TWISTED

3: Shades Of Love

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"Yeah, I did, what can you do about that?"

Ella was forcefully shoved to the floor by Courtney who cackled at Ella's humiliating sprawled on the floor. Helpless but seething, she looked up to Brian who towered over her like a mountain. He had an evil smile on his face and when he crouched down to Ella's level, she was scared of what he would do to her.

He grabbed her hair in his hand and made her look up at him. Ella winced as he tugged harder,  flashing a sadistic smile.

"Your mother's gone forever Ella, there's nothing you can do to change that. Do not ever speak to me or my daughter like that again, or I'll throw you out into the streets, is that clear?

Exhausted, Ella slid her back down the wall and dropped to the floor. She cradled her knees in the circle created by her arms and rested her chin on her knees.

It's been days now since she confronted Brian and got the greatest embarassment of her life. She was terribly worried about her mom. Even though Brian hinted that her mom was dead and gone, she had a feeling that her dear mother was alive somewhere.

Maybe.

"What are you doing here Ellie?" A familiar female voice sounded above her. She looked up to identify the person. Margaret, the cook observed her with utmost concern. Ella tried wiping her eyes so that she wouldn't notice the tears lingering in them but Margaret's sharp eyes caught the gentle movement of her hand.

"Poor child, I'm also quite taken aback at the sudden disappearance of your mother, only the dear Lord knows if she's still alive." The middle-aged woman mumbled. Ella sniffled in response and stared at the concrete floor beneath her.

"Come now child, don't cry anymore." Margaret bent over and lifted Ella who shakily steadied her feet on the floor. She led Ella to a tiny stool positioned close to the wooden table upon which lay different food items. Seeing these made Ella's stomach grumble. She hadn't eaten since morning as Brian punished her for challenging his authority.

"That sick bastard must have deprived you of proper food, look how thin you've grown."

Margaret gestured at Ella's juting collar bone and her limbs which had considerably thinned.

Ella watched Margaret move to another table where she picked a plate and placed a few slices of butter-smeared bread on it. She handed it to Ella who devoured it with every fiber of her being.

While Ella busied herself, Margaret crept out the kitchen. Ella intended asking where she was heading to but her mouth was filled with food so she watched Margaret walk out the back door.

As Ella ate, she imagined what would happen if her step dad or Courtney found her here eating. She cringed because she knew exactly what would happen. Margaret would be sacked and she would be verbally assaulted.

The thoughts of all these made Ella eat in a hurry so that by the time Margaret returned with Benjamin, the food was lying in her stomach.

Benjamin and Ella stared at themselves for a while till Margaret interrupted them.

"Get out now, I have to make use of the kitchen, go on out you two..."

Ella giggled as Benjamin pulled her out through the backdoor, the same one Margaret had used earlier.

There were two back doors; the first one led to the large garden and the other led to the backyard where the servants lived.

Ella took note of the few servants who were strolling across the yard leisurely. She was surprised that Brian still maintained the custom of allowing the servants rest on Saturdays.