Chapter 21
As soon as Augustus heard what his rival just said which is ''Clementine needs you,'', everything changed. Suddenly, he forgot about his anger and jealousy.
Augustus stared at Leo with horror in his eyes and asked, ''Why, what happened?'' his voice full of concern.
Augustus can tell something definitely is wrong for he never seen his friend sweat like this for ages, and Augustus can spot a tinge of panic in his face and on how fast he talks.
''Something's wrong with Miss Martha so we came for your help for I know you know how to handle this kind of emergency,'' Leo hurriedly answered, not stopping a breath.
''Who is Miss Martha?'' Augustus questioned, his brow raising. He doesn't know a woman named Miss Dolores in his household. Although he is still willing to help not only because he wants to impress his Clementine but also to test his ability.
Augustus instantly knew Leo's not happy about what Augustus just said for he gave Augustus a how-come-you-don't-know-her stare.
'Well, sorry mate for not memorizing every single living soul in this household. Forgive my stupidity, mister-know-it-all,' Leo desperately wanted to scream to Leo but chose not to for he knows this will only lead to strife.
Nevertheless, Leo chose to answer him, ''Miss Martha's a friend of Clementine so just zipped your damn mouth and help us,'' his arms crossed.
''Nonsense, brother. Lead the way,'' replied Augustus, his hands inside his pockets.
Somehow, Augustus doesn't seem bothered at the fact Leo just told him to shut up. He's bothered at what Leo just called his Clementine. Just Clementine now, huh? What happened to his formality? Oh, no, he's not only bothered, he's furious.
Augustus only managed to sweep his anger for a moment when he realized Leo's already gone.
'This is truly an emergency, huh.' Said Augustus, as he began running towards Clementine's chamber.
After asking for his damn friend for some help, Leo immediately went to his room to get his first aid kit which is hidden inside his wooden closet.
''Thank God I didn't leave this at the barracks,'' exclaimed Leo as he began running downstairs towards Clementine.
Due to panic, Leo almost fell down the stairs for a couple of times while on his way to Clementine. Leo seriously wants to punch himself for acting so foolish, he's a soldier for Pete's sake. Why is he acting like a child in a situation like this? He faced more serious situations than this. Heck, he was almost got killed out there.
Then, that's when Leo realized that only one girl is responsible for this, for how foolish he is now, and that is no other than Clementine.
A woman can truly bring out the weak side of a man.
By the time Leo reached the maids' chamber, Augustus is already there, kneeling to Miss Martha, checking her up with Clementine beside him who is constantly biting her nails.
Leo can say that if only this is not a situation to laugh or to joke, he would definitely chuckle at how cute Clementine looks when she's nervous.
Leo just stood behind Clementine and Augustus, his hands behind his back as he watched Augustus checks, Miss Martha. Leo must say, he never saw his friend like this, so focused.
Augustus then look around him, let out a groan and suggested, ''For Christ's sake, let's lift her up to the bed, okay?''
As soon as Augustus said that, Clementine rose from her seat, ready to help. ''Oh, no need for you to help, Clementine,'' said Leo.
Clementine just waved him off and said, ''Nonsense, Mister Finley, I can help,''
Augustus, meanwhile, took a step forward, his arms crossed, ''Really, I can do it,'' he uttered as he gave Clementine a broad smile.
Leo looked at Augustus with wide warning eyes, hoping Clementine didn't see that. ''No, I can do it,''
''Come on, Augustus, no need for you to-'' Augustus didn't get to finish his statement when Clementine slapped the Arms of Leo and Augustus angrily which left both the gentlemen shook and said, ''Goddammit, you two. I have no time for men's ego or whatever you want to call it. I don't care if you both are my employers but I swear to God, if something happened to Miss Martha, I would brutally kill you two,''
By the time Clementine released her anger, Augustus and Leo just stood there, shocked at what they heard. Oh, Augustus and Leo are not furious about it, in fact, they found Clementine's sudden outburst cute.
Leo faked a cough after that and looked sideways. Meanwhile, Augustus hid his hands inside his pockets and released a soft chuckle. Leo can tell Clementine's annoyed at the sound of Augustus' chuckle because she rolled her eyes heavenwards again and murmured something to herself that Leo and Augustus failed to hear.
''Now, can you please help me lift Miss Martha to her bed or are you two just gonna stand there as if it's your first time to hear a woman get angry?'' roared Clementine, her brow raising. Well, honestly, it truly is their first time to witness a sane woman transform into a madwoman.
Augustus badly wanted to joke about sending her to the asylum but he can tell Clementine's anger would deepen.
Leo watched Augustus went towards the ill woman and tried lifting her up all by himself but failed to, ''God, she's heavy,'' exclaimed Augustus as he crossed his arms.
As soon as Augustus carelessly said that, Clementine let out a loud gasp and said, ''That's not proper to say especially to a woman, Mister Bennett,'' Clementine seriously want to slap her employer. She may not be an expert when it comes to Victorian etiquette but she knows saying those such things are not acceptable even in the 21st century. Well, unless they're in a sumo-wrestling match then so be it.
''Sorry,'' was all Augustus can say towards Clementine, his eyes on the ground. Leo seriously wants to help at how Augustus looks like right now. As if he's a kid who just broke an expensive vase. Oh, that's Clementine.
''Now, can you please, just please help me lift her up to her bed or are there any comments you wish to say?'' groaned Clementine, scratching her head due to frustration.
Slowly, in the count of three, the three of them lift Martha to her bed. Leo's cheeks immediately turned red when his hands met Clementine's.
Afterward, Augustus proceeds in checking Martha with Clementine sitting in the bed, staring at Martha. While Leo continued in staring at Clementine.
'If only I can do something,' murmured Leo as he ran his hands through his messy hair, frustrated. He then let out a soft sigh.
After a minute or a two, Augustus rose from his seat and so did Clementine, eager to hear what he's about to say.
''Miss Martha just forced her already-weak body to work, resulting in over-fatigue. Just give her two days or probably three days to rest and she'll be fine,'' uttered Augustus, shrugging.
Leo stared at Clementine as her frown turns to smile and he must say, that's the most beautiful transformation he ever saw.
Clementine let out a squeal at what she just heard. Leo has a feeling that Clementine badly wants to jump around the room due to happiness and relief.
''Just come to me tomorrow at my bedroom and I'll gladly give you her medicines,'' added Augustus which made Leo's eyes turned wide.
'Wa-wait, what? Augustus alone with Clementine in a room with a bedroom? You've got to be kidding me,' screamed Leo in his very mind.
Leo knew Augustus was about to say something but he immediately cut him off by letting out a loud cough and said, ''If you excuse me, Augustus, isn't it improper for a lady to be alone with a gentleman in a room?'' with a damn bed
Leo saw how Clementine's cheeks turned red due to what he just said. Clementine then looked at sideways due to awkwardness.
''Fine, I'll just drop the medicines in your doorstep tomorrow morning,'' Leo heard Augustus said. He can sense annoyance in his voice.
''That's settled then,'' exclaimed Leo, proud of himself.
''Also, you don't need to worry about it because I'll tell Father not to reduce Miss Martha's salary for it,'' said Augustus after a few seconds which made Leo and Clementine shocked.
Leo can tell Augustus is doing all this for Clementine. I mean, he never saw Augustus like this. Usually, he's the type of guy who will not hesitate on firing someone for just drinking a water while on duty or even for accidentally spilling tea to the floor.
Leo's no fool. Since the day one, he knew Clementine, the new maid intrigues Augustus. Leo saw how Augustus' eyes always follow the girl. Never taking his eyes off her especially when she's serving tea in Augustus' office.
Leo noticed how unfocused Augustus is when Clementine's around. Heck, he can't even play chess well when she's around. I wonder if Clementine noticed Augustus' constant losses.
Well, Leo can't blame him for he too did the very same, only he tried his very best not to make it obvious...or so he thought.
It would be really awkward if Clementine noticed something wrong about him.
Leo didn't realize he was spacing out when suddenly, Clementine jumped around the room and exclaimed, ''Thank you very much, Mister Bennett. Miss Martha would be thrilled to hear that,'' her smile broad.
Leo then shifted his eyes towards his arms who has his hands inside his pockets and proudly said, ''Oh, small thing,'' and let me tell you, Leo was shocked and jealous at what Clementine did next.
Leo watched as Clementine hugged Augustus due to happiness and constantly murmur the words, ''Thank you very, very much, Mister Bennett. You don't know how it means to me, especially to Miss Martha,''
Augustus too was shocked at what Clementine just did but after a second, he hugged Clementine back. Huge smile planted on his handsome face.
After three seconds or so, Clementine let go of him which Leo can tell, Augustus' not happy about it.
'Well, that makes one of us because I am on Clementine's side,' he uttered in his very jealous self.
After that, there was a long pause. It was Leo who decided to break the ice by making a fake cough which he always does.
Leo saw how Clementine looks up to him funnily, her brow raising. 'why is she doing that?' asked Leo to his self again.
''Anyways, goodnight to the both of you, gentlemen. And thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart,'' said Clementine, her hands behind her back, smiling but what made Leo frown was that Clementine was only staring at Augustus while she said those words.
When Leo looked at Augustus, he was jealous of how happy he is. His smile sure is massive, he then ran his fingers through his blond hair which he always brags about.
Leo badly wants to touch his hair, feeling conscious a little but decided not to for he knew he'll just humiliate himself. Probably just going to check it out later when he's all alone in his bedroom. He has a feeling he'll need a proper haircut.
''Uhmm, aren't you guys going to leave?'' Leo heard Clementine uttered, biting her lips. With that sight, Leo's cheeks immediately turned red.
'God, why is she doing this to me?' exclaimed Leo in his mind.
Leo suddenly remembered how he seriously cannot sleep when he saw Clementine in her undergarments. He knew it was wrong to think such things but he cannot help himself, I mean, it's his very first time to see a woman in undergarments.
He tried everything to erase those images out from his mind for he knew it's wrong and improper. He bet if Clementine knew that he still think about it sometimes in the night, she'll immediately kill him and throw him to the wolves or perhaps in the asylum for being a pervert.
Heck, he can rot in hell for this.
So, whatever that image of her crosses his mind, he'll either take a hot shower or read a novel to forget it...or so he thinks.
That's why during the first few days when the said accident happened, where Leo accidentally saw Clementine in undergarments, he tried his very best to pretend nothing really happened and that he saw nothing to avoid awkwardness. He's just hoping his acting skill is convincing.
Leo didn't realize he's lost once again when suddenly, Clementine shook him by the shoulders and said, ''Hello, soldier, are you still there?''
Leo blinked a couple of times at that, a bit embarrassed. He just hope he's not blushing right now due to the fact that Clementine just touched him in the shoulders.
''Well, goodnight, Clementine and I pray for Miss Martha's fast recovery,'' said Leo and slightly took a bow. Augustus did the very same.
As soon as Leo and Augustus leave the room, Leo saw how Augustus looked back to Clementine who is standing by the door, her hands behind her, her smile huge.
Leo watched as Clementine mouthed the words 'thank you' to Augustus which made Augustus really, really happy and which made Leo really, really annoyed.
When Clementine's gaze shifted to Leo, for some reasons, Leo blushed hard which made Clementine smiled at him and jokingly rolled her eyes heavenwards.
As soon as Clementine closed the wooden door, Leo heard Augustus released a soft chuckle.
'Sweet dreams, Augustus,' Leo heard himself say while on their way to their room.
But truth be told, Augustus found himself wishing for Augustus to have the opposite.
Augustus, on the other hand, seems a bit lost for he just said, ''thanks, Leo,'' with a smile on his face. Isn't he supposed to say goodnight as well? The effect of a girl at its finest.
Right after I woke up and checked Martha who is still sleeping in her bed, I went towards the door and opened it to get the medicines Augustus left
God, I don't know what would I do without Augustus' help. I am forever grateful.
As soon as Clementine opened the door, he automatically saw a small bottle placed in the floor with a brown-colored note that says, ''Drink 2 times a day. One in the morning and one before going to sleep.'' Under that statement says ''Good morning, my mermaid,''
I cannot help myself from rolling my eyes at what he just said. I mean wrote. Can he please stop calling me ''my mermaid''?
I still can't believe he's my first kiss
Right after that, I waited for Martha to wake up for her to drink her medicine but as I wait for her, I began sewing the letters L.F. in the blue handkerchief that I gave to Leo.
Look, like I said, I don't know much about sewing so I guess I have to warn Leo about it when I give this to him. God, please don't Leo expect too much.
God knows how many times I hurt myself while sewing, thank goodness I have some extra cloth here.
After an hour or so, I finally finished sewing Leo's initials to the blue handkerchief and because Martha still hasn't wake up, I decided to sew a heart shaped with my initials on it for Leo to always remember that I bothered giving him a gift from my salary. Let's just hope he will not throw it in the trash due to how ugly my sewing skills are.
I wish I did enroll in a sewing class while I was in the present times. Also, I know Victorian ladies love the idea of sewing or embroidery so I am so ashamed to show it to Leo. Please don't let me see Leo's disgust face when I give this to him.
It was already 10 in the morning when Martha woke up. I immediately shoved the blue handkerchief inside my pocket and sat in her bed.
''What happened? I don't feel so good,'' she asked as she looked around the room, messaging her temple.
''You just faint last night due to over-fatigue but don't worry, Mister Augustus Bennett and Mister Finley helped me last night,'' I answered, forcing myself to smile as I watch Martha wince from pain.
''Also, you don't need to worry because Mister Augustus said he'll let you rest without reducing your salary. I mean, how great is that, right?'' I uttered.
Martha then first looked at me with confusion. ''Mister Augustus said what?'' she asked, her eyes wide.
''He said you can have a rest without reducing your salary,'' I answered, still smiling.
But Martha just looked at me weirdly and said, ''I heard you the first time, child, it's just that, it's so strange for Augustus to do such things especially when he's the one who always fires the employees,''
Really? I didn't know that.
There was a long pause after that but I gently pat Martha's shoulder and rose from my seat to get the medicine.
''Also, Mister Augustus gave you a medicine. Here, drink this,'' I said as I slowly pour the medicine into a silver spoon.
Later that day, right after I finished washing the dishes, scrubbing the carpets, folding the sheets and watering the plants, I went towards Leo's room to give him the blue handkerchief.
For some reasons, my heart is beating so fast as I make my way upstairs and with my hand clutching the blue handkerchief so hard.
And now, I am face-to-face to Leo's door, I then knocked three times. After a second the door flew opened and there stood Leo, smiling awkwardly at me, probably surprised at my sudden appearance.
Also, I cannot help myself from noticing his new haircut. I must admit, it suits him.
''Ohhhhh, new hairstyle, I like it,'' I teased as stared at him and I unconsciously ran my fingers through his dark hair which was smoother than before, I must say.
When I look at Leo to tease him about it that I realized that it was a bad move for me to run my fingers through his hair for Leo's face just turned into a tomato due to how red he is.
Forgive me.
''s-sorry about that, Mister Finley,'' I apologized, looking at the ground.
Moments later, I heard Leo released a soft chuckle and said, ''no worries about it,''
I instantly looked up from the ground at what he said and forced myself to not give an awkward smile.
''So, what brings you here, Clementine?'' he asked, raising his brow playfully, smiling.
I slowly ran my fingertips to the blue handkerchief in my pocket, still nervous. ''I came to give this to you, Mister Finley,''
And with that, I slowly gave him the blue handkerchief which, of course, he accepted.
I seriously want to bite my nails right now due to how nervous I am. I watch Leo carefully as he gets the handkerchief from my hands and studies it.
I want to close my eyes.
I expected Leo to somehow laugh at my poor sewing skills or to throw it in the trash and said ''what a trash,'' but no, he just gave me a wide smile and said, ''This is beautiful, Clementine. This is more than I expected,''
And with that, I let out the breath I was holding. But, what do you mean by ''This is more than I expected'? is that a good thing or a bad thing.
Leo then ran his fingertips through the heart-shaped with my initials on it.
''Uhm, you know, for you to not forget where you got the handkerchief and all,'' I uttered as I jokingly rolled my eyes heavenwards. Please don't let him notice that this is the nervous side of me.
Still, Leo remained his eyes on the handkerchief, still caressing it, with a smile on his face. With that, I can't help myself from smiling as well.
''Please forgive my poor sewing skills, by the way,'' I added, looking sideways.
''Don't worry, Clementine. I understand you,'' replied Leo which confuses me a bit because what do you mean by ''I understand you''? aren't Victorian ladies supposed to be really good at this kind of thing? Strange.
After that, Leo asked me how's Martha and for the next hour or so, we just talked by his doorway. I wonder why he's not inviting me to his room. I have to admit, my knees began to hurt.
Little did both of them know, Augustus is listening to them talk. His lips into a thin-line, brows meeting, fists clenched.
Augustus eyes the red handkerchief he received annoyingly.
Augustus badly wants to start throwing things which he usually does when he's annoyed but figured it's a bad move because they'll hear the sounds of it and wonder why in the hell is the heir of the Bennett family acting like a child throwing a tantrum.
once again, sorry for the very late update. My phone is still broken. Also, I was reading lots of books so yeah, I was kinda lazy. lol. :) anyways, good day, everyone! God bless.