Desire {18+}

Chapter 8

I walked down the path of the garden, already surrounded by greenery on both sides of me. Once I turn a corner around the building, I almost gasp at the beautiful sight of blooming flowers blossoming around an elegant fountain. I walk over, dipping my hand down and touching the water as it flows to the bottom of the fountain bath. There's a range of flowers encircling it. Different coloured roses, daisies, orchids, tulips and daffodils, carnations and lots more to which I wasn't familiar with names. I don't think I've ever seen a prettier flower display.

I leave the fountain spot, carrying on walking around the garden, trying to calm the thoughts in my head. I pass two of the maids I saw in the kitchen a couple of times this week and smile at them, earning beams from them both as they move past and carry on speaking together.

While I'm still exploring the gardens outside, admiring the flowers all around, I hear a small noise coming from somewhere near me. I turn to look behind me, then back in front, but I see nothing, so I take a step to walk again, but I feel something brush past my leg. I look down and see a small ginger cat.

I can't help the delighted look on my face. "Oh shoot," I kneel to get closer as the cat brushes my knee, "Hi there, little one," I say quietly, petting the cat, and then stroking it. It seems to like physical touch a lot because it cuddles right into my hand as I stroke its fur.

"Now who's cat are you?" I ask, as if I'll receive a response. "Maybe you're a stray cat," I wonder, looking around me, and noticing all I see is forests. It can't be a stray. Someone here must own it. I laugh as the cat purrs and I continue to stroke it a couple of times before I stand up and brush down my leggings, looking up. My eyes widen a little out of surprise.

Standing before me was Harlow, wearing a black jacket and dress pants, with a short white corset-like top. "Oh shit- sorry, sorry you just scared me, Miss," I told her, being polite and trying not to get nervous. I remember Simon's advice. Guess I'm a quick learner.

"It's Simon's cat. Ron." Oh.

"Is that - from Harry Potter?" I question, noticing Harlow doesn't seem very interested in my question. Not very professional, but the name just rang a bell, and I forgot who I was talking to.

"Something like that." She replies simply.

We both stand quietly, her eyes staring right into mine, however, her face holds a serious expression. I look down, noticing the cat has started to walk away now.

Breaking the awkwardness between us, I back away a step. "I think I'm just going to um- go back to my room. I think my walk is finished." I tell Harlow, nodding and turning around to walk away. But before I could make my way back the way I came into the house, my wrist got snatched and I got pulled back and around to face her. I inhale sharply in shock, my eyes widening. Being this close to her, I can tell she's taller than me, not too tall, but taller. And her eyes are a dark shade of green.

"I didn't dismiss you."

What are you - my teacher?

"Talking back now? And I thought you're attitude towards me changed for the better, guess not." She tells me. Oh my god, I didn't mean to say that out loud, enough for her to hear.

"I didn't mean to say that-"

"Of course you didn't sweet little Elodie." She tells me, pouting sarcastically, making me shoot her a frown. What the hell is she playing at?

"I need to talk to you and give you something. So behave and go." She tells me, moving her hand to another door in the distance, and ushering me to go. I do as she tells me to, not wanting to argue or cause a scene and I walk in front of her towards the door. Though I'm not sure where I'm going or why I'm leading the way, I just head for the path to the door.