The Things She Said
1378 Words
Vivian didn't return to the mansion until late afternoon.
The drive had helped her clear her head. It wasn't enough to erase what happened earlier, but enough to stop her from putting her fist through a wall.
The estate gates opened automatically as her car rolled through.
The mansion stood exactly as she'd left it. Hell, this was her home now and for some reason, it didn’t feel right.
She handed her keys to one of the staff members before making her way inside.
The moment she stepped into the foyer, the sound of movement and low chatter caught her attention.
The sound of hangers clinking together and footsteps followed.
Vivian frowned, curiosity got the better of her as she climbed the staircase and followed the noise.
Halfway down the corridor, she stopped. Several staff members were moving boxes out of the master suite, her suite.
They weren't moving her boxes but Oscar's, into his now cleaned room
A slow smile touched her lips. Well, that was fast.
One of the workers carefully carried a rack of expensive suits out of the room. Another wheeled several garment bags down the hallway.
Vivian leaned against the doorframe and watched, staying out of their way as they worked, barely noticing she was even there.
Then one of the maids froze on making eye contact with her.
"Madam Vivian."
The others turned immediately, eyes wide as they all sent a glance their way.
She straightened and shook her head. “Carry on. It's fine.”
None of them moved, eyes darting from her to something or someone behind her with tension in their shoulders.
Vivian understood why seconds later as her eyes followed their line of sight. Someone was standing at the opposite end of the corridor without his eyes glued on her.
Oscar.
His hands rested inside his pockets, expression revealed absolutely nothing.
Which somehow made his stare worse.
Vivian looked away, not sure what that look was about. She didn't care to ask questions either.
“Zara?” She called casually.
Madam Zara, who had been coordinating the movement, made her way towards Vivian quietly.
“Yes, Miss.”
“How long will this take?” She asked..
“They are moving the very last of it. Your room will be empty in a few minutes.”
Vivian nodded.
Without acknowledging him, she stepped inside the suite. The room already felt larger now that his things were gone.
What is she to do with this space now? She wondered, pacing the walk in the closet in silence.
Zara stands right behind her.
“Wpuld you like for this to be your study, Ms?”
Vivian examines the room for a moment longer as a handyman stood near the wall measuring dimensions with a laser tool.
She wasn't the type to work in a home office. She'd rather do it while still in bed.
Her eyes brightened. Of course! Why didn't that occur to her in the first place?
"Are you the one handling installations?" Vivian asked.
The contractor nodded quickly. "Yes, ma'am."
She pointed toward the walk- in closet he was in, the section of the room where Oscar's clothing racks had stood hours ago.
"I want a dance pole installed there."
The entire room went dead silent at her words. Madam Zara glanced at Vivian with wide eyes, stunned beyond words.
“A…” Zara stammered. “A what?” She asked again, certain she had heard wrong the first time..
“A dance pole.” Vivian said, loud enough to make sure no one could claim they hadn't heard her right.
The contractor blinked. One of the maids nearly dropped a box. The room suddenly became very interested in Vivian but she didn't seem to notice.
Even Oscar's eyes snapped towards her.
Madam Zara laughs nervously. “Ms Vivian. A dance pole is…”
Vivian glanced at her, “Why not? The space has to be useful for something, no?”
Oscar chuckled in disbelief, his eyes still fixed on an oblivious Vivian.
Hell, he thought he had heard wrong the first time too. Did she really learn how to pole dance like she had told him back then?
He had thought it was a joke.
Madam Zara laughs nervously. She had heard rich people request to get the wildest thing done but this might just be one of those times she's stunned beyond words.
“Yes. It has to be useful.” She said, “J means a dance pole requires knowing how to…uhm, use it?”
Vivian nods, "That's why I asked to have it here.”
At least she wouldn't have to drive all the way to her personal studio to receive her stress..
She glanced back at the very stunned Handy man, "Have you worked on a dance room before?"
The man nodded. “Yes Ms.”
“Can that be done today?"
"Y-yes, ma'am."
"Good."
The man immediately got to work, pulling his phone out to call his staff to bring in the necessary equipment.
Behind her, the atmosphere had changed. Vivian didn't need to turn around to know why.
Oscar was still standing in the doorway, watching her. She could practically feel his stare burning into the side of her face.
The workers seemed caught between terror and curiosity but nobody spoke. Nobody dared.
Vivian crossed her arms. "Is there a problem?"
The contractor shook his head so fast she thought his neck might snap.
"No, ma'am." He said. “The equipments are on their way. I would like to know what colour pallette you are looking for. I have a few…”
The entire time, Oscar remained silent, a look of amusement on his face. He shook his head and walked into his room.
The drilling started less than theory minutes later. Painting followed and other things.
Vivian sat comfortably in a chair near the windows while answering emails on her tablet and responding to the contractors questions about her preferences as he and his men worked.
Hours went by and the afternoon turned to night. The room was finally coming together and one of the handymen finished securing the final bolts to the pole.
The contractor stepped closer to Vivian. "Done, ma'am."
The polished metal pole stretched from floor to ceiling and the once white walls now painted pink with muted, moody lights.
Vivian walked into the room, her hand resting on the pole gently.
Turned out better than she had expected.
Vivian smiled. "Thank you."
The contractor smiled, glad he was able to bring her vision to life.
The workers immediately began packing their equipment as it was getting late into midnight.
One by one they disappeared and soon only a handful of staff remained to clean up after the mess.
Her eyes landed on Oscar.
He was standing there again, watching her with those eyes like he had unanswered questions.
His gaze shifted toward the pole and then back to her.
A muscle moved in his jaw.
The closest thing to a reaction she'd gotten from him all day and it was oddly satisfying.
"Kira." Vivian called, her eyes still lock on his.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Close the door on your way out."
Kira hesitated. Her eyes flickered briefly toward Oscar and back to her madam.
Great! They just had to throw her into the middle of whatever this is.
Vivian's smile widened. "Is there a reason you can't?"
"No, ma'am."
"Wonderful."
The maid hurried toward the door, head bowed as she pushed the door closed slowly.
His eyes narrowed on Vivian who pretended not to notice.
Click.
The sound echoed through the room. Vivian stood there, an unreadable expression on her face as Kira kept glancing at the door and back to her mistress.
“I'm hungry, Kira.”
“Y-yes ma'am..” the young maid pulled the door open reluctantly and stepped out.
Vivian walked over to the mirror and adjusted a loose strand of hair. She shouldn't have enjoyed that. She really shouldn't have but she did.
Her eyes went back to the pole, recalling the strange obsession she had about this back in college.
Could he recall it too? Or did he bury all the memories they had together in a deep dark hole?
- Writer
