“Oh. Thank
you.” I took the card and went inside the car. Turning on the headlight, I
unsealed it and written inside is a message for me.
I would
say your beauty attracted the animals. Until then.
--
Your ‘observer’
I laughed softly and tucked the card
in my clutch, my eyes closing as I drifted off. When I woke up, I found myself
in the garage, car parked and waiting for me to get out. Stretching, I went out
and head straight for my room, letting my hair down and cleaning my face from
makeup before getting into comfortable sleepwear and going back to sleep.
I woke up the next morning to a series
of knocks.
“Come in.” I yawned and stretched.
The door opens.” Miss, there is
someone to see you.”
“Who is it?”
“Mr. Haverford.”
I raised an eyebrow, “Tell them I’ll
be ready in 10 minutes.” The door closed.
I made my way to the bathroom, taking
a quick shower then changed into a simple summer dress made out of Italian
lace, donning on a cute pair of white sandals before heading out. I bit back a
gasp when I spotted pale gold hair, not believing what I saw.
“Ms. Charleston.”
I straightened, “Mr. Haverford, to
what do I owe the pleasure of your company on this beautiful morning?”
“I believe we were talking about how
animals are attracted to you.” He replied and turned around so now we faced
each other. I gasped in astonishment.
It was my ‘observer’ who came by!
“We meet again.” He smiled and bowed.
Still tongue tied, I curtsied back, still in astonishment.
“This is certainly a surprise.” I
finally replied after a few beats of shocked silence, taking a seat across of
him.
“I was in the area and thought I
should be more sociable to my acquaintances.”
“It seems like I have moved grades.” I
teased.
He laughed, “That, you certainly have.”
Annie, one of the housemaids, made her
appearance. “Breakfast is served, miss.”
I smiled, “Thank you, Annie. Would you
care for some breakfast, Mr. Haverford?”
“Call me Daniel, please. And yes, I
would love some breakfast.” He smiled and stood up. “Lead the way, Ms. Charleston.”
“If you insisted on being called
Daniel, then call me Vanna.” I said as I began walking to the dining room with
Daniel trailing behind me.
“Vanna it is then.”
Sunlight and the smell of freshly
baked bread greeted us as we entered the dining room.
“There you are, darling.” My mother
said when she saw me, standing up immediately and curtsied when she saw Daniel.
“Mr. Haverford, I didn’t remember
hearing you enter this house.” My father remarked as he stood up and shook
hands.
“My apologies, sir. I insisted on my
sudden appearance to be much of a mere social call.” Daniel replied and bowed
to mother.
“Very well. Would you like to join us
for breakfast? We have enough to feed an army.” Father asked as I told a maid
nearby to prepare another seat.
“I already accepted the offer. Your
daughter asked me earlier.”
I saw my parents raise their eyebrow
and sighed, knowing that they would be pestering me after Daniel left. I walked
to my usual seat, noting with pleasure that the seat next to me has been
prepared; Daniel would be sitting next to me.
“How is Stanford treating you,
Daniel?” Mother asked as we began plating up various dishes onto our plates.
“It has been brutal, I have to say,
but I have gotten used to it.”
“What major are you taking?” I asked,
wiping jam from my mouth and plated some omelets for Daniel and me.
“Medical, pediatrics to be specific.”
“Why pediatrics?” I asked a bit
softly.
Silence follows. Then, “Vanna,
apologize now.” Father.
“I’m sorry about my daughter’s
question, which was uncalled for.” Followed by mother.
“My apologies.” I murmured softly and
continue eating, refraining from making anymore small talk. I can feel Daniel’s
stare now and then but paid no attention, my main goal is to finish breakfast
and getting out of the room.
I pushed my chair back after a few
moments, wiping my mouth and curtsying before heading out. I hear some murmurs
as I reached the hallway, then a pair of footsteps echoing behind me.
“Vanna.”
I stopped, letting Daniel catch up
even though I kept my back to him.
“I’m sorry for my question earlier, it
was rude.” I said, my voice soft.
“I lost my sister to lung cancer when
she was 7. Then I nearly died of yellow fever at 9 years old.” He said gruffly,
the way someone on the verge of crying would be.
“Is that why you chose pediatrics? So
many children won’t have to suffer?” I asked softly, turning around to face
hi,.
“In a part, yes. They should have a
long life, filled with joy. Not one full of hospital visits.” His fists
clenched tightly.
I don’t know what came to me but the
next time I know, I’m hugging him tightly while burying my face in his chest. I
should have asked for permission but then, I’m doing this on impulse. I can
feel his surprise because he tensed but after a few moments I feel him hugging
back just as tight, burying his face in my hair. We stayed in that position for
a few minutes when I started laughing softly.
“What is it?” He murmured.
“I just went on and hugged you without
asking for your permission.” I said sheepishly.
He chuckled, “Feel free to do it
anytime, I wouldn’t mind.”
I pulled away slightly to look up at
him. “So you would accept random hugs given by random people then?” I feel my
brows furrow.
“Only from you.” He ruffled my hair.
“Hey!” I protested while smoothing my
hair, him laughing as I do it.
“Come on, I want to show you
something.” I smiled at him and took his hand, leading him out to the gardens.
“Are you taking me hostage?” He gasped
mockingly.
I rolled my eyes, “Dungeons would suit
you better.”
We walked under an arch and to a
secret passageway, leading us to a hidden meadow with a small gazebo and
flowers surrounding the meadow. Sunlight and bright blue sky bathed us as we
made our way towards the gazebo.
“How on Earth did you find this
place?” He asked as we sat down.
“One of my escapades when I was
younger.” I replied, my legs crossing as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the
sunlight. I hear a small bark and opened my eyes, a flurry of golden brown
leaping at me. I laughed happily, my nose scrunching as the small dog licked my
face.
“Lucky!” I rubbed its fur and belly,
my problems forgotten at the moment.
“I was right animals does attract to
you.” He mused.
I looked up and smiled, “I’ll take
that as a compliment.”
He held out his hands, “May I?” I
nodded.
As soon as I loosened my hold on
Lucky, he bounded over to Daniel and licked his face too.
“I’m sorry, he’s full of energy.” I
apologized, handing some tissues to wipe our faces.
He laughed, “No worries, I have had my
fair share of dogs licking my face.” He smiled while wiping his face.
“Was the dog I met at the pond yours
too?”
“Rocky, he’s the youngest.” He stroked
Lucky.
“How my dogs do you have?” I asked
curiously.
“Only two, Marie and Rocky.”
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