It took them a couple of minutes before they finally reached the mansion where it has a front garden. The front has rows of white roses and lilies placed on each side of a stoned-cemented pathway that leads up to the mansion's main door. There are also topiary arches, which the hedges are covered with red roses, all lined up along the pathway and it reached until the last row of roses. There is a medium amount of space between the last arch and the small staircase, which leads to the main door of the mansion.
As they walked into the arches, Eli couldn't help but look around in awe while Umi notices her and would smile because she could see that Eli is acting like a kid and it looked cute on her. But the blue-haired blushed at the last part and shook her head as she went to focus her eyes on the front part of her view.
They finally reached the door and Umi opened it, entering inside where they could see that the mansion has its own lobby, which is spacious and that there is a wide staircase placed at the middle of the lobby that leads to the second floor of the mansion, there are also doors placed on far ends of the lobby.
They then went to the left side and stood in front of the first door, Umi then held the doorknob and twisted it, pushing it to open the door, revealing the spacious living room. They then entered.
"Come sit down." Umi said and Eli nodded before she went to a sofa bed and sat there with her hands clasped together, interlocking her fingers in the process.
Umi then went to sit across the blonde, "So, tell me about yourself."
"I'm Eli Ayase. A rancher who is living in Healdsburg, California. You could say that my family is a distinguished one."
Umi's eyes widened in surprise.
'Why would a rich woman like her apply for a wedding arrangement manager? That sounds suspicious.' She thought as she stared at Eli for a moment. Looking for the right words to say. She never would have expected that she would get to meet a rich applicant.
"Why do you want to apply as a wedding arrangement manager if you are already rich?" Umi asked with a surprise tone in her voice.
Eli just blinks a few times, as she stared at the blue-haired, she then opened her mouth to answer politely and honestly, "I just want to."
"Ohh?" Umi furrowed her eyebrows in disbelief, there has to be a reason why Eli is willing to apply despite of her wealth.
However, Eli might lose her chance to meet that soulmate of hers, she cannot just spout at Umi that she just wants to gain access of the Mirage Fields just to meet her soulmate. That will bring up a conflict. With that, in mind, Eli then replied, "I love seeing landscapes. Different kinds of beautiful landscapes made me want to walk around them while admiring their existence. And applying as your helper will truly help me explore more of these landscapes."
Umi eyed Eli intently, most of the people who came to apply before her were ambitious people who just want fame and money but this blonde woman is far different from the rest. Who would not be surprised that someone wants to apply for a job like this just to satisfy her eyes? Landscapes, such as the Mirage Fields, are entirely beautiful and soothing for one's well-being but many people did not appreciate them enough.
"Do you have experience in arranging a wedding? Or perhaps designing as a profession in general?" Umi asked once more.
"Yes, I first applied as an architect and worked for two years but I had retired when I became a rancher because of my dad."
'An architect! Designer of buildings! She can be compatible with the landscapes!' Umi thought and then smiled at the blonde, revealing her natural beauty. It looked like she is just a teenager or a very young adult in her early 20's.
And that made Eli get so mesmerized that her eyes were releasing sparkles of admiration, she then smiled back at the blue-haired.
"Did you like the Mirage Fields?" Umi asked again.
"I did not like it. I love it. I love how its wind caress the grasses and flowers and the leaves of the trees, I love how the branches of that giant tree spread like its countless roots. And I also love how its shade can give complete protection from the hot sun." Eli responded.
That is it. That is one way to capture Umi's interest in taking her in. In her mind, Eli is very fit for the job, and she would not mind to let this blonde start today. But there is one thing that plagued into her mind, a question that ruins every single time she interviews someone.
Is this person trustworthy?
Of course, people take precautions into picking their employees but as soon as they finally see the potential in them, they would take these new applicants. Umi planned to do that as well but her own style is far different from those people in large companies in the city. She is full of distrust and could not seem to trust people, professionally and emotionally.
Why? Because many people had betrayed her, enough to make her close her mind off people who are too 'enthusiastic' like Eli. In addition, one of her ways to determine one's sincerity is to stare into their eyes.
A human's eyes are the windows of the soul anyway. If that person tends to look away from her then they are not clearly sincere about what they told her, and she would calmly reject them.
Therefore, she did. She stared right into Eli's blue orbs and the blonde just stared back at her. The soft light coming from outside of the living room's window has struck them and went through in between their faces. Umi continued to stare at the blonde's eyes and could clearly see her sincerity. What is more is that, there is something in those eyes that makes her feel like she has known this woman for so long.
On top of that, she began to feel uncomfortable because Eli's stare is becoming intense. The blue-haired then stood up and spoke, "Excuse me for a moment."
The blonde blinked and just nodded before she watched Umi walk to the door, opened it up and walked out of the room. Eli hummed and wondered if she ever did something wrong that made Umi leave.
But she can't focus on that, maybe there's another reason. She then wiped those unnecessary thoughts out and just waited for the other patiently, her hands clasping together as she looked around the living room, seeing all the paintings of different kinds of landscapes, they were placed in picture frames and were hanging around the whole living room. She then let out a smile as she continued to scan each photos, like a child, who had gained access to do what she wants.
On the other hand, Umi had left the door open and as she has reached the main lobby, she let out a sigh and placed a hand on her forehead while walking out of the mansion to go to her front porch. Reaching it, she began to walk back and forth, and the gardeners and house cleaners, who saw her, all knew that she is in complete stress.
While the blue-haired is too busy into thinking whether she should give Eli the job or not, she did not notice another woman who came into the mansion. The maids and gardeners all greeted her happily and the woman greeted back. The woman has torso-length, ginger-colored hair and has those energetic blue eyes. Her light tone of skin reflected the light coming from the sun and her casual white dress, which was topped with a light, peach jacket, just matched her skin color. Her smile is contagious and it can easily lift someone's spirits up.
The woman then saw Umi and her smile dropped, her eyes went full on curiosity as she walked up to her, greeting her, "Good afternoon, Umi!" Her cheery and light, female tone of voice made Umi stop walking and face her to look at her, "Ahh, Honoka! Good afternoon to you, too."
"Jeez! You looked so stressed! What's wrong?" Honoka raised an eyebrow as she placed her hands on her hips while leaning a bit to give Umi a playfully worried stare.
"It's just that, there's another applicant who wants to be a wedding arrangement manager. She looks fit to be in the job but I just can't feel comfortable around her. She looks...unreliable." Umi responded.
Honoka then peeked through Umi's shoulder, seeing Eli looking around the living room like an innocent child, "She looks harmless to me. Look, she is looking at the landscapes."
Umi then looked over her shoulder to also have a look at it and Honoka was right, Eli looked so innocent and she could not help but blush and feel sorry that she judged the blonde that way but still...
"Just how long has she been staring at those landscapes?" Umi muttered under her breath but it was audible for the ginger-head. Honoka then puffed her cheeks at Umi, "Umi, don't be like that, look at her! She looks like a child right now!"
"I know, I know! But just look at her smile! She was smiling all by herself!"
"That's because she loves the paintings! Come on, everyone loves the views here in Woodstock!"
Umi released a sigh, "Anyway, could you please talk to her? Check if she is reliable or something."
"Jeez, have you stared into her eyes? I told you to do that whenever you speak to someone." Honoka replied.
"I did and she was sincere but still—" However, Umi was halted when Honoka spoke again.
"Then, there shouldn't be any problem at all!"
"E-Even so! I mean, her stare is scary..."
"Aw fine, I'll talk to her." Honoka rolled her eyes with a giggle before she walks past by the blue-haired who then turned to watch her go to the living room. Honoka then entered the living room and closed the door behind her.
Eli then diverted her attention to Honoka who then sat across her, a cheerful smile plastered on the ginger-haired's face, "Hey, I'm Honoka Kosaka. What's yours?"
"Eli. Eli Ayase, ma'am." Eli answered kindly.
"Eli... What a very nice name! What about your age?"
"26."
"Oh wow, you are a year older than me and Umi! Can you tell me about yourself?" Honoka's smile turned into a grin as she listened intently at the blonde.
The blonde then began to smile and answered, "I'm a rancher, living in Healdsburg, California. Have a distinguished family and had become an architect."
"You're rich?" Honoka's eyes widened in surprise, "Why did you apply to be Umi's helper?"
"I just want to explore different kinds of landscapes. I just love them."
"Hmm... I see... A nature lover eh? You and Umi are alike." Honoka then stared deeply into Eli's eyes and the blonde just stared back at her.
Like what Umi experienced, Honoka felt like she has known her for long and that there is this pure sincerity behind Eli's fierce-looking eyes.
"Hmm... I like your eyes, they stay determined and sincere despite the scary vibe in it." Honoka complimented and Eli chuckled.
"Why, thank you, Ms. Honoka."
"Oh, don't call me that, it makes me feel old! Just call me Honoka, alright?" The ginger-haired woman responded cheerfully."
The blonde's chuckle transformed into a charming laugh, "Right, Honoka it is then."
"Now, I want to ask something." Honoka's grin then dropped and so is Eli's. They then stared into each other's eyes and then the ginger-haired spoke.
"Can she trust you?"
Eli blinked, what kind of question is that? Is staring back into Umi's eyes not convincing enough? But noticing Umi earlier, she does have trust issues.
The blonde then nodded while keeping her stare at Honoka.
"Yes. But why do you ask?"
"Oh, Umi thinks that you aren't." Honoka then smiled.
After a while, Umi then walked back into the mansion's lobby and saw the door of the living room opened, revealing Honoka, who was walking past by her to go to the kitchen which was just across the living room. Eli, on the other hand, also walked out of the living room and one of Umi's house cleaners was with her. The two of them then headed to the back portion of the house. Umi blinked in curiosity and went to the kitchen.
Honoka was looking for some ingredients for coffees and pancakes from the cabinets, she was humming with a smile and Umi raised an eyebrow.
"So, how did it go?"
Honoka did not bother to look at the blue-haired, "Well, I gave her the job."
Umi's eyes widened in surprise, "Wha-? I just told you to check if she is reliable or not!"
"Aw come on, it will just lead to the same way!" Honoka replied and Umi sighed.
"But you don't know anything about her." Umi's voice lowered slightly.
Honoka stopped searching and looked at the blue-haired, "I should say the same thing to you."
Umi halted; Honoka has a point. Neither the two of them, nor everyone around the mansion knows a thing about the blonde.
The ginger-haired then smiled, "Not gonna hurt to try again, right?"
Umi just went silent and Honoka went back into looking for ingredients, "Now where's the syrup?" Honoka muttered under her breath.
"It's in the cabinet just above the sink." Umi rolled her eyes before she turned her heels to walk off the kitchen.
"Ah! Got it! Thanks, Umi!" Honoka replied as she opened the said cabinet and started to make coffees and pancakes.
'Looking back, Honoka has a good point. It's not going to hurt to try again. Besides, Eli is a completely different person. I know she is...'Umi thought as her feet brought her to the back garden and then went to sit on a chair. She sooner saw one of her house cleaners, touring Eli around the garden. And she could not help but stare at the tall blonde.
Eli then noticed the blue-haired and turned her head to look at Umi for a moment. Their eyes met each other and Umi was not so sure what to feel about it. The blue-haired then blinked and the blonde let out a charming smile.
Umi could feel her blood, crawling up to her cheeks and had to look elsewhere to calm herself down. The hues of red on her cheeks were still red even after Eli and the maid went out of her sight as they headed into the large shed.
Reaching the shed, Eli then looked and listened at the maid with long black hair and amethyst eyes, who was pointing at different sets of gardening and ranching tools. After the small tour around it, the maid then faced the blonde with a smile, "Take your time into getting used around here. If you need anything, just call me or anyone else around the mansion, they will be willing to help you out!"
Eli nodded and returned the smile before she asked, "Can I ask about something though?"
"Sure! What is it?"
"It's about Ms. Umi."
"Ohh? What about her?"
"Well..." Eli then cleared her throat, she is not entirely sure whether she should ask her this or not but it will not hurt, right? Without further ado, Eli continued.
"She just looked so lonely around this mansion. Where are her parents?"
This made the maid soften her eyes and the vibe around her has changed. Eli felt that and immediately regretted asking it.
"Her parents separated back when she was just a child."
Eli narrowed her eyes, "Why?"
"Both of them finally found their own families and we don't know where they are now." The maid answered.
"But why did they leave her behind? Can't one of them take her in?"
"Because they couldn't bare seeing Ms. Umi get sad every time she sees them."
Eli blinked, "I find that hard to believe."
"Well that's what they said to her."
The blonde didn't know how to respond, she felt sorry for the blue-haired. Even though she has not experienced being left behind by parents, she has experienced being left behind by life itself so she knows the feeling of solitude. Her experiences had taught her that the hardest way.
The maid then continued to speak, "The maids, including me, and the gardeners around here are her only family ever since they left and that we fully understand Ms. Umi's anxiety and distrust to people."
Eli kept silent and just nodded, she was supposed to be angry for the parents who left her behind just because of such reasons but then again, there is a part of her heart that makes her gain obligations to protect the blue-haired, "I-I'm sorry that I asked."
"It's alright. In all honesty, I am glad that you are concern about Ms. Umi and her entire self even though you haven't started yet."
"I want to get to know people more. It's what I do back when I was an architect." Eli said.
"You are too kind for your own good." The maid chuckles and the blonde just placed a hand on her nape and rubbed it gently.
"But, I will have to tell you this. If ever Ms. Umi is being rude to you... Please understand her. She is actually kind once you get close to her and the past and her work just stresses her out most of the time." The maid added.
Eli then just nodded at her, "I will."
"Thank you. Now, shall we get you a tour around the mansion? You have yet to explore the second floor."
The blonde smiled, "Of course."
Later that night, Umi invited Eli for their first dinner. The maids and the gardeners already ate ahead of time and now Umi and Eli were the only ones in the dining room while some maids were cleaning the lobby. The outside of the mansion is all-empty, except the roses and plants, which were being caressed by the cold wind.
"So how was your house tour?" Umi then decided to break the ice and the blonde raised her head up from eating her meal, she then put her utensils down on her place and answered in her kindest and gentlest voice as possible.
"It went okay. It is not that hard to locate the rooms but I might still need to do a little adjusting."
"Well, you have our own mansion after all so a little adjusting is all what you need." Umi smiled.
"You are right about that."
"Aside of that, while you both were having a tour, I already had your room settled up."
Eli blinked, "Wait, don't tell me that—"
"Yes, you are going to live here with us from now on." The blue-haired finished the sentence for the blonde.
Eli then blushed in embarrassment, "Y-You don't really have to do that you know."
Umi rolled her eyes, "That's what they always say to me."
"Well, I can't blame them. I mean, not all rich people will give their workers a home or a room to sleep on. Those are rare."
Umi then placed her utensils down and then went to stare deeply into Eli's blue orbs, "Listen..." Her voice is so gentle, trying not to sound too unpleasant for the ears.
"I want to provide comfort for my workers. Take it as big thanks from me that they accepted to work for me. You can also say that I want to also make them think that I am not as bad as they think." Umi giggled, "Other people tend to look at me like I am always strict and rude. But truthfully, it was just me, being all anxious about what others will think about me."
Eli went silent and just nodded, at this point on; she cannot deny that she has thought of Umi as too strict at first.
"You sure are very generous despite your strictness." Eli complimented.
Umi blushed at that, "Th-Thank you... I was just trying to be a good owner."
"Well, aside of being generous, you are also cute when you blush." Eli added and the blue-haired flinched, her blush darkened and immediately became defensive, "W-What?! I-I'm not cute! I mean—"
"Well, you can't change my mind now!" Eli winked and laughed and Umi pouted, "S-Shut up!"
The maids who overheard the conversation, just looked at each other and let out small giggles before they returned to their work.
"Anyway, let's just finish eating, shall we?" Eli then picked up her utensils once more and ate her meal again.
Umi then let out a sigh and does the same.
After dinner, they then went to do their remaining routines like taking a bath and changing on their nightclothes. After that, they then went to the second floor and Umi led the blonde to her room which was just across the blue-haired's.
"So, this is your room, Eli." Umi and Eli faced the said room. Eli looked at Umi for a moment and then the door.
Umi giggled, "Reason why I put your room up here was because the rooms downstairs are all occupied now."
"It's okay, Ms. Umi. You have done quite a lot for me." Eli smiled and then extended her arm to grab the doorknob and open it up.
"Oh, just call me Umi. I have also said that to my workers but they still insisted to call me Ms. Umi. Do it differently this time, will you?" Umi smiled and the blonde chuckled, "No problem, Umi."
"Much better. And if you need anything, just don't hesitate to tell me."
Eli nodded, "Alright. So I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Yes, of course."
The blonde smiled, "Goodnight, Umi."
"Goodnight, Eli."
The blonde then walked into her room while Umi went into hers.
And as the blue-haired female laid down on her bed, she then looked up at the ceiling and softened her eyes.
'Throughout the day, I really felt that I had met her before. And now she is here with me... With us...'
She continued to have a staring contest with the ceiling; she didn't mind the darkness that has been embracing her room.
'I missed you...'
With that, in mind, Umi then closed her eyes to sleep.
On the other hand, Eli was also having a staring contest with her ceiling, she then relieved a sigh.
'True, that Umi looked familiar but I couldn't quite remember the hair color of that girl in my dreams. It became confusing to me when I saw Honoka. That girl... she also looked familiar to me. Goddammit Eli, you are too bad in analyzing things like these and I am wondering how the hell did you become an architect... Ex-architect I mean...'
The night grew darker and Eli closed her eyes.
'I will try to think more about it tomorrow. There's so much to learn about everything here and I can't let such thoughts like these get in the way of my new job. As Umi's assistant.'
Eli then sooner fell fast asleep.
A/N: Annnd here is the second chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed reading it! I might change this chapter schedule to fasten things up! Updates about it will come soon!