Flora loaded the first batch of dirty laundry onto the washing machine. The laundry area was filled with the alternating hum of the machine and the slopping water. She went to the next laundry basket and resumed segregating the clothes systematically. She remembered Maya’s instructions not to get the clothes mixed up and decided to just load the clothes per basket. It was tedious and would occupy more of her time, but she could not let the same mistake happen again. She wondered who would be in charge of the housekeeping since Maya had gone and guessed that Pablo would probably get someone from Cardena to replace her.
Flora looked at her daughter who seemed to be content playing at the corner by herself. She had propped her doll on a chair and had crowned her with some of the plants that she had picked from the vegetable patch. She remembered how Nadi used sanaria previously, but now she had to content herself with stems and leaves from discarded vegetables. Then, she r
Eva’s door closed and Flora was left alone in the corridor wondering who it was that Eva called a very important visitor. The first person that Flora could think of was Emil, but the man in the room with Eva was taller and had a thinner frame. Flora could not see his face because his back was turned towards the door, but she could tell it was definitely not Emil. Could he be one of the master’s guests who took a liking to Eva? But why would he visit Eva in her own room inside the servant’s quarters? Maybe another servant who had just arrived in Orsica and turned out to be Eva’s acquaintance? That would be more probable given that Eva seemed glad to have him inside her room. That glass of red wine Eva was holding though. It did not seem probable that Pablo would allow one of the master’s bottles to be taken to the servant’s quarters. Yet, Rosa did say that servants also drink wine although the old cook did not mention if they were from the master.
Flora walked towards Nadi’s bed and stared at the doll that was propped against her daughter’s pillow. Flora had not observed it before, but the doll had a letter ‘K’ patched on its chest, which was why Nadi insisted in calling it Kay. The doll Flora was holding had a different pattern on its chest.Flora felt her heart beat faster as she picked Kay from Nadi’s pillow and replaced it with Nadi’s own doll. Flora looked at the doll she was holding and wondered what to do with it. Is it possible that the doll was owned by Emil’s daughter? Flora thought.Still holding the doll, Flora decided to place it in a paper bag. She resolved to give it back to Emil the following morning. Then, with her head still filled with thoughts about Kay and Emil’s daughter, Flora finally got to bed and slept.The next morning, Flora woke up feeling well-rested and eager to start the day. She sat up in bed and looked at Nadi who was
Eva crossed the polished floor of the kitchen using the same shoes that she wore outside. She then stood still while casually looking around her as if a fashion model having her photographs taken. Then, her gaze settled on Rosa who was looking at her with undisguised displeasure.Eva looked as if she was about to yawn and waited for Rosa to make the first move. When the old woman did not speak, Eva placed a hand on her hip before sauntering towards the table where Rosa was seated. When her actions did not provoke any word or action from Rosa, Eva placed a hand on the table and asked, “What’s with you, old woman?”Rosa straightened her back and puffed out her chest. She was peeling a carrot and was holding a knife, but she laid b
Flora closed the door gently, seeing Rosa’s back as the old cook hunched over the kitchen table. Rosa rested her elbows on the kitchen and buried her face in her hands. Flora could not help but feel sorry for the old cook who had probably not experienced such a shouting match with any of her maids in which she had been the one to lose. To have been shouted at and outranked by someone who only just a few days ago had been at the receiving end of Rosa’s tirades would have made the old woman humiliated and defeated.Flora herself did not know how she should feel about the whole incident. She did feel sorry for the old cook, but she also felt that Eva might have been too harsh and disrespectful towards Rosa. Eva had been vindictive and relished the experience of getting back at the cook who had been quite strict and equally harsh towards her. Then, Flora remembered how much work needed to be done to prepare the breakfast for the household and she was concerned a
“Now, I need to go find Pablo to get further instructions on my responsibilities,” said Eva. “The thing is, I don’t know where I could find him in this big house!”“I think he goes outside to inspect the grounds as well as to brief the gardeners,” said Flora, trying to be helpful.“Of course, he visits the grounds!” said Eva, giving the impression that she knew all along and that Flora should be ashamed for even mentioning it. “How else could he make sure that everything’s clean?” Eva placed a hand on her hip.“I think he also instructs the gardeners on the hedges that need trimming,&rd
“Just do what you are supposed to do,” Flora heard Eva say as she reached the entrance hall. “You have all been working here longer than I am and it’s about time that you learn to do your work without much instruction!”Eva had her back towards Flora while the other servants were standing in a row and facing the new housekeeper. Flora tried to stand in line with the others without disturbing Eva from speaking. Flora had just joined the ranks when she realized that Eva was shouting at her.“You’re late! I told you to come here as soon as you’re finished with your tasks at the kitchen!” shouted Eva.“I’m sorry, Eva, I just placed the used dishes in the dishwasher and took out some of the ingredients to prepare for lunch–“ Flora tried to explain, but she was cut short by Eva.“I don’t care why you’re late! I won’t tolerate that behavior! As long as I’m
As Flora descended the few steps to the passageway, she felt the cold penetrating her skin and she wrapped her arms around her body to warm herself. The walls were covered with intricate carvings that Flora could not quite make out. There were abstract images that to Flora looked like nocturnal predators about to pounce on an unknowing prey. As Flora walked, she felt as if she was being watched that more than once, she glanced sideways because she thought she saw something had moved.The passage went down several meters before coming to a dead end. Flora took a deep breath when she saw the far wall with its large circular symbol with intertwining branches that looked like multiple headed serpents and pointed wings that protrude from the sides. Flora thought she saw the scaled bodies of the snakes move as she walked nearer, but decided that it was only an optical illusion created by her own movement as she saw more of the carved design.At the end of the narrow passage,
The ghastly appearance of Dante inside one of the crates shocked Flora and she took several steps backwards. She wanted to scream and had to put her hands to her mouth to stop herself from doing so. She felt unable to run out of the room as she looked at the pallid face of the master whose eyes were locked in a penetrating stare. Questions flooded her mind: What was Mr. Dante doing inside a box full of earth? Is he dead? Or is he alive and awake? Can he see me? Should I run?Flora gained back her senses after a few moments and realized that Dante, despite his eyes being wide open, remained motionless. She ventured a few steps forward and watched for any signs of consciousness. At first, Flora was afraid that Dante was dead, but his unusually red lips seemed to snarl and the deep eyes seemed to gaze at her knowingly. Looking at the master’s face closely, Flora saw that he was not as old as she thought he was. He looked more youthful with less of the gray hair and the wri