Chapter 13

Joffre

I didn't understand why Master Cesar was going to so much trouble for a mere employee, explicitly asking me to keep an eye on her so she wouldn't leave. Wasn't it too much? Why did he care so much about that woman? I glanced sideways at her, and then I knew... it was because of her, Miss Belladona. It was impossible not to notice whenever you looked at her in detail; they were identical... and I think it's time to investigate who this woman is and why she looks so distinctively alike. She had managed to stir up many things in the mansion in a very short time; she not only had Mr. Keylef in the palm of her hand, but she also wanted something from my master, and she would disembody him.

"Mr. Joffre, don't worry. If you want, you can leave. I won't do anything," she said after Mr. Cesar left. I looked at her with suspicion and coldness, starting to suspect her true intentions.

"Mr... Joffre?"

"You better cooperate and not waste my and Mr. Cesar's time," I said disdainfully, leaving the room.

♥

"And now, what did I do...?"

"Don't worry, he's always been a cold and reserved man. He has taken care of Cesar since my parents died, which is why he's so cautious with everyone," she said in a downcast and distant tone. "I never had my mother... and it still hurts not to have known her, but I can't imagine the pain of having known her and losing them at the same time." The sadness that covered her face grieved every last corner of my heart.

"The death of my family was summed up in obligations and changes. I was too young to understand that it wasn't the time to mourn our loved ones; I had to show strength... And Cesar... he simply distanced himself from everyone. He was the only one I didn't see cry. Instead... instead," it seemed difficult for him to utter those words, almost as if he were scared.

"Instead of what? What happened? Why do you want your brother to repent?" she frowned and pressed.

"Because he has harmed many people desiring so much power. Cesar is no longer the brother I once knew."

"Maybe he has his reasons... maybe if you talked."

"I brought you here, paid for your grandmother's hospital, and gave you a job. Can't you at least repay me this favor?"

"No! It's not that... it's just that I don't want to harm people who have also had a hard time. I don't like your brother at all, but even so... I appreciate the favors, and I was surprised that he paid for such an expensive room for me. It shows that he's not such an inconsiderate man," she said with a slight smile, then added.

"His conscience is his only enemy... and you're going to remind him of that, so don't worry. Indirectly, you'll fulfill your promise," he said, giving me a smile, but I felt it wasn't entirely genuine. I didn't want to dig any deeper...

"Do you know who your father was?" I looked at him strangely, not understanding why the sudden interest in my father.

"No one ever told me anything about those who found me, and then I escaped to the streets. I'm just an orphan... but why are you so interested?" he smiled slightly and shook his head.

"It's just simple curiosity... Well, now let's stop chatting, eat something and rest, it's been a very long day for you," he said, helping me uncover the instant soup. He brought it close to me, watching attentively as I ate, and I hurried to eat quickly so he could rest. I didn't want to keep taking advantage of his kindness.

"Thank you for staying, Mr. Keylef... you can go now; you must be tired too," I said with a smile from ear to ear.

"Do I bother you so much that you want me to leave..." he said, sitting at the foot of the bed. My heart started to beat quickly.

"It's just that... I don't want you to be exhausted because of me!" I said forcefully, surprising him.

"You're as energetic as always, but I think you should worry more about yourself than me. Eat, and when you finish, I'll leave..." I smiled shyly, feeling so special by his side. When I finished eating, he gathered everything aside so I could sleep, then I timidly asked while lying in bed.

"Mr. Keylef, why are you so good to me?" Surprised, he looked at me and said.

"How long are you going to keep calling me 'mister'? I feel like my father...

"Belle, I think you're a good girl with very bad luck."

"Keylef... Thank you for everything. Now I'll sleep quickly so you can leave in peace," I quickly covered myself, closing my eyes. I opened one eye slightly and saw him smile.

"Have a good sleep, Belle," he kissed my forehead, and my eyes opened quickly, meeting his blue eyes.

"This is for pretending to sleep..." my face heated up, and I was sure that if it weren't for the light, I would look like a red ambulance siren from embarrassment. I closed my eyes again, hearing his laughter as he walked away.

"How embarrassing... and now how will I look him in the face tomorrow," I murmured aloud, glancing sideways at Gulliver, my little frog, dozing with open eyes.

"Gulliver, I think I like Mr. Danilo, do you think it's noticeable?" A smile formed on my lips as I touched my forehead, unable to sleep all night.

♥

Early in the morning, the nurses came to examine me. When they finished, I had breakfast, and I still hadn't seen Mr. Keylef. On one hand, I felt more relaxed, but on the other, I wanted to see his candid smile. When I finished, I took a bath with the help of one of the nurses. The services they provided were incredible; the rich lived such an easy life... so far from what I had experienced. It made me feel uncomfortable, as if I didn't deserve it. Bored with my stay in that hospital, I carefully got up and petted Gulliver. When I finished bothering him, I decided to leave the room to get some fresh air. Suddenly, I ran into Joffre, who looked at me with a serious expression. Nervously, I smiled, trying not to look too suspicious, but it was impossible to lie to this old dog.

"Mr. Joffre, as punctual as ever."

"I never fail."

"And how did you spend the night?"

"Better than you, I'm sure. What are you doing outside your room? Remember that Mr. Cesar explicitly asked you to stay until you're discharged."

"Yes, we heard it very well because he shouted it, too loud and angry," I said with a silly laugh that he returned with a stern expression.

"Then what are you doing outside?"

"I just... wanted to take a walk, I feel a bit suffocated in the room. I've always been a free spirit, needing fresh air and bright sun."

"It's better if you stay in your room so the bright sun doesn't harm you."

"But can you tell me what I said or did for you to treat me so differently from a few days ago?" I asked, frowning.

"Do you think it's little the trouble you're causing Master Cesar, for a mere employee... you must be very pleased."

"What? Why would I be pleased? I didn't ask for this! In fact, I told Mr. Cesar it was too much, and he didn't listen."

"It's inevitable to see how you arrived a few days ago and are already in a luxurious hospital room. If you ask me... it seems very strange. Not to mention that you have that face. Who is your mother? Are you looking for money and a title? Because the Montenegro house... it's because you know about Belladona." He bombarded me with so many questions that I didn't know what to answer. What were all those conjectures? And who the hell was Belladona? It was the second time I'd heard that name.

"Forget what I just said, don't answer... I can't accuse you without proof, but know that I'm watching you, Miss Belle." Suddenly, his phone rang. He gave me one last look and stepped aside to talk. I raised my middle finger and quickly ran the other way.

"The entire Montenegro family were sociopaths. The eldest son was crazy, and the butler suffered from delusions. Why was Mr. Keylef so different...? He seemed like an angel. Now that I thought about it... who the hell was he...? Already outside with the fresh air on a cloudy day, I walked through the gardens when I heard a beautiful violin melody, so sad and melancholic that I could only walk towards it like a moth to a flame. When the wall finally let me see who was behind that beautiful song, Keylef appeared before my eyes, playing that violin with such grandeur. His eyes were closed, focused on the music his violin was releasing, while children surrounded him, listening. When he finished that sad tune, his expression reflected the same feeling as the song. Suddenly, our gazes met. I raised my healthy hand to wave from afar, but he looked away from me with pain and left, saying goodbye to the children and their caretaker. Quickly, my candid smile changed to one of confusion. I followed him, seeking an explanation for his withdrawal that only hurt my poor heart.