Antoniette's Secrets.

Under the bright sunlight, a young woman arrived in front of the gate and knocked on it gently twice while trying to peek at the house through the iron rails . In less than five minutes, another woman opened the door while scanning the person in front of her with curiosity and surprise. She said. "Antoniette?"

"Aunt Lucienda." The young woman revealed a bright smile as a response when she saw the woman and even proceeded to hug her but the woman took a few steps back away from her embrace and gestured for her to enter inside to her slight surprise. She gasped at the magnificent big house in front of her and asked. "Is this the place I will working in?"

"Yes. This house belongs to the Knight family." The older woman's voice was cold and indifferent like she wasn't related to the person she was talking to. Her shoulders were straight and her head was raised in a haughty posture as she walked the girl through the garden where they arrived at the fountain that kept splashing water into the green lush grass at their side. "As a servant of the Knight family, you must do your work with precise efficiency and enthusiasm to serve your master no matter who they are...."

As they passed the fountain, Antoniette saw a young tall man coming out of a car at the other side and almost lost her footing once her eyes settled on his face. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen, a man with black tousled hair and blue eyes. His hard chiseled jaw captivated her along with his red lips that seemed to be saying some things to the man behind him as he tucked his hands in his pockets. It didn't take long for him to sense the eyes that were following him so he stopped in his tracks and looked back at her.

Lucienda's eyes widened in panic when she discovered the situation and quickly tapped the young woman's shoulder, whispering. "What are you doing?! Remove your eyes from that person at once!"

Hearing her aunt's harsh tone brought her out of her trance as she copied her movements and curtsied in front of the two men until they left and entered the house. Lucienda rose up first and glared at her niece while warning her. "Do not stare or engage in any physical contact with the people of the house, Antoniette. Remember why you are here, to work and get some money to help your mother and brother get out of that despicable town."

Antoniette's enchanted heart quickly sobered up by her words and lowered her head in apology while internally deciding to curb her buoyant and curious tendencies "Yes, Aunt Lucienda. This won't happen again."

Hearing her timid response, the older woman continued walking as if she had not been angered before and resumed her high pitched tone as they entered the house through a small back door. "Then let's move on. We must hurry as it is already time for make the family's brunch. I do not want anything to go wrong this time, the rest of the servants here are simply callous and clumsy. It's such a hassle to supervise them all the time, that's why I hope you will be different....."

Meanwhile, a man stood at the entrance and watched them go in the house through the back door meant for the servants and asked his valet. He pointed to the young woman walking behind the tall and lean lady dressed in a flowery print gown. "Who is that person? I have never seen her here before."

His valet looked closely before he cleared his throat a few times and replied. "It seems like the Head Maid is once again recruiting new maids again. That one must be her niece...."

The man interrupted him as he frowned. Although he could only see her from afar, there was no doubt that this lady was indeed a pretty one and he feared the trouble it will bring again. This time, he turned to face his valet to ask. "I thought she brought some maids last week. What happened to them?"

"It seems like the Madame wasn't happy with them and ordered them to be fired this morning. I am sure that Master is aware that we have insufficient manpower to run the affairs of this house smoothly and this has made the Head Maid very distressed." The valet explained to his master in a very low voice as if he was afraid that someone would hear him.

The man in front of him sighed and shook his head before he tapped his valet's shoulders as a sign to walk and then replied. "Then let her find as many people as she wants. Help her set up posters of employment for people to come and be screened. Only the best and efficient can handle the women in this house."

"Yes, Master." The valet bowed until his master started walking in front of him before he cast his final look at the lady's departing figure. At first, he was slightly worried about the astounding beauty of the lady but since she was the Head Maid's niece, he had high hopes that this lady won't be like the rest in the past.

The two women finally arrived in the kitchen where the smell of food and smoke mixed with sweat permeated the air. The sounds of hot oil splashing and voices of people shouting yet moving in an orderly manner fascinated her as she and her aunt maneuvered through the room. The Head Maid stopped abruptly in front of a young girl who was kneading dough and said. "Louisa, stop what you are doing and come here."

The young woman immediately left her work and ran to her presence while fighting off the instinct to wipe off the flour on her hands on her apron. She gave a bright smile that revealed her gap tooth and said. "Yes, ma'am. Is there any thing I can do for you?"

"This is the new maid that is here to help us in the house." The woman tilted at the young lady at her side and said. "You are to show her around and teach her the rules of the house. Now off you two go, there are more important matters I have to handle right now."

The ladies obediently scurried away as the maid grabbed Antoniette's hand and led her to the table where she was kneading dough. She whispered. "Just give me a few minutes to finish this work then I will show you around the house. Oh, by the way, I am Louisa and you are...?"

"Antoniette." The young lady helped her wear her apron before she returned her smile and said. "Antoniette Harris, nice to meet you."