𝗯𝗮𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 ── felix catton.

▃▃ 𝖛𝖎𝖎𝖎.

𝕭𝖆𝖌 𝕺𝖋 𝕭𝖔𝖓𝖊𝖘,

chapter eight.

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𝕾𝖆𝖑𝖙𝖇𝖚𝖗𝖓. Over the past years, Gabriette had come to regard this place as the closest thing to home. The journey to Saltburn unfolded like a cinematic montage, showcasing a tapestry of contrasting landscapes. In no time, she, Felix, and Farleigh arrived at the grand estate.

As the imposing gates swung open, a tree-lined driveway revealed itself, leading toward the majestic entrance. The grand facade stood proudly, its stone exterior echoing tales of a bygone era.

Sprawling and meticulously maintained, the estate grounds were a canvas adorned with vibrant gardens that injected bursts of color into the surroundings.

Stepping out of the car and onto the driveway a few days ago felt like a weight lifted off Gabriette's shoulders. She had grown to love this place and its people. Warmly greeted by the Catton family, Elspeth had expressed admiration for Gabriette's beauty, gushing over her 'growth' during the months spent at Oxford.

With a few days having passed, everyone settled into the rhythm of summer life, anticipating Oliver's arrival later that day.

Yet, taking everyone by surprise, when a footman entered the threshold into the library where lively conversations unfolded, overshadowing the television show playing in the background.

The footman's announcement of Oliver's early arrival prompted Felix to shoot up from his seat on the floor, eager to welcome Oliver.

He warmly welcomed his friend and embarked on a classic Felix-style whirlwind tour through a portion of the house. The impromptu tour concluded in Oliver's assigned room for the summer, conveniently located right next to Felix's.

"Here's your room!" Felix exclaimed with a joyful grin, leaning casually on the dresser as Oliver absorbed the surroundings with a 'wow.'

"Yep, so, you've seen my room. Farleigh's is just down the hall and up some stairs. My sister's is a couple of halls away, so you won't bump into her at night. Gab's room is the farthest from all of us on the other side of the house. But, she rarely sleeps there; she claims it's too far. So, she's always room hopping between mine, Farleigh's, and sometimes Venetia's room, to sleep in for the night," Felix explained, his gestures emphasizing the layout of the house.

After a moment of silence, allowing Oliver to absorb the surroundings, Felix chimed in, "I'm glad you're here, mate. Right, I will leave you to it. Oh! Just one thing. Mum has a phobia of beards and stubble so I left a razor for you in the bathroom."

Oliver responded with a perplexed, "What?"

"Yeah, I don't know. she thinks it's unhygienic. Something to do with her father. It's bonkers, I mean, I'm not even allowed to wear my
fucking stud when I'm here" Felix exclaimed, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

"Anything else I should know about?" Oliver inquired.

But Felix simply shook his head, dismissing it with a wave, "No. No. Just be yourself! They'll love you! It's relaxed, I promise," he said as he left, adding, "We'll be in the library!"

"Library?" Oliver muttered, not exactly sure of its location.

After shaving and freshening up, Oliver strolls into the great hall. In solitude, he takes the opportunity to inspect things more closely. Passing by a table, he notices a glass box containing a miniature model of the house, featuring four tiny cut-outs of the family standing in front: "The Catton Players."

Curiosity piqued, Oliver pulls out the bottom drawer of the box, triggering the sudden play of music. The cut-outs spring to life, dancing a somewhat eerie jig.

While engrossed in observing this miniature spectacle, his reverie is abruptly interrupted by a burst of laughter emanating from a room in the distance.

Following the laughter, Oliver recognizes specific voices and laughter, along with the soundtrack of Superbad playing from what seems to be a television.

"It's called Prescot," Felix declares, and Oliver stops by the door, eavesdropping on the ongoing conversation.

"Oh, it'll be some awful slum," remarks an unfamiliar voice, supported by a second voice suggesting, "Hmm, some sort of hovel-ish squat."

As Oliver listens, two female voices continue gossiping about him.

Inside the room, Pamela and Elspeth are draped over a couch, while Felix is seated diagonally from them on the floor. Sir James concentrates on the playing television from an armchair. Farleigh and Gabriette sit behind them, Farleigh in another armchair and Gabriette on the armrest, her arm around his shoulder as she leans over him to point out something on the computer positioned on his lap.

Elspeth turns back to Farleigh and Gabriette, "Is it true that he had to put his fingers down his mother's throat to make her sick?"

Farleigh mutters a 'yeah,' and Gabriette nods with a twisted face. "That's private stuff, you two," Felix retorts.

"Well, you told us," Farleigh responds, his focus still on the screen before him.

"In confidence," Felix shoots back.

"We should give him the most wonderful time," Elspeth declares.

"Good luck, he doesn't smile much," Farleigh comments, and Gabriette nods, adding, "Or show any emotion at all."

"Dull, yes, yes," Pamela agrees, as if she knows the boy personally.

Meanwhile, Oliver, still standing outside, catches a blonde woman, probably in her 20s, staring at him. They hold each other's gaze for a moment before she bursts into a fit of low laughter. Was she laughing at him?

Finally, Oliver edges into the library with Pamela still rambling on.

"And here he is now! We were just talking about you," Farleigh exclaims as he's the first one to take note of the boy's arrival.

All eyes turn to Oliver in the doorway. "Don't be silly. Farleigh, you just make up the most awful things. Of course, we weren't. Hello, Oliver, darling!" Elspeth gasps in delight as she shoots up from her seat, heading for Oliver.

"Oh, what beautiful eyes! Oh, how wonderful!" The woman says dramatically, grabbing Oliver's face with both her hands, scanning his features.

"Oh god, here we go..." Gabriette sighs at Elspeth who shushes the girl, "Oh shush, Gabbie, let me admire the boy in peace!" and continues to gush over Oliver, who stands awkwardly rooted in his spot.

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