Chapter 57 - ALMOST
"Miss Beatrix, it was Mr. Crawford's firm instruction to never allow you leave this room unless his visitor leaves!" The servant exclaimed in alarm, the healthy color drained her cheeks. She has the appearance of a woman expecting the worst to come.
The hand that was holding a feather duster was trembling with fear. A while ago, she entered my room informing me Alexander sent her in to clean my room and I opened the door so she could begin. But when I told her I would go and see father, she stiffened, then froze with apprehension. Her frightened gaze met mine. Before I realized what she's doing, her thin frame blocked the door.
"Pardon me?" I peered from under my eyelashes, wry amusement lit my eyes. "That's incredulous, why would father do that?" I respond, shaking my head in disbelief.
"He has a visitor—a very important one. I assume the master of the house has a valid reason. He was a reasonable man after all." The maid explained, her fearful expression didn't even soften.
"I'm curious who that visitor would be. I promise I will not let father see me. I will just peek into the library. It would be quick."
"Good Heavens! Please don't even attempt Ma'am." She begged, her horrified face warned me. "
My gaze landed on the crib beside my bed, Faith was serenely sleeping hugging her tiny pillow. I turned back to the servant, "I'll be back." I said softly to avoid waking up my daughter.
"Please follow his order, Miss Beatrix. I'll be banished out of this house if I failed to do just what Mr. Crawford ordered me." She desperately clings to my arms, doing her best to stop me from fleeing to the door.
"Don't worry I'll back you up. Father will not get mad." I assured her, patting her fingers that held my arms captive. I gave her a gentle push on the shoulders and moved slightly to the door.
The servant did nothing but gave a resigned smile. Her tearful eyes followed me to the floor until I was no longer in sight.
I was on the top of the stairs when I saw the door to the library flung open. A man with his back on me emerged and made his way to the door with quick, long strides.
The man was tall probably around six feet and three inches in height, with broad muscular shoulders. He wore a simple grey shirt that hugged the muscular contours of his body, on his bottom he wore denim jeans that cling to the rippling muscles of his legs.
He never once looked behind him, unaware that prying eyes surveyed him from head to toe. He was moving in a rush and before I knew it he was already out the door.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts, I suddenly spaced out without me realizing it. I was walking nearly on the bottom of the stairs when the door to the library opened, this time it was Alexander who emerged with a grim expression on his face, unaware that I was there, quietly watching him.
"Pa?" I softly called out. The instance he heard my voice, his face cleared, gone was the grim expression, it vanished quickly as if it didn't exist at all.
"Beatrix," He wasn't least surprised to see me, if he is, his face gave no clue.
"A visitor pa?" I asked with concealed interest as if it was the most natural thing to ask."
"Yes, a man applying for a job to be exact."
"Oh, is he hired?"
"Not yet Beatrix. But I'm sure he will be soon." He replied mysteriously, a glint crossed his black charcoal eyes.
I said nothing more.
"I will be throwing a grand party for you this Wednesday Beatrix. I want to introduce you to the Elite world as my daughter and the future heiress of the Crawford Chain of business."
My mouth parted in surprise. The prospect of meeting new acquaintances from the Elite world father moves was enough to scare the hell out of me.
'Future Heiress of Crawford Chain of Business' The words reverberated inside my thoughts. My fingers suddenly turned cold. The word 'heiress' sounded foreign to my ears and it never once occurred to me I would find myself one day to be one.
I nearly panicked from the huge responsibility waiting to be laid on my shoulders. Not that I'm dealing with my cowardice, it's just that I'm too naive and too uneducated to handle such responsibility. I have eight brothers, I'm sure they would be willing to become the successor of the Crawford Inheritance.
It was the first time father brought the topic, I wonder what got in him to finally decide to throw such a grand event. I lapsed into silence, preoccupied with my thoughts.
Sensing the doubt that I failed to conceal, Alexander turned to me, lifted my chin so I could look straight into his eyes. There was so much tenderness inside in the depths of his eyes which reassured me that everything would be fine and I shouldn't be scared.
He captured my fingers and held them firmly with his rough calloused hands—a hand of a diligent and hard-working man.
"Beatrix…." He trailed, contemplating the right words to explain so I would easily understand. "I lost you for twenty-three long years of my life, I wasn't there when you needed me the most. I wasn't even there to hug and comfort you in your very first nightmare. I wasn't even there to protect you on your very first heartbreak. And I'm so sorry for that."
"Papa…." Lost for words, I wasn't able to say anything more.
Alexander cleared his throat, forcing the tears back as he continued. "Just always remember that I'm here now to protect you…. And so your eight brothers. I will never allow anyone to hurt you again…"
I swore that there was flame blazing in the depths of my father's eyes as he made the vow.
He wrapped me tight around his arms so tenderly, drowning me with affection. "They start the war and you've been hopeless to fight before. It's now your turn to show them how the real game is done, Beatrix."
I don't know what he meant. I didn't take it too seriously. I just wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned my head into his shoulders.
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