New life for me

Chapter nineteen
Gwen
I watch Ryder walks in, in the majestical way by which he walks.
Actually, now I see why Heidi doesn't want to let him go. Somehow, I feel like staying with him too.
But I don't mind if it will only be as friends. I know Ryder doesn't love me to have a romantic relationship with me.
What am I even thinking of? That can never happen. The reason why he's so kind to me is that he has a nice heart.
I which my father would be like him. Then my life would not have been this way.
I hold the black card Ryder gave me the other time close to my heart as if it's the thing I live on.
Well, I must safeguard the card very well. Nothing must happen to it. I will cherish it like my life.
"Hi sweetie, what did you call your name?" The woman that looks older than the remaining two ladies asks.
" Gwen," I smile at her.
"Ok dear, call me Mrs. Johnson. Here," she gestures to the bright lady beside her, "This is Lizzy," she gestured to the other lady that's still watching me with such a furious look. I wonder why she's giving me that kind of look, "This is Mimic."
Mimic roll her eyes, "I don't ever want to be an acquaint," she says and walks away. I wonder why she's like that. She just remind me of Heidi. I wonder why I have to see Heidi everywhere I turn. I just hope she doesn't cause trouble for me like her.
Mrs. Johnson moves nearer to me with a broad smile on her face, "Don't mind her. She's always like that. Come and let me show you to your room," she holds me by my hand and leads me away slowly.
I look around as we move, admiring the wonderful living room.
Aside from the fact that Heidi loves Ryder, I'm sure she also wants to marry him because he's wealthy.
Heidi can be so selfish and demanding. She broke up with guys whenever she wants something from them and they had no money to buy.
I overheard her telling Dixie one day that she broke up with her boyfriend because he couldn't afford to buy her a new phone. Meanwhile, the guy just brought her a new laptop.
Yet, guys will still ask her out. Guys will still try to make her happy. Well, what do I expect from someone that looks so beautiful?
With beauty, you can always control the guys.
Mrs. Johnson walks me into a small but well-furnished room
The room is small with clean white walls, a bed, a desk with a blank blotter on it, sliding closets opposite the bed, and a thin green shag carpet.
"This will be your room," she says with a trace of happiness to her voice. She looks happy to see me if I should put it that way.
I turn my head to look at her, "how many of us will stay here?" I raise confused brows at her.
She chuckles lightly, "This is your room alone," she made more emphasis on the 'alone', " Do you like it?"
I laugh, unable to control the kind of joy that has just exploded in me, "Like is an understatement. I love it!" I whoop with delight.
It looks better than my room at home and bigger.
"Then, I should leave you to rest."
I wonder what she meant by that. I'm supposed to work and not rest.
"What are my chores?" I decided to ask instead perhaps she made a mistake.
" We will discuss that better tomorrow. And yes, your work starts tomorrow. So, use today to rest very well. I will bring you food when I'm done cooking."
I nod forcefully, happy yet surprised.
After Mrs. Johnson walked out, I jump on the bed and feel the texture. The bed feels better than the one u have in my room back at home. It seems like they intentionally gave me things that are not in good condition.
I place the black card on the table beside me. I lay on my back, and stretch my legs wide. I remember the night before. If Ryder hadn't come earlier, I would have been raped.
How then would I live my life?
God, I have so many reasons why I have to repay Ryder. And I promise to, I will.
I close my eyes and let out a sigh. Finally, I've found someone that's concerned about me. It made me feel alive.
I open my eyes suddenly and look up at Mrs. Johnson. It seems like I slept off the other time. I blink once and sit up.
Mrs. Johnson was watching me with eyes filled with love. She reminds me of my mother briefly, "Here's your food. I saw you asleep and I didn't want to wake up. Didn't even know you are up already."
I glanced at the tray of food on the bedside table and smile gratitude at her, "Thanks."
She lingers more on the food and I trace the path of her look. She seems to be looking at the black card. I take a deep breath and wait for her questions.
"Sure. Here," she stretches out some clothes instead, disappointing me. Maybe she will ask later, "Lizzy decided to spare you some before you are able to get yours."
I collect the clothes and try to fight back the tears threatening to break free from my eyes. No one has ever been so kind to me. I don't even know what I can say again.
Mrs. Johnson notices the change in my mood and takes her seat beside me, "Gwen, is something wrong?"
I look at her and allow the teardrop. I smile at the same time, " I'm just happy that you guys are all treating me well."
Mr. Johnson smiles, "Come here," she urges me and pulls me into a hug, " It's ok darling. Now, you are here and you are safe. You will be fine."
I blink back tears about to surface and smile widely. Then realization settles in suddenly. How did she know what I'd gone through?
She pulls back, "Eat ok? And worry not about anything," I nod at her. She stands and walks into the bathroom.
I wonder what she's doing there. I take my food and delve into it hungrily. I'm always the type that eats much but that stopped years ago.
But the moment I started working at Rock and Brew, I learned to eat well because I was always getting tired. And whenever I eat, it would look like my strength has been restored.
"I've made you a hot bath," Mrs. Johnson says from behind me. I turn to look at her, "The water will be warm by the time you are done eating. Make sure you take your bath and make a change of clothes."
She's so kind.
I nod quickly, the food in my mouth and a wide smile at the corner of my mouth.
I finish up and slip the dress off my body before walking inside the bathtub. Mrs. Johnson was right. I feel calm doing this. I can do this for a long time.
The water seems to reach every part of my body. It seems to go deep than what I'm seeing. This is all that I was deprived of at home.
My sisters had a bathtub but all I got was a shower tap. Gosh, Brooks is damn!
I lay my head back and continue to feel the water drive into my soul, quenching the fire there.
When I step out of the water, I seem to be a completely different person.
I wear one of the clothes, a pink gown that extends to the knees. It's sleeveless but I love it on me.
It's a wide gown, one that is opposite the gown Ryder sent for me to wear to the party.
Also, I think the gown has been ruined beyond restoration. And I loved it!
I fall back on the bed, feeling the soft texture on my body. I take the black card and inhale it. It smells like Ryder.
I giggle as I remember how he laughed with me freely in the hospital. My heart seems to increase its beat as I remember that moment.
Somehow, I pray that day will come again.
Why did Ryder decide to save me from the claws of my step sisters? Why did he feel he should cross Heidi Because of me.
Normal, he should have walked away. Even if he doesn't like Heidi, he shouldn't have meddled with the Brook.
I know there's something somewhere that I don't know of and I will soon. Now that I'm living in his house, I will find out.
I hold the black card close to my heart. Ryder is my hero and my first admirer.
I close my eyes and seep off to wonderland, a place I loved to go to when I was still staying with my stepsisters.