97- Fifth Stick

Ashley Walters pov

The elderly woman was still the same. Except, she was no more wearing the maid uniform. Her white hair was still tied back in a bun. One or two more wrinkles had appeared on her face, but she still was the same. Her posture was straight, at least better than mine, her chin was up and that might be the reason. she still didn’t have a double chin.

“Hello, Ms. Walters.” She said with a cordial smile. Unexpectedly Edith didn’t take time and brought her to me within one hour, “I have heard you want to talk to me?”

They both took their seats before us.

“Please answer whatever she wants to know.” Said Justin sitting beside me. All this time, his hand never left mine, “Also she is NOT Ms. Walters. You can call her Mrs. Deluca.”

The way Justin told her, made my heart flutter in my chest. A smile started teasing the corner of my

mouth.

“Oh,” she nodded in understanding, “I am sorry, Mrs. Deluca,” my heart was racing by now. A person calling me Mrs. Deluca was something I never imagined.

I knew what Justin was trying to do. He was doing everything in his power to win my heart.

“Edith and I think that you heard our conversation when we thought you were sleeping,” Justin turned to me with questions in his eyes. I never told him that I heard something about the curse before.

“Ms. Walters… I mean… please excuse me. Mrs. Deluca. The curse has been with the Deluca family for generations. Deluca people own an empire but always prayed for daughters. They had no problems if instead of a male child, their daughters would inherit their properties. According to the curse, the daughter -in–laws must bear its consequences, but the son–in–laws are safe. If a generation will have a daughter as their first born the spell can be broken.”

What? A firstborn daughter could break the curse? Then why Delucas never went for gender selection?

“I know what you are thinking, ma’am.” Helga cleared her throat, “But it must be a natural birth. Even IVF or any other technique won’t work. The older generations got alarmed when they started putting the pieces together. They went to palmists, fortune tellers, Astrologists, and whatnot. Every one of them advised Delucas to make their sons marry some other girl and then later they could marry their beloved.” She paused for a moment, “After so many generations, the young master was the first male child who not only married the girl but also started falling for her.”

I felt Justin squeezing my hand and I squeezed it back.

“Nobody wanted you here because we all knew what would happen to you. None of us was expecting that he would fall for you. When he heard that I could not give your luggage bag to you, he was mad at me. He warned me and then tossed me out of the household.” She sighed and then tried to hide her shivering hand, “I have got sons who were never ready to support me. I did their upbringing single–handedly.” Her lips quivered for a little while.

After I was sent away, I tried fitting into my sons‘ families because I was not left with any means of earning. My savings were spent on their studies plus I also gave them loans to build their houses. That was when I went back to the young Master Deluca and apologized.

I wanted help. A job to sustain myself. He told me that he would never take me back on the job but would help me with my finances. He started paying me my salary and arranged a small place where I could live peacefully.

Now my sons love me again because now their mom has her own money. But by this time, I have also learned my lesson.”

I was aware of her teary eyes but didn’t remark. She was a woman with pride and would never like it if someone would point out her flaws.

“Ms. Helga… I…” She didn’t let me finish.

me Helga, Mrs. Deluca.” She said with a smile, and I

curse,” her eyes snapped up in disbelief, “I never wanted to know about the curse. But thank you for letting me know.” I said

me here? Edith asked me to…” She seemed confused now. Even Edith seemed puzzled.

must have misunderstood. I heard your conversation and don’t have any problem with gossiping too. Unless you are not planning anything against your master

never do that, ma’am. I practically did his brought up and would never wish ill for him or anyone of the Deluca.” She gestured towards Justin and me. She was including me among

to the point, I tried to remind her.” my luggage went missing and after a lot of requests I only got my one suitcase while the other

silent staring at her lap.

answer her, please,” Justin said in an authoritative

didn’t want that. I wanted her to trust me that nothing would

I tilted my head towards Justin, “You did something against the mansion rules and were sent away. He stayed kind to you and is still paying you. He is still better than your sons. You

showed her inner battle, but I was positive that she would spill

senior Mrs. Deluca. She asked me to hide

“Mrs. Electra Deluca?”

and I both asked her at the same

Flashback starts:

her with a

come to know.” Helga tried to reason with the elderly lady. Though she was the owner, but

me not to involve him in this mess. So, no one knows.” Electra Deluca smirked sarcastically.

was never interested in family politics. For him,

That evening a young

with the girl. Just drop her meals and get done

and turned to leave, “What if …” the girl’s small voice made her stop, “What if I go

most of the maids used to bring their problems to

vacation. The reason for calling Sarah was to

Helga? Is she beautiful? Cunning?” Sarah asked her

is too cunning,” Helga informed her. She also informed Sarah that the girl’s suitcases were still with

not good! That’s a breach of privacy. It’s her right to get her suitcases back.” Helga wanted to involve Sarah so

when Sarah returned, Helga was already kicked

instead of asking about Helga’s well–being,

in the basement.” She

one suitcase is still missing.”

“If

can ask Maria to bring it to you,” Helga suggested on the phone. After Helga, Maria was the second

involving anyone. I will myself go to the storeroom and get her suitcase.” Before Helga could say anything else,

Flashback ends.

closed my eyes thoughtfully, “Sarah might know about

sorry… I am just a servant, and Ms. Sarah is one of my employers who used to pay me generous tips. But depending on her nature, she would have called

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