comfort in unexpected hands

Cold was the night as she slept in her tears. The chilly night air blew in through the window sending chilly through her body. She reached for the blanket but she could not fins find. Crying had taken up much of her strength so she let herself to the winds that battered against the window.

Her body felt warm after a while. She squeezed herself trying to maintain the heat around her but her hand came I contact with a fluffy furry thick blanket. She snuggled inside it not reasoning where it came from. She slept on peacefully forgetting her sorrows.

Her eyes opened to a beautiful crystal chandelier majestically in place on the ceiling. She blinked several times in confusion. Was she dreaming? She pinched herself and the biting pain in her skin confirmed the reality in everything. Her eyes scanned the room quickly taking notes of the luxury. The furniture's were first class with imperial touches in every pattern and design.

Her eyes took in a deep look on each item this time. Being someone who had spent most of her childhood in the market with her mother, she could relatively tell the price of anything she came across as long as it was easy to find. Each piece in the room standing in it's own glory screamed of ten or possibly hundreds of thousands on it's worth.

A soft knock cut her short. An elderly lady in a black and white shirt and skirt walked in. Her polished accent screamed of classiness.

"Madam is waiting for you in her study where you shall join her for breakfast. The bath is ready for you so if you may freshen up before you see her. Do ring the bell when you are set" She bowed slightly before excusing herself.

Angie was besides herself with surprise. Where on earth was she?One moment she was in her room crying her life out over her bad luck and the next she is in a golden home with butlers. She washed up holding her questions till she saw the madam that had supposedly kidnapped her from her room.

She stepped out of the glass bathroom to find a pair of ox blood coloured robes and a pair of slippers laid out for her. A new set of lingerie was neatly set for her as well. She hurriedly slipped into the robe and wore the slippers. A little golden bell was on the table. She ringed it lightly and within seconds, another butler opened the door and led her towards the study.

She stood in front of the study and the butler excused himself leaving leaving her dazed. Was she to knock or just walk right in? Nevertheless, it was polite to knock. Her hands folded up as she reached to knock but the door opened and a little girl jumped on her.

" Ann!!!!!" She screamed in delight as she hugged Angie.

Angie lifted her up in a twirl "Look at you Brave. You've grown so big. Your so chubby" She smiled as she pulled at Brave's cheeks as the girl giggled at her cousin's petting.

" Am so glad that Grace brought you. Though I don't know what time you guys came in. I just woke up and boom I saw you in the room. Mom told me to give you some space. We are all so happy to have you home. This week will be the best. We are gonna do a lot of fun stuffs together. Sure you can skip school for a week for my sake?" She formed cute eyes to plead with Angie.

" I can't skip school for a week Brave. Why would you stay home for a week?" She ruffled her hair.

"oh didn't Grace tell you. We are home schooled. Dad arranged for the best tutors in the country to take us on private lessons for four hours each day. It gives us time for everything else . Grace has extra time to spare for her modeling lessons while I have time to learn the violin. Mom says when I have perfected it I'll be sent to the states to the best music college to learn from other experienced masters and when am done, the world will be my stage " she smiled, thrilled at the idea of being a world famous player.

"I saw wish your dreams come through. I'll tell you what, I'll be at all your performances. Pinky promise" They locked their pinkies together to seal the promise.

" go and have your breakfast. I'll be waiting in my room. We are gonna play a game of chess" she ran away excitedly playing to be superman.

She entered the study to find Grace seated at the table munching on a slice of toast with tea.

" Help yourself to it" she signalled to the plate with five slices of bread and butter.

Angie sat down, eating silently. Both of them avoiding eye contact.

The butler cleared the table after they finished.

" Brave said you brought me here. Am assuming that's true but why?" Angie started the conversation.

" Mom's been worried about her sister so she thought she could have you here and hopefully bring the rest of your siblings here but apparently your mom doesn't want to bother my mom with her problems. You know our mom's they respect each other's decisions but we know better, whatever they say will come with negative effects in the future. Am simply worried about your younger siblings so I took the first step by bringing you here. Alf will bring your remaining properties here by midafternoon and by next week you should expect your siblings here" She sipped her tea to conclude her explanation. "Any questions?"

"Yeah. A lot. When did you become so focused and reasonable " Angie tried to tease but the dead serious expression on Grace's face ended her joke. "okay okay. Why did you really take the first step?"

Grace looked at her with a barely visible smile. " I know more than anyone how I get on your nerves and hurt your feelings. We live two different lifestyles and our different backgrounds make it even harder but no matter what we are cousins and most importantly sisters. I will stand for you no matter how stupidly and recklessly I act. Even if I shun you and go against your desires deep down I will be by your side. I don't want to explain myself to you cause you would be surprised at my actions and I don't care about your reactions. Just know that I got you - for life!!"

Grace stood up and went to the shelf to pick up another book. Her eyes darting round the shelves to find anything to interest her. At that moment, she felt hands wrapped around her shoulders.

"Thank you Grace. I'll never forget this moment. This is the nicest thing you've done to me and my family. I love you sis" She tightened her hug round her.

" cut it out" She blushed hard. " don't get too chummy with me."

Angie released her with a brief laugh. " Jeez show some love sis"

" Whatever. Just let me read" she picked up a copy of hamlet before returning to her seat. Angie followed with a novel by Mark Twain.