MDCF

58

"What do you think matters most to a person who has just been fired?" asked Alan.

"Finding another job?" said Siana.

"Exactly," said Alan.

"You offered him a job?" asked Alan.

"Yeah," he said, "I offered him a job as a butler at another villa I was given. Not here, obviously."

"I see," said Siana, "Why was he fired in the first place? Seeing a butler being fired is such a rare occurrence."

"Anthony went around saying that the viscount was after you," said Alan, "That was why he was fired."

"Is it a good idea to hire a butler like him?" asked Siana. She knew that Anthony had helped them, and she was grateful for it but for a butler, his words and his loyalty was of the utmost importance. A butler always had to be careful of his words because he would have sensitive information about the household, he worked in. Siana could not hide her displeasure at Anthony.

"That's why I put him in the villa," said Alan, "Even if he runs his mouth there, it won't do anyone any harm. Besides, he saved us at court. And he has helped me before."

"Anthony? How did he help you before?" asked Siana, confused.

"Do you remember when I first came to propose to you?"

"I can never forget that."

"Well," said Alan, "I had planned to go to the capital a few weeks later. There were rules regarding my curse, so I had to follow the protocols. But I wanted to know where you were, so I sent a subordinate out, in my place."

"Then you met Anthony?" asked Siana.

"Not that we met, really," said Alan, "I dropped by a bar and overheard someone say that a man was going around telling people that Viscount North was after you for his new marriage. That was how I found out about him."

"Don't tell me... you came ahead of time just because of that," said Siana. "To propose to me."

"It is true," said Alan, "I didn't know if you had married someone already, someone better than me until then. But I thought you might get married to that vile viscount because you had no choice."

Siana opened her mouth and closed it again. She was at a loss for words. She looked at Alan instead.

"I was really frantic and afraid that I might lose you to someone like him," said Alan, "I didn't want you to be in his hands." Alan's voice faltered.

Siana could feel the emotions in his words as he spoke, fear, horror, anger and other emotions enveloped in his words. She remembered him being so distressed when he came to meet her. He had seemed frantic. It was because of me...

An indescribable emotion rose in her. She bit her lower lip. "but everything is okay now," said Alan, "Everything is alright, and you are here, by my side. So, I feel spectacular."

"What if I am not okay with it?" asked Siana.

"Sia..."

"You may be fine with everything," said Siana, "But I am not."

Alan was befuddled by her reaction. He looked into her eyes. Siana had no intention of quieting down so she continued to speak, "I have said this countless times before. Don't try to do everything on your own. If ever something like this happens, you tell me honestly. Just as I seek your help every time, I have a problem, you must rely on me when you need to, as well."

"I already did that last time..."

"That's not what I am talking about!" barked Siana, angrily. She pushed his hands away that was trying to hold her close.