Chapter 17: In the Estate at night
1564 Words
After a week of exploration, the couple arrived at their mansion with so much inspiration and a positive experience. It was perfect timing, as it may seem that it's already seven in the evening that they're finally home.
"Welcome back home, sweethearts!" the Head Master welcomed the couple from the main door.
"How did you know we would be home today?" Lucio asked.
Lucio couldn't hide his happiness when they arrived.
The Head Master gave his daughter-in-law a warm greeting and a hug.
"No more explanation. Let us just say I got so lucky to guess it right," he simply replied to Lucio.
"Alright, let's go in!" Lucio answered while holding on to his wife's tiny waist.
"How was your vacation?" Alexander asked, becoming observant of Aria.
"Great! We enjoyed it a lot. Hoping we can travel one day as a family," Aria replied with so much enthusiasm.
Lucio shared his firsthand travel experience with his wife.
"Nice to hear that," Alexander said while holding his ears.
"Is there something wrong?" Lucio asked, worrying about his father's facial expressions and strange gestures.
He seemed hurt and tried to fight off something he couldn't identify. They started to worry. Alexander started to sweat like a bee. He feels cold and his face turns red. He looks so ill.
"Head Master, what is happening with you?" Reyes, from nowhere, came to the rescue.
"I'm okay," Alexander said while his hands were hanging in the air.
"Where did you get those?" Keila asked Aria.
She looked at Aria's pendant fiercely. Aria wore it right after she bought it from the Shaman earlier. She gave the duplicate to her husband, but he kept it.
"I purchased it from our last stop. There was a souvenir shop. I am not sure if you are familiar with the famous Balete tree," she stated.
"We do not allow that kind of stuff here on the estate. What is it in that pendant?" Keila asked her, furious.
"I was just curious and I did not know much about this pendant. I saw this as precious jewelry, but the old man told me that if I wear this pendant, it keeps me protected," she explained.
"Protected from what?" Keila continued to investigate.
"I don't know. I did not pay much attention to what the old man said to me, I just bought this," she answered warily.
But she was quite defensive and confused about what was going on.
"I want you to put that thing in the garbage. We do not believe in such things. If you want jewelry, we have a bunch of those. I am actually giving you my wife's heirloom. It was a set of diamond jewelry. Just throw that garbage away!" Alexander said.
"But this one is important to me. It was my only souvenir from that trip," she insisted.
"No! You should listen to me! I own this place and I am being followed by everyone. You must be aware of that. You should throw or screw that pendant away," the Head Master commanded.
"Father, please!" Lucio calmly asks for understanding from his father.
"Okay, I get it. I am so sorry! I did not know," Aria replied in a low tone while her head was down.
She took the pendant and held it tightly in her hands. She gave it to Selda.
"Please take this. Do whatever you need to do," she added.
"Are you sure?" Lucio rebuttal.
"Yes I am," Aria responded.
No one tried to open their mouth again, but instead, they walked slowly and quietly towards the dining area. The food is now being prepared, and the table has been set. The Head Master looks better than earlier. He moved as if nothing had happened. Reyes returned to his supposed position. Only then, are the family members seated in front of the large dining table.
"Everyone, it's our first dinner together after a week of being separated. Let us all enjoy the good food!" Alexander announced, and they started to devour the different delicacies.
Right after dinner, the Head Master led them to the private room where his wife's ashes are stored. He opened a safety deposit box and checked the items inside.
"This is what I am saying," Alexander announced while holding a set of diamond necklaces, a ring, earrings, and a bracelet.
Aria's eyes glowed in admiration. It was the only time she had seen a real diamond.
"Wow! So beautiful. Are they real? For sure?" she was amazed.
"Hold them and you will know!" Alexander said.
She tried to hold them to feel the texture, and they weighed really heavy.
"I don't know what else to say!" she blurted out.
She was so delighted while holding the jewels, and now the Head Master is fitting them into her. She couldn't believe what she saw while looking in the mirror and wearing that bright diamond jewelry.
"They must be so expensive! Why are you giving this to me?" Aria asked in confusion.
She can see in Keila's eyes the jealousy.
"You are now a Moreau. Besides, I do not want you to continue wearing cheap jewelry, especially like the one you wore earlier. You deserve the best," Alexander continued.
Lucio is smiling while witnessing how his father treated his wife. He thought he was fond of his wife, and he loved that idea. He will not be experiencing marital problems in that case.
"Father, you are spoiling my wife!" Lucio's statement.
"No, son. We should be giving her what's supposed to be for her. Let me know what else you need. I'll take care of it," Alexander continued.
"I am afraid I don't know how to become a brat," she answered hastily.
"Don't give me that da*n! I know humans do not get contented. We tend to want more!" Alexander teases Aria.
Aria did not go against Alexander just to cut the conversation off, she would just smile. She felt anxious about what was going on and the looks from Keila that secretly may have put her in trouble. She doesn't feel good about how Keila reacted earlier to the pendant. Alexander wanted her to keep the heirloom herself so she could use it anytime she wished.
"Thanks so much, father!" she said humbly.
"You are always welcome, dear!" Alexander answered and gave her a good-night kiss.
He started to walk away in the direction of his master's bedroom. Keila left silently without saying anything but the weird look.
"What's the matter?" Lucio asked.
"I don't feel comfortable with Keila around," she honestly said.
"Don't think too much. She will not do anything to you. I promise you that. Besides, the Head Master likes you. Keila has no way to go," Lucio insisted.
"Alright!" she said.
"I've got some work to do. You may go first to our room so you can rest early. If you need anything, I'm next to you in that room. The staff is also available," Lucio said and pointed to his working station.
She nodded in agreement and kissed her husband before going to bed. She can barely sleep, even if she's tired. She cannot comprehend the strange things she is feeling. There are so many things going on in her mind. Questions and worries are occupying her disturbed consciousness. She got up from bed and decided to walk a little. That may make her relax. She takes a peek at her husband, who is still busy working in front of his laptop. She followed the directions, going to the roof deck. It is an open space where they can watch over the magnificent galaxy. The shining moon and stars with the dark clouds She walked all over the blank area, and when she felt a little bit tired, she sat down on the long beach bench. She closes her eyes, trying to relax her mind.
"Come on, Aria! You can do it!" she said to her bothered mind.
She felt like she rested her eyes when she fell asleep, and she thought she was successful. All of a sudden, she heard what sounded like a hushed sound. She slowly opened her eyes to check where that sound was coming from.
"No! Go away from me!" she shouted fearfully when she saw the black shadow of a man right in her face.
She ran down to the second floor, screaming and crying. Before she reaches the room, Lucio comes to grab her.
"Why are you shouting? What happened?" he asked.
"I saw a black shadow. He went right to my face. I was so scared!" she cried for help.
"Where?" he asked.
"There, he was after me. I saw it!" she continued.
"There was nothing, sweetie!" Lucio replied, worrying about her.
"No! He was right there," she insisted.
"Calm down! You are just tired. You need rest and I'll help you fall fast asleep." Lucio said, trying to make her relax.
"No, I can't." She continued sobbing.
"Come on!" Lucio hugged her and carried her back to their room.
He put her down and lay down next to her.
"I am here. I wouldn't leave you. Let's sleep together," Lucio whispered through her ears.
She felt secure and safe. In a matter of less than an hour, Aria was able to get the sleep she needed. They didn't notice the shadow lurking around, sneaking out their door.
- Writer
