Retribution of the Unseen Maiden

Chapter4: The Visitor

A month had passed since Olivia’s discharge from the hospital, and she found herself with an opportunity to reach out to Presley. She held onto a glimmer of hope that the call would connect. Unfortunately, it didn’t. She tried again, only to be met with the same ‘out of coverage area’ message. Olivia felt a pang of disappointment, denied the chance to reconnect with Presley. Yet, she clung to the hope that one day, fate would grant her another opportunity to

meet him.

In the meantime, Charlotte had been taking excellent care of Olivia. Despite Olivia’s insistence that Charlotte get some rest, the young woman was adamant that Olivia should rest and do nothing. Twice a week, Charlotte would accompany her grandmother for a short walk, a small but significant gesture that brought joy to both of them.

On one such beautiful day, Charlotte ventured to the market to buy food for Olivia. She was in a rush, eager to return home and cook for Olivia. The sight of Charlotte’s cheerful smile brought a sense of happiness to Olivia.

As Charlotte hummed a melodious tune while cooking, a sudden knock on the door interrupted the peaceful atmosphere. They exchanged confused glances. Who could possibly be visiting them? A relative or an old friend? But that seemed highly unlikely. Olivia gestured for Charlotte to open the door.

“Is it safe to open the door?” Charlotte asked, seeking reassurance. Olivia nodded in response.

As soon as Charlotte opened the door, a man in a black suit stood before her. He was like a prince charming appearing in broad daylight, yet he seemed oddly familiar. She couldn’t pinpoint where she might have met him, but she was certain she had seen him somewhere before. Words failed her as she stood there, speechless. Presley was taken aback by Charlotte’s reaction. She looked so innocent, so pure.

“Is this the house of Olivia Hudson?” Presley inquired, his voice breaking the silence after he cleared his throat. Charlotte was momentarily stunned, her gaze instinctively seeking her grandmother. Olivia was visibly moved as she recognized their visitor.

“Presley. Oh, my dear boy,” Olivia exclaimed, her voice laden with emotion.

“Do you know him?” Charlotte asked her grandmother, her eyes wide with surprise. Olivia nodded and gestured for Charlotte to offer him a seat. Charlotte invited Presley to step inside, and he promptly complied. He embraced the elderly woman and inquired about her health. Olivia assured him that she was feeling better now, thanks to Charlotte’s diligent care. Presley’s face lit up with joy upon hearing this.

Olivia noticed that Presley’s gaze was fixed on Charlotte. She surmised that Presley was harboring feelings of admiration for Charlotte. This realization filled her with happiness.

Charlotte served the food she had prepared. She seemed unperturbed by his presence. Presley was intrigued by this woman. She was unlike any other woman he had encountered. He was drawn to her, eager to know more about her.

“I apologize, Presley, we are not affluent. We can’t offer you a lavish meal, but rest assured that Charlotte is an excellent cook,” Olivia said. Presley smiled and took a sip of the soup that was served. It tasted delightful. Olivia and Presley engaged in endless chatter while they ate, and Charlotte listened to their conversation, puzzled about how the two had met. She didn’t dare to ask. Occasionally, she caught the man in front of her stealing glances at her. Charlotte felt uneasy. No one had ever looked at her with such intensity.

Presley was captivated by Charlotte’s beauty. He had never thought that she possessed such beautiful brown eyes. She had an angelic face, a small pointed nose, and very kissable lips. Presley had never seen anything like it before. Despite Charlotte not wearing a glamorous outfit, her beauty was undeniable. Presley admired her.

Olivia asked how Presley knew where she lived.

“Well, uh… my assistant Ivan followed her,” Presley said, pointing to Charlotte. With a serious expression, Charlotte raised her face.

“Me?” she asked, confused. She was wondering how they knew her.

Presley guessed what might be going through Charlotte’s mind, so he quickly explained.

“Well, don’t misunderstand. I saw you with Olivia before, so when I saw you in the market, we decided to follow you to get in touch with Olivia.

No harm intended, I assure you,” Presley said.

“I didn’t say you were harmful,” Charlotte retorted seriously. Olivia, witnessing the scene, couldn’t contain her laughter. She never thought Charlotte would say that. Presley, don’t take it seriously. Charlotte can be outspoken sometimes, but she is really kind. Presley just smiled.

As the evening shadows lengthened and the clock struck six, Presley and Ivan announced their intention to depart, allowing the elderly woman her much-needed rest. However, just as they were about to make their exit, the heavens opened up, unleashing a torrential downpour against the darkened skies. Faced with the relentless rain, Presley and Ivan decided to wait out the storm. Charlotte, now clad in her pajamas, emerged from her room. She was a vision of freshness, her damp hair releasing the scent of the soap she had used.

Presley found himself increasingly captivated by her beauty, unable to tear his gaze away from her. He observed her tender care for Olivia, and it was evident that her love for the old woman ran deep.

As the night wore on and the rain continued to pour relentlessly, Olivia extended an offer for Presley and Ivan to stay the night. The news had reported an incoming storm, and it seemed the rain would not let up anytime soon. Presley found himself unable to decline the old woman’s offer.

“I don’t have any clothes here for both of you, but my late husband’s clothes should suit you. Anyway, it’s just for a night,” Olivia offered. Presley was touched by Olivia’s generosity. He felt a sense of homeliness, and more so, there was a goddess living in the house. Such a beautiful sight to behold.

“Charlotte, can you sleep with me tonight and offer your room to these two gentlemen?” Olivia asked. Charlotte took a deep breath and, left with no choice, she nodded. Sheopened the door and showed the two men inside, handing them the clothes her grandmother had lent them.

“Please don’t touch any of my things there,” Charlotte reminded the m. “No worries,” Presley assured her. She handed them a few pillows and a blanket. Through Presley’s eyes, Charlotte looked like a wonderful wife who takes good care of a family. He quickly chastised himself for thinking that way, but a part of his heart was comforted being near Charlotte. Not long after, Presley noticed Ivan fell into a deep sleep. Ivan was a very loyal assistant and driver to him. He could tell that he must be exhausted. He couldn’t sleep. It was the first time that he slept in a different house. He roamed his eyes inside Charlotte’s room. He saw a pile of paintings situated in the corner.

“She is a painter?” He asked himself. He was amazed at how beautiful her crafts were. Presley wasn’t expecting that behind Charlotte’s beauty was a hidden talent. Judging from the things inside Charlotte’s room, he could tell that they were living a hard life. But the stuff inside the house was very organized. Presley also noticed several collections of butterfly designs inside the room. He was amazed. This girl really is a special woman. Presley soon fell into a deep sleep.

Charlotte went directly to the washroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth before finally preparing for breakfast. She wondered if the two might still be asleep. She saw her room half open, so she was tempted to check them. As soon as she laid her eyes inside, she saw no shadow of Presley and Ivan. She opened the door widely, and it was confirmed that they were gone. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt a pang of pain and disappointment residing in her heart. She might not put it into consideration, but she could tell that Presley was someone admirable. What amazed her was that he loves Olivia. Before she left her room, she noticed a small note on her table saying,

“Thanks for taking care of us. Anyway, you are an awesome cook. Hope to see you again. - Presley” Charlotte couldn’t hide her emotions. It was the first time that someone complimented her except for Olivia. Not even a single man paid attention to her before. They didn’t even dare to talk to her because they were just poor. No one wanted to be around them but Presley was really different. She rushed to Olivia’s room and told her,

“Olivia, they’re…” Before Charlotte could finish her words, she was quickly cut off by Olivia.

“You were aware?” she inquired, her voice laced with surprise. Olivia relayed to her that it was in the wee hours of the morning, precisely four o’clock, when Presley and Ivan had taken their leave. They had respectfully knocked on their room door, seeking permission to depart. Charlotte merely nodded, her mind a whirl of confusion. She was utterly oblivious to their early morning departure. A sense of bewilderment washed over her as she pondered how she could have possibly missed their departure. The mystery of her undisturbed slumber amidst their leaving left her perplexed.

The image of Charlotte continued to haunt Presley’s thoughts, her presence etched deeply into his mind. He made a silent vow to himself that he would continue to watch over them from afar. For the time being, however, he needed to return to his work. Many were awaiting his services, relying on his expertise. He harbored a hope that their paths would cross again in the near future. He couldn’t deny the profound impact Charlotte had made on his heart, in ways he found difficult to articulate. He pondered over their chance encounter, wondering if, had they not met under those accidental circumstances, he might have missed the opportunity to meet such an extraordinary woman who had now become an integral part of his life.