CHAPTER 3
1637 Words
Chapter 3
Aria Amethyst's Point of View
The dawn of my first day on the job arrived promptly at five in the morning. Yesterday, Tita Elcid hadn't initiated my work, granting me a day to acclimate after my journey.
She insisted I deserved rest, citing my recent travels and the need to settle in. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of embarrassment at how specially she treated me, yet Aba reassured me of her genuine kindness.
But what truly took my breath away was the room Tita Elcid had designated for me. She revealed that it once belonged to Ma'am Tatiana during her childhood, left untouched over the years. With no available maid's quarters, Tita Elcid had thoughtfully offered me this room.
Still, I marveled at the exquisite beauty of my surroundings. It was a stark contrast to the modest space I'd grown accustomed to in our humble home.
After finishing my morning preparations, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, tying my long hair back to prevent any interference during my chores. Inhaling deeply, I whispered to myself, "Let's start this day with positivity, Aria. Work hard! Aja!" With renewed determination, I ventured out of my room.
The mansion had already stirred to life, with some of the household staff engaged in their morning duties. "Good morning, everyone!" I greeted them, and they responded with warm smiles. Heading to the kitchen, where Aba was busy preparing breakfast for the Castillo family, I greeted her as well. "Good morning, Aba!" I offered with a grin. Aba acknowledged me with a glance and a returned smile.
"You're up early, Aria," she remarked.
I positioned myself beside Aba and extended the ingredients she required for her soup. "Of course, Aba. It's my first day of work," I replied, my smile betraying a hint of nervousness. Aba glanced at me and playfully ruffled my hair.
"My sweet granddaughter, always so diligent and kind," she quipped, causing a small frown as my meticulously arranged hair became slightly disheveled. Aba's laughter at my reaction was affectionate; she had playfully teased me like this since my childhood, her unique way of expressing love.
With some time to spare, I assisted Aba in the kitchen, contributing to breakfast preparation. Although the Castillo family still slept, Aba mentioned that they would soon awaken, for they too had responsibilities to attend to.
As I went about my tasks, I couldn't help but contemplate the fortune that had smiled upon Tita Elcid and Tito Leandro's four children. They were born into affluence, allowing them to live comfortably without toiling. In contrast, my family would face hunger if I ever ceased working. Nonetheless, I never lamented my life; I found happiness in the midst of adversity.
Yet, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy for the privileges the Castillo children enjoyed. I yearned for the ability to grant my family's every wish with ease. Thankfully, Tita Elcid and Tito Leandro had nurtured their offspring to be humble, kind, and considerate despite their wealth. They possessed none of the snobbery often associated with affluence, and it was evident that Tita Elcid and Tito Leandro had done an exceptional job raising them, providing them with a solid education.
"How I wished I could also give this kind of life to my family," I mused, a silent wish to one day elevate my family from poverty. Dreams were harmless, weren't they? A hope that someday, I could offer my family a more prosperous existence.
A sudden voice disrupted my reverie, prompting me to turn and lower my head. "Good morning, Aria."
"Good morning, sir." Sir Thadeus. He had startled me, not with surprise but with trepidation. There was something about him that was undeniably intimidating. His presence exuded an aura of intimidation, especially during these early hours.
Don't misconstrue me; Sir Thadeus was a good person. Nevertheless, his mere presence had an unsettling effect on me.
"Pfft, good morning. You don't need to be so formal, Thadeus. You're frightening Aria this early," Sir Red's voice chimed in as he entered the kitchen. Sir Thadeus rolled his eyes at his brother's remark, and my chuckle escaped before I could suppress it.
If Sir Thadeus carried an air of intimidation, Sir Red embodied the opposite. He projected warmth and approachability, similar to Tita Elcid—a presence that instantly put people at ease. His perpetual smile seemed to brighten any room he entered.
"Good morning, Aria," Sir Red greeted me with a smile, patting my head as he did so, causing me to jump slightly. "G-Good morning, Sir Red," I responded with a shy smile.
Sir Thadeus followed his brother's lead and simply nodded in my direction. "Just call me Red. 'Sir' is too formal," he suggested, raising an eyebrow. Aba's chuckle of agreement echoed my own thoughts.
Why were they like this? Rejecting titles like 'sir' or 'ma'am,' they deemed such formality unnecessary. Their kindness was apparent. They were undoubtedly blessed, but I found them peculiar—though in a delightful way. I couldn't quite place why, but something about them felt peculiar.
Peculiar, yet in a genuinely delightful way.
"Good morning, hija," Tita Elcid's sudden appearance behind me almost sent me leaping out of my skin. I spun to face her, greeted by her beaming smile. Tito Leandro, following closely behind, offered a warm greeting as well. "Good morning, Tita Elcid. Good morning, Tito Leandro," I exclaimed with boundless enthusiasm. Their shared laughter filled the kitchen, and for a moment, everything felt just right.
My gaze lingered on the lively Castillo family as they sat down to a hearty breakfast, laughter and conversation filling the air. They were a united front, all together in this moment, except for the elusive Sir Blue, who was likely still wrapped in the embrace of slumber. Aba had shared the family's morning habits, revealing that Sir Blue had the uncanny talent of being the last one to rise among the siblings.
But as I observed Tita Elcid's family, their smiles and interactions tugging at my heartstrings, my thoughts were inevitably drawn to memories of my own kin – my dear mother and sweet Arissa. It struck me just how recently I had bid them farewell, and already a yearning had settled deep within me, a longing that seemed to grow with each passing moment of separation.
My mind rewound to mornings like these, reminiscent of the simple joys Arissa and I once shared. The days when a single egg could spark a delightful sibling rivalry, and we'd engage in playful battles for that coveted extra piece. We scraped together our meager resources, aware that an additional egg was a rare luxury. Those were the moments that defined our bond, the essence of our humble existence.
A sigh escaped my lips, laden with the weight of homesickness and longing. It was as if the Castillo family's happiness had ignited a yearning to return to my own small world, to those I held dear. The ache in my chest grew stronger, and I realized that despite the grandeur of the Castillo mansion and the warm welcome of its inhabitants, my heart still clung tightly to the cherished simplicity of my home and the loved ones I had left behind.
"Aria, my dear," Tita Elcid's voice, a gentle melody, wrapped around me like a warm embrace, pulling me from my reverie.
I turned toward her, curiosity dancing in my eyes. "Hmm?"
In that fleeting moment, her gaze held mine, an unspoken connection weaving between us. Her smile, a secret known only to the two of us, crept across her lips, promising mysteries yet to unfold.
"Could you please wake up Blue to join us for breakfast? We're going on a business trip, and we'll be gone for a week. We won't be able to join him for breakfast for a week, so can you please wake him up for me?" Aunt Elcid's voice carried a note of urgency as she issued her instructions. I nodded in response, my heart touched by her caring nature. Tita Elcid was as sweet as a mother, and her children were undeniably fortunate to have her.
As I gazed at Aunt Elcid, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, and my thoughts drifted to my own mother. The resemblance between them, in that moment, made me miss her more than ever. "Alright, Auntie," I replied, offering a small but genuine smile in return. She nodded, her eyes reflecting gratitude, and I left the dining room, making my way to the third floor of the expansive Castillo family mansion, where the siblings' bedrooms were situated.
It appeared that Ate Lita, one of the housemaids, had thoughtfully shown me around the house the previous day to prevent me from getting lost in its labyrinthine corridors. Given the sheer size of the Castillo family's home, it was easy to see why one could easily lose their way. I chuckled softly at the thought.
Ate Lita had informed me that Sir Blue's room occupied the second position at the end of the right hallway. Following her directions, I made my way there. Standing before Sir Blue's door, I gently rapped my knuckles against it, hoping to avoid startling him awake.
Our initial encounter yesterday hadn't gone smoothly, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't particularly have a like on me. It had left me perplexed; he had barely acknowledged my presence yesterday. I had extended my hellos to him, but his response had been no more than a curt nod. The silence between us weighed on my mind as I wondered why he seemed to harbor some unspoken resentment toward me.
But why? What could be the cause of this enigmatic tension that hung between us like a shroud of mystery?
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