Chereads / Never a Rose Without a Prick / Chapter 4 - It’s Just a Dream

Chapter 4 - It’s Just a Dream

I woke up from the ray of light that came from the only little window in the attic and without a doubt I know I've slept too long. Although, I'm now wide awake, I can't think of why; my heart is pounding and racing as if my adrenaline rush awakens from my sleep.

She remembered the scenario a while ago or is it yesterday? She doesn't know. She stands up from the floor and look at the mirror still facing her. She stared at herself in the mirror confirming if the scene she remembered is real or is just a dream. She looked at her arms and there is no sign of scratches, she looks at the mirror again if she will saw the girl again, that looks like her but the reflection is exactly her; the clothes, the expressions, her body, and her action is still the same.

"It's just a dream huh?," Soleil concluded. "How long did I sleep? Maybe they're looking for me and accused me from slacking." She imagined the image of her mother scolding her. She felt a sudden nervousness from her imagination and she has no excuse since she really did sleep. Although she doesn't know how on earth did she fell asleep?

Soleil hurriedly went downstairs. While walking, she notices that the house is now clean and organized. Actually, it's look more elegant and sophisticated than its past state. "Really, how long did I fell asleep to make this house this clean and beautiful?" she questioned herself. Maybe she slept for hours? But it's too impossible for her to sleep for days!

When she went downstairs, she called her mother, father, and Kale but no one answered. She's starting to get worried, why does the place looks empty? and why does the place look more rich-like? She doesn't know but she senses an unfamiliar feeling inside the house, not because they're just move in but because of something odd and eerie.

An old lady wearing a maid's uniform suddenly appeared when Soleil turned on the left side of the hallway. The old lady looks like at her 50's. Her hair has now smoky-grey highlights, and there are now Crow's feet around her brown eyes. Amidst of it, she still looks pretty.

Soleil look at her with a confused expression. She clearly, doesn't know the woman in front of her. She thinks that maybe she is the previous owner of the house but she could not determine why the woman was wearing a maid's uniform? It's still far from Halloween to wear a costume.

"What's wrong Miss?" The old lady asked while plastering a friendly smile.

"Who are you, ma'am? do you need something? Oh, wait. Did you see where my family is?" Soleil asked, while still figuring who she is and where her family.

"Don't you remember me Miss?"

"Uh, yes? Sorry for the discourtesy, but I have no clue who are you, ma'am"

"Oh no, don't apologize Miss. I should be the one apologizing. Miss Soleil, I'm Martha Fetizanan and I'm the head maid of your family." The maid bow with courtesy to Soleil. Soleil panicked because of the bow that's why she also awkwardly bows to the maid at the same time, she was puzzled why did she call herself as the maid of their family? It's impossible for them to hire a maid because of their financial status.

The maid was surprised by the action of Soleil. Never in her entire life she would see the young miss lower herself and bow for servants like her.

"Did I do something wrong ma'am?" Soleil asked confusedly. She thinks that isn't doing a bow is a sign of courtesy? perhaps her way of bowing is wrong?

"Of course not Miss, and please call me Martha."

"Hi, umm M-martha, miss Martha? Ma'am Martha?" Soleil was confused what she should call her, since the maid was older than her.

"Just Martha, Miss."

"Alright, umm..Hi, Martha. Do you know where my family is?" she asked again.

"Master Viggo went to the section, while Mistress Cordelia is managing the company"

Soleil is now really confused. First, how did they have a maid and why did she called her Miss and dad as Master and Mistress? Like aren't they are on the 20th century and they're not that rich nor a royalty like she saw in the movies for her to call them such extravagant endearment. Second, what is a section and why her dad in 'it' or in 'there'? She's really puzzled. Third, managing a company? The last time she remembered her mother works as an editor to a magazine. Lastly, where is her brother?

She looks around the house once more, she realizes that the house had gotten bigger and more sophisticated. Gone the calmness and strange atmosphere emitting into it. Instead, the atmosphere became cold and heavy. She rushes outside of their house, and she's right the house is really different. Instead of a house it became a mansion. She scans outside of the mansion; it looks normal except there are more trees compare to the houses. But the oddest thing she saw is a big temple on the top of the mountain. Why there's a temple in there? And why there are mountain in there from the first place?

"What's happening in here!?" She faltered. She pinch her cheeks, checking if this is a dream but to her dismayed, she doesn't wake up, because this is the reality.

There are now two maids chasing her and hurriedly went to Soleil to support her, she is now kneeling in front of their gate because her knees goes weak from the things that are happening. She slowly processing everything. The maids are now worried about their young Miss. This is the first time seeing her in this state. It seems like, Soleil became a different person. That' why they didn't know what to do with her. Because in this family, the person they fear the most is Soleil.

After some time, Soleil collected herself and decided to go back to the attic. The first place where everything had begun. She hurriedly went to the attic, she run like her life depends on it. The old maid, named Martha chase her again. While, the young maid was instructed by Martha to call their young Master Kale, Soleil's brother.

"Young master, there's an emergency." Said the young maid to Kale when she arrived at the library where Kale was reading.

"What is it?" Kale asked, still reading peacefully.

"It's about the young miss"

Kale instantly close his book and stand. The young maid can't read her master's expression because it remained cold and stoic. 'Isn't he worried about her sister?' she thought.

"Forgive me about my words, but there's something weird about the miss. It seems she doesn't recognize everything arounds her." The young maid said, while looking down. Scared to Kale.

"Where is she? "Kale asked while walking outside the library

"It looks like she's going to the attic, young master" she said while following Kale.

Kale quickly went to her sister. He doesn't know what happen to Soleil. Their relationship isn't that close but they remain civil to each other.

SOLEIL looks at her reflection again, praying that she will find the answer to her question. She touched the mirror. But it's still the same, the maid is still there, watching her. She shake the mirror, and went around the mirror but to no avail she still here and still the same.

She's confused, scared, and terrified. She doesn't know if she's still in the world she was born with or if she was transported to a strange place. All she knew is, this is not the place they move in. Rather, this place is like the parallel of it. She wanted to cry because of confusion but the shock overwhelms her. All she did was kneel and stare back at the mirror.

Martha doesn't know what she should do, but stare at the pitiful Soleil. When the door opened, Martha's hope lightened because of Kale's arrival. She greeted him.

"Soleil" Kale called. When Soleil heard his brother's voice, her senses came back. She then turned around to make sure that it's her brother. When she saw her brother looking at her, Soleil gave a big smile that is a sign of relief and rush towards her brother and hug him tightly.

The relief and joy of Soleil was the complete opposite of Kale. He froze the moment she hugs him. This is the first time her sister hug her and he doesn't know how to react and respond. He then confirmed, that her sister is indeed odd. She knows her sister, she's one of the coldest woman she ever met. She rarely shows affection. That's why it's a surprise she initiated a hug.

When Soleil felt her brother being unresponsive. She slowly removed her arms and break the hug. She looks at Kale's stoic expression, far different from the cheerful and mischievous Kale. In that moment, she knew that the boy in front of her is not her brother.

"Who are you? And where am I?" Soleil asked sternly. She and Kale stared at each other. Both questioning on their mind who is the person in front of them.

Kale didn't answer her question and turned to Martha. "Call a Doctor" Soleil heard his remarks.

"Why did you call a doctor? I don't need it."

"You look like you need a doctor" Kale look at her with emotionless eyes and left. Leaving Soleil speechless and hopeless.