Chapter 64 - SURPRISED
"H-have w-we met before?" I blurted the words aloud before I realized what I was doing. I shouldn't have asked but there's a part of me curious to find the truth.
A pair of exquisite blue eyes stared back at me and I caught my breath as he steadied his gaze to mine. He's got the most amazing shade of blue eyes I've ever seen. For a moment I found myself staring straight into a shade of beautiful lagoon.
"I assure you, we never met before Madam." He was polite, his face showed not a bit of emotion but when I looked into the depth of his eyes, I caught a glimpse of sadness he wasn't able to conceal in time.
"Are you sure?" I wasn't convinced yet. There was a different answer I wish to hear coming from him.
"I'm certain Madam. We haven't met before." He replied.
Despite the seemingly honest remark, I have this feeling he wasn't entirely telling the truth.
I shook my head. Probably I was simply mistaken. Why would he lie anyway?
"How may assist you, Madam?" He asked, his eyes never leaving mine. I could feel my knees melting from the heat of his stare.
"Are you really the Gardener?" I asked instead. He was probably thinking I lost my mind.
"Yes, Madam I am." It was his short response. A flicker of amusement crossed his eyes making it appear wider. He has amazing long eyelashes and I envy him for having them.
It was impossibly hard to stare at him and not lose oneself. With his perfect posture, large muscular built, and well-proportioned body he would undoubtedly pass a modeling career
He was too overqualified to become a gardener. One could think that a man as breathtakingly handsome as he could find a more decent job with higher pay. It was such a surprise to find deity standing in front of a garden and tending the plants as if he was a perfectly chiseled statue.
"Are you listening, Madam?" His irritated voice tore on my thoughts. It seems I space out without me knowing. He was looking at me with his bushy eyebrows furrowed as he waited for my response.
I lifted my gaze back to him. My cheeks turned into a shade of crimson from embarrassment. "What were you saying?"
"For the third time, how may I assist you, Madam?" Gone was the flicker of amusement in his ocean blue eyes. He sobered and put a mask of paper blank expression on.
"I would need assistance moving out all the baskets of flowers inside the Kitchen before it becomes an inconvenience. Please put them all together inside the huge marble flower pot. When you finish the task, please display it in the living room."
And just like that after I said everything he needed to know, he walked away without saying anything. My eyes lingered on the sweat-soaked shirt he wore which now clings on the hard muscles of his back. He was the type who could wear anything but still manage to look regal. He may wear a rag but I swear he would still slay the look.
Upstairs, I paced back and forth with growing unease, my arms folded beneath my breasts. A frown crumpled my forehead.
'I couldn't be mistaken. I saw him before. I just forgot where and when. I could trust my Intuition, I couldn't lie.
This is not the time to burden myself to remember things I couldn't even recall, I reminded myself.? I stopped pacing back and forth and stationed in front of Faith's bed.
My daughter was wide awake, giggling as she watched the colorful stars hanging on top of her crib. I stared at her with warmth spreading inside my chest. My sweet little baby. I mumbled, all worries occupying my thoughts were temporarily forgotten.
Her arms flailed as she stared at me. There was a smile tugging at the corner of her small, shapely lips. It never stopped to amaze me how I gave birth to such a seraphic creature. She was so beautiful. I wonder what her father looked like. He must be so handsome too.
Faith stared at me. For a moment, I found myself lost in the depths of her blue eyes. I was like staring into the depths of a wondrous ocean. I could lose myself in it forever.
A thought struck me. Faith's exquisite blue eyes seem utterly familiar. I have seen it before. I will bet my life I did.
A soft knock on the door woke me up to the burgeoning thoughts I found myself occupied. I briskly opened the door and pulled it open.
"Can we talk Beatrice?"
Alexander stored inside the room and made a beeline straight to the crib where he found his granddaughter looking at him with wide innocent eyes.
"What is it, papa?" I asked.
He shifted his gaze back to me, a smile slowly brightened his face. "Mr. Peterson came to me at the Hotel Site today, he asked permission to bring you to his friend's birthday party."
I sighed heavily and stared heavenward. Partying was the last thing I wanted to do. I have a daughter to take good care of and I have no time to have fun outside the house. Leaving Faith alone tonight seems to be an unpleasant idea that will hunt me to my destination.
"Pa, I couldn't leave Faith alone. It gives me anxiety." My pleading gaze landed on his. I was praying so hard that I won't be obliged to attend another party tonight. All I needed was a peaceful night of sleep.
"Mr. Peterson rarely asked anyone to a party, Beatrix. You should be privileged. He was a decent man from a decent family. His family owns a chain of Hotels."
"I don't care if he was a farmer papa. I wouldn't care as long as he's a good and decent man. But that's beyond my point. What I'm trying to say is, I'm not open to welcome any man in my life now. I have Faith papa. I have my brothers. I have you."
I took a step forward, took his hands into my own, and stared deep into his eyes. "I have everything I ever wanted papa. Please… don't push me to things which are against my will."
"It was your happiness I'm after Beatrix. I want you to enjoy your freedom. I want to find you a man who will love you with all his heart." He explained, his tremble with emotion.
"I am happy papa. I couldn't be happier now."
Alexander Crawford's shoulders sank. He looked defeated. "I already said yes Beatrix."
"I couldn't let you down papa." I sighed deeply, concealing my growing annoyance regarding the matter.
Hearing the good news Alexander's face lit up with surprise. But after seeing the expression of uncertainty on my face, his shoulders sunk once more.
"Please don't force yourself, Beatrix. I could just tell Mr. Peterson you can't come since you're? feeling unwell."
"True, I don't want to attend the party pa but I couldn't just lie to avoid the situation. I made up my mind I will attend tonight but you promise me that in the near future you will not decide anything without consenting me first."
He must have noticed the stubborn tilt of my jaw and the fierce glow burning on my eyes that he finally agreed. He knew when to argue and he knew exactly when it's time to give up and face defeat. "I'm sorry Beatrix for forcing you into this. I promise that this would be the last time you will have to do this. I will not interfere with your decisions anymore."
"I'm happy to hear that papa."
Alexander Crawford was gone but I was still wrapped in my thoughts. Not only will I worry about my outfit tonight but I will also worry about who will take good care of Faith.
Not that I can blame papa, he was just trying to divert my attention away from worries, including my past.? He was simply trying to thrust me into a different environment in which I will have the chance to move forward and forget what entirely happened to me.
Being the Crawford Heiress had its own disadvantages. I? thought rather grimly realizing I was pushed into action. I have no other choice but to allow myself to be driven away
Perhaps going to a party wasn't a bad idea at all. Maybe I will find myself enjoying the party tonight. I will me a new acquaintance which would probably be beneficial to me in the near future.
"You should behave tonight baby. Mama will be out to attend a party. Please don't make it hard for your uncles tonight, they will be the ones to take good care of you ."
I smiled at my daughter as I lift her into my arms. She was surprisingly smooth and warm to the touch.? She smiled back at me showing a pair of adorable dimples that melted my heart with its charm.
"I love you, Faith. Mama will not be long, she will return quickly after the party."
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