Fated Desires

ding. She was anxious and scared to be entering her new workplace. Who would have thought Cherry would end up here, cleaning and scrubbing the mansion of the presti

ink of to bring in some money, to ensure that h

ront door, and was greeted by Mrs. Hettie, the head housekeeper. She was a tiny, elderly woman, whose face

e sandpaper. "I'm Mrs. Hettie. You're to follow my instructions t

ce. She followed Mrs. Hettie down the long corridor, her heels clicking against the tiled f

all times. It is the first thing that guests see when they enter t

on the walls. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting rainbows of light across the floor. It was the

loor. Cherry worked quickly, her heart beating in her chest. She didn't want to

d, in a grudging tone. "Now, I'l

on. Mrs. Hettie led her up the sweeping staircase, to the second floor. Here, there were more

Hettie said. "It belongs to Mr. S

. She had heard whispers that he had made his fortune through unscrupulous means, and that he was not to be cross

rs. Hettie said, as she turned to leave. "I

urniture, the silk sheets on the bed, and the crystal vases on the dresser. She took a deep breath, and got

ed. "Well done," she said, in a tone that sounded

apter in her life. Little did she know that this would be the start of a journey that

nder if she had made the right decision, coming to work at the Sparks mansion. But then, she thought of her mother, and

y started to notice strange th

things that she could not explain. One night, as she was cleaning the library, she saw a shadow move across the room. She looked up, and saw a figure standing in the corner, staring at her. Her heart sta

lf that it must have been a trick of the light, or her imagination. But she c

ressed in a black cloak, and its face was obscured by a hood. The figure started to move towards her, and she felt a wave of terror wash over her. She tried to run, but she felt like her feet were frozen to the floor. The figur

ked the door. She sat on her bed, trembling, and tried to make sense of what had just happened. She knew that she had to tell som

on was grave. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," sh

down her spine. "What

' first wife. She died under mysterious circumstances, and

do we do?" she asked. "I

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small pouch. "This is a special blend of he

ittle calmer. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she heard a creaking noise in the hallway. She froze, and listened intently. It sounded like s

tered the room. She looked at Cherry, and smiled. "There is not

ief. "I was so scared," she sa

" She sat on the edge of the bed, and took Cherry's hand.

eamed of a peaceful meadow, with a warm sun shining down on her. She felt a sense of peace and contentment, and

t have slept in. She got out of bed, and noticed that the pouch of herbs was still under her pillow. S