Emma
"Come on, Emma. We're getting late." Miss Garcia remarked.
Emma nodded and sat with her into the backseat, passing her bag to the taxi driver.
She closed her eyes and laid her head on the window glass, reflecting on how drastically her life had changed. Today is her first work day as a maid.
Yes, a maid.
She had no other better choices.
As an orphan, she was heavily abused by her previous foster parents. Her body was nearly constantly covered in bruises when she lived with them.
After beating her one frigid winter night, they decided to throw her outside their house. The night's coldness pierced her sensitive skin like knives. She was weeping and curled up in a ball when a warm hand landed on her shoulder.
That was Caroline Garcia, the one who saved her from the cold winter night, the one who changed her life and became her godmother, and the reason why she accepted this maid job.
Miss Garcia had overcome many difficulties to raise Emma. She was just a single woman in her late forties the, but she still bravely reported the abuse action of Emma's former parents to the police. After two years of struggling and running to court, Miss Garcia was ultimately given custody of Emma.
After that, little Emma finally received the better life she had always desired.She never sought luxury, living without fear of being mistreated is enough for her.
However, Miss Garcia didn't have a profitable profession, she had to work day and night to raise Emma. As soon as Emma grew up, she found a job in an institution to afford herself-she didn't want to trouble her godmother anymore.
Unfortunately, the institution suddenly shutdown. Emma really needed a new job, so she contacted Miss Will who recommended her the vacant position of a maid in a wealthy family. At first, she shook her head and wanted to reject the suggestion.
A maid was the last thing she would like to choose. But to afford herself and Miss Garcia, she had no option.
Though Miss Garcia was also angry with her decision at first, Emma managed to persuade her to approve of the choice.
"What are you thinking, my child?" Miss Garcia's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Nothing Caroline," Emma said and smiled at her.
"I'm sorry, my child. I wish I could earn enough money so th-" Before she could finish it, Emma stopped her.
"No, Caroline, please don't say that. You don't know what you have done for me. You are the most important part of my life and I cannot thank you enough for that," she stopped as a tear escaped her eyes.
Miss Garcia wiped the tears from Emma's flushed red cheeks and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you, my child. I hope you will not be in misery now. I have heard that Knights are so rich that their servants live in ravish, they get good food even." she said with relief.
"I also hope the same, Caroline," she replied.
The commander of the King's. They were the richest folks in the country. And she was going to work for them.
"Wealthy individuals are haughty." Mrs. Will had said that.
To the wealthy, it was fun to "show off" their wealth to others.
Was it worth it for her to work as a maid?
Concern and anxiety pervade her, Emma shook her head and tried to fall asleep while closing her eyes.
*After an hour*
"Emma, honey, wake up, we're here."
Emma's eyelids flickered open at the soft voice of Miss Garcia. She gently cleaned her blurry eyes with the backs of her palms. As soon as she was confident that the weariness was gone she grabbed her luggage and got out of the car. In disbelief, she looked up and saw the enormous house in front of her.
This place is enormous!
That was not what she had expected! That was no average home; it was a castle! It comes with a linked pool and a marble-built house. It was really amazing. So what will it look like on the inside? Emma wondered.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Miss Garcia asked and she nodded her head.
"Yes, Caroline, it's wonderful".
Two guards approached them a few minutes later. Emma flinched when she saw them-they seemed to be strong and terrifying.
The guards collected her luggage and proceeded inside, instructing them to follow. When she saw the inside of the house, she exclaimed even more. It looked to be both beautiful and modern.
They were standing there, gazing at every corner their eyes could reach, until a lady walked in.
"Hello there, are you the new maid?" The lady asked her politely.
"Oh yes, ma'am. I am." Emma replied, "Emma Wilson." As much as she hated her legal name, she couldn't change her last name.
"I'm Martha Steve and I'm also the maid here, or more like the head of the maids because I have been here for years." she said and chuckled; Emma smiled at her.
"Where is Mrs. King?" Miss Garcia asked.
"Oh well, she has some important meeting to attend, that's why I came instead." Martha replied.
"Let's go and see your room," she said and motioned them to follow her.
Her legs began to ache as a result of the amount of steps she had to take to reach the maid headquarters. The floors were gleaming, and the inside was lavishly decorated with exquisite accessories. The walls were painted a creamy white color, and pictures adorned nearly every corner.
The King's house was magnificent. Emma thought about how she could only work and not dwell in a place like this.
She noticed that they passed through seven bedrooms before coming to a halt at the end of the hall at the maid headquarters area. Martha came to a complete stop and opened a door. The room was rather decent, in fact, exceptionally neat and clean for a maid. It was simply furnished with a single bed, a wardrobe, a desk, and a mirror. It was pleasant for Emma.
"So how do you like your room?" Martha asked with a grin.
"It's really good," Emma smiled, but her smile soon faded when she heard the faded sobs of Miss Garcia behind her. She turned around and hugged her tight without saying anything.
She would miss her a lot.
"Be a good girl, my child," she whispered. Emma could feel the sadness in her voice.
"I will, Caroline," she muttered sadly.
"Please take care of her Martha, she is everything I got."
"Don't worry Caroline, she will be alright here." They both hugged.
After a few minutes, Miss Garcia was going to return home. Emma and Martha led her to the front entrance. It broke Emma's heart to watch her leave.
But she didn't have a choice. Everything was done for Garcia's advantage.