XIV. Douglas Bennet

Chapter 14

"Where is that stupid girl?" was the first thing I heard in the morning followed by a loud footsteps.

I cannot help myself from wincing from the sound of the very loud footsteps. As if the house is gonna fall apart any minute now.

My eyes are still closed, my body aching from the very uncomfortable bed and also because of what happened yesterday.

But my eyes automatically opened when I heard the click of the doorknob, the door flew open and there stood a man whom I don't recognize.

The man was old yet masculine, wearing a very fancy traveling black clothes.

His brows meeting which perfectly showed his wrinkles, lips into a thin line, and his fist by his side. I've never seen a man so angry.

I've never imagined Douglas Bennett can be this angry. Heck, I didn't even imagine that a book manufacturer, a lover of the book can be this angry.

Right from that moment, I knew who he is. Based on the very expensive clothes, overpowering authority just by the way he stands and spoke, and lastly, his features are the same with his son.

Before I have time to react, Mister Douglas Bennett came rushing towards me and gripped my shoulders hard. Really hard. Then shook me.

"Stupid people like you have no place in my household," he exclaimed, his voice is enough to scare the hell out of me.

"Do you realize what you've done, you empty-headed maid," he added, his hands still gripping my shoulders hard and shaking it.

I can seriously feel his fingers digging into my skin. I let out a cry from pain.

"I-i apologize, sir. I'll p-pay for it." I stuttered. I then bit my lips and once again, look at my lap.

"You think a dirt like you can actually pay for the vase you've broken? Wow, you're stupider than I thought you are, girl," he said as he let out a loud laugh. The thing is, I am absolutely sure it is not a happy laugh, but an angry laugh.

The man then grabbed my face, giving me deadly stares. His fingers are now burning around my throat.

"Look at me when I speak to you or else I'll let you rot in the asylum," he uttered. His hand still wrapped around my throat.

I can now feel my tears flowing down. I have never been afraid whole my life. As if his next move is to command his maid to fetch a knife and stabbed me in the eyeballs.

"Do you realize what you've done? That vase is irreplaceable, you worthless maid," said the person that I need to murder.

"P-please," I choked.

I can tell Mister Douglas Bennett was about to say something harsh but then, someone entered the room.

It was no other than Miss Dolores who I did not see for days with her arms crossed. Looking so authoritative. Her brow raising.

With that, I don't know whether to feel safe or not. If she'll rescue me from the very violent Mister Douglas or she and my brutal employer will join forces to kill me judging from the way she looks at me right now.

Miss Dolores bowed her head to the guy who I need to murder but Mister Bennett just raised his right brow at her.

As if her sudden arrival doesn't matter.

"The warm bath is now ready, Sir," Miss Dolores butted in, her hands behind her back.

But Mister Douglas barely gave her a glance, his eyes still eyeing me angrily.

"Who in the right mind let this dumb maid set her foot in this house? Tell me, Dolores or else i'll fire you," roared Mister Douglas.

"I apologize for that, Sir," was the only thing Miss Dolores can reply which earned a groan from her employer.

"You're making me regret putting you in that position. I should've chose Jones," complained Mister Douglas, his hand still around my throat.

That statement made Miss Dolores look at the ground, bit her lips but before bowing, our eyes did met and I can see "sorrow" in her eyes.

"This house is not a playground you can play around, you airhead. What a very stupid person you are, indeed to the point a simple cleaning cannot be done properly," exclaimed Mister Bennet, still staring intently at me.

All I can reply is cry as I closed my eyes hard. My shoulders are shaking due to how hard I am sobbing.

I feel so hopeless because I just met the man who I need to murder in order for me to escape this era yet I cannot even manage look at him straight in the eyes without the hairs at the back of my head raising. Yet, you're expecting me to kill this guy?

I guess I will forever be stuck here in this stupid era. Here in the year 1888.

Suddenly, I seriously did thought he was gonna leave for he let go of my throat but no, his hands ran towards my hair and pulled it really, really hard to the point I think will scalp will bleed.

He violently threw me to the floor which made me sob more. Hitting the cold ground with my thin clothes perfect for sleeping is a nightmare.

I winced from pain because my knees and arms just hit really, really hard.

In the corner of my eye, I saw how frightened Miss Dolores is as well. She kept biting her lips due to frustration and panic.

Perhaps that's why she ran beside our employer and faced him.

"S-sir, the warm bath is getting cold by now," she stuttered. Her hands shaking as she alternates her gaze between me and Mister Douglas.

Due to what the housekeeper just said, Mister Douglas' brows once again met as he released a terrifying laugh and said, "I don't give a damn about the water."

"B-but Sir-" insisted Miss Dolores, a hint of desperation in her voice.

"If you don't shut your mouth right now, Dolores, I will seriously let you sleep with the lions tonight," said Mister Douglas, starting to get frustrated over the housekeeper.

Mister Douglas then gave me another deadly stare, his brows still meeting, I can tell he was about to kick me in the stomach or spit unto me when the very persistent Miss Dolores once again decided to speak.

"I'll be the one to deal with her, Sir. The water is getting cold," insisted Miss Dolores. Her voice pleading.

Her employer automatically looks at her angrily and said, "I swear to God, Dolores."

And with that, Miss Dolores slowly back away. Her hands clasped to each other, her head low.

I can tell Mister Douglas was about to say something when the door flew open once again and there stood his son with the soldier.

Augustus and Leo's eyes automatically widened at the sight of me. I must've looked really pathetic based on their reaction. Great. Good morning to me, indeed.

It was Augustus who first spoke, "What happened here, Father?" his eyes still wide.

"None of your business," hollered his father, still angry despite the arrival of his son.

"And you, my good-for-nothing son, how can you let this stupid girl touch my vase?" Mister Douglas blurted out, his forefinger alternating between me and Augustus who now has his eyes on the ground.

"And don't you dare tell me it's just a vase because it is not. You should've known better," Mister Douglas uttered before his son can reply. Augustus just bit his lips in reply.

"Why? Don't tell me all you did in the last few months that I was away was what do you call it? 'Live life to the fullest'? How pathetic are you, Augustus," exclaimed Mister Douglas, his face getting red due to anger.

"But what can I expect? Like mother like son," he added as he released a sarcastic laugh which made Augustus shot his head up and say, "Don't talk about Mother like that, Father,"

"Oh, how fascinating that my good-for-nothing-son can now talk back, huh," Mister Douglas replied, a hint of mockery in his voice but I can see a faint of surprise in his face.

"I said, don't you talk about Mother like that," screamed Augustus, his fingers curled by his side as he gave his father a demonic stares.

Mister Douglas was about to say something really, really harsh towards his son when Leo let out a faked cough which caught our attention.

I don't know whether to be relieved or be annoyed. Relieved because Leo just stopped the war between Augustus and his father and annoyed because now, there's a high tendency that Mister Douglas' attention will returned to me.

The man who I am supposed to kill just raised his brow at his son's friend and say, "Yes, Officer Finley?" a hint of mockery in his voice.

"May I know why you took advantage of your position to mistreat a mere girl?" asked Leo which made all our eyes' widened.

Augustus raised his eyes from the ground and gaze at Leo with an unreadable expression.

After a second, Mister Douglas slowly paced around the room and said, "May I know why you took advantage of your position to speak to me like that, Officer Finley?" giving emphasis on the word 'Officer' but there's a huge touch of mockery in his voice.

"Excuse me, Sir, I may be in your manor right now but that doesn't mean I can tolerate actions like this," replied Leo, hands inside his pockets.

"And all for a what, a single vase?" he added as he let out a chuckle which made Mister Douglas angrier. He once again clenched his hands as if any minute now, his fist will kiss Leo's handsome face.

"That vase is absolutely worth more than your lifetime salary, Officer Finley," uttered Mister Douglas as he flashed a devilish smirk but his comeback failed to affect Leo.

"That still doesn't give you the right to act like a child having tantrums, Sir," said Leo, emphasizing the last word.

"Oh, acting all hero now, huh. The last time I checked, your whole family died because of you, Officer Finley," exclaimed Mister Douglas, his arms crossed as if he just won the feud.

His last sentence made me stop. What?

I can tell Augustus was shocked as well for his jaw is dropped although Miss Dolores kept his expression still. As if her employer's statement doesn't surprise her.

Leo meanwhile remained still. Clenched hands in his side, fury eyes, lips in a thin line, his face red due to anger.

But Mister Douglas didn't gave any further attention for he once again faced me and I can tell he was about to kick me really, really hard. That I will serve as a punching bag to him, in order to release his anger and frustration.

All I can ever do is close my eyes and wait for the unbearable pain but surprisingly, I didn't meet that in the next five seconds.

When I opened my eyes, there stood Leo, his palms against Mister Douglas' chest.

"Stop whatever you're planning to do, Sir before I totally use what I learned in the military against your childish brutality," Leo blurted out, eyeing his best friend's father right in the eye with zero hesitations.

I thought Mister Douglas was about to say or do anything that will deepen their war but he slowly stepped back, still giving me and Leo a death glare.

"Murderer," whispered Mister Douglas in disgust.

Leo remained still but in the corner of my eye, I swear I saw him wince from what Mister Douglas just said.

"Oh, so what happened to our heroic Officer Finley here? Suddenly ashamed of your sin? why, oh, why?" mocked Mister Douglas followed by a devilish smirk.

"This would be the last time I'll warn you, Sir," replied Leo, I can now sense anger in his voice.

"Believe me, in just one snap, I can have the whole town know how their beloved Mister Douglas Bennett is the opposite of what they've thought he is,"

Leo added that shocked us all.

To be honest with you, when I first saw Leo, I never saw him as a type of person who will not hesitate in starting a feud. I mean, he was really awkward at that time. He can't even speak a single sentence without stuttering and without sweating so hard.

That is why I am beginning to view him as a different person. Someone who is more on the side of being a well-known soldier, not a well-known akward.

Mister Douglas made his way towards the door and hollered, "Let's go," to Augustus and Miss Dolores.

Augustus kept his gaze towards his friend, still avoiding my stare.

I noticed that ever since his fight with his father a while ago, he just can't bring himself to look at me.

"Tell that stupid maid, Dolores that I am not firing her for I want her to suffer under my hands," Mister Douglas added, not giving a single glance back at me.

"B-but Father," complained Augustus, frowning. A hint of worry in his eyes.

"I said let's go, you freeloader," hollered Mister Douglas once again. Angrier this time.

By that, all Augustus can do is stare at the ground, fists by his side and slowly follow his father outside.

But before leaving, Augustus' blue eyes met mine, humiliation is evident in his eyes, he even mouthed me the word "sorry" before following his violent father. I was the one who broke the gaze.

While Miss Dolores just gave me a sad smile which made me closed my eyes. I can still feel Mister Douglas' brutal hands in my hair, shoulder, and throat.

I even heard Mister Douglas yelled, "Let them both rot in hell," before the three of them finally left the room.

After the deafening sound of shutting the wooden door, Leo immediately lowered his body to face me. I am now between his legs. His hands are now resting on top of my shoulders.

To be fair, I was kinda surprised he didn't hesitate on touching me since I figured that he is a fan of this era's proper etiquettes.

I just let out a cry right after he smoothens my back and asked me if I was okay.

And since I am no plastic, I told him the truth. "I am not okay...I just want to go home," then sobbed.

Leo just continued rubbing my back as I sobbed. "Shhhhh, it's okay. Everything's fine now,"

Leo then let me cry in his arms since he's too tall for me to reach his shoulders. He continued smoothening my back then his other hand flew to my hair and began running his fingers through my hair which somehow brought comfort to me.

"I just want to go home. I didn't even want to be here in the first place," I cried out, shaking.

Not just in this era but also in this manor. I just want to be back in my pink old bedroom and to Grandpa and well, dream of the mysterious guy in my dream once again.

This place must've been one of the stages of hell and Mister Douglas is the devil himself.

"It's okay, Clementine," spoked Leo as he continued brushing my hair and rubbing my back.

He must've been really annoyed right now for his arm is now absolutely wet due to my tears.

Also, it is the first time he called me by my first name. Don't tell me he's starting to lose his formalities.

Also, I cannot help myself from growing really red for I just realized I still haven't thanked him for rescuing me. Not just for this morning but also yesterday at Missis Jones. The lady who acts like she owns the place.

"T-thanks by the way," I thanked Leo after I cried five minutes straight in his arms.

Leo just stared at me. His brow raised in confusion. Come on, stop being so humble.

"For what?" he asked. Suddenly, I can see a signboard on top of his head saying, "Be humble, sit down,"

"F-for you know, saving my ass," I answered, looking sideways and hoping my blush is not evident.

He didn't reply which made me look at him curiously and there he is again. The awkward side of him. His face turning red and sweating.

I was about to ask him what's wrong but then I realized I am the one who is wrong because of my stupid wrong choice of word.

'saving my ass'? What was that? How stupider can I get? How can I forget this is Victorian era in where being a meek is a must.

Anyways, I cleared my throat and said, "Saving me, I mean,"

Leo just awkwardly bit his lips and nod. Still looking sideways. I seriously don't know whether he's suppressing his laugh or what.

Oh great, here I am again. The number one source of entertainment in the household. The certified laughingstock.

After the very awkward moment, there was a long pause. My eyes gazing my lap as I play with my fingers. Leo now sitting beside me, his eyes are wandering around the room.

I wander what he's thinking right now, does he think this room needs remodeling? That this room doesn't pass his taste? Well, I can't blame him for I agree with him.

Leo then let out another faked cough which made me look at him curiously. Here he go with his habit of faking a cough again.

"Get dress," he uttered, his voice low but I can still manage to hear it for I am just beside him. Our arms touching.

I just raised my brow at him, curious. Don't tell me my fashion style doesn't pass his taste as well.

"First off, you're wearing a very thin sleeping wear. I can almost see what's underneath, not that I am looking in case you're wondering since judging by the way you look at me right now, I have a strong feeling you're gonna slap me any minute now," he exclaimed, shrugging as he extend his very long legs to the floor.

This made me look at myself which made my eyes widened and my cheeks turned red due to embarrassment. Oh, shoot.

This is the very reason why I hate Victorian sleeping wear. I mean sure, it shows less skin but what's the use of it when the fabric is almost see-through?

I can't believe Augustus, Leo, and the evil man who I need to murder named Douglas Bennett just saw me wearing this annoying thin sleeping wear. Ugh, so embarrassing.

Perhaps, all Miss Dolores ever wanna do a while ago is to slap me continuously because of what I am wearing.

I instantly covered my body with my hands and look sideways, hoping Leo won't notice my blush.

"Secondly, since you said you don't want to be here in the first place then lucky you, I'm taking you around the town," Leo added, his arms crossed.

He then rose from his seat and brushed whatever dust is in his usual dark tuxedo, his eyes are now in different directions.

Good to see that he's not taking advantage of this moment for him to catch a glimpse of my body.

Not that I am saying my body is worth drooling over but you get my point.

Before I have time to say something, to ask him why he's taking me out and where will we go, he is nowhere in sight.

I just let out a loud sigh as I slowly stood up. I cannot help myself from cringing at the pain due to my developing bruises at what Mister Douglas had brought.

Leo must've heard my grunt for he after a few seconds, he came back and assisted me. His eyes still not meeting mine.

After I can finally steady myself and before I have time to react, Leo hurriedly let go of me and exited the room which I cannot help but chuckle.

I walked towards the huge mirror plastered over the wall. My hair is like a bird's nest. Plus, my eyes are red due to how hard I just cried a while ago.

But while I searched for some decent clothes in my cabinet, I noticed the cloth that is wrapped around my wrists that bled yesterday.

I traced my fingertips to the cloth as I wonder where did this came from since I am perfectly sure Martha just rubbed an alcohol on my wrist yesterday.

----

Augustus immediately threw the closest thing to him by the time he closed the bedroom door.

He threw the lampshade to the wall, smashing it.

He then let out a loud groan as the images of Clementine getting abused by his father came flooding to his mind.

How much he wanted to wrap his hands around his father due to what just happened. For hurting Clementine. His Clementine.

And for saying mean and disrespectful stuff to his late mother. How badly he wanted to punch his father in the face a while ago.

How much he hates himself for being nothing but a chicken when it comes to his father. For letting his father control him.

How he can't even stand for his mother and for Clementine. His Clementine.

That's why he was absolutely relieved when his friend stood up for Clementine but at the same time, it made his blood boil for he knew Leo is up to something.

That Leo has a hidden agenda. That all of these are nothing but fake and show-offs.

With that, he threw the picture frame to the wall. The sound of shattering glass somehow brings comfort to him.

How stupid can he be for thinking he can absolutely win Clementine's heart easily with that chicken heart of his.

His head began to ache as he imagine Clementine, his Clementine alone with his friend.

Augustus started thinking what they must've been doing right in this very moment.

He just can't digest the images of them being together alone, with his Clementine being so vulnerable. With her eyes puffy and wearing nothing but a thin sleeping wear.

Unconsciously, his hands curled into a fists.

He knew every inch of his childhood friend. Leo is a great man, not cable to do such thing but still, Leo's a man. A man who has needs.

Augustus then closed his eyes and screamed due to frustration.

---

Good day, guys!

I just want to thank you for reading my story, I seriously can't believe it!

Anyways, please do leave a vote and a comment. :)