Chapter 7
"I saw what you did last night, Clementine. You shouldn't have done that."
The day is still young. Miss Dolores and I are once again here in her beautiful bedroom in where we can talk about classified things.
And yes, I am here dillydallying instead of working my ass off like everyone is doing. Is it bad if I felt like sleeping all day?
"Done what?" I asked, brushing away my shoes and slumping into her very comfortable bed.
The sound of my oxford shoes falling to the floor made my ears ache.
"You know what I mean, Clementine." eyeing me from the corner of her eyes as she slowly brushes her curly blonde hair.
I cannot help myself from feeling a bit envious because ever since I was a child, having curly blonde hair is all I want. I am so sick of having dark hair.
"Believe me, I've never been confused in my eighteen years of existence," I replied, snorting which made me earned a raised brow from her.
"You having rendezvous with Mr. Finley," she answered which made me more confused.
"W-wait, what? First off, there was no such thing as rendezvous last night for your information and second, as far as I know, it was Augustus Bennett who turns out to be a jerk whom I stumbled upon last night," I explained, sitting up in her bed, creating more crease which I hope she doesn't mind.
"My dear, Augustus Bennett is blond and from what I saw last night, the guy whom you met last night has dark hair," she replied as she continues brushing her hair.
"So you're telling me that the guy who I thought as Augustus Bennett, the son of Douglas Bennett is actually not Augustus?" my eyes widened at that realization.
I don't know whether I should be thankful or what.
"Fortunately, yes. That dark-haired guy was actually Augustus' childhood friend. Finley is a known soldier." then released a laugh.
"The Bennett family invited Mister Finley to stay in this house as he waits for his military call," she added.
Suddenly, I remembered the annoying slash handsome guy that I've met like yesterday. Ya know, annoying guy who screamed at me as if he owns this place.
Well, Clementine, he does, in fact, owns this place.
So anyway, that was Augustus Bennett and this awkward guy was actually friend soldier. Goodness.
I must've looked like a fool when I told the awkward guy last night who was actually named Leo Finley that I don't care if he was Augustus.
No wonder he looks really confused as hell last night.
That's it. The two of us shouldn't cross our paths unless I want to destroy my dignity.
Plus, he's a soldier which only means in just one blink, he can kill me. Shoot!
But that seems a bit weird, a Victorian man having his personal butler but I guess it's just the way it goes here. I am in no place to question anything.
"Mr. Augustus Bennett and Mr. Leo Finley have been friends since God knows when. That is why when Mr. Finley's father died, Mister Finley has no choice but to work as a soldier despite his dream of becoming a priest," Miss Dolores informed me.
Suddenly, I felt bad for what I've done towards Leo. I've lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes at him.
"Anyways, you shouldn't have let him carry you. That is absolutely inappropriate, touching you with his hands," she added, giving me a disappointed look.
"Look, I tried ignoring him but that guy was just so stubborn and besides, it's not like what he did will destroy our mission," I replied, shrugging.
"But still, haven't I told you how a Victorian lady should act?! and didn't I remind you that you should maintain a low-profile here unless you want any trouble."
"I am sorry but I just don't know how to act like an annoying victorian lady. Being meek is not in my book of qualities." then rolled my eyes heavenwards.
"That my child is the reason why reading the books I kept giving you is a must. It contains all the do's and don'ts." Ms. Dolores uttered, standing up near the door while crossing her arms.
"Well, in that case then forgive me. If only you guys told me earlier that I'll be transported here in the year 1888 then I would gladly read those books." I said as I slowly kicked the pillows out of frustration.
"Fine, just remember to keep your distance between those two since like I said, we don't want any trouble."
"Just remember, Clementine, please remember that a lady and a man should not meet in anywhere private unless you guys are married. Also, just in case you forgot, it is not proper for a woman to scratch her head and her boobs which you kept on doi-"
"I do not," I cut-offed but I just earned a death glare from Miss Dolores.
"It is also improper to interrupt someone while they're speaking, Clementine. Victorian ladies do no gift first to men, they shall, despite how long it is, must first wait for the men to give. You must not show too much skin or else the men will think you're offering yourself to them which we do not want, do we? Also, in this era, intelligent woman is not good so as much as possible, pretend you have a brain that has the size of a seed,"
I cannot help myself from gulping from what she last stated.
Later that day, Martha told me to go feed the chickens which made my eyes widened.
I was about to object and plead her to change my task but too late, she was already off to the kitchen.
Look, I am no animal-lover. In fact, I am totally scared of them. I almost got bitten by a huge dog when I was at Grandpa's business partner's extravagant party.
That is why I seriously look stupid here in my spot as dozens of chickens stand in front of me. I don't know whether I should run and pretend I did feed the chickens or just throw this basket full of chicken foods at them.
That's right. I'll just throw these foods and it's up to these chickens to eat them! Hahaha!
So I let myself go near the chickens, fences separate us.
I seriously do want to shout at the top of my lungs right now to express my frustration over the fact that I am one stupid human being that does not deserve to eat a single chicken.
I glance around this place and this place kinda gives me creeps. I mean, it surely is surrounded by a dozen of trees and that's it. Just the tree of us. The chickens, trees, and I.
"Come here, chickens. Here's your food~" I said as I raised the basket and gently waved it at them.
The chickens look at me and hurriedly ran towards me which almost made me lost my balance because dude, I felt like running for my life but then again, this is my job.
This is better than cleaning toilets and serving Augustus Bennett and Leo Finley and watching them make fun of me.
"Don't be afraid of mommy, you little chickens~" I added as I leaned towards the fence.
"Come here, you little chickens~ Don't be a bunch of chickens~" I sang which made me laugh like a fool. That is one great pun, my friends.
I was about to throw the whole basket to the chickens for them to party when suddenly, I heard an annoying laugh beside me.
I automatically look to my right and raised my brow to him. I shouldn't be staring at him for a long period of time but damn, he sure is really handsome.
He nods his head at me and I can tell he was about to get my hand to kiss it but I hid my hands in my pockets. Hoping he'll get the whole idea of why I refuse to let him kiss my hand.
I cannot help myself from staring at his beautiful short blond hair. He has three moles on his face yet it perfectly suits him well.
"I must say, your joke was a bit...promising." He said, crossed arms. Eyes straight at me. Pretending as if I didn't reject his kiss a minute ago.
I diverted my attention to the chickens who were still waiting for their food for they kept on running and flying around.
Without any hesitations, I threw the whole basket full of foods to the chickens and slowly put down the brown basket to my side as I kept my eyes glued to the chickens. Making sure that none of them is anorexic.
"What a...unique way to feed the chickens," he commented, I can still feel his eyes on me. Eyeing me from head to toe which made my blood boil.
"Why is he even here?" I whispered to myself as I slowly snatched the basket beside me to leave since the bloody chickens already ate.
The last time I checked, which by the way was a while ago, he is no other than the heir of this household, Augustus Bennett. He was gifted in looks but was deprived of good manners.
Anyways, is it normal for ultra-loaded bachelors like him wandering around the very back of the mansion? I don't think so, hunny.
Victorian men like him should be, I don't know, mastering his doctorate degree or go recite a bunch of sappy poems. Poems that look as if the poet just snatched random deep words and put them next to each other then boom, a classic.
"So, you're their mommy now? Would you mind me asking who is their lucky daddy?" he asked which made my eyes widened. How dare he ask questions like that.
I need to get away from him as soon as possible because that is what Ms. Dolores had said. That I should avoid him and his butler for they can be a hindrance to completing my mission.
I was halfway through the exit when I felt his hand rested on top of my shoulder.
Wait, is it proper for Victorian men to touch Victorian women (like me, huhu) without the women's consent?
I automatically hit him with the brown basket continuously. Let me tell you this when I say hit. I totally mean it.
He instantly covered himself with his hands as I kept on hitting him then he held my wrist which unfortunately made me stopped hitting him.
"What the bloody hell is wrong with you?" he asked, almost laughing.
"Get your hands off me, Mr. Bennett," I said as I sent him a deadly glare.
"That can't do, Ms. Wright," Augustus replied, smirking.
"I said get your filthy hands off me, you conceited man." I uttered, still giving him a deadly glare.
Just because he was the heir of this household then does it gave him the rights to control every maid here. Especially me.
"Is that how you pay back to people who helped you?" he asked, his back resting on the tree. His hands inside his pockets.
Damn, he looks really handsome.
I. Must. Learn. How. To. Stop. Seeing. Him. As. A. Very. Very. Very. Handsome. Fella.
"W-what are you talking about?" I asked, raising my brow as I avoid his gaze for I can feel my cheeks getting dark.
"Oh, so the beautiful merMaid has no clue, huh." which earned him an evil glare from me. Here we go with his annoying endearment again.
"Well, let me enlighten you, my beautiful mermaid. I was the one who rescued you when you drowned yourself a week ago. I was the one who gave you a CPR, Miss Wright which only means I kissed you," he explained, followed by a soft chuckle.
He then gave me a maniac glare, studying me from head to toe.
"W-wait, what? Are you telling me you and I kissed?" I asked as I unconsciously touched my lips.
I cannot believe I just had my first kiss without me knowing it until now. And to the fact that my first kiss is this conceited guy in front of me is enough for my blood to boil.
"You left me no choice, Miss Wright. Don't worry, my beautiful mermaid, I had fun kissing you." He added then released another annoying laugh.
Had f-fun? I'm sorry but I find that really insulting. First kisses are supposed to be romantic, not fun.
Do he views kisses as nothing but a huge joke?
I clutched my white apron due to frustration. I just can't believe this guy was my first kiss. First kiss!
Look, it may sound a bit corny but I want my first kiss to be romantic and memorable. I want to give it to someone whom I loved so dearly.
Not to a conceited guy like him who views ladies as trophies.
Although looking at him, it doesn't sound so bad because first of, look at him and his kissable lips.
W-wait, what? Why am I thinking like this?
"W-well, t-thank the heavens for making me unconscious back then because if not then I would absolutely not hesitate on puking in your face," I replied back, rolling my eyes which I earned another chuckle from him.
Did he really find me so entertaining? Am I again a laughing-stock?
"Look, I just saved you from death back in that sea, Miss Wright."
"I'll rather face death than face that horrifying lips of yours, Mister Bennett." then rolled my eyes heavenwards.
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Miss Wright. All I know is that you enjoyed that kiss of ours," he added.
"Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Bennett. I have kissed like a thousand guys so it's no big deal," then forced myself to let out a chuckle. Nervousness is evident in my pathetic chuckle.
"I don't believe you, Ms. Wright. Although if you happen to say the truth then we don't we do it again since as you said, it's no big deal," he then started walking towards me, his right brow raising.
That caught me off guard. I was only saying that kisses are no big deal to me so that I would look a bit...sophisticated?
I was about to attack him once again with this basket when we heard a loud cough behind us which made us stop all of a sudden to look where that sound belongs to.
And there stood Augustus Bennett's friend soldier. His eyes glued to me.
Leo Finley slowly snatched his top hat and placed it in front of him as he bows slightly to me and said, "Good day, Miss Wright."
I rolled my eyes because of his awkward formalities.
Leo stares at me then to his friend then back to me then to me again. Poor eyeballs. His lips firmed and his brows meeting.
He must've been curious why a Victorian maid is alone with a victorian heir.
I can't believe these two are best friends. They're just so different from each other. One is conceited and the other one is awkward and meek.
I raised my brow in his direction and angrily uttered, "what do you want?"
I can feel Augustus' stares as I lazily bore my eyes towards Leo Finley who may I remind you is still staring at me as he slowly put back his hat.
"Now, now, my mermaid, don't scare my friend here," Augustus commented as he came placed his arm around his friend's neck.
"Then kindly tell your friend to stop being creepy," I replied which earned me a nervous look from Finley and a big slash annoying laugh from Augustus.
"Don't be like that to my friend, my dear mermaid. Don't forget, he'll be the best man at our wedding," Augustus blurted out and with that, my cheeks immediately turned red.
"Oh, look, my sweet mermaid is blushing. How cute." then released a soft chuckle. Can he please stop?
"Anyways, as I was saying, Leo here is not creepy. He's far from it. Sure, he isn't a huge fan of parties and that he likes to isolate himself in the strange world of books but still, he is far from creepy." Augustus uttered, protecting his stiff friend who stood beside him, his hands on his pockets. Still sweating like crazy.
"And hey, before I forgot, he was the one who witnessed our first kiss," Augustus boldly say as if kissing is not a sensitive issue.
I am just so confused on why he speaks like that. As if he doesn't belong in the Victorian era.
Regardless of that, my cheeks once again turned red as soon as he let those words fall from his mouth. I can tell Leo too as shocked...and angry?
I instantly covered my face for them not to witness how hard I blush but I can tell Leo is not happy with what's happening all around us.
I guess he doesn't like talking about kissing or perhaps, he doesn't want to be the center of attention because his brows are meeting, his lips in a thin line, his hands clenched, and his eyes full of rage.
His friend didn't seem to notice that for Augustus just let out a loud laugh, loud enough for the chickens to go running.
I just stared at the two gentle dogs in front of me from head to toe and silently called them a bunch of bad names in German.
I bet they cannot understand nor speak German so that is why I have the guts to utter mean things at these two.
Because if they do, I'm sure I'll rot in hell.
And with that, I ran as fast as I can towards the maid's quarters without me looking back at them.
--
GUYS, I don't know if someone is reading my story but regardless of that, I will still continue writing this story of mine. Hehe. 😂 but if you happen to be reading my story then don't forget to drop a vote or a comment. :)
Again, sorry for the very lousy writing style and grammar. I am a newbie in writing. Also, English is not my first language. :)