Running Away

She exhaled deeply first, before she apportioned her lips to speak.

''Mother.'' Louisa began softly. ''You are not wrong in insinuating what you just have. And yes, it is my logic in thinking this man as one who's too haughty to get bent by anyone's demands.''

''Hahahaha.'' Her mum's laughter came out of nowhere and it was the kind that prompted Louisa to push out her lips a little. She did not appreciate her mother's conduct but Mrs. Blythe quickly collected herself in order to clear out her doubts. ''Pardon my manners, love. But it is strange indeed how you could even allow your mind to be bothered by such nonsense.''

''What do you mean?'' Louisa protested along with her eyes.

''Okay, okay. Let me agree with you that you've just mentioned a valid point. That personality of his can no longer be a thing. Do you want to know why? The 'why' is that I, Letita Blythe, am very well skilled at bending others. He would not even be able to fathom how soft he's suddenly become.''

''Mama, are you sure? Can you really do that for me?'' Louisa beamed widely at this and her mother nodded her approval. But even as she'd done so, Letita noticed her daughter's smile start to falter.

''What is the matter, my love?''

''I am a bit sad because of the same issue that involves Giselle, you know.''

''Giselle..?''

''Yes, mother. That man seems very much bewitched by her. He even said some pretty direct and hurtful words to me. Matter of fact we had only just engaged in a fight when you angrily walked in with the owner of the inn.''

Letita looked at her girl; her head dropped low and her eyes painted a gloomy countenance like she was about to rain down the tears. Well, she couldn't have that!

What daughter of hers would not know how to fight to the last for what she wanted?

Letita used her hand to pick up her daughter's chin to have her look her straight in the face.

''Now listen to me, girl.'' Her voice resonated calmly and exciting as well. ''All I am asking of you is that you trust me with all your heart. Do you understand what I mean?''

''But mother, how can I—''

''Nothing can go wrong, I assure you. Not while I am chiefly involved in this. Okay?'' She stopped to caress Louisa's cheeks with such tenderness. ''When you have a mother like me who is solidly behind you, why do you still give in to fear? It is my word to you that Giselle would be a forgotten topic in no time.''

''Are you being true to me?'' Louisa's orbs glinted a look of satisfaction at her mother.

''It is my promise to you. I always have a plan.''

******

|Back 

At The Inn|

A lanky man was hurriedly climbing up the stairs. He had just witnessed the disgraceful situation of the younger lady and her much older accuser. Everyone at the diner had clustered together to experience the scene, whereas he had stumbled upon it purely by accident. At an invisible corner of the diner was where he'd stayed to study the entire situation unfolding. Right now; after the steam had left off, he swiftly ran up the stairs and once he'd reached his master's room, he took a deep breath before pushing the door open with force.

He clearly wasn't thinking straight.

''Simon—?!''

Rochester observed how much his heart was beating fast. Was he being chased by someone?

''Is anyone after your life?'' Rochester asked him quickly with a sneer on his face. ''Or else why did you barge in on me like that?''

''I am sorry, boss.'' The Butler apologised quickly once he saw his boss mosey on over from the window side he'd stayed watching, towards the bureau. 

Rochester got close enough to pull out one of the drawers. He started to ransack through it for a change of clothes, or so Simon concluded in his heart.

''Boss, I actually came because of the situation with Ms. Hazel that I witnessed downstairs. I must say it was a truly horrible sight.''

''Indeed.'' Rochester told him before picking his height back up to look at the man. ''Did they leave already?'' 

His anxiousness was all over the place.

''Yes, boss. They left already. But if I should say.. that older woman seemed like she had a kind of hold on Ms. Hazel.''

''Your observation is right. She is her mother.''

''Her mother—?!'

''Did I have water in my mouth while blurting that out just now?'' Rochester swamped his hand about his hair after which he dumped his ass, hard on his bed. 

''I am sorry, boss. But I'd like to know how come her mother could tell exactly where to find her?''

''Look! Anything could have easily led to that, okay? Besides, where were you when that vicious woman marched the inn owner angrily to my room?''

''Uh.. I.. ehm.''

''Know what,, just shut up!'' 

''Shutting up, Sir.''

Rochester ignored him and said. ''I need you to hurry now to go and tend to the horses. Also, make sure the driver is ready and set to leave by the time I am out.'' 

''But, why Sir? Are you perhaps running away?''

''Can you perhaps keep your mouth shut and hurry on to do just as you are told—?!'' Rochester retorted back at him.

''I am sorry, boss. But please permit me this one question. Are you no longer interested in seeing; —Sorry let me correct myself—; do you no longer want to find Giselle?''

''Simon..'' 

''Sir..''

''Do you even have an idea of the gravity of the situation I have gotten myself into?''

''I most certainly do not.''

''That bit is pretty obvious. Right now, finding Giselle is the very last thing on my mind. I am willing to be even more patient this time around. I will wait for her to return to her aunt's place in Aegremonth...Someday. Only then will I be willing to approach her directly.''

''Okay, boss. But what if Ms. Hazel should return to search for you?''

Rochester held his breath for a minute, eyes shut, he was obviously taking his time. By the time he decided to let go of the pressure, the only words that left his lips was:

''Get out!— And go prepare. We leave for Aegremonth at once—!!''