Winter (Not Edited)

Chapter 3

   The morning came quickly as Winter pulled the cover off of her body. She shivered as her tiny foot came in contact with cold floor. The estate seemed silent as it was only around seven in the morning.

  Stretching her arms, Winter headed towards the bathroom. She felt her dress, she could not determine if it was damp or just cold. Though she had no need to wonder. Mrs. Wagner, the elderly housekeeper, had already sent more maid clothes to the room earlier that very morning.

  Winter ran her fingers over the fine linen. A neat pile of dresses was stacked on the vanity. Winter wondered how this got here, and who brought it to begin with. She wondered if they saw her sleeping. She did not mind, she only wished she could thank the kind soul who brought her such nice dresses.

  At last, the water from the shower was steaming and was just the heat her freezing figure craved for at night. The water caressed her skin and seemed to wash any negative thoughts that were crawling up her.

  Mrs. Wagner was busy packing away her things, she was retiring. She had only realized Winter was here when Emerson informed her. Winter must have arrived in the later night and early morning, she thought.

  A small sound came from the stairs, Mrs. Wagner pushed the food aside and patted down her apron. "Hello, my darling, you must be Winter! I am Mrs. Wagner." Mrs. Wagner said graciously. Winter found herself smiling and nodding, slowly. She was confused, wasn't she the maid? Who was this woman? Winter thoughts were ceased as various popping sounds went off at the stove. "Oh my! Let me get that?" Mrs. Wagner said as she frantically moved towards the pots at the oven.

  "You are a quiet one aren't you?" Mrs. Wagner laughed as she stirred what seemed to be oatmeal. Winter stood silently. She cursed herself for being shy, the words she wanted to say were lodged in her throat.

   A clutter of loud noises were made known from above them, Winter having no idea where those came from she looked swiftly at Mrs. Wagner. "Who are you?" Winter found herself asking, hoping she didn't sound rude she added, "well, I mean, I just thought I was the maid." A slight red tint made home on her pale cheeks, out of embarrassment. Mrs. Wagner smiled before explaining how she was retiring, and Mr. Emerson would have a new maid before she could leave.

  The breakfast was filled with important information for Winter to remember. Emerson did not like a big breakfast, he drank coffee-black, no sugar, he worked a lot, he hated distractions, and so the list goes on. Winter was scared even more now, she did not want to annoy him at any cost.

  "Here, eat! You have a big day, I will show you the reigns of this place!" Mrs. Wagner said excitedly, as she handed Winter a bowl of oatmeal. It was true, Mrs. Wagner loved kids, even though she knew Winter was in her adulthood, she was small and young enough to warm her heart.

  They cleaned the entire house together, and made lunch for Emerson, though they only sat it down outside his door. Winter had been out of her room all day, and not once had she set her sight on the beast she saw last night. It could be alright here, she thought. Only within the hours of that day did she grown an unexpected bond towards Mrs. Wagner. Winter would miss her, Winter also doubted if she could manage everything as perfectly as her.

  Upstairs the beast was working on many things. Emerson worked as a business man, a salesman, but beneath that he was truly a fanatic for learning. He worked his whole day, and read his whole night. It was a cycle, a cycle of distraction. He didn't have to feel when he was distracted, he would keep it that way.

  Though Emerson was a busy man, Sunday was one of the days he didn't work. The work was unnecessary, he had inherited a lifetime to spend, but work was what Emerson knew. It was all he had. He had no family, half of the estate was once burnt to prove that. No fires were allowed, not unless Emerson was in the room. He would never make that mistake again.

  Shaking his head, it was almost dinner. Emerson wondered how Winter made it throughout the night. He remembered how Mrs. Wagner freaked out when he had told her she slept in a room without a fire or heat. The hall that Mrs. Wagner slept in had heat, but it was still cold without a constant fire. Mrs. Wagner had warned him about her becoming ill, he wasn't dumb. She was 50 kilograms at most, of course she would get sick easily. He dismissed the thought, he would just buy a heated blanket.

  Emerson made it swiftly down to the dining area. He ate alone, in silence. That was one thing they had in common that night. After Mrs. Wagner had made dinner and said her farewell to them both she left. Again in the silence, Winter sat alone eating. She did not eat much, she hated eating by herself, it upset her. Winter always imagined having huge dinner parties while dancing and talking to anyone who would listen. Though again, she had always imagined it, never experienced it.

  She missed Mrs. Wagner already. Winter was slightly anxious for tomorrow and what was to come. Her first night alone with the beast of the house.