Cecilia Scarlette Locke’s Point of View
My chest only tightened at the sight of the mansion’s gate I am very well accustomed to seeing. I felt like I’ve memorized the metal rods’ paint cracks and rust as proof of its longevity of service, but of course, that’s not usually the case.
“We are here, miss.” The driver announced as if my shortness of breath didn’t even hint at that already. I am not scared- I am more than mortified. I am most sure that my grandfather is aware that I’m returning home, and he would only check me to see if I’ve delivered his orders or not. Unfortunately for me, I did fail him. Again. In a row.
And I would rather he say how disappointed he is, but he just stood there for not even ten seconds. When I hurriedly stepped out of the car, readying a statement I’ve already over-rehearsed in my head in the span of the whole car ride, he only waited to confirm with his narrowing eyes, and when no one else’s came out, he but only arched both his brows up at me before completely leaving. I wanted to scream and die on the spot. It’s as if he expected that I would eventually fail from the very beginning. His gaze was brief but very sharp looking and judgemental. It might’ve been just me, but the look on his face was deciphered as: ‘This is the woman that I’ve raised? How unsightly.’
He’s mad- more than mad to the point that he is pitying my very existence as a human being.
Chewing unto my lips, I swung my bag over my shoulders and went ahead to trail inside the mansion. As usual, a couple of maids greeted me. “Thank you.” I murmured quietly as my eyes searched for my grandparents, but nothing meets my eyes but a vast space decorated to perfection- its usual direction of a sophisticated reception.
I let out a small puff of air. Kinsey’s apartment was much smaller, but it sure feels more like home now that I’m seeing this.
Was there an option for me to stay?
No. No, I cannot do that. I couldn’t throw my life like that. I may be going down, but at least I am going down while fighting.
My feet walked me up to the familiar polished staircase all the way to my newly prepped room. The bedsheets and curtains were changed. As well as the flowers on my study seem to be freshly picked as well. They were truly anticipating my return. It’s sad to say that good news is not what I brought with me coming home.
A knock on the door was given to life, ending my trance in just a snap. “Miss.”
“Yes?”
“Your food is already prepared. Should I send them up here instead?” The maid on my doorstep asked already, seeming I have forgotten to close my door earlier.
“No. It’s okay. I’ll head downstairs in a bit. Did uhmm… Did my grandfather leave already?” I couldn’t help but then question as soon as I responded to her answer.
“I am not quite exactly sure, miss.” She replied.
Well, I was not surprised. That’s only to be expected in this large household of ours. Isolation is best achieved here.
“I see. Thank you. You could go now.”
She had left without second thoughts. I then wondered if I stayed longer in that small town… Would I eventually befriend Emily? For some reason, I feel more comfortable around her. Besides, she did help me this one time too… she’s someone I could rely on.
I shook my head, grabbed my phone, and strolled down the stairs. I am a Locke, there’s no time for me to be friends with anyone. Especially not those that won’t give benefit to the company name.
Kinsey, I’ve arrived home. I hope you immediately returned to resting. Everyone is looking for you, but I could handle them well.
I stopped at the fifth step of the stairs before looking up. Internal groan took over my headspace before burying my gaze back to my phone screen to hit backspace repeatedly until I see the clean white text box.
Arrived.
I quickly closed my phone as soon as I pressed the send button. To shake the feeling away of the cringeness, I moved as fast as I could to the dining.
No one was expecting me there as usual, but more than a couple of plates of dishes were presented to be devoured. Colorful and appetizing vibrant meals welcomed me as I sat down. It was enough to make me remember the mental note I made for myself about Austin, the little boy from the park. The mental note wherein I ought to make him taste dishes that I eat at home so he would appreciate different cuisines more.
“Hmmm… Those people. They may have had impacted me more than I expected.” Especially since I’m being reminded by them with a little bit tad of this and that.
I’ve expected this meal if not a quiet one, a tense one full of scolding. I was not sure which one I preferred, but I am guessing it’s not the quiet one since I could not shed tears to mourn for my own disappointments.
…
Dinner was through. Preparing myself to bed was through. No message from Kinsey. Wanting the soil to eat me alive. All of those were checked in my list, and I could only dread for the next day to come. My eyes roam around the familiar room, and it pains me to think that I am in no position to do my every routine since today.
My grandparents didn’t talk nor simply acknowledged my arrival. For the first time in years, I’ve felt the true heaviness of what it seems like to not have a warm family. At least in that small town, I have Kinsey and his small welcoming committee which only includes himself. It was brief, but the feelings linger. It was not much, but that’s the only memory that I have that’s warm and cozy.
…
“The miss is still sleeping, Mr. Kinsey.”
“Do you think I care? Open the door this instance.”
“But-”
“One more excuse from you, and you will be out in the streets without a job.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I would open it right away.”
“As you should, the first time I’ve asked.”
In a not-so-deep slumber was I with only a couple of noises from the background resurfaced through me, but I paid them no mind. I was too busy overthinking way too late last night that an extra couple of minutes for sleeping would surely help me navigate the rest of the day.
I was so sick comparing my whole existence to my two-day life in that small town.
“Cecilia… So it was indeed true that you’ve turned into mischief.”
That voice alone, that mockery, and the smell of sophistication- it couldn’t be.
I threw myself up even if I was not even half-awake yet. I’m probably dreaming, but at least in my dreams, I will meet him again.
I run a hand through my hair and let out a small yawn. I proceeded to rub the corner of my eyes as I shifted to look over at the man in front of me. Wearing a suit and tie, how manly he looks with his perfect quiff hair and polished black shoes.
“Alexander” I murmured sheepishly.
He raised a brow at me before clearing his throat.
I tensed a little before looking around to see the maid by the doorframe. She was looking at me apologetically. It’s not like I would scold her. This is simply a dream after all.
“I-uhm… I meant, Mr. Kinsey. What’s on the agenda today for you to grace my bedroom so early in the morning?” I asked, pushing my hair off of my shoulder while sitting up straight to look the most presentable I could be right now.
His frown only deepened.
“It’s half past 1 in the afternoon already, Cecilia. Have you lost your mind?” He asked, but I could almost assure anyone that he was not expecting an answer from me. I could only swallow the lump in my throat. Even in this setting, he is stern as a rock. I do not wish to see him like this- not after I pulled out a repeated failure of defeat.
“A-anyway, I need to return to my slumber. Nice seeing you and all that.” I said with a shrug. “I need to return to my reality for this is turning into a complete nightmare.” I whispered the last part to myself. I shut my eyes close after snuggling back to my mattress.
“Return to your slumber? You would have nothing to return to if you lay down for another second there.” Alexander replied with the most annoyance in his voice. “What did my good of a brother fill you in there?” He asked rhetorically yet again. “I couldn’t believe you let a wanna-be take over your position… If you have so much time sleeping in, then you’d rather think of a solution on how to fix this. I’ll talk to your grandfather for now to pacify the issue. You and Pierre should better grow up. You’re not kids anymore.”
I kept my eyes shut and waited for him to leave with my door closing in after him. I curl myself into a ball, looking over my now reddish arm. I’ve been pinching at it so hard now, not wanting to hear those words coming from him. And that’s when I realized that this was no dream. No matter how I bit my tongue or hurt myself, I wasn’t transported back to reality for this is mine.
I groaned and threw a pillow in a random direction. I promised to be on equal footing with him the last time that I saw him, but why would he have to face me now, and better yet save my ass. He is rubbing it on me, and I hate it. Pacify the issue? If I not know better, he would just build me up just to shut me back down. That’s Alexander Kinsey for you.
After a minute or so, that’s when I was forced to stand up. It was the time when my grandfather had called out for me. I am not expecting redemption. The least I could ask for is their acknowledgment of the matter, and it seems like I would get it after Alexander’s statement to them.
…
I made my way to the garden where my grandparents are having their snacks. I first took a breather before fully approaching them. “You called?” I started with all of the uncertainty with my body.
“You kept disappointing us. If your father is here, you would receive a spanking.” My grandfather said without even daring to look at me. I sweatdropped. I’m already old enough for that, I thought. But I decided to keep my mouth shut just in case. I do not wish to add fuel to the flame.
“I wouldn’t really have a say if he doesn’t want to go home just yet.” I said.
“You are supposed to be his wife. Of course, you have.”
“He’s not ready to be my husband yet. He has other things to prioritiz-” I tried reasoning out, but it seems to him that it’s all just a bunch of excuses.
“And you let him? He should be here and learning the ropes of the business. He might not handle their family corporation as a whole, but his brother is willing to give him a high position. Let alone the fact that he would be marrying you, the one to inherit our company.” My grandfather said angrily.
I feel so frustrated. How am I supposed to inherit the business when he kicked me out from my post already? I could’ve proven myself if he let me handle the aftermath too. I could’ve fixed it, but instead, he deported me into a small town and forced my unofficial fiancee back here.
“You two aren’t thinking. Kids these days. We feed you, clothe you, educate you, and this is how you pay us!” My grandfather kept on ranting as I stood there out of humiliation. I am only thankful that Alexander is nowhere here to see this.
“Deary.” My grandmother spoke for the first time, her voice a little bit shaky and inaudible.
I saw how my grandfather’s face soften as he placed his hand over her bony ones.
“Cut some slack off to our grandchild… Let’s just do what Alexander suggested, and it will all be over…” She could barely roll off the words from her tongue.
I furrowed my brows. Suddenly, I was more than nervous for my own comfort. With my hands grabbing the side of my dress, I eyed the couple as if they’re finally coming into terms of the agreement even with just looking at each other.
“Yes, my love. I think it is time for Scarlette… “ He trailed off before they faced me with deadpanned expression with all finality. If it’s Alexander who suggested it, then that only meant that I could not rebuttal this more or less. Dreading the words that would come off of my grandfather’s mouth, someone decided to disturb the conversation that would only make my stomach flip upside-down.
