Chapter 20 Bottled Up Feelings
Chapter Twenty
As Aria came out of Lucian’s room, she caught sight of a person swiftly rounding the corner at the end of the hall way.
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Who the hell is that?”
Without a second thought, she hurried down the hallway after the person.
This part of the mansion was the East wing of the house. It was reserved for Lucian only and built in such a way that it can accommodate him and his family, whether he decided to have one of his own.
The Chairman and Madam Graves had the North wing to themselves built in the same fashion, while Nathan and Monica had the West Wing to themselves too.
The South wing was left vacant, and was normally used to entertain guests and other family members.
In other words, no one was supposed to be on this part of the house except Lucian and her.
Anyone who came on this wing probably had to visit Lucian, but no one went into his room except her.
And if the person really wanted to check up on him, why flee then?
These thoughts were on Aria’s mind as she rounded the corner and came face to face with the empty stairwell.
“Huh?” She breathed, her head tilted to the side in wonder, “Did I see wrong? No, that’s not right. Someone was definitely fleeing from the East wing.”
She turned back towards the hallways that she’d just ran down.
Nope.
Nothing unusual.
Suddenly, she felt a footsteps behind her and then a tap on her shoulder.
“Argh!” Aria screamed and jumped, startled out of her wits.
“Argh!” The person who’d tapped her screamed back, startled as well.
It was Madam Graves.
“Aria dear, what’s going on?” She asked in a feeble voice, one hand on her heart and the other clutching the railing of the staircase to support herself.
Aria was immediately contrite, “I’m so sorry, mother,” she uttered as she reached out to help the elderly woman, “I’m so sorry. I was just startled.”
“Exactly. It was only me. Why were you so startled?” The woman asked as Aria held her hand apologetically.
“Oh, I thought I saw someone in the hallway…”
“Someone?” Madam Graves repeated in puzzlement, looking over Aria’s shoulder at the hallway, “Who else would be on the east wing by this time? They know Lucian needs his absolute rest.”
Aria shrugged, then saw the worried look on Madam Graves face.
She bit her lips in regret, not willing to make the woman worried all the more.
“It’s okay, mother,” she replied brightly, patting the woman’s hand in comfort, “I must have saw wrong. I was afar off by the way.”
Madam Graves nodded slowly in acceptance and then her eyes caught the trolley of food which was still outside Lucian’s door.
Her face brightened immediately, “Did he eat?”
Aria held her head up proudly, “Of course. Would he be able to resist my charm?”
Madam Graves slapped her hands in glee as Aria walked back to the trolley. She pushed it over and showed the woman the empty porridge bowl.
“Oh, splendid! Now, I can sleep peacefully tonight,” The woman cooed, “Thank you so much for making him eat, Aria. You are really a blessing our family.”
Aria nodded with a shy smile, her eyes turning misty at those words.
She found it very comforting that the elderly woman would say those words to her.
Madam Graves reminded her of her own mother which had been killed off cruelly before her.
She blinked once but the tears just kept pouring.
Madam Graves was overwhelmed with concern as she pulled Aria into a hug, “What is it child? What is it?” She asked worriedly, patting her back softly.
Aria did not say a word but kept on bawling.
Madam Graves eventually stopped asking questions and only continued to pat her back in comfort.
Her motherly instincts sensed what Aria was going through and refused to ask further questions. She knew Aria had grown up without a mother, and had been at the mercy of a father and stepmother who did not care much for her.
Imagine giving your own child out in marriage to a comatose man, just to get funds for your business.
Madam Graves was very appreciative of Aria’s positive attitude, but she wondered how the girl must have felt inwardly to be in such a position.
She resolved in her heart to care for Aria like her daughter even more.
“She’s a blessing to our Graves family, our very own miracle worker,” she thought firmly, “From now on, she will be a Graves family member and everything that is ours will be hers.”
Finally, Aria calmed down and her crying reduced. Madam Graves ensured that she was calm enough before she pulled away from the hug.
“Are you okay now, dear?” She asked concernedly.
Aria sniffed and nodded in response, her voice hoarse from crying, “Yes, I am.”
She was puzzled at the way she had broken down before Madam Graves, because she was definitely not a crier.
When she had been kidnapped and tortured by her lover and best friend, she had not broken down even once.
She knew they wanted to see her break down.
She knew they wanted to feed on her despair, and she would never give them that satisfaction.
She had grown up with the mindset that crying never solved anything, and being weak would only keep you at the bottom of the ladder.
Never, ever, let them see you cry.
But she had let go just now.
Aria sighed in despair.
She did not know what came over her a few moments back.
Perhaps, it was because Madam Graves had the same soft, loving countenance and mannerisms that her own mother did.
Madam Graves laughed quietly, pulling out her lace handkerchief and wiped Aria’s tear stained face.
“It’s okay, my love.” She said quietly, “I know you miss your mother. But do not worry, I’m here for you.”