161 Setting up with another- Part 4
Catherine had been in love with Jas for more than a year now. The first ti she had t him, it was the ti when she had gone to visit his shop with her mother and aunt to get new gowns stitched for her. At first glance, Jas appeared like any other man, but he was polite, a gentleman who heeded to what she was looking for; suggesting the right colour and fabric that would look good on her. It had taken her two more visits to be enamoured by the man. And he was also a handso man, compared to the usual humans who were not eye-catching, and many won eyed him. This made Catherine Barnes want Jas even more.
Vampires and humans never got along. One because of the status and two because of the kind they were, as to vampires, humans were a food source.
The coachman had stopped the carriage not too far away from Heathcliff's shop. It was only a few distances between the carriage and the shop. Catherine made her way towards the entrance of the shop. The servant man who had accompanied her went ahead to knock on the side door that caught the attention of one of the n who worked for Jas Heathcliff.
"Lady Catherine," the man greeted upon seeing the lovely vampiress who often visited the shop, "Your dress is going to take a week more to be prepared," he inford. The lady shook her head.
"I am looking for Mr. Heathcliff. Is he here?" inquired Catherine, her eyes looking behind the man to catch sight of Jas. Jas would most of the tis be here by this ti, greeting her but not today.
"Mr. Heathcliff told he was sick and would be taking the day off, milady," answered the assistant of the shop. Not well? Catherine frowned hearing this. How did she not know about it?
"Thank you for the information," replied Catherine and took two steps away from the entrance. The assistant went back to continue his work along with the others in the shop while Catherine wondered what to do. She then turned to her servant to say, "We will be going to Mr. Heathcliff's ho," she had to make sure Jas was alright, and nothing had happened to him, "I need you to buy a basket full of fruits."
Even though the distance was a short one as they were in the village, Catherine took herself to the carriage, riding in it for a minute before it ca to a stop. After getting down from the carriage, she looked at the small house that stood midst the other houses. Not many carriages ca to pass through this road. The neighbours who were outside their houses couldn't help but stare at the lady who had stepped down from the carriage.
Using her handkerchief, she tied it around her hand before pushing the rusted gate of Heathcliff's house that creaked. She would need to let Jas know that the gate was creaking. Stepping towards the front of the house, she finally knocked on the door. It took less than a minute before an older man opened the door for her.
"Yes?" asked the man who appeared to be in his sixties. He wore a baggy shirt, his back hunched and his eyebrows had drawn in together.
Catherine had spent more than enough ti with Jas, asking him to accompany her everywhere and anywhere possible, pushing him to a corner with her efforts, but she had never been to his house even once. She looked down at the man who opened the door.
"I would like to see Mr. Jas Heathcliff," Catherine said, her eyes moved away from the man to notice the windows which looked as old as the gates. She didn't understand why Jas was living in this broken house when he could afford a better place. He was a talented man who used to earn more than enough by stitching and making clothes for n and won.
The man answered, "Jas is not well, milady. May I ask who you are?"
"I am Catherine Barnes," the vampiress announced proudly.
"Miss Barnes," the man nodded his head as if acknowledging her presence, "I have heard Jas speak about you," hearing this, Catherine's gaze turned to look at the man. Her eyes sparkled hearing this man say that Jas had spoken about her, "Please co inside," offered the man, stepping back to give her space to get in.
Catherine stepped inside the small house. Sowhere it felt congested, but she didn't speak anything about it. She stared at the walls and the furniture.
"Please take a seat. Is there sothing you would like to drink?" asked the man, and Catherine shook her head. She had not co here to drink and eat but to speak to Jas. After hearing Jas was unwell, she decided to go directly to his house to et him. Catherine took a seat on the plain wooden chair.
"No, that won't be needed," responded Catherine before asking the man, "Who are you?" it didn't seem like there were any won in the house.
"Pardon for not introducing myself. I am Javier Heathcliff, Jas' father," he bowed his head, and Catherine quickly stood. She bowed her head. She had guessed the man was a servant. If she knew he was Jas' father, she would have been much politer.
"Senior Mr. Heathcliff," Catherine bowed her head in a much proper greeting, "It is a pleasure to be eting you," the man looked perplexed before smiling at the young vampiress. Catherine stood there awkwardly, her hands holding the basket of fruits, she placed it on the table, "Was there sothing urgent that you wanted to speak to Jas about?" asked the man.
Catherine had ant to speak to Jas, but with him being sick, she decided to talk to his father, "My father wishes to et Jas. I spoke to him about how wonderfully kind your son is and that I want to take our relationship one step further," hearing this Senior Mr. Heathcliff's eyebrows furrowed, "He is-He is looking for the possibility of us both getting married," she completed her words with a bashful look.
The older man was taken aback and utterly surprised by the girl's words. He would have taken it as a joke, but the lady appeared to be serious while blushing over what she just said. Senior Mr. Heathcliff was still processing when Jas appeared out of his room. Because of the fever, his brown hair looked ssy, and his eyes looked tired and dull.
"Jas!" Catherine cried his na, and she quickly made her way towards him which took less than two seconds, "How are you? You should be resting in the bed."
Jas had been resting in the bed, but when he heard voices co from the small hall of his house. He was drifting off to sleep when he heard the words Catherine had uttered that had his eyes snap open,
"Father," said Jas, "I would like to speak to Miss Barnes alone," he said without addressing her as 'Lady Catherine' that brought distance between them. Even Catherine noticed this, but she took that it was the effect of the fever that was making him address her in such a way. When the older man left to go to the backyard, Catherine asked,
"How did you fall sick? Did you eat? I can ask my cook to co here and make sothing for you-"
"No," ca Jas' response. His head felt hot, and he wanted to rest, but there was sothing he wanted to clear on what he overheard, "Could you repeat what you just said to my father?"
Catherine's face turned pink, and she looked away from his gaze. She had fallen in love but to directly speak about marriage, she was shy about it, "That…" she trailed wondering how to put it in front of him, "My father and I spoke last night about my marriage to you. I have tried to convince him, and he would like to et you so that he can get to know you."
Jas stared at Catherine as if he didn't understand what the vampiress was speaking about. Marriage to him? Convince her father?
The girl noticing the blank expression wondered if Jas needed to rest, "I can co back to et you once you are well. You c-"
Jas raised his hand for her to stop speaking, "Miss Barnes, I don't know why your father is speaking about your marriage with and what gave the idea to you because I have no intention to marry you."
"What?" Catherine's face suddenly fell, and she stared at what Jas just said.
Catherine was more than shocked, and her eyes went wide, "No intention to marry? I thought you liked . Don't you?" the girl questioned, stepping closer to Jas, but then he stepped away from her. Her heart broke over this action of Jas, and she said, "You have been complying to my words, every single ti-- coming with to attend the soirees, the ball and other parties that have been taking place. Are you joking with ?" she asked, her smile faltering to notice Jas looked serious.
Reviews
All reviews (0)