Saturday 26 June 2010

21. Domestic Service. Life, living and hidden love...

Life is for living, well that’s what I’ve always said but the thumping beat of my heart hammers every time I’m near Jake and it’s driving me to distraction... My focus must be on my assignment... the family I work for are my life. One day the curtain will lift and finally my love will be realised, but for now...

Saturday 1st May 2010.

Life in the senator’s busy residence took on a comforting hum of routine with the reassurance of organised living. At the last meeting job descriptions were thrashed over as was expected duties. I learned the house was to receive further domestic service staff and it was accepted that Jake and I would be included amongst the interview panel.

The weeks flew by... Memories of our exploration around the senators beautiful estate were vivid as were the tingles of electricity that continued to pulsate through the whole of my being every time Jake was around. At this moment in time the problem is we’re unable to do anything about it because it’s against security regulations which are clearly stated within the small print of company policies & procedures.

I don’t wish to talk too much about the children’s routines as that’s not acceptable given the security restrictions surrounding the family... but its suffice to say the routine for these children and their parents is on the mark and not open to any flexibility or change, unless it’s gone through a special code.

My time with the family is special; even if I’m working it feels like I’m spending time with my own family. I’m close to Kristina and she confides in me. The senator is adamant he wants me to stay for as long as I can... he discussed his sense of feeling secure at learning I had special skills and he’s always very complimentary of my relationship within the family ... so I know in the short time I’ve been aboard I have managed to build up a good reputation.

My numerous bubbles of thought burst as the kitchen door swung open...

“Crystal, here’s where you’re hiding” cried Kristina.

“Not hiding Kristina, honest!” I laughed, “I’m waiting for the children to get in from school”

Ok, they’ll be here any minute”

I watched as Kristina pushed the red button on the kettle.

“Would you like me to make coffee for you?” I asked.

“No, it’s fine.” Kristina looked around at me. “I’ll make it for you” she smiled.

Within moments a hot steaming cup of coffee was placed carefully in my hands.

“Make the most of it Crystal; the children will be here soon”

Sipping my coffee I smiled.

“Are you ok Crystal, you seem to be faraway?”

“I’m fine Kristina just got a few things on my mind, nothing serious”

“Good, don’t want my favourite lady worried about anything”

“I’m not” I reassured.

“Don’t forget, the senator and I are on the red carpet this evening, wish I was staying home with you and the children, having milk, cookies and watching cartoon's”

“Kristina you’ll have a great time and what an honour to be invited to a ball in aid of a top children’s charity, you’ll both be splashed all over the TV tonight and the papers tomorrow”

“In that case I better go and get ready now “she giggled drinking the rest of her coffee. Kristina washed her coffee cup and made her way towards the kitchen door, just in time to be almost run over by two very giddy children, eager to give hugs.

Sitting here I watch them embrace their mother so warmly, I felt the electrical stirrings of my own love for a man I couldn’t show any emotion too. My heart really ached for him but I knew it was more than my job was worth to take my mind of its true focus.

“Crystal, Crystal we missed you too, we made this for you.”

The children produced a beautiful picture of 4 adults and 2 children surrounded by flowers and a big yellow sun. Pointing to the individuals within the picture I asked who they were.

“That’s mummy and daddy and that’s me and Felicia” He looked at me with expectant eyes.

“And who’s this” I asked pointing to the other two individuals.

“Don’t you know, can’t you guess” they both squealed.

“Are they your grandparents” I asked innocently.

Nooooooo” They both cried “Do you give in, do you give in?”

Shrugging my shoulders I gave in.

“It’s you Crystal, and Jake” Looking closer I saw the clumsy child-like resemblance.

“So it is what a beautiful picture” I said looking towards Kristina and the children.

“I think it’s got to have a very good position” I said, “Now where are we going to put it?”

“On the fridge” both children cried unanimously.

Whilst the children helped me put the picture up against the fridge I reminded Kristina to go and get ready.

Laughing she pushed the kitchen door open... this time she almost knocked Jake over. It wasn’t long before I heard the thud, thud, thud of my heart hammering against the inside of my chest.

Friday 25 June 2010

Don’t be afraid to be the best that you can be.

If you know someone and they don’t see... Show them!

If you know someone and they don’t listen... Move closer!

If you know someone and they can’t feel because maybe, they’ve been to hell and back... Help them!

What I’m talking about here doesn’t cost money, it’s not expensive and you don’t have to travel to the other side of the globe to access it... All it requires is a slice of your time and a little patience mixed with warm empathy... You know in your heart you have the gift to make someone else’s day... sharing a little of yourself will have a positive impact and this is always done without the need for recognition.

If you’ve got good character, this usually follows you’ve lived a life that’s been full of experiences... some good, some bad, some indifferent. It’s through life’s journey that you’ll have collected very special gifts... but listen, there not yours to keep, No; you have to share them... Why? Because I’ve had special inside information, information that clearly states, you being genuine and sharing will definitely make our world a much better place...

Unfortunately during my own journey I’ve sadly discovered many people grow without developing, and it’s up to us to help them.

I agree there are some people incapable of change but I refuse to believe all people are like this... I have thankfully lived to experience change within myself as well as others and I swear if I could bottle the experience that would enable others to benefit... I would!

If you’re really listening... you’ll understand the message I willingly share... I wish you love, luck and remember, being a good role model with capacity to change is better than good...

So close your eyes, hold out your hand together I know we can do this! :)

Saturday 12 June 2010

20. Domestic Service. Enhanced, Improved and much, much Better...

If you knew clearly in heart, body and soul there was an opportunity to enhance humans and in doing so this would make the world a far better place... why the hell not?

Wednesday 21st April 2010

I wish I’d been pre-warned that today was going to be the longest day of my life...

Last night, Kristina reminded me to lie in bed this morning and relax... our agenda was to begin at 10.30am. Unfortunately I’d been tossing and turning since 7.30am, my mind a whirl of jumbled thoughts and fragile emotions which surprisingly returns to the same person... Jake.

I hadn’t realised how fond of him I really was and thinking about it... I’m struggling to understand why... Jake had proved to be such a detached, uninterested person but no sooner were those words coursing through my mind, I remembered tenderly the way he'd looked at me as he walked away at the airport.

Back to the present... this was doing me no good, I need to get up, showered and dressed. I want to sort out my day. I also embrace the idea of holding my difficult thoughts at bay and try to concentrate on getting to grips with my role within the senator’s household and all it means now I’ve been relocated.

Gently moving my bedrooms lace curtains, I see life at the senator’s residence is well under way.

Nothing though, would have prepared me for the site in the kitchen as I went to get my breakfast...

“Good morning Crystal”

Knowing the voice I halted immediately...

“Jake?” I whispered as I moved quickly into the huge kitchen,

“Jake what on earth are you doing here?”

“Grab yourself a coffee and I will explain”

The twinkle in his eyes expressed happiness within.

Holding my coffee I slipped into the kitchens diner facing him ,

“So...” I cried impatiently.

Smiling, he continued.

“An urgent message from headquarters was given to me before I stepped onto the plane, it advised me of imminent changes but the number one priority very clearly stated, Crystal Slater’s not to be left on her own”

He gulped his coffee, I followed suit. The tingles started in my chest and ended up in my tummy...

Being his normal observant self, he quickly turned and scanned our location...

“So young lady, I’m back to follow this assignment with you and from my understanding of the situation, I will be here through to completion”

With a racing pulse I watched this ruggedly handsome man in total admiration, my senses told me something very special had just happened.

Laughing and blushing at the same time I said,

“I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you’re back.”

With a wink of his eye Jake filled me in on Eric’s departure. During our chat the kitchen door flew open and in ran two boisterous children with Kristina their mother following closely behind.

“Good morning everyone, how lovely to see you Jake, the senator just told me”

“Thanks, you have a beautiful home here” Jake replied.

“It is gorgeous isn’t it; please feel free to explore it with Crystal if you like”

“Thank you I will”

“Oh, before I forget, could you both be back by 12.30pm we’re having a meeting with the senator, lots to go over on the agenda.”

I couldn't help feeling glad to be getting a little more time with Jake...

Jake and I left the immense, kitchen to explore the senator’s residence. I was eager and ready to talk to him about me, my past and the future.

“This is one beautiful piece of land” Jake exclaimed.

“I know, it also appears to be very well run”

Obtaining two horses, we rode in silence until we came to a beautiful pond surrounded by a clear patch of land which nestled snugly at the bottom of a magnificent mountain. The trees were gigantic, I stood at the bottom of one and looked up to see if I could see where it ended, but I couldn’t because I was to close.

Stretching our legs we started to walk.

“Jake before the meeting today, I’d like to chat a little about my special gifts”

An interested face peered towards me in anticipation. We tied the horses up and settled ourselves against one of the biggest trees I had ever seen.

“I’m not sure where to start so will go from the beginning; I’ll try to keep it simple. My parents are scientists and they became heavily involved in a hidden project called ‘GENIUS’ which stands for genetic engineering new in ultimate supremacy... Together they did a lot of work in and around manipulation of genetic material. They quickly realised it was possible to take a single gene from one organism and incorporate it into a totally unrelated species the result; it looks like the original organism but displays the desired genetic trait of the donor organism”

Jake appeared mesmerised so I continued.

“My parents were very talented; their organisation quickly cottoned on to their skills and worked quickly to sign them into a contract of private exclusivity. My parents didn’t mind this because as they told me later, they were able to work quickly and see their work manifest. When they felt ready their first experiment was on a sheep, the results confirmed years of long hard work ensuing in a positive result”

I briefly stopped to catch my breath.

“Don’t stop Crystal”

“Then one night it became very clear to my father that their work could benefit the human race because along the way they’d both discovered almost simultaneously how to incorporate superhuman powers by exposing the blueprint of an individual’s chromosomes to the organism, I recall my father explaining the series of events to produce this miracle but for the life of me I can’t remember its sequence, I do however recall he told me diligently we’re all unique, our chromosomes are arranged through nucleic acids of specific DNA which are then arranged differently for each life force.”

Hesitating in a dreamlike state I look out over the water. In my mind’s eye I clearly witness my father’s strong weather beaten face as he smiles and sucks thoughtfully on his pipe...

“Crystal?”

“Their work received top awards and the highest of honours, but behind closed doors the organisation forbade them to talk about their work on genetic engineering because of the moral and ethical dilemmas attached to the subject. Mum and dad knew the advantages and the disadvantages as well as the issues but they also firmly knew their own true commitment was towards mankind and the future”

“This is amazing” said Jake as he reached out and placed his hand gently on my shoulder.

“Not as amazing as the next part” I said touching his hand.

“Then after much deliberation, my parents decided they’d been married long enough and wanted to extend their family which from all accounts brought them close to being ecstatic which if you knew them personally, you’d know this is an emotion very rarely expressed. My parents decided they wanted a child who had been genetically modified and in view of their many successes in the plant and animal kingdom they decided confidently, it would be their own child who would be born with carefully selected superhuman powers because they knew the bigger picture and they saw a definite need”

A warm breeze blew across my face, it was then I realised Jake and I were still holding hands.

“There was one very important thing they didn’t do, they’d both agreed not to inform the organisation in regard to the extension in their work, they decided without hesitation they didn’t want anyone knowing about me.”

“Your parents are beyond clever, they had every angle covered.”

“Yes they did and after completing conception the pregnancy seemingly produced nothing unusual, however they carried on keeping their own private journal of events. My mother’s pregnancy was uneventful, my birth was normal and my childhood produced nothing significant but my dad often said and recorded numerous times... he knew the best was yet to come.

On my 16th birthday I was out with the local youth club taking part in an orienteering session when I decided to sneak off leaving my friends. I skipped across a bridge I’d seen earlier in the hope I’d beat them to the designated point. All did not go as well as it should have because on the top of the bridge, I rather stupidly decided to climb to the highest point without a safety harness. It was one of the youth leaders who screamed as I plummeted to the bottom, landing like a rag doll in the tunnel beneath the bridge.”

“And...?”

“I guess you must already know, when they arrived I was sat up right in a pool of blood without a scratch on me. My parents and an ambulance were promptly called. I was taken to the hospital before I was hailed a walking miracle. The thing was, my parents knew only too well my superhuman powers had well and truly kicked in, the trigger amongst other things was categorised as adrenaline.”

Closing my eyes, I leaned heavily against the old gnarled tree. Sharing my life with Jake had emotionally drained me; I’d talked about things I hadn’t even thought about for such a long time.

“You ok Crystal?” Jake asked quietly.

“Yeah, it’s just overwhelming thinking back to that time”

“So what was the outcome?”

“It turns out my parents had crossed my blueprint with as much intervention as they dared”

I looked at my watch.

“Jake we’ve been gone hours, it’s time to head back, don’t want to keep the senator waiting and I’m eager to go over our new duties and establish a routine within the household”

“Agreed” he said... “But Crystal listen, I’d really like to understand you and your superhuman side that way I’ll always be here for you”

The butterflies fluttering wings scraped my insides and the tingles caused me to blush. Standing, I reached up on tip toes to kiss the side of his handsome face.

“Thank you Jake, I promise when we get some free time we’ll continue where we’ve left off, there's more to tell and so much more to understand”

Mounting the horses, I didn’t see what Jake had cleverly carved into that timeless old tree...

Jake < > Crystal.

Saturday 5 June 2010

18. Domestic Service. Homecoming...















I have found in life that sometimes thought provoking happenings are to be expected... At other times inner-most feelings can and do totally overwhelm, to the point of distraction... but today I know one thing for sure, this is the beginning of a deeper appreciation for my work and my new family. Come on... pull your chair closer and relax as I continue with the daily happenings in the life of a very special agent...

Tuesday 20th April 2010

As electronic gates whirr open I am thankful at the vision before me. If I thought the Spanish villa was exquisite, this was truly amazing. The limousine moves slowly away from the main gate which allows me the luxury of breathing in my surroundings.

Set in many acres, I see one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen.

Jonathan graciously fills me in on the rest... He informs me in a businesslike fashion that this is a traditional luxury family home, which possesses ten bed rooms and the property came with the senator’s position. The senator and his wife own a big luxury secure beach property where they habitually relocate to when the senator is not carrying out his duties.

Stepping into the cool entrance, I’m almost knocked over by the children and Kristina as they appear from out of nowhere with squeals of delight.

“How wonderful to see you Crystal” Kristina cries as both children excitedly grab a leg each.

All smiles, we walk into an enormous kitchen which is stylishly decorated in black, white and silver. I smell freshly brewed coffee and somewhere deep inside my core I feel brilliant feelings of being home at last. I have arrived and I am needed... this part of my life is becoming seriously significant. I'm overwhelmed but more importantly I sense I belong.

“We have so much to discuss Crystal, but first let us get you settled in “

Eventually I'm shown to a beautiful room at the top of the house.

The room is located at the back of the house. On moving the lace curtains I discover another world... As far as my eye can see I witness breathtaking mountains, hills, fields and stables surrounded by fresh looking fences and magnificent horses.

“Do you like horses?” Kristina enquires.

“Yes, I love them”

I was unable to take all of it in. My work, this is my new life.

“Well then, we will go for a ride later”

An excited Kristina left me to unpack.

“See you in the kitchen in about an hour, that’s if you can find your way” laughing she closed the door.

Unpacking my things made the dream a reality, unfortunately for me though there was still one thing missing...

Jake...

As I swipe away the tears, I remember nothings perfect.