Chapter One – Katie's New Life
by BrettJ © 2012
"Have a wonderful time in Europe, Mommy, Daddy," Katie Mitchell said as her parent's car left her at the gates of the Browning estate. She had only been there once before when Todd Browning, her father's boss, had held his annual summer barbecue. She remembered that she had almost gotten lost, because the Browning's estate was almost as big as a golf course. Katie couldn't believe that she was going to be living there for the entire summer. The pretty blonde had never been anywhere so lavish and she had promised her parents that she would be on her best behavior. She used the buzzer at the gate, identified herself and a few minutes later, an attractive young girl not much older than Katie herself came to the gate to let her in. She held out her hand to Katie and smiled. "Hi, you must be Katie; it's nice to meet you. I'm Madison, but you can call me Maddie. All my friends call me Maddie; I hope that we'll be close friends." Katie hoped so too. She had only moved to this area last year from Denver and didn't have a lot of close friends. She had managed to find a boyfriend and she liked Jeremy, but he never let her have any fun. Other girls seemed jealous that she had managed to land Jeremy as a boyfriend, but they'd had their chance. Besides, why couldn't they find someone of their own instead of trying hard to steal her boyfriend.
The two girls walked up the long path to the estate. Madison was gorgeous; you couldn't help noticing that right away. She didn't dress like a teen Katie's age either, not in the slightest. She was wearing an expensive gold silk blouse, real diamond earrings, a short black mini skirt and heels. She dressed more sexy and provocative in manner than the friends Katie had back home. Katie supposed that was okay, the young girl was a stunning, raven-haired beauty and the Browning family were almost billionaires. Why shouldn't she wear what she wanted?
The walk was almost tiring although Madison did her best to keep Katie's mind off the trek by chatting animatedly. She had a soft, lyrical voice and was very interesting to listen to. Maddie had been places that Katie had only dreamed of seeing. She told Katie that their family traveled a lot and because she'd be staying with them for the next several months, she would likely travel to a few exotic locales as well. Katie was thrilled to hear that, it was so nice that the Brownings were being so generous to her. Aside from the move from Denver, Katie had never been
anywhere
.
"Our butler is going to take you upstairs and show you your room, it's right down the hall from mine," Madison beamed, her green eyes dancing. "I know that you'd probably love a bath, your room has a sunken tub. Enjoy the bath, don't rush and when you come down, we'll all have dinner. Wear something nice, we dress for dinner here."
Katie nodded and went with Jeeves – they actually had a butler named Jeeves, she giggled, although he didn't look to be much older than 35. She got to her room and Katie was glad that she had packed a few of her nicer things. She didn't have a lot of fancy clothes. She guessed that she would just have to make do. She put her two suitcases on the bed and a lovely maid entered the room. She was lovely and slightly exotic looking. Katie had never seen anyone who looked quite like the attractive maid. "I am Colette," she said with the vaguest hint of a French accent. "I am 'ere to see if you need anything and to run your bath," she smiled. Katie thought the maid was one of the most attractive women she had ever seen. "Would you like me to undress you as well, mamselle?"
"No, no, I can do that myself, it's not necessary, thank you" Katie said, puzzled. Why would she, an eighteen-year old girl, need anyone to undress her? She began getting out of her clothes and felt a bit self-conscious about disrobing in front of Colette. She decided she was being silly, Colette likely attended the women of the family and was used to seeing them without clothing. The rich and their eccentricities, Katie thought to herself. The baby-faced blonde sunk into the warm tub and smiled at Colette as she left. It was so kind of the Brownings to do this for a girl they didn't know, what lovely, generous people they were.
Katie could have stayed in the tub for an hour, but that would have been rude. It was nearing 4:30 PM and she didn't know what time dinner was served, so she got out. Colette came just at that minute and wrapped a towel around her. She helped pat Katie dry, which again Katie thought a bit odd. Smiling, without saying a word, she left and Katie rummaged through her luggage to find a pale blue dress her father often told her made her look elegant. She got out a pair of blue, high-heeled sandals and applied the smallest touch of makeup to her pretty face before going downstairs. Maddie smiled at her when she saw her coming. Katie heard her new friend say something to the man she assumed was her father. "She's
perfect
Daddy, thank you," a confused Katie overheard her say. Madison ran over and gave her a new friend a hug. "You look sexy in that," she told Katie.
"T-thank you," Katie said, surprised. Girls weren't supposed to notice things like that, were they? Oh, of course they could! It was the 21st Century; Katie herself had noticed some lovely girls at school. If only they weren't all so catty! She smiled and thought that she shouldn't be so old-fashioned in her attitudes.
Maddie made the introductions and Katie remembered that she had to use her best manners. Todd Browning was 50 years of age, an impressive figure of a man, standing 6'4" in height. Like his daughter, his hair was black, so black it looked like ink. He had green eyes and a strong, commanding presence. Katie could easily see why her father spoke so highly of his employer.
Next was Elizabeth, his wife. She was younger, so it appeared and very elegant, chic in a designer evening gown. Her hair was auburn and beautifully styled and she had lovely curves. She didn't speak much but seemed friendly and intelligent. Katie was sure once she got to know Mrs. Browning that she would like her very much. There was something about this lovely woman that intrigued Katie, so she hoped for that.
Maddie then introduced her twin siblings, Trevor and Jessie, both of whom were 18. Trevor had an inch on his sister at 5'11", but both had red hair and green eyes. The Brownings were a very attractive family and Katie hoped that soon, she'd feel like one of the family. She also learned there was another Browning child, Charlotte, who did not live at home. Charlotte was 23 and lived in her own home. Katie also learned from Maddie whispering in her ear "Charlotte is daddy's little 'oops' from a fling he had before marrying mother. It doesn't matter anyway because we all adore her. You'll see, Charlotte's a lot of fun."
They all sat to dinner and when wine was poured, Katie protested that she wasn't quite old enough to drink. "We make our own rules in this house," Todd said to their guest. "You may have a drink or anything else that you desire any time you desire, please indulge yourself." Katie accepted and enjoyed the light, airy banter that went around during dinner. The Brownings seemed to be fun people, she was going to enjoy her time with them.
Around 7:30 PM, Maddie smiled at her new friend. "Well, ready for bed?" She asked Katie.
"At 7:30?" Katie answered. "That's kind of early, what time do you people get up around here?"
Maddie looked at her friend with a stunned expression that changed to horrified when she looked at her father. "Daddy, I don't think she knows," Madison said, her voice trembling. "I don't think she knows about the
arrangement
." Maddie's face almost had a look of panic on it.
Elizabeth was looking at her husband, his face seemed livid with rage. "Jesus Christ," he said through gritted teeth. "Katie, forgive me for asking you this question, but why do you think you're here?"