Maya turned to look at the man who just mentioned her name.
"Cedric!" Maya exclaimed.
It turned out they were acquainted with each other and exchanged pleasantries.
"It's very late and I guess you're tired. Allow me to show you, your rooms" Cedric, the butler, said and led them to their rooms. Even though there were numerous rooms available, Maya and Mary decided to share a room. After several failed attempts to persuade them to choose different rooms, they were allowed to share a room. Maya was fascinated with how plush yet ancient the room looked.
"This mansion was inspired by an antique building. After the late master's visit to Rome, he had wanted a building similar to colosseum yet had a touch of modernization. Hence, settled on this design" Cedric relayed proudly. Wanting to fascinate her more, he continued; "there are drawing rooms, as well as a ball room in this building, just like in ancient homes"
"Really?" Maya asked, looking very fascinated.
"Yes" Cedric replied.
It wasn't the first time Mary had visited the legendary Brown Wilson's mansion. She remembered how Matthew spent almost a month to come up with this design since he was the architect, the Wilson's chose to give that contract to. Not to brag, she was among the first people to be allowed to excurse the building after it was built and she fell deeply in love with both the man who designed it and the building. It only brought back memories of how she praised Matthew and how Matthew had taken great pride in her praises. Talking about this building only brought about memories, both good and bad, making her feel a bit uncomfortable.
As if sensing her uneasiness, Cedric changed the topic.
"Would you like to have anything, in terms of food?" Cedric asked.
"I'll retire to bed" Mary replied with a smile.
"I'm starving. What foods are readily available?" Maya asked
"Boiled yam and plantain, cooked rice, fish gravy, palava sauce, fried beef and fish, orange juice as well as pineapple juice. For desserts, only chocolate cake is available" Cedric replied.
"Well, i would like some rice with fried beef and palava sauce. Add orange juice as an accompaniment. Don't forget to add water and add a big slice of the chocolate cake" Maya replied happily.
"Copied" Cedric replied and excused himself.
After Cedric had left, Mary looked questionably at Maya.
"What?" Maya asked feigning ignorance.
"Add orange juice as an accompaniment, blah blah blah, add a big slice of the chocolate cake.... seriously? Maya!" Mary asked.
"You know vitamin c helps in the absorption of iron in foods from plant sources. And don't get mad at me. I'm starving" Maya retorted.
"Maya, for heaven's sake it's half past midnight. Why not eat something light and settle for the 'big slice of cake' at an appropriate time?" Mary asked worriedly.
"You don't have to care about that. As an elf, I have been blessed with high metabolism. Everything will digest in a jiffy" Maya replied happily.
"I see" Mary replied. "But that..."
Before Mary could complete her sentence, there was a knock on the door.
Maya rushed to the door, only to be greeted by Raymond carrying luggages.
"Oh!" Maya said unable to hide her disappointment.
"Why do you look so displeased? Were you expecting someone else?" Raymond asked.
"Nevermind. Come in" Maya replied
"You're some enigma" Raymond murmured under his breath. "These are for Mary" he said as he pushed them inside.
"Thank you" Mary replied politely wearing a smile.
Another knock came on the door, and Maya, without a second thought, rushed to open the door grinning happily.
"Really?" She screamed in displeasure when she saw Arnold and angrily walked back to the room.
"Raymond, you left this one in the car" Arnold raised a handbag.
"Thank you very much. Do come in" Mary replied.
Arnold worriedly glanced at Maya who seemed irritated by his presence.
"Don't mind Maya" Mary said when she saw how worried Arnold looked. "She's not angry, just disappointed you weren't the one she was expecting"
"I get it now" Arnold replied nodding.
Another knock came on the door, and Maya wearily looked in the direction of the door before slowly walking towards it.
"Maybe, you left your car keys and another person is here to deliver them" Maya said forcing a smile, which felt like she was bracing herself for another disappointment.
"That smile looks so fake" Arnold couldn't help but laugh.
Maya opened the door to be greeted with the sight of a young girl carrying a large tray of foods. As if on cue, Arnold and Raymond's tummy began to rumble.
"Thank you" Maya exclaimed joyfully as she took the tray from the girl. "What your name?"
"Emelia" the young girl replied
"You're a life saver, Emelia" Maya said happily.
Emelia only smiled and turned to walk away.
Maya heard the rumblings and gave the guys a death stare.
"I'm not sharing" Maya said as she placed the tray on the floor.
"So that's what you were waiting for" Arnold said smiling.
"Are you going to eat all of that?" Raymond asked.
"Watch me!" Maya exclaimed.
"Huh?!" Arnold and Raymond said chorally.
"Well, well, well, ...." Maya said looking at them "You can join me"
That was exactly the invitation they needed.
"Oops, there's only one spoon" Maya said happily when they joined her.
"Don't worry" Arnold replied smiling.
Maya watched shockingly at them as they pulled spoons out of their pockets.
"You came prepared?" Maya asked
"That's what soldiers do. Always prepared" they replied chorally and began to eat.
Mary watched as they kept bickering and eating at the same time. She felt amused and wished she could watch them like this forever. However, her heart felt heavy and uneasy which could meant one thing - Danger.