An Order

I don't know but for some reason, I know that I don't like that driver, Michael. I know he didn't say or do anything to hurt me. But there is something in me that keeps telling me that he will hurt me. I really hope that this is the last time I am gonna interact with him.

The moment that person Michael came into my view I found him busy wrapping his tripod in some case. He looks strong and well built. He is gonna hurt you Sydney. Run! Run! 
I found my subconscious screaming at me when my feet were taking me to him.

Don't think too much Sydney. It's just giving him a coffee. You can do it. I whispered to myself.

I was still 50 feet away when I found him looking at my direction and that was it. I stood still and feel my body shaking. I tried my best to walk but couldn't. And he too was not looking away.

He is gonna hurt you Sydney....Run, Run..run..I could sense a panic attack on the way.

"... Sydney, Sydney.. You ok Right?" I looked at my left to find Ben. He was saying something. I could see his lips moving but couldn't make anything. I turned to Ben. But I could still feel his stare throwing daggers at me. I gesture Ben to pass that guy this coffee. And run to the kitchen.

It was not the first time that Ben had witnessed my nonsense act. He understands. And I know he will cover up for me. I am always like this around strangers. It wasn't this bad until my father was still around. But after that accident, every person seems like a potential threat.

The moment I entered the kitchen I tried to calm myself. I was still trying to catch my breath when I found Abigail saying.

"Is everything OK? You look pale Sydney." Saying this she was walking to me. I gestured her to stop there while putting my body weight on the shelf somewhere.

"Fine... It's nothing." I told her. I don't speak often and whenever I use my words with Abigail she always listens. So, she stayed there and continue with her work ignoring my state. This is what I always wanted from her in such situations. I wiped my sweaty palm with my worn-out jeans and looked at the hole that my grey colored full sleeve t-shirt had. I tried to hide that little hole under my apron.

The intercom buzzed and I heard Isabella ordering about something. When I lift my head up to look at Abigail, she was contemplating something.

"W-what?" I asked her.

"Sydney? I think, Mr. Noah's driver didn't like the room we arranged for him in the outhouse. Ms. Isabella was asking to arrange a room inside the house for him...." She stopped for a moment while her face showed that she was deciding about something. And then said..."Oh, yea the left room beside Maria's is available. I guess he will like it there."

She said and continue arranging the dishes to their respective places. But then she turned around and asked me.

"Can you please go and check the room once and yea please arrange the bathtub for him. You can do that right?" Abigail enquired me like she was asking me if I was able enough to do this.

I nodded my head in yes and without giving much thought I started walking towards the room. I know whatever I did in the morning was wrong. He did nothing bad. Besides, I have a whole big day ahead of me. There are gonna be a lot of people. How I will manage then. I need to gather myself because I can't afford another panic attack.

Walking into the room I noticed that the room was clean and didn't need any cleaning. Even sheets were already changed. Walking into the bathroom I opened the faucet for the warm water. While waiting for the tub to be filled I moved to place the towels on the rack. The bathroom here is not so big. In fact, this bathroom was the smallest in the whole mansion. Most of the times guests don't stay here. So, no one really cares. The bathtub is placed just beside the door and a shower is hanging on the front wall.

My mind wandered to the lunch that is going to be arranged. I don't know if Adi is in France or here. Well, I never know anything about her whereabouts anyway. I hope I don't see Adi today or Jennifer. Or anyone I can't handle. But there are gonna be a lot of people and almost everyone knows the truth. You have to be strong enough. Just simply ignore things like you don't have ears. My inner self suggested.

Opening the drawer I retrieved a colorful bath bomb. These were Sarah's favorite. And now the whole family prefers these colorful bubbles for their bath. Placing it in the bathtub I looked at the colorful bubbles. For some reason, I could only see red and with that, my mind went to my nightmare last night. I felt restless. I was trying to stable myself when the door swung open and took me by surprise making me lose my balance. I was ready for the hit and pain but it never came.

Instead.

I felt two arms caging me and holding me to a bare chest. The moment I felt someone's skin with my hand, my eyes shot open for looking at the person. It was him. Michael. Looking at his ocean blue eyes gave me goosebumps all over. I didn't waste a single minute and get free out of his hold to flee.

Running out of the room I stopped beside the staircase. His touch, I could still feel it around my waist. Gulping hard I tried to calm myself. My palms were sweaty. I looked at my right hand which was on his bare chest a moment ago.

He didn't hurt you. Sydney! He found you somewhere he can hurt you but he didn't. My thoughts wandered.

But only if he didn't hurt me this time. It doesn't mean he won't next time. I can trust no one.

"... No one. Because you got no one. It's your fate because you deserve it." Isabella told me this once.

I didn't know I was so deep in my thoughts because the next thing I felt was a slap on my face. Stumbling a little back I held my stinging cheek in my hands. I didn't have to look above to know who was this person. Just a look at her feet told me that it was Mariah. I didn't lift my eyes up. I just stayed there waiting for her any order. And she took a few seconds as she was busy on her cell phone.

"Follow me." She said and walked to her room still busy on the phone.
I followed her as I tried to get myself prepare for any kind of assault. But no matter how much I tried to get myself prepare for this I could never get used to this. They always took the things a level up. Leaving me surprised and hurt every time.

The moment I saw Isabella in the room I knew this is gonna be bad. She was standing near the window and watching something. It's been three days that I didn't get any canning at all. And I don't want any even now.

I held my head down so I don't initiate any of her tempers by doing anything wrong.

"Sydney. I need you to do something for me." I heard Isabella say.

I nodded my head in yes. Isabella likes my mute behavior the most. As she used to say often I hate your voice the most Sydney. It's a relief that you don't talk unnecessarily.

"Today at some specific moment I will ask you a question and I want your answer to be yes." She said as if she was telling me a secret.

I couldn't understand. So, I couldn't reply soon as thousands of possibilities run through my mind and panic consumed me. But soon I was taken into reality when I found her yelling.

"Am I clear?"

I shook with fear and nodded my head haphazardly. Praying that she let me go now.

"Mom, I am telling you. She is such a dumb. Please do give her a heads up. We can't afford any carelessness." She was talking to her mother and I couldn't make any sense.

Isabella huffed in frustration and said with utter calm. 
"I will ask you if you have seen Michael stealing my necklace. And you will say Yes.

This made me look at them in surprise. But before I could think of what's good or right their stare made me worry about my skin more than anything else. And I nodded yes and held my head down, looking at my fingers like it is the most interesting thing. There was silence for a moment. I don't know what they were gesturing about but finally, I heard Mariah say "Leave"

My feet were taking me out of the room but all I could feel was the nervousness.

How I was gonna lie about something like this. But then again it doesn't matter. It was not me who was plotting this heinous plan. But it's you who gonna put the accusation. My conscience screamed.

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