Chapter 5

• Amelia
• I found myself back in my childhood, a little girl walking hand in hand with my beloved mother through vibrant gardens that stretched beyond my sight. The rose flowers bloomed, and their sweet fragrance filled our noses.
• “My dear Amelia,” my mother spoke with a gentle smile, “all of this beauty belongs to us, and one day, it will all be yours.”
• I gazed at her with wonder, my heart filled with warmth and love. “Really, Mother? All of it?” I asked, my young voice full of innocent curiosity.
• She nodded, her eyes twinkling with love and promise. “Yes, my precious child. Our family has a long history here, we’ve protected it for ages and one day it will be yours to protect too. Always remember this.”
• In the dream, my father, a figure I had no concrete memory of, appeared before us. He had been taken from me too early in life, but here he was, a strong, caring man, his features softened with love as he lifted me into his arms.
• “Amelia,” he said, his voice deep and soothing, “you are the most important thing in my life. Never forget that. This rose,” he handed me a delicate, red flower, “symbolizes our love and your worth. Whenever you feel lost or alone, hold onto this rose in your heart, and you’ll always find your way.”
• I clutched the rose tightly, feeling its softness against my small hand. In that moment, somehow, I understood the significance of the precious gift and the weight of the love behind it.
• “Wake up!” shouted a guard from outside the carriage, pulling me from my sweet dream. A gentle tap on my shoulder stirred me fully awake. I quickly opened my eyes and sat up, and the memory of my reality suddenly came flooding into my mind.
• My heart pounded as I stood on the auction block, surrounded by powerful men emitting an air of wealth and status. The room buzzed with anticipation, each bidder eager to claim one of us slaves. Although I knew they were all taken aback by my own beauty, I hoped for a kind master. My dark long hair cascaded like a waterfall, and my hazel brown eyes held a spark of innocence that seemed to enchant all who looked my way.
• Amongst the sea of wealthy bidders, one man had stood out to me. He possessed an aura of mystery, a charm that drew my attention. Strikingly handsome, he seemed to possess features that could make any woman’s heart flutter. As the bids escalated, I watched in disbelief as the numbers rose higher and higher until they reached an outrageous amount that left me gasping. I never anticipated that this mysterious man would set his sights on me, let alone bid such an outrageous sum to make me his own. One by one, the other contenders withdrew their bids, conceding to the charming man’s overwhelming offer. The auctioneer, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events, declared him the highest bidder and my new owner.
• Led outside after the auction’s conclusion, I found myself amidst a group of other servants—mostly females and two or three strong males—all seemed to have been purchased by the same man. Doubts crept into my mind, wondering why he had chosen to purchase me with such amount, even though I was aware of my attractive features.
• The group was ushered into a grand carriage, each servant assigned their spot, regardless of the price tags attached to them though. As we set off on the journey to our new home, I couldn’t help but sneak glances at my new master, now sitting in a luxurious car ahead of us. A companion of his shared the ride, and the two men seemed deep in conversation, their voices muffled by the distance between the vehicles.
• Along the way, I tried to stir up conversations with the other servants, attempting to gauge their worth and whether they were as precious to our new owner as I was. The atmosphere in the carriage was a mix of uncertainty and resignation, as each person wondered about their future under this new master of ours. Inside the carriage, time seemed to speed by as the sound of hooves on the road rocked us into drowsiness.
• My fellow servants and I were on our way to a new home, purchased by an unknown master. The darkness outside shrouded the passing scenery, leaving us with nothing but our thoughts and memories. I had drifted into a deep slumber, the world around me vanishing, engulfed by the comforting darkness of sleep. I had been sold by my cruel stepfather, who showed me no love or kindness, and sold again to the highest bidder. Now I found myself on a journey to an uncertain future.
• Now aware of my surroundings, I observed from within the confines of the rigid carriage where we had been clustered in. Time seemed to have slipped away from me unnoticed in my peaceful rest. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, I found myself locked in a gaze with the strange man, his features marked by a mix of curiosity and kindness. It took me a moment to realize that we had arrived at our destination. With a surge of hope and hesitation, I glanced farther outside the carriage, my gaze now falling upon a grand house nestled amidst green fields. A lump formed in my throat as I contemplated the new life that awaited me within those walls.
• In my dream, I had felt the love of my parents enveloping me, their words etching themselves into my soul. The carriage seemed to sway with my dreams, melding the past and present together. Even in my slumber, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort and protection, as if my parents were watching over me from above.
• The carriage was let open, and we stepped out into the dark night. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this new home held a connection to my past, to the dreams that reminded me of who I was and the legacy that had awaited me until when my mother passed.
• Once outside, my eyes wide with confusion, the man who was now our new master suddenly approached me and surprisingly, he extended a hand to assist me. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of his intentions, but his eyes revealed a warmth that I had rarely encountered before. Hesitatingly, I reached out and placed my hand in his, feeling an unexpected surge of reassurance.
• I hope you’re worth half of what I paid for you,” he snickered at me before the guard approached him and spoke in a hush tone. I watched in confusion, trying to decipher a sentence or two from their words but my efforts were wasted. After a while, the man smiled and approached us as I staggered away.
• “This is your new home now; do as you are told.” The man said out loud not just to me, but to the others too.
• A wave of hope washed over me, and I whispered a silent prayer for a better life. We all followed as the guards led us towards the compound. The grandeur of the house seemed to grow with each step, its stunning architecture beckoning me forward. A sense of belonging stirred within me, as if the house itself recognized my presence and seemed to welcome me with open arms.
• As we entered the gates, I noticed a bustling of activities. Servants moved about purposefully, their faces etched with diligence and devotion. Leading us to a group of buildings which seemed like the servants’ quarters, the guard finally stopped in front of a carved door. With a gentle push, he revealed a line of doors aligned to face each other.
• “This will be your sanctuary,” he said to us, his voice resonating with unconcern. “Rest here and tomorrow your life here begins.”
• For the rest of the night, I was not disturbed by the familiar sound of whip on my back, or the harsh commands that had plagued my existence under my stepfather’s rule. Instead, I relished in the silence, sinking into the embrace of a soft, small bed. I traced my fingers over the silky sheets, marveling at the comfort they offered. A gentle breeze whispered through the open window, carrying with it the promise of a promising day ahead.
• Somehow, I still felt a connection to my new home, it had a mix of its own grandeur and the nostalgia of my home as I remembered it, or as I experienced in my dream. Even though I had grown up in my home, the house had gradually lost its touch, as Arnold had ruined the beauty of the place. As I closed my eyes, my heart filled with a renewed sense of hope. I prayed once again, this time not for deliverance from my past, but for the strength to seize the new opportunities that awaited me. I could not help but feel like I had finally found a home where my life could flourish.