Chapter 1 – A meeting with destiny

22nd September 1916.

It was raining now, bucketing it down, the thunder and lightning cracked above me, I rushed across the street tripping as I went. I got my dress soaking wet, as I had fallen into a puddle, it was all ripped and ragged, not a good impression.

Oh, well done Bella, I thought .Just great.

I got up and looked over at the big house that stood before me, it was the Masen’s house. I was a maid at only 15, I had just been told by the person in charge of me, that I had been given a job at the Masen’s house.

The Masen’s, were one of the wealthiest families, in this part of Chicago. They owned a big house, just at the end of Forks Street, with a big sweeping drive. You couldn’t see the house from the road, as it was surrounded by hedges and trees.

I stood outside for a few moments, contemplating on my chances of running, before my “Owner”, found me. The Masen’s had a reputation, a good one yes, but no one knew what they were really like…. I stumbled up the long drive, until I came to a huge house at the end. I awed in amaze at the sheer beauty of it. All of it so delicate and perfect.

As I got to the bottom of the steps to the door, and elderly man in a suit opened the door for me and glared. I looked up at him nervously but his stare was penetrating. He ushered me inside quickly, and shoved me into this big room, which resembled a dining room. Within the room there were many canisters and decanters of wine, or some other sort of drink. They were pilled high on cases which covered half the room. In the middle of the room, was a very elaborately decorated, enormous, oak brown table. Which could have easily of seated 20. On the other side of the room, was a white marble fireplace, covered with photos, on the mantelpiece.

Seated at the end of the table were 3 people, two of them were middle aged one male and female, the other was a boy, who couldn’t have been much older than me. The middle aged woman, had brown hair, which was gradually fading, she was very big built, and wore a long elegant dress. She had warm green eyes, and soft pink lips. She must have been Elizabeth Masen.