Another Beauty and The Beast Story: Chapter Three

Sorry I had a quick writer's block. Hope you enjoy.
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At first everything was silent except the rippling of the fire. I wasn't surprised about the silence. There wasn't anything to say. Well maybe there was. There are many horrible things I can say to this man for kidnapping my father and now keeping me here against my will. I guess I was sort of to blame for that... but I can't say I regret it. My dad can solve it. All I have to do is find that contract and somehow give it to my dad without letting the man know that it's missing. Now I just need to find out where the contract is and how I'm going to get it.

The maid had brought the food several minutes earlier. We were having spaghetti, and I was a bit grateful that there wasn't meat or chicken in it, even though there was a very small chance I'd be eating, unless he'd make me of course. I've just turned into a vegetarian and didn't want to break my diet so soon.

As I took a sip from my coke and the sound seem to break the silence. I wished I didn't sip when he started to speak again.

"You should eat. I don't want you to be hungry tonight."

"I'm sure that's my problem, but thank you." Ok, so I decided to talk nicely back, but that didn't mean my words had to be nice right?

"This was made especially for you. You're father told me his daughter was just becoming a vegetarian."

"Was that before or after you locked him in the basement?"

When he didn't answer I took another drink from my coke, but this time made sure not to be as loud. I could feel his eyes on me, and all I could do is endure the tension and awkwardness I felt.

"I'm a bit tired", I said, hoping to get out of this room as soon as I possibly could. "Am I excused to go to bed?

I could see as his hand tightened around his silver fork. "You need to eat."

"But I'm not -"

"You will not leave this table until you have at least eaten something", he said in a calm yet snappish way.

I sat back in my seat and folded my arm. I'm not going to let him treat me the way he treats me, even though it meant staying here all night. I was hoping it wouldn't get to that point though.

I could just here my heartbeat saying tick tock, tick tock, as the time passed. I kept my food untouched and nearly had finished all my coke. As a matter a fact I was hungry, no, I was starving, but I just couldn't eat. He'd think that I'll be eating because he said so and feel and take advantage of that victory. He would treat me the same over and over again.

"The sooner you eat, the faster you'll be in bed away from me."

I only glanced at him and noticed that he was still looking at me. "That would be quite nice."

"I promise it won't kill you", he assured. "The food is as healthy as spaghetti can be."

I didn't reply. I just stared at my food, my stomach starting to silently growl again. I hoped it wouldn't get too loud for him to hear. I stifled a yawn, the tiredness starting to get to me. I wanted to eat and then go to bed, but I also wanted to eat, and then go to bed in my own home.

After almost another hour, I finally gave in and started to eat. I was surprised how fast someone can eat a plate full of spaghetti when they were hungry. I finished the little coke I had before standing up. "May I go now?" I asked, starting to feel dizzy.

He nodded. "You may", he said. I could have sworn I heard him smirk but ignored it.

The maids met me right outside the dining room and led me to my room. As soon as I walked in and closed the door I immediately went under the covers, not bothering to change.

I woke up with the sound of knocks against my door, but they weren't long before I heard my door open. "Good morning miss", I hear one of the say.

I sat up, blinking into the sunlight coming from the window. "Morning", I greeted back. "What time is it?"

"It's nearly ten", the eldest woman said. "Our master let you sleep in because of how late you slept last night. I'm a bit surprised. He never seems to be able to handle stubbornness."

I frowned. "I wasn't that stubborn. I was just trying to prove a point."

"And what point was that?"

"I don't want to be here."

The young maid placed a tray of food on my lap with a smile. "He insisted we made you pancakes. We weren't sure if you drank milk so we decided to give you orange juice instead. When you're done please look for us in the dining room or kitchen. We will start you off with your work and show you how it's done."

I looked at the pancakes in amazement and shock. First I get my own big room, then I get a good dinner, then I get to sleep in, and now I get to have pancakes for breakfast in my own bed? I wonder if this was included in the contract. I don't think my dad was as lucky.

"Thank you", I said, not realizing the maids were already heading out.

As soon as I finished eating, I washed up and then changed. I decided to pick out another summer dress, except this one was green. I didn't find the need to dress for the summer if I were going to be locked in this warm place anyway. I made my hair into a long braid before heading out.

The tray in my hands jingled from the stuff on it as I walked. I was surprised that I sort of remembered the way and actually found the dining room. To my relief the maids were still in their cleaning up.

The eldest took the tray and disappeared into a doorway I supposed led to the kitchen. The youngest one told me to follow her and I did.

As we walked through the long hallway, I asked what her name was. "Sydney", she answered. "And my mom is Linda. We've worked for our master for quite a while now."

"How do you endure him?"

She smiled. "He's not a bad person miss." Her smile faded a bit. "He use to get along better with many people but that changed."

I waited for her to go on but she didn't. Before I could ask her what she meant she finally stopped in front of a wooden door and opened in. When we walked in my eyes widened.

I swear this looked like my public library back home. Sure it wasn't two or three floors but it was still big. There were rows of book on big wooden cabinets. I knew that I could just stay here all day and never get bored.

"You will be cleaning the library", she said. I wasn't sure if to still be excited, since the library was HUGE and I had to be the one to clean it. "You will vacuum and make sure all the books are in alphabetical order by title. The history books have to be in order by the years. Do you understand?"

I slowly nodded. "Yes", I choked.

"Don't worry", she assured, "It's not as hard as it sounds. You'll get the hang of it. If you need any help then just look for us. We'll be around and probably crash into you. Do you have any questions?"

"No, I think I got it."

"Ok well good luck." She walked out, leaving me feel completely alone. I can finish this. Wait, I didn't ask where the vacuum was. Well I suppose I could just check the books now and vacuum later.

I went through the A's, B's, C's, D's, and E's in two hours. I guess it could've taken longer, but I wish it'd be shorter. It was like every letter in the alphabet had its own row, if not more.

I heard the door open and popped my head out from one of the rows to see if it was one of the maids, but it wasn't. I frowned a bit when I saw him, the man who made me sit at the table until I finished my dinner.

When he saw me he gave a slight bow, but I ignored him and quickly went back to doing my work. I wondered if his hat was somehow a part of him, considering that's the only hair he seemed to wear since I've been here.

He took a seat in one of the many seats that surrounded tables in the middle of all the many rows of books. He held a newspaper in his hand and quietly read in silence. I went on with my work.