Secrets of the Manor (The Boy)

[1]

You were the daughter of the Heelshire family's cook. A position that gave you and your mother a place in the servant's quarters. Of course, the quarters were separated through gender to prevent scandals. The women's section was bigger due to the overabundance of maids and cooking staff. Over the years, the female staff had reduced, giving you a space for yourself. Your nook near the window gave you an opportunity to decorate it with small planters given to you by the gardener. You became the pseudo child or grandchild to many of the employees on staff. Instead of getting in trouble, they covered for you when any of the family members complained about your adventures through the manor.

You were lucky enough to grow up in that manor due to your mother's previous employment with the family. The Heelshire's missed your mother's cooking and didn't question her sudden return after two years. As years passed on, you heard whispers of your vagabond father, but you chose to not ask your mother any questions.

What use was there to bring up bad memories?

Both of you survived because of the Heelshire's generosity. No one would have tolerated having their employee care for their child while working. Mr. Heelshire welcomed your mother with open arms and reinstated her place as the cook. His comment of you becoming his son's playmate was nothing more than pretty words. Of course, Mrs. Heelshire wouldn't let her beloved boy play with the help's child.

When you were born as a girl, the possibility tanked even further. Which was odd since Brahms' future playmate was a girl. A bratty girl who tormented you for your difference in status. Everytime you complained to your mother in tears, she kept you busy and away from Brahms and his playmate. She distracted you through food preparation and schoolwork.

Her realistic attitude broke any illusions of you wanting to play with him. She was honest in showing the vast differences between you and Brahms Heelshire. You were a cook's daughter, and he was a rich man's son.

Worlds apart.

It was unavoidable to bump into him. Not when you encountered Brahms whenever he wandered into the kitchen for an extra snack. You didn't want to be rude, so you said hi even if he didn't even return the greeting. Other times, he lingered around the kitchen when you tried doing your homework or helped with food prep.

At first, you found it weird that he didn't talk to you. Maybe he was shy or didn't know what to say. It happened to you plenty of times when the Heelshire's tried talking to you.

Without notice, he began helping you with your homework. He was older than you, so he already learned everything about your grade. Happy for the help, you listened to him as he wrote down the process for the answers. Sometimes, he left his snack before leaving the kitchen. You found it strange, but you didn't question having free snacks.

He returned again and again.

You liked having Brahms tutor you in your lessons. He was patient while your mum lost her patience due to the changes in curriculum. It was also cool to have someone older pay attention to you. As the only other child in the manor, you knew he was lonely. You felt lonely too.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

One day, Mrs. Heelshire caught you two in your lessons. Brahms tried fighting his mum when she dragged him away from the kitchen. For the first time since you knew him, he argued back to his mum. You heard his mum lecturing Brahms over spending time with the help's child. He had a proper playmate and didn't need to lower himself to a random girl.

You sat there at the table and cried.

Nothing bad happened.

He was just helping you with your homework.