An Ineffable Temptation

My punishment season ended when Margaret received a phone call. I had never been thankful for Juliet like I did at the moment. Margaret had withdrawn her hold on the whip, she quickly collected the device from Juliet and walked away.I knew better than to stay sprawled on the floor despite the bruises and soreness that were excruciating as ever. I sauntered to the kitchen in an attempt to make lunch.I looked around the sparkling tidy environment. I loved cooking, cutting, chopping ingredients into chunks was the best part of my day. The counter was wiped clean, rugs and kitchen equipment and tools neatly set up. Juliet littered the kitchen whenever she was in. It was my job to keep everything in check. We might not be high-class business owners but we had enough to take care of the family and for a maid as well. I had made the mistake of suggesting Margaret hire someone so I could rest but it ended in me having scars all over my body and Margaret yelling at me all day.I got to wor

Margaret called for me with a flicker of her hands. I took a hold of the dishes and placed it at the center of the table. Allen’s eyes were still on me, his presence was making me awfully uncomfortable. Yet, I ignored his stares and poured the elderly man—probably his father—wine. “Sister,” she announced. Her eyes were looking so intensely at me that I squinched. I wasn’t surprised that I was acknowlged. After all, father was present and any form of degrading would only cause trouble to Margaret and Juliet. Juliet took Margaret’s pampering tendencies towards her for granted. She showed it off whenever she got the chance to do so. In all this, I never blamed her for taking our parent’s attention.She raised her head high and elegantly sat watching intently at Allen. She would nudge him and point at a random dish. Allen would nod without saying a word. I rarely saw dad, he was always travelling abroad dealing with one business or the other to earn a livelihood. Yet, he never got the

It wasn’t a surprise that Juliet would take a liking to Allen at the first meeting, but the request for marriage took me off guard. My hand shook and I did all I could to stay balanced, and hidden from their view.Juliet knelt down before Margaret sobbing while the latter comforted her by running her hands through her hair. They were waiting for father who after the departure of our honorable guests had taken the pleasure to escort them out. My eyes flickered between Margaret and Juliet. I couldn’t comprehend why I felt so disappointed when Juliet declared her interest in Allen. Those glances he stole my way during dinner was nothing, I was a nobody and he couldn’t possibly fancy me. Juliet had everything he desired in a woman, yet I couldn’t help the jealously in me. It was the first time that someone had taken the time to look at me with keen interest. Father appeared disheveled, his tie was loosened and it looked like he would pass out any minute from fatigue. We were all wa

Dinner was grilled fish served with sauce and plenty lemons. And for dessert it was chocolate cake. What I learned about the Ians was their love for elegance—everything must be in order. Also, the unspeakable of eating without talking. I devoured the dishes without appearing too desperate. Not having proper meals for days and then sitting at a large table, accompanied by all varieties of foods that could be swapped for another within the blink of an eye. I also learned that Allen detested garlic. He also had a habit of smelling the food before eating to detect the presence of garlic. Juliet was her usually cocky self, laughing in an unnecessarily high pitched annoying voice every few minutes. She also tried to engage Allen in conversations as much as she could. I knew what Allen and I had was nothing. It was the spur of the moment, but it gave me hope. I knew I was a hopeless romantic when I went through all the books in the library during high school. “Here,” Allen handed me

“Can I come in?” he said. I felt insecure. There I was standing before the famous Allen Ian with my worn out hand-me-down dress. I wiped my hands on the apron that clung to me like a koala. “Please come in,” I said afraid that if I kept the guest waiting Juliet would be on my neck and then I wouldn’t hear the end of it. We weren’t alone for long though. Juliet, her majesty came rushing down the hall wearing the purple gown that she had doubts on. “You’re here,” she exclaimed. “You look handsome, please come in.” And she let him into the living room. Allen sat down gracefully, there was something about his stamina that wants you to keep glancing at him all the time. Not to forget that he was a gorgeous looking young man. Straight out of a vogue. “Quit standing there Cheryl,” Juliet yelled at me. I flinched and looked away, perhaps it was time I let whatever it was I was feeling about him go away because I had no chance with him. I wouldn’t wait to be told before I scurried away