CHAPTER FOUR: A BIG MESS

CHAPTER FOUR: A BIG MESS

Shit, Shit, Shit

Just shit.

I flew from the bedroom and into the kitchen almost tripping over my own feet, with haste I deposited the plate and glass that I held in my arm, cringing as the land in the metal sink much rougher than I intended for them too.

I was so late, so unbelievably and extremely late that the thought of it was making me nauseous. I ran into the living room, grabbed my coat, and pulled it over my black dress shirt, slipped my tiny feet into my black working shoes.

Next, I reach for my keys only to find that they weren't there, Bitch Ass I thought as I sank to my knees and pepped under the couch and then the worn-out coffee table. "Gotcha" I exclaimed when the light crucial blue chain came into view, hurriedly I slid my hand under the table and grabbed them before standing, completely forgetting that the coffee table was there.

My head connected with the side of the table, and I have never been more thankful for my huge bun until today. "Franz!" I yelled as I got to my feet, when I got no reply, I yelled again, the second time much louder, until my voice made that little annoying screech.

"WHAT!" He responded. I could hear him groan and then shuffling around, most likely pausing whatever game he was playing on his laptop. Soon after he appeared in the doorway, his head grazing the top, his copper-colored hair was pulled away from his face and placed in a low bun behind his head, he was well built and learn from being on his high school swim team, he had smooth caramel skin and forest green eyes much like our father. "Why are you always yelling?" he asked as he trained those eyes on me.

"Wash the dishes," I told him as slipped on my gloves and wrapped my favourite scarf around my neck.

"You mean the bowl and spoon" I didn't grace him with a reply as I was busy slinging my bag over my shoulders and unplugging my cellphone. "This doesn't even count as dishes."

"I don't care if they count as trash, just wash em and do the laundry" I was opening the door "And go to the grocery store, we ran out of milk and cheese, and some peanut butter or Val will go on a killing spree the next time her toast doesn't have it."

Patting myself down and checking items in my head, I made sure that I had everything that I needed before shouting an 'I Love You' over my shoulder and running towards the stair. We lived on the third floor, and for that I was pleased; since the elevator was out of order most of the time and taking the stairs was my only source of exercise, well besides all the running around I did at my jobs.

It would seem that the Universe was taking a day off from messing up my life because as soon as I reached the bus stop, the bus pulled up. To top it all off, today happens to be some sort of anniversary for the bus company, and the fare to travel to Crestville was lowered significantly for the week.

It took twenty minutes to travel from my neighborhood to the gated community of Crestville. Four persons, including myself and I, were relieved to know that I wasn't the only one running late.

This was the first Saturday in which I wouldn't be going to the club. The supervisory house attendant Mrs. Finch called me at 4:00 pm as I was finishing up my shift at the diner and asked me to come in. She said that one of her servers fell sick and was unable to go in. Usually, I would have said no, but she was offering five hundred dollars for the night and who was I to turn down that kind of money.

So here I was hurrying into the maid's quarters to deposit my stuff before tying an apron around my neck and waist and heading to the kitchen. Every year the Lockwell's would host this grand charity ball in order to raise money for schools and hospitals. Anyone who was anyone in Germanio and Europe received an invitation. From the Mayor to Billionaires, Actors and Actresses, Models, Singers, Oil Tycoons, and in some instances Royals.

I weaved through the crowd as gracefully as I could. A radiant but fake smile plastered on my face as I served champagne to these stuck up and overly judgmental people.

Often I would wonder about the lavish lifestyle of the rich and famous. What it would be like to never have to worry about bills and rent, I would be able to send my brother to the most prestigious college, maybe find a hospital that can restore my sister's sight if it was possible. My life would be more comfortable, I would look and smells like a rich girl and maybe even drive a fancy sports car.

Too busy with my delusional thoughts I could barely move as a man stepped back and bumped into with much force. He caused me to crash into another person, and the filled champagne glasses fell over and spilled onto the man's tuxedo, his white, pearl white tuxedo.

F.M.L

I could feel a knot forming in my stomach, my chest tightened in fear, and I was sure I was on the verge of tears. This could not be happening. This only could not be happening right now.

"The hell!" The man exclaimed as he instinctively jumped back, knocking into another person, this time a female who held a glass filled with champagne which now decorated the back of the man's jacket.

Dead, that was what I was; I was a dead woman working. There goes one job, there goes one payslip.

The man tensed as the lady gasp and apologised, his eyes were set on me, and I swore I could literally feel the heat of his glare.

"Honey!" someone exclaimed, soon after a blonde-haired woman appeared by his side, her grey eyes wide as she examined the damage. He looked down at her, and his eyes softened significantly "Don't you're going to get your hands dirty" he said as she made to wipe away the liquid, he grabbed her hand and kissed her fingers lightly.

My Lord, I sincerely apologize for the behaviour of my employee" that was Mrs. Lockwell's voice; she stood at the front of the crowd who had gathered to watch I basically commit social suicide. Turning her gaze towards me, she glared, and it was then that I knew that I could no longer work here "Milan, don't just stand there, apologise to his lordship."

I would if I could.

My lips felt like they were sealed together, and no amount of signals sent from my brain was working on getting them open. I think I was paralyzed by fear, yeah, that had to be it because what other emotion could I be feeling other than absolute, soul-sucking fear. I had just ruined the suit of a Lord; let me repeat that for those in the back, an actual Lord, a man with a title, an aristocrat. His suit probably cost more than my apartment building.

"Foolish girl" she hissed before moving to come closer to me. She seized my upper arm, and I almost swore as I felt her nails dig into my flesh. Mrs. Lockwell pushed me forward, towards the very angry-looking Lord "Don't just stand there, do something."

Swallowing my fear and pride, I curtsied the way I saw them do whenever I happened to watch a royal wedding on television, shoulders hunched and neck bent in faux reverence. I clutched the tray at my side for dear life and licked my lips before speaking "Forgive me my lord" I said, and that was it. I had nothing to add after that, what should I say 'Forgive me, my lord, I was too busy daydreaming about living this luxury life that I didn't see you standing there' yeah I don't think so, I would become the laughing stock at this ball.

Suddenly I heard laughter, it was loud against the awkward silence present in the room. The sound was deep and husky and full of merit. I spun around in both anger and confusion as the crowd parted to reveal a tall, handsome hazel-eyed man.

"You have an impeccable skill for feigning reverence," he said as he looked at me, his eyes filled with amusement, his beautiful lips pulled into a mesmerizing smile.

I knotted my brows in confusion, my brain running through a list of faces and places hoping to connect the dot. Which other rich man had I irritated lately and why was this suddenly happening to me.

"Don't tell me someone as quick-witted as you possess a shallow memory Bella" He titled his head to the side, causing his hair to fall into his face, partly covering his eyes.

"Forgive me, Sir, but I can't say that we have met before."

He chuckled lightly now standing right before me, causing to tilt my head back to look upon his beautiful face. "Such boldness."

Then he turned to look at the man whose suit that I ruined, again he did his head tilt while making this humming sound in his throat. "I find that these red splashes make a beautiful pattern on your suit Mat," he said in smooth Italian.

The man clenched his jaw before turning his glare from me to the hazel-eyed man, who unlike me simply smirked under the pressure of his gaze "How about I make some beautiful patterns on your face Finn" he asked to which the hazel eyes man now identified as Finn chuckled. "And you get out of my sight before I blow a fuse, impudent girl."

I didn't need to be told twice, I hurriedly curtsied and headed to the kitchen where I disposed tray and my apron. I didn't need to be said that I was fired, I already knew that whenever Mrs. Lockwell got a moment of peace, she was going to slip away from the crowd, find me and fire me. I had seen many girls lose their jobs this way.

Who was I to experience anything else? I was nothing and nobody to these people.