Flashback
2016
2, Lane 16,
Unity Community,
Lokoja, Kogi 2,
Tuesday, October 18
4:52 PM
Angeline trudged through the front door, her eyes cast down at the floor. Her adopted father, Uncle Usman, looked up from his newspaper as he was sitted in his favourite armchair, concern etched on his face.
"Angie, what happened? You're all bruised up!"
Angeline dodged his outstretched arm and made a beeline for her room. She didn't want to talk about it, didn't want to relive the humiliation.
As she pushed open her bedroom door, she was met with a sneering face. Othniel, her second cousin, was lounging on her bed, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. The little crybaby's come home," Othniel taunted, his voice dripping with venom.
Angeline's eyes flashed with anger. "Shut up, Othniel. You're just mad because you're a loser who can't even get a girlfriend."
Othniel's face darkened, and he raised his hand to slap her. But Angeline was quick. She caught his wrist in a tight grip, her eyes blazing with defiance.
"I am not intimidated by you," she spat, her voice low and deadly.
Othniel's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, he was taken aback by Angeline's bravery. But then, his face twisted into a snarl.
"You think you're tough, huh? Well, let me tell you something, Angie. You're not tough. You're just a weak little girl who can't even defend herself."
Angeline's grip on Othniel's wrist tightened. "I don't need to defend myself against a coward like you," she retorted, her voice dripping with contempt. "You're just a bully who hides behind his family's name. You're nothing but a pathetic little worm."
Othniel's face turned red with rage, and he tried to shake off Angeline's grip. But she held tight, her eyes blazing with fury.
Finally, Othniel managed to break free, and he stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Angeline was left standing alone, her chest heaving with anger. But as she looked around her room, she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had stood up to Othniel, and she had come out on top.
...
The Nest,
Sea City,
San Diego.
Tuesday February 15
4:45 PM
She began to swell in anger but just as she was about to explode the ivory doors swung open to reveal a dark-skinned gentleman.
"Oh, Buttler Aubinet, are the recruits ready for the orientation?" she asked sweetly but he just replied with a nod.
She awkwardly returned the nod and entered the room proudly, causing me to sigh in relief as I followed her in, not before curtsying to the butler. My jaws dropped as we entered the ginormous gleaming golden ballroom. I felt small as the finest Chandeliers I had ever seen perched high up seemed to wink at me. The floor was so spotless I could see my reflection and soon I noticed the reflections of other people I'd never met. I looked up to see a lot of people on a single file facing the stage at the end of the room as though they were being inspected and I needed no soothsayer to tell me to join them as I went to the back of the line. They all fell silent as Lady Long and the Buttler stood on the platform, with her guards behind her. She had just opened her mouth to speak when I felt a swift heavy pressure on my foot.
"Ow! I winced, rubbing my hurt toe against my other foot.
"Ms. Richmen, is there something you would love to share with us?"
"No thank you, my lady! I replied with a shaky smile, before turning a glare at the demon who stepped on me.
"Alright, low lives, listen up because I'm only gonna say this once," she started degradingly, earning her murmurs which she ignored.
"I want to formally welcome you all to the Nest. For those of you who don't know me, probably because you're too poor to buy a TV, I'm Lady Long. And this is André, the Head Buttler, he will be your superior and will assign you to your final posts by..."
Just then, she was interrupted by a phone call which stepped aside to take and a small incensed babble rose in her absence.
"So you're the rumored Chosen One everyone's been talking about?" the red-haired Korean demon by my side said with an impish grin.
"What?" I replied sarcastically still hurt from the toes he stepped on. I can't believe I'm already famous. No wonder people have already started stepping on me."
"I'm sorry, we're starting on the wrong foot, no pun intended!" he chuckled, earning a smile from me.
"Hi, I'm Tyler Amberson and I'm sorry for stepping on your toes," he said, stretching his hand for a handshake.
"Angeline Richmen-Origi." I grinned, shaking his hand.
"But seriously, I'm sorry I stepped on you. I was just so pumped to meet a Long - a living legend - and on my first day too!"
"Pardon me for saying this, but you don't strike me type that would be willing to work as a servant."
"That's true...I do have a BSc in Marine Biology!"
"Then, why are you here?"
"Experience! I'm doing my internship at Scripps Institution of Oceanography but I'm working here so that I can earn extra funds to sponsor myself"
"Oh, then I wish you the best of luck!"
"Thanks! So why. If I may ask are you here?"
At that moment, everyone's attention was diverted by the brisk clicking of heels as Lady Long returned, sparing me hours of re-narration!
"André, something came up at the Den, take over from me. As for these peasants, show them the ropes. l want no mistakes!" she said, hurriedly before dashing off like a harassed mother hen followed by her guard, oblivious of the angry murmurs rising with each step she took out of the hall.
"Everyone, listen up" André ordered, causing some ladies to squeal in delight.
I don't blame them, Andre's deep French accent was surprisingly ethereal and almost seductive...Hey, don't look at me like that! I'm just expressing my honest opinion!
"My is André Michel Aubinet, you all know me as ze Head Buttler but I would prefer you can see me as your friend - who can also fire you!" he paused, as we chuckled.
"So feel free to come to me if you need anything, if you have any questions or complaints, or when you notice anything suspicious. Now if you'd walk with me..." he trailed, leading them out of the ballroom.
"Ze house is divided into ze North Wing, ze South Wing, Ze East Wing, West Wing, and ze Guest Wing..."
"What about the kitchen?" I blurted out before I could stop myself, earning me a few snickers from those who hoped I would be told off or worse, get fired on the spot.
"Zat's an excellent question, Miss Richmen," André remarked. "But ze reason I didn't it up was because we already have more than enough staffs in ze Culinary Wing. So, you have nothing to worry about Miss Richmen. Over here is the Storage Room..."
The house itself was so huge I might need 3 days to know everywhere on my own without getting lost. On the ground floor, André showed us the vast recreational center and Spa overlooking the luxurious pool and outdoor kitchen. Next, he took us to the large dining hall with a lot of guests eating on fancy oval tables. We were able to get a sneak peek of the ever chaotic with its even more choleric Head Chef barking at two or sous chefs at the same time. After avoiding getting hit by a pan or two, we were awed to see the elegant luxury the lodgers stood to enjoy from several rooms we were able to see in the Guest Wing. We then discovered that the two entrances behind the stairs led to the North and South Wings respectively and held two entirely different worlds.
After leaving the Waiting Room, which was for thoroughly checking in guests that come to visit the Longs, we fell quite intimidated by the ever-icy-cold Board Room just beside it. Andre hinted that the Nest may expect some important guests tomorrow, advising us to be on our best behavior if we wanted to keep our jobs and earn fat tips.
We laughed over another joke as we ascended the stairs. I have to confirm that the bi-furcated stairs are tri-furcated on getting to the landing. There was a large polished golden armored door with the words 'Play Room' inscribed on it in red. We were then shown both the West Wing and the East Wing on the top floor. We also saw the music room, the library, the attic, and the art room. I felt out of shape when we entered the Dojo, full of hot bare-chested guards sparing with even hotter guys, on white tank tops. Most of the girls couldn't stop themselves from openly drooling and many flirty winks were exchanged. And just I thought I wouldn't get swayed my eyes tell on something out of this world!
On seeing that André was too busy exchanging pleasantries with a middle-aged man who seemed to be the instructor, I tip-toed towards the armory to get a closer look at Shurikens hanging on the wall when someone grabbed me by my arm and dragged me away.
"I just wanted to see them, André!" I whined.
"Non, non, ze weapons are very dangerous, mademoiselle. Grand Master would have had my head if anything happened to you on my watch!" André explained as we left the room. Our tour finally ended at the servant quarters which was outside, a bit away from the house. I was quite relieved that today was finally over and I was looking forward to some hours in bed from the tired looks on the others' faces I guess they felt the same.
"Zis is where we will part for now!" yawned André "I'd advise you all to rest well. Tomorrow is a very big day. Mrs. Bays will show you to your rooms...Miss Richmen?"
I stopped in my tracks at the door wondering why he called me as I and a few others looked back in curiosity.
Why did André call her back?