by Emily Sharp
“Did you wear it for her?” Louise asked as she walked over to Sofia.
“No, Madam. Of course not. I do not like her like you do.”
Louise's hand shot out, grabbing the mop of blond hair in her hand. Pulling it hard, Sofia cried out as her head was pulled to the side.
“Do not presume to know how I like her.”
“I am sorry!”
Louise let go of her hair, brushing away the few blond strands that stuck to her palm. Turning around, she went back to the dresser and looked in the mirror, loving the look on Sofia’s face. Hearing the small sobs coming from Sofia, she laughed. “Oh, Sofia, you poor soul. If it wasn't for me, you would be back in that stupid village in France instead of in my castle. Are you not happy here?”
“I am happy, Madam.”
“Look up.”
Louise watched in the mirror as Sofia raised her head. Her lip was quivering, her eyes red.
“What do you see, Sofia?”
“I see you.”
“No. What do you really see.”
“A beast.”
Louise nodded, then glancing down, saw a framed picture of a woman taken at least twenty years ago. The woman was beautiful with dark hair and eyes. Taking the photo in her hands, she glanced up to see the worried look on Sofia's face.
“Your mother was very beautiful, Sofia.”
“Thank you, Madam. She still is.”
Louise snorted. “My fire in my room grows cold. This photo may be what it needs to keep me warm.”
“No, Madam! Please, don't!” Sofia cried out, her hand outstretched.
“Do not tell me what to do,” Louise said. Seeing the nod, she continued. “When I sent Robert away from here, I did it to protect you. He did not love you.”
Sofia wiped at her eyes. “He told me he loved me.”
“A woman like you who spreads her leg so easily is but a whore. He used you, Sofia, to fulfill his own desire.”
“But, I did not sleep with him. We only talked, and he told me he cared for me,” Sofia said.
“I find that hard to believe, Sofia. How many men have you slept with?”
“None.”
Louise laughed, a shake to her head. “Regardless of your lies, I saved you from being a whore, did I not?”
Louise watched as the Sofia wiped at her eyes, her head then slowly nodding. “Yes, Madam.”
“Did your mother spread her legs so easily? Was she a whore?” Louise asked as she turned around. She raised her hand, stopping Sofia from answering. “You have told me before you cherish this photo. Realize this, your answer will decide its fate tonight.” Walking over to Sofia, she stopped mere inches from her. The fear on her face was priceless. “I ask only once more. Your mother, my dear, was she a whore?” Louise asked, this being the only way she knew how to sooth the searing anger that coursed through her.
More tears fell, the voice weak. “Yes, Madam, she was.”
“Well, no wonder why you fell for the gardener. It runs in your family,” Louise said, pushing the photo against Sofia's chest. “But I will tell you this. You ever leave me, betray me, or try to steal my precious Beauty, I will make sure your mother is on the streets working as the whore she is. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Madam,” Sofia said, wiping at her eyes.
Louise took a deep breath, holding the air in her lungs and then slowly exhaled, the release of her anger now gone. Now she could think clearly, and that alone was relaxing.
“Good. And by the way, gain some weight. Start eating extra portions. We don’t want you walking around like some sort of skeleton,” Louise said, going to the door and opening it.
“Yes, Madam.”
Closing the door, Louise let out a sigh. Though she did not truly believe Sofia was trying anything with Adara, and though she had been staying away as Louise asked, she could not take a chance. She had seen the two of them laugh, hug, and grow close. Adara needed not to be distracted, and with Sofia gaining weight, Adara's eyes would fall back to where they belonged.
To Louise.
Chapter Fourteen
Adara zipped up her new coat, smiling at her reflection in the mirror. The coat was a light gray, and with the fur around the collar and the hood she would pull up later, it was going to keep her extra warm. Letting her eyes glance to the side, Sofia stood there, not saying a word. For some time now, she had been quiet. What use to be causal talks and what she had thought was a friendship had turned into nothing more but quick hellos.
“What do you think, Sofia?”
“It is beautiful, Madam.”
Adara turned around, her hands going to her hips. “Sofia, please call me Adara. Must I keep asking you?” she said, a laugh coming out.
Sofia simply nodded.
Walking over to her, Adara put her hands on Sofia's arms, moving them up and down. “You must smile, things can’t be that bad, can they?”
“No, they are fine.”
“Look, do you want to join me later in the new game room? They should be finishing it up today.”
“I don't know, there is so much to do,” Sofia said, and Adara dropped her hands.
Something was not right, and Adara was going to get it out of her one way or another. “You have been avoiding me a lot. If I upset you or hurt your in any way, please let me know. I do cherish you as a friend.”
Adara watched as a single tear fell down Sofia's face, hanging on the edge of her jaw and then falling to the floor below.
“You are my friend. I will join you later, just let me know when.”
“Of course,” Adara said, a smile on her face, but she still worried about that single tear. “I know we are not the best of friends, but if you need someone to talk to, a confidante, I am here for you. You do know that, right?”
Sofia nodded, and then putting her arms around her, Adara hugged her.
“Now, I will see you later,” Adara said, and then seeing Sofia smile for the first time in a long time, she felt better.
“Thank you,” Sofia said, then hurried out of the room. Adara sighed hoping that later the woman would open up. And now she was going to meet with someone else who needed opening up.
Louise.
Adara's heart tore when Louise confessed to her why she claimed Adara for her girlfriend. At first she was mad, but upon hearing her reasoning, Adara could not help but feel pity for the woman. Louise had come a long way, and by all accounts, she was trying. Sure, she would lose her temper, almost daily, but the rants at night had not happened for a few weeks, and she saw her smile more and more each day.
Glancing at the mirror, she picked up the loose photo of her father. She missed him and wanted to hear his voice. “Well, let’s see how far you have come along, Louise,” she whispered, setting the photo back into the frame of the mirror. Hurrying out of the room, she made her way down the stairs. When she got to the library, she was surprised Louise was not waiting for her. Going to the window, she looked out and saw footprints on the snow that had fallen two days ago leading out toward the gazebo.
“Couldn't wait for me!” Adara said with a laugh and then going to the door, stepped outside. It was not overly cold out, the temperature around the mid-forties. With the sun out, it felt pretty good. Her new boots crunched the snow beneath her feet as she made fresh tracks over the ones that had been left by Louise. A few minutes later she came up to the gazebo and stopped in her tracks.
Louise stood, leaning against a post. Her jacket was the same as Adara's, though hers was white. And with the jeans and boots, she looked…pretty.
“So, you couldn't wait for me?” Adara asked, walking up the steps, a laugh to her voice.
“I have been out here for a while.”
“Are you doing OK?”
“Yes, I am fine. How do you like the new coats?”
Adara smiled, her hands in her pockets pushing the coat out. “It’s so comfortable and warm. I am loving it, thank you again.”
“Of course. The color sui
ts you well, though all colors do.”
“Thank you.”
“Stop thanking me, it’s true. Here, have some hot chocolate,” Louise said, walking over and lifting a silver lid. Two white mugs where there, steam coming from the top. Taking on of the mugs in her hand, Adara took a sip, then laughed.
“Wow, I didn't realize it would still be hot.”
“The tray is good for keeping things hot. How was your night? Did you sleep well?”
Adara smiled, loving how Louise made small talk more often, like she was doing now.
“I did, thank you. Yourself?”
“Same,” Louise replied, then took a sip from her mug.
Adara played with the mug in her hands, wondering how to pose the question to Louise. She wanted to call her dad later. Just to hear his voice for a few moments would be all she would need.
“Adara?”
She looked up. “Yes?”
“You seemed troubled. What is going on?”
Adara sighed. “I know per the contract about outside contact, especially phone calls.”
Louise nodded.
“I just woke up missing my father and wondered if I could call him?”
Adara waited for the response, hoping it would not turn into an argument. Louise was a stickler for contracts, and this could make that temper Adara had not seen for two weeks explode.
“That would be fine.”
“What?” Adara said, almost dropping her mug.
“Call your father. There is a phone in the library you may use, or the dining room. The dining room has more privacy, but please use it.”
“You do not mind?”
Louise sighed, then brought the mug to her lips and took a drink. “To be honest, I do mind, but you have taught me a lot since you have been here. And one thing I am learning is that sometimes you just need to be nice.”
Adara felt like crying for joy. The woman in front of her was making so much progress. Hurrying over to her, she put her arm around Louise, pulling her in for a hug.
“Thank you. I will only talk to him for a few minutes, and I will not call again until I leave,” Adara said, breaking the hug.
“Do as you please, my princess,” Louise said, her voice soft.
Slowly Adara removed her hand from Louise back, though oddly missing the nearness of her.
“Thank you, my friend. I am going to call him now, if that’s OK?”
“Of course.”
Adara smiled, then returning the mug to the table, she headed toward the steps. Taking the first she paused, hearing Louise's voice, her heart dropping.
“May I ask something in return?”
Adara swallowed, her trust in Louise's attitude was wrong, she had not changed. Now came the part where she would have to do something to make it even.
“Could you wear the new blue dress to dinner tonight?”
Adara’s heart soared while she inwardly scolded herself again for being so judgmental toward her. And looking at Louise's face, Adara began to wonder. Had she been so focused on the outside of Louise, like the scars that distorted nearly half her face like she was accused of after first arriving, that she wasn't seeing the goodness deep down?
“Of course, my princess,” Adara said with a laugh.
Then dropping a curtsy as she held the hem of her coat, Adara smiled when Louise grinned.
“Now get going and call him!” Louise said, and Adara hurried off to call her father, so excited to finally talk to him after so long.
***
“Yes, I know, a whole week, just like I said in my letter!” Adara said, speaking into the phone. She was in the dining room, sitting on a chair against the wall.
“I am so happy,” her father said on the other end of the line. “I will be there right at noon. I cannot wait to see you, there is so much to tell you.”
Adara smiled as her dad spoke, overjoyed to hear his words. Seeing something from the corner of her eye, she looked over as Louise walked in.
Louise stopped and whispered, “Sorry!”
Adara smiled, waving her over. “Look, Dad, I need to go. I will send you one more letter and then see you at Christmas. Yes, I love you too. Bye.”
Hanging the phone up, she let out a long sigh. She was going to see her dad and she couldn't contain her excitement. Standing up, she threw her arms around Louise, hearing a groan from her. “Thank you for that call. And for Christmas. Both broke the agreement we had made, and I don't know how I can ever repay you,” Adara said, her heart soaring. She was so happy, thanks to Louise's kindness.
“Oh, I’ll think of something,” Louise said, letting out a small laugh.
Adara smiled as she broke the hug. “But no, thank you very much. I haven't felt this happy for a while, and well, thank you again,” she said, leaning in and giving Louise a peck on the cheek.
“Just enjoy your time with your father, cherish every moment,” Louise said, her voice shaky.
Adara nodded. It was hard losing just her mom, but to lose both parents like Louise did, made Adara feel for her.
“I will. Oh, should we go see the game room? I think the last worker just left.”
“You princesses are so demanding,” Louise said, a slight shake of her head causing Adara to laugh. Reaching out and taking Louise's hand in her own, the sensation she had felt a few weeks ago came back over her. The woman’s skin was soft and comforting, but the heat it was transmitting through her own body felt even better.
***
“No! Don't beat me!” Adara laughed, pushing the pedal down harder as Sofia's digital car flew past her. It was two in the afternoon, and the two of them had been in the new game room for the last hour playing the various games. Now they were playing a racing game with two miniature cars that sat side by side, and Sofia raised her hands in victory, a laugh to her voice Adara had not heard for some time.
“I did it!”
“Great job,” Adara said, getting out of the seat.
“You and Madam did a great job redoing this room,” Sofia said, coming up beside her. Adara nodded as she looked around. All four walls were lined with all sorts of games, from stand-up arcade games to ones where you could sit on a seat like the one they just played. With four Skee ball machines, a basketball game, and even a glass case filled with stuffed animals waiting for an expert, or someone with great luck, to use the claw and pull them out. In the middle was a pool table, a few card tables made of oak, and in the corner a bar.
“How about a beer?”
“Let me get it for you,” Sofia said, turning around.
“No way! The loser has to pour them,” Adara said, throwing her arm around Sofia's shoulder. With a laugh, they headed over to the corner, the sounds of the various games echoing throughout the room.
There were ten barstools around the bar, and running her hand over the smooth cherry wood, Adara walked behind it. Grabbing a white dishtowel, she threw it over her shoulder.
“All right, pretty lady, what you drinkin’?” Adara asked, pushing her sleeves on her sweater up her arm.
Sofia started laughing, her cheeks going red. “Let see, Carlsberg, please.”
“You got it,” Adara said, her voice gruff, causing them both to laugh. Pouring them each a pint, Adara looked up and smiled, glad to bring happiness to someone.
“You are happy today.”
“I sure am,” Adara said, setting the pint glass on the coaster in front of Sofia. “Louise let me…well, I got to call my father. I am going to see him for a whole week for Christmas.”
Sofia nodded. “I am happy for you.”
Smiling, Adara topped her glass up and then walking around, took the stool next to Sofia. Raising her glass up in the air, she spoke. “To friendships, may they last forever.”
“Cheers,” Sofia said, their glasses clinking together.
Taking a drink from her pint glass, Adara laughed as she wiped the foam away from her lips. “Wow, that is cold, but so good.”
“I agree,” Sofia sa
id, then took another drink. Adara watched her set her glass down, then turning back to face her, Sofia smiled.
“You know, Sofia, you are a very pretty woman. Did you ever model?”
Sofia shrank back for a moment. “For a short time, yes. Then I came here to work.”
“Do you ever want to get back into it?”
“Maybe one day. But for now, I need to make money.”
“I know what you mean. When I leave here, I’ll need to consider going to college. But there are plenty of businesses down in Palomino, I may just work somewhere there.”
“You are not staying here after your contract ends?” Sofia asked, her voice sounding surprised.
Adara sighed, then took a long drink from her beer. It was something she had considered, and the upbeat attitude Louise was showing rekindled the idea of the possibility of seeing herself here after June.
“Maybe. It’s kind of complicated. Can I ask you something, girlfriend to girlfriend?”
Sofia nodded.
“Do you think Louise really likes me?”
“As a friend?”
“No. I mean, yes. I kind of got here under the worse circumstances, I am not sure if you know?”
“I do not, Madam.”
“Well, it’s repayment for a debt for my father. I just…well, Louise is changing a lot, and now I feel like I belong here more and more. It’s like I cannot leave, even if I decided to, I couldn't,” Adara said with a laugh.
She watched as Sofia's face went an off-white for a brief moment, her eyes a bit wide with fear.
“Hey, are you OK?” Adara said, reaching out and grabbing her arm.
“Yes. Sorry, my stomach,” Sofia said, patting it, a half smile back on her face.
“So, what do you think then? Would you stay or leave if you were in my boat?”
Sofia went to talk, but her voice was cut off by the voice from the transmitter.
“Adara, have you seen Sofia? I need to speak to her about her mother, it’s urgent. Will you send her to the library?”
Reaching for her device, Adara watched as Sofia set her beer down, the liquid sloshing over the edges and spilling on the counter.
Before she could say anything, Sofia was already on her feet and running toward the door. Watching the blond mop of hair disappear, an odd feeling came over Adara. Did anyone who came here ever leave?