Laura shook her head and sighed heavily, feeling disappointed with her future husband. "Hmph! He's childish, acting like a spoiled child who throws tantrums every time his whim is not meet!" she spoke aloud, telling no one, in particular, blowing steam in the air. She just wants to get her disappointment out of her chest.
So far...Cooper is displaying some noticeable traits already.
'He can be funny when he feels like it and also moody if he feels like it.'
Laura took a deep breath. Hmph! Cooper already destroyed her solitude! She might as well go back to her room and rest for a while before lunchtime arrives.
She walked away from the mini-park and went back to the house. She climbs the stairs, going back to her room.
She entered the room and closed the door behind her. She went to the bed and lie down staring at the ceiling. She closed her eyes.
A few minutes later.
She heard a knock on the door.
"Miss Laura...are you there? I can't find you in the park," Neeza's voice rang in the air.
Laura rose to her feet and opened the door. "Come in," she told the maid.
Neeza entered the room. "Miss, I'll do some cleaning around your room. Will that be alright with you?" she asked.
"Sure, no problem," replied Laura.
"Hmm...I have a better idea! You can also stay on the balcony for a while. The view is nice there! You can see the iron gate and the front yard of the house while sipping Chamomile Tea," Neeza suggested.
Laura's eyes sparkled. "I would love that! Show me the balcony then... I want to go there," she said.
"Okay, follow me, Miss," Neeza said.
The women exited the room.
They walked towards the north part of the house and Neeza opened the door that leads to the balcony.
"You can sit on the couch over there, Miss. I'll go downstairs to bring you tea," she said about to leave.
"Wait...did you see my father?" she asked.
"Yes. I saw him talking with Sir Nicholas in the veranda," Neeza answered.
"Alright, you may go now, and please don't forget to bring my tea," she said.
Neeza nodded her head. ''Okay, Miss, I'll go to the kitchen to prepare your tea," she responded and left.
Laura plopped down on the sofa and looked around her. The view is indeed nice up here. She can see the big fountain in the front yard and the blooming flowers on the well-manicured lawn. Ahead is the iron gate.
The leaves of the trees were swaying, blown by the wind.
"Such a nice place to relax and unwind," she murmured. The balcony becomes her second favorite place in the house.
A few minutes later.
Neeza arrived carrying a tray with a teapot and cup. "Here's your tea, Miss Laura!" she said cheerfully and placed the teapot and cup with saucer in the center table. "Enjoy your tea, Miss," she said and left the balcony going to Laura's bedroom to start cleaning it.
Laura poured the contents of the teapot into the cup. The refreshing floral fragrance of the tea wafted in her nostrils. "Smells nice!" she said.
Laura was sipping her tea enjoying its fragrance.
Simon entered the balcony and sat on the couch facing his daughter.
"Father, would you like some Chamomile tea?" she offered.
Simon shook his head. "No. Daughter, I have something to tell you..." he said feeling tensed.
"What is it, Father?" Laura asked worriedly after seeing the tense expression on her father's face.
"Cooper's grandmother on her mother's side passed away last month. They have this kind of tradition that no marriage ceremony is allowed within the next 3 months of mourning. So...yeah...you and cooper won't get married in the next three months," he said sadly.
Laura sighed in relief. She feared that his father was bringing her some bad news, the good thing is... it's not the case. "Father, don't worry much, it's just three months delay, not one year. It's their family tradition - we can't do anything about it," she said.
Simon released a deep sigh. "I know, daughter. I'm not worried about the delay..."
"What are you worrying about, Father?" she asked.
"I'm worried about the vampires," Simon said in a low voice.
Laura breathed deeply. She can understand her father's worry when it comes to that matter. "Father, don't tell me that you will find me another husband so that I can marry in a hurry?" she said.
"Nah, not that. That would be too shameful to do. My friend Nicholas and Cooper will get mad if I do that," he said.
"Since we are stuck here...there's nothing we can do about it but wait for three months," Laura said.
"After one week, I'm going back to Hallowpass. Would you be okay here alone on your own?" Simon asked his daughter, worrying about her condition.
Laura nodded her head. "Yes, of course, I'm going to be okay here. Please don't worry about me, Father. I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself," she said.
Simon sighed in relief. "Good, at least now I can go back home with peace of mind. Don't worry I will visit you here quite often. Next time, I might bring your mother and sister with me to visit you here, but not this month, maybe next month," he said.
"That would be great, Father!" Laura smiled brightly.
"Alright, that's settled. Just conduct yourself properly and try not to antagonize Cooper, you will be in good hands," Simon said.
"I will, Father!" Laura responded.
Simon spends some time with his daughter on the balcony until lunchtime comes.
The servant informed them of lunch and they went down in the dining room to eat their meals. Cooper and Laura seated together at the table, they were pleasantly talking to each other and continue to converse on the veranda while admiring the blooming flowers in view.
Laura was glad that Cooper is chatty and not in a foul mood.
The rest of the afternoon goes well.
Laura took her afternoon nap at 3:00 pm and woke up in the late afternoon.
She left her room and looked for Neeza. They went to the mini-park at the back of the house. Together, they were having fun spending time in the swing and strolling the park for the rest of the afternoon.
Laura decided to come back to her room when the surrounding starts turning dark and she needs to use the toilet.
Nighttime is coming.
Laura was facing her wardrobe, she just finished cleaning herself in the bathroom and currently choosing the dress to wear for dinner, when she heard knocking on the door. "Who is it?" she asked.
"It's me, Miss Laura," Neeza said.
Laura opened the door and allowed the maid to enter the bedroom.
"I have good news!" Neeza said her face flustered.
Laura eyed the maid. "What is it?"
"Sir Graven finally arrived! He will be joining the family at dinner time!" Neeza revealed the news.
Laura raised a brow. "So...what's there to be excited about?" she asked the maid in amazement.
Neeza giggled. "My crush is here!" she giggled like a teenager.
Laura laughed.
"I'll help you in dressing up, Miss, and I'll comb your hair for you," Neeza offered.
"Okay, I'll just go to the bathroom first and change into this dress," Laura said. She holds the high neckline long dress in her right hand. It was made of satin, adorned with a floral design, and red-orange. She left the closet and entered the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she exited the bathroom and went to the dresser table to have Neeza comb her hair.
"Should I braid your hair, or style it by putting some volume up on your head and leave the rest of your tresses flowing past your shoulders?" Neeza suggested.
Laura shook her head. "Just comb my hair. I don't like styling it much. It's either I do it in a ponytail or let my hair loose behind my back. That's just my preferred style when it comes to my hair," she replied.
Neeza smiled. "Okay, as you say so..." she said and began combing Laura's hair.
"Is Cooper and his brother close?" Laura asked all of a sudden.
"I started working here five years ago. I didn't see the siblings bonded or laughing together, but I also didn't see them quarreling or in a state of argument. I guess they are neutral-?" Neeza answered.
"Okay..." Laura said nonchalantly.
Half an hour later.
There was knocking outside the door. "Miss Laura, dinner is ready!" the voice of a servant rang in the air.
"Okay, I hear you. I'll go down in a minute," Laura responded. She rose to her feet. 'It's about time to meet this mysterious brother of Cooper,' she muses.
The women exited the bedroom and went downstairs, heading to the dining room.
When Laura entered the dining room, it's only Sir Nicholas, her father Simon, and Cooper there. No signs of Graven yet.
She proceeds to sit down in the vacant chair beside Cooper and began putting food on her plate.
She was munching on her food when Graven silently entered the dining room.
Cooper raised his head. "Brother Graven is here!" he announced.
"Hello, everyone!" Graven conveyed his greetings to all. He sat on the chair beside Nicholas.
Laura looked at Graven's face.
Oh, my! Her eyes widened saucer like while staring at the newcomer! She had just seen the biggest shocker of her life. Holy shiit! Stunned and stupefied, she forgot to breathe.
Tears glimmered in her eyes. What's going on!? Is this true? She was staring at no other than her beloved...LUKE!
Crap! Luke and Cooper are brothers...?
Noooooooooo!
This can't be!
Suddenly, the spoon slipped from her grasp and fell onto the floor, producing a sound that prompted everyone to look a her.
Everyone looked at her, including Graven.