Chapter One
Another car was speeding past when I opened my eyes again. I pulled up my wrist to check the time. Nearly one in the morning. I felt the bus shake a bit as we drove over what must have been a small rock. Everyone around me was sleeping. I opened the curtain for the window a little more to try and see where we were. Nothing. It was completely dark except for car lights moving around us. I pulled the blanket I had over my legs higher towards my chest as I felt a cold shiver run over me. My mom was sitting next to me with her head tilted backwards. She was sleeping.
We must have been on the road for almost a nearly two days now. I felt the familiar feeling of dread wash over me again. A new city, a new school, the new kid again. I really didn't want to leave everything behind and move to a new place. I just got used to the lights and large city of Seattle and now we are off again. Duluth Minnesota. I have never even heard of it until my mom told me about her new work last week. My mom is basically a Butler's right-hand maid. She cleans and runs the household, makes sure the other cleaning staff do their work and attends to any other needs the butler of the house may require her to do.
I have never been shy of what she was or of our poor stature. My mom has always tried to provide me with the things I need, but we had gone through some rough patches. I was usually mocked for either being poor or my mom being a maid. I have no idea who my father is. My mom never talks about him and only said he left when I was a baby. So, it's just been us my whole life. I felt my mom stir next to me as she moved her body more upwards to be more comfortable. I noticed another grey hair caught the light of a moving car passing us. My mom was still beautiful in my eyes.
My grandmother was white, and my grandad was a Latino she fell in love with during her early years being a nurse. My mom told me that my father was also white and that made me one part three Latino. I had a light caramel skin; brown semi curly hair and I was about five foot seven tall. The only thing that made me look different than my mom was the fact that I had piercing dark blue greenish eyes. I was rather athletic also as I used to like going for a run in the park where we stayed in Seattle. I was never really into sports as I changed schools regularly. Now I am off to my senior year. I was really hoping to go to college once I'm done this year. I have a passion for drawing and all things art.
My mom was saving up some money each month for me to go to New York and study at the Art School there, but I'm not sure my dream would ever turn into a reality. The bus continued to hum as we drove down the freeway. I think we would reach Duluth some time in the morning if I remembered correctly what the driver said a few hours ago. I moved my legs closer to the seat and pulled my jumper tighter against me. Since we don't have much money, the bus we were driving in was relatively cheap and only the front side was any warmer. I reached down towards my small travel back and pulled out a small flask of coffee my mom made a few hours ago. It was still warm. I felt myself heat up a bit as I took a few sips from it. I placed the flask back inside my back and pulled the blanket higher. I turned my head towards the window and closed my eyes.
"Lucian Honey... Wake up. We are here." My mom was shaking me on the shoulder.
I opened my eyes. It was morning and the bus stopped. People were getting up and taking their bags out from the overheads. My mom was smiling at me as I rubbed my eyes.
"Did you sleep ok?" she asked as she was folding up the blanket, she had over her.
"Bit sore... Are we at the last stop?" I asked as I got up.
"Yup. We are taking a cab from here to the Robertson's."
I picked up my bag and placed the blanket inside. I had just a moments glimpse of my sketch book before I zipped the bag closed. I always travel with a book to sketch wherever I go. Inspiration can strike you anywhere.
We waited for more people to get off the bus as we were sitting quite at the back. After a few minutes I walked off and felt the cool air hit my face. Winter was almost here. I walked with my mom to the small stand next to the stop. The seat was cold when I sat down and felt the sting go right through the sweat pants I was wearing. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. Ten past nine.
We waited for about thirty minutes before a cab pulled up. My mom greeted the driver as he took our luggage and load it into the back. Ten minutes later we were on our way again. My butt now severely cold from the metal bus seat.
Chapter Two
The road was relatively short, but it seems the Robertson's didn't like neighbours. The house and "house" were a strong word as it looked more like a mansion, was located next to a small hill overlooking Lake Superior. There were no other buildings in sight. The cab pulled in and drove through the open gate towards the entrance. There was a man wearing a black suit waiting at the steps for us. I looked up towards the three-story mansion and tried guessing how many rooms it would have.
These people must be beyond rich I thought to myself as I looked upwards to try and see into one of the windows. The cab came to a halt and I opened my door to get out.
"Good Morning Miss Bardon." The guy in the suit said as he walked towards my mother with his hand out.
"Morning Mr. Robertson" She polity replied.
"Oh! No, my dear. My name is Mr Berkley. I am the Butler of this fine estate. Mr Robertson and his wife will arrive this evening back from Spain." He amusingly replied while gesturing for her to move upwards the steps.
I had the distinct feeling he was not aware I was there next to the car or maybe thought I was the cab unpacker. I melt myself get a little warm around the cheeks. My mom however would not have it.
"Wait... My son Lucian." She said as she turned around towards my direction.
I felt his eyes fall on me and lingered on my curly brown hair that must have been waiving each in its own direction.
"Hi." Was all I could say as I picked up my bag the driver took out the car.
"Mmm... Yes, Good Morning Mr Lucian." He said and quickly turned around to face the house.
"Please follow me." As he started climbing the stairs with a walk of importance.
We climbed the steps in silence all the way up towards a massive wooden door. It was carved with spirals and large shapes. Beautifully varnished with some sort of dark oil or something. As we entered the main door, I felt my jaw drop open. Every part of the main entrance hall was covered in white marble. From the floors, the walls and even the grand staircase leading up. A massive crystal chandelier was hanging in the middle, sparkling like thousands of diamonds.
"It's a beautiful house." My mom said as she looked up towards the chandelier.
"Yes. Mrs Robertson takes great pride in it. She designed it herself you know. Fourteen Bedrooms, seven bathrooms and two kitchens." Mr Berkley replied looking as if he just announced the Queen's arrival.
I noticed the echo immediately after he spoke. It sounded like a great hall where musicians would perform.
"You will both be staying in the servant's quarters at the back of the house. Mr Randall will show you." and almost immediately a short old man with grey hair came through one of the doors in the back
"Good morning Miss Bardon. If you will please follow me." Mr Randall said while giving my mom a small bow.
We greeted the much friendlier looking Mr Randall and followed suit. We walked through the door he just came from which leaded to a long hallway. I felt a feeling of shame when Mr Berkley announced we would be staying in the servant's quarters.
"You can call me Bill. I am the caretaker of the yard and pretty much the handy man around here." Mr Randall said as we walked.
"I'm Miranda and this is Lucian." My mom replied and pointed towards me.
"Please to meet you. You will have to excuse Mr Berkley. He thinks rather highly of himself. Very good at what he does though." Bill said as he opened the door at the end of the passage for us to pass through.
We entered what appeared to be the main kitchen. Large slabs of marble decorated the wooden cabinets of the work spaces and white marble all over the floor. I was for a moment unsure where he was leading us, but he gestured for us to walk towards the back door of the kitchen.
"Your rooms are at the back of the yard and not connected to the house." He said as he led us outside.
A massive yard welcomed us with a green patch of lawn any rugby team would love to practice on. The edges of the yard were closed from any outside view by massive trees all planted in a row. To the side of the grass was an Olympic sized swimming pool surrounded by huge rock art formations.
As we reached the quarters where we would be staying, I realised it was more of a very small house than just a room. There was a large tree in front of the small house that hid it from view from the main mansion. I felt almost at home.
"Thank you so much Mr Randall... I mean Bill." My mom said and smiled.
Mr Randall bowed again and walked back towards the garden.
"Well... What do you think?" My mom asked as she turned towards me.
I looked back at the small house.
"Looks really cosy." I replied as we both walked towards the door of our new home.
Chapter Three
The following morning, I woke up with the sound of birds singing outside my window. I lifted myself up from bed and looked around my room again. I was staying in the smallest room the house. My mom took the larger one only after she offered it to me and me refusing to take it. I pulled my socks over my feet and felt a cold nip in the air as I got out the bed. The ceiling was low ad I only had one window looking out towards the side of the garden. I couldn't see the mansion at all. It was a Saturday.
I heard my mom in the house busy with something. As I got up to pull a sweatshirt over my naked chest the smell of toast fills my nose. Mom was making breakfast it seems. I pulled on a pair of black slippers and left my room.
"Morning." I said as I entered lounge.
The house had only two small rooms with an open plan kitchen lounge.
"Hi sweetie. Are you hungry?" My mom asked as he kissed me on the cheek.
"Not that much. I would kill for some water though." I replied and pulled a glass out the cupboard.
"Listen, I have to go to the main house as Mr Berkley wants to introduce me to the Robertson's, show me the interior of the house and teach me the rules." My mom said as she placed two slices of toast on a plate and handed it to me.
"Oh ok." I replied and started on the first slice.
A few minutes later I found myself alone sitting on the couch. There was no TV and no radio. I could hear a leaf blower far in the distance and the sound of a few birds outside. I had no idea what to do. I was in a strange new place, new environment and I wasn't even sure if I could walk in the garden. At least in Seattle we stayed in a small apartment and I was free to go where I wanted to. I decided I could at least sit under the tree outside and view everything that goes on.
I brushed my teeth and pulled on a pair of sneakers. I walked outside and felt the sun on my skin as I walked around the house towards the massive tree. I had my sketch book in my hand with my favourite pencil. I wanted to see if I could get a good view of the mansion.
I sat down with my back against the tree, opened a new page and started drawing. The back of the mansion was almost just impressive as the front. Large windows and statues adorned the walls and roof. I must have been drawing for about two hours when a sudden voice behind me jumped me out of my skin.
"Wow that's really good." A young guy about my age said whilst looking down at my sketch.
"Jesus!" I yelled out loud and quickly got up.
