Allure Of The Night

Am I cheap?

"SKELLINGTON TOWN!"

The coachman shouted, pulling the reins of the two horses.

"STOP FOR SKELLINGTON TOWN!" he repeated so that the passengers, who were supposed to get down, heard him.

The carriage door opened, and Eve stepped down from it. She brought the letter in front of her to read the address of the family's mansion and started to walk.

"So beautiful," Eve murmured to herself when on her way, her eyes fell on a faded fountain of dragon statues. Clean water sprayed through the dragon's mouths.

Some people of Skellington spared a glance at Eve before looking away. While some looked at the young woman with a curious look, wondering what a commoner like herself was doing in a town to which she obviously didn't belong. It wasn't because of her clothes or the way she appeared, but because of the dowdy purple umbrella in her hand.

On reaching the average-sized mansion, surrounded by a decent looking fence, she walked past the gates and made her way towards the already opened door. The mansion's butler appeared at the door.

Eve offered him a slight bow and introduced, "I am Genevieve Barlow. I am here to see Mrs. Walsh for the interview for the governess job that she had fixed today."

The butler nodded, stepping aside, and he offered, "Let me take your—umbrella," he said when his eyes fell on her hand. She hadn't been interviewed yet, but she could already see the butler judging her.

"Careful with it," Eve smiled, handing the umbrella.

"Madame Jennifer is busy at the moment, speaking to one of the women who has applied for the same job. Please follow me and wait until you are called," informed the butler, leading her towards the hallway, where chairs had been placed near the wall.

Apart from Eve, three more women were sitting in the hallways who had arrived earlier than her. They were all above thirty-five or forty in age. Sitting poised, with their backs straight and their expressions serious. Not to mention, they even wore glasses on their face to fit the part.

Eve took a deep breath, assuring herself that she would get the job this time. Her education was perfect, and she was passionate about the job. An hour passed, and two more women were interviewed. Patiently, she sat there, waiting for her turn.

Sitting not too far away from the entrance of the mansion, Eve heard the butler greet someone,

"Welcome back, Mr. Walsh. Would you like me to tell the maids to prepare refreshments for you?"

Footsteps approached towards where Eve and another woman continued to wait. A man, probably in his mid-fifties, appeared, with the butler following behind him. Eve and the other woman stood up, their heads slightly bowed.

Mr. Walsh responded, "Yes. Send it over to my study room. Where is Jennifier?"

"Madame Jennifer is talking to one of the potential governesses, Sire. Would you like me to inform the lady about your return?" asked the butler, and the man waved his hand dismissively. Mr. Walsh and the butler walked past the two women without sparing a word.

Eve took her seat back on the chair, taking a look at the expensive decor of the mansion. Every mansion and manor in this town was incomparable, and it felt like a whole different world. Not because of the size of the buildings, or the clean roads or expensive-looking clothes. But there was a certain air around the town that made a person who didn't belong here wary.

After a while, soon the butler appeared again after the woman who had earlier gone to meet Mrs. Walsh arrived in the hallways, only to leave.

"Mrs. Woods. Madame Jennifer will now meet you," the butler informed and led the woman in the direction from where he had come.