The End of the Littlest One [Completed]

33. We have plenty

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Benjamin and Dante looked at each other.

Dante hastily continued making the bed, while Benjamin walked to the door. He put his hand on the handle. Dante put one of the pajamas on the empty bed and sat down on the end of the bed. Benjamin opened the door.

As they expected, Olivia stood on the other side.

'Good evening,' Benjamin greeted. 'Thank you for making time for us.'

'Good evening to you too,' Olivia said. 'I'm on my break right now, so it wasn't a problem.

Benjamin took a step back with a smile, and stretched out his arm, into the room.

Olivia took the hint and walked into the room. The room was lit by a couple of candles, and the small fireplace next to the door leading to the bathroom. She saw Dante sitting on one of the bed-ends.

'Good evening,' he said.

'Good evening,' Olivia said once more.

Benjamin took the chair by the desk and put it by the bed-ends.

'Have a seat,' Benjamin said, gesturing to the chair.

'Thank you.'

Olivia sat down on the chair. Meanwhile, Benjamin sat down on the end of the unoccupied bed.

'Did you enjoy the rest of your day?'

'We did, thank you,' Dante said.

'I'm glad. The weather is colder than usual. Is your room warm enough? Or do you need more blankets? We have plenty.'

'It's very cold outside,' Benjamin agreed. 'The temperature inside is much better, though. The fire and blankets we have right now is enough.'

Olivia gave him a small nod. Since neither Benjamin nor Dante seemed to want to say anything, Olivia did.

'So,' Olivia started. 'What did you want to talk to me about?'

'Right, that's why you are here,' Dante said.

Benjamin looked to his right and gave Dante a look. Shut up it seemed to say.

'I'll do the talking,' Benjamin said with a smile not quite genuine.

Benjamin redirected his gaze to the woman in front of him.

'We wanted to tell you we need to travel further.'

'Really?' Olivia asked. 'Where are you going next?'

'To a town nearby, which actually leads me to the next thing we need to tell you.'

Benjamin stood up and arrived at the desk in a few steps. He picked up a folded piece of paper and sat back down on the bed. Het extended his arm forward and handed the prepared paper.

'Here,' he said.

Olivia took the paper from Benjamin's hand. She unfolded it and looked at the written words.

An address.

'What is this?' she asked.

'It is the address of an inn at the town we are going to next,' Benjamin explained.

'Why do you want me to know that?'

'You will visit the Laurier mansion, right?' Benjamin asked, avoiding the question.

'Yes?'

'You don't know for sure?'

'Oh, no,' Olivia laughed. 'I will go there. I'm just confused as to what you're trying to tell me. That's all.'

'Well, I was wondering if you could keep an eye on the father and oldest son of the family.'

Olivia didn't understand.

Why would I keep an eye on them? Did something happen to them? And more importantly, why do they want me to?

However, before she could voice any of these concerns, Benjamin beat her to it.

'No questions asked. I know it might sound weird, but you'll just have to trust me.'

'Why?'

Benjamin raised one of his eyebrows.

'Right,' Olivia avoided eye contact from embarrassment. No questions asked.

'If there's anything suspicious or weird or whatever, tell us. You can send a letter to the address on the paper.'

'I don't even know if I'll see the inside of the mansion other than the hallway and the kitchen.'

'It's fine if you don't see them. However, when you do... please tell me if something seems off.'

After a short silence, Olivia responded.

'I guess I can do that,' Olivia told him.

She folded the paper back up and put it in a pocket of her apron.

'Amazing, thank you,' Benjamin said.

Benjamin smiled at her. Olivia noticed, and smiled back. She felt her cheeks getting warm.

Must be the fireplace close to me she told herself. Nothing more. Definitely not his humid hair in combination with a slight stubble and a mysterious aura in general. The fireplace.

'Was that all?' Olivia asked.

'Yes. And again, thank you for coming.'

'Sure, no problem. It took much less time than I thought,' Olivia laughed timidly. 'I still have some of my break left.'

'That's a good thing, right?'

Olivia nodded in agreement.

Upon seeing that, Dante stood up. Benjamin and Olivia followed.

'If I don't see you two anymore tomorrow, I'd like to wish you a safe travel,' Olivia started.

'Thank you.'

Benjamin walked to the door. Olivia followed in his tracks. While Dante stayed by the beds, Benjamin opened the door for their guest.

'I'll make sure to inform you about any weird things regarding the father and oldest son,' Olivia said.

'Fantastic. Thank you so much.'

Olivia smiled at him; her cheeks still warm. Benjamin smiled in response. She smiles a lot he thought.

'Have a good evening,' he said.

'You too.'