Chapter VI

Michelle had to accept that her sister would stay at home, she did not like being around her and did not understand why her mother would leave her in her care.

-Well, Ariana, this will be your room for as long as you're here. -Said Michelle, pointing to a small, unlit room at the end of the kitchen.

You will have to help in the mornings with the cleaning and the preparation of the food, you will also help in the small garden, and in the afternoons you will be given some vegetables and water, have you understood correctly?

-Yes, sister.

- Ah! And another thing, I don't want you to call me sister or call me by my name, you will address me by my surname and social position.

-Yes Lady Brown.

-All right, now go into the kitchen and help out with something.

As soon as Michelle left, Ariana went into the kitchen and asked the cook what she could help with.

-But who are you? -said the cook.

-My name is Ariana and Mrs. Brown brought me here to help.

-The lady didn't tell me anything, but it's okay, you can help by washing the fruits and vegetables.

Ariana spent the whole afternoon helping in the kitchen and in the garden, as her sister had told her.

And when she thought it wise, she retired to the small room where she would stay for some time.

After a week she got to know everyone who worked in her sister's house, not many people, the cook named Olivia was the one she got along with best and had become friends with.

-Olivia liked that you taught me how to cook.

-Yes, it was a good idea, plus you have good seasoning.

-Thank you.

-Yes, but now go finish your homework and Mrs. Brown will get mad at you again and punish you.

- Oh, yes, I'm coming," said Ariana, hurrying out of the kitchen.

Ariana was always in a hurry with all her homework, her sister Michelle used to leave the heaviest things to her alone, like cleaning all the windows or washing all the clothes.

- Ariana! You're a dreamer again, you better finish quickly or you'll never eat again.

-Yes Mrs. Brown, I'm about to finish.

-Okay, when you finish cleaning the floors, you start washing the clothes and tidying up my room.

-Yes, Mrs. Brown.

While I was finishing the washing the floors, your sister's husband arrived, who didn't like her very much.

-Good afternoon, Ariana," said Lord Brown as he entered her house.

-Good afternoon, Lord Brown," said Ariana, somewhat uncomfortably.

- How are you?

-Well, Lord, thank you.

-I'm interrupting something," said Michelle as she walked down the stairs.

-No dear, how did it go today?

-Well, I'm glad you're here at lunchtime.

-Well, then let's go to the table.

Michelle didn't like the way her husband talked to her sister and would do anything to keep her away from him.