Title: Flower of Love Part: 4 Author: Bubbles Legoliza@aol.com Hullo! Bubbles here. You guys are so sweet to me. I can't believe that you like my story. It's my first so I was very nervous that nobody would like it. A very special thank you to ChibiSerenity who gave the idea for this story. Everyone need to go read her stuff because it's very good. And another thank you for to my friends Summer, Jessica, Arielle, and Wes. Jessica should be writing her own fan fic very soon (hint hint!) Summer is wonderful because she wants another earring. Arielle turned 15 I went to her birthday party yesterday. And last but not least, Wes, who is....the guy who talks through all the movies because he has a thousand voices and wants to share them all with you. "He is also the "molecule" in Bubbles life. Hee,hee!!" Shut up dear! My friend Jessica made that part up. We are having her committed next week. 'Happy Dale' was very eager to take her. They always wanted another President Roosevelt. By the time you are reading this, I will be on a boat cruising around the San Juan Islands. I will be in Van Couver for 10 days which means, I probably won't have part 5 out for a long time. I am very sorry about this but what can I do? And now on with the story! -------------------------------------------------------------- Serena stared at the newspaper, then back at the house in front of her. 646 Sycamore Circle. This was it. She walked up the front steps and rang the bell. Serena nervously tugged at her braid. She had taken extra pains with her appearance that morning, due to Ami's persistence. The dress she wore was plain, but durable. It was one of her best. Serena had desperately wanted to wear one the gowns she had received from Darien but Ami said it wouldn't have been practical. 'One must never dress as well as one's employer.' The door to the McMullen house opened. An elderly woman stood there. "Yes?" Serena was a bit disconcerted at the woman's hard demeanor. "I am here for the position of a lady's maid. You advertised in the paper." Serena held it up. Her stern expression altered slightly. "Oh, yes. Do come in. My name is Mrs. Files. I am the housekeeper for the McMullens." She led Serena down a long, elaborately decorated hall and into a small sitting room. "Your name please," Mrs. Files said more than asked. Serena had the feeling that Mrs. Files was the queen in her castle. She would give up her authority to no one but the McMullens. "Serena Anderson ma'am." There was silence. "Who was your last employer?" "Lady Caulfield of Grovershire." "And why did you leave her services?" "Lady Caulfield had to return to Scotland. Her father died and she wished to live with her mother. As much as I wished to, I could not follow her. My sister was very ill at the time and I was needed to take care of her." "In these letters of reference she says very nice thing about you," Mrs. Files watched Serena carefully. "She was very kind to both my sister and me. I do owe a lot to her." Mrs. Files smiled very slightly. She liked this girl. Serena would be a good maid for Miss McMullen. She was responsible, wouldn't carry on with the butcher boy, or be caught trying on her lady's clothes. "Welcome to our services Serena. Let me show you to Miss McMullen's rooms." Mrs. Files showed her up the servant's staircase and into a main hall. Serena sensed that if she was to work here, it would be wise to get on the housekeeper's good side. "This is such a beautiful house," she commented. A glow seemed to come into Mrs. Files' eyes. "Thank you. I am very proud of this house. We have done a lot of work since the fire." At the mention of the fire, the light died in her eyes and was replaced by a certain sadness. Serena saw that this was a delicate topic and did not pursue it. She didn't have time to talk about it anyway. Mrs. Files had led her into a huge room that was completely decorated in pink and yellow. Colorful flowers were abundant in every vase. The room was spotless save a few discarded garment lying on the floor. Mrs. Files pursed her lips. She had wanted this room to be clean, just like the rest of the house. Everyone needed to be impressed, especially servants if they were expected to stay in line. "This is Miss McMullen's room. You tend to this room and keep it clean as well as do anything that pertains to Miss McMullen. You had best start with cleaning up the clothes. You can hang your coat down in the kitchen. If you need any help, ask Molly. She knows where everything is." And with that, Mrs. Files turned and disappeared into the immense hall. Serena was still awestruck with the room. It was so richly decorated! Even the forgotten dresses on the floor were of a fine quality. 'If Miss McMullen is as sweet as her room, my job shall be very pleasurable.' Then Serena felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned and saw a very petite girl. Her curly red hair escaped it's tight bun and her green eyes sparkled with mischief. "You're the new girl aren't you? I hope we shall be great friends. I know we shall even though I am only a kitchen maid and you're a lady's maid. But that doesn't matter. What is your name anyway?" The girl's accent was Cockney and lilting. "I'm Serena." "I'm Molly. Come downstairs with me to the kitchen. We can talk there and we won't have to worry about old Filesy creeping up on us. She does like to creep." Molly linked her arm within Serena's and walked her down to the kitchen. She showed Serena where to hang her coat and where to deliver the washing. The girls got to know each other quite well. Serena found that Molly was the youngest of four brothers, three of whom were sailors. "I don't see them a lot. James works here. He's the footman. He is very handsome and I think you would like him." Serena blushed at this. It was her first day and already Molly wanted her to be friendly with the footman! 'Well, it's not like I have a chance with Darien.' "I would like to meet your brother. He sounds very nice." At this Molly grinned very widely and started to list off all her brother's qualities. His brown eyes, his red hair, his way with horses... She was interrupted by a great commotion coming from the front hall. "That will be Miss McMullen. You had better hurry of to her room and finish with those clothes." But Serena didn't hear her. She was already at the top of the stairs. Serena rushed into Mina's room and hurriedly picked up the clothes. She then laid them out on the bed and started to fold them. She heard the door open and someone clear their throat. Serena turned and became face to face with Mina McMullen. She was tall, taller than Serena's five foot five. She had clear aquamarine eyes and the most amazing hair that Serena had ever seen. It was pure gold with hints of red. Tiny little bangs curled softly about her forehead and wavy wisps framed her face. A hint of a small quivered on her lips. "Are you my new maid?" Her voice was clear educated. Serena bobbed a curtsey. "Yes, Miss McMullen." She raised her head and her eyes met Mina's. For some reason Serena felt that she did not have to look at the ground while Mina addressed her. She could look this mistress right in the eye and not be afraid for her position. Mina obviously felt the same way. "Well, you evidently know m name but I do not have the same pleasure." "My name is Serena Anderson, Miss." "Call me Mina. I do hate titles. It makes one sound very old." She looked around her room. "I am sorry for the mess. I was meeting my fiancee." She smiled apologetically. "It's your house. You have the right to make a mess." Serena blushed slightly. How could she say that to her mistress?! Mina grinned outright. "I have the feeling we are going to get along beautifully." Serena smiled back. "I certainly hope so." 5 Days Later.... The two girls did get along beautifully. Serena was good friends with Mina, well as far as friends could get in an employer/employee situation. But Serena did get on well with Molly. They spent lunches together and could often be found talking in their free time. Molly understood Serena's predicament. She had too grown up with no parents. But that particular day, Serena wanted to discuss something other than their lives. "Molly," she said, "Mrs. Files said something about a fire, then got terribly sad. What is she talking about?" Molly eyes gleamed slightly. How she loved to gossip! "Well, 10 years ago in his house there was a horrid fire. It burned out most of their belongings. Some say Mina and her sister started it, but others think that it was Miss McMullen's aunt, who was supposedly not right in the head." "I didn't know Mina had a sister." "That's where this story gets real sad. You see, Mina did have a younger sister. She died in the fire. But oddly enough, Mina thinks that she is still alive. I don't know how a 13-year-old could escape a roaring fire but... I do for a fact that it was started upstairs." Serena shook her head. Her eyes had gotten a bit spacey and she looked out to nowhere. "It didn't start upstairs. It started in the attic. They were trying on dress-up clothes. Mina knocked over her candle. It caught fire on the old things. It separated the two. Mina told her to jump over it but the other was scared. She wouldn't. The flames got so high that they couldn't see each other anymore. Mina ran downstairs. Then the floor from the attic fell through..." Mina had entered the kitchen and had heard Serena's speech. She stared at her maid. "How..how do you know this?" Serena whirled about and saw her lady. "How do you know this? My sister and I were the only ones in the attic. How do you... unless you were my...." Mina through her hands around Serena's neck. "Oh Serry! I knew you were alive!! I knew it!! They all said you were dead but I knew they were wrong! I knew-" Serena escaped Mina's grasp. "I don't know what you are talking about Miss McMullen!" "Mina." "Miss McMullen. I am not your sister. I would know if I were, believe me." "But how else could you know? How else could you know that we were in the attic, trying on old clothes. I didn't tell anyone!" "Maybe you did and you forgot about it. It doesn't matter. There is no proof and I am certain I am not your sister. I have a sister." Serena walked shakily out of the kitchen. Mina stared after her. "How could Serena know that?" she whispered. ---------------------------------------------------------------- VERY IMPORTANT!!! READ THIS NOW!!!! DO NOT EXIT THIS STORY!!! I am going out of town so therefore there will not be any more editions to Flower of Love for the next two weeks. But, when I get back, I promise to write a whole lot. Part 5 will be very looong to satisfy you because you will have waited a looong time for it. But, just because I am going out of town doesn't mean that you can't send me feedback!! Thank you to who has given me suggestions with this story. I am very sorry that this chapter is so short but what with the vacation and all, I really haven't had time to write!! I love you all!!! -Bubbles