Lily
Violet didn’t allow me to return to her house because she knew that if Grandpa Williams’s men caught me, I would have no way to escape him. I wouldn’t be able to live my life the way I wanted. I didn’t want to feel like I was being suffocated in our grand mansion.
I was sitting in a small hut owned by Violet’s aunt. While I hadn’t found my own house yet, I was temporarily staying with them. Violet’s aunt, Katerine, was an old maid. She was kind and beautiful despite her age. She even told me to feel at home in her house. Since it was just the two of us living there, I felt like she was hiding something. Ever since I arrived, she has always had a smile on her face and has become talkative because of me. Fortunately, Violet’s aunt was kind to me.
“It’s late in the afternoon, Lily. Come inside so we can have coffee. If you like, we can go to the plaza later so you can change your routine of just staying in the house all day,” she shouted to make sure I could hear her.
“Katerine, I’m coming in now,” I replied politely.
For the past few days, I haven’t had any problems with her. She would tell me all sorts of stories, which helped distract me at times.
“Lily, finish that boiled banana so you can sleep well. I’ve noticed that you haven’t been getting enough rest ever since you arrived. Don’t think too much, or you’ll end up with pimples that will ruin your smooth skin. Besides, our neighbors might think I’m not feeding you,” Katerine advised me.
She reminded me of Mama and how she used to scold me. Katerine sat down and peeled a banana. I thought she was going to eat it herself, but she handed it to me instead.
“Katerine, you’re being too kind to me. It’s embarrassing already, even peeling bananas for me.”
“Hmm, maybe you want me to pinch your side. Just eat so you can put some meat on your bones. Since you arrived, I’ve noticed you’ve gotten thinner,” she said with concern, making me feel a little embarrassed.
The next day, I helped Katerine with the general cleaning of her modest house. I volunteered to take down the curtains in the living room. Since it was Saturday and she hadn’t washed her curtains for six months, I thought I’d help out. I liked her; even though she looked strict, she had a pure heart.
“Katerine, I want to ask you something. Is that okay?” I asked her.
“Hmm, go ahead.” I was surprised because I thought she would answer differently.
“Have you ever loved someone or been in love?” I asked.
She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. I suddenly felt nervous under her gaze.
“You’re such a nosy person,” I muttered to myself, feeling embarrassed and sensing that she might be upset.
I apologized for asking her that question. She gave me a small, reserved smile.
“That’s enough for now. Let’s take down the other curtains next week—it looks like it’s going to rain,” she said to me.
Even though the weather was nice and the sun was shining brightly outside, I thought she might just be using it as an excuse to avoid answering my question. She took the curtains and put them in the washing machine.
After two hours, we finished washing and cleaning. My hands turned red, probably because of the soap. When Katerine saw them, her eyes widened, and she scolded me for doing most of the work in the house.
