Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Hazel Eyes ❯ How High, Claudia? ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Hazel Eyes

Chapter Five

How High Claudia?

Introducing

(Claudia Collier, Pampered Pain in the Ass)

I stared down at the maid's outfit in disgust. Who did they think I was? I was like a prisoner in this room and suddenly I'm their maid? I was not a very happy camper at this moment.

Alice left soon after our chat; I didn't feel very comfortable speaking about my ordeal to someone who is in on this illegal activity. I sighed and sat down next to the outfit that was sprawled across my bed. A long black skirt, button down white shirt, a black cotton vest, small black slip-on shoes, black stocking's and a black jacket with an 'C' encrusted on the front.

You would think this was a five star hotel with the way this outfit looked. It partially screamed 'do you have a reservation?' When Alice brought it up to me I almost choked on the juice I was drinking. She told me I had to put it on and if I refused she was to tell 'Master Dean' right away, but when she winked I knew she wouldn't even if I did refuse. After I had put it on I was to come downstairs right away.

`Yeah, like that will happen' I thought and crinkled my nose up in disdain. I fingered a curl that had come loose from my ponytail and thought about my options. I could always stay and wait for Dean or Spencer to come get me so I could tell them what I think of their fashion sense; or I could comply, get dressed and see what it is they wantthan tell them what I think of their fashion sense.

Sighing, I stood up and got dressed into the clothing, trying to ignore the icky feeling I had from not showering for two days. I kept forgetting to ask Alice where the bathroom was and if I could use it, maybe next time I see her I'll ask. I do remember using it to take a pee last night, though I was still half asleep and Alice had led me through the dark hallways.

When I slipped the top on and buttoned it up, I realized two things. One, the shirt tucked into the skirt in a very dorky way and two, how did they know my sizes?

An eerie feeling washed over me but I shoved it aside before sitting on my bed and putting my shoes on. The clothes didn't seem to bad, they were very comfortable and even looked good on me. I put the jacket on before fixing my hair and walking over to the door, jiggling the handle to see if it opened. When the door opened I stepped out not expecting to see a very large hallway with multiple doors all over.

This really was like a hotel; guest rooms lined the hallway I was currently in, but the empty feeling made it feel completely the opposite. I walked slowly down the hallway, remembering the stairs were only a short way ahead. I took the stair's two at a time, feeling a new rush of energy hit just being free of vans, bedrooms, and airplanes.

When I reached the bottom I was surprised to see Alice standing by the end of the stairs. She smiled and ushered me down.

"Well good heavens lassie, what took you? I've been standing down here for a good half hour I reckon" she said playfully, the smile never fading from her kind face.

I smiled apologetically "Sorry Alice, I was busy… thinking" I finished lamely.

Alice didn't look convinced "Thinking whether or not to come down perhaps?" it wasn't so much a question as it was a statement.

I blushed at her answer; she took my arm in her own and led me to what looked like a large sitting area. It had large furniture pieces lined up and they seemed to look antique, all the window's were open making the house look even more dazzling then when I had first arrived in that same entry way only two days before.

I was to busy looking around the large room in awe to even notice the figure standing just feet away from me. Alice shook me lightly and I came back to my senses, I looked up and saw Dean standing before me. He didn't look annoyed, or angry that I was late. He seemed calm from my perspective. He stepped closer and nodded towards a door to the left of the sitting room. Alice nodded and led me in that direction.

When Dean opened the door to let us in, I was once again in awe by the size and beauty of this room. It was his office no doubt; a big oak desk much like my father's to the far end of the room, paintings and sculptures lined the walls and tables. Right by the corner was a portrait that stood out from the rest; it was an image of a young woman. She looked sad, her deep blue eyes looking shadowed and her ebony hair looked dulled, even with the life of curls framing her face. The painter really captured her true emotion.

"Well now that you'refinally here" Dean snapped and sat down, ushering Alice and I to sit also. "We can get down to business."

He shuffled some papers on his desk and look up, suddenly eyeing me.

"Your name is Skye-Alysha Glenn, your seventeen years old and soon to be eighteen next June. You are in eleventh grade and have an older sister, Holly-May Glenn who is twenty-one years of age and your parent's names are Laura-Sue Montgomery Glenn and Carl Glenn. Is this correct?"

I was astounded at the amount of information he had just read off a sheet of paper. I nodded dumbly and he continued, much to my horror.

"You're currently attending St. Richards College and were residing in Sydney, Australia. You have had pneumonia twice, also blood poisoning and had regular visits from your family Doctor, Doctor Forsa. You were also regularly seeing a..." he shifted through his papers before landing on a certain one "Doctor Collins, psychiatrist. Is this information correct?" he repeated and again I nodded, a dumb look plastered on my face.

Alice didn't at all look fazed by this. She just patted my arm and smiled reassuringly. Dean wrote something down on different pieces of paper before nodding to himself and shoving them all aside. He nodded towards Alice, she took the hint and stood up, not even looking back to see if I was alright before exiting the room. An uneasy silence surrounded us soon after.

“Now that I know I have the right girl.” Dean coughed and looked me dead in the eyes "Now for the rules. While you're in my home you will abide by my rules. Even in the case of your… predicament, you will get no special treatment. You will work here, and if the odds should ever lead authorities to my doorstep, you are simply hired under my roof, receiving weekly payments of minimum wage. Do the chores Alice provides for you. Talk back to her in any manner and you will deal with me. May I remind you seeking help is futile; so don't even try it.”

Way to be a downer.

I was simply fuming by this stage. What right did this man have to order me around? I clenched my small fists into balls and my breathing came out hard.

"What right do you have to order me around?" I raged.

Dean didn't look pleased, he looked downright pissed off but I could have cared less at that point. He got up from his seat and walked over to me, taking long strides which didn't take long to finish.

"Listen here little girl, I don't want you and if it were up to me, you would be six feet under so I wouldn't have to hear your whiny voice ever again." he growled, leaning over me like a hawk watching over its prey.

"I know someone else wants me and they have to be better than you." I snapped, saying the first thing that came to mind. Hell, I didn't even know what I was saying.

He stepped a little closer "Oh, yeah? Let me tell you something Princess, the girls that head out of this place don't usually come back in…" he searched for the words "Whole pieces" he let a smirk ripple across his tanned face.

He was inches away now, so close in fact that if I so much as leaned forward our lips would touch. I was about to respond with yet another cuss directed at him when a curt scream caught me by surprise. Dean immediately got off me and walked over to the door where a red head was now residing, beside the red headed girl stood Alice with a very uncomfortable look on her face.

The girl glared at Dean as he made his way back to his desk, she placed a perfectly manicured hand on her small waist attempting to look menacing. She looked so much taller compared to Alice, but indeed she couldn't have been much taller comparison to me. I straightened myself up as she lingered her green eyes on Dean for a little longer before turning my way.

"Master Dean, Miss Claudia wants to speak to you. I told her--” Alice was abruptly cut off; her eyes showed an annoyed gleam much to my surprise.

"Who's she?" the girl pointed her long finger towards me. From what I could tell, she had a sort of British accent.

Dean sighed, looking irritated "This is Skye, Claudia. She's our new job, if you will" he explained.

Claudia seemed to ease up, her shoulders were no longer perched up and her eyes softened when she looked back at Dean.

"Oh, that all?" she asked, folding her arm's over her chest. She looked back at me and smirked "It looked as though you got a new maid from where I'm standing Dean, she looks the part. Trashy, as always… and ugly."

Dean sighed once more and nodded. I was ready to pounce on that red headed harlot when Alice stepped up.

"Come Lassie and I'll get you something to drink" she said, directing her attention at me.

Dean's head snapped up and his eyes narrowed my way "No Alice, show Skye where the kitchen is and she can get her own meals and drinks from now on. After, show her what chores she can start on" he directed.

Alice nodded obediently; she walked over to me and grabbed my arm gently before pulling me up and taking me from the room. Claudia smiled slyly and slammed the door shut behind us. What surprised me the most is that I managed to keep my mouth shut from the time Claudia entered the room. I didn't look back, just followed Alice to the kitchen with my content silence still in check.

I yawned, covering my mouth with my hand. Alice smiled and shoved the glass of milk I had been nursing back before me. With a smile back her way, I sipped the contents and sat it back down. This tactic had been occurring for more than twenty minutes, each time I pushed my drink away Alice would gently push it back, beckoning me to drink some more.

"So, who's Claudia exactly?" I asked, not really caring for Alice's answer but just genuinely curious.

Alice's blue eyes seemed to widen with new found wonder "Miss Claudia? Terrible story, the Miss's parents were killed none to long after she was born. Master Dean's parents are her godparents and were happy to take her in. Claudia was brought up pampered and Dean always treated her fairly, she has this crush of him you see" she said and giggled.

"But don't say I said anything Lassie, Miss Claudia likes to think she runs this home. She's nineteen, been off in University you know, off in England. When she was little, Dean's father always favored her. Shame what happened, a shame indeed" she muttered.

"What happened?" I asked, curiousness now taking over.

"Not my place to say Lassie. Things change is all" she said, a sad wistful smile plastered on her face.

I nodded, I didn't want to push on something that didn't matter to me "So where's Spencer?" I asked.

Alice thought for a moment, than spoke "He's with Cole right now, don't know where exactly. Why do you want to know Lassie, fond of the young man?" she asked. A knowing look twinkled dimly in her eyes. I blushed and shook my head fiercely.

Alice laughed and walked over next to the large platinum fridge and talked into the intercom, a few minutes later a young girl stepped into the room. She looked a little older than me, but not by much. She had stringy blond hair; a mix of brown through it. Her eyes were grey with specks of brown and gold. She was very pretty and had on the same outfit I did.

"This is Tessa Gardner, Lassie. Tessa, this is Miss Skye, she will be with us for a while on new staff" Alice explained, her same kind smile again on her face.

Tessa's eyes brightened and she ran over to me, giving me a brief hug. I was surprised but returned it with a small, nervous smile. Her openness reminded me so much of Bec; I missed my best friend so much. God forbid, but I actually missed school to. At that moment, I would give anything to be back with my family and friends.

Tear's begun to cloud my vision and Tessa stood back, a little stunned.

"Did I do something to upset you?" she asked, frantic she had upset me.

Alice gave a worried look and walked over, putting her arms around me "No dear, she's just home sick."

Tessa seemed to understand, a new realization coming into her eyes. Alice sighed and pushed the cup of milk my way once again.

"Don't tell Dean you know" she whispered and Tessa did a zip motion over her lips. I had to laugh at that, Tessa turned to me and smiled.

"I made her laugh!" she said excitedly, like a little child. That just made me laugh more.

When my tears had been dried and I had drunk the remaining continents of my drink, Alice took my cup and placed it in the sink. She turned back to Tessa and wiped her hands on her apron.

"Tessa, can you be a dear and get Skye started on some work. I need to see to some things" she said.

Tessa nodded and grabbed my hand, partially yanking me from my seat. I saw Alice smile as she walked out through the swinging doors of the kitchen, Tessa and I going the opposite direction.

"This is so cool; I've never had another girl my age here before. Well, except Claudia but she's a brat and so stuck up" Tessa talked and talked as we went up the stair's to a few of the rooms that needed cleaning. On her rambling session I managed to catch the points that her mother and father both worked here. Her father is friends with Dean and helps him with his law troubles and her mother works in the kitchen.

I asked why, if her father works with law, he would be apart of what Dean did. She gave me an odd look and explained it was a different kind of job, more like actually dealing with the problem personally. I shrugged, still not getting what she was at. Tessa passed me a duster while she vacuumed. I dusted most of the shelves, sneezing occasionally from my allergies.

Tessa kept rambling on while she vacuumed; I was surprised I could hear her voice over the loud machine. I wasn't watching what I was doing; I dusted over until I felt someone push me away. I looked back and saw that I had rubbed the duster right in Claudia's face without realizing it. I almost burst out laughing, but the look Claudia gave me shut it up.

"You" she pointed at Tessa "Out for a moment" she ordered hand waving to the door.

Tessa looked at me, I smiled and she walked out, glaring at Claudia before marching down the hall. We were alone and I had to say, this girl scared me. She was a lot like a Dragon-Lady, her eyes would cause burns with just one glare. Well, Claudia just got a new nick-name.

"So, your Dean's new job, huh?" she asked, rubbing her finger along the shelf I had just finished "A pretty shabby maid, don't know why your worth so much" she muttered.

I glared at her but kept my mouth shut, she didn't like this response.

"What are you? Mute or just stupid?" she snapped.

"Neither red, but keep at it and I might just find a new place to put this duster" I growled, raising the fluffy blue stick. Claudia seemed to stiffen, but only for a second before her green eyes bore holes into my head.

"You wouldn't want Dean to know your not being nice to the lady of this house, now would you?" she sneered, a smirk tugging at the corner's of her lips.

I put the duster down, this moron I could handle, but Dean was another story. Her shoulders hoisted and I knew her air of confidence was back.

"Look, Dean may have gone through the ground rules but here are the actual rules. When I say jump, you say 'how high?' got it?” she frowned when I didn't answer “Okay, I'll make this easier to understand. In other words, when I want something I get it now. Understood?" she asked. I laughed and shook my head.

"Sure, whatever" I said calmly and went back to dusting; she ripped the duster from my hand and spun me around by my shoulder. I was ready to lunge at her when she stepped back and pulled up her sleeve.

"See that bruise; I got it from a fall back in England. But I could say you gave it to me in a fit of rage" a sinister smirk formed on her face.

If what Alice told me was true, Dean and she were close. Did I really want to get in trouble with a guy who could possibly kill me just because I didn't do a few extra chores? I sighed and looked at Claudia, trying to hide my evident anger.

"How high, Claudia?"

She grinned; obvious she had won this battle.

-

Final Words

Claudia: “Keep up the act Tessa, show everyone what a little mouse you are.”

Tessa: “I'm so going to put a bullet through your skull when this is all over…”