Saturday of October 19, 2030
Nestled in a charming row of townhouses raod called "Walter Elias Street," located where the Dreamlight Valley park is at. This charming townhouse features many different townhouses in different architecture, some are Victorian, other are gothic, houses made out of brick, limestone, and even one with an intriguing combination of Victorian and art deco elements. It's a neighborhood that exudes character and history, where each house tells its own story.
Trees lined the sidewalk, their leaves rustling in the gentle breeze as the first hints of autumn painted the foliage in warm hues of yellow, orange and red. Many neighbors have their home decorated for Halloween, the spookiest holiday of the year. Carving pumpkins were placed outdoors, cutouts black paper of bats were taped onto the windows, along with paper ghosts, crescent moon, some fake spiderwebs, and a lot more.
Children in their warm attire can be seen with their friends on the empty road playing a game of tag, riding their bike, hopscotch, and occasionally stopping by each decorated house to admire the spooky and creative displays.
On this particular autumn afternoon, Duchess Vivian found herself walking along Walter Elias Street, her steps slow and deliberate. The weight of her recent actions had been a heavy burden on her conscience, and she knew it was time to make amends.
She is wearing this single-breasted multi-color metallic jacquard embroidered with the color that was not in her jewel tone wardrobe, but rather in classic taupe and champagne with a dust of gold. It features, notch lapel that's covered in white faux fur, a front two gold buttons fastening for easy closure and has long sleeves with three buttoned cuffs. The blazer includes a chest welt pocket, and two front flap pockets, and its design is finished with a straight hem, making it a well-rounded and elegant choice for her to wear. The pencil skirt, in matching champagne silk, falls gracefully below the knee, ensuring a demure and ladylike appearance. Its fitted design flatters her curves while allowing for graceful movement. Inside, she wears a crisp white blouse with classic scoop-neckline designed with smocked shoulders for a flattering look and comfortable fit.
Her deep ginger hue of her hair was styled into an high updo curly bun and her makeup is seen as neutral rather than what she much prefers to wear. Duchess Vivian wears a line of brilliant-cut diamonds, supporting a detachable pendant set with an oval white diamond, within a frame of brilliant-cut diamonds around her neck which also came with a set of matching drop earrings on her ears. A pair of white satin gloves with white faux fur trim cover her hands and a pillbox silver hat covered in suede pinned to the side of her updo with a bow behind. A pair of nude pantyhose on her legs and lastly, her choice of footwear is a pair of kitten champagne satin pumps with a medium heel.
Duchess Vivian strolled down Walter Elias Street, the cheerful atmosphere of the neighborhood, with its Halloween decorations and children's laughter, served as a stark contrast to the heavy emotions weighing on her. She couldn't help but reflect on the choices she had made, the pain she had caused, and the rift she had created within her family, the Draventon Family.
Finally, she approached her destination, a quaint Victorian townhouse with a charming front garden, her heart raced with nervous anticipation. She knew that the time had come to face the consequences of her actions and offer her apologies. The townhouse belonged to Silver, the person she had wronged deeply.
This two-story townhouse exudes the timeless elegance of Victorian architecture. The facade is adorned with meticulously crafted details, showcasing symmetry and sophistication. The warm, creamy wall exterior is accented by pristine white trim, creating a sense of opulence. A welcoming front porch spans the width of the townhouse, adorned with intricate white wooden railings and four columns. Hanging light dangled from the porch's ceiling, and a double red door with carving mold, white mail slot, and rounded golden knobs, there is even a window on top of it. The bay windows on both floors are framed with decorative molding, featuring intricate scrollwork that captures the essence of Victorian design. Each window features a white wood double hung window including a brickmould frame. These bay windows offer picturesque views of Pleasantview Lane and allow natural light to flood the interior, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The townhouse's roofline is punctuated with ornate gables and steep pitches, displaying the Victorian penchant for elaborate architectural details. A gracefully arched dormer window crowns the roof, adding a touch of whimsy to the overall aesthetic.
The front garden, meticulously landscaped, features manicured boxwood hedges, stone pathways area, and flower beds bursting with some flowers in autumn colors like red roses, orange marigolds, yellow sunflower.
This was where Silver lived.
If memory serves her well, when Silver was 23, he had moved into this charming townhouse on Walter Elias Street after leaving the Willow nest. She recalled from her son about his excitement as Anthony described the place to his family, how Silver had carefully chosen it to be his home, a place where he could create his own sanctuary with his own money he has saved from who knows how long he had been saving.
She remembers how she and her family were invited to Silver's housewarming party when he first moved in, and she couldn't help but admire the way he had transformed the Victorian townhouse into a cozy and welcoming haven. Silver's incredible taste was seen in every corner of the house, from the tastefully decorated living room to the charming kitchen adorned with vintage touches.
Duchess Vivian stood before the townhouse, she took a deep breath, gathering her courage to face the two people she had wronged. She knew that this was the first step toward reconciliation, a step that couldn't be avoided any longer. With determination, Duchess Vivian straightened her elegant attire, tapped her pillbox to see if it was nicely secured in her hair, and began to approach the front double doors by walking up eight steps of porch stairs.
Inside Silver's own residence, the interior of his home was a harmonious blend of classic elegance and comfort. Stepping through the red double doors, one would find themselves in an inviting foyer hallway adorned with a classic, round flush mount ceiling light warmed by castle bronze finish and softened by etched white glass. The walls were painted in a soft cream hue, providing a neutral backdrop for the exquisite furnishings and art pieces that adorned the home.
To the left of the hall through an open arch was a cozy living room. Sunlight filtered through the bay windows, bathing the room in a gentle, golden light. The room is in this lovely ivory smooth painted wall featuring two wall light's between the entrance and the fireplace. 1 light is a fine and handsome fixture that features white alabaster glass. Edgemont is composed of traditional iron forms in an antique brass finish. A white decorative crown molding to decorate a ceiling and an elegant fireplace that's facing the entrance of the living room that also has a black Tv screen mounted above the fireplace. A simple comfortable white sofa facing a fireplace with double cushioned seat back to offer an amazing lounging experience, slender armrests, two small pillows, and contrast wooden tapered legs which were painted in gold for a perfect finishing touch. And another same sofa but longer that's facing the bay window, all two were arranged around a polished mahogany coffee table with a lovely small flower centerpiece.
There is a vintage sideboard decorated with a table runner on top, a porcelain white vase filled with autumn flowers in the center. A bay window seat stood proudly underneath the windows with a cushion for anyone who would like to relax and admire the street outside. The walls were adorned with an eclectic collection of artwork, ranging from classical oil paintings to contemporary sculptures.
In the middle of the hall and to your right was a short hall with the left being a closet room and the end is a restroom. At the end of the hall is the dining room. A large, rectangular dining table with a glossy mahogany finish sat at the left side of the room, surrounded by upholstered dining chairs. Above, an electric light hung from the ceiling.
On the right side is a kitchen. The countertops were made of white smooth quartz, contrasting beautifully with the white colonial style cabinetry. Dishwasher at the end of the kitchen island and sink in the middle, oven across the sink, a fridge on the right with a storage closet which stored all the foods produced completely organized and a window overlooked the back garden, offering a charming spot for morning coffee and casual meals.
Up the winding wooden staircase, the second floor held the bedrooms, a guest bedroom, two bathrooms, and a primary bedroom. Silver's own primary room was a sanctuary of tranquility. The walls were painted in a soothing cream color, and the large bed was adorned with soft, white linens. A vanity beside the bed and the lamp bedside table on the other side. A walk-in closet and an en-suite bathroom with the entrance door facing the bay window which also feature the bay window seat with storage cabinet underneath with elegant fixtures completed the room.
Of course, the guest room was later turned into Anthony's own room since he left the Draventon Estate and packed his stuff. Walking in, the room is painted in plain white color with white ceiling trim. There is a brown wooden bed that is positioned against the wall with a bedside table that features a lamp and two drawers on the right and the six drawers, a closet right across his bed where his bedside table that has two bifold doors with two square panels that store all his clothes insides that he owns. On the wall, an triple double hung windows that show the view of other townhouses back building and their, including Silver, backyard with curtain that were pushed aside to let the light in. A simple desk beside the door with two desk drawers with Anthony's laptop on top, cup that fill up with pencils, marker, highlight, and pens and a wooden comforter chair to sit on.
Now, on this autumn afternoon, Anthony is in the kitchen with Silver. Today, the two are planning to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas together, Silver is making soft cookies using a cookie cutter shaped pumpkin and circle while Anthony is making two cups of cinnamon roll lattes for them to drink.
Silver, wearing a simple yet comfortable outfit, consisting of a white shirt blouse featured a puff sleeves with cuff and decorated button on the side, layer on top of it was this burnt orange knitted vest and a black trouser pant that he tucked inside which is head up by a light brown leather belt. On his feet is a black pair of Chuck Taylor shoes with white long socks hidden inside of his trousers. Lastly, this look is completed with his signature black square glasses that sit on his nose, and his black curls are styled into a high Barbie-like ponytail with a black hair band which was covered by a burnt orange silk satin ribbon.
Silver was busy on the kitchen island. He carefully decorated the perfect pumpkin and circular shaped cookie that were laying on a tray in four rows one by one before he placed them on an white circular plate once one cookie was done. His expression was one of concentration, but there was a hint of a smile playing on his lips, reflecting the happiness he found in these simple moments.
Anthony, equally at ease in Silver's kitchen, was frothing milk for their lattes, infusing it with the delicious scent of cinnamon and vanilla. He couldn't help but steal glances at Silver, admiring the grace with which he moved and the dedication he put into making their time together special.
He is dressed wearing this mixed colored plaid pattern flannel open button down shirt, it has a collared neckline with six buttons-down front, while the shirt is black on the front and back side, but the chest patch pockets on his right side and sleeves on the other side are in orange plaid pattern color. And darker gray jean pants with a pair of brown shoelaces. Inside was an white plain regular t-shirt with long sleeves, simple silver wristwatch with a brown leather strap on his right wrist, and his hair was wavy.
They worked side by side, their hands occasionally brushed against each other, sending small sparks of electricity through their bodies. It was these fleeting touches that made their bond feel even more precious.
Anthony's thoughts drifted to the previous days that had unfolded within his family. The argument with his mother, her shocking confession, and his bold decision to renounce his position as the heir to the Draventon family still weighed heavily on his mind.
Sadness, anger, and liberation was all he is feeling right now. He had stood up for his love, for his own happiness, but it had come at a great cost. Leaving his family, the only life he had known since he was born, was a daunting prospect.
But Anthony was so lost in thought, contemplating the turbulent events that had unfolded within his family, Silver seized a playful opportunity. With a mischievous look, he dipped his finger into a dollop of leftover icing, a sweet concoction he has prepared for their cookies.
With careful precision, Silver leaned in closer to Anthony, a playful grin tugging at the corners of his lips. His finger grazed the tip of Anthony's nose, leaving a small, sweet smear of icing in its wake.
Anthony, startled by the sudden sensation on his nose, blinked in surprise. He reached up to touch his nose, feeling the sticky icing there, and then turned to Silver with an incredulous look.
Silver's innocent expression made it seem as though he had absolutely no idea how that icing had ended up on Anthony's nose. He batted his long, dark lashes and tilted his head to the side, feigning innocence.
With a chuckle, Anthony couldn't help but be charmed by Silver's playful antics. He raised an eyebrow in mock accusation but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at his lips. "Oh…..? I wonder how that got there," he teased.
Silver's grin widened, and he shrugged nonchalantly. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Anthony." He quipped, his tone light and playful. "Maybe it was a stray drip of icing that landed there all on its own."
With a playful look in his eyes, Anthony decided to play along. He dipped his own finger into the bowl of icing and, with mock seriousness, carefully added a small dot of icing to the tip of Silver's nose.
"There, now we're even," he teased.
Silver laughed heartily at the unexpected retaliation, Anthony leaned closer to Silver, placed his arms on Silver's waist. "You know," he began, his voice soft, "even in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty, being with you makes everything feel right."
Silver's smile softened, his fingers gently caressing Anthony's elbow "I feel the same way," he admitted, his gaze filled with warmth and sincerity. "No matter what challenges we face, as long as we're together, we can handle anything."
Anthony and Silver leaned closer to each other, their eyes locked, and their breaths quickened with anticipation. The soft glow of the kitchen's warm lighting illuminated their faces, accentuating their features.
Their lips met in a gentle, loving kiss. It started slow and tender, conveying all the affection and longing they held for each other. Silver's lips, soft and slightly sweet from the lingering taste of icing, perfectly complemented Anthony's.
Once their lips parted, Anthony rested his forehead against Silver's, his eyes locked onto Silver's with unwavering devotion. "I love you," he whispered sincerely.
Silver's gaze held Anthony's. "And I love you too, Anthony," he replied.
After wiping the icing off of their nose, they resume their work. Anthony prepared their cinnamon roll lattes, expertly frothing the milk to perfection. He poured the fragrant lattes into two mugs, applied white whip cream and swirled around before adding dark brown sprinkles on the whip cream. With one last finished touch, an Oreo straw and an Oreo cookie on the side.
Just as Anthony and Silver were about to head off to the living room, a soft knock on the front double doors interrupted their conversation. They exchanged puzzled glances, not expecting any visitors at this hour.
Anthony glanced at Silver, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Who could that be?" Anthony wondered aloud, setting mugs aside.
Silver, equally puzzled, shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. Let me check."
Silver left the kitchen and walked towards the front entrance. Anthony followed closely behind but stood in the center of the foyer hallway, curious to see who their unexpected guest might be.
Silver check through the peephole of the left door and gasp. "Sweet madre de Jesú!" When Silver opened the door, he froze and his eyes widening in disbelief. Standing on the doorstep was none other than Anthony's mother, Duchess Vivian, dressed in her elegant non-jewel tone attire that Silver has known. The shock was spread out in the room, and Anthony couldn't hide his surprise either.
Duchess Vivian, her heart pounding in her chest, met Silver's gaze. For a moment, neither of them said a word. Then, finally, Duchess Vivian broke the silence.
"Hello Silver… and Anthony," she began, trembling with emotion, "I... I've come to… to apologize."
The air was thick with tension as Anthony and Silver exchanged surprised glances. They had never expected this visit, let alone an apology from Duchess Vivian.
Anthony's voice was cautious as he responded, "Apologize? Mother, this is unexpected. What for?" He crosses his arms underneath his chest.
Silver, still stunned by the unexpected visit and apology, gestured towards the living room, "Ah… how about we sit down and talk about this in the living room," he suggested, gently but cautiously to the Duchess. It seemed like the most appropriate place to have such a conversation.
Duchess Vivian resolutely nodded, she followed Silver into the living room, where Anthony joined them from behind. Once they settled into the comfortable surroundings of the living room, Silver and Anthony, who sat on the long sofa, exchanged another glance, silently communicating their shared uncertainty about this unexpected turn of events. Duchess Vivian then sat alone on the short sofa with her legs crossed and her hands together on her lap.
Duchess Vivian took a moment to collect her thoughts, her gaze downcast as she began to recount the events that had transpired since that fateful day on October 11, one week ago. Her voice was filled with a mix of regret and sadness as she spoke.
"Last week, on October 11, I made a terrible mistake," she began, quivering slightly. "I lash out my true feelings on Silver. I allowed my anger and misguided beliefs to cloud my judgment, and in doing so, I hurt him deeply by slapping him on the cheek… twice."
Anthony listened in silence, his arms still crossed. He had heard some of this before, but he wanted to hear his mother's side of the story.
Duchess Vivian continued, "I accused Silver of trying to take advantage of our family's wealth, of manipulating you, Anthony, for his own gain. I believed that he was only interested in our status and fortune, treating him like some gold digger as I offered some amount of money in hope that he could take the money and leave you and I couldn't have been more wrong."
She paused, her eyes welling up with tears. "The truth is, I never took the time to truly get to know Silver for the past five years. I never saw the kindness, the love, and the genuine care he has for you, Anthony. The kindness, the love, and the genuine care he has for our family. I let my own prejudices and cruelty blind me to the wonderful person he is."
Silver, sitting beside Anthony as he held his hand, remained composed but his eyes held pain and understanding. He had felt the weight of Duchess Vivian's accusations and now, hearing her remorse, it was a bittersweet moment.
Duchess Vivian, trying to convey her remorse but struggling to say the word "sorry," stumbled over her words. She began to say, "I'm so... so... oof… I'm so suh... ugh..."
Silver and Anthony exchanged glances, watching the Duchess's struggle. Silver leaned closer to Anthony, and whispered to him, "Is…. is your Mom okay? She… she looks like she's about to throw up or something."
Anthony whispered back, "I… I have no idea, but she does look a bit like a cat about to cough up a hairball."
Duchess Vivian, cleared her throat and tried once more, determined to get the words out. "I'm so... so-suh... so sorry," she finally managed to say, a look of relief washing over her face.
Anthony uncrossed his arms and straightened his back with his chest puff out. "Mother, I can't deny that your accusations hurt me deeply. But I also know that you're my mother, and I want to believe that people can change. Tell me, what made you realize your mistake?"
Duchess Vivian nodded, her determination growing. "Your father helped me see the truth, but it was also reflecting on my own actions and choices that opened my eyes. I realized that I was pushing away the person who makes you happy, who brings joy into your life. And I couldn't bear the thought of losing you, Anthony."
Silver, who had been silently listening, finally spoke, calm but filled with emotion. "Duchess Vivian, I appreciate your willingness to apologize and your honesty in admitting your mistake. It means a lot to both of us."
Duchess Vivian nodded with gratitude. "Thank you for giving me a chance to make amends. I want to get to know you, Silver, to understand the person my son loves, and to rebuild our relationship together."
Anthony considered his mother's words for a moment, then nodded slowly. "It won't be easy, Mother, but I'm willing to give it a chance. Silver means a lot to me, and I believe in second chances."
Silver smiled warmly, his heart filled with hope. "I'm willing to give it a chance too. Family is important to both of us, and I believe we can find a way to move forward together."
Duchess Vivian was thankful as she looked at her son and Silver. It was a step toward healing the wounds that had torn their relationship apart. With a heartfelt smile, she said, "Thank you both for your willingness to forgive and move forward. I promise to make amends not only in words but in actions as well."
Anthony nodded in agreement. "Actions will speak louder than words, Mother. Let's work on rebuilding our relationship."
Silver chimed in, "And I'm here to support that process as well, your grace."
Duchess Vivian, her heart lighter than it had been in days, smiled warmly at Silver and Anthony. "Please, Silver," she said with a genuine affection, "call me Vivian from now on. There's no need to address me so formally."
Silver's face lit up with a warm smile, and he nodded. "Thank you, Vivian. It means a lot to me."
Silver and Anthony exchanged pleased glances, understanding that this simple gesture was a significant step towards building a more open and welcoming relationship with Duchess Vivian.
Silver stood up from the sofa. "Vivian, it's good to hear that. And thank you for your apology," he said with sincerity to her.
Anthony also rose from the sofa and stepped closer to his mother. "I'm proud of you for taking this step, Mother," he said, a genuine smile on his face. "With that, I would like to take the position of being the heir of the Draventon lineage again."
Duchess Vivian, deeply touched by her son's words, hesitated for a moment. She looked into Anthony's eyes, seeing the determination and sincerity in his gaze.
Finally, she spoke, "Anthony, you don't have to take on the responsibility of being the heir again just because of this reconciliation," she began. "I want you to be happy and follow your heart, even if it means choosing a different path for yourself."
Anthony shook his head, a determined expression on his face. "Mother, you and Father have worked tirelessly to prepare me for this role as the Duke of the Draventon lineage. I don't want all that effort to go to waste. I want to honor our family's legacy and make you both proud. Besides, I've realized that my happiness is intertwined with the responsibilities and duties that come with being the Duke."
Silver nodded in agreement, his hand resting on Anthony's back as a supportive gesture. "Anthony's dedication to his family and his commitment to carrying on the Draventon legacy is one of the things I admire most about him. I believe he has the strength and the heart to excel in this role."
Duchess Vivian's eyes welled up with tears, and she reached out to cup Anthony's face in her hands. "You've grown into a remarkable young man, Anthony, just like your father," she said, her voice filled with pride. "If this is your choice, then I will support you every step of the way, just as I should have from the beginning."
Anthony smiled. "Thank you, Mother," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "With your support and understanding, I believe we can rebuild our family stronger than ever before."
Duchess Vivian nodded, wiping away a tear with a smile. "Together, we can make our family whole again, and I look forward to getting to know Silver better and welcoming him into our family."
Silver's heart swelled with warmth as he looked at the mother and son. "I'm grateful for this chance, and I promise to do my best to be a part of this family in every way," he said sincerely.
With their hearts open to forgiveness, understanding, and reconciliation, the three of them shared a warm and heartfelt embrace. It was a new beginning for the Draventon family, one filled with hope, love, and the promise of a brighter future.
As they embraced, the atmosphere in Silver's home seemed to shift, as if the very walls were infused with peace and unity. The warmth of their newfound understanding enveloped them, and they knew that, together, they could face any challenge that lay ahead.
The relationship began to mend the rift that had once torn them apart, with a promise of blue skies and sunshine guaranteed in their future.
It was a new beginning, a chance for forgiveness and healing, and the promise of better days ahead.
Duchess Vivian's heartfelt apology had opened the door to healing and rebuilding their relationship. It was a small step, but a significant one, towards a future where they could all find happiness and understanding together.
The setting of a charming townhouse on Walter Elias Street is the combination based off of the Painted Ladies in San Francisco and Rainbow Row in London's Notting Hill Neighborhood. These iconic and colorful streets provided the inspiration for the row of townhouses where our chapter unfolded. Many townhouses in Walter Elias Street are in different styles of architecture rather than looking identical to one another, some are baroques, some are moderns, some are Victorians, some are bricks, and a lot more.
Now then, Duchess Vivian's journey of redemption and reconciliation was a significant turning point in this chapter. Ever since her first introduction, she was very much an antagonist in Silver's story, and her actions had created a considerable rift within the Draventon family. However, as the story progressed, I wanted to explore the idea that people can change, and that redemption is possible even for characters who initially seem irredeemable.
The gradual transformation of Duchess Vivian from a character filled with prejudice and anger to someone willing to admit her mistakes and seek forgiveness. The reconciliation between Duchess Vivian, Anthony, and Silver was a pivotal moment, and it marked the beginning of the healing process for them.
Next Chapter: Anthony unexpectedly arrives at the Willow's home alone to ask Silver's parents an important and serious question to ask them.