"Make sure the balloons are pretty high up all the way to the roof", George instructed the rest of the servants.
The Miller mansion was looking in its grandest style, the decor was something no one had ever beholded , it was like the King's daughter was going to celebrate her birthday.
At least that was how it looked like to the world, Laury didn't spare a dime at all in making the mansion look fabulous.
Azora's birthday was the least reason for all these preparations, Laury just never seized and opportunity to show the whole town that her riches were never going to end.
Laury stopped caring about Azora's existence the day her brother's death was announced , she always silently cursed Azora's existence , but to the rest of the world and also to her daughter , she was an angel sent from above to help her .
And as always she had a new trick up her sleeve , to show the depths of her translucent wickedness.
"Why are you all so slow? The party is starting in three hours and the preparations isn't half way done !", George complained to the servants who were close to him .He seemed to be the most excited for the party , he really wished all the best for his master's child.
On the other hand , Maurice sat by the balcony, staring at the winds, and breathing in slowly the tragedy of the previous night.She kept fighting within herself to say it all , but she just couldn't give out Azora to shame and a probable death situation .
"For the first time , the all knowing and multitasking Maurice stays doing nothing, especially on this special and delicate occasion", George teased.
Maurice didn't even reply , it wasn't a snub , but for the first time even Maurice wasn't conscious of her surroundings , George's voice was like a pin drop on mid-air . Maurice was fully in a dream state ,wide eyed.
George dropped a glass on mid -air .
"Kkkkisssh", it shattered leaving the overly neat floor less tidy .
"And why did you do that? , You always act like this mansion belongs to you, you always destroy everything you touch.", Maurice answered angrily as she picked the pieces of glasses from the marble floor.
"Finally , she scolded me again , I feel really relieved , thats all I've been waiting for to keep me going, so tell me why you took so long to do so?",George joked .
"Excuse me ?"
"I meant you were thinking so much and forgot we have a party to set up for , even when I called out your name you didn't reply me at all, so tell me what exactly were you thinking about ", George asked worriedly .
"None of your business silly brat , you should learn to mind your business and your age as well , now get back to work ", Maurice replied as she set out to throw the broken glasses in her palms.
George just stood staring at her leaving and didn't notice the blood stains of her feet . Even Maurice couldn't feel the glass pierce through sole , that was how pained she felt within.
Nathan ran like the wind to meet George about the catering preparations.
"Am....George , the caterers are almost done with all the planned dishes and the roof cake is almost all iced up , they both taste like heaven on earth ", Nathan said with a broad smile across his face .
"Okay...sure ..that's a relief , at least the food part is almost done , as for the decorations ,we still have a little more to do ", George said still staring in the direction of Maurice's path .
"Yeah ...and I guess the mess still goes on, couldn't you even try your best not to break a glass and now your feet is bleeding man", Nathan replied sarcastically as he looked at the floor .
"You always seem to talk gibberish all the time , even if the tiny pieces of glass on the floor were to be half as strong as you were , they couldn't even pierce through my shoes", George said as he stared at air .
"I'll let that one slide , but seriously someone's messing up the place with their bloody feet , who was here with you last ?", Nathan asked inquisitively.
"The only person that was here with me a while ago was .....Maurice!", George said as he looked at the trail of blood leading to Maurice's path.
" Wait if Maurice was also here with you then.....
Nathan's words were cut short by the cluttering made by George running shoes. George already realised that Maurice was hurt by the glass because of her bare feet culture , he had to make amends for his mistakes .
Maurice on the other hand already got to the stairs and clashed with Amelia.
"I'm so sorry Mrs Maurice , it was never my intention to bump into you , I was on my way to Azora's room , she hasn't left this room since last night , and she seemed upset yesterday, I'm really worried about her", Amelia said .
"No need for that my child",Maurice said in a shaky tone .
" I was already on my way to her room , you dont need to worry yourself "
"Mrs Maurice you don't sound so good , are you feeling unwell or is there any problem ", Amelia asked .
"Absolutely not dear , I'm perfectly fine", Maurice said as little drops of sweat fell down her chin.
Maurice could never lie with a straight face , though she was a bit old and experienced , lying was just not her thing .
"Alright then , I'll be on my way to the kitchen to help out ",Amelia said as she set to pass Maurice's side of the two wayed stairs to the kitchen .
She froze at the sight of blood on the stairs and looked back to where Maurice was .
"Mrs Maurice !" , Amelia shouted and she reversed to meet her.
"Yes Amelia , do you need anything else ", Maurice asked with a smile .
Her smile was definitely too huge to be genuine, but she kept it on to drive the curious teenager alone .
Amelia entered the nearest room and brought a first aid kit to Mrs Maurice.
Maurice couldn't say a word , it was the minute Amelia bent over to her feet area that she noticed her bleeding sole ,then she remembered the pieces of broken glass shattering on the floor .
Amelia made Maurice sit on a side stool and gently treated the cut .
"You walked all the way from the balcony and didn't feel any pain from this piercing ?", Amelia questioned suspiciously .
"I guess I was too mind-boggled about the party that I couldn't feel anything my dear ", Maurice said smiling again.
"Mrs Maurice I know I may not be as close to you as Azora is but you can always tell me what's bothering you , you're like an aunt to me , I wouldn't want anything to worry you ", Amelia said holding her hands firmly.
The turret clock struck two , it indicated that the party was going to start in an hour time , the sound shook the whole building.Then and there Azora's image flashed through Maurice's mind . If she didn't get to hernon time , everyone would find out the truth .
"Thank you Ammy",Maurice said as she placed her hand on Amelia's face .
Without wasting another second Maurice tried her best to stand on her two feet .
"No you don't ", you have to stay here and rest for a while, I'll handle the rest of the work to be done ", Amelia said as she made Maurice sit back down.
"What about Az....."
"I'll go to her room right away",Amelia assured.
Amelia walked the stairs as fast as she could to Azora's room. Maurice tried her best to reach her. Maurice eventually found a way to block Amelia's path , but only at Azora's room door mat.
"No you can't go in there ", Maurice said barely standing on her two feet.
"Mrs Maurice you should sit , your legs will hurt, and why shouldn't I go into Azora's room, you sound like something wrong is going on in there"
"Everything is fine, but you can't just go in there ",Maurice insisted.
"I thought it was just because you wanted to help her dress up personally but I guess there's more this, I'm sorry Mrs Maurice but I'll need to enter the room right now", Amelia fierced.
Maurice's weary hands spread to the edges of the door, there was no way she was going to let Amelia enter or any one else, her bloody feet would testify to it.
"You'll have to get through me first my dear", Maurice said.
Both George and Laury finally got to the scene. George was on his way to Maurice when Laury began scolding him for the blood footprints. George dropped the rag and bucket , while Laury grinned inwardly .She only saw two children fighting with each other for a door.
"Enough you both!", Laury screamed in anger.
Amelia's and Mrs Maurice's gaze shifted to Laury, it was like cold breeze ran through their spines.
"Tell me what is going on here right this instant!"
"Mom, I'm glad you came , Mrs Maurice isn't letting me see Azora for some reason , and its almost time for the party , I need to know is she needs help with her dress ", Amelia explained.
"Is that true Maurice? ", Laury questioned
Maurice only faced the ground without uttering a word .
"So it is true , don't you know my reputation will be ruined if she comes out late or looking improperly dressed! ", Laury shouted.
Maurice's silence screamed more louder than ever as she didn't even look at anyone's face .
"Now move away from the door this minute or you'll lose your job ", Laury threatened .
"I'm very sorry ma'am but I can not do that "
"What insolence ! A mere nanny talking back at her master ,I'm only respecting you because you are far more older than I am Maurice , leave this door now !", Laury commanded.
" Maurice I would advise you to listen to Mrs Laury , your job should be your uttermost priority and nothing else",George advised.
"Forget it George , by the end of my last statement if you're still at this door then you just lost your job. Now leave this ..."
Before Laury could complete her statement Azora's room door had opened . A dark angel walked gently towards them . Azora's black floor sweeping gown caught all their eyes , its glitter was too much to unsee .
She was not only looking beautiful but majestic as well, no one would have the slightest idea that she ever cried at night .
"Omg Azora , you look so amazing, I can't believe my eyes , I'm out of words to explain your beauty my sweet cousin ", Amelia said as she hugged Azora tightly .
"T...thanks", Azora replied still staring at Maurice .
Before the hug ended Laury already left the scene , her mission was complete , seeing her money bait in order was all she wanted .
Maurice on the other hand turned away from Azora and left with George , leaving an over hyped Amelia with the awfully quiet belle .
The clock soon struck 2:30 and Amelia dragged Azora back into her room. Azora ensured cleaning up every nook and cranny of the room without leaving a single piece of glass left seen on the bare floor .
The really party was about to begin.