XXVI. Spilling the tea

Chapter 26

"Sir, I haven't seen you these past few days, what fills your days, may I ask?", pouring Augustus a cup of tea as I forced myself not to cringe when I almost spilled it.

Augustus was sitting beside me, his legs crossed and so are his hands as he study me.

Where are we, you may ask? We are at the gazebo in the middle of the day, the heat from the sun making me sweat.

I just came back from the market to buy some bread since according to Chef Florentino, I am not doing much enough which to be honest, I do agree.

Anyways, right after I entered the Bennett manor, it was Augustus who first spotted me and invited me into a brief tea time.

I was about to refused since I do have lots of things to do regarding me as a maid but then, I remembered that this is now the perfect opportunity for me to catch some secrets about Mister Douglas.

Hurriedly, I nod at Augustus and right after I delivered the breads to Chef Florentino, I went straight to the gazebo to talk to Augustus who was already enjoying his tea at that time.

However, obviously, Chef Florentino was furious when he learned I'll be outside his kitchen but as soon as I mentioned that Augustus asked me to have a tea with him. All Chef Florentino could do is raised his brow and nod.

I know what I did was kinda rude but hey, I am desperate. I badly need information about Mister Douglas since his arrival from his trip will happen soon.

Just as I was to leave his safe haven but hell for me, he ordered me to chop some vegetables while I have a tea with Augustus. How fun.

And now, here I am, sitting beside the very dashing Augustus in the huge wooden gazebo with a very beautiful view of the Bennett's gigantic mansion as I cut a carrot...

I alternate between cutting vegetable, pouring Augustus a tea, and talking with him.

"So, as I was asking, what made you busy these past few days?" I look up from the cutting board for a second when I asked him the question.

Augustus shrugged, set down his tea and answered, "our business is requiring me most of my time, that's why. Plus, Father will be here soon, I wouldn't want to disappoint him, do we?"

"About your business, what was it again?", "Oh, have you gone on a business trip with your father or not yet?",and "Did you already undergo any training regarding your father's business?" are the questions that came out from my mouth.

I just hope I don't sound too suspicious and desperate.

"Now, you seemed a bit fascinated with these, my dear mermaid. May I ask, are you very much eager to get my answer?"

Uhm, what is he up to?

"Not really," I replied, doing my very best to sound bored but deep inside? i want to shake his shoulders and scream at his ears, saying 'yes' so many times.

Augustus laughed at my response. "Bad acting, I must say,"

I cringe at his reply. I then forced myself to look really, really busy at chopping the carrots despite the fact I am not really good at cutting but hey, at least I don't cut myself anymore like it always used to before.

"But really, Miss Wright, I'll answer any question you want in exchange for like, let's say, a wish from me? Uhm, what do you think?"

That caught my attention, making me stop at my work. I stared at him, his beautiful blond hair blond perfectly, his well-ironed clothes and newly-shined shoes look majestic to him. Augustus then raised his brow at me and gave me a devilish smirk.

"Believe me, sir, I have no hidden intentions in asking you a bunch of questions, I swear," I raised both my hands as I said this, probably looking like a criminal.

Augustus laughed at my reply, clearly not buying it. He raised his brow at me as he taps his teacup, creating a 'ting' sound.

"Who says you have hidden intentions? I jist said you seem interested. Oh my, something's strange with you, darling," he then mustered a loud laugh that somehow made the birds near us flew away.

By that, my cheeks are already red due to humiliation and due to my stupidity.

I cannot help myself from clutching my gown hard as I forced myself to think of a safe reply, a way to get me out of here.

"Anyways, let's forget about that. So, are you okay with my condition?" Exclaimed Augustus, tapping his black shoes to the wooden floor.

"What condition?", my brows meeting, my mouth hanging.

"you know, your unanswered questions will be answered in exchange for a wish, I'll tell you everything about my family,"

After that, Augustus said something under his vreath but I didn't had a chance to hear it since the sudden noise inside the mansion reached us. T'was the sound of a shattered glass, I wonder who broke it. Hope Mister Florentino or even Missis Jones are not experiencing any heart attack right now.

Ugh, this is now or never. If I really want and need to get out of this era then I'll just swallow my pride and agree to this so-called-condition.

I scanned the surroundings first before shrugging, "Whatever makes you sleep at night,"

I just hope I really do look as if I don't care and that I am bored because that's the opposite of my condition right now.

"Excellent. Oh, don't you fret, my darling. My wish will just be simple since I know you're not daredevil," assured Augustus, winking which almost made me roll my eyes. However, to be honest, why did he look so hot when winking? Ugh.

It's not like he is...

"Okay, let's get this started." Augustus then shifted in his seat, his hands on his lap as he stared at me, a huge smile planted on his face.

I wait for him, completely forgetting about the vegetables. Those can wait, I need a mission to do.

I do hope that's Mister Florentino's motto as well.

"My father was nothing but a simple vendor back then. He sells secondhand books in the street since my grandparents both died from a disease, leaving only my father alone. Of course, my father strived hard, work here and there until his mini business which is selling books somehow grew,"

Ah, so this is a rags to riches story, huh.

"At age 19, he can now afford his very apartment though it was still small. The bank allowed him to loan around 10 thousand dollars to buy a place to sell his books and managed to pay it back after two years. At age 25, he met a bunch of rich folks, known for their talent at art, t'was Leo's family. Leo's late parents were the one who got Father into art. After that, Father venture into the world of art, hoping to earn handful of money from it,"

So that's why Leo was somehow good at art and did he just said rich? I mean, I am not belittling Leo or whatsoever but he doesn't seem loaded to me. However, that's fine me with, I am just curious knowing that his family was rich. I wonder what happened.

"After a year, Father not only have one business but two. Business was good back then although it still is. Books are one of the must-haves and many had paintings and vases as their decorations. At age 29, he met a gifted young artist which is my mother. T'was love at first sight, according to Mother. Months later, days after turning 30, Father married my mother who was just around twenty at that time. A year later, they had me and the rest is history,"

After that, Augustus released a loud sigh and drank his tea, still staring at me.

Mister Douglas and his late wife experienced love at first sight? I mean, looking at Mister Douglas, that seems out of his character but oh well.

"Wow, do Mister Douglas even consider on writing an autobiography?" this earned me a loud laugh from Augustus, almost spitting his tea to my face. Thank goodness.

"Now, does that satisfied you?" He asked, waiting for my answer.

I shook my head, "the condition said you'll answer every questions I have in mind, right?"

Augustus rolled his eyes heavenwards before nodding.

"Okay, so, what is your family's business that relates to art all about? Something to do with manufacture?" Leo crossed his arms as soon as I asked that.

A minute passed before he answered, "To be honest, I don't really anything about the art business, only about the books for now since Father will be teaching me all about it by the time he comes home,"

That seems a bit like a lie.

" Zero clue about it? Not even a thing or two?"

" Well, all I do know is that, Father hired a bunch of talented yet not-so-famous artists around the globe whenever he met one during his business trips and now, these artists are here in London, hidden and doing some art, I guess," he replied, shrugging.

So, that's how Mister Douglas manufacture forged art.

"Uhm, about business trips, do you mind if I ask what do Mister Douglas usually do?"

Augustus ran his fingertips around the teacup, "before I answer your question, may I ask, why do you seem so eager to know all about us?"

That made me uneasy, made my palms sweaty. I let my eyes roamed around, not meeting his eyes and said, "Oh nothing,"

Augustus laughed at my response, "Come on, I've never seen you so interested in such a thing before. Besides, your body language can't lie,"

I bit my lip before saying, "It's ju-just that, I've known you guys for months now and still, I have no idea who you are,"

I hope he buys this one.

I caught a short glimpse of Augustus' brows meeting as soon as I said that but quickly turned back to its original position afterwards.

"Okay, if that makes you sleep at night," replied Augustus, using a strange tight voice, mimicking what I said a while ago. Uhm, first of all, I do not sound like that and I don't always roll my eyes...or do I?

"Anyways, from what Father told me, all they he does all day is to meet his business partners all around the globe, discuss business, eat fancy foods and that's it, go back to bed and repeat all these boring stuff the following day," Augustus then scratched his neck.

"Well, about Le- I mean, Mister Finley's family, what happened to them, what's their role in your father's success?" I asked, grabbing the carrot and taking a bite. I eat it raw, okay?

As soon as he heard the name of Leo fell from my mouth, his brow automatically met. He doesn't seem happy about it but Augustus tried his best not to show it. How? By giving me fake smiles.

"I thought you only want to know about my family? I am disappointed at you, Miss Wright. Oh, just kidding, my dear mermaid, don't you frown. To answer your question, I believe it's not my story to tell what happened to my friend's family. Just ask Judy, Leo's cousin. Definitely not Leo since you've been around him enough, I mean because he's a bit... sensitive about it. Anyways, like I said, after Father met Leo's parents who were paramours at that time, he got intrigued with art and so Leo's father agreed on teaching Father some pottery or even paintings, even knows what,"

To be honest, I began to have questions about Leo.

"it was at the art gallery of Leo's father, father met my mother. She was nothing but a gifted young artist who had such beauty but according to Mother, Father does not care about beauty for he was taken aback with her talent in art. To cut it short, thanks to Leo's parents, Father and Mother met. Now, that's one of the reasons why Leo lives with us because he's a friend of mine, a son of Father's friend and a lonely soldier who can go to the war any minute now,"

His last words made my heart ache for an unknown reason. What do you mean any minute now?

"But before Leo's parents died which I am not gonna tell you how since like I said, it's not my story to tell, Leo lived in this huge mansion, probably bigger than this and every week, they'll come here or we'll go there and Leo and I will play for hours and that's how Leo and I became great friends and how my cousin, Jacob and Leo's cousin, Judy became paramours. I remember at that time, Jacob will always ruin Judy's fancy gowns by kicking mud at her direction," Augustus laughed after that which made me laugh as well then grabbed a carrot from the chopping board and bite it happily, with smiles on his eyes.

I can imagine Judy getting angry at the thought of her yellow gowns getting dirty. Oh, how cute.

"Leo's parents were the best, always letting us play in the rain, not forcing me us to read these old boring books even though Leo loves to. Leo's mother and Mother will bake me this huge beautiful cake every birthday and Mother will sing as Leo's mother will play the organ," Augustys cannot help himself but utter a soft sigh, shrugging.

"Father and Leo's father is always alone in the office, talking about this and that. Obviously, they're talking about business, I mean, what else? Cookies?"

That made me laughed and so did Augustus.

I was about to ask how Leo lose their wealth and how Augustus' mother died when Augustus spoked first, yawning. Also, I don't think I have the guts to ask personal questions like that.

I mean, hello! I am just a lowly maid who is not even good at doing house chores.

"Don't be shy, I know you're dying to know about what happened to my mother, I mean, everyone is. Nothing new about it,"

That made me look up from my lap and clenched my hands to my gown, staring at him wideky, my mouth hanging.

When Augustus saw my reaction, he just gave me a wide grin and raised his brow playfully but I can see sadness in his very eyes.

"Well, mother died on her way to visit an orphanage she and Leo's mother usually visit. It was very far from the town when the carriage she was riding fell down to the cliff. It took about days for us to finally found her broken dead body. She died months after the death of Leo's parents," Augustus slowly crossed his arms and legs.

I wonder what happened tot he orphanage now that Leo's and Augustus' mothers no longer visit them. Let's just hope they're receiving other visits from wealthy Victorians.

I then took another bite at the chopped carrot, offering it to Augustus who gladly took it.

"But before all that, days after Leo's parents died, Leo went to the army and trained there but after the news about my mother's death spread out, Leo quickly went to back to London to mourn for the death of his second mother. Leo stayed for about a month in here since after the death of his parents, he discovered that all their fortune disappeared because of gambling debts of his father. To be honest, I've known his father for so long and gambling is definitely out of his character but who knows?"

I feel like I don't know Leo for all these revelations.

"Finleys died when Leo and I were around 19 and years after that, Leo somehow changed. Sure, he was still the same old awkward friend of mine who likes reading but when talking to him, I can feel his inner soldier, you get my point?" He asked, laughing which made me laugh as well since that's exactly how I view Leo too.

"So, why is he here?" I remembered that came our a bit wrong. Let's just hope Augustus won't notice.

"The army gave him about two years to take a break and I was the one who insisted on having him here and my father agreed, of course, since Leo's parents were his friends as well,"

" And the rest is history," I added wich earned me a nod from him.

Augustus stared at the sky after that, smiling sadly. Suddenly, I feel so bad for bringing the sad memories to him. That I somehow used him to gain information.

"Sorry about that, by the way, even though it's pretty useless," I am totally bad at asking forgiveness and comforting.

Damn my social skills.

Augustus then diverted his attention at my direction, giving me a sad smile which made it worse.

Suddenly, I sat right nearer to him, our hips touching and awkwardly pat him in the back.

The next thing I know, Augustus' head is on my shoulder and his hand is around my waist. Wait, what?

It's a bit rude to remove his hand and his head when in fact, it's my fault why he's sad right now.

"You know what, I am not really good at comforting somebody, I tell you that but all I know is, everything happens for a reason," yikes, what was I thinking?

I felt like I've read this quote somewhere in modern times.

"Thanks for that. It's just that, time do really fly fast. It's seems like yesterday, I was standing over the cliff as the village folks retrieved Mother's broken body while Father was not there. Instead, he boarded his shipping board, off somewhere in African or God knows where. It was just Leo who comforted me during those times knowing he too was experiencing something worse,"

I just can't believe Leo lost both of his parents and his fortune all at once. How heartbreaking can that be?

Augustus' hand around my waist tightened as I pat him in the back more.

I was about to rekove his hand since it's been minutes and continue chopoing the vegetables since I'm afraid Chef Florentino will chopped me to death when Augustus and I hesrd a very familiar cough.

As soon as I heard that, I automatically removed Augustus' hand but Augustusbwas far stronger than me, still insisting his hand around my waist. Uh-oh.

But at least his head is no longer at my shoulder but still, we are sitting so close together as Leo looked down at us, his brows meeting, holding his top hat tight, his fingertips getting white due to force.

"Good day to the both of you," greeted Leo, giving us a forced smile more like Augustus since he is not looking at me.

Uh-oh.

"Good day as well, my friend. Now, what brings you here?" Asked Augustus, smiling.

"Oh nothing was just roaming around the garden to get some fresh air when I saw you two here, being quite busy,"

The whole time, Leo has his eyes on Augustus' hand which is around my waist, his brows still meeting.

When I looked at Augustus, he seems not to notice it or pretended not to.

"Well, do join me and my little mermaid here," invited Augustus, still gripping my waist hard.

I cannot help myself from cringing but since Augustus is getting way too comfortable at his touchy hand, I then tried to remove his hand again but it was no use.

By that, I swallowed my pride and whispered the words, "Mister Augustus, it would be highly appreciated if you could please remove your hand around my waist," right in his ear.

I know whispering seems a bit like flirting but hey, it wouldn't want to say my request out loud because that would be humiliating for Augustus.

After I whispered my request, Augustus looked at me in the eyes and winked, "No problem,"

I playfully rolled my eyes at him, earning me a smirk from him as he slowly removed his hand. Thank goodness.

When I looked up, I saw Leo, his right brow raising as he send me dagger looks.

"Have a seat, Leo," as soon as Augustus said that, Leo slowly sat down at the chair opposite to Augustus and I.

Leo put down his black top hat on the table, near the vegetables and chopping board.

Leo then put both his hands on top of his lap as he blankly stared at us, raising his right brow.

Augustus crossed his legs,

"Enough with this, I'll entertain your unending questions later, my dear mermaid. For now, let's eat these delicious carrots and tea although the two don't go well with each other, who cares, right?" He then released a loud laugh.

After that, Augustus and I quickly grabbed carrots from the chopping board and ate it. Augustus then drank a tea.

Meanwhile, Leo was staring at us, his brows still meeting and his lips in a straight line as he slowly pick a thin chopped carrot and took a bite.

The whole time, I was staring at him, watching him eat it and after a second, he coughed. A real cough, not his typical fake cough.

I have a strong feeling Leo was about to spit the carrot out but he must've felt me and Augustus watching him so he forced himself to swallow it which somehow made me laugh secretly.

Leo must've heard me since he looked at me and raised his brow, making me blush in embarrassment.

I hid my embarrassment by taking a bite in the carrot.

"Didn't know you're into raw vegetables, Augustus," commented Leo as he picked another carrot and played it around his fingers.

"you know what they say, health is wealth," Leo just nod at his friend's reply, still not staring at me.

That's okay, not like I am thirsty for his attention or whatever.

I was midway through eating a carrot when Augustus snatched it from my hand and ate it.

When I looked at him, he just winked at me. Here we go with his strange actions again.

"Delisyoso!" Exclaimed Augustus as soon as he finished eating the carrot while his eyes are on me.

I heard a loud grunt from Leo.

I pretended that I heard nothing and slowly poured myself a tea and I drink it. I was about to put it back to the table when once again, Augustus snatched it from my hand, almost spilling it.

Uhm, that's like indirect kiss.

He was about to drink it when Leo rose from his seat and grabbed it.

"You can have mine, Augustus," uttered Leo, his face bland. Emotionless.

Augustus looked at his friend funnily, "Nah," replied Augustus as he placed the teacup back in the table as he wiggled his brows as if he is teasing Leo.

Leo was, in fact, still has his poker face on.

After that very awkward scene, we three jumped into conversations even though it was mostly Augustus talking. About his trips and asking Leo about his military training even though all Leo replied were either a nod or a shake.

Did he woke up from the wrong side of the bed? He seems pissed.

After an hour and after I finished chopping all the vegetables, except from the carrots, of course, since Augustus ate them all, we three went back inside the mansion.

Augustus quickly went back to his room to change since he still has to ride his horse or whatever.

While on the way to the kitchen since it's the same way to the their room, Augustus was walking ahead of us while Leo and I were behind him.

I stopped Leo by holding his arm, I looked up at him and asked, "What's the matter? You seem strange,"

All Leo could reply is stared at me, brushed my brow with his forefinger and said, "Go figure it out,"

After that, he left me hanging, clutching his top hat very hard.

Dammit, how am I supposed to tell him the things Augustus told me when he's acting like this?

I walked slowly as Leo and Augustus walked side-by-side, chatting. Augustus' hands behind him.

I let my eyes wander around the hallway until I caught Augustus staring at me and when I stared back at him, he playfully gave me a wink.

I just stick my tongue to him which made him chuckle and by that, Leo turned his head to me and raised his brow.

By that, I bit both my lips and stared at the ground as I play with both my fingers.

After delivering the chopped vegetables to the kitchen, I sneaked off, going straight to my room to somehow change to another set of maid uniform when I felt a folded piece of paper at my pocket.

When I fished it out of my pocket and slowly unfolded the paper, I cannot help myself from getting surprised at what I read.

'Don't forget my wish, my mermaid'

-Your future husband

Well, there's only one person who calls me mermaid and I can't believe he just called himself as my future husband.

Can he please stop with these nicknames? It's just that, I find it really cringy.

After that, I spent the rest of the day washing the dishes as I slowly became a bit used to Chef Florentino's noise.

After that, the staffs together with me, of course, took a break. We ate cold porridge which to be honest, was absolutely tasteless but hey, who am I complain?

I would be lying if I said I want something tastier. Anything other than thin crusty loaves of bread and cold porridge. Oh, how I want to taste ice cream.

After that, I was about to resume my work in the kitchen but this time, cleaning the floors when Judy, Leo's only cousin grabbed me while I was on my way to the kitchen.

As usual, Judy is wearing this mesmerising golden gown which I guess is her sleepwear but if I would completely be honest, it seriously looks like something you can wear to a ball. Judy sure is a fashionista. I wonder of she truly sleeps in this knowing this is a bit uncomfortable. Imagine all the corsets underneath this since the gown really emphasizes Judy's waist.

The sheer sleeves are covered with stars that makes the gown so beautiful.

I never thought I'll say this but I somehow felt insecure knowing that my sleepwear is just a simple white thin gown.

By that, we spent the rest of the day giggling and talking about girls stuff.

Judy told me about her dreams in having a child of her own but Jacob, her husband is just not ready for it yet.

When I asked her if she's okay with it, all she did was gave me a sad smile, saying she understands him.

In case you're wondering, her husband went to Italy for a week for a brief business trip.

"Are you sure you still not into our dashing Raymond Guevarra?" asked Judy for the nth time.

Scratching my right leg, I let out a yawn before answering, "Nah, not really into guys like him and yes, since I know you're going to ask this once again, he is handsome but like I said, not my type,"

Judy let out a loud sigh, "Come on, he's loaded! Do you really want to be a maid forever?"

No, I want to go back to the present times.

And I will do anything to murder Mister Douglas but of course, by knowing first why I need to kill him since I am not much of a heartless soul.

Judy then stood from the bed and said, "Whatever, let's just fit some gowns since the ball is coming,"

I gave Judy a confused look. I was about to ask her what ball when we heard a loud noise outside, the sound of horses foot falls and the people upstairs running.

When Judy and I both looked from the window, we saw Mister Douglas stepped out of the carriage.

So, the big boss has arrived.

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Good day!!

Hope you guys are still not sick of this story. Hehe.