-looks in files on computer-
Hey look, some feels!
To me and my slave driver, this chapter is very feelzy...those who cannot take feels, you might want to just skip this chapter all together, just saying :I
The next morning, Emily sat on the edge of her bed tears staining her cheeks. No matter how many times she tried to picture her and Agni, West and his arrogant face would always flash in. Why did this have to happen? Why did he want her hand in marriage? She grabbed her handkerchief and whipped her eyes and cheeks. She needed a way out of this.
There was a knock on the door then it opened. "Emily~ your father has just informed me who's coming over today! Harold West!" she said happily. "Isn't that something?"
Emily nodded and smiled. "It is…I can't wait."
"Ciel has decided that we can hold a social for his arrival! And there's been talk that he's going to ask for your hand!"
"Yeah talk…he sent me a letter, West…it said that he asked father for his blessings and he gave them to him…" she sniffled and blew her nose.
Red's whole expression changed at that instant and her voice went flat. "He did what?"
"Eh!?" Emily looked up at her mother and froze. Red had this cold hard expression on her face, one that would make anyone question what was going on in her head. But as quickly as it had come, it left.
Her mother stood up. "I'm going to call your father. You should get dressed at have some breakfast, I don't want my daughter getting sick." she kissed her cheek leaving a red lip stain there and then she left.
After the door closed, Emily looked back out the window. 'I will not let this happen!' she looked at the clock. She had almost 10 hours to come up with a good reason why she would not accept West's marriage proposal.
The news about the marriage proposal had spread, causing a disruption among the servants, especially Agni.
"Miss. Emily is getting married?!" Finny asked, very confused.
"She's not getting married, she being proposed to, there's s difference! Anyway, we have to get ready for it!" Bard told him.
Agni was on the other side chopping up vegetables for lunch. He was very angry about the news he received right after he came out his room. The more he thought about it, the faster he began to cut the vegetables. That bastard took away his prince's nanny then he dare take away the love of his life. But he knew it didn't matter; social status is what mattered. They could never be together as long as she was a lady of status and he was a servant. Servants marry servants and nobles marry nobles. That's how it will always be…
As everyone gathered into the dining room for breakfast, a sense of dread hung over everyone. No one was their usual self-other than Sebastian and Ceil-and no one talked. For the second time ever, the Phantomhive manor was filled with despondency.
"Agni, why does everyone look so hopeless? I thought weddings are supposed to be filled with cheerfulness." Soma asked is friend.
"This wedding is different; it's a marriage for Lady Emily and Lord West."
Soma turned to Emily, eyes wide. "You're not going to accept it are you!? That man is evil!"
Emily tried to smile as best as she could. "I'm still thinking about it…I have until tonight to decide anyway."
"But Miss. Emily—" before he could continue, Ciel interrupted.
"This is only a business marriage, if you even want to call it a marriage. He's only doing this for the money and the social status, it's truly pathetic." he sipped his tea. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was the one who caused the messes ups in your factory…of course, should accept his marriage proposal, we will be enemies Emily."
"Oh…" Emily looked down at her food. She suddenly wasn't hungry anymore.
"Miss. Emily, the kitchen is ready for you to use." Sebastian informed her.
She stood up and walked. "Thank you Sebastian." She smiled as much as she could and went to the kitchen. There, she made the dough but she wasn't as happy as she usually was when she baked. She hardly put in any effort into making the pies. She didn't hum, sing, dance; nothing. She was just as dead as her heart felt.
After a few hours of baking, she had made just over 15 pies. Looking at the clock, her heart sank. West would be at the house any minute and she still had no idea how she was going to turn the man down.
Red came into the kitchen. "There you are daughter." she dusted flower off of her dress. "West has arrived."
"Oh…that's good." she gave a helpless smile and dusted off her hands. "Where is he?"
"He's in the foyer with Ciel and Sebastian."
"Ah…okay. I'm going to freshen up and change then I'll be down."
"…" Red pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "I love you a lot Emily."
"Oh!" Emily was taken aback by the sudden show of affection but hugged her mother nonetheless. "I love you too mother."
After a few more minutes, Emily had finally come down to meet the "guest". She had on a dark blue dress and her hair was up with a pink ribbon and a hat to match her dress.
"Ah, Miss. Ashford, you look very lovely this evening but even better when you're with me." West said, smiling that arrogant smile of his.
The anger inside Emily grew but she smiled anyway. "You're quite the charmer Mr. West." she felt a metallic taste on her tongue after she said the name she grew to hate.
"Would you care to walk with me through the garden before the other guests arrive?" he held out his hand.
Reluctantly, Emily said yes and took the man's hand. She swore she felt her fingers burn up. As they walked to the garden, she stole a glance at Agni, giving him an apologetic look.
Agni nodded slightly, starting into those big green eyes he came to love. He wished desperately to be able to let her know his feelings, even if it didn't matter.
Outside, all West was talking about was the money the two would make together, the status they would have, and the power they could gain. But Emily didn't hear a word of it, she didn't care for things like that when and no one should when they're truly in love. All she wanted was Agni, the man who was worth more than 3 elephant's weight in gold.
But she was brought out of reality when West said: "—I can't wait until tonight! Prepare to be my wife Emily! Now if you'll excuse me, I must get ready." he kissed her cheek. "I will see you night my soon-to-be wife!" he walked away.
"I can't wait either, West…" she turned her back to him and began to cry.
It was night now and more guests had started to arrive. Everyone was in the foyer talking and drinking; laughing and joking. They were all excited about the big news.
Emily was getting ready in her room with her mother. Emily's hair was let down and was in lovely waves and moved gracefully when she moved her head. A pearl and flower hair piece was in her hair. She wore an off the shoulder top that showed off her slender shoulders and much of her neck as well as her breast, making them seem bigger than they are. Her dress was a dusty rose color which made her eyes stands out.
"Ooo~ you look so beautiful! Mr. West won't be able to keep his eyes off of you!" her mother said, flushing with pride of her daughters looks. "If I was single, you'd be my enemy!" she laughed happily.
"Ahaha, thanks mother." Emily smiled big. The only reason she dressed like this was to impress Agni, not West.
"Let's go then!" Red took her daughters hand and went to the foyer.
But Emily wasn't the only one who dressed up. Agni decided to pull out his best formal as well. He had a white swatari and a red sash on. He also decided not to wear a turban. His hair was sticking in all directions but in a way you couldn't say it was messy. The bandages on his arm were nice and white. Everything about him screamed that he was a noble man too (which in as sense he is).
Emily wished she could run over to him and hug him but before she could even walk to him, West stood in her way. "Why, you look ravishing tonight Miss. Emily."
The words held a bitter sweet meaning to her. "Thank you, I hope you have a pleasant evening." she said and walked with Madam Red to the dining hall.
Red kept gushing about how the engagement party was going so well but Emily's mind was somewhere else. She was still thinking about how Agni looked so handsome…so manly in her view. She loved how he served everyone with a kind smile and speaking politely with them. He looked as if he was one of them. In her eyes, Agni was more a gentleman than West ever would be.
The dinner that was served was like a big feast. There was roasted chicken, rice, pork, and lots of other foods as well. Sebastian was complemented many times for his excellent cooking skills and the décor of the manor.
Soon after everyone was done eating and now just talking casually, West stood up and tapped on his glass to get everyone's attention. "Welcome our honored guest! Thank you for showing up to this engagement part of mine! Oh and Miss. Ashford as well." he smiled and Emily just rolled her eyes then tried to put on her best smile. "We are all glad you were able to make it but I now have an announcement." he turned to Emily and took her hand. "Miss. Ashford, will you marry me?"
The crowd was anxious for her answer. Soma too disgusted to join in the party but wanting to know what she would say and Agni waiting by for anyone needing something, whished the two happiness, even though it pained him to see the women he loved got to another man who didn't even deserve her.
Just when no one could take Emily's long and drawn out pause, she said one simple phrase that would change everything.
"Give me till tomorrow to say." she titled her head and smiled.
The crowd gasped, leaving West embarrassed, Soma grinning widely, and Agni counting his blessings. Had the gods hear Soma and Agni's prayers? Or was this just a new obstacle in their quest for love?
The crowd began chattering about what just happened, quickly making up wild and outrageous rumors.
West stood, angry, and squeezed Emily's hand hard. "Very well my dear, but be wise." he held onto her hand for a bit longer then let go and left to his room. Emily had soon left as well. After he had left, Sebastian and Agni had came out with the pies and served everyone a piece. As they ate, everyone had agreed that pie was not as good as it looked. Most of them had had one of Emily's home baked pies from her shop and these pies did not have that same warm happy feeling they usually did.
Curious as to what everyone was talking about, Agni took a bit from a pie and soon sit it out into a napkin. The usually happiness and cheerfulness was in the pie and instead was replaced by sorrow and lament.
It was late at night now, everyone had returned home, ready to spread the news of what had just happened at the engagement party and how Emily had pretty much said no.
Agni had been standing in front of his loves door for quite some time now, wondering if he should see how she's doing. Deciding to take a chance, he knocked on the door. "Emily, are you alright? Can I come in?" there was a crash right after which made him panic. "Emily! What's wrong?"
From the other side, in a low soft voice, Emily spoke. "Go away…I want to be alone…"
Agni knew from the bottom of his heart that that wasn't what she wanted at all. "Please, let me in!" he turned the knob but she had already locked it.
From the other end, a candle could be some coming towards Agni. In a sudden movement, he forced the door open and rushed in the room, closing it behind him. He leaned against the door, trying to slow down his breathing until he was sure the butler was gone. When he didn't hear anymore footsteps, he then turned his attention to Emily.
She was by the bed, in a white night gown, her hair flowing freely around her. Her eyes were red and tears stained her cheeks. She looked as if she had been crying for hours; since she left the dining room.
"A-Agni!' she choked out.
The man she loved was quickly by her side, pulling her into a fierce hug.
Not able to stand it anymore, she clenched his shirt and sobbed into his chest. She felt his warm loving arms wrap around her waist. She felt his head on top of hers, his warmth radiation through her and slowly calming her down. Finally, after a few minutes, her sobs turned into hushed hiccups and sniffles. Being in his arms felt so right, it was painful. Why did their love have to be forbidden? Was it a curse brought upon by God or by some other greater force?
She looked up into Agni's blue-gray eyes and calmed down even more. "I-I…I wanted to b-be with y-you s-so ba-badly!" she felt a shudder rush down her spin and she tried to force herself to calm down even more so she could stop being such a blubbering mess.
"I know…me too Emily…but I want you to know that no matter what, I will always be right beside you." Agni placed his hand on his cheek, smiling gently.
The two bodies moved closer together and their lips soon on each other. The secret kiss they shared was another bitter sweet moment in their life but they took great happiness in it anyway. They were finally alone to fully enjoy each other's company, finally able to hold onto each other, even if it was for just a couple of minutes.
The two were so absorbed in their kiss, that they didn't even notice the door knock and then it opening. "Emily, I wanted to know how you were— Oh my!"
The two immediately pulled away from their kiss, their faces deep red as if they were teenagers being caught kissing in school.
The first thing that overcame Madam Red was anger but that was quickly washed away as she realized who was kissing her daughter. "So this is what my lovely daughter has run off to do." a small smiled danced on her lips and she plopped herself onto her legs and sat in front of the two love birds. "Now I want to know when all of this started and where you two plan to go after this. I want to be as much help as I can."
"But Madam Red—"
"Call me Angie." she smiled a little more.
"Well, Angie, me and Emily are very much in love but—"
"But it's a long story mother…"
"I do not mind, the night is still young, we have plenty of time."
MY BACK HURTS!
No more Kiss Me Tomorrow until my back feels better
-yawn- night
~Aurora
P.S- I won't change my name :3
