Keeping The Royal Treaty CHAPTER 10

Everything is quiet except the sound of Vince puffing his cigar.

“I was eleven when I first held a knife and stab a man on his back. He was tied in a chair with a bag over his head. It felt – wrong,” he pauses. “Regret came right away and I was desperate to call for help. But I can’t do anything when I have an audience around me – watching every move I make.

I cried while the man was bleeding to death and I haven’t noticed the knife slip off my grips. Right away I took a beating and was told to ‘man up’. They took away the bag and untied his hands.

We were told that either one of us gets to live that day. It’s the matter of who gets to grab the knife first. It’s life or death. And you know who gets to live. My only regret, on that day,  is that I should have stabbed his neck the first time,” Vince said in a calm voice.

I buried my face on my knees, trying to comprehend the revelation he just revealed. Who in their great minds would want to see a child kill and fend for his life. My heart aches because of what he said and the situation I am in. We grew up in different ways but it’s always our father’s way of living. A puppet, a pawn, a toy.  In my case, a nobody.

I feel cold and couldn’t stop myself from shaking. “You have the worst way of comforting. I didn’t want to hear that,” I whisper. My face was still buried between my knees and imagining the horror he just told.

“I know.” Is all he said. I know what he’s trying to convey, but I can’t just man up and move along. He was eleven and was forced into cruelty, but he manages to survive. He still does.

The car came to stop and I knew we are back to his manor. The door opens and I am greeted by one of the manservants. “Good evening, Sir,” he greets. The look on my face must have frightened him. He looks at me in awe. “Please allow me to assist you.” He extends his hand and I took it.

“Please help me back to my room,” I ask and he immediately obliges and helps me on my feet.

That night I let them help me get into bed. But before they left me alone, they gave me a couple of pills. “What are they?” I ask. “Sleeping pill and pain killers” is what he said.

___

I’m staring at the ceiling. I glance at the clock and it says 1 in the evening. I’ve been awake for an hour or so. Whatever they gave me last night knocked me right away and had a long sleep since then.

There is an abrupt knock on the door that made me jump on my bed. “I know you’re awake. You should get your ass up.” Said the familiar voice.

“Lucien?”

“Good afternoon sleepyhead,” he replied. A smile on his face.

“What’s going on? I can hear people scurrying around. Is there any event going on in the courtyard today?” I ask.

“You have to be kidding me. What do you mean ‘what’s going on?’? It’s your fucking birthday and your FATHER is coming to see your house.” He said in displease tone.

And just like that, my day is already ruined. I took a deep breath and swallow the lump in my throat. “Do you mind waiting outside? I need to get dress.”

“Not at all.” But before Lucien closes the door behind him, he stared at me. “I’m sorry about last night. I know I said I wouldn’t leave your side but I haven’t met my brother for months and it never ends well when we both get into each other’s business. I hope you understand.” A very straightforward man he is.

“I should be the one apologizing. I behaved terribly last night. I hope we can start over and forget about last night,” I respond.

He smiles. “Of course.”

He closes the door and I hop off my bed. I walk to the window and pull the curtain on the side. My room is just above the garden and it’s got the perfect view of the courtyard. I can see the ruckus going on. Things are being put up and added in the yard.

I’m feeling sick today and all I want is peace, quiet, and to be alone. But I don’t think I’m getting any of those today.

I dress and did not bother to look presentable. I know I look horrible but I don’t see the need to tidy myself. I’ve heard worst and I don’t give a damn of whatever they throw at me. I head down to the kitchen, and thankfully, people are too busy moving things around to notice me.

When I came to the kitchen, people are lifting barrels, stocking wines, boozes, and other beverages. It’s happening. My dad is coming the day after tomorrow and I get to see him again. I feel a wave of nausea rising inside me. I haven’t seen him for a long time. Not once did he check up on me. He didn’t bother to ask how I am or how I’m settling in.

I step out and walk into the yard next. I haven’t seen Lucien around but I see Vince talking to a man in a tan suit. The man saw me and starts to point in my direction -as if he was expecting me to show up but just doesn’t know when. He made a gesture for me to come and join them. I am about to walk away and pretend not to have seen them. But I have to think otherwise when Vince and I made eye contact. 

I start moving my feet. Unsure how to approach them. “Good afternoon, Sir Francis. My name is Piers and I am an event organizer. I’ve been wanting to talk to you as I only have today and tomorrow to coordinate your birthday celebration. I have to ask you for some preference. Is now a good time?”

‘Is now a good time?’ Can he not read my face? My face is swollen from all the crying last night. Not to mention, I haven’t eaten or had my cup of tea.

“I’d like to ask some of your inputs of the event. Anything specific that I should know.” He continues.

I look around. In a short amount of time, they have turned this place into this astonishing, elegant, and sophisticated outdoor event. Lamps are hanging on the trees. Lights wrapped around the trunk and branches. Flowers weaved into the canopy and the sides of the tables. But everything is blended; the colors tone down a yet a splash of brightness hinting here and there. The flowers aren’t too overwhelming as the presence of green still brings warmth to the venue.

“Being comfortable is important to our guests. So we’ve set up cushions, whether the guest is lounging around the sun canopy or under the stars at twilight,” he motions the sky.

“And for an added touch, there will be a citrus-scented yarn added on each cushion. The flower centerpieces are yet to be determined,” he clasps his hand and looks at me. “So, what are your thoughts?”

“I – I think you did a splendid job. I’m – I’m speechless! Honestly, I couldn’t ask for more. I can’t wait ’till the day is over and see all those lamps lights up!” I answer truthfully. 

“I’m glad to hear that. But we are far from being finish. My goal is to make this place inviting and welcoming,” Pierce babbles. 

I feel an itch on the back of my neck. “If you’ll excuse us. I would like to talk to Vince for a minute. I hope you don’t mind,” I told Pierce. He excuses himself and hurriedly went to check the group arranging the flowers.

“Don’t get me wrong,” I mumble. “I appreciate all of this, but don’t you think it’s a bit much?” I ask Vince.”I don’t need a grand celebration. If you ask Vivienne to bake me a cake and I get to spend my day with Hans, Adeline, and her family, that’s enough for me,” I add.

“Is that so?” he questions.

“Um, how many are you expecting?” I ask, rubbing the back of my neck.

“A couple.”

“Vince, I’ve seen how much they’re stocking your kitchen and cellar. You’ve put so much effort into this and I’m thankful. But I don’t know any of these people, “I stammer. “I don’t have a good feeling about this. My dad is coming and it’s been a while since the last time I saw him. And for some reason when these things happen (pointing at myself) I – I always make a fool of myself. I’m telling you right now, I will attend this party but I’m not staying for long. These people don’t know I exist and I tend to keep it that way. The lesser people I know the better.” I say panicking.

Vince stayed quiet. His eyes were somewhere behind me. 

Without hesitation, Zoey steps in and immediately hands a couple of papers to Vince. Vince didn’t think twice as he took the papers and starts to skim through them.

I stare in disbelief. She didn’t pay attention to me. And unlike me, she screams for attention. I can see her areolas poking out her dress – too revealing. And whatever perfume she has on is making my guts turn.

“It’s rude to just butt in when someone is talking. Don’t you think?” I hiss.

She turns her heels and stares at me. “I’m sorry,” she steps closer smiling at me. “It’s quite important.” She adds.

“And you assume we’re talking something NOT important?”

The smile is still plastered on her face. A challenging one if you ask me. “My apologies.”

“What is it that you do again?”I ask.

She held her head high and fluttering her eyelashes. “I am Sir Vince’s secretary.”

“Right. For a minute there, I swear I could’ve mistaken you as his wife, whore, or some fucking queen who thinks she owns the fucking universe. But thank you for clarifying that, miss secretary.”

“Francis,” Vince interrupts. 

“What?” Sounding more annoyed than I intended.

“It is an important document.”

Zoey place her hand on her waist and chuckles. “Oh sweetheart, I don’t know if I should be offended or take that as a compliment. You’re cute.”

“Enough. Take this to my office,” Vince said handing the papers back. “And ask the kitchen ladies to fix him something to eat.” Vince places his hand on my lower back and I back away not trusting whatever he’s doing.

“Come, you need to see the tailor,” he orders.

“And get me a tea will you? Thank you,” I told Zoey before I turn my back on her.

I followed Vince down to the common room and I found Lucien and Dominique conversing. I’m trying not to get Zoey on my nerves so I try to distract my mind. I find it quite odd how good-looking these men are. I know Vince and Lucien’s looks run with the family, but what about Dominique. These humans are blessed.

Dominique saw us walking and his brow furrows. “Did you see Zoey? I sent her down with the documents. I would’ve appreciated it if you didn’t bail on me last night. The Cassagrandes aren’t too happy. Thankfully Zoey was there to back me up. Poor girl has to stay all night to accompany the old fuck,” he rants. 

“I sent you to do the job,” Vince said.

“Hey, she made him happy. Everybody’s happy,” Dominique replies.

I have my hand massaging my forehead and the other near my mouth biting on my nail when Lucien bumps me in the shoulder. “Penny for your thoughts?” he asks with a raised brow.

“I didn’t know Zoey had a bad night and I said something awful to her,” I said.

“Oh really? What did she do this time? Sometimes she does things to annoy you. Or to get your attention.”

What? 

“He needs to be measure for a suit,” Vince interjects.

“And you are saying this to me because?”Lucien answers.

“Because you own a Tailor company,” Dominique retorts.

“That doesn’t make any sense. Own is the keyword. I pay people to work for me, so I don’t do the work,” Lucien counters.

I’m dumbfounded right now. I have this mixed feelings inside me. Deep inside, I don’t know these people. I don’t recall spending this much time with either of them. This has been the longest yet. Today and yesterday. I look at Vince and he has a smile on his face. Enjoying the bickering of his brother and friend. I didn’t know he was capable of doing one. Maybe Lucien was right, maybe Zoey did that on purpose to annoy me and get my attention. Maybe Vince saw it coming so he let her. But either way, I feel like I’m slowly and truly starting to know and understand these people.

Why wait for my birthday to come? If this happened sooner, then maybe I am friends with them. Maybe I can comprehend and not be dramatic all the time. Maybe I am friends with Vince.

Vince must have sensed me staring at him. He stares back and his smile fades replaced with bewilderment. This man is a mystery. 

I’m starting to wonder. Vince did mention waiting for my 20th birthday as part of the deal he made with my father. Maybe he wasn’t the bad guy after all. Maybe my dad is.

“Penny for your thoughts?” This time it was Vince who bumps me in the shoulder. 

_____

Hello readers,

Just to let you know, I’ve edited chapter one and will continue to do so until chapter 8. I made a lot of changes: correcting grammar, spelling, punctuations, etc.

I am also deleting contexts and adding a better version, so it’s not confusing where the story is heading. 

I’d also like to remind everybody that this is a fiction story – created from imagination.