Cecilia Scarlette Locke’s Point of View
“Text me when you get home.” That’s what Kinsey said before he finally let me go. There’s nothing really special about that, but it made me look forward to arriving in the summerhouse as soon as possible. It retaliates the feeling that someone is waiting for my arrival.
There’s no such thing as that in my household. Only the maids greet you and see you out, but it’s still not the same. Greeting you is their job, and there was no sense of warmth against every word they let out. It’s a fake concern equivalent to some cash they needed to earn.
Sometimes, I pretend that they really are happy to see me in but pretending could only go as far. I must stop at some point.
“Welcome home. Did everything go well, milady?” Emily greeted me as soon as the door opened. I smiled at her brightly that I didn’t even realize I was wearing that big of a smile enough for her to be taken off guard. I still owe her a lot for helping me with my situation from yesterday.
“Huh? Something good must’ve happened.”She whispered to herself, but my ear had picked it up.
“I guess you could say that…” I trailed off reluctantly. Sure, Kinsey had been better, but is giving up my chance for the company to be ‘something good must’ve happened’?
Nevertheless, I do not have time to dwell on it. Right now, I have a text to send. My feet are already inside after all. My hands are aching for me to finally compose a message or so.
“Thank you for your assistance, Emily. Please send a slice of cake to my room as soon as possible!” I exclaimed. I didn’t even wait for her response as I boosted my way to my supposed room.
“I’m glad. Her outing and time spent with Sir Kinsey must’ve really improved her morale up.”
I close my door and drop my things to the ground before I throw myself to my bed. How am I even to compose a message informing him of my arrival?
I turn to my side and take my phone out. I cleared my throat before tapping my way towards the messaging application. This is supposed to be easy, but after I typed in Kinsey’s contact in the recipient section, I spent the next minutes staring over the blinking cursor that is present on the still empty textbook.
“Ha… I am not going anywhere with this.” I murmured the obvious. How could a single message be so hard when I compose tons of emails like it’s the back of my hand?
Greetings, Kinsey
I hope this message finds you well. This is proof that I have arrived and fairly well.
Cecilia
I read it for what seems like twenty times, trying to spot anything wrong with it. It feels like submitting dangerous documentation to the higher-ups that the word anxious seems to be an understatement.
On the 21st round, that’s when I spotted it. Cecilia. I’ve never pressed backspace so fast in my life.
Greetings, Kinsey
I hope this message finds you well. This is proof that I have arrived and fairly well.
Scarlette
If Kinsey is watching me now, he would make fun of me again. Pondering over a single text? That’s not me at all. Not only does it waste time, but it gives off the feeling that I am trying to impress him. Am I? No… That’s not it. It couldn’t be it. I’m simply curious is all. Nothing out of the blue.
I deleted everything in my textbox.
Arrived.
Fewer words, fewer mistakes.
Besides. I fear that Kinsey would think of my text message from earlier as too formal. If I’ve backtracked correctly, he hated the fact that I associate myself with him as simply ‘co-workers’ in his vocabulary. I still don’t see how I do that, but then I turned to ‘his student taking care of him’. I am not sure where that came from either.
I heard a knock from the door, enough to interrupt me from my thoughts. My muscle works and hits send before I stand up and open the door to reveal Emily with my slice of cake. She gave me her warm smile before I let her in.
“I have delivered your slice of cake and a cup of tea, miss.” She said with all enthusiasm. “And also, the doctor you’ve called for the other day has finally arrived. Should I let him in here as well?” She asked.
“Oh, perfect. I’ve completely forgotten about that. Let him in, please. And thank you.” I said before I made myself comfortable with my study. My things are still the way I let them before, but a hint of furniture polish was visible underneath them. I hope Emily is the one cleaning my room. You could say I am a little bit tad fond of her already. It was an excellent choice for her to deliver me something sweet on our first day.
I watched Emily settle in my food before she bowed her head a little and went away to call the family doctor in. She softly closed the door with a click, leaving me again to dwell on my thoughts and the pastry in front of me.
It’s not like it would be prolonged until the doctor walks in and presents himself.
I took my phone, opened it, and checked my inbox- nothing.
“Hmmm… I’ve sent it, didn’t I?”
Then why isn’t he responding yet? He was the one who told me to send him one. Did he forget? Or did he just say it out of custom? Maybe, I’ve typed in the wrong number… That couldn’t be the case, I’ve doubled-no, triple-check it.
Then why?
Does he hate me now? Did I make a mistake in checking his papers? Did I leave another mess?
What to do?
Should I text him again? If I do, what would I say? Resend my first message? That sounded too demanding. He might think I am waiting for his reply. But does sending another text with the same context really needed? He might think I am being needy? Should I just go for it? Be bold and make a statement, Cecilia. It’s not like Kinsey would think about it that way, or would he?
I seriously want to bang my head against the table. I need to straighten up.
The world would not be ruined if he didn’t text me back. But still, damn you, Kinsey.
A knock on the door came in. “C-” I cleared my throat so I could speak louder and clearer. “Come in.” I called out.
“Good evening, miss Locke. I was asked to go for a check-up? How are you feeling?” Dr. Samson walked in, and what I like about her is that she’s straight to the point, knowing this is simply business as usual.
I smile and stand up to walk over to her. “Yes. Ah… Well, yesterday, I could feel my heartbeat quicken and chest pains more frequently. Shortness of breathing was also present.” I said.
“How about today?” She asked as she takes out her stethoscope.
I shake my head. “I did not feel anything.”
She hums as she stands behind me and instructs me on the same old inhale-exhale routine. “What were you doing yesterday? Were you doing something physical?”
“Kinsey and I went to the park… We played ball and hike, but I do not think that’s the case. My heart acted up even when we’ve just arrived as far as I could remember.” I tried to explain as my hands move on their own to motion this and that.
“I see. Were you too excited, maybe?” She questioned.
Is that it? I couldn’t deny that I was so enthusiastic that I could not keep myself still.
“Well, I was indeed excited. Why? Did you not find something wrong with me?” I asked.
“So far, I did not hear anything that could be wrong. Let me check your pulse rate.”
And so she did, but nothing came out of it.
“I am prescribing you some pain killers in case you happen to have pain chests again. We could conduct further examinations at the hospital. For now, check your pulse rate whenever you feel like your heart is racing. If it constantly recedes 200 beats per minute, please do not hesitate to call me immediately.”
And that was the end of it before she left. I sighed and threw myself against my bed again. I do not even care if I misarranged the pillows and the covers. I am thankful that it was not something serious. I still have a lot of things to do, and currently, I am now back to square one, so getting sick is not an option.
Ding!
I practically jumped out of my fluffy mattress. I’ve never run so fast for a single message reply, but here I am. I guess there’s a first to everything. It’s simply urgent, I said to myself in excuse. I do not want Kinsey to worry is all and I had to make sure that he knows.
When I flipped my phone up to look over at the screen, the energy I once held drains from within. What the hell is this? The notification just came from a random fast food chain, informing me about delivery coupons.
I chew the inside of my cheek before slamming my gadget to the table with a bam!
“How dare this advertisement play with my feelings. Coupon? I could very well buy their entire stockholders if I wanted to.” I announced to myself, almost pulling my hair out in frustration.
I blinked back when I caught myself.
“What am I doing?”
Why am I stressing over this?
“Right. He could read it and not reply. Why am I so affected? I will still live even if he doesn’t send a-’
Ding!
As fast as a lightning bolt, I picked up my phone for the second time with the hope of better results. And there it was, the name I’ve been dying to see on my phone screen. A flash of a smile appears on my face as I hurriedly open it with my fingers.
This is definitely not me.
From: Pierre Kinsey
That’s good Eat dinner okay?
It was not much, but something from inside me bubbles. Of course, I would eat dinner. I am even eating a cake- oh, right I forgot about my tea and cake. This texting engrossed me so much.
And no, it’s not because it’s my first time to text with someone. That’s definitely not it.
Without even thinking it through, I started typing.
I will. Make sure you eat healthy foods too and sleep. Don’t you even dare get back to work tonight. I think I will be going home tomorrow. Could you see me off? Well, you do not have to drive me. I just want to see you before I go. I know it will be long after until I see you again. And, I really enjoyed the park yesterday. Thank you for taking me there despite your busy schedule. I am also sorry for everything that had happened after. Take care of yourself, Kinsey. If only I am in a different circumstance, then I would’ve opted to stay even just for a day. But then again, I wouldn’t have come if it weren’t for what had happened. I’m hoping to see you soon. Good night. I’ve prepared a salad. It’s in the fridge. Although, check it first before anything else. You know why.
I pursed my lips together as the light reflects against my face. I squinted a little as I read the words again out loud. Embarrassed, I felt my stomach doing flips and summersaults. I stared at it for a little more while. I know I won’t be able to do it, so instead, I typed and sent in:
I will.
