Chapter 32
Right after the picture taking, the grand dinner took place. All the prioritized guests were the only ones who get to eat first and so, the other ones are still in the ballroom, dancing or chatting with one another.
Let me tell you this, they all look so strange yet cute dancing as they wear their very own Halloween costume. Imagine seeing an angel and a devil laughing at one another and a blushing Greek goddess and a dirty masculine farmer dancing gracefully. What a sight.
Back to the dinner, obviously, I am seated beside Augustus. In front of me is no other than Leo himself who was seated beside a grumpy old man who decided to not wear a costume as well like Mister Douglas.
Well, perhaps he was dressed as Scrooge from The Christmas Carol. You never know.
The whole dinner table could only accommodate at least 25 guests.
I was surprised when I saw Judy, Leo's cousin in the corner with her husband Jacob. It's been so long since I last saw her.
It maybe because they decided to go on a trip since the last time I talked to her, she told me she really wanted to have a child and so is Jacob.
I smiled at her which she returned as well and I was about to tell her to sit beside me since this chair is unoccupied since these wealthy guests don't really find me pleasing.
But then, I remember Mister Douglas must not notice I am close to her or else he'll kill her as well like what he did to Miss Dolores and what he threatened to do with Martha. I cannot do the same mistake twice. I cannot be responsible for anymore death.
Judy and her husband are dressed as Arabians royals which made them so, so cute. The whole time I was staring at them, they were just talking to one another and are laughing. Every once in a while, Jacob will whisper something to Judy and Judy will turn red and Jacob will laugh.
The whole time, I turned my attention to just savoring the mouth-watering dishes while those around me kept chatting about such thing, may it be about their falling businesses in Asia due to the spread of flu.
Every now and then, Augustus will whisper something to me which causes me to chuckle since his lips tickle my earlobe.
"Are you enjoying the meal?" He'll ask, his brow raising playfully which made me nod as fast as I can as a reply.
By that, I'll catch a glimpse of Leo gripping his spoon hard, staring at Augustus as if he's ready to challenge him. His lips pressed into a thin line.
Let me tell you this, it was one awkward dinner. Some Victorian ladies who were far older than me, probably around their forties or so tried engaging me into a short talk.
Some even asked what my parents' occupation are and I was about to answer that my parents were, indeed, doctors but then I remembered this is a different era.
That a mere maid like me cannot have doctors as her parents. That is impossible.
"When they were still alive, my mother used to be a doctor's assistant while my father was a lumberjack," I answered quietly. Due to nervousness, I began playing with my own fingers.
A few chuckles did not failed to catch my attention. These people truly are feeling superiors.
When I turned to look at Leo, who was after all, busy chatting up with the grumpy old man beside him and with Augustus.
Though I cannot help myself from noticing the dagger looks he kept on giving Mister Douglas who was talking to his butler.
Leo was probably thinking so many ways to murder this man for fooling him and for murdering his dear parents and putting the blame to him.
I was brought to reality when someone tapped my shoulder and asked, "Mrs. Rogers is asking you something, dear,"
When I turned to look at the other guests, others were chatting with one another while the ladies are all staring at me. Must be the wives of these aristocrats.
"I asked you, did you attend any boarding school?"
Why are these people asking me so many things? Is this some sort of slambook or whatever? What? Are they examining whether I am truly qualified as a wife of Augustus Bennett?
Don't worry, I am not and nor planning to be.
I cleared my throat and gnaw my lower lip for a second before answering, "No, Madam."
I knew this Mrs. Rogers or whatever her name is was about to say something harsh but it wad me who spoked first.
"However, don't worry. I won't be tarnishing your little elite club because I am literate," I added then drank a glass of water.
"let's just pray you really do," the other Victorian woman added, laughing.
What the hell was that supposed to mean? These aristocrats truly are degrading me.
"Dear, do you know how to play an instrument?" Asked the older lady who was seated a few chairs away from me. Her brow raised and she is smiling but I can tell her smile is sarcastic.
I have a strong feeling this one is asking me that with the purpose of humiliating me since only wealthy people are the only one who could afford to spend much money and time on playing an instrument back then.
I was about to answer but the one seated beside her laughed really hard, "Of course not, a mere maid can't play such thing,"
The whole table laughed along with her due to her statement, one even had the nerve to add, "My six-year-old son could teach you,"
I closed my eyes hard, calming myself. Breath in, breath out.
And with that, I could feel the eyes staring at me, waiting for my next move, waiting for my reaction. Perhaps expecting me to sob in front of them.
I looked at my peripheral vision, I could tell Augustus was about to say something but was immediately stopped by his father and so, Augustus glued his eyes on the ground as he drank another glass of liquor. He really is his father's puppet.
Mister Douglas, meanwhile was just raising his brow at me, eager to see my attack. As if all these are all fun and games.
When I looked at Leo in front of me, I knew he was about to stand up and cause major chaos but I immediately widened my eyes to him and shook my head, telling him not to do it. Whatever he is thinking of doing.
I need to fight my own battles.
I gave the lady a massive smile as if I am unaffected by her harsh words and said, "as a matter of fact, yes, I do know how to play an instrument."
The lady who was dressed as a queen or whatever since she had like so many jewelry in her body to the point I am starting to think the only reasons why she came here is to humiliate me and to show off her dozens of jewelry.
She raised her brow at me, "Really? Was it the drums? I've heard the people at the slums do know how to play them using whatever resources they have,"
This woman is getting on my nerves. If only I could stand up right here, right now and pull her fake jewelry and throw them. Ugh!
"What a guess but no, the violin is what I do know how to play," I stated, sitting straighter.
"Really? May we have the honor of hearing you play it? And please, ones we recognize please," I can sense the sarcasm in her voice.
Ones we recognize? What in the hell was that supposed to mean?
And so, Mister Douglas ordered one of the maids standing behind him to go fetch a violin from the band.
And now, I am standing in front of them all, my back facing the door. My hands are sweaty as I hold the violin.
The last time I played the violin was months before I was transported into this era. I may be a little rusty.
When I traveled my eyes around the room as I forced myself to think of some classic song aside from pop songs I normally playback in the modern times, all the guests had their arms crossed.
I can tell Augustus was nervous, afraid I am making all this up and I really do not know how to play the violin while Mister Douglas was just enjoying all these. As if he found me really funny yet brave to stand right here in front of all the wealthy and important guests and dared to play an instrument I probably don't know how to play. Even the maids are looking funnily at me, well, they do have a point. How can a mere maid like me know how to play the violin knowing I barely had the time to sleep considering all the tasks needed to accomplish. Let alone buying a violin which is worth an annual wage of a typical maid.
However, when Leo's eyes and mine met, my nervous immediately go away.
He smiled at me as if he is confident I really do know what I am doing but how did he know?
My hands were a bit shaky when I began to play the violin but as time went by, the flow was bearable. I just chose to play a random classic my Grandpa always wanted me to play to him whenever he can't sleep.
To be honest, the title is in French and I am a little rusty in French so I don't know how to pronounce its title but only it's the English translation.
As soon as the song was finished, the whole room was quiet. As if they cannot believe I really do know how to play the violin. Dear God.
I was about to face the maid who gave me this violin and give it back to her for me to proceed to my seat when Leo rose from his seat and clapped his hand very, very hard and gave me a broad smile. With that, the guests clapped as well except the lady who kept saying harsh words to me.
When I looked at Augustus and Mister Douglas and the rest of the guests, they really looked surprised but still managed to clap. Leo, meanwhile, I can tell he was about to whistle as if we are the only one in the room but I shook my head, a smile planted on my lips. He then rolled up his eyes playfully. My cheeks went red due to that.
Thank God Grandpa forced me to learn either an instrument and while I was reading this novel, I swooned over the dreamy protagonist who was really gifted in violin and so, right after that, I told Grandpa and Ms. Dolores I want to learn violin.
It was Grandpa who was not really happy at my decision at first since he was hoping I'll learn how to play piano knowing my late parents are addicted to them.
"Didn't know you have a gift, Miss Wright. Now, tell me, what was the name of that song?" One of the guests asked.
"Oh, it was called 'Somewhere in Time and it was composed by a French man,' I answered, smiling as I began to walk towards my chair.
"And maybe know how the composer is?" Asked another one. Dear God, to be honest, that is my weakness. Remembering names especially those which really sounds foreign to me. He was a late French composer, okay?
I don't know what to say so I just told him whatever name I could think of, "Leonardo Lasien,"
I seriously want to punch myself right now. Why do I have to say, Leonardo? I mean, Leo pretty much came from the name Leonardo so I have a feeling Leo knows I am lying and is laughing at me right now so I don't want to look at him right now.
Also, I said it was composed by a French so what French parents would give their child such foreign names?
The man who asked me raised his brow at the confusion, "Are you sure he's French? I've studied music when I was a child and I don't remember stumbling upon that name,"
Oh shoot, I forgot this song was still not composed until the Second World War which is decades away from this era.
I am so stupid...
"Oh, Leonardo Lasien sadly died at such a young age, he was a friend of mine to tell you the truth. He made me promised to always play this song of his as a memory of him," I answered and forced myself that I am on the verge of crying. Dear Lord, please let them buy my lie.
"But how did you know him? He was French right? I haven't read any birth certificate in the past decades about a French child living in London, "
Please let this end.
I was about to lie more and more when Leo rose from his seat and said, "Very well. Let us just continue savoring these delicious dishes the staff managed to prepare for us,"
And so, we did. Thank goodness Leo rescued me.
And so, the topic was changed. It is now about exploring life on Mars.
Few wealthy gentlemen were eager to receive the news that finally, they could now build their very own businesses on Mars since many scientists already told them we are in the verge of going to Mars and leave the Earth for the poor people.
Even Augustus and Mister Douglas dared to join in, telling their planned business by the time they could now come to Mars.
It was only Leo and me who did not join in. The whole time, we were just staring at each other and secretly laughing the other business they had in mind.
One even said they could have their own nightclubs in Mars. Dear God!
Believe me, my dear people, it's far from happening as of now. I, myself came from modern times and up to now, no human being has ever gone there, let alone build a structure and sell products.
After dinner, everyone went straight to the ballroom once again. Some dared to dance but it was Mister Douglas who suggested that his son and I should duet.
Meaning, I will play the violin and he will play the piano which made the guests excited.
And so, for the next minutes, Augustus and I just played in front of all the guests and since I am not familiar with the songs Augustus kept on suggesting, the band decided to give me the note charts. Thank goodness or else I am screwed.
Meanwhile, Leo was just in the corner, his hands inside his pockets as he, like the other guests, watching us. Leo will occasionally just smile at me and raised his drink.
I pray that the whole Leo and I laughing secretly at one another would not be seen by Augustus since I have a feeling he'll be angry as soon as he knew of it.
By the time our little concert was finished, Augustus asked me, scratched that, commanded me to dance with him and so, Augustus and I danced for so long my feet and arms began to ache. Plus, he was so touchy.
To my surprise and Heaven must've answered my prayers because the light suddenly went out. Someone turned off the lights and when I let my eyes traveled around the room, I could see Leo standing in the corner, smiling.
We now know the culprit.
Since I told Augustus that we had been dancing for so long now and that I needed to rest for a bit, he decided to let me go for now since the turning off of lights didn't really bother him like the other pairs dancing.
Augustus then told everyone about a game he always wanted to have every Halloween party and that is to go to the cemetery to play hide-and-seek in pairs.
This guy is crazy!
Of course, Augustus explained the mechanics despite the fact everyone knows the mechanic since duh, it is only hide-and-seek.
Judy and her husband are paired, of course. While Augustus and I are paired and so Leo was paired up with a random mister.
It better be a man since I cannot stand the idea of some girl clinging her hands to him just because she's scared. Ugh.
Wait, why am I acting like this?
Everyone in the party was discussing a band of criminals garroting whoever comes in their way like what happened to Hugh Pilkington. They also talked about the legend of Spring Heeled-Jack where a woman named Mary Stevens was almost raped on her way home. The next day, the officer asked her if the man who is wearing a cloak is the one who tried to murder her with his claws and as soon as they removed his cloak, his eyes were red and managed to escape them. Till now, officers are still finding him.
With that, I don't think I have the strength to go out there even though I am with someone though that someone is highly questionable as well.
Augustus got angry at the crowd and said, those who wish to not join the game, except his fathers' business partners, of course, should leave the party and never come back and so, they had no choice but to join.
"Stay close to me," Augustus whispered to me while we are walking towards the cemetery near the manner in which I am not aware of.
I just nod at him and let his arm encircled around my waist. It is so dark in here and I have no clue where Augustus planned on hiding but to my surprise, he managed to find us a hiding spot, just behind the tree.
The whole time, Augustus and I were just squatting and it was so quiet to the point I could hear Augustus' wristwatch.
I had my eyes glued to the ground since I could feel Augustus staring at me. Please let his hands off me. Please. Please.
My eyes went wide when I heard a loud rustle of grass a few feet away from us and there I saw Judy and Jacob kiss. They were sitting in the grass and Judy doesn't care about her yellow gown getting dirty. I could see Jacob whispering something to Judy and before I could see something more, I removed my sight from them.
Goodness.
I am quite sure Augustus saw them as well since I heard his soft chuckle.
I almost screamed so loud when someone, probably in his thirties saw Augustus and me but Augustus just covered my mouth. Oh, this man was the one in charge of finding all the other players. Poor him. Wandering all alone on the cemetery.
Then, the man just stared at us, as if he doesn't know what to do. "Don't you dare," Augustus whispered at him angrily and with that, the man pretended not to see us and continued walking.
This is mess up. Augustus is a cheater and for some reason, I cannot help myself from laughing. Augustus is just not playing fair.
The look on that guy's face was so hilarious, to tell you the truth. It looks like any minute now, he is ready to pee in his pants.
To my surprise, Augustus laughed as well and we were just laughing for the next minute but everything went upside down when Augustus' hand went straight to my cheek and began to kiss me hard.
He must've thought me laughing along with him means I like him to the point I am willing to make out with him in the cemetery. No way.
As Augustus was kissing me in the neck, I did not hesitate to bite him on the jaw which made me shout. When I looked at him, he was shocked and angry and he was about to express his anger, whether verbally or physically but lucky me, I gathered my skirts and ran away from him.
And now, with me freezing since my bare is back and unable to see much due to the lack of light, I am all alone in the cemetery.
It was just me walking alone in the cemetery, cold for probably few minutes and praying Augustus won't follow me but to my horror, I heard him screaming, "Clementine," all over the cemetery.
Oh, I forgot. He is not scared of attracting attention since they are all frightened to catch him.
His shouts continued for minutes and it got angrier and angrier. I felt like I am in a horror movie.
I almost screamed so loud when someone held my arm and dragged me to the small cottage in the corner where no one dared to hide inside since it was really scary.
I cannot see inside the cottage of course due to the darkness but I almost cried in relief when I heard a familiar voice beside me.
"What happened?" Asked Leo, stroking my cheek since up to now, my heart is beating so fast.
"I escaped from Augustus," I answered, my voice low since I don't want someone to hear us.
"Yeah, but why?"
This time, Leo is now stroking my hair which kinda tickles me.
"That devil got all aggressive again,"
"Wha-what do you mean aggressive?".
Leo began pacing around the cottage. I could tell he was frustrated by the way he kept kicking the rusty wooden floor.
There was this long silence between us. Leo was waiting for my answer and if only I could see him right now, I am sure his brows are meeting due to anger.
"He was forcing himself on me again," I answered and with that, I heard a loud punch to the wall. This is why I don't want to tell him about what happened yesterday.
"How many times did that happened already?"
I chose not to answer. I don't want to worsen his anger.
I have a strong feeling Leo will express his anger once again through punching the wall when I caught him in the shoulder and encircled my arms around him.
"It's okay, Leo. Please calm down, please," I murmured at him as I straightened his hair.
"Like father, like son, huh," he muttered angrily.
What? Is he implying that Mister Douglas was, I don't know, forcing himself to his late wife?
Then, I kiss his nose to lightened the mood since he always laugh at me whenever I kiss his nose but I was surprised when I felt something softer.
The area my lips just landed to is definitely not his nose nor his cheek nor his eyelids. In fact, it must be Leo's lips.
Leo instantly let go of me and got all quiet. I can't believe I just kissed Leo. With that, my heart began to race.
The silence goes on for the next minutes and I was about to get off the cottage and just run towards the manor due to embarrassment.
"Uh-uh, we-well, I better get going," I stuttered. My hands are sweating and my heart is beating fast. I can't believe I just kissed Leo Finley for the very first time.
And it was also me who made me first move. Ugh.
As I was on my way to leave the small cottage when unexpected things happened.
Leo caught my hands and trapped me against the wall. Locking me between his arms and during that whole time, I can feel his breathing against my forehead. But take note, his grip is not hard, in fact, I could escape this position with without any effort.
The beating of my heart is faster than ever. "Wha-what are you doing?" I asked.
"How do you even kiss? For pete's sake, is there any book that teaches you how to kiss?" was the question that shook me.
And to my surprise, I felt Leo's lips meet mine. It felt as like fireworks just exploded. I cannot explain the feeling. I can feel myself smiling as Leo kissed me.
Also, who would ask how to even kiss right before kissing you? This guy is going places.
It was awkward at first due to the shock at what just happened but I began responding to his kiss. I almost lost my balance but thank goodness Leo slid his arm around my waist.
Slowly, my hands went around the back of his neck, tiptoeing since Leo is kinda struggling die to our height difference.
I am so thankful we are here in the dark because I cannot imagine Leo looking at me, kissing me as I looked like a tomato due to how red I am.
At that, my friend is how Leo and I spend the rest of the party, just kissing as we can hear the guests shouting our names, finding us.
It was me who laughed at first by the time Leo and I just finished kissing.
"That was fun," is the statement I said right after we just kissed passionately. Dear Lord, of all the things I could say, why this?
To my delight, Leo just chuckled at my statement and said, "Ye-yeah," and look and behold, this man kissed me again in which I responded once again.
I cannot imagine the shock of Grandpa's face when he saw me doing this.
The party was almost finished when Leo and I decided to leave the small cottage where our first kiss just happened.
Thank goodness it was still dark since I still can't look at him in the eyes. He must've thought I am a wild, wild woman now.
I kissed Leo in the nose when he was on his way to the barracks and as he was walking alone with a huge smile on his face, he kept looking back at me and every time single time, I will stick my tongue at him playfully which made me laugh.
And now, I am all alone. I began walking inside the manor and by the time I got there, the guests already got home and Mister Douglas went back to his business trip.
Meanwhile, it was Augustus who was laying in the couch, his mouth open as he snores.
I almost cried due to relief since he was already asleep. I cannot deal with his anger with me missing a while ago.
I signaled the male staffs to bring Augustus back to his room while I began to walk towards the stairs when I heard Augustus murmured something.
"Cle-clementine,"
I almost thought we were awake but thank goodness he was just sleeptalking.
Due to my curiosity, I went to his side and waited for his next words he'll say when to my surprise, he rose from the couch and wrapped his hands around my neck.
My eyes immediately went wide by what he just did but so are his eyes as well but due to anger.
"Where have you been?" He hollered as he tightened his hands around my neck, choking me.
I badly want to ask for the staffs' help but I have a strong feeling they won't do such a thing since they know they will be fired immediately.
"Au-augus-"
"I asked you! Where the hell did you go?" Augustus hollered once again, this one louder to the point I began to think the glasses will shatter.
Looking at Augustus right now, he is like a monster. He is far from the man I first met. His blonde hair is messy and so is his attire. He is no longer wearing his coat, only his long-sleeved polo.
"You think I am blind not to notice those little smiles you kept on giving Leo? Do you think I am stupid? Damn the both of you!" His screams are so loud to the point the veins in his neck are showing. His face is red due to anger.
'you are out of your mind!' I wanted to scream but had no strength since Augustus still had his hands around my neck and he began kicking me in the lap as well.
I almost felt like I was gonna die since I can feel myself choking so damn hard and aching due to his constant hard kicks and so, I let my tears fall.
I don't know what happened but the next thing I know, Augustus' arms are around my body, hugging me and he kept saying, "sorry," over and over again.
I just kept on crying due to how scared I was a while ago as Augustus kept on hugging me, stroking my hair.
This man is crazy.
It was almost midnight when Augustus delivered me to my room, he even dared to join me in bed but I immediately closed my door and locked it, praying he won't fetch the keys downstairs and open it.
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