The girl named Harmony (a story in Actor Mark's point of view)

Chapter 3: Tea and Breakfast

     Actor Mark's point of view:

     I couldn't stop thinking about her. I hardly slept that night, filled with thoughts of her. She was wonderful. She was lovely. She was everything and more. The smile on my face never faltered, all through the sleepless night. And yet as the sun made herself known through the window, I couldn't bring myself to be upset. Sleep or no, I felt weightless. A new feeling I'd never quite experienced before. Not like this. Being the romantic I was, oddly enough, it had not occurred to me at the time what these foreign feelings were. 

     I heard Ben knock at my door as he did on time every morn, save Sunday. It was time to get up. 

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     Regular point of view:

     "Master Mark. It's time to wake up sir," Ben said, the door opening as the butler entered his Master's room.

     "Oh. You're awake. Trouble sleeping sir?" Ben asked at seeing Mark awake upon the bed.

     Mark always needed Ben to come wake him, as he took enjoyment sleeping under the light of the morning sun. Seeing Mark awake wasn't a common occurrence.

     "No. I'm fine Ben," Mark replied, sighing as he sat up in bed, legs dangling over the edge.

     Benjamin fetched Mark's slippers, kneeling down and placing them upon his Master's feet.

     "Breakfast will be served in the garden this morning sir. I thought you might appreciate the lovely weather today," Ben said as he went to fetch Mark's robe. 

     "Yes, that sounds fine Ben," Mark said, standing up.

     Benjamin returned with the red robe, slipping it onto Mark and wrapping the drawstring round his waist at a comfortable tightness. Ben let his hands fall back to his sides when he was done and Mark went to leave for breakfast. 

     "Forgive my intrusion sir, but are you certain you're alright? Did something go amiss at the party last night?" Benjamin inquired, worried for his Master's odd behavior.

     By now, Mark would be asking him of any new news, asking Ben to make his tea a certain way, telling Ben what he'd like to wear after breakfast, telling Ben what soap to use in his bath before he dressed. He was just... too quiet. 

     Mark smiled. That really shook Ben. That smile was so... genuine. Not that Mark's smiles weren't, however he was used to seeing more polite grins on his Master's face. The ones he used for just about everybody. This one was so gentle. So oddly refreshing and yet skin crawling at the same time from how foreign it felt.

     "Thank you for your concern, Ben. I'm fine, truly. Now please make sure my bath is rose and freesia scented today, the coral suit prepped for me to wear, and the newspaper is where it should be yes?" Mark asked.

     Ben was relieved. That was his Master.

     "Yes sir. Right away, and yes. The paper is awaiting you at your table," Ben replied.

     Mark nodded and exited the room, slippers clapping against the carpeted halls and down the stairway. Mark walked through two large glass doors which lead out to his patio and gardens. There was set a small metal round table with two chairs placed on opposite ends. Mark took a seat, opening up the newspaper and skimming some articles, reading others that caught his interest, and just generally keeping up with the times. Benjamin came a few moments later, pushing a cart forward. Upon it was a tea pot, with a cup, saucer, spoon, sugar, and the such. There were also trays which housed breakfast inside. 

     Benjamin poured Mark's tea for the day, and as he was adding in the sugar cubes, Mark said without his eyes leaving the paper, "One more today, Ben."

     "Yes, Master Mark," Benjamin replied, adding an extra sugar cube.

     "Strange stories people come up with, aye, Ben," Mark said, gesturing to a section of the newspaper.

     "Quite, Master Mark. Indeed very interesting if not absolutely ridiculous," Ben said, handing Mark his tea.

     Mark thanked him and took a sip of his tea, staring off into his lovely gardens. Save for being a real hermit of a man, the gardener did his job well. Mark wasn't interested in half finished jobs, and he employed only those who did their work and did it well. Take Benjamin for example. The man was hardworking, dedicated, loyal, and enjoyable company at times. He did his job as butler exceptionally well, and Mark couldn't imagine a life without the man. He'd only had him employed for a handful of years, but it felt much longer.

     Benjamin started to place breakfast delicately and neatly upon the table. Eggs, sausages, toast, jams, fruits, and more. Once he had emptied the cart of all he intended to place, Ben bowed his head to Mark and began to leave... However much the butler wanted to press his Master about what was so clearly on his mind, he did not, remembering his place.

     Mark took a bite of toast with some egg, but as he chewed in thought, his eyes landed on the lone chair before him. It felt so... out of place, drawing his attention. This single chair out of all the other things out here stood out like a sore thumb to him. But why? A guest would usually occupy the chair, and he had more like it in the garden shed for other guests. So why was it now that this one chair was causing him discomfort. No... it wasn't discomfort. It was more so a sense that... something in particular belonged in that chair. Or rather, someone. 

     Mark hadn't thought of partnership in a long while. Not since he was quite young and it was always accompanied with childish thoughts of marriage and jokes. He simply didn't think about it because he felt he wasn't interested in the idea just yet. He was happy with his single life so far, as an actor and a rather wealthy man. He hadn't really thought of courtship with any simply because there wasn't any that'd come to mind. At least... he believed so. There were plenty of pretty women, yes. So that wasn't the problem. But Mark wanted something a little more than a pretty face that would stand beside him to make him look good. 

     Mark was still lost as to why he was thinking on this matter. What had changed to make him see this chair in a new way? In way where he felt... he could almost picture a young woman sitting beside him. Talking to him about the weather, about his work, about romance. 

     Mark's eyes wandered to a clock in the house which he'd purposefully positioned in such a way where he could see it from out here. Goodness. Was that the time already? Mark ate with more fervor, sipping the last of his tea, and folding up his newspaper. Time to start the day. His bath and lovely suit were waiting for him back upstairs, and then he was due for a trip to the city.

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     Actor Mark's point of view:

     Ah yes. Someone indeed was envisioned to sit across from me upon that chair. But my past self hadn't a clue it was a vision of her.

     Her lovely fair skin would've shone under the sun, dressed in a simple morning gown and sitting right beside me. Her laughter would've filled my ears after I told a joke. Her smile would brighten my soul as I'd whisper sweet nothings in the solace of morn. Perhaps her own cooking would be upon the table before us, and a sweet kiss exchanged after we finish tea.

     A tea and breakfast with Harmony.

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     Author's note: Finally got chapter 3 out! Sorry it took so long guys, but this brain needs a break every now and then haha! Any who, if you have any questions, comments, critiques, or more, let me know in the comments! It always brings a smile to my face to see em! And as always, have a lovely day~