THE BUSINESS PARTY

11 a.m (@ The Frost Mansion)

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Just a while ago it was drizzling. The garden was a shade brighter due to it. It was as if the gift of the sky wasn't water, but magical liquid, washing the meadow grass to show what was there all along.

Nature was in her humble brilliance. The buttercups became gold, the grass, the shade of every meadow, roots of trees and plants quenched, soil renewed after the pater of rain came and the birds were rejoicing the occasion of the climate.

Vilian was sitting on the garden bench elegantly as if she was a fine porcelain doll. Her fair milky white legs crossed one over the other and her slender fingers clutching the book securely, she was once again immersed in her reading world.

The garden bench on which she was seated was fashioned from wind felled tree, the legs being sections of the trunk still clothed in

bark and the top was a fine long plank rendered a deep soulful brown by the varnish.

Amid each green leaf and delicate flower petal, there were the dancing birds and squirrels that dart. It was as if the song, the squirrels, and the subtle movements of flora are their voice, the song of the garden for those who listen with more than their ears.

As Clarissa the maid was plucking the fruits off the garden plants and putting them into the bowl, little Daniel tiptoed through the plants.

The splash of the red berries was so vibrant under the sunlight upon the green ceramic and little Daniel spread his tiny little hands over the berry bowl, slowly took a handful of berries, and sneaked out from the place not getting caught by the maid.

Humming the song 'Marry had a little lamb' while tasting the juicy red fruit, little Daniel was walking towards the kitchen back door, but stopped when he caught sight of his elder sister reading a book seated on the garden chair, so he got an idea and shushed himself. Sneakily walking behind the bench, just when he was about to 'BOO' to make Vilian startle, Vilian turned around unexpectedly and carried him swiftly.

"Caught ya!!" said Vilian and gave playful bitting kisses on the boy's chubby little milky white cheeks which made him giggle out loud.

"Vileee... Stop! Stop it! Hahaha...." tears of giggles were slipping from the boy's eyes. His cheeks turned red from the kisses and giggles. To stop Vilian from kissing him, he pouted out his tongue and licked Vilian's cheeks which made Vilian abruptly stop.

"Ewww... Danny..." This gave a chance to little Daniel, so he slipped away and escaped from the clutch of his sister. Vilian ran behind him.

"Ahem...Ms.Vilian." Suddenly a polite masculine voice was heard from behind which made the girl stop abruptly from what she was doing. Daniel was able to successfully escape from Vilian.

Turning towards the source of the voice she saw a tall handsome man probably of her age, well dressed in nice clothes. He was Jimmy the Frost mansion butler's elder son 'Marcus Hancock.'

"Well, hello there Marcus! what's the matter? Did father send you here?" asked Vilian politely. Marcus bowed his head and stood up straight.

"Mi'lady, there was a sudden change of events. Master Demus has to attend an evening business party. But... unfortunately, there was a sudden business trip at the same time as well, therefore, master hasn't got an opportunity to reschedule or sort out it. On behalf of Master Demus, he asked Ms.Vilian to attend the party." said Marcus without letting out the time to skip.

Sighed Vilian after listening to what Marcus said.

"Well, I guess I have got no choice but to accept what father has said. But... when is it? I hope it doesn't collapse the time with the three days of tea parties arranged by aunt Clara along with her birthday party."

"Mi'lady, I haven't got clear information about the party which you've mentioned to me right now, but I'm sure that it isn't much more important than what Master has ordered according to him," said Marcus uneasily.

"Hmm... yeah... I guess you're right. I'll have to be prepared for it. So... will you let me know about the business party in detail please?"

"Sure Mi'lady. Why don't you have your lunch while I explain it to you?"

"Oh! Okay... it would be much better," replied Vilian and started walking ahead while Marcus followed her two steps behind. The dinner plates and the meals were being taken away by the maids in a hurry after completing their chores by serving the ones presented earlier at the dinner table.

"Looks like everyone has eaten already. Hmm... as usual," muttered Vilian which was heard by Marcus even though he was two steps away.

"Yes, Mi'lady. Just a while ago."

"Hmm...." was the only response that came out from the girl's lips which were kept thin and straight. She glanced down at her bracelet, twisting and twirling it around her wrist, a habitual behavior whenever she remembered her mother or felt down.

The silver bracelet decorated with small white pearls was the last gift gifted by her deceased mother. The only accessory that she wore most of the time and removed only when necessary. A thing which she treasured dearly along with the past memories.

She still remembered those lively caring sincere eyes turning deadly in front of her own naked eyes. A very heartbreaking incident that she had ever seen. The tears in her eyes were threatening to fall from her eyes.

Gone were the pleasant smiles on her face replaced with an emotionless stoic face.

Walking towards the dinner table she sat on her usual spot which was occupied by her whenever she was alone or left only with the family members. She was only allowed to be seated beside or near her father when in the presence of the guest as an elder daughter of the family.

Marcus was unwilling to break the thoughts of the young maiden but he had to. He knew she was feeling down and felt the urge to comfort her, but maids, workers, or servants were only allowed to speak when they were commanded by the mistress or the master and only when necessary as they were limited to speak with Vilian except for Lily who was close to her.

"Mi'lady?"

Once again sighed and shook her head Vilian, for zoning out of space but said nothing.

"The evening party is to be held on coming Saturday at 5 p.m which is exactly two days away from today. Master will be leaving this evening. As for the shopping accessories and the needs for the party will be arranged by Lady Ellen and that will be tomorrow." He stopped for a while and then spoke up again.

"Also, not to forget that master wanted me to let you know that Lady Vivian and Young Master Daniel will also be leaving with Master this evening, so you aren't allowed to leave the mansion unless you've permitted to. That is all, Mi'lady. Further details about the business formalities will be given to you before the day and if there are any other negotiations or changes in the events I'll let you know about it immediately."

saying this Marcus bowed his head and left a tired sigh which he thought was incoherent but reached Vilian's ears.

"Thank you so much, Marcus! Thank you for letting me know this in detail," said Vilian gratefully.

"It is my very duty, Mi'lady and I always find pleasure working for such a kind-hearted person like you. Though... none used to appreciate it about you, they really are grateful for how you treat them and so am I."

He said it once again but this time with gratitude which made the girl having her lunch stop eating.

Her eyes welled up with tears but she blinked them away for giving such a compliment, for she rarely gets to see anyone being so open or giving a compliment on her. She didn't know what to say but said,

"Once again thank you for being nice and... you need not exaggerate about it Marcus," said Vilian giving a glance at Marcus which brought a pleasant and handsome smile to the man's face.

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Author's thoughts: Hello my dear beloved readers. I hope everyone's doing good, fine, and healthy.

What do you think about Marcus? BTW do you think my descriptions are clear enough? Leave your precious thoughts below in the comment section and I would gladly reply to every one of them☺️😘