Old Man
1107 Words
Alessio smirked at her statement and replied, “Oh my, don't get jealous or fall in love with--”
“But she has a bad attitude. You had to see her on the plane that day. I wonder what the headlines would have been if they had seen her display that day.”
Alessio chuckled to himself, then got up from his chair.
“Charles will escort you to your old room.”
“I will not be staying there. Everyone knows that room belongs to the Madam of this house, and that is practically calling out war with Olivia. Which I cannot afford to do.”
“Sigh. Pick one of the guest rooms then. All are in good condition.”
Camilla thought to herself and decided.
“Do you still have that big one with toys and a considerable space that your grandma had arranged when she wanted you to have a kid, by all means?”
“Tsk, that annoying room. Yes, I do.”
“Good. I'll be staying there.”
“Sure, you don't want a room upstairs?”
“In a house with a strange woman and very few servants I trust? Some of them might no longer even be here? Come on, Alessio, you're faster than that. ”
Alessio's expression hardened at Camilla's words. He had caught the meaning behind them already.
“Olivia wouldn't dare.”
“Oh, she can, Al. Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned, and a scorned woman can do anything out of jealousy. I have plans to live long and besides, the room is close to the kitchen. I would need to prepare Aiden's meals.”
“The servants --”
Camilla stared at him incredulously, as if he didn't get what he had just said.
“Ok, ok. Anything else you need?”
“Oh yes! I need a bookshelf. Is there one in that room?”
“Err… No, but I can have one here before the next morning. It's late and I want something safe.”
“Ok, ok. Good night.”
Camilla glanced at Charles, who had an expressionless face as he led her to the room where her things had been arranged. As soon as she got in, he smiled widely at her, and she rushed to hug him.
“It's been a while, Old man.” Camilla said with a grin while handing Aiden over to him to see. The old man smiled with tears in his eyes as he stroked Aiden's head.
“Yes daughter. It has been.” Charles leaned in and hugged her with Aiden in his arms. A long time ago, when Camilla thought that no one was on her side in The Mansion, Charles was the one person who stuck to her and taught her everything she needed to learn about the elites and their behaviors. He also helped her to get by and to enjoy her time at the mansion.
“I would say it's lovely to see you again with a baby no less, but is everything ok child? Whose baby is this? He does look like the master but…”
“It is Alessio's child, and I wasn't forced, old man. Don't worry so much. I'm here because I owe Al, but I'll leave as soon as I can.”
“Sigh…child, your definition of soon always scares me because it's far different from that of ours. Yours could mean eight years this time, or even ten.”
Camilla smiled knowingly at him and took Aiden, who was already sleeping, from his arms.
“I'll make sure that you settle in well and get some of the old maids to attend to you. Please rest well.”
“Thank you so much, Old man. It's good to see you again, though. Seriously, regardless of the circumstances of our meeting. ”
“I know, child. Good night.”
Charles walked out the room and closed the door shut behind him. Walking to the kitchen, he went to meet a group of servants who had already gathered in the kitchen, awaiting news from him.
“She's doing fine.” He announced to them, and a collective sigh of relief could be heard. They were all old servants of Camilla and were anxious when the master had informed them that the old madam was coming back… With a son. They were all excited and wanted to rush to her room but couldn't do that until Charles had made sure everything was ok and not to raise the new mistress's suspicion. They had already sworn in their minds to protect Camilla from the cruelty of the new mistress of the house.
“I'm glad she is. I was so surprised to see The Madam and I almost rushed to hug her. I could barely restrain myself.” A young girl with curly brown hair and huge puppy eyes said. She seemed on the verge of tears from the fact that she couldn't meet with Camilla.
“Take it easy, Riri. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to hug her and see her soon, ok?”
“Bu--but will she be able to remember?”
Charles smiled at her nervousness and patted her head.
“It's fine Riri. I'm sure she'll remember and if she doesn't, we will jog her memory, but right now, she needs to rest. It was an exhausting journey.”
“Mmm! Ok, good night everyone. I hope we can see the madam tomorrow, and I want to hold that cute little munchkin she was with! That's the master's son, right?” Riri said. Voicing everyone's thoughts.
“Yes he is, but no talks about it in front of the other maids. Now shoo. ”
They all left the kitchen and went to their individual quarters to rest. Thinking about how exciting the house would be the next day.
****
I felt a ray of sunshine hit my eyes as soon as I got up and almost screamed in shock when I saw a head full of brown hair standing right at my baby's crib. Who in the world was that? I made some noise and the head quickly turned towards me. The instant her eyes met mine, she charged towards me and knelt by the bed.
“Madam!” She shrieked excitedly, and I could help but chuckle at her silliness. I'd correct her later, but I basked in the joy of her warm welcome.
“Waaaah! I've missed you so, soooo much!”
“Pfft, I've missed you too, Riri.” I said as I hugged her tightly.
- Writer
