With a heavy sigh and equally heavy steps, I dragged my feet towards the kitchen. I didn't quite want to go back, but there weren't many places I could hide in the house.
When I walked into the kitchen, I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what was coming my way.
" Unfortunately," I began speaking, crestfallen and I took a seat at the table, reverting to slumping over the table, hands and legs, all over. I was tall, and that made things so much worse. " The viewing is fully booked" I mumbled, staring at the heap of food on my plate.
" Shame" Mason took a sip of his coffee, with a pointed look, making me aware that I was sprawled all over the table.
I cleared my throat and kinda began tucking my limbs one by one, under his watchful eyes. I knew he disapproved already. That look was enough to make me want to dig a hole in the ground and hide in it, for the rest of my days.
"This brings me to my second lesson. Planning, Miss Abernathy. If you wanted to see the artist's work. You should have inquired with the gallery beforehand, instead of waiting for the day. Assumption is the mother of all fuck ups, Miss Abernathy" Mason nonchalantly said, and that was the first time I've heard him cuss. I was baffled that the prim and proper Mason was capable of saying those words.
" Now, please eat your breakfast " Mason glanced up at the clock on the wall " We are leaving in forty-five minutes. I would appreciate it if you would be punctual, just this once." Mason picked up his paper and reprised his reading. He knew that it had been sold out. He knew I was lying. He was testing me. And I failed, miserably.
" Thank you," I mumbled with my head down, ashamed. Mostly, because I had been caught.
" You're not eating, Miss Abernathy. You're wasting precious time." Mason pointed out with his head still on the paper.
Once again, I felt inadequate around him. For goodness sake, I couldn't get it right. No matter how much I tried. I was starting to think that something was wrong with me.
I ate my pancakes as fast as I could and downed the glass of milk that was placed before me. Enid had left the kitchen while I was speaking with the gallery. I didn't ponder in the kitchen and walked to my room to get dressed. I had already showered, when I woke up in the morning. The moment, I stepped into the room, I slumped on the bed. I was more than ready to go back to sleep. Being around Mason was exhausting. It drained every drop of energy out of me.
After a good five minutes of feeling sorry for myself, I got up and made my way towards the wardrobe to choose from one of the many dresses that I had bought the week before.
Out of the bunch, I picked the pearl blue one, with the cute little ties at the back. It was a nice dress, did show much skin, hugged nicely at the top, with nice flowy fabric at the bottom.
I glanced up at the clock, I didn't have time to do anything else. I've wasted too much time, preening already. With that thought in mind, I grabbed a pair of white sandals and put the one on as I walked towards the door.
The moment the door opened, Mason stood at the door with his hand raised, he was about to knock on the door. Flustered, I straightened myself up, with one shoe in my hand and still had to strap the other one.
Mason pushed the sleeve of his pristine white shirt and glanced at his wrist watch and then looked at me.
" You're late," Mason said with a glint of amusement in his eyes. I didn't miss it. I was lost in the iciness. Each time we were this close, it reminded me why I had fallen head over heels with him. I knew he was there, it was a rare sight but he existed. I didn't imagine it.
I could feel the heat in my cheeks rise, and for the first time since I'd met him, I felt one step closer to him.
" If we are going to be late, at least wear both shoes." Mason offered his arm, looking at my feet.
" Yes, of course," I meekly smiled and bent over to put my shoe on, unaware that my bottom was hanging out from under the dress.
" Miss Abernathy, " Mason cleared his throat, making me raise my head " Lower yourself on your heels when wearing dresses and find yourself in the need to bend over" Mason glanced away, and I quickly realised that he could see more than I intended him to see.
Flustered, I straightened myself, foregoing putting my shoes on. I could walk barefoot, no one would care or notice. It was a hot summer day, most likely people would walk barefoot anyway.
" I apologise, Mr Kinnaird " I shyly mumbled and once again, I felt the need to hide.
Madon raised his hand to stop me saying anymore and lowered himself on his heels. It was a show and tell but without the tell. I wasn't trying to be difficult, nor I was stupid but my brain didn't seem to work around him. All I could see was his charming smile, the mesmerising blue in his eyes and those perfectly kissable lips of his. He was a dream that most likely women drooled over. I certainly was without a shadow of a doubt.
When he finished strapping my sandals, Mason straightened himself with a " That's how it's done" look on his face and once more offered his arm for me to take.
" Thank you, Mr Kinnaird " I smiled, at him and no matter how much I tried to keep it from widening. I couldn't help it and succumbed until it stretched, ear to ear.
" Always, Miss Abernathy " And there it was charming Mason, with a devil-may-care attitude and I felt at ease, around him. He was drop-dead gorgeous, and no matter how much he terrified me, I lived for moments like those. When he quite literally took my breath away.
No matter how many times he'd made me feel smaller than a grain of sand. He also made me feel ten feet tall and that overshadowed everything.
As always, Mason remained gallant, opening the door, allowing me to step through first and when we reached the car he'd help me climb in it. I felt in seventh heaven.