GAZE

Annoying Kathy

First, he looked here and there to see the area us clear or not. I looked at herwhat happened by narrowing the eyes. Then with a deep breath, she started telling me about the story is hidden behind the statue.

“This is the statue of the owner of this house.” She explained by looking at me.

“Owner,” I knitted my brows.

“This house looks so old and so the statue.” I spilt my beans.

I was confused that where I saw this statue before. It was giving me some resemblance.

“This house was built in the late nineteenth century as per my knowledge. It is said that the owner was the army chief in the King's palace at that time. And this house was given to him as a present when he won on the battlefield against the Romans.” She was speaking nonchalantly.

“So where is the family now? He must have ancestors.” I asked out my curiosity.

“Now they don’t live here.” She said again.

“Means,"

We were crossing the hallway of the first floor and now standing in the big balcony giving the view of the garden. It has arced walls and big biblical paintings.

She then turned to face me and we paused our tour in the magnificent balcony. I can say this place would be my favourite place for the rest of the days.

“Means, his ancestors lives somewhere else and they are giving this……” her last words didn’t come out from her mouth when she bewildered by seeing someone.

“Shenna……” we both startled by hearing somebody's shouting voice.

“What are you doing here?” Again the shrieking voice echoed in the balcony.

We turned back to look at the owner of the voice.

Kathy was there standing at the entrance of the hallway and glaring at her furiously. She jumped out of her skin and ran towards downstairs. I frowned and confused that why she is so dominating here. Something is mysterious about her.

“Miss Scarlett, you must be tired of the Journey. You should take rest now. Walking here and there carelessly can put you in trouble.” She suggested to me with a poker face.

I nodded to her with a scowl on my face.

I started to strode towards my room.

“Should I show you the way to your room or you will find it by yourself.” She said loudly on my back.

I waved off to her and walked towards my room by keeping my hands at the back. I was stroking my hair in anger.

*****

What does she think of herself? Who the heck she is here? Let Gavin come back and I will ask him about her. Murmuring this I entered in my room. I opened the balcony and walk outside. I sat on the hammock chair and started looking at the outside view.

I saw two figures standing in the garden and talking about something. I stood up and went towards the edge of the balcony and narrowed my eyes to get a clear view.

To my surprise, they were Shenna and Kathy in the garden. It was looking like they were doing some argument. It must be regarding me only.

After a few minutes, they both went inside. I sat back on my hammock and started to swing it swiftly. It was a little cold outside so again I got up and took my thin blanket and again adjusted myself on my swinging chair.

I was tired of my journey and my mind was having many things to take. So I dozed off in my slumber quickly.

*****

"Hey, Love,"

"Scarlett, Honey,"

I slowly opened my eyes but still, my lids were flickering. I felt somebody was lightly tapping on my cheeks. The touch was warm and soft.

I wide opened my eyes when I found Gavin sitting next to me on the bed.

Wait for a second, I was resting in the balcony. How come I reached here? I thought in my mind.

"Don't worry, I brought you inside. I found you were shivering in the cold when I returned here." Gavin cleared my doubt without asking. 

Can he read the mind too? I snapped in my mind.

"How are you feeling now? Do you need anything?" He asked while moving his fingers in my hairs.

"No thanks, I am ok now," I said when I set back on the bed taking the support of the bed rest. I covered myself with the blanket. It was still cold.

"Lunch is ready we should go downstairs." He extended his hand offering me to get up from the bed which I took quickly. I was amazed that my hands were fitting in his perfectly. The warmth was doing wonder on my body. I quickly grabbed my shawl before going out of the room. We strode downstairs hand in hand.

*****

The flavourful aroma was filling our nostrils. It was doing nothing but increasing the hunger of rats inside the stomach.

We quickly settled down on our respective seats. Food started to serve.

Shenna who was serving the food was looking very cautious about her actions. Kathy was standing little afar from the table and observing the management and movements of servents in and out of the dining room.

Shenna's hands were trembling a little when she served me. I looked at her with knitted brows. She looked at me once then side glanced to Kathy.

Kathy was constantly eyeing her. I followed her eyes direction but a scowl formed on my face when I saw the poker face of her.

I put my hand on her shaking hand and squeezed a little. 

"Nothing to worry," I murmured.

She took a deep breath and started serving after getting her nerves relaxed.

After serving she quickly left the place with other servants. Kathy was still standing there.

"I want to talk to you about something," I asked Gavin and side glanced Kathy.

"Alone," I looked at him intently while finding the change of expressions on his face.

Gavin looked at me and then to Kathy. He nodded her to clear the area.

"What's the matter, Honey?" He frowned at me but composing his tone.

"I think Kathy doesn't like me. She always looks stressed when it comes to my matters. Since morning I am observing her. She is looking resilient. Why?" I emptied my brain in one go.

"Oh, it must be nothing. Just a matter of time being. Then you both will get along with each other smoothly. Maybe it is an age difference. You will understand each other soon. Trust me she is not like what you are thinking about her." He gave her views on my questions. 

Maybe he is right. I need some time to break the ice in between us. Though I liked her food she was cooking. Hoping this can clear the air between us.

One doubt was clear but the next filled the empty place, why he is so possessive and protective towards Kathy?

I need to figure it out but not know or it will destroy our atmosphere.

*****

We were strolling in the garden after the sumptuous food.

We were silently walking.

"I liked the mansion a lot. It's so beautiful and magnificent." I broke the silence.

"I am glad you liked it. You will have an amazing time staying here." He grinned.

"How was your meeting?" I asked to continue the conversation.

"It was awesome. I recruited a personal assistant in my office and other staff. From tomorrow everything will be started." He said while scrunching his nose.

"I too want to join the office. I want to learn the basics of business management." I requested.

"But you know nothing about the working and environment there. How will you do that?" He was trying to deny me?

"I will learn no matter what and later on I have to handle it with you. Please let me start from the beginning.it will be easy for me to understand when everything is new and a fresh start." I readings him again.

"Why are you entangling in all these matters? Enjoy at home." He again disagreed with me.

"What I will do at home? I have nothing to do at home. You have appointed half a dozen of the maids and servants. Please let me come with you." I bickered again and made the most possible puppy face to convince him.

Taking a deep breath he sighed while looking at my face.

"OK, you can come with me but make sure you should not trouble in anything." He agreed finally.

"Yes," I jumped in happiness and hugged him tightly.

I gave him a quick peck on his lips.

But he again captured my lips. "Need to settle the score for your request which I just passed." He was looking at me smugly.

I was taken aback. I blushed and my face turned crimson red in admonishment. 

Then he scooped me in at bridle style and I snuggled in his chest to hide my face.

We walked inside and he was taking me upstairs carefully.

I could feel a pair of eyes following our movement. I looked around to spot the person but found nothing.

"What happened?" 

Gavin asked me but I shook my head and again placed my head on his chest.