Chapter 3 (CHAPTER 3) It all came crashing down

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With heavy hands I immediately began to pick up the pieces from the floor, the door opened forcefully to showcase Mrs Foster, her face boiling as she stared at me.

"Hey, good evening ma," I greeted, trying my very best to act as natural as possible as if I wasn't just eavesdropping on their conversation.

"I was just about to go drop this but I missed a step and broke the plate I am so sorry ma," I followed up with a lie and an apology thankfully there are two kitchens and one was just that way.

"you slipped?" She asked, clearly not convinced.

"You wouldn't lie to me would you?" she scoffed. An evil glint dancing all over her eyes. She scared me.

"She slipped, are you okay? You shouldn't pick them with your bare hands" Mr Foster added joining us

"Go get something to clean it up," he said as I immediately lowered my gaze running away.

"You do not dismiss my staff," I hear her voice trailing behind as I find my breath shaking. I could not even begin to explain what I just overheard. This is enough to have me in serious trouble. What if she still isn't convinced that I didn't overhear them and what on earth. Why would she do this to her own nephew?

"Lila!" I could recognize the voice as Ethan's voice, so I immediately took cleaning gadgets as I went back. She stood there with her husband eying me suspiciously as I wiped everything.

"Lila?" I still could hear his voice now accompanied by the clicking of his stick on the tiled floor. He was looking for me.

"Yes' ' I answered while on the floor, my eyes still looking up at Mrs Foster who had her hands folded in front of me.

"What happened? Did you fall?" he asked, his voice worried.

"Ethan," Mrs Foster called him, I watched him pause as a smile found its way in his face.

"Aunt? You are awake?" he asked, she walked over me purposely walking on my hand as I bit my tongue holding back the pain. This could be a warning.

"I will lead you in, Lila is about to retire to bed," she said, holding him while he nodded.

"Nobody fell, Lila is just going to bed," She continued, I could tell by his face that he was suspicious but thankfully he said nothing more and followed his Aunt back to his room.

"You didn't overhear anything did you?" Her husband asked as I shook my head vigorously. "No sir, I just slipped as I was carrying the plate," I said, putting on the most innocent face I could pull.

He nodded, seeming to , with tired eyes he patted my back and walked away towards the direction of his room. I immediately held my chest while sitting on the floor.

"Pew. That was close," I let out before tidying up...

All night I stayed up lurking around watching to see when she leaves his room. He wasn't one to sleep early, ever since that day we had become friends, we would chat all night till he fell asleep but today I remain paranoid. Ethan really has no one on his side. No one today has confirmed my eerily feeling about Mrs Foster, her fake love and attention when she clearly favors her own spoiled brats over him. But he is blind and can not see.

After what seemed like forever she finally left his room, I waited till the coast was clear to check on him, he was soundly asleep. There was no need waking him.

The thought of breaking the news to him, that he can see again if he undergoes surgery but his very own Aunt whom he loves dearly has lied and said there was no chance for him, this has only made me think how many things she has lied to him about...

Morning came earlier and still, my eyes knew no sleep, my thoughts accompanied me all night. And I have made my decision to tell him, whether he believes me or not. He needs to know that he can see before it becomes too late. Even if I had to lie. Even if I have to hide what I overheard, I have to convince him to try surgery.

"Lila?" His gentle voice came from behind, making me stumble to find a balance. I didn't realize I left the door to my room open and this was a first. He has never come to my room before.

"Young...I mean Ethan," I corrected myself before approaching.

"Why are you here? I might end up in trouble," I whispered with a lighthearted voice forcing a chuckle after.

"What happened to you? You fell yesterday right?" he asked, taking me by surprise. I paused, unable to answer at first.

"It was you right? Something happened right? You don't just retire without saying good night first," his voice filled with worry.

I held his hand with a smile. "Nothing happened. I didn't fall at all. I am completely fine, I just retired early," I assured him, trying to lead him away from my room. While he can be in any way at any time I don't want Helen to see him here for she will taunt me about it forever.

"You are lying to me," he wasn't bulging as he stood his ground holding his stick tight.

"Is it because I am blind and can not see for myself that you are not okay?"

"What are you saying? For what reason will I lie to you? Even if I lie, will your Aunt lie to you?" I asked him, almost biting my tongue. He fell silent.

"That is more reason why I think something is wrong," His answer took me by surprise, he who believes his Aunt is the best person alive has doubts too.

"Are you saying you think your Aunt lied?"

"I know she lied, now tell me? What happened? Were you scolded?" He asked.

"Nothing happened but something is about to happen if she sees you here," he finally bulged allowing me to lead him away from my room.

He remained quiet as I wondered how he found the way to my room. Am sure I never showed him before. "I want to go downstairs," he requested as I allowed him to sit in the living room.

"No, he is not coming with us, all he does is knock things over with his annoying stick," I immediately recognized the voice to belong to Sara, Mrs Foster's daughter. Her jaw dropped upon seeing Ethan in the living room.

Of course, she was speaking about him, they were fully dressed, seeming about to head out. Ethan heard everything but remained quiet as if also hard of hearing.

"Ethan," her brother called out to him approaching, I immediately went closer, just in case he decided to be funny.

"Lius," he replied back, "I almost rolled my eyes watching them wave their hands in front of him to make sure he is blind, they do that all the time. Not knowing Ethan can tell when they do that but choose to allow them.

"You seem to be heading out," Ethan said.

"How will you know that?" Lius chuckled as I bit my tongue holding myself back, sometimes I forgot that I was a staff and not just Ethan's friend.

"Even while Young Master is blind his senses are very much awake," I wasn't able to hold it back.

"You still allow her to call you young master? You are too old-fashioned," Sara said with a mocking voice. The very same name her brother wants to be called.

"What do you mean Old fashioned? That is his title and you two should respect that," their mother added coming down the stairs, and behind her was her husband. They were all dressed up so fashionably all ready to go somewhere.

"Sara watch your mouth when you talk to your elder brother," She said touching her head. While in front of Ethan, she calls him their brother but when he is not there they make sure to remind each other that he is nothing but a cousin. He doesn't even share the same surname as them.

But something seemed different today, unlike before when he would smile anytime he heard his aunt's voice, today he just sat there with his eyes focusing on his stick as everybody spoke. Something was different with him.

"You all are heading out?" He finally spoke to everybody that was speaking to pause except Mr. Foster who wasn't speaking to begin with.

"Uhm yes... We are heading to...to a charity organization," she stumbled upon her words before coming to stand beside him, she began to rub his hair like she always does.

"Do you think you can afford to join us today?" Mr Foster asked, I watched as everybody stared at him. Shooting daggers at him. Including Mrs Foster who immediately glared.

"I do not wish to be of, inconvenience." Ethan replied. I expected Mrs Foster to immediately say something but she continued to glare at her husband which only added to my suspicions. Where really are they heading to?

"You can come with your maid, you are not really of any inconvenience," Mr Foster added, staring right at his wife who finally spoke.

"Ethan does not like attention, everybody will try to talk to him with the excuse of saying Hello, and will think they are better than him just because he can't see," She spoke as everybody fell silent. Her words were condescending. She turned to glare at me.

"I will leave him in your care like always, make sure to answer to him at all times," she commanded. I lowered my head and nodded.

"I have already given my word, no other staff should be allowed into the house. Make sure to stay in and look out for me if anybody tries entering let me know," her words were as sharp as her eye makeup. I only nodded watching her pat Ethan's hair before they left.

"What date is today?" Ethan suddenly asked getting up. I looked out the window, my eyes locking with that of Mrs Foster's most trusted Guard. His stare has always been scary but today seems evil.

"Today is the 6th of July," I said softly, moving towards him to guide his steps.

"They are not going to a charity organization," he said to my surprise. I already suspected that but didn't know how to break it to him since he trusted his Aunt.

"It's the reopening of the company," He spoke as I searched my memory wondering which company.

"I refused to believe it myself but it seems Aunt has been lying to me," I immediately paused as I felt my hands trembling, my tongue trying to force everything out.

"Your hands are trembling," he paused as well, facing me.

"You wouldn't betray me, would you? Who will I believe if everybody is lying." I could see the frustration on his face. He immediately began to walk up the stairs away from me as I stood there battling with my subconsciousness. He seems to have caught on that even his Aunt is not to be trusted. He is so smart that he notices every single thing.

How can I be of help? I am only an orphan working to earn a living. How do I help him?

"Ethan!" I called out to him, he was fast before I could even get to him he already pushed the door open going into his room.

"There is something I want to talk to you about," I began, he continued walking till he got to his desk and picked up the remote to the Television. Something he never does, in fact, he would always say I turn off the Television because he has grown sensitive to the nose from it.

"The fast growing company MIRAGE has finally reopened after two years. Ever since the death of..." he switched off the Television. My jaw dropped, as the host talked by the side was a picture of Mrs Foster

I immediately added it all in my head to know what was going on, His parents' company, that means they are going to the big city for the grand reopening without the heir.

I watched him clench his fist together. "About yesterday I didn't fall but I did overhear something," I began as he turned towards my direction.

"What was it?" he asked.

"Yesterday as I made my way to the kitchen I heard a loud cracking sound coming from Mr Foster's office." I inhaled deeply watching his reaction. He remained quiet

"I went closer out of worry but remained by the door out of curiosity, I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping but I did... I heard Mr Foster say you can see again if you get a minor surgery," I watched the disbelief in his face.

"What?" he asked followed by a scoff.

"What are you talking about? My Aunt has been looking everywhere to find a way..." he paused his hand shaking. I immediately rushed to him and held his hand.

"I can see again?" He asked while I nodded.

"Yes," I answered while he remained quiet, the good part was so easy to say.

"Your Aunt knew," I finally said. "She knew for a while now that you can see," I finally broke it to him.

"She knew? this was yesterday before she followed me to my room?" he asked.

"I can see and she knows?" I watched him try speaking but his voice broke. He didn't doubt me, he just cried. His tears flowed freely and I watched useless. I held him patting his back as he cried. It must be hard finding out the person you trusted with everything has been lying to you. I can not relate. I have never had someone I thought I could rely on. I grew up knowing not to trust anything or anybody. I never had a friend to begin with. He was my first friend and this is the first time I ever had to console someone and I can't even do it properly.

"I would never betray you," the words escaped my mouth. And I meant that. Seeing him in pain brought a bitter taste to my mouth.

"Why do I believe you?" he chuckled, making me chuckle as well.

"Because I'm a good person, remember?" he only smiled, his tears flowing.

"At least we have each other," I added, cleaning up his tears as he nodded.

"Yes, we do, let's leave everything behind," he said, grasping my hand, a bit taken aback. I pounded on his words.

"Leave everything behind?" I asked him genuinely concerned.

"Yes, for awhile now I knew she has been lying, but I never knew to what extent, I thought she was greedy but still might have me in her mind somewhere but it seems I was completely wrong, come with me let's run away," he held my hand tight his voice almost pleading as I listened, my thoughts going wild. Running away has never come to my mind before.

"But it's dangerous, how are we going to survive, the world is harder outside," I tried to think.

"At least you are not saying no," he smiled, I didn't even realize I was already agreeing.

"If it's how to survive, I have money, a lot of it, you can go to school too. We can survive just as we are. I can do the surgery to see again and I will work to add to our wealth," he sounded so convincing as if he had been planning these for a very long time.

"But This is your house." I couldn't think of anything to say. My mind was already agreeing. It's too dangerous to be here after all.

"It's my father's house and I can't continue to live in fear," he finally let go of me as he walked towards his desks. I watched him search for it vigorously and finally picked up a tiny key with his face full of smiles.

"Here it is," he forced the key into my hands.

"What is this for?" I asked, confused.

"There is a compartment on the floor of my bedding, open it," he requested. I immediately saw it. How come I never noticed it? It was tiny but enough for the key to fit right in. He watched me open it. My jaw fell as I closed it back immediately.

I almost blinded from the too much bling in one place. "What is this!" I couldn't believe what I saw.

"It's mine, with everything there we can survive even after the surgery, and your school fees."

"Let's pack all of them," his voice was urgent as he made his way to the closet.

"Wait wait" my heart pounding loudly against my chest, this is new, and am finding it hard to adjust.

"We have to leave before they return," he said as I nodded, agreeing "Okay," I couldn't think. We can plan after escaping.

"Do not pack clothes. Just every jewelry and money that way it's easy to move fast. Including yours, leave it behind," He instructed. I wanted to say otherwise but he must have planned for a long while.

I opened the compartment again this time, filled with Gold jewelry and some wands of cash. And some documents that were easy to pack just made my hand go a little weak.

"How do we leave the compound?" I asked him, setting the bag by the side.

"Since we are not leaving with heavy bags it is easy, just say I wish to walk around," he suggested as I nodded, he held my hand into his and said.

"I am sorry you have to do this for me but I owe you my life"....