One More Day (H.S.) #wattys2016

Twelfth Day

Harry

Yesterday was a hectic mess. It was like a roller coaster between heaven and hell, making all the mundanities seem to be so far away from happening. Somehow, I wanted to abscond the city and stay in a remote place or island even just for a day.

"Are you certain about this, sir?"

For the umpteenth time, Samuel asks me the same question. It didn't occur to me that my very loyal vassal is actually affected with all of my decisions. I mean, it is my decision.

"Have you found out anything?" I ask him instead of facing the issue that I am supposed to prioritize. This seems to shift his mood from looking fidgety to alert.

"Not yet." Samuel sighed. But as soon as he did so, his slouched shoulders broaden and he straightened his body, chest out and hand on a salute. "But rest assured that I will find him. Whoever took that picture of your little squire must be a professional photographer. Or maybe a... a well trained agent hired by someone to spy on you."

"Don't do that when you're driving, Sam." I sigh even though I'm sort of contented with his eagerness to help and concern for me.

Spy on me? These three words conjured a trail of thoughts in my head. Someone who wants to spy on me.

"Hmm. It could be the paparazzi or a fan discreetly following me around." I shrug nonchalantly.

"Sir?"

I peer at his eyes' reflection with my brows raised, a gesture of mine telling him to continue.

"I've been thinking. Is there some big person you had a previous fight with? Is there someone out there who wishes for your career to burst forth into splinters? You know, they just went ahead and published an article about you this morning without even giving us a heads-up. Although we can't really stop them from doing such for it isn't really something major. But still."

Samuel's got a point. There is someone who hated my guts enough to do this. Only one person swims in the rim of my pool of thoughts.

I breathe out a short laugh to myself which didn't escape Samuel's notice.

"Have I said something amusing sir? This is a serious matter." He shakes his head, looking stringent.

"I know, Sam." I heave forward and pat his shoulder, one brow arced up. He appeared to be bewildered by me for his reaction was the perfect look of confusion. "What time is the conference?"

"One o'clock this afternoon. Speaking of which... Is Ms. Dolly coming?" Samuel mutters with hesitation.

"That is up to her." I absentmindedly murmur while my eyes wander to the road we pass by.

"I don't think she's up to the task." Samuel makes a face. He was never a fan of Dolly's stubbornness.

"Of course you don't." Because I don't think so too. I though this last part to myself.

Dolly was unsurprisingly not pleased with my proposal. She declined it with all her heart that even my long patience was pushed to its limit.

"No! There is no way in hell I will be your girlfriend." She guffaws in pure disbelief. "Who do you think you are? Asking me this absurdity."