Chapter No. 3 Past Revealed P. 2

past revealed part 2

Amalie's POV:

"My employers suddenly were so rich that it was unbelievable. I didn't know what was up and neither did I have the intention of finding out I just wanted to mind my own business and quit as soon as I got the chance. But that there was a great feast and I wasn't getting a chance to talk so I gave up and thought I would talk tomorrow. I went to the basement to get my uniform when I first saw Amalie silently crying. I immediately ran to her and asked her what is wrong? At first she didn't reply because she was afraid I might tell her aunt and uncle....... But when I assured her that I wouldn't say a word than she finally said that she has not eaten for last 2 days."

Maria gasped in shock and quickly got from the bed and took me in her arms and hugged, I felt warmth which had been ages since I last felt it. It reminded me of my mom. I hugged her back unintentionally and when I realized what I was doing quickly withdrew afraid that I might get attached. When I was certain she would not allow me to live with her and Stella. She noticed my actions and put me on the bed where Stella now also came and sat down and made me sit in between them.

Then she asked, "Dear do you want to drink milk?"

I was confused and didn't know how to answer. I looked at Stella to help but she smiled and nodded at me to answer without worrying.

"Umm, c-can I have cookies with it as it t-tastes better with i-it?" I tried to say without stuttering too much.

"Of course you can I will be just minute, Stella put her to bed she must be exhausted and so are you. Both of you can sleep here. I will be just a minute." With that Miss. Maria left in the meanwhile Stella got ready for bed put me beside her.

Stella hugged me close to her and said, "My sister can be a bit strict but is a wonderful person once you get to know her, Amalie. So please relax ok?"

I nodded. After a few minutes Stella was now in bed with me and her arm around me protectively. Miss Maria came with a tray of freshly baked cookies and milk and set it in front of me. I shared my cookies with them as it made me happy. Miss. Maria wiped my mouth. And took the tray of empty plate and glass and set aside. She was about to leave when I asked, "Please stay here...?"

"What?" She asked turning towards me.

"The bed is big enough for all of us. I like you I want you to stay so please?"

She smiled, "sure thing sweetie and would you like to hear a bed time story?"

I gave her a small smile and nodded. By this time Stella was already asleep, I knew she was very tired. I was in the middle Stella on my left and Miss Maria on my right. I snuggled into her as she told me the story of Cinderella it lulled me into sleep. I think that was the first I slept peacefully in a long time.

*****

I was woken by Stella, "Amalie dear, Maria made pancakes come on get up so that we can have breakfast."

It was still a little hazy then it all came back to me, seeing my fear on my face Stella added, "Don't worry no one is sending you back."

Relief washed over me and I quickly got ready and headed to kitchen where 3 plates were set with pancakes. And orange juice to go with it but for me it was a glass of milk. The chair being higher made it hard for me climb up. Miss Maria picked me up set me on her lap and started feeding me. I didn't want to take her kindness for granted so offered to do the dishes at which she became very angry and said, "In this house dear you are never going to do the dishes! Please go the lounge. Stella switch on some cartoon channel so she acts like a child that she should be."

I knew I made her upset, so I became silent like I always did. So that I don't provoke that person any further.

Miss Maria soon came to the living lounge and sat beside me and put her arm around me to which I became stiff. This didn't go unnoticed by the two woman Stella was sitting on single couch while I was on the middle couch which directly faced the TV.

"What's wrong dear?" Miss Maria asked, genuinely concerned.

I don't get it, shouldn't she be angry at me why she is worried?

Stella sighed, "The thing is sis you got angry and when that happens Amalie becomes silent as to not provoke the person any further."

"What do you mean? Stella I don't get it."

This time I answered, "My Aunt May is a scary person so in order to avoid any further pain from her or my uncle I always become silent."

Miss Maria was shocked and put her hand to her mouth, and then put me gently on her lap in a motherly manner and said, "I was angry but in a different way. I just want to take care of you and you can get hurt. But what they did was utterly horrible I am not like them. I promise."

"I know you are kind and sweet just like Stella but I don't want to be a burden on you so I thought maybe I could help you."

"I know dear, but don't worry, you're not a burden you are a daughter to me so let me and Stella take care of you. Will you allow us to do it?" She asked.

"But I can't give you anything in return. You don't need to be soo kind to me you don't even the whole story..... After you hear it I doubt you would want me to stay." A tear slipped my eye knowing that I am going to miss this a lot.

Miss Maria wiped my tear, and said, "Even after hearing your entire story I won't give you up. That's a promise."

"Promise?" I held up my pinky finger to seal the promise and there would be no going back.

Miss Maria smiled said, "Promise." She shook my pinky with her own.

Just then a cellphone rang on the table in front of me so I quickly got down and retrieved it for her. She smiled, a genuine smile at me and took the call. I climbed back into her lap and overheard the conversation.

"Is everything ok Maria today you didn't come? Don't tell me did Dan or Scar do something?" A woman on the other end said.

"Oh no! Absolutely not, it's just that my sister came over for a visit-" she didn't get to finish when the woman on the other hand interrupted, "You mean Stella? Is she alright? Where on Earth did she disappear? Is she in any sort of trouble....? I am very angry at her and will talk to her I know how much you were worried." The woman rambled on.

I didn't want Stella to blamed for something that is not her fault so, like yesterday I took the responsibility to clear her name, took the phone from Miss Maria and put it on speaker so that they could all hear, "Excuse me, miss but Stella did nothing wrong she was only trying to help me from escaping some really bad people please don't be mad at her. She would have come back home a long time ago if she didn't have to save me so please hear her out than you will know I am the one to blame for the entire situation not her."

Miss Maria and Stella were both stunned to see what I did but I don't care it's my fault and I won't let anyone take unnecessary blame. They both looked at each other than at me, finally Stella spoke, "I would have explained everything, and dear you don't have to clean my name."

"Mommy always used to say it's best to come clean and never hide things that way people will understand but Stella you hide things and only explain when need to and it's unfair when no one gives you a chance to speak.... So in those cases daddy would say you have to fight to get your right! And I will fight for you. You saved me so I am only doing what is right! Right?"

We all, at least I, forgot that the call was still on and well the woman on the other hand just heard everything I said.

"Bella that is a child talking? Right?" A male asked.

"Yes, I am certain but she is talking like a grown-up to the point defending Stella. What relation does she have with her?" The woman replied.

"Hmm, first she disappears for 3 years now shows up and that with a child, that woman is full of surprises." The male answered back.

I have had enough why can't people just ask? Instead of jumping to conclusions. I sighed big time and turned to the phone again, "Miss and mister, can't you ask instead of jumping to conclusions?! And why don't you come to Miss Maria's home so I and Stella can explain my situation and then maybe you all can STOP BLAMING Stella!!! Geez...."

I was now fuming, but at the same time Stella fell on the floor laughing and I just realized I invited people over without even asking Miss Maria, now I am certain she will be angry. I slowly turned towards her; she wasn't angry though she was something in between happy and shocked. I immediately handed her the phone and she put it off speaker and said a few words and cut the call.

"I am sorry." I said bowing my head, ashamed.

"Of what dear? You only were trying to protect Stella and what you did is not wrong...... Though you act way to grown up which is not good for you. Also the people you talked to will be here in an hour so would you help me tidy up?" She said.

My mood lit up and I became soo happy that I didn't anger Miss Maria.

******

Not even an hour had passed yet when the couple arrived and Miss Maria opened the door and woman hugged her. The man also hugged her and then turned towards me and Stella. Stella didn't move while the woman hugged Stella. The man saw me and came towards to me. I was scared, maybe he would angry the way I talked to him and his wife so on instinct I retreated and ran and hid behind Miss Maria. The couple was surprised at my action. Stella came near me picked me up and said, "Don't worry Amalie, they would never dream to hurt you. Not everyone is like your uncle and aunt." She kissed my forehead and then said, "Now why don't you go and introduce yourself to them I and Maria are with you."

She set me down. I was scared but maybe just maybe they might be like Miss Maria. I went to the couple and said, "Hello, my name is Amalie James. I am sorry, for the way I acted it was wrong of me. Umm, how are you?"

For a moment I could see the shock on their faces but it soon dissolved and turned into warmth the type I only saw on my parents' faces. They both engulfed me into a loving hug, as though I belong to them and I was forced feel things that I thought I had locked away. The woman had tears in her eyes as she pulled away but the man had me in his arms and was a little teary faced. Which surprised me.

We all sat down in the living room while I was still in the arms of the man whose name I learned is Jack. So Stella started from the start while I liked Jack's hair, it was funny so I started playing with it; not that he minded he was actually happy and in the middle started tickling me. Everyone was watching and I was in hysterics from laughing. When I stopped I looked at Stella who didn't want to continue the story but I urged her so she did, and this Jack looking furious at how could someone mistreat an innocent child?

But that was only the beginning... I sighed, Stella is a soft hearted person so doesn't have the heart to continue but they need to know the entire truth so that they can decide whether they want to keep me or whatever they want at this point.

I tugged on Jack's suit jacket he looked down towards me, with a warm smile, which I yearned to see, while his wife was comforting Stella and in this while Miss Maria to shocked to say anything. I told him in a whisper, "Umm, Jack?"

"Yes, Amalie?" he replied.

"Can I get down?"

"Are you uncomfortable, sweetie?"

"Not really but I need to tell you all the entire story since I know Stella wouldn't be able to."

His hold tightened on me, but still allowed me get down, which I am thankful for. "Before Stella ever even came, they were already very cruel and forcefully made me hand over Daddy's business and Mommy's boutique. Before that I still at least my very own room but after they got everything they threw all my belongings and started to blame me for my parents' death. Aunt May's maid said I should report in the police with what is happening with me, I thought she was on my side when I was truly wrong, she was already stealing from them and when I went to the police station she put the jewelry in my bag to frame me and told them that I was stealing so wanted their help so I would tell my uncle and aunt the truth...."

Isabella or Bella, Jack, Miss Maria and even Stella were horrified at my statement. But they remained silent so I could continue, "I told them that I never stole but they didn't believe and started starving me and when that didn't make me admit something I never did, they resorted to even more crueler methods. The day Stella found me was when I was crying, I told her the half-truth, meaning I was hungry when the whole-truth was that Aunt May pushed me down the stairs and by some miracle I managed to survive but in the process ended twisting my ankle bad making me cry. But I couldn't trust anyone but myself so I didn't say anything. And didn't come out of the basement for 5 days. In those days Stella would come to me when the house the empty and no one would me or to my aunt and uncle, and made me very yummy snacks foods, but made me promise I wouldn't trust anyone."

I stopped because they all had tears in their eyes and Bella and Miss Maria started crying, while engulfing me in a warm hug. Stella and Jack looked at me with unreadable expressions. Stella had seen a lot of things happening to me and well they weren't worth mentioning and I knew these words were bringing a lot of bad memories.

I finally told them everything and it wasn't easy for me either. I felt like crying but thought it would be better to stay strong than come out weak, because people always take advantage of the weak, don't get me these people are very kind but I won't trust anyone just because of some sweet and kind words. I remained silent while the grown-ups talked among-st themselves, about the whole situation. I went upstairs to my room that Stella prepared for me and looked outside the window where my life is going to take me now from here to where?

I heard a silent knock, I glanced towards the door and Jack was standing there looking in my direction, "Can I come in, Amalie?"

"Uhh, sure."

I was seated on the window sill and he took a seat on the bed facing me, "How are you feeling?"

"What do you mean?"

"You have been through so much so I am asking you how you are feeling." He stated looking at me, with unknown emotions.

"I am fine."

He sighed understanding I wasn't ready to open up about my feelings, "Sweetie I am asking how are you really feeling? Please be honest with me... I know I am no one to you, but if you allow me I want to be your friend."

That was the first time someone wanted to know my feelings. I mean my real feelings without a hidden motive, my heart says to trust him but my mind says I should be careful maybe he wants to hurt me; what should I do? My heart hasn't been wrong up till now so I trust my heart!

I started tearing up in front of him and he ran towards me and wrapped his big arms around my small figure and hugged me to him and that was the first time I cried in front of anyone openly, Stella caught me crying but I would immediately cover up my feelings but with him I-I just can't.

"I-I a-am honestly v-very scared." I said in between crying all the while he gently combed my hair in a way calm me down which worked a lot but it didn't stop the endless tears flowing down my cheeks.

******