portrait

Clover had given the maids orders to clean the rooms and sweep and mop all the floors of the house.

"Good morning." Ivy greeted with a cheerful smile.

"Morning." Clover answered. "How are you today?" She asked feeling concerned.

"I feel great." Ivy said, smiling happily.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Clover asked.

"I don't have anything doing, so I want to help clean up." Ivy said.

"You don't need to. Besides, you just recovered." Clover pointed out.

"It's not a big deal." Ivy said like she was ever ready to do anything.

"If that's the case, I'll have you clean the whole house." Clover said seriously.

"Wow, when I said it's not a big deal, I didn't mean to say I was very capable. Please spare me." Ivy said, feeling worked up all of a sudden.

"Haha! Just kidding!" Clover laughed. "You can clean up the next floor after this." She said and Ivy sighed in relief.

"Alright!" Ivy nodded and took a dust pan and a brush.

"Try not to overwork yourself." Clover instructed.

"Thanks for your concern." Ivy said and left.

Clover had forgotten to give her the instructions not to go into any of the two rooms opposite each other and it really didn't come to mind.

Ivy went up to the next floor. It was the last. (Three floors altogether). She hadn't started cleaning up when she came across the two opposing doors.

"Maybe, I should clean inside one of these rooms." She shas to herself and looked at the two doors. "But which one?" She asked herself. Her mind told her to go to the left but she went to the right instead.

Just as she was about to open the door, a maid stopped her.

"The boss doesn't let anyone go into any of these doors. He might get angry with you." The maid warned.

"Please, I'm already under house arrest, what else can he possibly do to make my life more miserable?"

Ignoring the maids warning, she opened the door and went in.

Damian arrived far earlier than usual. He had forgotten something in his study room (one of the opposite doors). He didn't waste time and went there straight.

Ivy entered the room, it was dark and the air was a bit stuffy. She went to where she thought the light switch was and switched it on.

"This room is so dusty, how come they don't clean it?" She wondered, walking to the covered stuffs. They looked like canvas.

She removed the sheets and what she saw made her shake. She removed another and another. She uncovered all the covered canvas and shock filled her eyes.

"What... what is this?" She asked, seeing the exact portrait and pictures of herself. Even pictures with Damian. "Ho...how?"

Damian saw the room door open and he got mad. He walked inside to see who the disobedient maid was.

"Why are you in here?" Damian asked and Ivy turned, frightened. "You!" He exclaimed.

"Wha...what is this? Why are my pictures in here?" She asked confused.

"Who told you to come in here?" He asked, angrily bit she ignored his temper and was only concerned with finding out the truth.

"Tell me, what is the meaning of this?" She demanded, not letting his anger intimidate her.

"You shouldn't be in here." He said.

"What is the meaning of this?" She repeated and turned to the canvas, pointing from one to another. "And who... Just who is this girl that looks exactly like me?" She questioned.

"You really want to know?" He asked and she nodded. "She's Flora, get it? She's someone who stayed in this house before you came in."

"Where...where is she now?" Ivy asked and Damian looked away.

"Dead." He announced and a realization suddenly hot Ivy.

"Is… Is that why you brought me here? You didn't just want me to work for you just for the coat but because I remind you of her, isn't it?" She stated but he didn't utter a single word. "It's a wonder why they treat me so nicely."

"Since you've figured it all out, let's act like none of this occured and you'll go back to what you do." He said and turned to leave.

"Tell me something." She demanded and he stopped walking. "Did you love the girl?" She asked. "Is that why you look tensed up most times when you feel I'm in danger?" She asked.

"It's none of your business, you're..."

"Just a maid, I know." She tightened her fists. "But there are certain things I should know about, don't you think? I'm curious, you feel that I'm her, right? You feel that I'll leave and when I do, you'll lose her again and that's why you're keeping me locked in, right?"

'This foolish girl isn't all that foolish. She's too wise.' Damian thought.

"But I can assure you, I'm not her and can never be her 'cause I'm not the kind that will stay with someone who has no feelings." Ivy concluded and breathed out. Damian sighed and simply said,

"Lock the door on your way out." He walked towards the exit but stopped. "If I were you, I'd keep it all out of my head because none of it concerns you." He advised and walked out.

Ivy felt confused and angry. Confused about all this and angry that Damian didn't tell her anything, she sighed and decided to let it all die down.

There was nothing she could do about it as long as he wasn't ready to talk. She moved her attention to the pictures.

There was a picture she took with Damian, it looked like he was forced to take the picture because he was frowning and she was smiling. Ivy laughed, it was kinda funny seeing him like that. The other pictures fascinated her a lot too.

"If this girl were alive, he probably wouldn't be this arrogant but then..." She frowned. "If she were alive, I wouldn't be here. I would never had known who he really is and would still have the impression that he's a good guy." She touched the big portrait of Flora and sighed. "What a small world."