Aromantic Desires

XI

Phillip sat between his two daughters, desperately waiting for even a sound from one of them. Their mother told them that he wanted to speak with them separately, before the entire family made a decision. Despite his efforts, they girls were far too upset with him, to even spare him a glance. Audrey crossed her palms and placed them on her lap, while Daisy sighed heavily. The silence consumed them as Daisy fought her will to spill tears. Phillip then placed his hands on both his daughters'.

"Girls, you all are my greatest treasure. No one or thing shall come between us. I know this is hard, but I cannot stay with someone who makes me feel alone. It is the worst punishment in a marriage."

"But papa, what will happen to mama? Will she have to move out of the house?"

"No, Audrey. I gave Victoria a good bit of finance to take care of you all."

"And what happens when it runs out?"

"I will send money for you both. And your mama. I do still love her, Daisy. She's the love of my life. We were and are best friends, yet our time……has ended", he gulped those words back.

Not understanding why and how it has come to this, Daisy rose from her chair. The soles of her feet touched the cold, marble floor causing her to jump a bit. Then, she took a deep breath, yet her mind was not in the right place to say anything. Although she thought of a good comeback to ease the bitterness and tension, nothing she could say to stop this feeling. So she did what she could do at the time. Walk away.

Seeing Daisy react this way, Audrey knew it was not good. Normally, her sister saw things on the positive side. This time, it was a bit too much for her. Letting her have some time alone, Audrey soothed her father, as his head dropped to the floor. Allowing the silence to continue the unfinished conversation between them.

Walking the halls slowly and stealthily, Frisella heard sobbing from inside the walls of Daisy's room. Her social anxiety usually gets the best of her in such situations like this. It was a reason to envy Audrey's ability to always take people's problems and make it her own. But Frisella could not do such a thing. Her own problems were enough for her and for the baby. Instead, she closed Daisy's door softly, tapped it as if it was Daisy herself and proceeded to the backyard balcony, wallowing with the rising sun.

??

Audrey stepped on the green and white patterned walkway, childishly, avoiding the white stones as if they would swallow her beneath. As a child, she and Daisy would play such silly games for hours. Her attire was fit for movement that was not meant for a lady. She did not care. Though her age increased, she still wanted to enjoy things she liked, even if it was ever foolish. Doing things like this was very normal to her. That is only when she is with her sister.

"Don't I dare say, you have better things to do than play one foot?" Kenneth butted in, shielding her from seeing the next green stone.

"Kenneth, If you do not dare move, I'll make sure a concussion is not only what you will suffer from."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes and landed them back on her.

"And why pray tell you're dressed like a man?"

"It is riding attire and I feel comfortable…why do I have to explain this to you?"

"Riding attire you say. Well I can't argue with…."

"What are you doing here? I am not in the mood for your silly games."

"We just got here yesterday. But I'm returning to America for work on Monday."

"Oh."

"But before I return, Jack told me about a tavern party in the village," he teased, knowing Audrey could not pass up the opportunity to experience what she longed for.

"Tavern party? Where?"

"Mars," he sarcastically groaned.

"Will there be music?"

"Lots."

"And smelly old bread and wine?"

"Indeed," he chuckled, as a smile grew on her face.

"We shall have a good time, yes? And we must carry June as well."

"Hold your horses, Darling. We? And what does June have to do with me going to have a few drinks?" He spatted at her, his voice high.

She stopped her game, and looked at dear Kenneth with confusion.

"Why must I stay here when this whole house has gone mad? I want to go and I will. You cannot stop me."

"Fine, Audrey. Do as you shall. But make it known that if there is a hint of fuss, we will return to the estate. And June is not to know about this."

"Alright, dear."

He smiled at her, calling him a per name for the first time in a long time. She really was opening up to him, slowly. Or was it that she needed company? Time alone will tell.

Darkness covered the estate and all of Newston. Besides the sleeping people of the cold marble house, Kenneth and Audrey were in her room. The illumination of the candle, gave her a healthy brown glow, as got ready to sneak out of the estate. The time suddenly stopped whenever she went exploring with Kenneth. Well, Audrey thought so and insisted on getting ready quickly to practice. She was twirling and giggling, while trying to figure out how to dance in the most unruly way she knows. Well, how she imagined it to be. It was her first time going to a tavern bar. The first time she was sneaking out this late at night yet, Kenneth wasn't actually up to her expectations.

"Hurry up. I don't have all night!" He groaned as his fingers beated against the wall.

"Kenneth, shush! And see yourself out. I'm in my underwear for heaven's sake."

"It's not like I haven't seen anything like that before. Well I have. Yours actually."

Audrey slid on her bed and threw a pillow at Kenneth's face but she accidentally sent the pillow to his crotch. Although the impact was soft, it still made him tud.

"Audrey, I've reached the conclusion that you despise me." he groaned.

"And what gave that impression, Mr. Bainleigh?" she purred as her eyebrows arched.

"Well, you do try to murder me almost everytime you see me. So there's that!"

"Kenneth, enough with your annoying arse. I'm finished. Let us just hurry along now."

"This conversation is not over, darling."

??

The walk to the tavern sure wasn't boring. Kenneth's usual daily rants kept Audrey busy, and her mind away from the fact that she sneaked out the estate, with her not-so-soon-to-be fiance to attend a tavern party, which she doesn't know anything about.

Yes, well very frustrating.

As she slowly walked closer to the luminant inn, she began regretting that she agreed on tagging along. More so invited herself.

As she stood there watching the inn, the coldness of the night creeped on her, causing her to shiver. Hugging herself and rubbing her arms soothed her anxiety, allowing her to fully think about what she was doing. Going into a bar full with mad people, villagers and unruly clothing sure wasn't her cup of tea. But missing out on not dancing like two people in a cage is not worth it. Above all, her ballroom dancing was horrid, so a bit of free movement would do her so good.

Kenneth stopped her from walking and fixed his blue cravat. He told her to wait at the entrance but to not block the customers. Minutes later, he came out grinning; two shot glasses in his hand with rum and gin.

"Audrey, Make it known that a tavern is not quite like a ball. There are angry men, drunk men, women who gossip about the color dress you are wearing. All sorts of rubbish that I need you to ignore."

He handed her a little glass of liquor. Audrey took a whiff that nearly knocked her out.

"What is this?!" She yelped, gagging at him.

"It's called. Loosen-me-up juice," he grinned. Then swallowed the rum and made a groaning sound after.

"Audrey, I'm warning you. This place is not for ladies like you."

Upon hearing that, she looked at him with anger a bit. But not so much to yell at him. Instead, she took a deep breath and drank her liquor. The heat of it caused her face to twist bitterly and it's effective drive gave in almost immediately. Only for lightheaded drinkers.

"Kenneth, darling. When I'm done tonight-"

She leaned in on Kenneth as his breath hitched. She gracefully tugged his cravat while his eyebrows arched. Swiftly, she leaned in at the side of his neck, causing him to freeze. Her heated breath was in his ear, yet Kenneth was no fool to her games at times. His poise remained firm. Audrey knew exactly what she was doing to him. Her thrall was exceedly high.

'Under the influence' could take the blame at this time.

"-they will have to avoid me" she whispered. Releasing him was like relieving him, as Kenneth could not trust himself at this point.

"This woman is mad. Mad is undoubtedly attractive." Kenneth thought, while he watched her strut in the tavern's doors.