CHAPTER 37 - Misunderstandings

- Are you sure about that? - Nicole whispered to the boy standing next to her.

All masters were due to be back any minute, and she didn't want to miss an opportunity to question him. She was not allowed to go to Paris with Rosalie and Sylvie, because she and Sandrine had to stay at the manor, preparing dinner. However, Claude went to town to do errands, and accidentally managed to observe something interesting. Of course, he did not fail to share it with his little friend.

- Well.. - the boy hesitated a little - I'm not so completely, one hundred percent sure. They were far away, but I can swear it was Andre. His face is quite distinctive. He and Rosalie walked into her mother's house. It can only really mean one thing!

- Weird, very strange.. - Nicole mused - Rosalie has been seeing someone for a long time. I don't know any details, because she's always so mysterious, she never tells us exactly. We only knew that this man lives and works in Paris. And now.. Has Andre's return changed everything?

- Don't forget she was in love with him a long time ago - the boy said seriously - Everyone knew that. And as the saying goes, old love never dies!

- You're right, but is it possible that they made the decision to get married right away? - the girl was not convinced - It's suspicious. But I am not making this up when I say I saw her at Mrs. Pompidou's store last week. I looked through the glass and saw her choosing the lace for her dress. It was a very elegant dress.. Everyone knows that Mrs. Pompidou is famous for her wedding dresses..

- And that ring Rosalie has been wearing recently.. I think too many coincidences! - Claude replied matter-of-factly.

- Wow, we're getting ready for a wedding! - the girl chuckled.

- Are you not angry? - the boy looked at her surprised.

- Angry? - Nicole replied surprised - But why? You know I gave it up a long time ago. It's a shame to waste time waiting for someone so long. Especially for someone so unstable..

Suddenly they heard "Erm" and they both jumped abruptly. The boy almost fell on the floor.

- Sorry, Mademoiselle – he ran to the woman who had just entered the stable and picked up the reins of her horse.

Oscar stared at them both strangely, turned and left without saying a word.

…

- Andre, I didn't want to start this conversation earlier because the circumstances were inappropriate - Marie said to her grandson after dinner. Everyone has already gone to their work or rooms, and they are left alone in the kitchen - Can we talk for a while? - the woman added carefully.

Andre looked at her in consternation, sighed, and sank heavily into a chair at the kitchen table.

- What is going on? - he asked, resigned.

- It's about Oscar - Marie replied without hesitating - I don't really like the way you treat her.

- I don't understand - the man said - I haven't done anything wrong. I hardly talk to her. I try to get out of her way and not bother her. Isn't that what you've always asked me to do? What else should I do? I will leave tomorrow if you want - he added, clearly annoyed.

- No, you don't have to leave - the old lady replied quickly - That's not what I mean at all. Because you see.. Yes, it's true that I always asked you not to come near her. But.. you're so cold to her now, so distant, Andre. And when I look into her eyes, I can see that she is suffering and that she would much prefer your relationship not to be so cold.. Please.. talk to her.. Maybe your relationship can be fixed somehow..

Andre folded his arms over his chest and looked at Grandma intensely.

- Am I being rude to her? - he asked grimly.

- Oh, no. You are not, Andre! - Marie replied.

- Did I say even one bad word to her? - Andre asked again.

- No, no, I don't think so - his grandmother protested - But..

- Did I, in any way, show her the disrespect that a servant should show his mistress? - he continued.

- Of course not, honey! - Marie tried to defend herself - I know you would never do that!

- So, if I have, in no way, damaged our master-servant relationship, why do you hold a grudge against me at all? - Andre began to raise his voice - Do you expect that the same "warm" relationship Oscar, sorry - Mademoiselle Oscar, should have with Claude, Jules or Gaspard?

- Andre.. - Marie said quietly, looking at him, a little scared.

- What are you all about? You and General! - Andre shouted, clenching his fists - One day General throws me out of his house like a stray dog and the other day he invites me to his living room for a glass of brandy! And you - firstly you persuade me to leave Oscar alone, and now that I'm doing exactly what you all expected, you're trying to convince me to get closer to her. What do you really want? You tell me it's wrong when I love her like a madman! But it's also bad when I try my best to stay away from her! - he stood up abruptly and hit the table with his fist - Make up your mind! - he broke off, very agitated, and turned his back to her.

He stood there for a moment, saying nothing, battling his anger and desperation.

- I've had enough, Grandma. I went far away to get away from it all. From this love that turned out to be a misunderstanding. From Oscar's indifference I couldn't stand. From the wall of your expectations. Expectations to be exactly who you want me to be. But I'm really sick of this - he turned to her, his face changed with sadness - My person is not something that can be treated as a toy. Do this, do that, don't do this, don't feel like this, think differently. From now on, I will only do what I think is right, no matter what you think about it.

- Andre, forgive me - whispered Marie, overwhelmed by his words - I didn't think you would take it this way.

- Enough, Grandma - Andre raised his hand - I'm going out now to calm down. Do not wait for me.

With these words, he left without looking back. Marie sat there for a long time, crying quietly.

…

The clock struck eleven, but Oscar was unable to sleep. Her head ached unbearably and she felt weak. She shouldn't have missed lunch and dinner, but she just didn't feel up to seeing anyone. Certainly not a group of chattering relatives. It took some time to mourn the loss. She felt the familiar pain in the area of her heart again. Until now, she had been holding up somehow, despite Andre's cold treatment. But rumors of his imminent marriage broke her completely. Perhaps she should ask him, make sure. But the morning sight of a flushed, smiling Rosalie clinging to his arm and the words they exchanged then left no doubt. She was always so afraid of this moment. And it finally came.

She got up and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were red from crying and her hair was matted. She took the brush and combed it a few times carelessly. There would be no one in the kitchen at this time anyway. She threw a warm scarf over her shoulders and went quietly downstairs. It wasn't until the kitchen door was ajar that she noticed that the light was still on inside, but it was too late to back off.

Andre was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a large piece of yeast dough Nanny had baked for dinner. He almost choked as Oscar appeared before him like a ghost.

- Good evening, Mademoiselle - he said, swallowing quickly and wiping his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt. He was still fully dressed, as if he had just come back from a walk.

- Good evening, Andre - Oscar decided not to correct him this time - May I join? I'm terribly hungry - she smiled faintly.

Andre jumped up from his seat and pushed the opposite chair for her to seat. Then he cut another piece of cake, placed it on a plate, and served Oscar.

- Thank you - she replied simply and began to eat.

Andre sat down and studied her for a moment. The situation he found himself in by accident was one of those he had been trying to avoid for a long time. In fact, he should politely apologize, wish her good night, and be away as soon as possible. But something deep within him, something he was trying with all his might to hide, made him stay where he was. Oscar looked so vulnerable. And her eyes were so tired.. As if she had just finished crying. He wanted to ask, but the words stuck in his throat.

Oscar finished eating and pushed her plate away. The silence between them seemed totally unbearable.

- What's going on, Andre? - Oscar asked bravely, fighting the trembling of her voice - Since you came back, you've been treating me like I'm your enemy.

- But Oscar, I don't.. - he began to say, completely surprised. The enemy? He never thought that was how she would perceive it - I am sorry. I did not think that you would feel like this.. - he bowed his head in shame - I apologize for my behavior. I thought it would be better if I kept my distance and didn't bother you anymore. I thought that's what you wanted.

- Have I ever wanted this? - she asked a bit surprised - Being ignored by you?

He looked at her intensely.

- No, you are right, you never really wanted to - he replied with certainty in his voice, realizing his own mistake - I will try to behave impeccably from today - he smiled, still a little hesitant.

- Good - she nodded, smiling as well. In a moment, however, she grew serious - So you're getting married.. I think I should congratulate you – she decided to pretend indifference, although she was barely able to pronounce these words.

- Pardon? - Andre asked - What are you talking about, Oscar?

- I heard you and Rosalie are planning a wedding - Oscar replied, staring at him attentively.

- I don't know who spreads such rumors, but it's a mistake - Andre laughed - Rosalie is getting married, that is true. But the groom is someone else, not me!

- But.. - Oscar began to tremble, trying to calm her beating heart - Haven't you met Rosalie's mother in Paris today?

- What? - Andre was surprised once again - Today we actually went to Paris together for this mass in Notre Dame. But then we split up, Rosalie went to meet her fiancé, and Grandma and I went to the cemetery, to my parents' grave - he paused for a moment, but then added suspiciously, looking at her attentively - Why are you asking me all these questions, Oscar?

Oscar shuddered, confused. She shouldn't have asked him at all. But if.. if what Andre says is true.. She gave him a quick, scared look and said nothing.

Andre was completely taken aback by her reaction. Could it be.. No, no, he reminded himself. If Oscar remembered anything, he would have known it long ago. He should control emotions.

- What's going on, Oscar? - he asked carefully - Can I help you somehow?

She looked at him, her eyes glazed dangerously.

„Hell with control" - Andre thought suddenly.

He walked over to her, knelt down, and took her hands gently. He looked at her face for a moment, into her eyes, in which he saw the first tears gathering on her lashes. He did something wrong again. He hurt her again, though that was the last thing he wanted. Grandma was right. Oscar did not want to be treated with distance.

- I'm sorry again, Oscar, for the way I've been treating you lately. I'm sorry for leaving at all - he whispered - Instead of staying and being with you, no matter what we might be for each other, I ran away like the last fool. But I'm smarter now, Oscar, believe me. Do you remember what you offered to me before I left? If you still want it, we can be friends. The best in the world, as you told me then - he smiled warmly - I will come to Paris sometimes to visit you. And you can spend your free time or holidays in Normandy. We will ride horses on the beach like we used to. We will practice fencing, and climb cliffs. I'll show you everything again, we'll build these memories all over again. You don't have to worry about anything - he put his head in her lap - But I just can't imagine being a stranger to you anymore. Friendship.. Friendship should.. must be enough for me.

Oscar's hands started shaking.

- What are you talking about, Andre? - she asked despairingly - I don't want it at all!

He raised his head and looked at her, his face turning pale. He seemed to have misunderstood something again. He released her hands and rose slowly from the floor.

- I'm sorry, Oscar - he grew serious - Forget everything I just said.

- You don't understand! - she laughed, feeling that a great weight is falling from her heart – Come! - she ordered.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him along. In a few minutes they were in her room. She closed the door as silently as she could, then turned the key in the lock. Ignoring Andre's protests, she led him straight to her bedroom.

- Wait a minute! - she ordered.

Andre watched in amazement as she rummaged through the wardrobe, took out a small, ornate box, then searched it carefully. In a moment she stood in front of him, triumph painted on her face.

- Your proposition made me happy - she said with a mysterious smile - But to be honest - she took his hand and put a small, round, snow-white stone on it - I would rather be more than a friend to you - she finished, voice changed with emotions.