A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 4 (Part 3)

     Time has flown with the soothing wind. Oliver and Sophia have spent their day engaging in a friendly conversation. Soon, they find themselves on the balcony, chattering with each other while watching the daytime switch into the night. Despite spending their time together, neither feels any intimacy, only viewing one another as nothing but a companion.

     The broad sapphire sky gradually transforms into amethyst, and the atmosphere on the west horizon turns into a warm tangerine. The clouds scatter into thin particles as the golden sunlight bounces on their surface before landing on the earth. Slowly, the sky turns darker with each passing moment as the bluish tint paints the air with a cold hue.

     As Sophia listens to Oliver's words, the cold breeze flows onto her white silk gown and blows the long train into the air. Greyish floral embroideries blending with the light fabric on her dress adorn every inch of her skirt. White gloves extending to her elbows replace her long black sleeves, and another set of pearl necklaces accompanies her jewellery, making her shine in the dim corners. Finishing her look, she wears a peach sash tied under her bust, giving her silhouette a high-waisted style.

     Meanwhile, Oliver wears a black coat that reaches the back of his knees. His cosy overcoat gives a contrasting hue to his white stockings and complements his black breeches and shoes. He switches his casual, unbuttoned waistcoat with a buttoned grey vest with black buttons.

Concluding his words, Oliver sighed and said, "I guess... that's all I can say about my life..." He glanced at Sophia.

"Oh, dear goodness... I never knew you'd been going through... these harsh things..." Sophia replied.

"...Well, I guess this is why my adoptive parents don't want me to have some friends. It's because I might tell them what they've done to me," Oliver thought as he held onto the balcony's railings and leaned back while gazing at the sky.

"Oliver, I..." Sophia took a deep breath through her mouth before letting out a loud sigh and continued. "...Oli, remember this... I support you. I will be with you... alright? I will help you overcome your problems," Sophia said calmly.

"...Hey, thanks..." Oliver smiled as he peered into Sophia's glistening eyes.

"...Hm, anyways. I'll grab us some champagne to cool our minds off," Sophia said and turned around. "I'll be right back."

Oliver shook his head while gazing at the sky.

     While Sophia left the balcony and entered indoors, Oliver stared into the sky and grasped Sophia's words. He touched his chest as the wind passed through him. Then, he sighed and closed his eyes.

     With his eyes shut, Oliver's mind grasped a memory. Opening his eyes wide, he turned towards the door and hurried through. But, as he hastened towards the doorway, he stumbled upon Sophia, and they yelped in surprise.

"Woa!"

     Oliver smashed into Sophia, almost hurling her into a wall. Sophia's eyes widened, pressing a palm on her chest as she panted. Oliver froze in embarrassment, his face blushing as he lowered his head.

"I...! I! Uhm, pardon me... sorry." Oliver's glance darted at the floor as he brushed his hands on his back.

"What happened...?" Sophia smiled as curiosity tingled in her mind.

"Uhm... nothing?" Oliver asked, feeling humiliated for accidentally bumping into her body. "What happened? Why are you back so quickly?"

"Oh, there is no more champagne, so I decided to return here with you," said Sophia.

"...It's fine." Oliver's cheeks flushed brightly. "Besides, we should limit drinking those."

Sophia then stared at Oliver. "...Why are you rushing all of a sudden?" she questioned him, grinning.

"Uhmm..."

"Come on. Tell me." Sophia stepped closer to Oliver's chest and stood before him.

Oliver sighed as he held Sophia's hands and squeezed them. "Please, never tell this to anyone, especially my parents, okay?" he whispered.

"Alright, I'll never," Sophia nodded, still staring at Oliver with an eager smile. 

"...So, it's like a few nights ago when I met this man—" Oliver stated, but he cut his words as Sophia bounced in surprise.

"Oh, goodness! Really!?" Sophia squeezed her fist and grinned as she leapt on her toes.

Oliver raised a brow and tilted his head towards Sophia. "Excuse me...?" he asked, furrowing his brows.

"Oh..." Sophia cleared her throat as she apologised. "Ahem, forgive me! I had my wild thoughts hastening all over me, mhmh."

Oliver then gathered some air through his nose and continued. "...So... that man... he became my acquaintance, and now we're good friends. But our friendship is a secret... because my adoptive parents prohibit me from having company, right?"

"Mhm," Sophia nodded, carefully listening to Oliver. "Right."

"And whenever we hang out, we do it privately. As the nights progress, he develops a routine, sneaking into our backyard and visiting me. And I just remembered... we are supposed to see each other tonight," he ventured as he looked into Sophia's emerald eyes.

"Does that mean you're running earlier to meet with him?" Sophia questioned.

"...Well, I was only intending to tell him that I won't be able to speak with him tonight because I'll be busy with you, eh," Oliver stated.

"...But... where were you supposed to see each other?" Sophia inquired curiously.

"...I usually sneak to the backyard through my bedroom window," Oliver whispered.

"Well... why don't you use the front door instead?" Sophia suggested.

"Because... my parents forbid me to leave. So, if they see me go out, they'd kill me!" Oliver explained.

"You'll only hurt yourself if you continue leaping from your window. I'll escort you to your friend instead. If you're with me, I bet your parents would allow you to go out," Sophia thought.

"...I still hate the busy streets," said Oliver.

"Then... try not making eye contact with anyone, okay?" Sophia placed a palm on Oliver's left cheek.

Oliver then nodded.

     Oliver and Sophia proceeded downstairs. While walking down the steep steps of the wooden staircase, Oliver and Sophia spotted their parents conversing in the lounge. They then approached them and stood before them.

"Mother, Oliver and I will be outside for a while," Sophia told Amelia with a soft, faint voice.

"Oh, how lovely," Amelia grinned before taking a quick, light sip of her wine glass.

"...Just... don't talk to strangers... got that, kid?" Layla pointed at Oliver with an unsteady, apprehensive tone.

Oliver then nodded.

"Don't worry, Layla. This couple will be just strolling around," Amelia said, smirking at Layla.

"Well... go on, then." Layla leered at Oliver.

     Oliver walks towards the front door and opens it. He steps aside, allowing Sophia to pass through first. Oliver then walks through the doorway and gently shuts the entrance.