Upated on: 2/12/17
Mind Games
Chapter 17
"Master…" Sebastian whispers breathlessly. His dark ocean eyes widen in surprise.
I felt my face burning up from his admiring stare. Looking down as I did so as I felt a bead of sweat dipping down the side of my face. I bit down hard on my bottom lip in humiliation, while glaring down at the tile floor. I listen to his footsteps edging closer and closer until I can see his slick black leather shoes. His black butler's attire snuggling his body in a perfect fit from head to toe.
My breath caught in my throat when I felt the fabric of his glove hand slid its way under my chin, as he lifts my face up so my eyes could meet his stunning ones. A playful smile broadens at the corner of his lips, making him look even more devilish than ever before.
"Do not hide your true self, Master," Sebastian whispers softly. Then he leans towards my ears, with his breath brushing against it ever so lightly. "I must say, you look very lovely in my eyes."
My body trembles underneath his words, with cold chills running up my spine. I try closing my eyes to calm myself control, even though I can feel and imagine a tint of pink has flush across my cheeks at his compliment. I felt my hands scrunch the cotton fabric of my dress. It is colorized with white lace across my chest with a black thin ribbon to the bottom and above my knees. A fade pink is the main color of the dress to emphasize the feminine beauty. A pink rose flower clip to the side of my head, white knee-length stockings, and black flats finished the last pieces to its utmost detailed outfit it could possibly be.
"Are you ready to go, My Lady?" Sebastian asks while emphasizing his last word. The corner of his mouth twitches in amusement.
I sigh and finally said. "Yes, let's go."
My butler offers his hand, and I take it graciously. Sebastian led me out of my room, with his hand entwine around my fingers. My wig sways from side to side with each step in perfect rhythm. To tell you the truth, I've never felt so awkward in my entire life. I look up at my butler then. His eyes staring out through the hallways and his same devilish smile plaster on his lips. There's just something about him that makes me very uneasy, and very much nerve racking to the brain.
Before we could reach the foyer, Ann sees me in the dress she had picked out, and suddenly screams out for joy; startling Emily who is sitting in a chair while she was drinking her tea.
"Oh, my gosh My Lady!" Ann swoons while fanning herself with her right hand."You look so lovely!"
I snicker at her response and look away as I always do when I'm embarrassed. My mother rose from her chair and ran up to me before she tackles me hard enough to hit my back against the wall. Emily squeals in excitement, and started to swing me around with her arms lock around my shoulders. My vision started to blur, and all I see is the room spinning in a rapid circle. My eyes begin to swirl in confusion, and felt my feet becoming off balance before Sebastian steady me from behind.
"My darling is so beautiful, beautiful!" Emily exclaims as she twirls herself around the foyer. Ann joins in and twirls Emily around with her in circles."She's finally free, and can be her true self again!"
Well, kind of. That's what I wanted to say, but I wouldn't want to ruin their moment of victory. I smile at the thought.
"I'll go get the car," Sebastian whispers behind you. You nodded in reply and he slips pass the two joyous girls without them noticing. I shook my head at their childishness while placing a hand on my hip.
"Are you guys ready to go to the fair?" I ask.
"Of course we are." Ann said, while ginning.
"Wasn't Sebastian here just a minute ago?" Emily asks suddenly.
My eyes twitch at her obliviousness. At that very moment when his name was spoken, Sebastian opens the front door. His left hand is holding the door knob, while his right hand extended across the yard towards the car. I hadn't noticed that he had already worn his black overcoat; covering part of his butler's suit.
"Ladies." Sebastian proclaimed at a respectable manner.
"Thanks, butler Sebastian." Ann said teasingly and pats his shoulder while walking out the door with.
"You're welcome, maid Ann." Sebastian snaps back in reply. His eyes narrow at her with revulsion.
Will those two ever get along? I sigh while shaking my head in defeat.
Emily nodded at Sebastian and walks next towards the car. I slip on my cream coat jacket around my shoulders and follows behind my mother when Sebastian's hand held me back a minute or two.
"If I may ask, why does your mother want me to come along on this trip?" My butler asks quietly enough for me to hear. I thought about it for a moment, before shrugging my shoulders.
"To tell you the truth, I don't really know," I replied casually. Then I look up."Maybe she is fawn of you."
Sebastian was quiet for a moment before a meaningful smile spread across his lips. "She might be."
I grin, and walk towards the car, not once noticing the melancholy expression place upon his eyes.
(*)(*)(*)
Sebastian's POV
While feeling my grip loosen on Alex's arm, I felt the desire to tell her the truth right there and then. In the end, I didn't. I let her go, setting her free as she walks out of the house, and seated herself in the passenger seat. My mind races at her last words.
"Maybe she is fawn of you."
I let out a troubled expression before laughing at some bad joke. This is it then, the day I've been waiting for. The decision is up to her to accept me or hate me. I wouldn't know of any other way to do what I'm about to do.
Truth be told. Mrs. Petrois decision and motives are all because of me. I instigated or rather, I beg while I was on my knees. It was a pathetic sight. Maybe that is why she felt like pitying me. To do me this one favor that might haunt me as much as that night. But...I'm okay with that.
From here on, things can never be the same. Ever.
(*)(*)(*)
Ten minutes later, we arrive at the fairgrounds. The snowflakes continue to drift through the air like feathered angels. The sun is hiding behind the gray sky. There are thousands of people walking everywhere, as they spend their time with their companions or their families. There are tents of snacks,bgame booths, and entertainment being held around every corner. The lingering smell of fresh popcorn and the sweetness of cotton candy filled the air.
"Let's all split up, shall we!" Emily stated rather than questioning it. Her grin stretch across her lips."I'll go with Ann, and Alex, you go with Sebastian!"
"But why-"
I didn't get to finish my question as she and Ann dash off through the crowd of people, leaving me tongue tied at their sudden actions.
Well, so much for family time. I thought to myself in disappointment.
"I think they just set you up, My Lady," Sebastian said from behind. I glare up at him as he smiles devilishly. I sigh out as I watch my breath breathe out a fog of white smoke.
"Where would you like to go first?" My butler asks.
"Um…" I contemplate while looking around. Then I spotted a billboard.
Sebastian follows my eyes, and we both walk up to it. Apparently, we were in the middle section of the park. Most of the rides are on the right corner, the food stands are on the left, the entertainment is on the bottom left corner, and the big Ferris wheel is on the bottom right corner.
"It seems that they will be shooting fireworks at the end of the night," Sebastian said while reading the programs.
"I would like to see that," I said.
"Then we shall." Sebastian said, as he lightly smiles."We can get a better view on the Ferris wheel."
I nodded in agreement. Sebastian and I ended up spending time riding roller costars, mini train rides, spinning tea cups, merry-go-rounds, and ate cotton candy along the way. So to say, I haven't had this much fun in a long time.
"Are you enjoying your time, Sebastian?" I ask my butler. I haven't once thought about his point of view, which was disrespectable of me. My question caught Sebastian in the middle of him ripping off a piece of his cotton candy when he looks down at me.
How adorable. I thought. I couldn't help it but a giggle escapes my lips before I could stop myself. I covered my mouth immediately before blinking back in surprise.
Sebastian chuckles."Yes, I'm thrilled to spend this much time with My Lady."
"Alex."
"What?" Sebastian asks in surprise.
"Call me Alex from now on," I said barely above a whisper. I didn't know why, but I felt my face flush a light pink.
Sebastian was quiet for a moment, and then he let out his famous smile. He backs away a bit while giving him enough room to bow in front of me with his right hand over his heart. Sebastian finally said, "As you wish, Alex."
My heart skips a beat from his routine gesture. What a strange day this has been.
(*)(*)(*)
Alex and I had finished our cotton and candy as we were now strolling along the booth stands. I watch Alex as she admired the smiling children passing us now and then with their giant stuff animals. I wonder if she would look cuter than a teddy bear if I compare the cuteness level.
No, Alex would look ten times more beautiful than anything. I thought.
"That's not fair; I hit those bottles square in the middle!"
Alex sudden steps halted itself in mid-stride, as I stop a few inches behind her. Both our heads snap in the direction the voice had come from. There was a little boy about ten years of age with an elderly women. The little boy looks as if he was on a verge of tears.
The person who was standing in the booth looks annoyed, as he rubs his fingers against his barely shaved bread. A man as fat, greasy, unprofessional as he is shouldn't be making a living. I despise those who treats anybody like that, and that is this moment that is happening right then. The man's game booth of three stands that held three stacked bottles. The game is whether you can knock it down three tries, to get a prize.
My eyes darted at the standing bottles in suspicion. Painted in white, it was definitely glass, but something else was off and wrong about it.
I didn't notice one second that Alex had walked right up to the man's booth, as I quickly follow her. Alex's eyes are serious and definitely furious. Her eyes then went to the little boy, who was now balling his eyes out. His mother struggling to sooth him, but he completely ignores her.
Alex knelt down to the boy and asks, "What's the matter?"
"That fat man wouldn't give me my prize, and I hit the bottles straight in the middle!" He cries.
"If you didn't hit it down, then you get nothing." The man's husky voice proclaims, as he grabs a toothpick from a jar, and sticks it into his mouth. My eyes narrow at him distastefully. Alex was quiet, and as she stood back up, she gives the man her most sincere smile.
"May I try?" She asks. I didn't know what she was up to, but I handed the money to the man before he could ask. The man then explains the rules, while handing her three baseballs in a plastic bin. Alex nodded in understanding and looks down at the boy with a determine smile.
"Don't worry. I'll get a prize for you," Alex said with such confidence, that I couldn't help but smirk. Alex weighs the ball in her band, tossing up a couple of times as she examines the bottles in front of her. Then she threw the ball with accurate speed and aim. It came in a rush as I saw everything.
The ball did hit the middle of the stacked bottles, but it didn't knock the bottles down. Instead, the baseball bounces back at Alex. Before Alex has the time to gasp, I reflexively block caught the ball within my two fingers within mere seconds of it hitting her face. My hand grip around the familiar feeling of the ball in my hand. A slight smile twitched at the corner of my lips.
I've still got it huh...? I thought to myself in amusement. I've done this million of times before I ever met Alex. It was only natural of me to do what I just did. The sudden reaction of Alex breathes brushing against my hand brought me back to reality.
"Are you alright, Alex?" I ask with a worried look. Alex was still in shock, and so was the rest. The man's toothpick had dropped from his mouth, as the little boy's mouth hanging open in surprise. But I ignore them a second later before returning my worried expression towards Alex.
"Dear Sir," I said, as I snap the man back to reality before turning my cold yet amusing eyes at him. I smile wickedly before continuing, "I think you owe My Lady an apology and a prize."
"What apology?" The man questions, as he scoff, "What prize? She didn't knock it down."
"But instead, it bounces back, did it not?" I press back."Now how can that be possible, unless you're trying to scam us for money?"
The man looks startled, "That's preposterous!"
"Oh really now?" Alex cut in. Her eyes are more focus now. An amusing smile plays on her lips.
The man snickers."Fine, I'll apologize to you and that boy, and even give you the biggest prize I have yet; if your little butler can knock it. He seems like a tough guy."
I smirk at his remark.
"Then we have ourselves a deal," Alex said in determination. Then she looks up at me with those cocky eyes."It's your turn, Sebastian."
My smile grew to an amusing grin. So this is what she had been planning all along. Using herself as a bluff, and in the end, she wanted to use me from the beginning; very clever of you, Alex.
"Yes, my Lad," I said while putting my hand over my heart and bow. I readjust the baseball between my fingers, as I examine the distance between myself and the standing bottles.
Then I look over at the man and asks, "Did the rule say anything about breaking the bottles?"
The man contemplated about it a moment before letting out a hearty laugh. Then he said, "Nope, but you can try breaking it if you want. But it's quite impossible, these glass bottles are produced to be nonbreakable for any game booth."
I nodded, "Then I shall try my very, very best."
"He said very twice." I heard the little boy whispers to Alex. The corner of my mouth twitches in delight.
"Let's get this over with Sebastian," Alex said impatiently, as she crosses her arms over her chest.
"Very well."
Even though my orders were to solve this problem as quickly as possible, I took my delicate time in my performance. I mimic what Alex had done earlier, and toss the ball in my hand; testing its weight. I lick my lips as I aim my eyes at the very bottom of the bottles. I can make out the tiniest hint of the gray spots that had been glued to the bottle of the bottles.
Imbeciles like these should have never been born. I thought, and then I threw the ball with such force the ball was like a blur. First, I hear the whipping sound of the ball passing my ears. Second, I hear the sound of glasses shattering until finally, I hear a gasp escaping his lips.
It is as if the world was still as the cloudy sky.
(*)(*)(*)
"H-here's your prize Young Miss." The old man flusters. He handed me a giant panda bear from the stand while I grin at him victoriously. Then the man looks down in the defeat when he said, "I apologize for almost causing an injury, and you two boy, I'm sorry."
The little boy stuck his tongue out at the man and smiles at me."Your butler is a talented man!"
"I thank your compliment, young lord," Sebastian spoke up before I did, and he slightly bows at him. The boy blushed slightly, and I handed the boy the panda bear.
The boy looks bewildered.
"You can keep it," I said. Then I added."I did promise you that I would win a prize for you."
The boy smiles, and bows at me. Then he laughs out happily and took the bear from my arms and thanks me before he left with his gracious mother. I watch him before he dissolved through the crowd of people, and I took my leave the opposite direction while Sebastian is following me from behind.
"I think you over did it, Sebastian," I said out of the blue, while we stroll through the crowd once again.
"My apologies, I'll be more careful next time." He replies with an amusing tone within his voice.
I roll my eyes at his self-confidence.
The night sky took its toll across the horizon, and lights begin to shimmer through the ongoing fair. The crowd seems to lighten up some, as we easily dodge through people with bags of food and prizes in their hands.
Sebastian and I eat a quick dinner before heading to our last and final ride, the Ferris wheel. The temperature had dropped dramatically, and the slight wind picked up along the night. I shiver at the chilly air every now and then, until I felt Sebastian's overcoat covering my shoulders as I look up at him. He welcoming smile returns to me before I could protest, as he leads the rest of the way.
"You seem so confident today, Sebastian," I said, as we both seated ourselves in the sealed in bunkers. This Farris wheel consists of a tiny bubble shape room enough to seat for couples.
"So it seems," Sebastian said. The ride starts as it shifted us upward slowly. His blue eyes darted out the window.
"What give you such confidence?" I press on.
"I don't know," Sebastian whispers lightly, almost having me to catch his sentence. Then his eyes turn on me."Maybe it's because it's just this day, this night, and this moment."
"Maybe…" I breathe out while making an excuse to look out the window, the floor, the lights down at the bottom; just anything, except for his eyes.
Then I quickly change the subject."I remember when my dad had taken me to a fair similar to this. It's our tradition on whenever we go to a carnival or a fair, we always ride the Ferris wheel as a last memory of the day."
"It seems that you are very close to your father," Sebastian said quietly. I nodded in agreement while smiling at the memory.
"I wonder how he's doing up there" I whisper as I look up at the night sky. I could barely make out the stars. Then I added while giggling, "You remind me of him sometimes, with your confidence and all."
"I see." Sebastian smile.
"But you know." I said, while side glancing in his direction."Being too confident can lead you into trouble."
My butler was quiet at the moment, as I stare back out of the window. A few seconds later, I saw lights shooting through the sky and a thundering bang echoes into the atmosphere. The crowd below us cheers and hollers when the fireworks have finally begun.
"But at this moment, when I still have this self-confidence in myself…I-" Sebastian spoke up suddenly, but cut himself off mid-sentence. I look back at him as he was now staring at his gloved hands. His side bangs hanging down against his face. Then he finally said. "I want to take an advantage of this."
"What advantage?" I ask.
"I never wanted this to happen, but I guess it can't be helped," Sebastian mumbled.
"Sebastian, what are you talking about?" I ask, completely confuse of what he was talking about.
"Alex, your father…...he-"Sebastian cut himself short again when he looks up at me. Within that moment, I see that he had lost some of his self-confidence of what he was about to say. Within my heart, I felt this same uneasiness again when he had mention, my father. It was as if I didn't want him to finish what he wanted to say.
"Please, just tell me what you have to say." My voice betrays me. The fireworks reflect its light within Sebastian's defeated eyes. I felt my body move forward without my control, as my arms slide across his neck, and I had pulled him towards as I embrace him. I felt my heart beating rapidly, as I bury my face against his chest. Even through Sebastian's beating heart, I can still hear the fireworks continue to shoot on.
"Tell me." My command was muffled within his jacket.
"I, Sebastian Augustine…" My loyal butler whispers huskily. His body is trembling against me as cold chills run down my spine. "I am the person who is responsible for your father's death. It was me Alex. I was the one who had killed your father."
Author's note: So...what was your reaction to this?=) I wanna know!_ Are you appall, shock, sad, surprise, angry. devastated? Did you gasp in shock, did you scream out in protest? What was your reaction!xD
Yeah, I'm just saying that I'm requesting comments/reviews for this chapter, and also the next one too. Pretty please review this chapter and the next one? I'll only ask it once.^_^