Once we got back to my house, Sebastian set me down on the porch, and then we walked inside. I was greeted by my cook, Maia, who had been waiting for me to come back and eat dinner. I apologized and told her I wasn't hungry, and then she convinced me to take an apple to my room with me, saying that I had to eat something.

I walked up to my room, losing Sebastian somewhere behind me. Not that I cared. I was perfectly capable of getting into my PJ's myself. 

I got to my room, changed clothes, and then crawled into bed. I turned on the TV and started to flip through the channels. Nothing was on, so I just turned it back off and rolled over, trying to fall asleep. 

But all I saw when I closed my eyes was my dream from the night before, and the dead bodies of my kidnappers. 

After a while, I climbed out of bed and walked downstairs to the living room. I turned on the big 50 inch TV and lay on the couch, under a soft blanket, while the servants worked quietly around me. I'd been hoping watching something surrounded by loved ones would help me fall asleep, but that didn't seem to be working either.

Since I couldn't sleep and had nothing to do, I made my way to the dining room, then went through a doorway that led to the kitchen. I opened the refrigerator and pulled out some leftovers from tonight that I hadn't eaten: pork chops and mashed potatoes. 

I was about to put them in the microwave when Maia came into the room, sweeping. She saw me and dropped the broom, running to my side.

"Miss, I thought you had gone to bed?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would eat something after all."

"Well, let me do it for you. I'll bring it to you at the table."

I shook my head. "You guys do so much for me. I can reheat some food in the microwave myself, at least."

Maia smiled, and took the food from my hands. "We do this for you because we want to, Chrystal. If none of us wanted to, we would have quit this job long ago."

I smiled at her. "Thanks for everything, Maia."

"Not a problem. Now go have a seat. Maybe I'll cook you a fresh pork chop and send these ones to that family down the street."

"You should. They'd love some, I'm sure. Just have Thomas take it to them."

Maia nodded, and I left the kitchen.

I never knew why the mansion I lived in was on a street with poor families all around, but I never minded giving them anything they needed, either. I told them to come over at any time, and I'd give them some cash for whatever they needed, or they could come over and Maia would make them something to eat if they didn't have anything. All of us were happy to help them out. Even Sebastian welcomed each of them with a smile.

I sat at the table in the dining room and picked up a book of word search puzzles. I worked on them while I waited for Maia. I smiled at Thomas when he walked through, and had him find a word for me, before he continued into the kitchen to Maia.

When Maia came out with my food about ten minutes later, she had on her tray a lot more than a pork chop and mashed potatoes. There was two pork chops, some macaroni and cheese, two dinner rolls, a pile of potatoes, and a tall glass of milk. 

"I also have a chocolate cake in the oven. It should be done by the time you're finished."

"Maia, you didn't have to do all of this."

"I know, but you were having trouble sleeping, and maybe if you eat your fill, you'll be able to fall asleep. That's what I do sometimes."

"Alright." I said, picking up my fork.

I ate about half of everything, except for the potatoes and mac and cheese, cause those are my favorite, so I ate all of them. I drank about half of my milk, and a moment later, Maia came out of the kitchen with a large chocolate cake. She cut me a slice, and I thanked her. She picked up the cake, and was about to take it back to the kitchen, but I stopped her.

"Hey, Maia? Can you make a vanilla cake? I think we should have a party tomorrow for everyone on the street. When Thomas gets back, will you ask him to go let everyone know?"

"I will. I think it's a great idea."

"Thanks."

"No need."

I ate my cake and then drank the rest of my milk before heading back up to my room. I made it back and sat on the bed. I was actually surprised that I'd managed to stay downstairs for about an hour and not see Sebastian. He's almost always standing a few feet away or pestering me about something. Wouldn't he be surprised when he finds out there's going to be a party tomorrow.

I glanced at the clock on the wall and saw that it was about ten. I got comfortable under the blankets on the bed and fell asleep.

***

I awoke to the sounds of people. More people than usual. It took me a moment to remember that I was hosting a party. 

I glanced up at the clock and saw that it was 11. I quickly got out of bed, panicking. Why hadn't Sebastian woken me up like normal?

I hurried to get changed and ran downstairs. I'd thrown on a black, tight-ish dress that was fitted to my body and had a flowing skirt, and some black flats. I tied my long white hair into a ponytail with a black ribbon, and then ran down the stairs and into the entrance of the mansion, where I saw everyone from the neighborhood standing and chatting away.

The staircase was blocked off, as we usually had it when we had parties like these with small children. I looked over to Thomas who was speaking with someone from the neighborhood. He noticed me right away, and came over to let me into the entrance hall.

I saw Sebastian by the door, waiting for more guests to arrive. Through the window I could see Jasmine, fixing the flowers in the garden from children trampling them. Sarah was running around with a tray of plastic cups filled with water, and apple juice for the kids.

I made my way over to Sebastian, saying hello to anyone who stopped me. When I got to him, he was answering the door. Once the door closed, he turned to me and smiled.

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Why didn't anyone wake me this morning? I should have been down here to greet everyone."

"Don't worry, they have all been understanding that you were still asleep." Sebastian then got serious. "I heard you had another rough night."

"It's nothing for you to concern yourself with, Sebastian. Get back to work."

"My Lady, I-"

"And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that!" I quietly screamed at him as to not get the attention of everyone. "I'm not some woman from the 1800's. Call me Chrystal, for goodness sake!!" 

With that, I marched away from him, toward the kitchen to check on everyone else.