Chapter 2

I was one week in of my horrendous punishment. It felt like the whole world was punishing me by letting time go so slowly. In the morning, my teacher arrived, and we would work until one in the afternoon. Then I would have lunch alone. When I was done eating, I would join Mary in the kitchen as our chef would teach me a new recipe. By then it would be around three in the afternoon. I would go to the library and play the piano until four and then I had nothing to do anymore. This was my routine, day in and out. 

I had already watched all the movies I was allowed to watch; I had done all the hobbies I was allowed to do, which were not interesting anymore, and I could not go outside of the house. I was forbidden to go anywhere outside our borders.

I had never been to the movies, to the mall, to the library, or to school. I was very isolated from the world and because of that, I had no friends to keep myself busy with. I had never gossiped before or had a fight with somebody. Not even with my brother.

I never could consider my big brother as a friend. He was ten years older and by the time I was old enough to play with him, he was already going to high school. Xavier was always busy, either with school or with our father. He had to make my brother ready to take over the 'business'.

Still to this day I had no idea what he meant by that. Do not get me wrong, I had asked multiple times what kind of business my father owned, but he never gave me a clear answer. The very same way as he always dodged the question of why I could not leave the premises.

Today I had skipped practicing my piano exercises, I was not feeling like playing as I felt quite blue today. I sat in front of my bedroom window which showed me the front yard. As I was looking at the birds flying outside, having the time of their lives, I saw a car making its way on our driveway. But it was not any car, it was my brother's car.

I smiled. It had been months since he had visited us. I run to the foyer to wait for him. Just as I stepped down the last steps of the stairs, the door was opened for my brother. "Xavier!" I run up to him and gave him a big bear hug.

The sound of chuckles was echoing in the large hall. "It's good to see you too, little sister." I backed away and showed him a toothy grin.

"Ava! That is not how a proper lady welcomes her brother." My father scolded me. My smile faltered, my head hanging low. I stepped further back so my father could greet my brother.

"She is just happy to see me, father," Xavier said while giving him a hand, that was their way of greeting each other. Quite distant if you asked me. 

"Yes, but a lady does not let her emotions influence her behaviour. I thought she had enough etiquette lessons, but maybe I should hire somebody to re-educate her." My father mused.

Please, please, please Xavier, help me, I pleaded in my head. Those etiquette lessons were even more boring than dying of boredom. With a pleading look on my face, I begged my brother to help me.

"I think it was a slip-up, nothing to get too worried about." My brother said. I looked at him, showing how grateful I was for his words. He chuckled as a response to my thankful demeanor.

"I suppose so." My father mumbled.

Both men started to make their way to the formal living room. Just when we were about to enter the room, my father turned around. "Ava, go to your room. I have some business to discuss with you brother."

A small sigh escaped from my lips, as I turned around. Xavier was not even ten minutes home and I was sent away because of their 'business talk'. I wanted to talk to my brother too. Could they not wait until after dinner?

I stomped up the steps of the stairs as I made my way to my bedroom. I was lucky that we had a carpet covering the stair, or otherwise, my father would have heard me. I sat on the couch, trying to read a book to make time go by faster. It was easier said than done.

I could not concentrate. I had missed my brother and I wanted to see him. I looked at the clock and it said six in the evening. I had to wait another thirty minutes before dinner was being served.

I paced, I sat, I laid down, to keep myself busy.

Then finally it was five minutes before half-past six. With a smile, I made my way to the dining room. Upon entering I saw both my father and brother were not present yet. I sighed but let this not determine my delighted mood. I could wait for a few minutes, so I could dine with my brother.

Exactly at six-thirty, the servants made their way in the dining room, setting up the dinner for this evening. Only I saw it was for one person. "Pardon? Why are you not setting up dinner for three?" I asked politely.

"We were instructed you were to eat alone. Master and the young mister are dining in the home office." A young man answered my question. My happiness being crumbled down. "Oh okay, thank you," I mumbled.

My appetite was gone. For thirty minutes I played with my food. Now knowing for sure they were not coming down; I left the room. I quickly visited the kitchen to see if Mary was still there, but she had already left.

Again, I spent the evening alone. Like always.