Contract (2)

At Phoenix St.

 

The street looked decent compared to the streets she had been to before. And if Vivian were to compare it to her previous world, it looked like a middle-class neighborhood.

 

Vivian and Pana were standing in front of a yellow gate that was 6ft tall with a tiny guard house and a three-story small mansion behind it.

 

The three-story small mansion wasn't grandiose, just decent enough. It had a small front yard which was just enough to fit about 3 cars parking horizontally and there were flowers and small figurines on the sides.

 

There were 2 guards inside a small guard house. One of them came out and went over to the gate.

 

"What's your business here?"

 

"My name is Pana, an employee of the Adventurer's Guild and I have an appointment with Madam Stonia. Please tell her that I'm here with the woman I told her about yesterday."

 

The guard stared at the 2 women, especially Vivian, for a minute before turning to his companion.

 

The two of them didn't exchange any words.

 

A moment later, the other guard inside the guard house left.

 

"Wait here," the guard said.

 

"Okay," said Pana.

 

Vivian and Pana didn't speak with each other.

 

Pana's face was a bit nervous and she was running a thousand simulations inside her head on how their meeting with Madam Stonia would go.

 

Vivian, on the other hand, stood there with a bored look on her face and looked around. She tried to fold her arms around her chest, but after remembering the uncomfortable feeling, she decided not to.

 

In Vivian's head, this was just like any going through a job interview or meeting the boss of a company. And her secret to keeping herself calm was only 2 things: think that you're better than everyone else but don't show it and don't expect too much.

 

A few minutes later, the other guard returned.

 

"The Madam said to escort them in."

 

The guard nodded and then opened the gate.

 

"Please come in and follow me."

 

***

 

Vivian and Pana were led to the front door which was a double door.

 

The guard opened the door and then turned around to face them.

 

"Please wait at the lounging area. A maid will be here shortly to assist you while the Madam prepares herself."

 

"Thank you," said Pana and bowed.

 

"Thank you," said Vivian.

 

The guard nodded and left.

 

When they entered the house, they found themselves in a large hall with paintings, mirrors, figurines and other expensive-looking furniture.

 

In front of them was a staircase with carpet leading to the second floor with two doors underneath.

 

On the left was the lounging area with sofas, a round glass table and a beautiful fireplace.

 

And on the right was another double door.

 

Are we in the right place…?

 

I mean, does renting in a place like this really cost 1 to 3 gold coins a month…?

 

Although the exterior of the mansion wasn't really beautiful, the interior was a different story.

 

Despite the fact Vivian only arrived here a few days ago and wasn't even really interested in medieval architecture back when she was still in her previous world, even she could tell that there was no way renting a room here only costs 1-3 gold coins a month. Unless she will be staying in a different house.

 

The double door on the right opened and a maid pushing a cart came out.

 

The maid was in her early 20s and had a cute face.

 

"Good day to you both," the maid said and curtsied. "Please take a seat at the lounging area and enjoy some refreshments. The Madam will be here shortly."

 

The maid resumed pushing the cart to the lounging area.

 

Vivian was left momentarily speechless. It was her first time seeing someone curtsy in real life, not to mention toward her. On top of that, it didn't look like those forced and cringe-worthy videos she had seen back in her previous world. The one that the maid did looked so natural that one wouldn't even think about it.

 

"Thank you," Pana said and followed the maid.

 

Vivian followed as well.

 

While Vivian and Pana took a seat, the maid served some snacks -- 2 cups of tea, 2 slices of cake and 2 white napkins wrapped with some sort of gold metal ring.

 

It was also the first time Vivian finally saw a metal fork and porcelain cups and plates in this world.

 

So they do have these things in this world...

 

When the maid was done serving, she pushed the cart to the side and waited there.

 

Vivian grabbed a fork.

 

And they also have cakes…

 

And took out a small slice of the cake.

 

It tastes like cake but a little different…?

 

Back in her original world, Vivian wasn't exactly a cake expert. The only time she could taste one was when there was a birthday party or something similar to that. Other than that, she would never go out of her way to buy and eat one.

 

So as far as Vivian is concerned, she has no idea if the cakes in this world just taste different or if this is just what the cake of rich people tastes like.

 

She put down the fork and picked up her cup.

 

Sniff.

 

Sniff.

 

I guess it smells like tea…?

 

But it seems too strong…

 

Vivian also wasn't a tea expert. In fact, she prefers coffee. The only time she would drink tea was when her stomach wasn't feeling well. Other than that, it's just water and coffee. And even with the coffee, she only drinks the normal or local ones and doesn't care about things like latte, cappuccino, grinding the coffee or any of those fancy, pansy stuff. To her, coffee was simply a drink to keep her awake while working -- nothing more, nothing less.

 

Vivian took a sip.

 

Yeah, I think it's tea…

 

She put it down and resumed eating the cake.

 

I don't know the name of the flavors but it smells and tastes familiar...

 

Seeing Vivian eating, Pana glanced at the maid on the side who was standing beside the cart and patiently waiting.

 

She returned her glance at Vivian who was casually enjoying her cake.

 

An image of a young boy about 4 years old flashed in her head and she tightened her grip around her skirt.

 

Brrr...

 

Her stomach suddenly made a small and her face turned red.

 

She looked around if anyone noticed.

 

Vivian was just enjoying her cake without a care in the world, while the maid was standing at the side beside the cart as if she was a mannequin doll.

 

She watched Vivian pick up her cup of tea and take a sip.

 

Pana shook her head mentally and loosened her grip on her skirt, and decided to take a bite.

 

However, unlike Vivian, she only took one bite from her cake and one sip from her tea.

 

In her mind, it would be rude not to even taste the food served to her. 

 

And as she was deciding whether it was rude or not to finish the food served to her, they heard the sound of a door opening from upstairs which was quickly followed by the sound of footsteps.

 

 

Chapter end