She could hear them all the way from up the stairs, the sound of music, chatter, laughter and the occasional chink of glasses as they toasted the overall perfection of their lives. There were many stairs in Anastasia's home along with many corridors but sound wafted up from below often loud enough to cause much irritation. They boasted about their utter superiority in a very superficial manner and did so on a regular basis. So much so that it had become rather distasteful and Anastasia had taken to hiding away whenever these loud and capital occasions arose.
Anastasia's mother Maria was a social light and had been since birth, being born into one of the wealthiest families around, the Dwyers. Maria's father died when she was young leaving her to grow up an only child with her mother Elma. Elma loved the party life and would often have day long parties at their large estate that was left to them by Maria's father. It was a trait she would pass to Maria.
Albert Barns on the other hand was a humbler man, a son of farmers, one of fourteen children and Maria's husband. He didn't need money, possessions or social standing nor did he desire them, all he wanted in life was Maria and was desperate to give her all she wanted.
They were an attractive couple both with porcelain skin and deep blue eyes, him with gold hair and her mahogany curls. They had the perfect relationship despite them being on completely different social levels. They married quickly and decided a move was needed if their family was to grow. Maria had always had her eyes set.
The Dwyer mansion had been left to catch dust after Maria's father passed as Elma had found it too difficult to live there and now lived four towns over in a penthouse suite. Maria had always known the estate was left solely to her and had been preparing for its takeover and restoration for some time now. It wasn't long before the house was in full swing and she indulged in all that her mother had loved. Maria was soon known around town for throwing lavish dinners and all night long parties that everyone from the 'upper class community' wanted to be invited to. Of course they weren't as Maria was very picky about whom she let in her circle.
Albert worried about his wife and felt like her parties and social outings were changing her, changing them. He'd hoped having children would settle her down and maybe fix her selfishness and needing of stature. When they went on to welcome a beautiful baby with blonde hair and blue eyes they named him Theodore. Maria was at first disinterested in the young boy but when they found the child was sickly and had to have heart surgery her persona changed. She stopped her partying and focused solely on her son and his well-being. Theodore was two years old and finally in good health when they welcomed their second blonde haired, blue eyed baby into the world. This baby more beautiful than the last. She too had the same porcelain skin as her parents and brother and as Gabrielle grew the town talked of the families captivating looks and doll like qualities.
Life was picturesque in their Green Town manor, Theodore and Gabrielle flourishing and becoming more beautiful each day, Albert working as a lawyer, Maria had even purchased both children Beagle puppies for Christmas. To the town they were the perfect family and that is all Maria cared about after a while. She began caring too much about up keeping her reputation that she slid back into her old ways. Even pushing the children into activities that put them in the public eye which only made Albert fall into a deep sadness. He didn't want a partying and controlling wife, he just missed his Maria.
He soldiered on until Theodore was six, Gabrielle four and when Maria welcomed her third child into her selfish world. Olive skin, brown eyes and black hair the little girl was even more stunning, Maria's babies growing in beauty with each one. Albert loved the little girl though in his heart of hearts he knew that Anastasia was not his daughter.
It was in the middle of one of Maria's now weekly socials that Albert would kiss each Barns child as they slept and with a single suitcase in hand quietly walked away from the home. Away from Maria and away from his children. The party was in full swing, how was Maria to know the man she married would fade off into the night.
He didn't even leave a note.
Though hurt and struggling to deal with the shame and her children's lingering questions, the festivities continued. It seemed no matter what the Barns children were destined to grow up in this artificial life. It hadn't taken long but soon Maria bounced back and would open her doors to a series of lovers causing her son to become disconnected. He missed his father and blamed his mother for him leaving, after all there never was a reason left.
Gabrielle on the other hand thrived and by the time she was fourteen had already inhabited her mothers and grandmothers social light tendencies. She only got more beautiful with age and she knew it, flaunting her perfect hair and clear complexion. But as Gabrielle grew so did her baby sister and Anastasia was talk among Maria's friends. That the younger sister was far more beautiful than the elder which only fuelled Gabrielle's hatred towards Anastasia.
The parties were just as loud and went as long as ever, the rowdy adults often seen staggering across the front garden in the wee hours of the morning. The pillow Anastasia held to her ears no longer blocked out any of the clamour below having used his method exhaustively. The window was slightly ajar, a soft cool breeze making its way through pleasantly every now and then moving the papers strewn across Anastasia's desk. Knowing sleep would be impossible and as how the sun would rise in a matter of hours Anastasia removed her pillow, flipped her covers and stepped onto the cool wooden flooring.
She made her way and stood by the open window looking down into the garden below. The air was crisp and smelt of the eucalyptus trees that filled much of the large estate. Anastasia stood with her eyes closed enjoying the breeze and the fresh early morning smell, temporarily forgetting the commotion downstairs.
The days were beginning to get colder as winter neared, a fog was staring to linger in the hills of which they lived as it always did this time of year. No matter what was going on around her, Anastasia took comfort in her surroundings at least. She was completely in love with 'her hills' as she called them and would spend all her spare time hiking and finding places and things to paint. Even though she may not have been biologically his and he may have left before her first birthday but Anastasia was the most like Albert than any of the children. Maria never openly treated the children differently when it came to possessions as the town would talk of obvious favouritism but could never show her youngest child any affection. That may be how Anastasia became so down to earth and kind, unlike her older sister.
Having drifted off to sleep again, Anastasia was awoken with a jolt as she heard the last of the party goers fall into their taxis. Her mother had since turned the music off so Anastasia went in search of her. Peeking her head slowly out the door she looked and listened for movement before turning down two corridors, up the stairs to her mother's wing of the house was. As she made her way down another hall her mother stopped to look at her, her hand lingering on her bedroom door handle. Maria looked at her child and swiftly went inside without a word leaving Anastasia to find something else to do as clearly her mother wasn't even in the mood for pleasantries.
She was always disheartened by her mother's coldness but having suffered this treatment all her life was just learning to accept this for the way it was.
"You're up early." Greta chimed from the kitchen as she saw Anastasia walking past. Anastasia now having someone to talk to did a double back and entered the kitchen taking out one of the breakfast bar stools to sit on. "Sleep well?"
"Did I sleep?" Anastasia asked smiling. She watched as Greta cleaned the mess of drinks, Tabaco, food, and various other messes and smells that curled her nose. Greta laughed shaking her head as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Well I won't worry, your mother is out again tomorrow afternoon so you'll have a few days' rest." Anastasia wasn't surprised to hear this from Greta. Greta had been their maid since Anastasia was six and had more or less raised the children since.
"Well you don't suppose she'll actually come back on the right day do you?" The teenager asked as more of a dig at her mother then a question.
"I don't know Stasia." Greta frowned busying herself with her tasks ahead, again leaving Anastasia to find something else to do.
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YOU ARE READING
Poor Girl
RomanceShe could hear them loud and clear. She tried desperately to slow down her breathing so she wouldn't be heard but feared her rapid heart beat would give her position away. It was cold and wet, her clothes were torn and they were closing in.
