The Gentleman of Greenstoke

XIX.

To describe Arthur as a morning person was a blatant lie. Everyone knew of his quotidian fight to exit his bed. Especially the day after the ball, the urge of staying in his room had never been so strong. His mind still lingered on the past evening's event – or rather mishap and dramatic occurrence.

"No," he groaned into his pillow, he had not slept a minute due to his mind, which was too occupied to revive the conversation he had with Miss Honda. It was a confession and she had clearly disapproved his feelings towards her, causing him to refuse to face her this day. He could not stand her sympathising look in her eyes or the way she would not glance in his eyes for there she would find pain. Arthur knew her long enough to know that she did not want to hurt anyone – although she had broken his heart. The Englishman was not ashamed of his feelings towards her and he mused of telling her properly, just not this day.

"Come one!" Someone shouted in front of his room and Arthur knew exactly who was disrupting his thoughts on his plan on avoiding his female guest.

"The nerve . . . ,"the blonde muttered, not in the mood to open the door for his American cousin. Since the night before, he had tried to approach him, to ask him what had happened, but Arthur had remained silent; his eyes speaking more than his mouth.

"If you don't come out, I will enter!"

Arthur heard the amusement in his voice and it unsettled him greatly. "No!"

"You know that you have not eaten any breakfast . . . And Mr Karpusi is the waiting room, he has called on us."

Now that brought the Englishman to his feet; even if he had concluded to avoid his Asian company at all cost but hearing the Greek's name made his blood boil. Jealously was stronger than rational thinking – or his plan which had already failed before it had been properly carried out.

Alfred was not surprised as the door was opened in a violent manner – he had expected such behaviour from his cousin.

"How long has he been waiting?"

"Some minutes," The American grinned before his face fell, "But we have to talk. I want to inform you of something and you have to explain yesterday's event."

"Nothing happened."

It was a lie, and both were aware of it. "I have asked Miss Honda about it b –"

Arthur turned around and walked brashly away, clearly avoiding the topic of the mentioned woman. He rushed downstairs – only to find a startled Sakura in the hall. It was a tense aura that surrounded both; the two remained silent until the female acknowledged him with a stammering greeting. She clearly avoided his piercing eyes, before he mimicked her actions – although his voice sounded flat. A servant passed them and stopped, witnessing that odd scene. He eyed the two awkwardly before retreating to the servant's staircase. The poor man did not want to face his employer's wrath – which would have happened, seeing the man's angry green eyes.

To avoid the tense silence, Sakura decided to start a conversation, "I heard that Mr Karpusi called on you."

It was a simple gesture of her to show that she still wanted to socialise with Arthur, but all he could think of was her and his Greek friend in the ball room, while he was trying to regain the broken pieces of his heart.

"Yes."

The answer was short and it affected Sakura more than she cared to admit. Her eyes quickly found the floor, causing the English man to regret his answer; His eyes softened immediately. He noticed her nervous state and was not sure how to react properly; she had broken his heart after all.