MAYA.


    “Parents?” Tianna asked, as if she hadn’t heard what the woman said. Urs paused and looked at her, before nodding her head in agreement. Tianna gave her a sad look before she lied.


    “We both are orphans. She is the only family I have and me also. We don’t have parents.” She said, repeating that we were orphans for good measure. Her mouth opened in shock immediately. She wasn’t happy with what she had just heard, it was visible. “I’m so sorry about that? I lost my parents at a tender age and I understand how it feels, especially when reminded about them.” She said to us,


    My breath was still caught in my throat as I wondered if she was going to blow up our opportunity because we didn’t have parents. I waited patiently to know what the oue would be. Tianna nodded and took my hand. “It’s such a very painful thing.” She said, looking at me. I cast a sad frown and nodded in agreement. Urs shook her head and replied.


    “Well, that’s not a problem. The only guarantee here is that you must impress me. You must do a very good job, you must be diligent and early to work. And you must also work very hard. Because any defaults are always my fault. I go through some of the punishments resulting from stupid mistakes some servants here make, and I don’t want that from you too. Bringing your parents is an important aspect of the interview but I’ll just leave it out. Who’s the oldest among you.” She asked, her eyes roving from Tianna to me.


    “Me,” Tianna replied, indicating that she was the one, just as we had nned it. The woman nodded and replied.


    “Alright then. In that case, you are the parent.” She said, before closing therge book in front of her. She had just written our names on it. We thanked her and stood up to leave but she stopped us again.


    “Make sure youe very early tomorrow so you can be shown around. Ande with your things. You’ll be barely allowed to leave because of the amount of work you’ll be doing here each day. Make sure you’re prepared. Do you understand me?”


    We both nodded.


    “Yes” we replied simultaneously.


    “Good.” She said before waving us to go on. For the first time that evening, my pounding hearts calmed. I was so happy that things were going just the way we wanted. Now the real challenge was going to begin. I couldn’t wait to get into the Packhouse very soon and judging from the way Tianna was smiling, it looked like she was equally expectant.


    When we got home that night, we made sure to do as the woman had advised us. We didn’t carry a lot with us whileing for the journey, just a bag of supplies and a few clothes to sustain us. But with the change in events, we went for a small shopping trip and got essential clothes.


    There was no need for anything shy but I got a few clothes that would catch the eye. But it was only going to be used on strict asions when it was needed. Other times I had to just be a regr maid and blend in with the others while causing havoc and getting the information we sought. That was the n and thankfully, Tianna listened.


    We slept like babies that night and the next morning, we arrived at the Packhouse very early just as Urs had advised. The guard led us to someone else, who introduced herself as Emily. Despite her impassive look, I could bet she was happy to see us.


    “Wee, girls. I’m here to show you around theundry quarters. Urs told me to make sure you get settled in.” She said. We followed Emily through the winding corridors as our eyes took in the beautiful Packhouse.


    The whole ce was just stunning and I was almost mesmerised by the size and sheer beauty of the ce. It even increased the contrast of how the rest of the Pack looked horrible while the Packhouse looked like something of a fictional world.


    “This is theundry quarters.” She exined as she turned towards us.


    “You’ll be working here, washing and ironing clothes for the Alpha and the royals.” The room was cozy and there were a few maids already doing their job there.


    They looked up as soon as they saw us. Their gazes lingered, but I couldn’t tell if they were happy or jealous. Next, she led us to a smaller room that was filled with shelves that were stacked high with clothes and cleaning supplies.


    “This is the storage room. You’ll need toe here to fetch whatever you need for your tasks. The other maids will tell you about the correct mixture for these.” She added. We nodded, taking mental notes as Emily continued the tour.


    She led us to the ironing room after that, cautioning us about the hot irons. We thanked her for showing her around. Our minds were already racing with the tasks ahead. After she was done showing us around, she said something that knocked the air out of me.


    “Remember,” she said, sounding so serious this time. “Your job is tied to theundry quarters alone. You’re not permitted to enter other parts of the Packhouse apart from theundry quarters. It’s for your own safety, so please don’t try to explore under any circumstances. Unless the Alpha or anybody of authority asks you to, but that won’t happen.” We nodded and after the tour she led us to the servants quarters where we were supposed to stay the whole time. It was a cozy wing of the Packhouse with small butfortable-looking rooms.Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “This will be your room.” She said. “And because of the small vacancy, you both will share it, of course.” After she was done, we thanked her but our problems hadn’t ended yet. It had just started. When she was gone and we settled. Tianna spoke first.


    “How are we going to prate if we aren’t allowed to enter other parts of the Packhouse?”


    I was confused, not knowing what to tell her. “I don’t know, Tianna. I’m still thinking. But don’t worry, we’ll find a way.”


    I was about to do something when a knock sounded on the door. It was Emily.


    She reminded us. “Your work has already started. If you’re done with arranging your things, move to theundry section immediately. The Alpha might being around.”