Back to present:
While Bartholomew was gone, I decided to have a little walk around the mansion. Bartholomew was making a big deal out of things and I wouldn't collapse after a few minutes of walking. I couldn't just sit around and rest all day because that was way more tiring than walking.
I didn't know what Bartholomew told Peridot because as soon as he saw me standing he ran up to me:
"Is there something the matter? Can I help you with anything?
-No, thank you. I am just going on a walk."
He didn't seem convinced for some reason and that made me laugh:
"I am not a porcelain doll. I will just walk for a few minutes and look around. Don't worry."
Peridot hesitated for a second:
"It is not my place to say anything but please don't get hurt again. I have never seen Mister Virion that scared.
-I will try my best."
Peridot stepped away with a bow but I didn't leave immediately:
"I have a question. How long have you been working here?
-I have been working for Mister Virion for the last five years.
-Oh, then you and I know each other well."
Peridot looked up at me:
"If you have any questions, I think you should ask Mister Virion directly."
That was weird. Why didn't Peridot answer me directly? But then again he seemed like a rather shy person. He didn't talk at all during breakfast either. Maybe he didn't like talking all together. But wasn't that sad? If I hadn't gotten close to him in the two years I lived here then I needed to get close to him now.
I actually preferred it this way too. If Peridot didn't know me well then we were kind of on the same level. It wasn't like with Bartholomew who knew me by heart. I was almost a stranger to Peridot too.
"Would you like to come with me on my walk?"
Peridot nodded politely:
"It would be my honor."
It didn't really feel like a walk because it was more Peridot following me around without saying a word. Maybe that was why I didn't get close to him in those two years. But that was okay. I had time. I could work with this.
"Do you like working here?
-Yes, sir."
Of course he wasn't going to say that he didn't like it. We were paying him after all. But if Bartholomew kept him for five years that meant that he was good at his job. I would have to be the one doing small talk:
"This mansion is gorgeous. How rich is Bartholomew?
-Master Virion is the fifth richest person in the country.
-That's impressive. What does he do exactly?
-He invested early and built his own company with the money he gained.
-And what am I doing?
-As far as I know, Master Aed doesn't work."
I frowned:
"Do I just stay at home all day and do nothing?
-You would sometimes go with Master Virion on his missions.
-But... Have I got a diploma at least? Or something?
-You do.
-Then again I get why I would just stay here and do nothing. This mansion is huge. I would always find new rooms even after ten years of living here. Isn't this too big for two people?
-Master Virion would surely move out if you told him you wanted to.
-What does he want?"
Both of us jumped and turned towards the voice. I didn't hear Bartholomew come back but he was standing at the entrance, his arms crossed on his chest, glaring at Peridot:
"What is he doing up?"
The way Bartholomew looked at Peridot was very different from how he would look at me and it was my first time seeing his face so cold. Now that he had lost his smile, he looked very intimidating and I could understand better why Peridot would be so shy around me.
"Master Aed wanted to look around the mansion."
Bartholomew looked really scary and I was worried that Peridot would get fired in the second so I quickly interrupted:
"Peridot was very nice and accompanied me to make sure I was okay."
Bartholomew looked at me and his eyes immediately warmed up. The change was so quick that I was worried I would catch a cold.
"Did you have fun?
-Yes. Thanks to Peridot."
I had to insist that Peridot was a good person just to make sure nothing would happen to him.
"I see. Thank you Peridot for taking care of my wife while I was gone. You can go now."
Peridot bowed and immediately left us alone.
"Don't call me wife. We are not married.
-Yet.
-How was work?"
Bartholomew walked up to me with a smile before lifting me in his arms as usual:
"I am fine."
Bartholomew was way too overprotective but I couldn't say anything because I remembered what Peridot said. If he had been that worried about me, he deserved to look after me for a few days. Just until he was sure that I was okay.
"I like you waiting for me and asking me about my day. It really feels like we are married."
He was beaming and he looked way too happy for what it was. I had only been in front of the door when he came in. I didn't even hear him and only asked because I was making small talk. But I couldn't tell him that because I knew he would be disappointed. With everything he did for me, he deserved a bit of happiness.
"Are you hungry?
-A bit.
-Perfect. I brought take out."
He carried me to bed and a second later Peridot came in with the food Bartholomew bought. As we ate I tried making conversation:
"Why are there no pictures of us anywhere?
-You didn't like being photographed but I have one."
Bartholomew got up and rummaged in one of the drawers before coming back with a frame and handing it to me. In the frame there was a picture of me. I was standing in front of a window and was looking up at the sky with a smile. Judging by the angle of the picture, it must have been taken in secret and my past self must have no idea that it existed.
"You never wanted to be photographed but I really wanted to remember that moment.
-I look happy.
-You were waiting for me in the study and were looking at the stars. It was one of the first times I saw you smile like that. I couldn't hold back and took my phone out to take a picture.
-Did I know about this picture?
-No. You would have killed me if you knew."
At least he was honest.
"Then why don't you look sorry at all.
-I don't regret it. That picture is my most precious belonging.
-You could just take other pictures of me. I am sure if you had just told me about this, I would have let you take pictures even if I was shy."
Bartholomew opened wide eyes:
"Would you let me take pictures of you?"
I nodded and Bartholomew jumped up immediately. I had to grab his arm to stop him:
"Not right now. We are eating. But we could do it later."
Bartholomew laughed before sitting back:
"I am sorry. I got carried away.
-It's okay.
-Would you be okay with inviting a professional photographer?
-Why not?
-Really?
-Yes.
-Tomorrow?"
I started laughing. He looked like an excited puppy.