The darkness surrounding Vivian was strangely comforting and warm.
A light appeared in that darkness, no bigger than a firefly.A deep voice spoke in her mind. 'I will give you another chance at life. What you do with it is your choice. I refuse to intervene again.
'Vivian somehow responded. 'What are you? Who are you?'
The deep voice spoke once more. 'The one he's prayed to every night… to be connected to you in this life and the life after.'
'He…?' She was confused; the only man she'd ever known to be close to her was the very same who killed her with his own hands.
Fear overwhelmed her. 'No, please! Not him!' She begged, panic lacing her voice.
'He who has prayed for your soul is your fated love. I have given you life… what you do with it is up to you. ' The light slowly began to fade. Vivian found herself begging once more. She'd take death on if it meant she'd never face Edgar again.
'I beg of you to have mercy on me, please! I do not wish to remain by his side! I'll do anything! Please!'
'I asked you if you'd dare to try again. If you'd want another chance at life. You replied that you would. I've done my part. This is all I can do for you.'
Soon she was engulfed in darkness. A bone-chilling cold replaced the warmth.
Vivian jolted awake to a room filled with sunlight. It was the maids' quarters."That's not possible," she murmured to herself.
She scanned the room, taking note of the small wooden beds, the thin white sheet covering her lower half, and the small mirror on the brown desk in the room. She'd never been so relieved to see those dull yellow walls again!
"Maybe it was all a dream…?" She wrapped her arms around herself as memories flooded her mind. Clutching her head, she mumbled, "There's no way that was a dream…."
The door to the maids' quarters swung open. A petite woman with long brown hair and expressive hazel eyes looked at her confusedly."Vivi… why aren't you ready yet?" She cocked her head to the side as she approached the bed. "You and I are supposed to be at the market by n-… are you okay?"
The woman sat on the bed with concern etched on her face.
Vivian stared back at Crystal wide-eyed with tears streaming down her cheeks. Her best friend! Her best friend who she'd not seen in years was right there in front of her!
Crystal patted Vivian's back. A small sob escaped Vivian's lips before she threw her arms around Crystal, sinking her fingers into the white apron that covered her black dress. Crystal wrapped her arms around Vivian, concern lacing her voice.
"Are you okay? What happened? You look pale."
"I-" she almost said what was troubling her, but she stopped herself out of fear that she'd be thought to be insane. "I… just had a really bad dream…."
Crystal let out a huff. "I keep telling you sugar before bed gives you nightmares."
Letting go of one another, Vivian chuckled and wiped her cheeks. "You're right, from now on nothing sweet before bed."
Little did Crystal know it had been two years since she'd last seen her. It was all thanks to her demon of a husband.
He sold off maids without families in an attempt to clear his debt.Vivian clung to her friend in tears until they were forcefully separated. Edgar stared down at her in disgust.
"You seem to care more about this bitch than me!" He grabbed her hair and forced her to look up at him. "Have you any idea what they'll do to me or do to you if I don't repay my debt?! Is your husband of such little importance to you?!" He yanked her up off the dull marble floor.
"You want me to keep her?" His eyes turned a shade darker with rage.
"Please let her remain here! I-I will work if that's what it takes… I was once a maid! I can work for another madam!"He sneered at her eagerness to work for another household.
"Are you trying to embarrass me? Are you implying that I cannot support my household as a man?!"
"N-n… no, I just-""You just what?? Want me to be the laughingstock of the entire city?!"She wasn't cold but shook like a leaf under his scrutinizing gaze.
He walked over to Crystal, who was still on the floor. Grabbing her chin, he pulled her head up to face him."Perhaps I could keep you…." His eyes roamed over her face and body. "But only if you prove yourself useful to me." His lips curved upwards with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Crystal glared back at him in defiance. "Over my fucking dead bo-" He slapped her.
When his hand drew back again, Vivian raced to cover her friend. The maids watching the scene from a distance could only feel bad for their madam. The woman had truly believed this man to be the love of her life, but she realized far too late that he wasn't the person she thought he was.
The guards didn't flinch as they were under Edgar's command. No one would save her, and no one other than Vivian would dare take on Edgar's rage. Why didn't she leave? She had nothing and no one… women in the capital were simply something to own, and maids were considered even less than that.
Edgar frustratingly punched the floor next to the two women. Vivian flinched in fear but held her ground to defend her friend.
'I'm sorry Crystal… this is all my fault… I should've known it was too good to be true.'
"Get the bitch out of my fucking sight! The rest of you can get back to work unless you're volunteering to be next!"
The maids ran off to work while the guards pulled Vivi and Crystal apart, both of them kicked and screamed as Crystal was dragged out the door.
Less than six months later, she received word of Crystal's death. She was beaten by the madam of her new household for her husband's wandering eye.'
I won't let that happen to you this time… I swear it.' Vivian squeezed Crystal's hand and gave the woman a soft smile.
"Come on Viv, we have to get ready to head to the market, you know how the head housemaid is..."
"I almost forgot..." She swung her legs from the bed and placed bare feet on the wooden floor. "I'll start getting ready."
"Are you sure you're okay? You look as if you've seen a ghost."
Vivian smiled to hide the lump of emotion lodged in her throat. "I'm fine, I promise! I'm just happy to see you this morning"
"Okay, if you say so. Let's get a move on!" Crystal smiled back.