Chapter 24
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Suddenly they were brought back to reality by an all so familiar voice belonging to Lady Winston. Philip gently put her to the floor with him still looking at her.
Lady Winston screeched and said "you silly girl be careful. Are you trying to injure my son or what? Phillip you should have let her fall, it's better than getting her dirty and filthy body on you. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you just because you're trying to save a worthless slave girl." With her head down, Martha rolled her eyes. She wondered how someone could be so pathetic and dramatic, but she could do nothing for now.
Just then, there was the sound of something that dropped. Such sound could definitely not go unnoticed. They all turned to see what made such noise, it was the bottle Martha hoped that no eyes would ever see. At that moment, her world came tumbling down, knowing that she would have no roof over her head to sleep as well as no means to provide what she would eat.
Right now, was definitely not the right time for her to leave the mansion, for she had no money whatsoever to her name. Bracing herself for the worst to come she closed her eyes as sweat rolled down her face hoping deep down that some miracle would happen.
Lady Winston saw it and said "that bottle looks strange. What is that." As lady Winston moved to pick up the bottle that had rolled to the corner of one of the chairs in the library, Philip immediately took hold of the bottle, securing it quickly inside his pocket.
"What's that Phillip"? Asked Lady Winston. He replied "the bottle belongs to me. I got it for a friend. It's a perfume with special qualities that's why the bottle seems rare as it's quite expensive as well." Lady Winston looked him down suspiciously
"Are you sure"? she asked "that bottle looks so familiar I can swear I have seen it somewhere". Adjusting his Jacket, Philip replied "no mother, its mine. I have to go now and I will like to borrow Mary. I really need her to do some work for me as am so stressed. if you don't mind." He began walking out with Mary by his side
"But you can help yourself with another servant other than her" said Lady Winston.
" Remember that none of them know the inner workings of the other section of the house. I really need to sleep mother, so please let me borrow her for some time" Philip said. Although Lady Winston agreed to his plead, she had a look on her face that showed displeasure. Martha wondered why he covered up for her, she was certain that he knew but she was never going to admit her fault.
She followed him as he walked out, instead of going to the artic of the house, Philip walked to the garden and she was forced to follow. Then he stopped at a spot and spun around to look at her.
"What is this Mary"? He asked. Without uttering a word from her mouth, she kept staring at him. He smiled and said "we can stay here for a very long time. You will either tell me what this is or I will find out myself. And the truth is that I already know what it is but I need you to explain cause I really do not like to assume things."
Martha still stared at him refusing to say a word daring him in her mind to say what it was. "Alright why don't we put it to the test and see what it is. I will drink it and am sure tomorrow morning with what would happen to me, I will know exactly what it is." Opening the bottle, as soon as he was about downing the content, she held his hand stopping him from proceeding.
He smiled and said "but I thought you had no idea to what it was from your silence." She moved her head from side to side indicating to him not to drink it. He then covered the bottle and brought it down as he told her "Mary I know you can talk why don't you talk to me. We are away from the house please tell me what I can do to help you and how did you get your hand on this bottle."
Martha looked at him intensely and for the first time, she said "I will rather not talk about it." Philip was in shock for a while. This is the first time he heard her voice and suddenly nothing else mattered.
Her voice was like a sweet melody to his ears. It made him feel like he was on a bed made from the clouds he felt so special being the first person she spoke to. Even with his suspicion that she had a hand in the previous scandal that occurred in the party, this alone is enough to cover up for all sins. "Fine, its fine Mary I won't push it further. I will just get rid of this bottle never to be seen by another." He flung it with one swift motion as it toppled and landed in the lake close to where they stood sinking beneath the water never to be seen again.
Martha released the sigh which she didn't know she was holding. Turning to go back to the house, Philip said to her "you owe me Mary." She rolled her eyes and replied "of course". She knew that nothing like that came free and now she had struck a deal with her enemy.
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Looking over the food the cook prepared, Mary requested for the special wine she had bought. She had invited Ben over as this was going to be her final plot. It was the night where she finally gave him up. She quickly went up to change her clothes as He would be arriving in few minutes, she needed to look presentable after all she thought. Wearing a long black dinner gown, she walked down the stairs and was shocked to meet a lady with cold eyes.
She was definitely an uninvited guest. Ben was surely a brat for bringing his mother without telling her. It surely made thing even better for Mary. Before she could think further, apologetic eyes blocked her view as Ben looked at her "I am so sorry. I was stuck with my mother for a while because of an emergency and I really couldn't leave her all alone. I hope you do not mind her coming along? I mean you will get along well. I apologize if this is inconveniencing, if you like she would leave."
Mary tilted her head looking at the woman who had rudely sat down without standing to acknowledge her being the host. Shrugging Mary did not have a problem. "That's fine let's all have dinner." Her plans had changed. Instead of killing Ben she would take great pleasure in killing his rude mother. A smile covered her face as she walked towards the dinner table as she kept her eyes on the bottle of wine she had prepared. Tonight, was going to be a long, painful and dreaded night.
Fifteen minutes into dinner, the conversations had been nothing but rigid and polite. There was a tension and scrutiny coming from Ben's mother and having both of them under her roof at the same time gave her a feeling if disgust. Getting bored of the fake pleasantries wanting to get things done quickly she said "why don't we have a toast to a happy day and bright future ahead"? Clapping her hand, she indicated to the maid to serve the wine in every cup. Just when the wine was about to be poured in Ben's mother's cup, she said "I doubt I will want to drink this night I think I will just stick with a glass of water."
Mary raised and arched her eyebrows feeling a bit frustrated but not showing it on her face she gave a polite smile "but why?" Mary asked playing with her cup of wine gently. "Am not a good drinker and I really would not want to embarrass our host who was so kind to enough to allow me have such nice dinner even though It was so impromptu." The older lady stated in cold but polite manner. Mary smiled wondering how Martha could not realize this all along. This woman has acted not like a mother but as a jealous girlfriend.
Mary was disgusted. Well, if she wouldn't drink it her son would surely drink it. Mary ignored them taking a sip of her wine as Ben soon followed suit keeping the conversation lively as they talked about business and other things of interest.
Then Ben spoke " oh yes I heard you were going to have an auction Miss Martha and I think it will be so nice to support you and be there to look at your magnificent work but I know it is of course an exclusive event." Mary smiled as she knew he was indirectly asking for a way to come in and she had no plans to let him in. "Of course, its exclusive" she said "it's only the top and important people in the city I allow into my event and people that I feel are of importance to my business and empire, I'm sure you understand." She replied in a calculated manner, looking directly at Ben's mother to make sure her jab hit the right person
"But of cause" Ben said while giving a little smile. Just then she noticed Bens mother hand around her cup with a tight grip as her son was being insulted. Mary felt deeply satisfied within her as realize the lady felt insulted. For some reason the lady reminded her of her former life as Lady Winston always seemed to derive joy in sitting upon people beneath her.
That thought alone brought out the savage side of Mary as she went for the kill. "Perhaps when I organize something for the general public, I will be sure to extend my invitation to you then, because in the short time I have known you I would really like to see what your able to come up with. And I feel your genuinely a good company to keep" she said with a cold smile on her face. They were interrupted by the sudden clinking of glasses as Ben's mother reached for the wine pouring it generously into a cup and taking it down in a gulp. Mary was delighted as she smiled. After everything the rat still got stuck in the trap and she knew this was it as the lady turned to face her with full rage in her eyes. "Are you looking down at us Miss Bernard"?
Mary gasped as she said "oh whatever do you mean"? She asked with mock surprise on her face "Are you trying to indicate that we are not worthy of attending your art exhibition?" Said Ben's mother.
Mary said with a surprised look on her face which wasn't genuine "why would you think such? I am surprised you will think so little of me" Mary said with amusement on her face.
"Miss Bernard" said the older lady who looked stunning for her age…like a seductress, "one thing I am not is stupid."
Mary stood up from her chair as she stared at her deeply as images of what she had done to the past owner of this body and how they had burned her alive came to her mind. Without bordering to get into a confrontation with her, she sat back gracefully on her seat. With her voice low and deliberate she said "Ms. Lilian Collins, I do apologize if I have said anything to offend you, but of course I extend a special invitation to you I do expect to see you there" she smiled.
"Mum it's enough" said Ben
"Thanks for the invitation Miss Bernard". She smiled and offered them more wine as she knew they would never make it to the exhibition.
