Chapter 94: You’ve the brain.
Chapter 13 - You’ve the brain.
Rosie
I stood outside a gigantic mansion, a home befitting the Winter family, as I tried my best not to gawk at everything. From the outer gates where the car dropped me off to the winding driveway that led to the inner building, everything was breathtaking. The estate was built of pristine cream limestone; the yard was covered with green, perfectly trimmed hedges, and blooming white hydrangeas covered the earth.
Before I could reach for the double doors, they flew open as Elena rushed out to meet me. She was wearing a floor-length designer gown in a white fabric that flowed around her ankles, the flared sleeves catching the breeze. Her hair was swept back into a bun with just a few soft strands falling on her face, and a tiny silver chain rested against her neck. She was beautiful.
She grabbed both of my hands, her eyes twinkling warmly. “Welcome!” she smiled. “Juddy told me you were coming.”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to resist the urge to snicker at that. Juddy. I couldn’t wait to tease him about that later. Jude had traveled out of state a few days ago because the official hockey season had finally kicked off.
“Thank you for having me." I smiled softly, pushing a small bouquet of flowers and a basket of fruits toward her that I’d picked up on the way.
She looked me over from head to toe, and I wanted to turn, somehow feeling self-conscious, but the look in her eyes was warm approval. She nodded, which showed she was clearly pleased, and pulled me inside.
If the outside was beautiful, the interior was downright stunning: oil paintings lined the hallways, towering crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and marble vases held floral arrangements. The interior designers really went all out.
“How have you been?” Elena asked as she led me into a grand sitting room.
“Good,” I replied, nodding as I sat carefully on the edge of a couch, unconsciously rubbing my palms together. Seriously, rich people are intimidating and scary as fuck.
Elena smiled, ringing a small silver bell on the side table to signal a maid to bring us some refreshments. “I hope my son hasn’t been disturbing you and making your life difficult,” she sighed dramatically. “That boy has always been a...”
“He’s okay,” I laughed out loud. In my mind, I added: Except for the fact that he is a shameless flirt.
My eyes drifted to the wall opposite us, catching a beautiful painting of a tree whose branches were curved inward, opened wide as if they were cradling something in mid-air.
Elena followed my line of sight. “You’re looking at that one,” she said softly. “I painted it years ago.”
“It’s beautiful,” I said honestly. It was intriguing.
Elena let out a heavy sigh, her palm resting against her left cheek. “Thank you. I’ve been dealing with a creative block lately. I haven’t been able to find the right angle or inspiration for my new piece.”
“Oh,” I murmured, not quite knowing what to say. I didn’t realize painters suffered from things like that.
“Maybe I just need to go on a vacation for a change of scenery. Maybe that will help,” she mused, before her eyes brightened. “Do you want to go check out my art studio?”
I quickly shook my head, my eyes wide. “Oh, no, I don’t want to be intrusive! I’ve always heard that an artist’s studio is a sacred space.”
Elena blinked, letting out a quiet laugh. “Wow. You are far too kind and thoughtful, Rosie.”
We continued chatting about small things, and I quickly realized Elena was easy to talk to, but as I was responding to something she said, she suddenly stopped. She looked at me intently, tilting her head and blinking as if she realized something. “What do you think about getting your GED?” she asked out of nowhere.
I jolted, blinking in confusion. Where on earth did that come from? “...” I opened my mouth to speak, but my throat suddenly felt dry, and nothing came out.
“You have the brains for it,” Elena continued earnestly. “Just listening to you talk, I can tell you have the zeal and a sharp mind, Rosie.”
My face burned with a sudden blush from the compliment as I rubbed the back of my neck, laughing awkwardly. “I... I don’t really think school is for me anymore. It’s been so long since I studied. I don’t think I’d even remember basic things that are taught.”
Elena smiled warmly, her voice dripping with kindness. “That doesn’t matter at all. You can always give it a try. Education has no expiration date, Rosie. No matter your age, you can always take the trial.”
I swallowed hard, the back of my neck tingling as a wave of emotion hit my chest. Could I really do it? Could I actually go back to school after leaving it behind for seven years?
Elena’s eyes suddenly twinkled with excitement, and she clapped her hands together. “I can tutor you! I can give you lessons if you want.”
“I actually hold a certificate in education,” she revealed, a proud smile on her lips. “I just chose to focus on my painting hobby instead of pursuing a teaching career. In fact, I homeschooled Maya and Jude until they reached middle school.”
“Wow,” I breathed, the word slipping out before I could stop it. I stared at her in a whole new light. A mother, a certified educator, and a brilliant artist. A woman to be inspired by.
She furrowed her brow. “But before we start planning,” Elena said, leaning forward. “What is it that you want to do? What do you want to become?”
“I don’t know,” I admitted, shrugging slightly. “I... I’ve never really thought about it before.”
Elena’s expression softened, easing my anxiety instantly. “You don’t have to know right now. You can decide as time goes on. Let’s just focus on getting you that GED first. Come, follow me.”
She stood up and led me down a quiet hallway on the ground floor. She unlocked a wooden door and pushed it open. The room inside looked like an abandoned classroom. Dust and cobwebs covered the surfaces; there were two wooden desks, a big bookshelf, and markers, pencils, and art supplies scattered on the ground. Scribbling and doodling covered the wall.
Elena smiled softly, a wave of nostalgia washing over her features as she looked around while I smiled also, feeling tears level in my eyes for the opportunity, but no tears came out. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice cracking slightly. “Thank you so much, Elena.”
We immediately got to work as Elena called in a few of the housemaids, and together, we began dusting down the shelves, sweeping away the cobwebs, and wiping the desk.
Midway through wiping down the board, the sound of footsteps echoed in the doorway. I turned to see Marcus walk past the open room but stopped, took one look at me holding a cleaning rag, let out a loud, mocking scoff, and immediately turned and walked away without saying a word.
My smile faltered slightly, but Elena immediately stepped over and rubbed my shoulder gently. “Don’t mind him, dear,” she reassured me softly. “He takes a long time to warm up to someone, but he will. He’s just grumbling because Jude went behind his back to get married to you instead of telling him first. His pride is hurt.”
I looked at the empty doorway, my smile returning to my face. “I understand,” I told her truthfully.
And honestly? I couldn’t care less about Marcus’s scoffs. I wasn’t doing this to please the Winter patriarch but I was doing this for myself.
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