Chapter SIXTY- ONE: BREAKFAST WITH KIERAN
A few minutes just after I went through the note, I heard a knock again. According to the note, the stylist would come first before the maid and so I opened the door to see Mrs Catherine smiling back at me.
“Good morning Mrs Catherine,” I said first.
“Wow, someone seems to be in a good mood today. I guess no need asking how your night went then.”
“I had a crazy night but its good to start a new day with a good mood.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“So what next? Lets get this Kimberly’s look up again,” I said.
I heard her warm breath resting on my scalp as she exhaled.
“Look Clara,” she began softly now, “we really do not have to make you look like someone else. I would go with whatever you want.”
“Don’t worry Mrs Catherine, I am fine with whatever Kieran wants.”
“Are you sure? Look, I don’t mind getting punished for it, really.”
“I am sure. And I am sorry about last night. I shouldn’t have been so harsh to you. Was just having a really rough night.”
“I understand. It is usually hard on the first weeks but it gets better when you get used to the palace and your new life. But all the same, you’ll be fine.”
“Thank you. Just tone the lipstick down a bit.”
She nodded and smiled as she began fixing my hair again. Even though I still didn’t like the way I looked, I still felt like I actually owned myself this time. I mean if Kieran could term a plain silk white dress classy then I knew that I hadn’t lost my class just yet.
“You look beautiful,” she said as soon as she was done.
“Yeah, Kimberly is pretty.” I joked laughing and she joined me and then I heard another knock again.
“That must be the maid that would escort me to the dinning.”
“Yeah, okay my work is done I need to leave.”
“Mrs Catherine,” I called out to her and walked closer to her.
“What happened to Kimberly and why does Kieran want me to look just like her?”
“There is a limit to what I can tell you Clara.”
“Why?”
“Look Clara, the less you know the better.”
“I don’t understand all this shits. I am being dragged into something that no one wants to tell me about. All I need is an information to hold on to.”
“I understand Clara.”
“No you don’t. Do you know how it feels to wake up every morning knowing that you are going to stay all day looking like someone that you don’t have an idea about?”
“This is all my fault.”
“How do you mean?”
“I shouldn’t have let you see that picture.”
“Are you kidding me right now? This is so unbelievable.”
“I have to leave Clara. I am sorry.”Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.
She unlocked the door and walked out and Donna walked in.
“When I read through that note and saw that a maid would be coming. I hoped so much that it would be you.”
“Are you okay? I heard voices,” Donna said.
I walked up to her and buried myself in her arms.
“I am not okay.”
“Its fine. You look beautiful. Don’t cry so you wouldn’t ruin your make up.”
“I’m not crying. Just a bit emotional.”
“Okay take your time. But know that Kieran is waiting.”
“Oh yeah right, the tyrant,” I rolled my eyes.
“Shh… don’t let them hear you,” she whispered chuckling, “But we’ve got to go.”
“The note said they’ll be a guest.”
“Yeah, Theophilus, Kieran’s business partner.”
“Oh, so what am I supposed to be? His pretend mate?”
“Just be you. Come on, let’s go.”
Donna walked me to the dinning room and Kieran and Theophilus passed as soon as they saw me. Kieran stood up from his chair with a smile across his lips and walked to me.
“Good morning beautiful,” he smiled but I did not smile back.
“Smile, you look off,” he whispered and pulled me close.
“What am I supposed to be? your bride?”
He ignored me.
I forced a smile and walked to the dining table.
“Hey Clara right?” The guy asked, he had a bright smile and good-looking too. He took my hands and kissed it. While Kieran pulled a seat out for me and I settled in.
“Thank you. Nice to meet you.”
“I am Theo, Theophilus. It’s nice to meet you too.”
I still held my lips in a smile and stared at the food. Then, I use the fork to take out the peanut butter but it still nauseated me.
“What is it Clara, you don’t like the meal?” Kieran asked.
“I’m allergic to peanut butter.”
“Oh I see.”
“I wonder why Kieran would not know about that.”
“I mean I am supposed to be like your…”
“The chef would make you something else,” he cut me off.
“Maybe I don’t just feel like eating.”
I noticed the smile dry up from Kieran and just then I knew just what I needed to do. If I was to be deprived of joy then we would have to do it together.
“Alright. So what’s the next plan? The event?” He asked Kieran.
“Yes, that should create publicity. It should be big and classy. Just nobles. Strictly by invitation. What do you think about that?”
“Well I think that you should let an event planner do their work,” I responded sipping from a cup.
” I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Why? But I am here and you invited me for breakfast. Oh wait, you don’t speak to slaves?”
“Kieran what is she talking about?”
“No Theo that’s the wrong question that you should ask him. Maybe you should ask him…”
“It’s nothing Theo,” Kieran cut me off.
“Uhmm… I have a meeting at the office. We would speak later Kieran. Bye Clara,” he left the table and walked out.
“I think I should leave too,” I stood up.
“Sit down,” he said without looking up.
“But breakfast is over.”
“I said sit down!”
I let myself again on the seat and Kieran looked at me. His eyes already glowing in anger but I didn’t care.
“What was that all about?”
“What was what all about? Last I checked we were having breakfast.”
“Do you know who that guy is?”
“I don’t know and I don’t care.”
“Yeah I see, that’s why you speak out of turn.”
“Oh, I didn’t know I should wait for my turn before I speak at a table I was invited to. If you didn’t want me to speak, then you wouldn’t have invited me. In case of course you brought me here for something else. Something I’m still trying so hard to figure out.”
“You don’t get to just say stuff you could ruin things for me.”
“Well ruining things for you would not be so bad.”
“Clara, you are overstepping boundaries.”
“Oh, am I?”
I took the knife and the toast spreading the peanut butter all over it and then I took a huge bite.
“Wait but you said…”
“I said what? I’m allergic right,” my words were muffled.
“You lied, you crazy bitch.”
Then I dropped the toast on the plate and gulped down the glass of water wiping my lips with the napkin as I left the chair.
“I guess we are done with this meeting. You want to treat me like shit right? Well guess what? I will not allow you or anyone treat me like shit. You want my bitchy side, I’ll give you just what you asked for. Have a lovely day Kieran,” I walked out laughing hysterically. He watched in awe.