"ENOUGH!" James shouted, startling everyone around him.
It was dinner time, and yet neither Safa nor Wolfgang have resolved their issues, they have gone a full day without talking and to add in on the matter, Clara was acting strange as well.
His sister refused on multiple occasions to explain what's going on with her to him, and James couldn't help but to feel as if it had something to do with Safa since Clara kept stealing glances at the angry brown eyed woman.
At the moment as they're supposedly enjoying a meal together, no one spoke a word, not even a simple 'pass me this' or 'How was your day' and it got on James's nerves, making him Burst in frustration.
Safa looked at him with somewhat wide eyes, while Clara was shaking nervously and Wolfgang simply looked back down at his plate.
"Have you finally lost your mind James?" Safa asked in a calm yet angry tone.
"Yes! You can't possibly keep doing this to yourselves for god sakes you're all adults! please behave as such and talk!" James replied.
Chuckling once, "Oh, how ironic coming from you!" Safa replied with a half smile.
"Yes, ironic considering that I have to be the one pointing this out for you?!" James replied.
No longer smiling, "What ruffled your feathers today?" She asked, "All of you!" He replied, "You're not speaking with each other even you Clara! out of nowhere! we're supposed to be friends! somewhat of a family!" He added.
Wolfgang lifted his head slightly, he gave James a worried look, "I never said we cannot talk, I did not ask you, Wolfgang or Clara to not talk with me, and as for me I think we already established that I simply go silent when I experience anger...it is the best for everyone here if I am not the one talking, or are you saying that I should not be angry to begin with James?" Safa asked.
"Of course I'm not saying that, I'm simply stating that it was minor thing that happened, and when you look at it, what Wolfgang did has saved you from a potentially dangerous man, you shouldn't be angry at him, you're angry with Fabian and Lady Danbury, Wolfgang has helped you see their truth, I did too." James replied.
"And I am grateful for Wolfgang's mistake, that is why he is still living under my roof, but I do feel betrayed that he knew exactly how I felt about lady Danbury and still made arrangements to bring her here, and you helped him without letting me know.
but because you are just an idiot who keeps making mistakes and asking for second chances, you are off the hook easily, but Wolfgang does not usually do what he did yesterday." Safa replied.
Hearing how she spoke of James, Wolfgang was visibly upset, he was finally about to open his mouth when James beat him to it.
"I understand your frustrations but I don't appreciate you calling me an idiot especially not in front of everyone, and on top of that if you keep behaving this way Safa, you're going to be alone for the rest of your life.
I know you don't want a husband but I'm pretty sure you would like a friend still!" James replied surprising Safa.
She was so surprised that Clara decided to speak, "Can we...calm down a little? Heh...there's no need for this...argument to happen!"
"Don't think I forgot about you, sister! You too are acting weird and I want to know why!" James said.
"I..well..." Clara hesitated.
"Do not speak with this idiot about your problems, he should know better not to force you to speak when a crowd is present.
Besides, James would not be able to give you one good advice if his life depended on it!" Safa spoke-up, "If you have a problem Clara dear, you can talk to me later, maybe in my study room." She added.
James glared at her, "I just said I don't appreciate you calling me idiot Safa! and she's my sister, I have the right to ask her what's wrong and if anybody should be the first to talk to her, it shall be me!" James replied.
"James...I think you should drop this!" Wolfgang said, "Look at you, you're terrified to stand-up to her!" James replied, "Is this the strong brother and sister bond you claim to have with Safa?!" He added.
"Please why are we even arguing?!" Clara asked.
"Because your brother the gentleman who likes to lie and hide secrets including the fact that you were his sister, thinks he is in any position to question my judgment?!" Safa replied with a sarcastic smile.
"At least I don't threaten people with my money left and right!" James replied to her.
"At least I did not blow half my fortune because some boy that my sister used to fancy suggested a shady business deal that turned out to be a con!" Safa fired back.
"I can't believe I'm marrying you safa, I'm glad I have feelings for Wolfgang because quite frankly, I'm starting to realize that money alone won't make it easy for me to tolerate you anymore!"
"I do not want to marry you either you dimwit! Unfortunately it is either that or a lifetime of older women trying to mother me and marry me off because they feel bad that I am bloody crippled and believe that I cannot find love as I am on my own, even though I personally chose not to pursue love!"
Suddenly, "OKAY OKAY I'LL TALK I'M SORRY I FOUND A BOOK!" Clara shouted, tears began streaming from her eyes.
"A book?! what are you talking about?" Safa asked.
"I went to the study room... to read some books....and I picked a book from the shelf...behind your desk." Clara said between hiccups.
This made Wolfgang instantly look at her with huge worried eyes, "You did what?"
"You went to my study room and found a book?!" Safa asked her again.
"Before you get angry at her, she had no idea she had to ask for your permission to read from those bookshelves." Wolfgang immediately responded.
Confused, "What's going on?! what book are we talking about?!" James asked.
"I had no idea...the book... was important but I should've...known... since it was hidden...I...just I was picking some books because I wanted to learn about your work....and help you with it...and then I noticed this book that looked like Bernardino's memoir....
I thought it was just another memoir...of his..." Clara said.
"Did you read it?" Safa asked.
"Safa, before you explode or anything, I want you to remember, Clara is new here, if she read the book, it was an honest mistake and given the circumstances, you should've told her not to go there without permission." Wolfgang tried to reason.
"Would you shut it please I am talking to her?" Safa said in a calm yet firm tone, "Uhhh..." Wolfgang was speechless.
"I'm really sorry... I didn't mean to do it out of bad intentions...i was just curious! but it's no excuse for my mannerless behavior...I planned not tell you about it ..but it has been eating away at me the entire day...i understand if you're angry with me..." Clara said.
Safa took a deep breath and then sighed, "I see..."
"Are you going...to kick me out of the mansion...?" Clara asked.
"Kick you out of the what now?! you're not joking?! what is this?! what is this book about?! Why does it Matter if she read it!" James started bombarding them with questions of his own.
Wolfgang was a second away from having a mental breakdown when Safa surprisingly asked, "What did you think of it?"
Surprised "Of...what?" Clara replied.
"The book? Knowing you and and your personality, you must have been too nervous to fully read the book, so I suspect you skipped to the last part...the important part.. you read it did you not? What my mother said about me, what did you think?" Safa asked.
Clara was confused, it didn't seem like Safa was asking to taunt her, but in fact she seemed genuinely curious to know.
"Are you being serious?" Wolfgang asked.
"I am...now answer me Clara!" Safa replied.
Drying her tears, Clara put on a brave face and braver voice "Your mother...she may have ment well but she shouldn't have said what she said.
Because it's all misconceptions.
Your life isn't a mistake, it's a blessing to some people including myself, you are worthy of everything a normal girl deserves Safa...
To your mother, only a 'Normal' girl can have a meaningful life, and that life must include if not revolve around making a family of your own.
I believe Your mother let her concerns cloud her judgment and she said some things that I would've never said about my own child, no matter how strongly I believed they were true...I can never say I wished for my child to never be born.
And I think I understand now why you really have a distain towards older women, it wasn't just Yamei, your mother too, she didn't believe in you.
it would seem that a lot of women like your mother, because of their age and experiences, have misjudged you to be someone unable to have what they do.
They assume that the only meaningful experiences of a woman in life is finding love, making a family, and being the prettiest version possible of herself.
but that's not life for everyone."
With a genuine smile, "You are forgiven." Safa replied.
Surprised, "Do you mean it?!" Clara asked.
"I do... And now that I do feel better, Wolfgang you are also forgiven, same for you James, and I apologize for crossing any lines.
I would love for us to put this silly argument behind us and move on." Safa said.
"Safa!" Wolfgang smiled happily at her.
"I am sorry as well...I crossed some lines with you." James replied then turned giving a thankful look towards Clara.
"I'm sorry again...I promise I will ask for permission from now on!" Clara said earning a nod from Safa, "I hope so, and if you are serious about helping me work, tomorrow you will join me in my Laboratory, I will show you around." Safa replied.
Clara smiled wildly.
"How come she's allowed to the lab and not me?" Wolfgang asked, "James do you wish to know what is it that Wolfgang hides in the basement?" Safa replied making Wolfgang scream, "SAFA NO!"
"Then shut it, you have your labyrinth I have mine." Safa replied.
"Seriously I'm starting to believe that you are hiding a dead person down there wolf!" James said, "I don't! I swear!" Wolfgang replied adamantly.
"Then what's the problem with letting me go down there?!" James asked.
Blushing, "You can't... it's too embarrassing!" Wolfgang replied.
"I bet he's keeping some embarrassing writings down there, like a male lady whistledown!" Clara said sheepishly.
"And what if? Do you want to sneak in and read them without my consent?" Wolfgang replied sarcastically.
Clara instantly blushed from embarrassment, "Huh! Serves you right!" Wolfgang said.
"Don't bully my sister!" James spoke-up, "She bullied me first!" Wolfgang whined.
"Whatever you say, but let's be honest...is it writings?" James asked.
"I'm not telling you what's down there!"
"Even if I offered you a kiss."
"No."
"Please."
"I said no!"
"How about I owe you a huge favor in exchange for letting me know."
"I have no favor to ask of you James."
"Let him be James, he won't budge." Safa spoke-up, "It can't hurt to try! Hah!" James replied chuckling.
"It will hurt when I go to sleep on my own down there and leave you alone tonight!" Wolfgang threatened, "Jesus, alright I give up...!" James replied frowning.