Eyes wide open

chapter 5

Please don't hate me I'm sorry it took so long. I am trying to work on a schedule but I'm terrible at time management.

House was an overstatement, this was an old plantation house, it was huge.

"It has pillars, what kind of house has pillars." Jeremy laughs at the look on Jenna's face, explaining that a house as old as this would have a lot of architecture she would like.

"This house belonged to the governor of New Orleans in the 1800s." Katerina explains.

They walk into the hall, to see maids rushing around. The maids freeze when they see three people in the doorway, falling over themselves to apologize for the delay.

"No problem, "Jeremy says calmly holding his hands out nonthreateningly, "We made good time, got in early." he gives the women a smile as he excuses them.

"No wait," Jenna shouts. "Who is in charge."
One of the women step forwards, head held high, she nods to the others to return to their work. "I am Isabella, I oversee the maintenance of the Mikaelson estate. There is Rick, in charge of the gardens and Johnny in charge of the orchard."

"There is an orchid."

"Yes?" Isabella questions confused, "You are not the Mikaelson's, are you?"

"No, friends of the family, escaping home for a while Nik was kind enough to offer us this place, to lay low."

"Yes, the Mikaelson family is kind. The lady Rebeka the reason that my family still lives, we have worked for the Mikaelson's ever since. Taking care of their house in their absence, my sister manages their house in Italy." she pauses eyes wide, "I have been talking your ears off, my apologise let me show you to your rooms, then I can give you a tour, it's a big house we don't want you getting lost."

"Lead the way." Jenna grins, following Isabella.

[Jeremy's new room]

They settle in, enjoying the time to themselves in their own rooms, Isabella promised to give them a tour just before dinner time, to give them time to rest and change. Jeremy just sits on the bed staring at the wall. His mind racing, memories waring, the line between past and present blurring as he fights to keep conscious.

Standing abruptly, he throws the door open rushing though. In his blind panic he slams into a maid, knocking them both to the ground they tumble down the stairs.

She is up as quick as she can, hand holding her ribs gingerly she stutters an apology. Jeremy is in no mind to apologise, barley registering the fall. Dragging himself up he looks round like an animal caged, searching for an escape.

Hearing the commotion Jenna, Katerina and several maids including Isabella appear. Jenna talks charge immediately.

"Isabella take Jeremy to the garden, do not leave him alone, but don't touch him whatever you do."

Isabella shepherd Jeremy out of the hall.

"Can one of you girls take," she pauses as she stops in front of the injured girl. "What is your name sweetheart?"

"Jasmine." she breaths out a harsh breath as she speaks.

"You sound like you have broken ribs, you need a doctor."

"No, I'm fine really."

Folding her arms, she asks Jasmine to stand up straight and say that, but the poor girl can barely move. Katerina breezes past them returning with a glass of what Jenna can only assume is blood.

"Here drink this if you don't want to go to the hospital." pushing the glass into the maid's hand before she can refuse. "You want to finish up here or talk to Jeremy."