After that steamy night with Alfred, I did assume we will never go back to being just friends anymore. I still couldn't figure out whether I'm still a friend of his or, his woman, or shall I be greedy and both? I don't even know if I'm infatuated with Alfred or it was just a spur of the moment.
As expected Alfred and I grew distant as the days go by, he just avoided me whenever I'm around he would hide or simply feign ignorance around me. He sometimes approaches me casually but at times he would just simply stay quiet. Even Anne noticed that something was off between me and him, but still, I couldn't open up to Anne about this awkward situation between me and her brother!
'What am I supposed to say that I slept with his brother so that I could test myself whether I can be a competent temptress?'
Good luck me you stupid girl!
Of all the craziest ideas I could think of sleeping with my childhood friend was the best I could come up with? Am I that desperate? So much that I stoop to this kind of shallow thinking. What if Anne finds out about my debauchery that I did those elicit acts on her brother, will she ever forgive me? I couldn't think straight at all it greatly affected my work at the library messing things up. "Ugh" this is killing me!
As I was lost in my own dilemma, heavy footsteps could be heard on the sidelines but I wasn't paying much attention I was just stacking up books uniformly without making a sound. A suddenly unfamiliar voice suddenly spoken callously behind me as if that person's voice were intimidating enough to a point it gives me all sorts of chills running down my spine.
"You girl with the seaweed hair I need something that I can read to amuse myself while waiting here boringly!"- Unknown cocky bastard asked.
I tried to be courteous enough not to spoil my day as I smiled whilst not looking at his face. I asked him nicely without batting an eye; in return for my courteousness, he acted even more snobbish in front of me making me clench my teeth while still keeping a proper posture. He then stared down at me to a point that I simply back away unconsciously; I didn't expect that kind of expression he would make. As if he was flustered at the same time disappointed.
"I…I'm sorry I didn't mean to approach you like that…"- Awkward random bastard said.
Out of the blue, he suddenly changes his tone of voice towards me, confused I tilted my head while trying to compose myself. I did not dare to speak so callously towards him so I brazenly evaded his gazes. Then like an alabaster statue I completely and utterly ignored him. I thought he would give up but as expected he's brazenness is way beyond my comprehension.
Then he suddenly suggested that since he was bored he wanted to help me stack books at first, I didn't really see his face or his appearance properly that I was ignorant to the fact that he was wearing expensive clothes and has a very prestigious posture.
Upon closer inspection his not bad looking at all, the shape of his face from the tip of his nose to the curve of his lips there's no hint of frustration no blemishes not even lines! In short, he lacks nothing except for his nasty attitude. I do love the color of his eyes it's rare to see a crimson deep red and his black hair that compliments his looks and his physique. Realization hit me that I'm complimenting this weirdo's appearance as if that I've known him for a long time.
'Get a grip! Vernon, you've only met him an hour ago… think of Alfred.'
I was lost in my thoughts again that I didn't realize that he was saying some nonsensical words that even I that was in a daze a second ago couldn't make up the rest of his sentence. I just pretended to nod at every word he was saying to me; I wasn't really paying much attention to him that he pokes my cheek with his finger making my body flinch for a moment. I barely composed myself from his action I stared at him while touching the spot where he pokes me.
"A-are we that close for you to suddenly touch me like that, young sir!" – I asked irritably.
"I'm sorry…. I didn't mean to touch you--- sen—sensually, you were lost in your thoughts –"He replied blushingly while trying to explain his actions.
"s---sensually?? What? "-I asked in confusion.
"N...no it's not like that--- what I'm trying to say is that I'm sorry I shouldn't have touched you carelessly, do forgive me!" He replied.
I sighed as I vehemently giggled at his silly expression. I accepted his apology without hesitation because he sounded sincere so I did break the silence first as I introduced myself while being grateful to him.
"My name is Vernon Spencer; it's nice to meet you."- Veronica.
His mood shifted too much it makes me feel wary of him but, oh well. He was modest as he was introducing himself casually to me unlike nobles, and aristocrats who would tend to say their title first before their names it's not my cup of tea. Instead of his title he just went with the most formal basic way of greeting a lady by taking my hand and kissing the back of my hand as a sign of respect. Even commoners need to be respected too.
"Greetings Miss Vernon, My name is Dunstan Cornelius; it's a pleasure to be acquainted with you." –Dunstan.
'Cornelius? Why does that name ring a bell?'
"I don't really like tedious stuff so, can I call you Dunstan? If you don't mind that is…"—Veronica.
He nodded his head while flashing a cutesy smile at me looking sparkly. He looked at me with his soft but warm eyes trying to contain my emotions, I fixed my sight to the side of the door I was surprised to see a man standing there glaring at me like he was about to devour me whole. I shifted my sight again this time to the opposite direction which thankfully has more piled up books that I could rearrange swiftly, the man from the side approached Dunstan as he arched down on his side whispering in his ear cautiously.
I was focusing on stacking the books while they were conversing with each other, then he smiled at the man while tipping his hat for a minute there I was concentrating so much that the man was behind me.
He slowly approach me from behind without me noticing his movements, he then pinned me on the shelf pressing himself on my back I could feel his warm breath as well as his blood-thirsty gaze on me. My body won't stop shivering from his bloodlust aura; I could feel his finger exploring my nape while blowing softly on my ear.
That sheer terror emanating out of him made my whole body tremble, my feet were about to give in when he took me by his arms and roughly pinned me more on the shelf. He then whispered something horribly to me that my face turned pale.
"Don't talk to him so casually…. You and he are not on the same footing so learn some respect, you seaweed girl! "--- masked man said.
'My whole body won't stop trembling, who is this man, is he threatening me right now?'
I was surprised by his sudden movement that my whole body reacted as if I was being devoured by a beast. It was infuriating to know that my legs almost gave in beneath me; I groan a bit then brazenly turned to face him. He was a bit whammy when he saw me face to face my almost perfect mood has ruined all thanks to these men; I slap him so hard that it left a mark on his cheek. The thought of fear earlier was nowhere to be found in my expression.
He smirked at me as if he liked the pain I gave him he brazenly drew closer to me as if he was begging to be slapped again, but I felt if I slap him once more I wouldn't end in just provocation alone. I back away hurriedly and run towards the door as soon as I exited the room I sighed in relief knowing I got away from a creeper, these days you cannot trust anyone even handsome nobles are a force to reckon with.
I sat on my chair thinking about his words somehow his words got stuck in my mind and it keeps ringing like a broken record. What did I do to earn this kind of animosity? Did I say something harsh or rather did I insult that weirdo for me to get treated this way? I never once held contempt for another human being but being humiliated that way was so infuriating that I rather want to punch his face! I clicked my tongue and burrowed myself on the pile of books scattered on my table.
'Thinking about it makes my blood boil! How I wish that person will lose all his hair and go bald for a change of mood'
The thought of me working a double shift, all thanks to those two really pisses me off. But then again not for that brat, I wouldn't be in this kind of situation I had to endure a two-hour lecture from the head librarian because I didn't finish arranging the books by order. It took me about another hour to finish piling the remaining paper works afterward I was done for the day.
"Phew, I thought I wouldn't finish all these inventories... good job me!" I snorted out.
I clapped my hands trying to make myself focus enough as I was walking home I passed by Lenoux a very popular pastry shop that sells all sorts of cakes and goodies. Before when I was young I could eat all of those pastries and share them with Alfred and Anne, now I can still do that although not as much as we used to. I would stand there for 5 minutes and stare at those pastries, and then my mouth would start to drool enough for me to go inside and buy that delicious stuff. Meanwhile, while I was happily buying I keep thinking of Alfred and how to make it up to him.
'A simple apology and some sweets maybe he'll forgive me right?'