Amidst Crimson Kisses

Chapter Thirty Six: The Return Of Midnight

Margo's POV

I glance at their fabrications with a thrashing heart as I boldly take another step forward. A second passes, and I find myself reliving the first time I held my breath when I first witnessed the glorious landscape of Goulding Manor. It was so stunning I could hardly believe my eyes, and then the weeks expanded into long months. Suddenly, I recalled the white carnations scattered the hedges in two straight line encompassing a fountain. I realized the fountain held the hourglass frame of the girl that sat beside me with an unamused smile.

It was an instant when disdain filled my heart, and her indifference tainted the very air I inhaled. My family struggled their entire lives to always yield some monetary gain from their hands while Juliet had grown apathetic to her parent's wealth. I dug my fingernails into my wrist, watching the arrogance of a spoiled heiress unfold through her bemused gaze. Then the seconds turned into hours when she instructed her maid to put my things in the bedroom adjacent to hers. I could no longer suffer Juliet's entitlement for another second as the older woman scampered for my belongings.

"Princess," I slurred the word just like my dad, and I knew he'd be proud of me for it. "you know everyone wasn't made to bow beneath your perfectly pedicured feet. So God forbid if you start showing a little respect to your elders, and thanks, ma'am. But I'm capable of carrying my luggage upstairs; just point me in the direction where the house doesn't revolve around you the most."

"Margo, this is Gloria, and she's worked for us for twelve good years. She has a son named, Theodore and he's been her pride and joy since the day he was born. Although, he's especially been her heart since he came back to her several years ago when she could finally afford to take care of her son. Everyone that works at Goulding Manor has a story, but can you guess what job saved her Hijo?" Juliet mused, holding Gloria captive with her hands placed daringly on her shoulders as they faced me.

I offered a bright smile before I answered with acid in my tone. "She's your maid who has a job she has to bear through like most of the population. Imagine waking up before the sun even rises to greet you only to clock in at a mansion already on the outskirts of the city. Then you have to practice smiling as you scrub the house top to bottom, waiting for the pampered blonde to wake up with her attitude so far up her ass she lives, breathes, and eats her own shit. You smile even harder when she comes down the staircase as your heartbeat drops at the sound of her footsteps. Truly, your nightmare reigns in comeliness. What superficial irony!" I say, her lips forming into a frown as excitement dances in her bright blue eyes.

I blink, and Gwendolyn returns to my vision as she stands in front of my mother's walnut table with her scrutiny, encasing my appearance with sorrow. She always despised how I dressed until she tried to mold me into the perfect replica of Juliet. I just never knew I came forth from the loins of a bitter and spiteful woman. I can't believe Linda lied to me and after she promised she would never do anything to hurt me. How could she do this to me?

My father stands in front of me, his gaze protruding underneath his gray hat while I slowly step into the room until someone pulls me into their arms. I turn around, facing Asher as a silence falls over us, and he looks deeply into my eyes. I fight the urge to plunge under his muscular arms as he takes hold of me, throwing me over his broad shoulder. Asher walks in the opposite direction, inching closer to the door with long strides, ignoring my screams. My heart skips a beat when Andre, Charlie and Ajiona stand in the darkness as a haunting thought crosses my mind.

I remember when my mother died and it wasn't a few weeks ago. I've been watching her die over and over again for months now.

"Ash, please, don't do this. You're just doing the same thing they did to me when they left my mother to die," I shriek while Asher places me on the floor with regret brimming in his eyes as I turn back to the kitchen. "after Frank ripped the ventilator from the wall. Then he stayed for hours watching me hold my dead mother in my arms with tears running down my face. When my dad arrived, I tried to tell you what happened, but I guess you listened to the almighty dollar? You threw me over your shoulder, dragging me away from my mother's dead body, only it wasn't a few weeks ago. When did my mother die?"