The Bad Boy's Muse

Being Aunt Harriet...

Aunt Harriet’s POV

I was brushing my teeth with a wry smile on my face. I had gone from worrying about the responsibilities attached with taking care of someone else’s child to a doting aunt who wants to get her niece the whole world; this was exactly how I felt when I had spoken to Grace a few hours ago. After tucking her in bed, I had gone back to her bedroom and place tiny kisses on her forehead. I was beginning to warm up to the idea of being an aunt; and a very good one.

I was humming to Sia’s ‘Titanium’ moving my body to the beat I was producing in my head; Grace was beginning to bring out some qualities in me that were there but I never really bothered. First, it’s been a week and some days, almost two weeks since I stopped smoking because the only time I really had to smoke was in the cool evenings after work; then I had the whole house to myself but since Grace arrived, I had basically given up smoking because I wouldn’t want her to think it’s a way of life out here.

Secondly, I had suddenly become punctual. Yesterday in the morning staff briefing, my boss had pointed out my improvement in my punctuality and had given me an instant raise with a promise of a promotion if I continue being punctual. This was because I had to wake up each morning with Grace to prepare her for school and drop her off before heading to work, hence my sudden punctuality to work.

Thirdly, I have cooked for almost a week and have stayed off junks entirely. Normally, the ladies back home in England were trained to eat healthy as a lifestyle. Things like cake, chocolate and unhealthy food including junks were only permitted once in every blue moon and most times, it becomes impossible to indulge in all of these unhealthy foods hence the constant glow on the skin, smooth, hydrated and supple skin texture and of course, no health issues. Grace eats all of her meals with fruits and vegetables and while most of her meals were strictly veggies, she never failed to always top it off with a salad or fruit and lots of water. So, I found myself picking different types of vegetables and fruits at the mall and also taking the daily dose of smoothy or green tea, I was on my way back to healthy living; all thanks to Grace. Thankfully, I have also lost 6kg within a week.

I just wish I could know what she thinks half of the time because I feel and I know that she has a lot of silent questions to ask and things she wouldn’t say. Even at such an early age, she was showing all the signs of being responsible and a better adult (that’s what being born into a titled family do for you). My only wish is to be able to provide her with everything that makes her comfortable, luxuries I never had, things I never dreamt of until I dared them.

My phone vibrated with a ding as I hurried to check the message. It was from Principal Reed, he had replied to my email and had given my permission.

 I couldn’t wait to take Grace shopping and not to exaggerate in the least, I really loved having Grace around. She was the perfect child and looked like she won’t be in a lot of trouble, anyway since she’s my niece there must be some sort of drama.

I hurried to the kitchen to make breakfast; Grace would be up any moment now. Halfway into making the omelette, Grace breezed into the kitchen looking all dressed up.

“Good morning, Aunt Harriet” she greeted. I was tired of asking her to call me by just my name.

“Good morning, darling. Already dressed? Did you sleep well?” I inquired.

“Yea, like a baby. Did Principal Reed give the permission, she asked?”

“Of course, I told you he would. So, we’re going shopping today and maybe a little exploration if we have time. I already booked us a spot at the salon and then a Spa” I said excitedly.

“Really?” Grace’s eyes widened in excitement.

“Of course, dear, ever been to a Salon and Spa?” I was making a toast.

“Never, I have read so much about it and I can’t wait to experience it” Grace giggled.

“It’s one of the best experiences you’ll have in America, my dear. The salon for instance is one of my favourite places to catch up with trends. You can get the juiciest and latest gossips there plus they are always talking about someone there” I explained.

“I can’t wait to try it out, Aunt Harriet and when I get the phone, I have a lot to tell Miss Rose” she gushed out in excitement.

“Uhm…slow down” I motioned with my hand “Who’s Miss Rose?” I arched my eyebrow.

“Oh! my manners, Miss Rose is my governess” she replied.

“Oh!” I said quietly and continued with what I was doing.

“Did you ever have a governess when you were my age?” she asked quietly.

It was one of the most painful memories I could never forget. I stifled the tears that had filled up my eyes as I tried not to cry.

“Of course, I had. It was customary in those days for young ladies to have a governess and a chaperone” I tried to sound cheerful “but these days, a chaperone is now a thing of the past”.

“Yea, indeed it is. These days, mothers prefer to chaperone their daughters or look for closer relatives but Miss Rose played the role of a chaperone when my older sister, Phoebe was betrothed to her husband. She later stopped after the third time as Phoebe complained she was meddling. She never liked Miss Rose” Grace, filled in.

“Wow! that’s a whole lot. Does Phoebe love her husband?” I asked as an afterthought and pity. I knew she was three years older than Grace, to be married at such age…I sighed quietly, the world had gone past those archaic traditions.

“Yes, she is head-over-heels for him and he loves her too,” Grace said eagerly.

I nodded my head as I dished out our breakfast.

“So, what happened to your governess? I have asked mother severally but she wouldn’t tell me anything and I keep wondering why” Grace said.

I closed my eyes trying to shut memories of 10 years ago; the past still haunts me.

“Yes, we had a governess. The best in the history of governess. She instilled in me and your mum a lot of knowledge that made us outshine the rest of the kids and we started having suitors even before we were eligible” I paused trying to swallow the bile rising at the back of my throat.

“What was her name?” Grace asked quietly.

“Aubrey” I muttered “Miss Aubrey”.

“Mom has a tattoo of that name on her wrist,” Grace said.

I nodded my head in acceptance “She got that after Miss Aubrey died and it was totally our fault” a tear slipped from my eyes.

“It was a hot summer afternoon and Dad had just gifted us a pony for our Twelfth birthday. Your mom was Fifteen then. So, in the enthusiasm we decided to take them for a walk, halfway into the walk with Miss Aubrey following behind us, your mom whispered that we climb the horses and they were unbridled” I paused as the emotions suddenly overwhelmed me “we tricked Miss Aubrey and when she wasn’t looking, we mounted the horse. As soon as we climbed on it, the ponies got frightened and began to gallop. We were so scared and was screaming our lungs out. Miss Aubrey mounted her horse and chased after us telling us to hold on tight while she went ahead to stop the ponies. She succeeded in stopping mine while she lifted me off its back and proceeded to stop your mom’s pony who came later, It got too frightened and tried to throw your mom on the ground, Miss Aubrey rushed and pushed your mom from the ground allowing the horse to stomp on her. She broke several ribs and because she was asthmatic then, coupled with the wide chase she gave us, she died three days later. I still live with the guilt” I blew my nose into my sleeve; didn’t realize I was crying.

“I am sorry” Grace came around the kitchen island and clasped me in a hug.

“So, I understand how very vital a governess is in every girl’s life. They were virtually our best friend then as our mothers didn’t understand a thing” I continued taking the breakfast to the kitchen eating area.

“You can say that again” Grace replied, she was tailing hotly behind me.

“Anyways, all these stories are making me super hungry, so please let’s eat” I winked at her.

We dug into the breakfast…

***

Rohan’s POV

I had never been as restless as I was since my birth. For some stupid reason, I kept expecting Grace to walk into the class after recess even after what Steve had told me earlier. I had gone to Principal Reed’s office but he was out both times I had gone there. I was getting confused as I didn’t understand why I should be so concerned about Grace.

“Get a grip on yourself, Rohan” I whispered to myself, I was truly worried.

I regretted not asking for her phone number.

A piece of paper was passed to me from the front row, it was from Steve.

I frowned when I saw what was boldly written on it, READ ME. I unfolded the paper wondering what mischief Steve was up to this time around.

            “Where you able to get any information from Principal Reed?” the first line read   “Cos I saw you going there towards recess. Well, if you didn’t you can always try the School’s secretary, she has all the records of students and since Grace was newly admitted it would not be so hard to find. Heard she loves treats”

            Steve.

I read the note and realized that was actually a brilliant idea. All I needed to do was to meet the secretary and politely ask for Grace’s address or phone number or use any other means to extract information from her. I grinned and gave Steve who was staring intently at me a thumbs-up sign which he replied with a grin and a wink, maybe he wasn’t bad after all.

I peered at the apple watch strapped to my wrist, I had to wait extra 30 minutes before the lesson would be over and this was the last lesson for the day; I couldn’t afford to miss the secretary who goes home before school close. Excusing myself from the class, I walked quickly to the Secretary’s office and knocked politely before opening the door. When I walked in, I noticed no one was in. Her bag looked packed and I knew she would be unwilling to answer any request now. I unlocked the door and peered at the hallway, no sign of movement. Without thinking, I went towards the cabinet that was marked students and opened it, rifling quickly over folders I saw there till I saw “New admitted student”. I brought it out and opened it. Grace’s passport came in sight immediately. Without thinking, I brought out my phone and snapped all of Grace’s file. In lightning’s speed. I returned the file into the folder and the folder into the cabinet. Using my handkerchief and a hand sanitiser I always moved with, I wiped all the surfaces I had touched and slipped out of the office quietly.

All these had taken me less than five minutes. As soon as I slipped out and was walking towards the class, I saw her walking towards her office burdened with a load of files…

 I was really lucky…