CHAPTER 5: GUARD BEHIND THE MASK

“Get off the car, dear!” My mom called me and blinked my eyes. This can’t be real until my chicken flapped his wings and walked on my lap. Its beak pinched my arm and I can’t help but say “ouch!”

“See? Even your chicken is excited for us to go inside.”

I can hardly move my feet because of this overwhelming feeling within me. I wanted someone to slap me on my face to tell me it’s only but a dream, but then here I am, blinking my eyes, moving as I walk side by side with my mom. As I look at her beside me, I can see the sparkle in her eyes. It’s as if it’s the first time that she’d ever seen a mansion this big.

Well, me too. I have seen a lot of these grand mansions but mostly in my dreams when I am asleep. I can’t remember how many minutes we need to walk to reach the kitchen because the house is just too wide. An almost five-meter wide wooden door greeted us. I can’t help but get mesmerized with the carvings on it, mostly floral in theme. Beautiful designs of petal blooms being etched perfectly on that door wood that I wouldn’t want to know the price. I don’t want to faint without eating.

Speaking of which, we haven’t eaten our dinner so I secretly whispered to mom that we should hurry up in walking because I can already smell the delicious scent of food somewhere.

“Please follow me.” The driver walked ahead of us while we’re too astonished by the chandeliers above us. Gosh, I wanted to freeze because I am afraid I might break something as expensive as my own life.

Mrs. Myles greeted us in the kitchen area after almost two minutes of walking. I almost wanted to hire a mini-car to tour us to this mansion. I wonder how many people lived here…

The rectangular table is almost four meters long and I can see a lot of food that I haven’t seen my whole life. I can see a roasted chicken, grilled pork belly, buttered shrimps and crabs. There’s a wide array of vegetable salads, three types to be exact. I can see flavored gelatins, sweet and sour fish, three kinds of pasta and drinks placed beside the ceramic plates and silver spoons and forks arranged neatly in order.

I can compare the set up to a grand buffet style in a five-star hotel. I can’t believe that I am seeing all these things!

“Welcome, dears!” She looked really happy while I and my mom looked at each other with disbelief. It is creepy. I tell you. There are six people in the kitchen, that includes me and my mom and Mrs. Myles. The rest are of which I assume were their kitchen helpers and housemaids ready to assist us.

“Thank you, Mrs. Myles.” My mom bowed down as she thanked her. She chuckled with delight and told us to sit down somewhere we liked. I decided to sit beside my mom, two chairs away from where Mrs. Myles is seated. She just smiled and took her napkin and placed it on her lap.

She looked beautiful with her golden silk dress. Her very short, slightly curled hair made her look like queen Elizabeth.

“You’re very much welcome. You must be Delina’s mom, am I right?”

“R-Right…” My mom nervously answered. At the sight of it, Mrs. Myles just laughed out loud.

“Delina, please tell me honestly, do I look like a witch or something? Your mom looked so pale when she looked at me.” Mrs. Myles joked around. My mom shyly laughed a little.

“No, Mrs. Myles. You looked really beautiful tonight. I’m so sorry I acted strangely. It’s our first time to receive this kind of treatment, that’s why.” My mom interrupted me when I was supposed to answer Mrs. Myles’s question. I smiled and held my mom’s hand. She’s a bit shaky and I understand her reaction.

The sight of everything alone really rocked our world. Who would’ve even minded preparing this much for us? It’s just that Mrs. Myles is up to something, that's why she’s doing all these things. I am starting to wonder what that is.

I honestly didn’t know what job she’ll be going to make me accomplish. I can’t help but think that she may be inviting us here so that she’ll have a piece of junk over her gems for a change, does she?

We are eating silently and when Mrs. Myles will ask us about some personal questions, we’re politely answering all of it. I noticed she’s amused by what I am saying to her all the time as if it’s her first time to hear all these things.

After the meal, we were led by the helpers upstairs, up to the second floor of the house. The sight of many rooms made me feel so dizzy.

“Ma’am, here is your room, while your mom’s room is just beside yours. Feel free to call us using the phone so that we can attend to all your needs.” One of the helpers said as they bowed down to us.

What on earth?!

I honestly cringed when they called me “Ma’am”. Oh my goodness! I am one of the previous helpers of Mrs. Myles and now I am feeling as if I’m one of the bosses. They all left us in front of our rooms and when mom and I got inside my room, I can’t help but be amazed I’m losing my breath.

“Whoooooo Aaaahhhhhhh…” I can hear myself as my way of appreciating the place while grinning ear to ear. The room is painted pink all over with tiny glitters of gold that somehow illuminates the room when it’s a bit dark. The king-sized bed caught my attention because it is big and cozy. You wanted to sleep on it the whole day. I can see a wide, wooden dresser that could hide three people in there. Also, there’s a make-up table with complete cosmetics on it, as the vanity mirror glares the left part of the room. The whole room is also carpeted, I almost don’t want to step inside because I am worried that my feet could make the carpet dirty.

“Delina? We both have rooms for ourselves? I can be with you, you know.” My mom also said with delight as her eyes roamed the entirety of the room.

“Mom, mom, mom, slap me...quick!” She obliged but it’s a bit harsh. I can’t help but to massage my cheek. Instead of being annoyed or angry, I found myself jumping up and down with joy.

“Mom, I am not dreaming! Ahhh!” I ran towards the biggest bed I’ve ever seen my entire life and jumped on it, the bed almost swallowed me alive because it’s soft, it’s like sleeping on a cloud. I almost can’t contain my happiness because this room is mine. Never in my entire dream that I will have a room like this.

After half an hour of looking at the things inside my room, my mom sat beside me as I sat on the soft bed as she softly touched my cheek and smiled while looking at me.

“I guess you deserve all of this.” I can hear her say.

“Mom, dreams do come true,” I answered.

“What is your job here, by the way?”

“I honestly didn’t know mom…” I looked at her, puzzled as well. I heard my mom sighed heavily.

“I wish she will not sell you to someone.”

“Mom! My goodness! You’re thinking the worst!” I laughed as I scolded her a little. She smiled at my reaction. I held her shoulders and heaved a deep sigh as well.

“Mom…”

“Hmmm?”

“Look at me. Do I look like a goon?” She suddenly laughed when she heard my question. “Why on earth would you look like one?” My mom asked between laughs. I looked at her so intently she eventually stopped laughing. Well, my facial expression seemed to be annoyed.

“My dear, you looked beautiful.”

“Of course, you’re my mom, you need to tell me I’m beautiful.” She chuckled upon hearing my answer.

“Why do you ask me that you look like a goon?”

“Mrs. Myles gave me the idea that I will be guarding her here.”

“What?!” She exclaimed in disbelief. I just looked down and sighed again.

"I am wondering why she needs to do it when she's already surrounded by her bodyguards? I can see at least five roaming around a while ago." My mom added.

"I don't know...can you please look at me again, mom? Maybe Mrs. Myles thinks I look like one of her bodyguards. Do I look like a boy for you?"

"Well if you keep putting your cap on, with that plain T-shirt and your ragged loose jeans, yes."

Oh my goodness, now I have one answer to the many questions that are bugging my mind.