MENACE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Ghailles Mansion

The melodic sound of sparrows drew out Rita's attention. It's the third morning she woke up in the mansion. She currently sat on a wooden swing found in the majestic garden under the wide balcony. Every day there is so much of discovery and Rita couldn't help but feel excited to explore the place she's staying at. Everything's just too beautiful and delicate.

Yet she gradually learned to capture her surroundings. In case she got lost, or carelessly make an accident. She gladly met someone at the second day that served as her guide and companion too.

"The white roses are in full bloom. I bet they are happy to see you, young lady."

Rita at first greatly wondered who possibly maintained the place to it's grandeur state. And it's been answered when the 40 year old Edmund appeared out of nowhere. Rita wasn't that alarmed since she just found him the next morning skillfully tending the garden, in which impressed her for the impeccable quality and skill being dedicated. Rita passionately inquired then about him as she got very interested to learn more about the realm of flower appreciation.

"Good morning, Mr. Edmund! Indeed the roses are gorgeous, and I can spot the new buds of hydrangea over there too!" Rita was surprisingly lively, hence Edmund chuckled.

At first, Edmund had the impression that she was a cold and shy girl as she seem too overly conscious especially when the neighbours greeted her. Yet as he saw her gawking at his work in the garden, he was incredibly amused. Not too often he get to meet someone who had strong passion for flowers beside him and his late wife. Edmund genuinely smiled at the figure walking happily at the garden while telling him about what she knew about the plants, happily shared knowledge about them.

"You see, when I see this garden, it reminds me of my hometown.." Rita mindlessly muttered but Edmund who was weeding out the soil to plant new seedlings, heard her quite clearly.

"Do you miss your family?" Rita looked at the man's back and saw him planting so she took a careful look.

"Mhm, my Mom's really kind. She used to train me to tend to her flower shop. I really wished to follow her will to stay there forever. " Rita wore a solemn look, and the gardener knew it by the way her voice wavers a little.

"Haha she sounds like my wife. She dreamt of building a shop that offers pretty bouquet for all people."

Rita stared at Edmund and noticed that he wore two rings at his left hand.

"I see, that sounds wonderful." Rita smiled as she felt the warmth of her chest spread. It must be nice to love and be loved. What a beautiful thought it is. Rita remembered her parents, the fleeting image of them being together when she was young was very precious. Rita's late father had the exact eyes as Mr. Edmund that moment, and that made her felt the unescapable surge of emotion.

"Are you alright, young lady?" She heard Edmund asked and she shook of her head and slightly laughed.

"Yes, I'm alright. By the way, please call me Rita and not young lady because it makes me sound like a special person of this mansion, haha."

"Oh, aren't you though?"

Rita blinked at the adult gardener in confusion.

"I'm only renting this place. In fact, I'm just an outsider -"

"You're currently staying in the Ghailles Manor, as a valued guest and individual, you deserve to be treated special." Edmund kindly expressed and bowed politely which made Rita confuse more.

"I wholeheartedly hope you'll enjoy your stay here, young lady."

Is he acting? Isn't it too much treatment for a guest? Maybe it's just their way of business. And If I recall, Ms. Kikuo is the one that manages the rights of this place. I am only a customer. Rita fell into these train of thoughts for a moment before clearing her throat and bowed as well to him. She felt awkward of course. But she decided to not further delve into the matter of high treatment.

"T-thank you, Mr. Edmund. So this beautiful mansion is called Ghailles Manor? It suits very well. And how long are you working here ?" Rita couldn't help it but change the course of their conversation into something that she'd been curious about . She stepped out of the garden as he began collecting his tools.

"I've been here since I was a teenager like you. My family have good relationship with the town Mayor which grace us with the right opportunities for decades."

"I see, that is great to hear, Mr. Edmund. Also, rather than a teenager, I'm already an adult in her late 20s.." Rita remarked at the end which made the gardener burst in laughter.

"Then you're more younger than I expected !" Edmund finished cleaning and packing his things, while Rita pouted and looked away. This person is unseemly incomprehensible.

"Anyway, you're still very young. There's still more about life that you need to uncover yourself. Just look forward with a pretty smile !"

Rita stared at the person who waved at her goodbye as he went to his other business .

"Look forward, huh.." Rita went back inside the mansion and cooked a quick breakfast.

"The only thing I'm looking forward is to eat more delicious food, travel more places, to see my family succeed, and.." Rita muttered to herself after she finished eating rice omelette, and now she's leaning on the balcony to stare at the peaceful view of pine trees, and few colorful houses in the distance.

"I guess, there's really more to find out!" Rita nodded in affirmation to Edmund's words that really made her think deep.

"First, let us explore Ghailles Mansion." She spun around and made her way to the narrow hallway. "Oh, I forgot to ask Mr. Edmund about the locked rooms.. well, I just wanna know if there's a library to kill boredom." Rita noted to her mind to drag Mr. Edmund to show her the routes of this place before leaving.

"Alright, let's just be careful to not get lost."

Rita sighed as she saw the arrays of doors which seems haunting her everytime she passed by them to go to her room. Why is her room located at the far end of the corridor anways!? Rita wanted to express a complaint to Kikuo but discarded such thought to not cause any more inconvenience.

"Yet, why am I alone here? Isn't this like a rental apartment because there seem to be a lot of empty rooms for guests?" Rita's question just kept piling up and she knew better that no one could respond unless she ask the people themselves. Err.. It's just a bother to go outside and ask. I'll just wait for anyone— wait.

Rita remembered something.

"Didn't Kikuo-san said I can call her if I have concerns?"

***

"It's just been awhile since we had any guest. The late owner was the Mayor's elder brother but he passed away, so his son is currently the head of the Mansion. However , he recently turned it into a rental place for various reasons, and he also entrusted me to handle the negotations. I'm sorry if you misunderstood that I'm the owner of the Mansion."

Rita listened to Kikuo over the line and nodded slowly, taking in the information that she'd received.

"I understand. Thank you very much for letting me know, Ms. Kikuo."

The call ended and Rita sighed as she sat down in the sofa.

"So this place isn't haunted or anything, haha. I wonder, where is the head of the mansion ?" Rita whispered and she felt like her eyes felt heavy. Although she'd been sleeping well at night, she still couldn't avoid to get drowsy at the morning since she could freely relax at the huge sofa in the living room and on the balcony.

Rita gently closed her eyes and curled into a ball like a cat. The soft afternoon sunlight reflects from the glass windows and the gentle breeze passed by as if lulling her to sleep. She felt like she's being engulfed by drowsiness, in addition her small body got caressed lovingly by the soft cushion, and thus she eventually fell asleep.

"What a great sight."

A deep baritone voice can be heard at the distance. Completely unaware of his presence, the young woman can be seen sleeping on the couch with a peaceful atmosphere.

As if she's being painted as an artwork, her features were serene and calming, with her gentle curly locks spread on the cushions ,and her slender body curled in a position that both seems comfortable and interesting.

"Seeing that you like it here, I think I made the right choice."

He gently extended his hand to her, sliding a soft blanket over her small body. As he saw the sky getting darker, he stood up before leaving a small package at the isle.

"A small gift for the beautiful one."

A note was attached, and Rita suddenly woke up by the sound of the door clicking. While her conscious was still gathering, the first thing she thought is that someone might've entered the house.

Rita wobbly stood up and ran to catch the sight of the intruder, yet a jet black car can only be seen at a short distance. What.. there's no way they could've escaped that fast! Rita contemplated and looked around. There are some people who walked side by side laughing, and a jogging teenager, and -

"Hi , Ms. Rita!"

"H-hello, Ryuu-san.."

.....