BELLRAM V01 - Ambivalence of Light and Shadow I

BP001-P14 - Cappuccino 1

Less than an hour after their walk began, Meia and Mr. Monet arrived back in the courtyard.

He pulled a chair from one of the tables for her, waited for her to take a seat and then sat down opposite her and unbuttoned his blazer as he did so.

Meanwhile, Meia had been able to put aside her initial shyness somewhat. It was mainly due to Mr Monet's nature. It seemed as if it didn't matter what blunder she would make in his presence. He would forgive her and skilfully cover it up. Meia now wondered again if he was actually interested in her or if there was another reason she was here after all.

"Would you like a coffee or something else to drink?"

"Erm, one of those with foam?" Meia asked shyly.

"A cappuccino?"

"Yes." ~I guess.~

"What kind of pastry? Do they have a particular request? I can have anything brought to you."

~I suppose that's true.~

"What... erm..."

"Would you like a menu?" he asked, as if it was the most normal thing in the world to have a menu on his private estate.

"Ah, no, thank you, please just decide for me. It's faster that way, hehe."

For a moment, his face became thoughtful. Meia's answer was probably not what he had hoped for.

"I'll send for something." Mr Monet promised nevertheless, already waving one of the maids over.

"Thank you."

Meia was disappointed in herself. ~Like a pig that eats what you put in front of it. What were the etiquette lessons for anyway? No wonder he reacted the way he did. I should have demanded something. Something that showed I had class.~ While Meia was still wondering what she should have said, one of the maids already came to the table.

The first thought about the maid came out to be true. The woman was very attractive. She was taller than Meia. Her body was curvy, as it was expected of a woman. The way she walked was seductive, but not too deliberate. Meia also noticed her evening make-up. It looked so professional. Then again, maybe it was easier when you were beautiful.

The woman wore a simple open braid. Her hair was partially coloured. Mainly it was black, but several strands by her left temple were in the colour of her eyes, Bordeaux. It was an unusual eye colour. The woman was certainly not from the region.

Mr Monet whispered something to the maid. Meia did not try to make out what exactly. She was otherwise occupied.

~What am I going to do with this thing?~

Meia still had her hat with her. All the way here she had carried it in her hand. Now she put it on the chair to her right.

After Mr Monet had given his order, the maid took a step backwards away from the table, made an elegant curtsy and only then did she leave again.

~Why did I even bring this stupid hat? It's way too warm to wear it. Besides, it hides the elaborate hairstyle. In my imagination, I wore it in the sunshine while walking across a hillside meadow with a beau. A gust of wind comes. I try to hold on to the hat, but it flies away. I run after it, but I just can't manage to catch it. The hat lands in the grass for a moment. Just in time, before it takes off again, the man grabs it. From his knee he reaches it up to me. I bend down and he puts it on me. The brim of the hat hides my embarrassment. The man stands up. With a shy glance I discover his smile. Immediately I hide again, but he pushes the hat back to see me. He reaches around my waist and pulls me towards him, hehe. "Miss Arvis, do you have any plans for the future?", his voice echoes in the wind. How romantic. The reality is that I'm just carrying the hat around. It's useless ballast. Hm?~