On The Stage

IV

At first I didn't know where I was, what was happening or even what time it was. I felt almost unconscious and slowly rubbed my eyes while throwing out some random words in the direction of the person who had entered my room. These past few days spent in Rayan's car, however, had taken a toll on me. I felt nightmarishly tired, sleep deprived and sore. I decided to straighten up in my bed, stretch and continue to go to sleep. But then I heard the word "school" coming out of Myra's mouth. I immediately sobered up, opened my eyes wide, and grabbed my phone lying on my nightstand shelf. I felt something fall from my chest and heard the slight sound of some light object hitting the floor of the old house. It was Apoloni's notebook, in which the woman had written out the details of her dance arrangements. I was about to pick it up as soon as I saw what time it was. This one, unfortunately, indicated seven twenty which meant that in less than forty minutes school would begin. Last evening I had to fall asleep without even setting the alarm clock. I was reading a book left to me by an old woman trying to figure out the musical notation that was inside the book. I knew a little bit about notes even though I could not play any instrument. I was going to show this notation to someone who could play anything so that they could play for me a piece that Apolonia had probably composed for her own dance.

I got off my feet and just told Myra that I would be ready in five minutes. When she left my room I immediately rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and style my hair. Of course it took me much longer than five minutes. Usually when someone is in a hurry, everything goes wrong. The toothpaste wouldn't come out of the tube, my hair wasn't styled right, I wore my plaid shirt back to front. To get myself into relative order and correct all those mistakes one makes when one is in a hurry I needed another precious few minutes. Once I was ready, I grabbed my backpack and headed straight downstairs panickingly glancing at the clock on my phone which indicated that class would start in twenty-five minutes.

- Good morning, Sleeping Beauty. - I heard Aurelia's voice as soon as I ran into the kitchen. - I can be late for school, I don't mind.

- Hi. - I greeted everyone, grabbing a piece of freshly baked bread in my hand and chewing on it while standing up.

There was an impatient Buck standing in the kitchen, glancing nervously at the watch that adorned his wrist. There was also Pyra, Myra and of course Bobby, who looked extremely bewildered today. As soon as he saw me he immediately frowned.

- When you get back from school we need to talk about a sensitive issue... - He started in a very uncertain voice.

- When I get back Bobby. - I replied knowing what the boy wanted to talk about.

Of course, all the servants in the house heard every detail of yesterday's conversation. Bobby probably wanted to talk about the ten thousand crowns I'm supposed to give Gregory. The incident with the gun had cost us a lot, but I wasn't going to hold the young cook entirely responsible for what had happened. My sincere intention was to find a job by the end of this week. I was not going to live at the mercy of Gregory Von Rostov and follow the "rules of the house". I was sick to my stomach of a narrative in which a person with money can decide the fate of other people. I wasn't going to go to any psychiatrist either. I wasn't sick, I'm not, and I won't be. The same applied to Kevin. If the boy is willing to bend to his father's will I swear he will tear Gregory to shreds. Kevin didn't deserve such words, such suggestions and even less the kind of behavior that his dad had subjected him to. If anyone in this house needs psychological support it's Gregory.

I threw Buck a head gesture indicating that we could walk to the car while simultaneously holding a slice of bread in my mouth. I intended to eat my breakfast, or rather the bread itself on the way to school. The chauffeur did not protest and immediately headed towards the main hall. Aurelia only rolled her eyes and lazily followed the man. I did the same and after a while we found ourselves in a car. When we set off, I decided to occupy my companions in the car with some other topic as soon as possible, so that nobody would bring up the question of yesterday's dinner.