Chasing Blue- The Final Saga (Book 4)

Chapter 24: Love Games

For a moment I forgot about everyone else in the house. I forgot about the nameless slaves in the background dusting the statues. Even forgot the other noted figures of the house looming in the interior rooms. The only person I saw was Julia. Her eyes roved from one line to the next. A growing smile spread across her cheeks. Then her lips curled into a frown. What was wrong? Was the message lost in translation?

"Is there something wrong?" I asked with a sheepish smile.

"Oh nothing," she replied, folding the letter in half. "It was just a little hard to read in some parts."

I frowned. "I thought the letter was pretty clear."

Her brows rose. "So you read your friend's letter?"

"No," I lied. She stared at me with unflinching eyes. "But he told me what he wanted to tell you. He really likes you," I added.

"Well I noticed the writer seems to have spent some time with me, as if he has known me for years. They are very observant I see. I wonder who this mystery person is," she uttered wistfully. She then looked up at me with a toothy grin. My heart was pounding so loud that I was afraid even she would hear it. Did she know it was me? Part of me wished she didn't. The other part did. The way she smiled made me want to smile. It was contagious.

"Here is your towel sir," Claudia announced from behind. I turned around to face the aged woman as she handed the striped towel.

She chuckled. "You seem to be in good spirits," Claudia remarked. "Julia, it looks you did not need any help entertaining the guests," she added. I draped the towel over my head to dry my face. My cheeks were burning red. Julia cleared her throat as her smile vanished.

"Troy! You came back to visit," Julius exclaimed running up next to Claudia. I quickly ran the towel through my damp curls before draping the towel over my shoulder.

He greeted me with a hug.

"I heard Clitus won. I wish I could have seen it!" Julius exclaimed. So do I!

Claudia shook her head. "It was best you did not come! There was a riot in the stands. You could have gotten hurt."

"It was not that bad. It is not like the whole stadium broke into fighting. It was just the lower quarter section according to Julius," he quipped. "But I am glad he won and that you won. Now it is Julius' turn to win. Maybe he needs more of that luck because his is running out," he said before breaking into giggles. I watched Julia give her head a shake. Her composed face was about to burst into a giggle fit at any moment. Her brother was quite a character!

"I still have that locket you gave me. You could have it back," I said as rubbed the shiny brass horse between my fingers.

"But that is your gift. It is yours," he uttered. I nodded.

"By the way, what made you come to visit?"

"Oh Julius! Why don't we have you washed up for the evening meal shall we?" Claudia answered in a soothing tone. "I think we should leave those two alone."

"Why do they need to be left alone?" He turned to me. "Do you like her?" he blurted. Was I still blushing?

"Oh Julius, you and your silly ideas," Julia said shaking her head, trying to keep a composed face. "Should you be minding your manners?"

His face scrunched at the words. "You sound like mother!" he scoffed. Julia bit her lip. As Claudia escorted Julius into the interior rooms, I could barely look Julia in the eyes. They were already giving me away.