Chapter 3 Before It Began

Months Earlier......

"You lazy piece of trash!" An angry voice shouted and my eyes flew wide open.

For a moment I was confused, had I really heard that or I was imagining things now. And if I

was, you can't blame me, it's just morning and I'm so exhausted.

"I've been calling out to you Lucy! Are you deaf or something?"

Catherine's voice rang out again.

It was then I realized I wasn't hearing things. But why was she sounding so furious, "had

anything got wrong already? Isn't it just too early?" I thought to myself.

"Hey I'm talking to you, can't you hear me?" Catherine shouted again.

While I turned to look at her, I felt rage boiling inside of me.

"Alright then, even if something has gone wrong, can't I fix it? Do you need to torture me this early? What's all these about anyway?" I asked. So many questions but not a word came out of

my mouth.

But then I finally spoke, "I can hear you loud and clear. What seems to be the problem."

"What seems to be the problem, you're the problem. You can't just do anything right, can you Lucy? You just want to ruin my birthday party so you would be happy" Catherine blurted out.

But just as she was finishing that statement, something snapped inside me and I flared up.

"What do you want from me Catherine? I'm doing everything you asked of me. I'm trying my

best and if this isn't enough for you, then you might as well take a knife and put me out of my

misery. You hear me?"

Catherine responded with a menacing tone. "How dare you raise your voice at me! You've gotten awfully brave, haven't you?"

She attempted to hit me but I caught her arm instantly and threw it away, shoving her

backwards. Catherine stumbled and fell to the floor, crying out in shock and pain. I stood there,

a feeling of triumph welling up inside me as I saw her in tears.

"I should have done that earlier," I said out loud.

You're probably curious why standing up to Catherine feels so empowering. I'll share the story behind it, let me take you back to the day before. But first, I want to tell you a bit about myself.

Here is goes. You see that cheerful sounds of a family's laughter echoing throughout the house, family spending time together, a joyful moment it is. Laying on your bed, wrapped around by your parents arms as they probably sing you to sleep. It's where we can feel safe, loved, find

solace. Knowing that they are there to protect you from darkness in the world. Isn't that what

every child deserve?

I once had that, but now, such a life Is just mere fantasy for me.

At a young age, the happy life I knew was snatched away from me by a tragic incident. Looking back to it now, it only feels more like a dream than a memory. The reality I faced, is marked with deep emptiness that seemed impossible to overcome.

I am Lucy, a young maid, who has nothing but hardship and a life of daily insults and ridicule. My parents died when I was only a child, leaving me to fend for myself in a cruel and unforgiving world. But despite the pain and suffering I can only endure hoping for better days, if there would be.

I clung to the memory of my parents' life of kindness and love, the short time I remember spending with them. They appreciated the world around them though they were poor, that's how I remember them. They were shot dead during a riot in the neighborhood when I was about two years old. It was said that so many lives were lost that day. They had gone out to spend time together, leaving me with Sharon, a family friend. No one saw the tragic end coming. It's been years now, I barely have any memory of them left. The ones I have, seem to feel like a dream instead of a memory now.

After their passing, Sharon took care of me as her own. She nurtured and cared for me with so much love. I know you're wondering, why I'm a maid right?

Well, not long after my parents passing, a woman named Veronica came to get the debt my parents owed her. Since my parents had no valuable possessions, and Sharon had no way of paying off the debt, Veronica asked for me as a compensation.

Sharon had pleaded with her but she refused to have it any other way. Sharon was only given the privilege to extend her time with me until I was six. On my sixth birthday, I was torn apart

from Sharon.

That was nine years ago, and I'm almost fifteen now. Since then, my life has been nothing but torment under the care of Veronica's family. They made my life a living hell, treating me like their personal servant. Except for Veronica's husband though, he was the only one nice to me.

Though Sharon still visits, it's only once a year, my birthday precisely. So, I suppose you could say I'm the Cinderella of this story, trapped in a nightmare with no way out.

Most times, I wonder if I was lucky or unlucky not to have died with my parents, but Sharon would always tell me to be grateful for life. Now tell me, what's there to be grateful about?

Anyways, I've learned to appreciate even the smallest moments of joy, like the eight hours I spend in school every weekday. It was a sanctuary. And a day with Sharon, a haven. Those moments were the only ways I got to escape the bleakness of my reality.

But not until recently, I've been told that I'd be moving to Catherine's school the next session.

Catherine is Veronica's only child, she's just a month older than me. My friends really envied me, but only I know that what they saw as a blessing, is nothing but a nightmare. I loved my school and was content with it, despite it was a public school. I know it's nothing compared to Catherine's elite private school for the rich, but where do I stand in such a school?

Sadly, I have no say. My heart sank, when I heard the news from Veronica a week before our long break. I knew it was because of the exam we'd have to take at the end of our senior year, Veronica just wants me to be of help for her daughter. But Catherine was just the worst, she would always find ways to torment me, no matter the situation. The thought of spending my days in school with her, has given me nightmares for weeks and as school resumption fast approaching, sleep has completely left me. Catherine was someone who went miles to cause me pain if I don't do what she wants. I can only tell the worst days are ahead...