Chapter Thirty- Six: Breakfast in Bed
“Morning Clara.”
The voice echoed in my head as I struggled to keep awake.
“What?” I opened my eyes to find Patricia by the door holding a tray in her grip, her lips stretched out as a beautiful smile graced them.
“What’s that smell?”
The dishes oozed a sweet smell that rushed into my nostrils as I inhaled.
“Surprise… surprise. I brought you breakfast in bed, your royal highness,” she teased.
“Oh Patricia, you really do not have to go through all that stress for me.”
“Well, who said I made them,” she chuckled, “but after what you did yesterday showcasing your skills, I decided that I should try a few tricks of my own.”
“So, you did make them.”
“Have a taste of my delight. Patricia’s special.”
“I sure would. Those are pancakes right? Smells like strawberry topped pancakes.”
“You smelled right. Here you go she placed the tray on the top of the bedside drawer.
It had been less than a day and I had already begun to feel the love that blossomed and I wished for nothing more than for it to be long lasting.
“Thanks Patricia.’
“You are highly welcomed. So, tell me, what are your plans for today?” She asked.
“I don’t know, I have been used to the life of working daily being stationed to different work sites, following instructions and all, and now I kind of feel purposeless.”
“I think we should go out shopping, maybe we could have a few drinks, it would be fun. We could have a clear glimpse of the market and maybe the town.”
The idea sounded like a well-cooked plan for a day, a good one at that but I sure wasn’t ready to leave town, I still didn’t know why but somehow it felt as though I would be leaving with Ryan’s consent. I still felt compelled to him, after all he had only given me a room in the manor and not given me my whole freedom. Even if he did, I knew right now that I would have to think better before leaving. Somehow, I felt I had found myself a home.
“Ryan has done a good job taking me around,” I said watching the new expression grow on her face. It was like an admixture of being surprised and concerned, I wouldn’t blame her for having such a look.
“Oh really?”
“Yes, I had seen a couple places in this town, it’s such a big town but he had advised that we do not go beyond borders.”
“I see. Then we should obey his rules then.”
“But that’s so kind of you. I appreciate the kind gesture.”
“Well, Ryan will be back tomorrow, so I was thinking that you should do something for him.”
“Something like what?”
“Well, like a gesture to show that you care about him or do you not?”
“Well, I do but…”
“There are no buts, this will only make him feel special. This is a great idea. I think you should buy into it. What are you scared of anyway?”
“What if he doesn’t feel exactly the way that you think that he feels for me?”
“Oh please, have you seen the way that he looks at you?”
“How does he look at me?”
“Quit pretending, you are smart. I know that you have noticed a few times the way that he looks at you.”
“What if it’s something else?”
“C’mon Clara, something else like what?”
“Like maybe mere pity.”
“You know very well that that’s not it. I have known him for many years and I have never seen him look at someone in that way before. So, he definitely likes you.”
“So, what’s this special thing that you think I should do?”
“I have been waiting for that question all morning,” she chuckled.
“Seems like you have already gotten it all planned out.”
“Not really, but I think I have an idea of something you can do. It would not require a lot but it would certainly speak volumes when he sees that you actually thought about something like that.”
“But truth to be told I didn’t think of anything like that, you did.”
“Don’t worry it would be our little secret. No one would have to know whose idea it was.”
“So, tell me, what is this big idea, my ears are itching.”
“It’s clear, you prepared something very delicious for dinner yesterday, why don’t you do the same for his arrival, I mean you can serve it to him in his chambers.”
“Oh no…no, I can’t do that.”
“And why not?”
“First, I can’t just go into the kitchen again after what happened and then what if he doesn’t like it?”
“Let my mother not be an issue, I’ll talk to her, she listens to me and besides it’s just one meal. And Ryan would love it. All you must do is serve it to his chambers, that’s all, maybe for some reason you feel too tired to cook, you can let one of the best chefs handle it but then, you have to serve it to him yourself.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Of course, Ryan would love it. It would only mean that you care about him.”
“Okay fine, I would do it.”
“Perfect, now I have the perfect idea of what you should prepare for him.”
“I think that broth would be great to make for him.”
“No…no not the broth. An apple pie.”
“I don’t know about that, I mean if I am to make him something and serve it myself to him, I should choose the meal myself don’t you think.”
“Yeah, I know but would you want to make something that he would not find interesting and tasty?”
“The broth was nice, you said it yourself.”
“Well, Ryan would not like that. He always likes his apple pies made with freshly cut apples and I think some grow in the orchard. We should go get some.”
“Oh okay, it’s the apple pie then.”
“Of course, it is.” she smiled.
“Enjoy your breakfast, I will be back in a few hours’ time so we can go pick up those apples.”
“Yes okay, thanks again for this.”
I watched the slaves tilling heavily into the soil, with their raggedy look as the sun burnt their skins. A few days ago I was no different from them, with my aching back and my feet that were heavy.
“Clara, I heard a voice from a distance and as such turned towards it. it was Beth she approached from a distance.”
“Hey Beth, it had been days and I was happy to see her, but as they drew close, the guards stopped her from pulling her down.”
“Where do you think you are going?” Patricia barked at her.
“Hey Patricia, calm down. It is Beth, she is a friend.”
“You should not allow the slaves to come close to you.”
“Please let her go. She is a friend.”
“They did as I had requested and Beth became free from their grip as she turned back to leave.”
“Hey Beth, slow down; I want to talk to you.”
“I need to go back to my duty post.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“I know but can you please listen to me for a bit?” I hurried towards her.”
“Stay away from me.”
“Come on Beth, You supported the idea of me moving in, right? Why the attitude now?”
“I can’t believe you are walking with her and even talking to her,” she turned towards me.
“I know I can’t believe it too.”
“I thought she didn’t like you?”
“Thought so too,”
“Then, what are you doing with her?”
“I guess people change, come on Beth, she has proven to be a good friend.”
“Listen Clara, you should know better by now that no one really does change overnight. Can you not see that she has something up her sleeves?”
“Beth, you would not accuse Patricia of anything. We talked and she opened about a lot of things stating why she had been angry from the beginning and I understood everything. Look, I am tired of living a life of hate and pain. I just want to be happy and at peace with everyone. Please can you not be happy for me?”
“I cannot be happy seeing you walk into a trap.”
“Why am I even bothered about your opinion? You don’t even know me and neither do I know you.”
“Oh my God Clara did you just say that to me.”
“But that is the truth,”
“You are so unbelievable; I hope you know what you are doing Clara. And it wouldn’t be too late before you realise the truth.”
“This is the truth Beth, I have finally found peace, get used to it.”
“Yeah, I sure will.”
She walked back as I hurried to meet up with Patricia who had continued the walk to the orchard after she had waited for a little while.