Chereads / Sunset Serenade / Chapter 2 - Trouble in Thornton Paradise

Chapter 2 - Trouble in Thornton Paradise

Her words hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Maxine felt a surge of worry and confusion. She had never seen her family in such a precarious situation before. She was just beginning to realize that the Thornton family was facing a crisis unlike any they had encountered before. And she knew that whatever lay ahead, they would need to come together as a family to navigate the stormy waters ahead. Everyone would have to contribute even her.

Long after the meeting had concluded, Maxine was so shocked that she had lost her appetite. She retreated to her room, trying to process what she had just heard. From what she had gleaned, it meant that her family was facing financial ruin. But how could business after business suddenly become unprofitable after all these years? The more she thought about it, the sadder she became.

"I'm going to have to get used to not having nice things," she told herself. "Since we are going to be poor, I wonder how life is going to be."

Maxine, an avid movie lover, began to play out scenes of a bleak future in her head. She imagined herself as a poor person, wearing regular, worn-out clothes, struggling against the elements. In her mind's eye, she saw herself homeless on the streets, her once vibrant hair now dull and matted, her clothes tattered and soaked by the relentless rain. Maxine saw herself drenched and shivering, running through the empty, dimly lit streets, desperately seeking shelter. Her surroundings were a stark contrast to the luxury she had known–abandoned buildings with broken windows, littered alleys, and the distant sound of sirens wailing. The cold wind whipped through her thin jacket, cutting to the bone, as she stumbled over the uneven pavement.

As the rain poured down, it created puddles that splashed with each hurried step, she could hear her own ragged breathing and the squelch of her waterlogged shoes. The world around her seemed gray and unforgiving, a far cry from the warm, sunlit mansion she once called home.

Maxine decided that this unfortunate scene playing out in her mind deserved a soundtrack so she got up and retrieved her violin from her closet, eyes shut tight, she started playing. The haunting strains of a melancholic violin could be heard all around the mansion. The tune was both gentle and mournful, often swelling with her despair, to capture the hopelessness of her imagined plight.

Lost in this bleak imagery, Maxine felt the weight of her family's potential downfall pressing heavily on her. The stark contrast between her current reality and the scenes playing out in her mind was almost too much to bear. 

Maxine shook herself out of her reverie, flicking away the glistening tears that had rolled down her cheeks. She glanced around her room, taking in the elegant furnishings and personal touches she had always taken for granted. The soft glow of the chandelier cast a warm light over the plush, canopied bed, the intricately carved wardrobe, and the delicate lace curtains framing the large windows. "This won't do," she said to herself. "I can't just stand by and watch everything my family has built fall to ruins. I believe I can fix this."

Determined, she put away her violin and walked to her vanity mirror, its ornate frame reflecting her resolute expression. Drawing herself to her full height, she looked herself in the eye and declared, "Yes, I can! The family business will not crash and burn, not while Ashley Maxine Thornton can do something about it."

Maxine took a deep breath, her eyes never leaving her reflection. "I am stronger than this. I have the intelligence and the resources to turn things around. I refuse to let this setback define our future." 

She clenched her fists, feeling the surge of determination course through her veins. "I will find a way to save our family legacy. I will learn everything I need to know about the business and uncover new opportunities. I won't let fear hold me back."

Her voice grew firmer with each declaration. "I am Ashley Maxine Thornton. I have the power to make a difference. I can overcome any challenge that comes my way. The Thornton name will stand strong because I won't give up."

Maxine straightened her shoulders, feeling a newfound sense of purpose. "I am capable, I am resilient, and I am ready to fight for what is ours. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, and I will ensure it is one of success and prosperity."

With these affirmations echoing in her mind, Maxine felt a renewed confidence.

The reflection in the mirror showed a young woman transformed–no longer a passive onlooker, but someone ready to take action. She decided that she liked the rich, velvet drapes behind her, their deep purple color vibrant and bold. She liked being comfortable and rich. She liked charity balls and writing checks to orphanages. She liked the way it made her feel to see her family name splashed across the news for some good deed that they could only afford to do because they were rich.

The room, once a sanctuary of comfort, now felt like the command center from which she would rally and fight for her family's future. Maxine's mind raced as she paced the floor asking herself, "What can one girl do?"

A daring idea began to form in Maxine's mind. Actually, the idea was both dangerous and daring. It was dangerous because Maxine had never applied herself to house chores without creating hazardous situations that could potentially harm her and those around her. It was also daring because she would be going undercover, without the privilege and protection that her family name afforded her. She would have to put on a disguise that she wasn't used to.

Having made up her mind halfway, Maxine decided to try her hand at house chores, again. The plan forming in her mind revolved around housekeeping, and she knew she needed to be prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead. She walked over to her closet, filled with designer clothes and accessories, and began searching for the simplest outfit she could find. She finally settled on a pair of faded jeans and a plain t-shirt, items she rarely wore. Tying her hair back in a tight ponytail, she tried to picture herself blending in as a housekeeper.

Her room, filled with the trappings of wealth, seemed to mock her decision. The ornate furniture, the luxurious bedding, and the expensive décor were all reminders of the life she was about to step away from, even if only temporarily. But Maxine was resolute. Standing in front of her mirror, she took a deep breath. "I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I will learn everything I need to, no matter how challenging it is. I won't let my family down."

Next, Maxine headed to the kitchen, where she began to familiarize herself with the tasks at hand. She washed dishes, mopped floors, and dusted surfaces, all the while thinking about her plan. The physical labor was new to her, and her initial efforts were clumsy, but she persevered.

As she worked, the details of her undercover plan became clearer. She envisioned herself in a modest uniform, working alongside the staff, gaining insights into their lives and the operations of the household. She would observe, learn, and uncover any inefficiencies or mismanagement that might be contributing to their financial woes.

Maxine knew it wouldn't be easy, and she would have to hide her true identity from everyone. But she was determined to do whatever it took to save her family's legacy, even if it meant stepping far outside her comfort zone.

As Maxine worked, she suddenly felt she was being watched. Stopping and looking up, she saw all the maids and house servants in the family mansion gathered, their faces filled with wonderment and shock. Just then, Nina, the Chief of the Thornton House Servants, who had once doubled as her nanny when she was younger, walked in briskly with her mother, Margot Thornton.

Her mother screamed in shock. "Oh my word! Maxine, what in the world are you doing?"

"Chores, Mother. What does it look like I'm doing?" she responded, sounding a bit annoyed."

You, my dear daughter, are making a mess," her mother countered.

"No, I'm not," Maxine replied defensively. But as she glanced around, the reality of her blunders became painfully clear.

Because she was deep in thought, she had forgotten that she'd left the kitchen tap on, and now the sink was overflowing with soapy water, which cascaded onto the kitchen floor like a sudsy waterfall. Not surprisingly, a precarious stack of half-washed dishes teetered on the counter's edge, threatening to topple at any moment.

Well, that was just the kitchen sink, the floors had a different story to tell

 In her attempt to mop them, Maxine had sloshed dirty water everywhere. Puddles of murky water spread out like miniature lakes, and the mop stood abandoned in one, resembling a forlorn tree in a murky swamp.