Chapter 4 Rupert's Thoughts
971 Words
Rupert had orchestrated a state of disarray for Julia, who, it must be noted, had never before spent the night at a boy's house. Though Rupert harbored no particular intentions, the situation strayed from normalcy.
"I'll have to leave if you don't come; I've got a video conference in an hour and need to prepare," he said, his urgency feigned. His assistant had arranged the meeting well in advance; he was merely required to be present.
"I'll go, of course, I’ll go," Julia conceded. Darkness had already enveloped the mountain, and even in the absence of imagined predators, the presence of smaller nocturnal creatures made the prospect of spending the night alone unappealing. She preferred the safety of shelter.
"Get in the car," Rupert instructed, already turning away, which spared Julia from noticing the fleeting smirk on his lips. He didn't understand why, but Julia's presence drew out his playful side. That evening, after seeing her social media post, he was certain she'd be the last one left—conveniently on his way. So, he had arrived early.
Julia's nerves took hold as she entered the car, suddenly uncertain if riding with Rupert was wise. What if he, on a whim, decided to abandon her at the mountain's peak?
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Rupert's entrance or the closing door, which startled her, revealing her panic. Rupert, confused by her fearful gaze—after all, he'd done nothing—was unsure of what to say.
"I'm not a monster," he said.
"Sorry... Sorry," she replied quickly, fixing her gaze forward as silence enveloped the air. Rupert, too, found it hard to break the quiet, driving on until they arrived at his house ten minutes later.
The butler, waiting expectantly, was surprised to see Julia step out of the car, never having envisaged Rupert bringing a woman home.
"Mr. Tai, prepare dinner and a room for the lady," Rupert requested.
"Right away, young master," Mr. Tai responded promptly, aware that the house's regular maintenance meant even a handful of Julias wouldn't disrupt the order.
Inside, Julia's attention was captured by the house's rustic decor, from the agarwood sofa in the lobby to the antiques on the shelves, each seemingly invaluable. Mr. Tai, noticing Julia's interest in an ancient painting, was about to remind her of Rupert's rules when he realized Rupert remained silent, and discreetly looked away.
"Do you study these artifacts?" Rupert inquired.
"Not really. I just don't dislike them," Julia responded, her eyes on the painted birds, her mind elsewhere.
"Go freshen up. I'll have clothes prepared for you. Don't mind if they don't fit perfectly," Rupert said, assessing her size when she wasn't looking, estimating a medium would suffice.
"Thank you. I'll repay what I owe," Julia stated, following the servant without waiting for Rupert's response.
Mr. Tai was even more astonished, knowing full well that Rupert, who wanted for nothing, might not easily be repaid.
"Mr. Tai, it seems someone in Africa must miss you," Rupert commented coolly, prompting Mr. Tai to bow respectfully.
"Young master, the dinner includes freshly delivered lobster. I believe the lady will enjoy it," the butler mentioned.
"Proceed," Rupert said before retreating to his room for the video conference.
Meanwhile, Julia stared at the wedding dress she had just removed, a garment of exquisite beauty, yet unsuited for her. With clear intent, she rinsed the dress with water, knowing such haute couture was least forgiving to the element.
The servant, upon collecting the ruined dress, lamented the waste of such fine material, something beyond her reach for a lifetime.
At the dinner table, Julia was taken aback by the lavish spread, wondering if this was Rupert's norm and if it posed a risk of fatty liver, or if the feast was purely for her benefit, which would be troubling since she preferred no ties to anyone outside of Albert.
"Mr. Moore, tonight's meal seems overly generous. Might there be a reason?" she began.
"It's quite standard, and today was a bit rushed," Rupert dismissed the incomplete question, sparing Julia further pressure with a casual excuse.
"That's good," Julia murmured, and while Rupert heard her, he chose not to respond, thinking it best she eat in peace.
The meal proceeded in silence, largely because Julia was at a loss for words.
Afterward, as Julia sat contemplating a reason to leave, Rupert remained engrossed in his phone, seemingly preoccupied with vital matters.
"Are you full?" he finally asked, noticing Julia's discomfort. She nodded hurriedly, prompting a fleeting sense of endearment in Rupert, which he quickly dismissed.
Without another word, he passed Julia a file that had remained by his side throughout the evening. She accepted it with curiosity, hesitating only briefly before opening it upon seeing Rupert's lack of objection.
Inside, Julia found documentation of Flora giving birth abroad—unremarkable in itself. What surprised her, though, was the paternity test on the second page, confirming Albert's fatherhood, accompanied by photos of him with the child.
Julia's reaction was not one of outrage but of calm composure as she turned her cool gaze to Rupert.
"What's the purpose of showing me these? What are you after?" she asked.
"I thought you'd claim these were false and throw a fit. It seems you're somewhat sensible," Rupert mused, expressing his curiosity about Julia's love for Albert without providing a direct answer.
"Fair enough. Just answer my question," she demanded, wary of whether Rupert was friend or foe.
"One thing you surely know is that the Kent family and the Wilde family have always been adversaries," Rupert stated plainly, bringing Julia swiftly to the point.
"I'm well aware," she affirmed, her confidence waning as she recalled her own role in the potential downfall of the Kent family, should Albert's affections have led to such an outcome.
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