I panicked as I was certain I had been caught. He must have seen the book so I wanted to turn around and apologize for taking the book out of the library without any consent...
"I think you dropped this," the Butler said and before I could speak and when I finally turned around I saw he was holding onto an earring.
Huh? I was a bit lost.
"Is this yours?" He had to ask to get me to focus.
I quickly touched my ears and saw that my left ear was missing a ring.
"Oh thanks. It must have fallen off my ear when I got up." I said and quickly collected it from his hands.
"It's alright," he said with a collected demeanor.
"I will be leaving now. Thanks," I said with a forced smile before scampering away from the library so that he wouldn't notice I was hiding the book.
On getting to my room I heaved a sigh of relief.
That was close.
Bringing out the book of my dress I stared at it one time, observantly then I slowly walked towards the bed- Climbing the bed I sat down, resting my back and head on the bed head with the pillow as a comfortable support.
Time for me to truly dig deep into this.
Opening up the pages I feasted my eyes diligently on the drawings and symbols of Marcel's diary trying to decipher its meaning- especially the strange symbols. However I was a bit creeped out. Like how come I am seeing these creatures in my dream and sometimes it doesn't seem like a dream. It seemed like they were actually in my room.
I had to concentrate so I wouldn't get distracted by my thoughts. I need to understand what all these things mean. I wish I had my phone with me or access to the internet. It would have been really helpful at this point.
I guess I will just have to make do with what I have.
Taking a closer look at the images I suddenly could see like a pattern to it or should I say a tale of some sort. The creatures, the images they ain't really the same though they look almost identical I could still see some slight differences among them. Like for one their eye colors are different. Red, Blue, Yellow and Gray.
The creature with the red eye color seems to be the biggest with a longer, spiky tail. It's almost the same size as that of the gray colored one who is slightly smaller than the red eyed creature but bigger than the other two. The one with the blue eyes is the smallest of the four, slightly smaller than the yellow eyed one.
Apart from their eye colors and size difference I could also decode that they have different traits and attributes from just observing the drawings and the way they have been drawn. The blue eyed creature, although the smallest, seemed to be the most active of the four as I could see many drawings of it with either one or two of the other creatures in an interactive manner. In fact it is the one that appeared most in the diary. The red eye creature which is the biggest is also the angriest as the drawings depicted it spitting out fire from its mouth. It's so fearsome and it seemed to have dominance among the four creatures_ well except for the gray eyed creature who is like the loner of the four as it appeared less in the diary and truth be told its appearance is more frightening to gaze upon than the rest. Its icy nature gives the chill almost like death. Lastly the yellow eyed creature seems to be only around the red eyed one like they are best friends or partners.
I don't really know if my interpretation of the drawings are correct. I am only honestly just trying to solve or understand it from what I am seeing, only Marcel himself would be able to give a better explanation but I don't think he would approve of me going through his diary especially this one.
Speaking of Marcel, he still hasn't gotten back from where he went or has he abandoned me here in Italy and gone back to the States? I suddenly grew anxious and worried.
I wouldn't forgive him if he does that but what will my not forgiving him do to him? Absolutely nothing. It's not like he values me or something. I am just some toy he bought. However I honestly don't want him to abandon me and I silently prayed for him to return....
It's been over 6 hours and the sky has become dark and still there was no sign of Marcel anywhere which has increased my anxiety and my suspicion that he has abandoned me here. A while ago a maid had come to inform me that lunch was ready but I had rejected the offer stating I wasn't hungry and now she was back again to inform me that dinner was ready but still I found myself not having an appetite. How can I have an appetite when my thoughts and soul are elsewhere?
"Would you like me to serve you your meal in your room?" The maid asked when I had turned down coming to the dining room.
"No. I said I wasn't hungry," I stated, my voice lacking mildness.
"I am sorry." She quickly apologized then left my room with a sad expression.
I didn't mean to be mean and I know I should have apologized but I didn't. Rather I went back to sit on the bed with my feet that were planted on the tiled flooring tapping the ground anxiously...
After what looked like an eternity of waiting I became alerted by a noise at the compound. It was the sound of a vehicle.
Quickly getting up, I went to the window to check who it was with my heart yearning for it to be Marcel and I couldn't hide the delight in my face and my heart when I saw a handsome, charming figure alighting down from the vehicle.
He is back!
I became so relieved that he hadn't abandoned me here but that's not the main reason why I was happy. The truth is that I have actually missed him for real. I have missed his voice, his scent and just staring at his beautiful figure. I couldn't even contain myself to the point that I left my room and hurried down the stairs to greet him...
"I thought you had gone forever," I said to him as he entered the sitting room.
He wore a confused expression as he asked. "What?"
"Nothing." I chose not to explain further as it felt odd.
"It's good you are down already. We are leaving," Marcel said and I fully didn't understand what he meant by that.
"Leaving? Where to?" I asked.
"Back to the States. Let's go," he said and there was a slight urgency in his voice.
Why does he suddenly want us to return back to the States especially at this odd hour. Don't get me wrong I want to go back home but something seems really off.
"Now? Why can't we go tomorrow?" I asked, trying to get additional information.
"No. We can't," he replied.
"Why?" I pushed.
"Because I say so." His words came out mean but I wasn't upset or angry at him rather I was worried.
"Did anything happen? Are you in any sort of trouble of some sort here?" I asked from the depth of my heart as I took some steps closer to him but he laughed almost scornfully.
"If I were to be in trouble, what would you do? Protect me?" He said with a sarcastic grin and I was left speechless.
"..." It's true. There is nothing I can do to protect him and it was foolish of me for asking.
"Let's go," he said, his tone full of authority and as he turned around to leave, I was about to follow him when I suddenly remembered about the diary upstairs.
"Please wait." I sharply said.
"What is it?" He asked, a bit annoyed as he turned to face me.
I need to get something upstairs.
That was what I initially wanted to say but then I thought it through. What if he asks me what I want to go and take upstairs? I can't possibly tell him it's his diary and I don't have any other excuse to use as I didn't bring anything along with me here, not even my luggage.
"I need to use the restroom real quick," I lied and acted my lie as I pretended like I was pressed.
"Be quick about it," Marcel permitted reluctantly but I didn't give him a chance to change his mind as I hurriedly climbed up the stairs.
Getting to the room I realized there is a problem. There is no way I can carry or hide the book that Marcel wouldn't see it. It was by a miracle I was even able to get it out of the library without his butler noticing but Marcel is way more observant than the butler.
What do I do?
I thought impatiently and then an idea came into my head. I wouldn't say it was the smartest of ideas but it's the only thing I could think of in the limited time I have.
Reaching for the diary I tore off some of its pages that I could hide in my dress unnoticed and then tossed the book underneath the bed.
"Hmm." Taking in deep breaths I left the room.
Getting downstairs Marcel seemed to be a bit suspicious as he stared at me longer than normal but he didn't make any comment and both of us went out of the building into a car parked just in front of the entrance door.
Marcel and I both rode in the backseat and although Marcel didn't say anything when I asked. However I knew something was definitely wrong. I could see he looked a bit troubled. He is not one to show any sort of emotion but right now I could see traces of stress and worry in his face.
I know I can't protect him from whatever is troubling him but I can at least try to console him even if he didn't ask for it.
I slowly dressed closer to him and then rested my head gently on his chest and I noticed a reaction from him like he wanted remove my head and scold me...but as quickly as I felt his reaction he calmed down and just let me rest my head on his chest and I pressed my body against his like a glue.
I know it isn't much but I hope this helps him relax because the feel of his body on mine was already making me relax and before I knew it I had fallen asleep....