Chapter 16 : Progress

Nia only opened the door after the third knock as she came out of the bathroom. She hurriedly approached the front door and found a tall, towering man standing in front holding a bouquet of red roses. Nia held back her smile. She had seen this young man.

"Kian... right?" she said slowly. Outside, the afternoon sun was gradually sinking. The orange color bathes the complex streets in an awkward and gloomy atmosphere.

Kian spreads his sweet smile. "That's right, Nia. Is Fiona here? I called her earlier but she didn't pick up the phone."

"Oh... that's because she forgot her cellphone. Well..." Nia's voice hitched as if wondering whether she should tell or not. The reason is, that Nia has become a little more pro towards Leonard, who she thinks is the most promising candidate for Fiona's life.

It's not a matter of who will marry whom, but every night, Nia always thinks about Fiona's future. She knew that Fiona herself had never seriously thought about her life in old age. Maturity has not yet approached her that deeply, but as her follower for almost twenty years, Nia already considers Fiona like her own child. And she wants the best for the girl even though in character, the girl is very difficult to direct.

"Is there something wrong?" Kian asked, suddenly reducing his smile.

"Fiona is staying at her boyfriend's house..." Nia grinned. Kian's brow furrowed faintly.

Boyfriend?

"Oh—" Stammering more and more awkwardly, he scratched his temple which didn't itch, and then in his mind the clashes of doubts began to creep into chaos.

"If I may ask... who is her boyfriend?" It sounds stupid, but it's pretty serious. One step too late.

Nia smiled kindly. "Um, I don't think it's any of your business. Sorry, Kian."

“How long have they been together?"

Nia shook her head, "I don't know precisely about that. But, when she gets home, I'll tell Fiona to contact you. Is there something important that you want to leave a message for?"

Kian's mind had already wandered. Boyfriend? So Fiona has had a boyfriend all this time? Who?

"Hmm, nothing. But, please just tell her when she is back home."

Nia nodded then Kian turned to leave as the door closed again. From his trouser pocket, Kian took his cell phone and called the number of the only person he needed to contact now.

“Fiona went somewhere. She left her cell phone behind. Likely, Cornelius is already aware of this.”

*

Fiona chose a soft white satin dress that fit her body perfectly. With long sleeves covering her arms, the skirt spread to her knees with the cut of the top showing off her bare shoulders and neck. Combined with classic white heels, Yulia arranged Fiona's long hair in a half-pin and let it flow down her back.

"You really have to dress up like this at home?" Fiona asked, knitting her eyebrows together in annoyance. Throughout her make-up, her face was frowning while Yulia continued to smile happily as if she was happy because it had been a long time since she had done someone's make-up. But Fiona has to admit, Yulia's make-up is good too.

As a writer who works sitting in front of a laptop and never once has the thought of dressing up, Fiona never bothers to do it. Apart from not wearing make-up, she only likes a simple appearance that doesn't interfere with her daily activities. T-shirts and shorts are the best fashion she knows.

“Ever since madam lived in this house, she always demanded that appearance be number one. Everyone needs to be beautiful and carry themselves elegantly. According to her, by looking good, we will be treated well too," answered Yulia proudly.

It was clear that Yulia seemed to respect all the family in this house, she looked like a servant who had the label of 'never disobeying'. But Fiona confirmed those words. She agrees that appearance is number one. Sometimes through appearance alone, someone can judge the character and morals of our life so far. As if through a thin piece of cloth covering the body, they can judge our thoughts.

Fiona was no stranger to that kind of thing.

After giving a final touch, Fiona was invited to sit on the sofa in the corner of the room to listen to the schedule that Leonard had arranged. She said the schedule helped Fiona get used to this house. As a prospective fiancé who is not yet legal, Yulia said that her presence was an important guest.

Important guests? Tch, bullshit.

Yulia stood next to Fiona who was frowning at the end of the sofa. The expression and beauty of her appearance look sloppy and don't match. But for Fiona, she has a beautiful face and porcelain white skin. She never bothered to steal people's attention even if she just sat quietly and frowned.

While holding her cell phone, Yulia started reading one by one in a firm and round tone. “In the morning, you can wake up around seven to eight o'clock. If you haven't woken up around that time, I and several servants will help you. Because breakfast will be held around half past nine. At nine o'clock, Mr. Harrington and Mrs. Harrington will go to the office and Mrs. Harrigton will be busy doing housework. Sometimes she spends time in the park or goes out with her friends. Around nine to twelve is your free time. Lunch starts at half past one. And the rest is free time. However, this schedule can change according to the requests of people who want to meet you.

"After that—"

“After that, dinner, then free time again. That's what you wanted to say, right?" Fiona interrupted in a bored tone while glancing at Yulia who was giggling softly.

“Curfew hours will usually be time with Mr. Harrington and Mr. Leonard. You can offer a variety of entertainment.”

Fiona's brows furrowed slightly. "Entertainment? What do you mean by dancing naked in front of them?"

Yulia glared, looking stunned by Fiona's words, while she only snorted lightly. After hearing what Cornelius said this afternoon, Fiona increasingly thought that this family was all perverts. So she didn't care to just say it straight away.

“No...Miss, how could you say that? There are no such lewd things in this house. And that's totally out of morals.”

Fiona smiled crookedly. “Right, right, beyond morals? But their behavior seems to clearly demonstrate that.”

"What do you mean..?"

Yulia didn't finish her words because at that time someone yanked the door open. The wind howled as the figure in the doorway appeared. Yulia and Fiona both gasped in surprise when they found Giovani staring coldly at them. A female servant stood behind her, looking down.

"So Leonard gave you a cage here for you to sleep in?" Giovani's first words as she scanned her gaze throughout the room and stepped in without being asked. Fiona didn't bother telling her to get out. She almost didn't care about the fierce tone that came out of the woman.

Yulia blocked with bold movements. "Miss Giovani, I'm sorry, but you are not allowed to be here," said Yulia, looking down and her firm voice coming out.

Fiona glanced at the two from the sofa.

“Move,” Giovani said sharply. It was enough to make Yulia immediately tremble and look up slowly. She looked back slightly to signal Fiona. But she just shrugged her chin, telling Yulia to leave the room too.

Giovani's triumphant smile flashed. She immediately stepped gracefully with her long legs to the side of the sofa and sat next to Fiona.

"What do you want, anyway? If you want to call me trash and not worthy of being Leonard's wife, I agree. But if you can help me get out of here, I'll gladly accept that."

***