Chapter 33
The day began with Chef Florence asking both Augustus and me about the whole wedding thing that would probably took place for about two weeks from now.
Chef Florence was, like any other staff in the manor not happy with the surprising news of their employer's son marrying a mere maid like me.
I was just silently listening to Augustus and Chef Florence's banters about how the wedding should be. They kept fighting how the cake should look like and what the color of seat covers should the maids make. Dear Lord...
Believe me, I am surprised Chef Florence had the nerve to contradict Augustus' decisions. Well, he must've think Mister Douglas would not be happy if the wedding turned upside down since he is in charge.
"Look here, sir, it would be better if it's a three layer cake, chocolate flavor." Chef Florence suggested, pointing his forefinger to an illustration he just drew in a piece of paper.
Augustus then snatched the pen from the corner of the table and added two layers on top of the cake. "This is a masterpiece," he insisted, nodding.
Chef Florence just stared at the cake, frowning and was about to get the pen from his employer's hands when Augustus began to nibble it. "I could pass as a pastry chef,"
That remark was followed by an exaggerated eye roll from Chef Florence, surrendering.
Hours went on and the whole time, I was just sitting here, listening to them decided every single detail about the wedding. Sometimes, I caught myself almost falling asleep but every now and then, Augustus would slither his hand around my waist and ask me about my opinion.
When I tried contradicting his decision, he pretended not to hear a single thing from me, kissed me in the cheek and chuckled.
I am not totally into his decisions since all his likes are far too expensive. Imagine buying a new set of chinas that will only be use for like a day that worth more than the whole household's annual salary.
And what? Who would use them? Those crazy aristocrats from the Halloween party? No way.
Speaking of Halloween Party. What happened that night was totally forgotten.
The way this psycho choked me and his scary kisses are now behind me. I just pretend nothing happened and it seems like Augustus is doing that as well.
I need to focus on murdering his father, I have no time for torturing this fella. I need to find out more about Mister Douglas' connection to the death of Leo's parents. We need Leo to take back what's his.
Now, it's been a week since the Halloween party and Leo still hasn't met up with me, did not even bothered writing me a single letter.
Of course, I am frustrated but my worriedness is far higher. What if something happened to him? What if he did not like my kiss? What if...
I was brought back to what is happening around me when I felt Augustus slipped his hands around me again. I snapped towards him, raising my brow.
"I said, do you have any guests you would like to add?" He exclaimed loudly, annoyed but not saying anything about me raising my brow.
Chef Florence then gave me the list they just came up with, his stare gloomy.
As soon as my fingertips touched the rough paper, I began to search for the name that I am always thinking of.
And there, I saw it. It was underlined twice. "Why is Mr. Finley's name underlined?"
"He is my bestman," answered Augustus, staring at me with a pissed face. His brows meeting and was pouting in a scary way.
I just nod at him as I forced myself make a pokerface so it seems like I don't care about his bestman.
"Don't worry, Judy is your maid of honor since there's no way am I letting some house staff be a maid of honor," he added with a smirk and caught a glimpse of Chef Florence frowning in my peripheral vision.
I just nod once again. I shouldn't enter to any further conflicts but what he said was utterly offensive. I may not be friends with the rest of the household but that isn't a right thing to say.
"So, any guest you want to add?" he asked once again, raising his brow but I just shook my head. I don't know anyone in this era. Well, aside from the orphanage but I doubt Augustus would let them attend.
Imagine the shock of the guests when they say a bunch of orphans inside the church. As much as I want to invite them and to piss the Bennett family, I cannot stand the idea of their life being in danger because of me.
Surely, this wedding would be the talk of the night but not in a good way.
And so, both Augustus and Chef Florence continued planning about the color of the gowns and suits the guests should wear. The orchestra they'll be hiring and what song should be played while I am walking down the aisle. The invitation letter design and the photographer they'll be hiring.
To be honest, I am not a huge fan of extravagant weddings. The fact that you married the one you love is enough for me, whatever the location nor the number of guests are. In fact, I prefer to keep it simple and less number of guests. Heck, I don't even know the people Augustus invited.
I was just about to excuse myself, saying I'll go to the bathroom for a bit when a middle-aged woman wearing a bright orange gown with this huge hat entered the room, catching our attention.
Chef Florence and I rose from our seat, giving her respect but Augustus chose to remained still as he smile broadly towards the woman.
"Goodmorning, Sir Augustus," greeted the woman, smiling back.
"What brings you here, Mrs. Smith?"
"I was just asking for your bride to please come with me for the fitting of the gowns," answered Mrs. Smith.
Fitting for the gowns? Augustus already bought the wedding gown, right? Don't tell me they decided to change it.
And so, Augustus just looked at me and nod, gesturing me to follow Mrs. Smith which I did.
As soon as Mrs. Smith and I are alone to the next room which are full of gowns and sewing tools, Mrs. Smith ordered me to stand just few paces to the door.
"Uhm, why the need of another gown?" I asked as she grabbed the measuring tape in the mahogany table in the side.
"For the party after the wedding, my dear. Also, it would be gowns, not gown since the Bennett family requested an extravagant wedding that would surely be the talk of the town. One for the dinner, another for meeting the guests, another one for the wedding dance, and of course, for your wedding night,"
Imagine all the fabrics they'll be wasting just for one day for a bride who doesn't even love her groom.
I know I should be crying over the corner right now for this upcoming unwanted marriage but I firmly believe I could escape this era, leaving this marriage all behind me. All I need to do is to make sure I am still a virgin by the time I escaped from this era.
So for now, I need to stay calm and just go with the flow until the moment Leo finally had his revenge and that would be the time I'll kill Mister Douglas. I think I could just go with poisoning his drink since it's less brutal or perhaps, I could just hire someone, a hitman who could kill Mister Douglas in his sleep.
Mrs. Smith cleared her throat that caught my attention. "So, what color would you like?"
"Pink would be nice,"
Mrs. Smith then began walking towards the closet behind the table, the sound of her heels are the only thing I could hear.
"Too bad, Sir Augustus prefer the color of red," she exclaimed with a mocking tone.
Why ask me then?
I just remained silent, pretending I did not hear her comment as Mrs. Smith snatched a dozen of gowns from the closet and mounting it in the black leather couch.
The last gown was, uhm, let's just say, I am completely sure is for the wedding night because it is so revealing. It is almost see through. I cannot imagine myself wearing that. It sure is a gown but it's like a very thin fabric that doesn't even bothered covering my boobs and you-know-what. Ughhhh.
I began to wonder what should I do to escape from this frightening wedding night. Perhaps, I could force Augustus to get drunk and fall asleep early or I could pretend I am in a period and that I have menstrual cramps.
After the fitting which went a bit smoothly, if you minus the offensive side remarks of Mrs. Smith, I immediately excused myself and went to the garden to unwind.
I just can't believe Mrs. Smith kept telling me that I should dye my hair since my jet-black hair is out of style. I mean, what the hell?
That I should go blonde to match my groom's hair. The color of our clothes already match and you want us to have twinny hair as well? This is ridiculous.
I then began walking towards inside the manor to go to my room and sleep or proceed to Leo's room and read a book since Leo allowed me to come to his room anytime I like.
However, surprised I am when I saw Leo and Augustus sitting in the living room, talking quietly.
Augustus was holding the wedding notebook plans while Leo was wearing his usual all black clothes. He look really tired since the bags under his eyes are obvious. Also, his hair is not combed.
They seem so serious as to what they are talking about so I decided not to meddle and began walking quietly towards the stairs when Augustus noticed me and called me.
"There you are, Clementine," Augustus exclaimed loudly, standing up as he extends his arm towards me, his eyes fierce. A way of telling me to go to him.
Leo, as usual, rose from his seat as well as a way of greeting me. He then gave me a smile in which I was about to return when our kiss entered my mind and so, I am blushing right now.
"Are you okay? Your face is red," Augustus take note, sliding his arm around my waist as soon as I reached him.
"Ye-yeah, it was just really hot outside," I reason out, avoiding Leo's funny looks.
As the three of us are sitting, Augustus beside me, his hand around my waist, I felt a tension between these two.
"Darling, I was just asking Leo here if he happens to know any great destination for our six-month honeymoon trip," Augustus roared that made both of my brows rise due to surprise.
Six months? Are you crazy?
When I turned to look at Leo, he, too is raising his right brow at looking so angry at Augustus.
"And I came here to ask regarding my family's late attorney in which Mister Douglas and Augustus here happened to attend the funeral of years back," Leo added, the tone of his voice is so serious.
However, Augustus chose not to say anything about it and so, the room was filled with silence. With that, Augustus called a household staff, ordering her to go fetch some tea.
As Augustus was talking to the maid, judging from his tone of voice, Augustus is pissed but from where?
And so, while Augustus was busy throwing all his annoyance towards the innocent maid, Leo mouthed the words, "Meet me in my room," to me.
I just nod at him which made him smile.
Leo then rose from his seat, "Don't bother, my friend. I will just fetch something from my room and I'll go back to the barracks immediately,"
And so, that made Augustus stopped as he gesture the maid to hurriedly get out of his sight. As soon as Augustus and I are the only ones in the living room, there is once again an awkward silence between us.
"Are you finished fitting all the gowns?" He asked, crossing his arm.
I nod at him, my hands to my lap.
"Well then, help me come up with our honeymoon plans," commented Augustus as he slithered his hand to my lap.
"anything would do. I am not really picky,"
" Oh, come on," as his hands began stroking my hands and lap and despite the many layers of my gown, I could still feel his frightening hands around my lap.
And so, I rose from my seat, making his hands away from myself. "If you'll excuse me, I need to rest,"
I was about to began walking towards the stairs when Augustus firmly held my arm which hurts a bit.
"One wrong move with him and I will not hesitate to kill him, I don't care if he's my friend."
"wha-what are you talking about?" I forced myself to sound so confused but deep inside, my heart is beating so fast, I could feel my palms sweating.
"You know what I am talking about," he answered, holding my arm harder.
"Do you understand?" He whispered to my ears which brought chills down to my spine.
When I did not answer, he grabbed my chin, forcing me to look straight to my eyes. "I asked you, do you fucking understand me?"
And so, I nod at him so fast and as soon as he released me, I ran towards the stairs as I feel his deadly stairs behind my back.
Now, I am standing in front of Leo's familiar wooden door. With a soft sigh, I knocked three times and with that, the door flew open and there stood Leo tall, his hands inside his pocket, looking really tired.
As soon as we are inside his room, I sat in his bed while he sat in his study table's chair. We are few paces apart.
"So..." I began, letting my eyes wander around the room as if it is my first time coming here. As if I sometimes did not sleep here while Leo was away in the barracks.
"Sorry I wasn't able to write you a letter for the past week. I was busy investigating about the death of my parents," Leo said with such a low voice.
"no big deal, Leo," I said as I gave him a smile to assure him everything's okay in which he returned but doesn't really reached his eyes.
"My family's attorney who handles the will of my parents was found dead in his tub a day before the death of my parents," he revealed.
"Also, with all the wills you've found, I managed to seek a short consultation from my colleague's friend who works in the bank to clarify the wills. Obviously, the will saying all our fortune would be put into the Bennett family was fake so it seems like, Mister Douglas had a strong connection inside the bank considering his obviously forged certificate managed to slide,"
"He also commented that the Bennett's business was in the verge of bankruptcy since Mister Douglas was once kept asking for a loan many years ago. That's why everyone in the bank was surprised and suspicious the Bennett family remained one of the richest family in town while the Finley's fortune disappeared but they chose not say anything about it since they are aware how messing up with the Bennett family could be the death of you,"
Leo let out a soft sigh after that, frowning. "A friend of mine from the barracks mentioned that his brother's childhood friend was recruited by Mister Douglas himself for some research many years ago that is still ongoing up to now,"
I wonder what this "research" is all about.
"I need to found about this research. Who knows, that maybe another proof of Mister Douglas' wrongdoings," Leo insisted, curling his fingers into a tight fist.
I rose from the bed and began to walk towards him, I placed my hands to his shoulders and said, "Don't, Leo. The contracts that I've found are enough,"
Leo just shook his head, "But we need more,"
I slid my fingers through his hair and began brushing it, "It's dangerous. Who knows what this research holds,"
Leo looked up to me, frowning but his eyes sleepy. It maybe because of me scratching his scalp or him being really, really tired.
"more reason to find out about it,"
I let out a soft sigh, softly stroke his cheek. "You're really hardheaded, Mister" I commented which made him smile and slid his arm around my waist which made me sit to his lap.
And so, our faces are only inches apart from each other. With this view, I could really see Leo's freckles and so, I began tracing his freckles.
"Want to bet who has more freckles between the two of us?" Leo asked, chuckling as he let me trace his constellations of freckles.
"I think I am no match for a freckle king like you," I murmured as I jokingly rolled my eyes heavenwards.
Leo just smiled at me and so did I. There was silence between us but not the awkward one. The type of silence that makes me comfortable, that lights up your mood.
"But seriously, Leo. No more investigation about the research, please," I said with such a very low voice but Leo just stared at me.
"I can't believe he ask me about your honeymoon," he softly uttered, I could hear the frustration in his voice.
I stroke his cheek once again with my thumb, "Don't worry, I won't surrender to him,"
Leo just smile at my reply, closing his eyes for a second as he focuses on my touches.
"Why?" was the question that surprised me. What do you mean why? You already know why.
I thought he was about to say something, argue or whatever but I was surprised when he kissed me softly.
His right arm securing my waist so I would not fall from his lap and so, my hand is against his chest while the other is around the back of his neck.
Our kiss was all soft and innocent at first but then, the next minute, it got all needy to the point we both need to stop.
One thing I've noticed is that, Leo has self-control. He never did touches me in my womanly body parts, he only touches my waist and my face. So much respect to this guy.
After that, my eyes are wide due to what just happened, both of us catching our very breaths. Leo, meanwhile, stroke my lips with his thumb.
I laid my face against his chest due to embarrassment, my face red as he chuckle.
With this position, I, sitting comfortably in his lap, his hand around me as I lay my head against his very musculine chest, could sleep right here, right now.
I then wrapped my hands around him, feeling his warmth when someone knocked hard on the door. That's when I realized the door wasn't locked.
Leo and I instantly rose from our seat and I am panicking right now. I have a strong feeling the person knocking right now is Augustus.
Leo then grabbed my hand and gestured me to go hid inside his closet in which I quickly did.
As soon as Leo closed the closet, I heard Leo said, "Come in,"
There was a loud sound of footfalls, "Got everything you need?" It is, indeed, Augustus.
I wonder why he decided to pay Leo a visit.
Let us just pray Augustus did not went to my room first before going here because if that happened then that only means he has a strong feeling I am here with Leo.
"Oh no, I was still finding...my journals," I heard Leo answered.
If I could see them right now, I know Augustus' hands are crossed, acting all superior.
"Still into science like the old times?" Augustus asked the room judging from the sounds of his footfalls.
I feel like any minute now, Augustus would open the closet and choke me.
"Not really,"
"Why, my friend?" Still, he is walking. I could sense that he is finding me.
"Well, poverty happened, Augustus. A fortuneless man like me had no place for science,"
With that, the room turned quiet. Neither of them spoke and Augustus also stopped walking.
It was Leo who decided to break the ice by clearing his throat and said, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll just change before gathering some of my journals and books,"
"No pro-problem. If you need anything, you could just ring the bell. Feel free to join tonight's dinner, my friend,"
"Thank you but I better get going, I still have loads of things to do in the barracks," Leo answered.
"Suit yourself, Leo and oh, see you at the wedding," I heard Augustus said but his tone of voice was kind of mocking.
With that, judging from the loud bang of a door, Augustus left the room.
As soon as Augustus left the room, Leo immediately opened the closet as he looked at a sweaty version of myself.
I was about to joke that he should place an air condition inside his closet when I realized those weren't invented yet.
"We better fix your things, Leo," I exclaimed as I grabbed the brown briefcase from his closet.
Leo managed to get two novels, one was Jane Eyre while the other was written by Charles Dickens.
I cannot help myself from smiling as he slid the books especially Jane Eyre inside the bag.
"I thought you did not like Jane Eyre," I then rolled my eyes jokingly, crossing my arms.
"I did not but it's something to remember you by," he softly answered that shut me up since I, once again, is blushing.
I just quietly proceed to gather some pens from his drawer when I saw the handkerchief that I gave him folded neatly. Take note, it is placed inside the box.
When Leo saw me looking at the handkerchief, he snatched it from my hands and placed it to his bag, his face and neck red.
To be honest, I knew he like the handkerchief especially when I embroided his initials to it using my poor skills but I never thought he'll like it so much to the point he'll hide it inside a box.
Wow.
I mean, I am flattered.
After Leo finished packing up his things, we just both looked at each other. It was Leo who crossed the distance between us.
"Don't worry, I will do something about the wedding," Leo murmured and with that, he kissed me in the cheek and left.
After he left, I then went inside my room. For the first few minutes, I cannot help myself from smiling, remembering the kiss I shared with Leo. I did not bothered getting up from bed and watch him walk away from the manor since Augustus might see me, smiling at him and waving at him.
Minutes after his leave judging from the sound of the gates, I was about to sleep when the door flew open and there stood no other than Augustus himself looking furious.
His brows meeting, his lips into a straight line, his blond hair messy, his tie loose.
I instantly rose from my bed, "wha-what are you doing here?"
But Augustus just remained angry and began walking towards me.
"What are you doing here? I asked you!" I forced myself to straighten up and sound as if I am not afraid of him.
However, I was surprised when Augustus held my chin hard, "what did I told you about you making a wrong move with him?"
"I di-did no such thing," I stuttered.
Augustus just shook his head slowly, clearly not buying my lie. "I am not stupid, Clementine. I know everything that happends inside this fucking house,"
"that hypocrite son of the bitch!" He added.
I was about to say something regarding me not interacting with Leo when Augustus held my shoulder hard.
"Don't worry, I did what I have to do with him," were the words that slipped from Augustus' lips that scared the daylights out of me.
What did he mean by that?
"What did you do?" I asked nervously, my voice hoarse but Augustus just gave me a deadly stare.
"I asked you, what did you do?" My voice getting loud as I tried getting away from his grip.
Still, Augustus did not answered me but instead, he just smiled at me like a demon.
"I fucking ask you! What did you fucking do with Leo!?"
And with that, Augustus let out a demonic chuckle. "Oh, so, now we are in first name basis here? Last time I checked, you barely gave a fuck about him a while ago and now, you're acting like this?"
"and fucking watch your mouth," was what Augustus uttered before kissing me hard. Of course, I did not respond to his kisses nor did I care about it since my mind is all about Leo. Still, after a few seconds, I tried escaping from him but his grip is hard.
Leo is in danger right now. What if something happened to him? He still has a lot of avenging to do. He still need to take back what's his.
I was so lost to the point I did not noticed that my gown was almost torn by this son of the gun.
"Please, tell me what happened to Leo,"
I cannot bare the idea of Leo dying all alone. Leo dying because of me.
And so, as Augustus was busy kissing my shoulders and running his hands to the parts he shouldn't touched, I did not bother protesting and my tears just kept on falling.
Augustus must've noticed my sobs since he turned to look at me and stopped what he is doing. We just stared at each other. I could see frustration in his eyes and I am sure he could see anger in my eyes.
Surprisingly, he rose from my body and right before he was about to leave the room, he said, "Be ready for the wedding night,"
"Go to hell," I softly replied and I am sure he heard me but pretended not to.
"Don't bother going after Leo. I already told the staff not to let you out unless they want their family dead and also, goodluck to Leo surviving the men I sent to finish him off down the road,"
And with that, I am all alone in my room as I continued sobbing. Silently, I began to pray for Leo's safety.
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8 more chapters to go before this story will finally come to an end. :)