Page 55 of Hawthorne

Not even a few steps forward, I coincidentally look up and notice, to my left side, on the noble floor of the manor, the floor-to-ceiling window that corresponds to his office. And to my surprise, it is not empty.

His well-defined shape shows up right in the middle. His legs are slightly apart, showing off that resolute, stable, immovable stance, with both his hands tucked inside his front pockets.

Did he watch us the whole time?

I look behind momentarily, watching the place I was just before with Karl. It’s still within clear visibility.Oh my god!

Focusing better on his face, as I slowly get closer, his face becomes clearer. The duke is certainly not happy. On the inside, my body bubbles in as much excitement as it trembles in anxiety. What will he think of the situation, even if it was just an innocent coincidence?

17

Camilla White

Excitement and fear are still coursing through my veins—ever since yesterday.

The duke decided to eat in his office last night. For once, it was not me avoiding someone else, and from how grim his face looked, I was thankful.

Today was no different. He has been cooped inside that office for almost twenty-four hours, and every time I knock and announce myself, I am met with utter silence. From the looks of it, tonight won’t be any different.

However, this is not healthy. Maybe I should talk to him?

Explain it was just innocent small talk and hope it makes a difference.

A pair of dark mahogany doors separates me from him. It’s surreal how physically, only a small distance often separates the both of us. And sometimes, like a few nights ago, it was none. We were completely lost in each other, forgetting that there is a real word past these four walls.

Then, I felt closer to him than I’ve ever felt with someone else in my life, including Aunt Lizzie or my mother. So, it is a tough fall from La-la-land when I realise it doesn’t matter how close we are physically or emotionally…we will never be close—not fully and especially not in the way my soul yearns to be.

Vincent and I are not part of the same background. To be honest, it’s like we’re worlds apart—such distance that it feels like he is the sun and I’m Pluto. Too far away and too small to be warmed by it.

Grasping the tiny bit of bravery I can muster, I knock on the door, hoping this time around, he’ll tell me to come in.

As expected, there’s a long, deafening silence followed by a loud crashing sound that startles me. Lastly, I hear a door slamming shut, and without thinking much of it, I silently twist the knob and peek inside.

I gasp at the sight before me. The little corner that is usually neatly organised with different bottles and crystal glasses is completely trashed. The little wheeled trail is horizontal, with several shards and liquids covering the floor.

This can’t be over me talking to a co-worker.Something else must be bothering him…

“What the hell is this man thinking?” I curse, zoning in on the shards and walking towards them, hoping he has retreated to his bedroom to sleep.

Determined to clean his mess, I grab the dustbin and start tossing the broken crystal and glass pieces inside it. Thankfully, most of them are big, making it easier for me to clean most of it quickly.

“With a good mopping, most of the shards should be gone,” I mutter to myself.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Vincent’s loud and growly voice sounds, startling me.

My body jumps with the scare, and my hand tightens around the glass I was holding, cutting through my palm.

“Ouch,” I hiss in pain.

Throwing the glass into the dustbin with a little more force than needed, I raise my hand to make sure it’s not too deep. Yes, I am also ignoring the duke on purpose.

“I asked you a question, Camilla! Do not ignore me,” he warns.

Is he always this self-centred?

What a wanker!

I do not have the patience for this.

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