XII. Please stop staring…

Chapter 12

"What are you guys doing here?" Augustus asked, his arms crossed. Handsome as ever.

Augustus is eyeing Leo's hand that is wrapped around my wrist. His brow immediately rosed. I swear I saw a hint of confusion in his face.

I immediately shook my wrist away from Leo and stammered, "N-none of your business, you lousy cockroach,"

Oops, why did I just said that?

"We decided to get some fresh air," Leo answered, his arms crossed. The soldier side of him showing.

"C'mon, Leo, don't sell me a dog," replied his friend who is now smirking.

Don't sell me a dog? What does he mean by that? To tell you the truth, I am no good when it comes to Victorian idioms or slangs.

"My dear friend, I am not lying to you," exclaimed Leo but Augustus continued to stared deadly at him.

Oh, so the phrase "Don't sell me a dog," means "Don't lie to me," how odd...

Augustus just raised his brow, "I heard the hostess isn't really fond of your absence, Miss Wright," he said as he now diverted his eyes towards the Bennett's housemaid.

I found myself really glad he decided not to dig deeper into my choice of words.

"I just can't stand being with that conceited guy," I replied, rolling my eyes heavenwards which earned me a soft chuckle from my employer.

"You really are something, Miss Wright," Augustus stated, shaking his head. His hands inside his pockets.

"I hope that's a compliment, Mr. Bennett," I said, shrugging.

Found myself just wanting to go head straight to the maid's chamber and sleep. That's what I hate about myself, always tired in terms of social gatherings.

"We better head inside, i'm sure my cousin's wife wouldn't like the idea of you being alone with two bachelors," Augustus stated as he extend his hand to me, ready to escort me inside Raymond Guevarra's manor.

"Unless if one of the bachelors is no other than Raymond Guevarra," I jokingly replied and to be honest, I am expecting them to kinda you know, laugh but no, their face is unreadable.

It's either they didn't get the joke or totally didn't like the idea of it. Nevertheless, Leo faked another cough, his hands still inside his pockets while Augustus' hand is still extended. Waiting for me to accept it.

And since they didn't laugh at my joke which totally just humiliated me, I scan the two of them and rolled my eyes heavenwards as I marched inside all by myself.

I was few meters away from them when suddenly, Augustus is now by my side, his arm is slightly brushing my right arm. Great, he sure has really long legs.

I turn to look at our back and sAw Leo silently following us. His eyes on the ground until he look up and met my gaze for like three seconds.

I was the one to broke the gaze, I don't want him to remember me wearing my undergarments that's why I need to stay away from him for a while or for like forever.

I diverted my attention in front of us, enjoying the beautiful glimmering lights and the constant sound of laughter and music that somehow soothes my feelings.

That makes me wonder...what year is it? The last time I check, electricity isn't available in the UK until the year 1882. Which only proves that Raymond's family sure is loaded because only rich people can afford electricity back then.

"This party is nothing compared to my father's," Augustus stated beside me.

Speaking of his father, I need to get tons of informations about Douglas Bennett in order for me to know why am I here in the first place. I need to know Douglas Bennett's weaknesses for me to get out of this era.

"A-about your father, I mean, Mr. Bennett, when is he coming again?" I asked, hoping not too sound so desperate.

"Oh, I think he'll be coming home within this week," Augustus answered, there's a hint of excitement and nervousness in his voice.

Don't tell me he misses his father but at the same, he doesn't want to see him for Douglas Bennett is a man with iron fists.

"Hmmm, what's his job again?" I asked, hoping that the answer i'll get will somehow lead me in unraveling why I need to kill him.

Perhaps Mr. Douglas Bennett is a known mafia boss or whatsoever and that's why I need to cut his throat.

"You mean, you don't know Father's occupation? All this time, I thought all the staffs in the Bennett household knows our family's business," Augustus exclaimed, looking at me weirdly as if i'm joking.

He then stopped walking which made me mimicked him as well. So do Leo, I noticed. Not that i'm paying attention to him. Ugh.

"I just happened to be forgetful sometimes," I replied as I let out a forced chuckle.

"And wait, your family's business is not something you know, illegal, right?" I asked, wishing he will not get offended.

As soon as I said that, Augustus' eyes immediately widened as I heard a cough behind me. Absolutely sure it's from the awkward soldier who just saw me in my undergarments.

"Of course not, Ms. Wright. Why in God's name would that even cross your mind? My family's business is book manufacturing. We publish novels or whatever you want to call it," Augustus answered as he shake off whatever is in his delicately-made white tuxedo.

Oh, so, nothing illegal, huh but wait, are you telling me Bennett's business has something to do with books? That the guy I'm supposed to kill is a bibliophile?

Also, this only means they get to meet famous authors. Not just famous but legendary...

Numerous Victorian authors kept popping out in my head now.

"How I wish you can read so that i'll show you all the books we got back home, not that I fancy reading." Augustus added that made my eyes widened.

Wait, what? Did he just said he wish I can read?

Excuse me?! I find that really insulting. What made him think I am illiterate? But then again, I remember that I belong in a poor family here in this era. That I am just a plain housemaid with no knowledge on how to read and write.

I just kept my head low.

"Besides, the books we have back home are nothing special although Leo find them really fascinating. He's the only one who reads them," Augustus said, shrugging as he turn to look at his friend for a second.

Leo just playfully wiggled his brow but said nothing.

That's it. As soon as we head home, I am gonna find this library. I just can't wait to read books. I want to experience touching 1st edition novels written by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens or any victorian authors.

Also, I just realized that unlike Leo, Augustus is definitely not a man who fancies the idea of books. Is he more on sports or whatever thing victorian men are gushing about nowadays?

"If you ask me, I'll rather practice my archery and shooting skills than read a boring book. Not that I need to since I really am good at it," confirmed, this man truly is conceited.

"Speaking of archery and shooting,do you want to learn how to, Miss Wright? C'mon, a dashing one-shot archer like me will be the one to teach you," Augustus asked, grinning.

"I'm afraid I have to decline, Augustus." I answered which made him frown but still, I can see amusement in his eyes.

"I seriously like how my name sounds when you say it with that captivating lips of yours, my mermaid," Augustus suddenly blurted out which I have to honest, made me blush hard.

I heard Augustus chuckled, perhaps because of my reaction while Leo released another faked cough then smoothens his black tuxedo.

"I seriously don't mind being informal when I'm with you. You can call me by my first name or you can call me whatever you want. It's my honor," Augustus added which made me raise my brow and said, "Excuse me, you douchebag. Your name tastes sour to me and for your information, before you jump into conclusions, I just want to get this straight, I don't want you to teach me how to shoot for I cannot stand being with you,"

To be honest, I knew I went a little far this time that's why I am expecting a gasp from Leo and a hard slap from my employee but no, Leo remained expressionless. No, screw that, I can see a hint of jealousy in his eyes if I'm correct which makes me wonder why? Is he jealous because his stupid friend wants to teach me archery? Don't tell me he's gay and has a special feeling for Augustus. Not that I have any issues with gay. I just can't simply imagine Leo being gay.

Anyways, there's a hint of jealousy in Leo's eyes while Augustus, Augustus who should've been really angry just released a laugh and said, "Don't worry, sooner or later, you'll fall into my lovely trap,"

I just rolled my eyes and stopped myself from pulling his hair and ears hard.

"If you don't mind me asking, what's your occupation, by the way?" I said, raising my brow as a young woman came to pass us by, her brow raised at me but in just one snap, her face turns sweet the moment she laid her eyes on the two victorian men.

"Nice to see you here, gentlemen," she exclaimed as she covers half her face with her enormous orange fan. Her bright orange fan is a sore in the eyes.

So this is how victorian ladies flirt. How safe yet boring. I think I belong here after all.

Augustus then tipped his head at her while Leo remained still, his eyes focused on the ground, as if his shoes is far more interesting than the woman who just arrived.

"Do you want to drink some wine, Mr. Bennett and Officer Finley?" the woman asked. The pitch of her voice is irritatingly high. I think she's trying her best to look cute or desirable.

"And you are?" she witch asked the moment her eyes landed on me.

"Her name's Clementine Wright, Mrs. Salvador," Leo suddenly answered. There's a hint of authority in his voice but the woman didn't seem to notice that for she said, "Oh, so she's the housemaid that Mrs. Bennett has brought. Oh my, oh my,"

I almost fainted due to humiliation to what she just said. This is why I hate social gatherings. I hate getting myself humiliated in front of everyone.

"How'd you know that?" Augustus asked, his brows meeting.

"Raymond Guevarra kept talking about this said housemaid the whole evening. Saying that she's the most stunning woman he ever saw," Mrs. Salvador answered, a smirk playing in her lips.

I just kept my eyes on the ground. Please let this come to an end.

"Now that i'll think about it, sure, you're beautiful but that doesn't erase the fact that you're a plain housemaid, my dear," she said as she let out a devilish chuckle.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Salvador, are you now finish releasing all your insecurities?" Leo suddenly blurted out, his tone is very much annoyed. His brows meeting and his lips in a straight line.

His reply made Mrs. Salvador's jaw dropped as well as mine for I just can't believe what he's saying right now. Augustus meanwhile is just standing by our side, arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

I just want to know why Leo's saying this kind of things to a woman. I mean, he's a well-respected soldier but he's willing to risk his reputation. Why?

Is this how he say sorry for entering his cousin's room without any permission and seeing me in my undergarments?

"By the way, Mrs. Salvador, I think I just saw your dear husband kissing one of the Guevarra's housemaid in the bathroom," Leo added which made it more awkward yet intense.

Mrs. Salvador's face then twisted to humiliation and horror. She quickly turned her back at us then ran inside the house.

"Have a nice night, Mrs. Salvador." Leo called-out, waving his hand, a smile playing in his lips.

After that, there's a long pause with the three of us.

"What was that all about, Leo?" Augustus exclaimed, breaking the ice. Anger can be seen in Augustus's face but Leo still play it cool. His face now unreadable.

"Nothing," Leo answered, his hands inside his pockets as he shrugged.

"What do you mean nothing? You just embarrassed Mrs. Salvador, my father's business partner's wife." Augustus roared out.

"She's the one who started it, Augustus. She humiliated Miss Wright. And will you relax, she won't tell her husband about this for I know she knew that I know about her infidelity," Leo replied.

I still kept my eyes on the ground. I am utterly lost for any words.

"Just make sure this doesn't affect my family's business, Leo. You know how important that is to me," Augustus stated, anger can still be seen in his face.

I can tell Leo is about to say something when the three of us heard Judy walking towards us, her right hand holding her enormous yellow fan while her left hand holding up her skirt as if the mud will get into her ballgown. Is this how victorian ladies usually walk?

"I've been looking all over for you, Clementine. Raymond kept nagging me all about you and is eager to have a dance with you," she said as soon as she's now in front of us.

Her brows immediately met when she realized that I was alone with two men. I'm sure she'll lecture me about it later. Saying that it's really inappropriate.

Sigh. Just like Grandpa and Miss Dolores.

I'm thankful Judy decided not to press about it for she just grabbed my wrist and began walking towards the house.

She kept telling me about Raymond being a great dancer and being a perfect match for me.

Am perfectly aware of the two men following us. I can feel their gaze behind my back as if watching every move I make.

Perhaps they're anticipating if i'll embarrass myself more. Hope I'll disappoint them this time.

"I don't fancy the fella, Judy," I blurted out which made Judy look at me with her eyes wide, not believing what she just heard.

"Well, you will be by the time you dance with him. Raymond is a fine fella, I tell you," she insisted after what I just said.

I was about to tell her that Raymond is a complete psychopath who just want to get into my pants, more like my petticoat when suddenly, a manly figure appeared in front of me, his hand extending.

Speaking of the devil. To be honest, it seems unfair calling him devil for he seriously do look handsome as hell but still, considering his recent behavior, we'll stick with devil.

"Shall I have this dance, Miss Wright?" Raymond asked, a wide grin spread in his handsome face.

I diverted my eyes elsewhere and found Augustus and Leo in the corner, drinking wine, talking to each other but I swear I saw Leo look at me with an unreadable expression. I decided to break the gaze and there I found Judy smiling creepily at me.

"A woman by all means should accept an invitation," she said, playfully winking.

To be honest, all I want is to go home, I mean back to the Bennett's manor and read a book or sleep but since Judy is a great friend of mine ever since she arrived, I should probably be good to her.

That's why even though I badly want to punch Raymond or to simply refuse his dance offer, I forced myself to give Raymond a slight smile and said, "it would be my pleasure to do so, Mr. Guava,"

"Mr. Guevarra, Miss Wright." Raymond alarmingly stated before leading me in the middle of the room to dance waltz.

Thank God Grandpa insisted on teaching me how to learn waltz when I was around 10 years old.

I feel so awkward standing here in the middle of the room with dozens of victorian people silently judging me in their minds. The guests are now circling us, glasses by their hands and their brows raised.

I can still feel Augustus and Leo's stares behind my back. This is the part what they've been waiting for. The part where Clementine Wright get to humiliate herself in front of everyone.

I'm just so thankful that I really don't live in this era or else i'll just spend the rest of my life locked up in a cave.

Raymond then turned to look at the musicians in the corner and gave them a nod. A different music then began playing.

Raymond's hand immediately met my back as soon as the music began. Almost touching my butt which made me released a groan and pushed his hand higher.

Raymond then gave me a playful smile as a reply. He truly doesn't respect me.

As we dance, he kept telling me all about the adventures that he had. How people treat him like he's next in the throne. Like he's related to Queen Victoria herself. How the natives polished his already-shined boots. All I can reply to his stories is a nod.

Tell you the truth, God knows how many times I wanted to purposely stepped on his shoes as we dance. Part of me is wishing that I should have not learn waltz so that I can step on his shoes without my conscience bothering me.

As soon as the song ends, I quickly removed his hand around me and my hands on him and said, "Thank you for the dance and for your wonderful stories, Mr. Guevarra."

Raymond's face immediately lit up for I just said his last name perfectly.

"Want to head upstairs for a quick drink, Miss Wright?" he asked, grinning like a dog.

I was about to refused him even though he'll be super persistent about it when the handsome angel-in-disguise came.

"I believe Miss Wright told me she'll dance with me tonight," said the newcomer which made Raymond frown.

"Perhaps after we head upstairs," replied Raymond, his brow meeting.

I turn to look around me and saw the guests are now dancing to the new song. Judy has her hands around her husband's neck while Jacob has his hands around her waist. Jacob leaned towards Judy's ear to whisper something which made Judy blushed hard. Something naughty, I bet.

In the corner stood Mrs. Salvador giving me a death glare. I decided to just keep my eyes on the two Victorian men by my side.

To my surprise, Raymond let out a loud groan and slowly walked away from us and sat in the corner with his arms crossed. I cannot help myself from laughing at the sight of him.

"Thanks for rescuing me from that psycho," I uttered, shrugging.

"My pleasure, Miss Wright and besides, I figured you're getting tired of hearing his stories. Now, shall we dance?" he said, extending his hand at me.

I raised my brow at my employer and said, "You serious about this?"

Augustus let out a soft chuckle, "Yes, I am serious, Miss Wright and don't forced me to use my position as being your employer just so you'll agree to dance with me,"

I rolled my eyes heavenwards, "Sound to me that I have no choice but to dance with the most conceited man i've ever met," I said as I slowly positioned my hand left hand on his arm.

Augustus just let out a soft chuckle at what I said.

At the corner of my eye, I saw Judy still laughing with her husband. Raymond who has his arms crossed and is frowning and Leo sipping a wine alone as he stared at us. For an unknown reason, there's a hint of jealousy and anger in his face.

To be fair, my dance with Augustus went on smoothly. Despite the fact that he's conceited, I didn't had the urge to kick him where it hurts the most or to stepped on his shoes.

"To answer your question back in the garden and to make you sleep peacefully at night, I basically have no job as of the moment because since i'm the heir of the Bennett family, I don't need to earn a living since all my father's fortunes will all be mine." he spoke as we sway.

I turned my face towards him and look directly to his blue eyes that I always found so captivating and said, "So you're telling me you're basically unemployed,"

I felt his grip tightened my waist when I said that, "I-it sounds so bad when you say it like that,"

He then let out a soft chuckle. "I'm not like Leo whose dream to become a soldier came true. All I ever wanted to be is to become a doctor," he solemnly blurted out. Now staring in my eyes which made me a bit awkward.

"I just can't believe i'm dancing with my employer who actually turns out to be unemployed," I jokingly said which made Augustus laughed.

"Like I said, all I need to do is to wait for me to inherit all my father's fortunes," he replied, grinning.

"If that makes you sleep peacefully at night then fine," I stated, rolling my eyes heavenwards.

Then that caught me off-guard, Augustus will inherit Douglas Bennett's fortunes sooner than he expected for I am about to kill his father. That is if I succeeded.

Suddenly, I feel so bad just seeing myself dancing with Augustus. The son of the man whom I need to murder.

"Where'd you learn how to dance so gracefully, by the way? This just seems odd to me," Augustus stated, his grip around me getting hard.

Oops, I almost forgot. Slaves like me don't have the time to learn how to dance waltz.

What excuse am I gonna give him this time?

"W-well, I used to w-watch my previous employer dance with h-his mistress and somehow, by s-simply watching them, I managed to learn how to you know, d-dance," I answered as I diverted my eyes elsewhere.

And that "elsewhere" is Leo's position whom I found is still staring at us. His brow meeting and his face unreadable. A half-full glass in his hands.

Can he please stop staring at us? It just makes me sweat hard. I don't like it when people stare at me.

Our ride home was really peaceful except from Augustus' constant chitchats. After our dance, Judy immediately snatched my hand away from Augustus and lead me towards Raymond's table. Due to that, I was forced to once again listen to his exaggerated and boastful stories.

But no kidding, he kept inviting me to go upstairs to see his...golds. Nope, not interested.

Augustus meanwhile decided to head towards Leo and spend the rest of the party with him drinking whatever liquid victorian men usually drink in parties. Drinks that made them really drunk. Scratch that, what I meant is, drinks that made Augustus drunk for Leo seems to have high alcohol-tolerance.

On our ride home, Jacob chose to only ride one carriage for all of us. He said we need to fit inside since the driver of the other carriage seems to forgot his job as a driver and got wasted.

That's why we barely can breath inside the carriage. We're all squeezed in together.

Judy is seated between me and Jacob. Judy seems to be really tired from the party for she just rested her head in her husband's shoulder and closed her eyes. Jacob's hand around Judy's waist.

In front of me is Leo and the very drunk Augustus who kept talking about pursuing his dream as a doctor and being afraid that he'll ruin his father's business because in the first place, he doesn't know a thing about books. He sure is drunk.

"I can cure cancer, ya know," Augustus stated, drunk. His friend soldier just replied a short nod to him.

"A doctor like me can bring back the dead and control them to bury themselves," he added as he released a loud laugh that somehow made Judy open her eyes for a moment.

Sometimes, he'll just laugh all of a sudden and proceed in asking himself if he should pursue his dream as a doctor.

All four of us remained quiet. Just waiting for us to returned to the Bennett's manor.

Judy is now fast asleep, her snores can be heard inside the carriage despite the noise of the horses' groves. Jacob remained quiet as he held his wife, watching how wild his cousin is.

Leo meanwhile remained quiet as well. Due to how tall he is and how squeezed we all are inside the carriage, his knees are now touching my knees.

Goodness gracious, I seriously want to stretch my legs right now.

But I swear, I saw Leo looking at me with an unreadable expression during the trip. His gaze alternates between his drunk friend and me. I wonder what he's thinking about.

Good heavens, don't tell me he's thinking about what he just saw back there in Judy's room. Me wearing my undergarments only. I decided not to talk much about it for I am afraid it'll become more awkward.

My face turned red at that thought, I bit my lip due to frustration.

"Don't bite your lips or else it'll bleed," Leo suddenly said which made me look at him in the eyes.

Don't tell me he's staring at me once again as I foolishly bit my lips due to frustration.

I was about to say something when Augustus came to the picture and exclaimed, "M-my one and o-only friend here is r-right, you should not bit your lips or else you'll die. I should know it because 'em a doctor. A pretty doc-tor."

My brows immediately met and began having the urge to laugh really hard due to Augustus' choice of words. He really is intoxicated.

"I said bleed, not die, Augustus, don't be too dramatic," Leo said, shaking his head. A slight smile in his face.

"Y-you telling me y-you know more than a doctor like me? Ha?" Augustus stammered, his face red.

I continued to shook my head at how wasted Augustus is.

I just kept my eyes outside, hoping we'll soon see the familiar Bennett's manor so that I can devour the feeling of laying to bed and sleeping.

Still feeling Leo's endless stares at me. He really is awkward.

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