CHAPTER 1: THE ORPHAN

Elodie’s POV

“Elodie, do you want to go to the new coffee shop near our university? I heard they serve great coffee there,” my best friend, Ella, said to me as our class dismissed.

I smiled as I shook my head, “I’m sorry, Ella. I have to go home early tonight. Also, I need to budget my allowance.”

“You always say that, Elodie. We barely have any time together anymore…”

“Oh, Ella. I promise I’ll come with you next time.”

She was pouting at first, but then she smiled at me and nodded her head. “Fine. I understand that you also have to do the assignments of that witch. Just don’t forget to take some rest, okay?”

“I will. Thank you, Ella.”

We hugged each other before she hopped inside her car and drove off. I have decided to just sit on a bench near the parking lot while waiting for the car that would drive me home.

Ella is one of my best friends since I was in middle school. She was born in a wealthy family since both of her parents are business tycoons. She is a jolly, adorable, and understanding towards me. She’s the one who helps me whenever I have a problem especially when it has something to do with money.

“Hey, why didn’t you go to my classroom to carry my things? What do you think of yourself, a princess?!”

I quickly stood up and faced Mia, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Denmarks, the family my Aunt Sally and I works for.

“I-I’m so sorry, Mia. I thought your class dismissal is still at five, so I have decided to wait here until then.”

“Shut up. I don’t want to hear your lame excuses!”

I was nine months old when my Aunt Sally found me outside her house. She told me I was a gift from God since she had always wanted to have a child.

“How’s school?” Aunt Sally told me as soon as I entered our room.

I ran into her and gave her a tight hug. “It’s good. Oh I missed you so much, Aunt Sally…”

“You silly child. We just saw each other this morning and you’re telling me that you missed me?”

I moved away from her and nodded my head. “That’s right. Even if I don’t see your face for a second, I will miss you.”

“How lucky I am to have a daughter like you. Hurry and change your clothes. I have prepared some food for you to eat. Eat then take some rest already, okay? I still have a lot of things to do in the kitchen since the Denmarks will be having a very important visitor tonight.”

“An important visitor?”

"Uh-huh. I heard Mia is already getting married next month and the man she is going to marry is a mafia boss."

My eyes widened, "A-A mafia boss? Aren't those men who kill anyone they want to kill?"

"That is right, sweetheart. That is why you should never bump into that man. Because they are ruthless and merciless."

"I see. But how about you? What if he sees you? What if he does something to hurt you?"

Aunt Sally suddenly laughed. "Oh, come on. I'm an old lady, so what can they get from me. Also, if they try to hurt me, then I'll show them what I can do. They might as well end up dead."

I laughed because of what she just said. "Aunt Sally, you really are such a brave woman."

"Of course, I am. That's what you got from me, right? Your bravery?"

"Of course!"

"Alright, alright. You should go and eat now. I'll be back later."

I nodded my head and smiled. "Okay."

As soon as Aunt Sally left, I decided to take bath before having my dinner. After that, I started reading books since our examination is just around the corner and I don't want Aunt Sally to be disappointed in me if I ever get a low score.

I want her to be proud of me, always.

Aunt Sally is not getting any younger. All her life she has been working for the Denmarks. My dream is to be able to finish my studies and become a chef. Then I'll take Aunt Sally with and leave this house. I'll give her all the things that she needs and we're going to spend the rest of our lives together.

I can't help but smile just thinking about the life I want to give to my Aunt Sally.

"Just wait for me, Aunt Sally. I promise I will give you a better life where we won't have to be servants anymore. I will make sure to make you happy," I mumbled to myself.

I didn't notice that I already fell asleep upon reading books. When I opened my eyes, I noticed that Aunt Sally still wasn't there on our bed. I looked at the clock and realized it was already eleven in the evening.

Where is Aunt Sally?

Do the Denmarks still have their visitor at this hour?

What if Aunt Sally sees the mafia boss? What if they decided to take her away?

"No! I won't let that happen!"

Wearing my pajamas, I went outside to look for Aunt Sally. Our room is located just behind the mansion at the garden, so it didn't take me a while to get to the main hall.

Upon entering the mansion, I saw the other servants running back and forth as if they were in a hurry.

"Elodie, what are you doing here wearing your pajamas?" Daisy, my other best friend who is also a servant asked me.

"I-I was just looking for Aunt Sally. Do you know where she is?"

"She's in the kitchen. Oh my gosh, if the madame sees you like that, you're going to be dead!"

"I-I was just--

"Hurry up and line up! Madame and Milord Denmarks have arrived!"