Dear Jolene

CHAPTER 20

When Jo woke up, she saw Emily soundly sleeping. Not wanting to wake her up, she slowly got out of her bed and kept a pillow in her place for Emily to hold on to.

She tiptoed to the bathroom and freshened up for the day. Last night's dinner was a mess was dying of hunger right now. She did everything as soon as possible and rushed out of her room, not before making sure Emily was still sleeping peacefully.

As soon as she was out of her room, Anthony popped out from one of the pillars, "Finally, the princess is awake."

Jo rolled her eyes and kept walking.

"So how does it feel, knowing that your intuitions were true?" Anthony asked.

"What do you mean by that?"
"That the Knights and the Kingstons weren't ordinary families, don't think I didn't notice you sneaking around the house, and the curious gaze that would follow Sir and your eldest brother."

"Step-brother", Jo hissed.

Anthony kept walking behind her, "Well, you're not denying anything".

"I don't want to talk about it, okay".

As they neared the kitchen, Demiris appeared and greeted her, "Good Morning, Miss, you need not  have come till the kitchen, Rose is always ready to serve you."

Jo didn't say anything and entered the kitchen, "Hello Betty, could I have a black tea and milk tea."

The elder chef just smiled and nodded at her request.

"Of course Miss, I assume the milk tea is for your mother.", Betty asked.

"Yes, she had a rough night".

"Little Miss, if you're free, Sir would like to talk to you", Demiris asked.

Betty looked at Jo's cold expression and said, "You should go Miss, I'll have someone call you when the tea is done, I might add some fresh focaccia as well, if they have cooled down by then".

Jo wanted to say no, but she knew she had to talk to Andrew sometime, and the earlier she was done with it, the better.

Jo wordlessly followed Demiris to Andrew's office. It was the same room where she would often hear noises from late at night. He opened the door and let her in, and closed the door behind her.

Andrew looked a mess, hair sticking out everywhere, darkened eyes, and blank look. The entire vibe of the room was gloomy, except for 1 corner, that held the prettiest bouquet Jo had ever seen, Tiger lilies.

"Hello Jo, did you sleep well", Andrew asked with a small smile.

"She's still sleeping", Jo said in a neutral tone.

Andrew let out a sigh, "I apologize Jo, I know I should have told both of you what you
were getting into, but.... but I thought I could protect you guys from the truth."

After a few minutes of silence, Jo said, "Emily had big dreams, she wanted to get married, have kids, get old with the love of her life, but fate didn't let her, she deserves something normal."

Andrew's eyes softened, and he buried his face in his hands. "I was being selfish, wasn't I?"

Jo folded her arms in front of her and said, "Everyone is selfish when it comes to love, especially if that person is Emily. I don't blame you, Andrew."

"But love also means letting go, I, I don't want to do that, but," Andrew paused and took a deep breath, "I can't stop Emily from leaving".

"Hey, give it sometime, and if you're thinking of those flowers as an apology,  it feels a little shallow," Jo said.