Arianell
I was in a deep slumber when I heard someone knock on the door. I saw there wasn't any light coming through the glass window. I was shocked. It was night already and suddenly I remembered I had an appointment with Daniel and Detective G.
Abruptly I jumped out of my bed and ran to answer the door. But I knew it was Mr. Tanaka because I caught what in his mind was before he even said anything,
"I'm coming Mr. Tanaka…" I opened the door and cocked my head from behind the door because I was only wearing my lingerie," Tell Daniel to wait Mr. Tanaka, and do you know why Detective G didn't come?"
He slightly opened his mouth because he didn't know yet that I could read minds now. If he could, he would have his jaw dropped to the floor which he wasn't allowed to do by my dad. As Keanu Crane's most trusted employee, he had to gain his composure each time he was surprised.
Even in this mansion's alley to my only room where no one would be around, he could still without failing show his emotionless expression,
"I don't know, my lady. Would you like to ask him in person? He's waiting in the study room."
I paused for a while about whether I'd like to join Daniel in the study room or I asked Mr. Tanaka to prepare dinner because I felt that my stomach was growling.
Suddenly, there was the sound of my empty stomach so loud in the quiet corridor. Mr. Tanaka and I smiled at the same time because we both knew that was the sound of my empty stomach. I slept from the morning after I landed in the Imperial Colony until now was already night.
"What time is it now, Mr. Tanaka?" I couldn't see a clock nearby that I had to move some steps then I could see the nearest Grandfather Movement's sturdy and magnificent clock. Dad was also an antique enthusiast. We had like too many Grandfather clocks that might give you goosebumps. But I just loved them because I was an artist.
Mr. Tanaka reached into his right pocket to see the time on his old pocket watch. It was a watch that descended from his ancestors who were also butlers and or concierges. Seeing him like that was so classy. And I was lucky enough to be his employer.
"Just like last time I checked. It's 9.30 PM, my lady," he always checked the time like every five minutes to see everything run by the schedule he made. But still, he checked again before passing the information about what the time was, especially for his Shujin. Yes, I was his master now.
"I was about to ask Daniel to get back tomorrow morning, given the time this late at night…"
I cut Mr. Tanaka's sentence because the urgency was important to me. It was crucial because it was about putting peace in my mind about dad's murderer. So that everything would be clear and I didn't have to wonder about how he died and know the reasons why, for the rest of my life. I wanted to live in peace without any excess baggage from my past,
"Could you please prepare the dinner for two? I'm famished and Daniel could be my company while we're talking about the information he has. I believe he brings all of his papers?"
I saw Daniel bring a box of papers that looked filled with dad's murder investigation and the result info. I saw it in Mr. Tanaka's image inside his mind. Then he questioned himself about the seemed to be my ability in reading mind,
Are you reading minds now, my lady?
It was a question purposely intended to test me. I was glad Mr. Tanaka tested the water to see if I could read his mind. That way, he could be sure about my ability.
"Yes, Mr. Tanaka, since I met my werewolf friend in college. He always thinks of me as his mate which I think was ridiculous because I'm a human Empath, right? How could I be his mate?"
Mr. Tanaka lifted the tip of his right outer eyebrow,
"Who knows, my lady? There can be something unpredictable about supernatural creatures. Your dad always told me that."
I lifted the right edge of my lips and shot a mocking smile, still, he continued,
"I remember your schedule from this morning you landed here, my lady. You said that Daniel and Detective G were going to come here quite late at night after they were done with their work in the station. But forgive me, my lady. I took the initiative to prepare rooms for them next to the dining room. In case the three of you would be working late until morning or even for days. Too bad that Detective G couldn't come, so I guess Daniel would have the guest bedroom all to himself."
I imagined the big guest bedroom which was fit for four people with two king-size beds would be felt too empty if there was only Daniel occupying it. But then again, I didn't think Daniel would sleep if he needed to point out all the papers I needed to read before Saturday's death sentence.
"Not at all, Mr. Tanaka, you're doing the right thing. Could you please tell Daniel I'll be joining him for dinner in a few minutes? Escort him to the dining room first and offer him a coffee if he doesn't feel like eating."
"Certainly, my lady, right away!"
I quickly closed the door and ran to the closet. I picked the nearest and lightest nightgown I could find. Everything was decent in my closet, unlike when I wore clothes in the Main Land. There, I needed to be practical, so pretty much I had only jeans, white or black t-shirts, hoodies, and black long jackets. I was a simple student in the Main Land, but I was the lady of the mansion in this Imperial Colony...
- to be continued -