Is it love: Peter Bartholy

Chapter 20 Part 2

Zeva Pov

I rub my neck feeling the stiff muscles looking at the gloomy weather outside. It's sunday, and I promised to spend the afternoon with Lorie. Turning my head away from the window, my eyes wandered to the pink haired girl in the room with me. She's been feeling a little neglected these past few days. And boy, she's made me feel it!

Spending time indoors we had ended up in the living room. Despite the few guarded glances, she's sulking and ignoring me completely...

At one point she's holding her teddy bear firmly against her like a shield meant to protect her from me and my 'bad ideas'. I sigh, feeling the exhaustion. Nothing could make this day better.

I proposed to play a whole load of different games but nothing seemed to interest her... I'm about to give up... when Drogo suddenly appears, wearing his usual smile.

Drogo -"So girls, I see you're having a ball..."

I popped an eyebrow wondering what Drogo was seeing through that thick skull of his. I imagined the scene: me, unhappy, sitting alone on the couch, in front of the little girl whos sulking and who won't even deign to look at me.

When Lorie sees her brother, her face lights up. She throws herself into his arms in a burst of childish laughter. Despite the enthusiasm  I can't help but feel a little resentment. A sad piece of music plays like a soundtrack in my mind: I'm all alone, there's nothing to do, I'm all alone....

Lorie  -"Drogo, my nanny's rotten! I want a new one!"

Her jab was timed almost perfect to the song going on in my head. Oh, so alone! 

It definitely takes a lot of self-defense to survive little Lorie's remarks. Remembering everything I had gone through, I gave a small satisfied smile.  Good, I have a truckload! I have a real bulletproof vest against scathing remarks. So much so that they never affect me!

Looking at Lorie I almost missed Drgos faint smile.

Drogo- "I guess that I'm going to have to save the two ladies of the house from terrible boredom, once again.."

I blink, deterring my eyes to Drogo. A lady? this is the first time Drogo treats me like I'm a respectable person. I couldn't help but smile ... Maybe this day isn't so bad after all!

Lorie - "She's not a lady, she's my maid!"

Lories sudden temper flared taking Drogo by surprise.

Drogo -"Oops, you're right. I forgot there's only one princess here, and that's you, Lorie!"

Lories lets out a small laugh as Drogos smiles back at her. He kisses her on the top of her head and I scowl. Might as well all go to hell! He was just a dirty old vampire...

Drogo-" What of we all went out and did some shopping for the little princess?"

That was something I could be enthusiastic about. I  lift my head up, pleased. I love shopping. Anyway, I'm ready to accept anything, if it can make Lorie a little happier!

The little girl is jumping all over the place, visibly excited.

Lorie - "Yes! Yes! Yes! Will you buy me a new dress?"

Drogo - " Of course"

Lorie - "And new shoes?"

Drogo - "Obviously!"

Lorie - "And a new doll?"

Drogo - "Whatever the princess wants."

My draw drops at her demands. I almost gape, my eyes going from Drogo to Lorie. I can't believe it ... No wonder Lorie's unbearable: She's completely spoiled rotten!

Her brothers should really read a manual that explains how to raise a child, because the way it is, is wrong!

As if finally acknowledging my existence Lories curious eyes look at me.

Lorie - "Are you coming with us? I'll need my maid to help me carry my bags!"

I narrowed my eyes at her not liking her choice of words. Do I even have a choice? Even if I wasn't employed as a "maid", I'm still supposed to be taking care of the little girl.

"Do you really want me to come, Lorie?"

Lorie - "If you're good and you behave well. Then yes!"

"Hey, I can't believe this! Lorie, you're the little girl here, not me..."

Lorie - "Really?"

I feel my frustration in my fingers. I know it's bad, and I shouldn't think this kind of thing, but right now I feel like strangling her!

We're interrupted by Drogo's laugh, he seems to find the scene particular amusing.

Drogo - "You're hell of a comedy duo, both of you!

"Do you think your little sister behaving like that with me, is acceptable?"

Drogo looks at me and pretends to be surprised by my remark. What an actor!

Drogo - "What is she behaving like? I think she's behaving fine!"

"She called me a maid! Where did she get that from, huh?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. Lorie and Drogo gave each other a shared look but it was enough for me to keep going.

"If her brother don't show her the example, what am I supposed to do?"

Nicolae - "Zeva's right, Lorie. You mustn't talk to her like that, it's bad!"

I repressed my startled state. I didn't even hear Nicolae enter the room. At the same time, they always move in perfect silence .... Maybe I could ask them to wear a bell? I quickly suppress my ridiculous thought as I watched Nicolae cross the room bearing down on Lorie. The little girl turns to him with the biggest roundest doe eyes I could have imagined. She obviously puts her most innocent expression on to try to soften him.

Lorie - "But it's just to play ..."

Nicolae -"Even if it's to play Lorie. Would you like to be treated the same way? I don't think so. Don't do to others what you wouldn't have done to yourself..."

The little girl looks at him surprised by his authoritarian tone. Suddenly she bursts into tears. I gulped feeling uncomfortable.  I knew it was most likely some more play- acting but I felt bad. Even if the little girl is bad tempered, and sometimes behaves badly, I really don't like to see her crying...She is still a child!

Nicolae - "As you're not nice, no shopping today!"

Nicolae finished wagging his finger at her and was about to move onto Drogo.

Nicolae - "And Drogo, next time, try to tell her what's acceptable and what's not."

But Drogo has already left the room nonchalantly. A small tug threatens the side of my lip.  Nicolaes natural authority doesn't seem to operate much on him. Good to know.

My focus quickly changes to the weeping little girl. Lorie snorts, wiping her tears with her hands. Straightening my back, I try to smooth things over.

"I know Lorie has a strong personality, and that she doesn't always think everything she says. Thanks for stepping in, Nicolae, but it's okay now."

Something flashes in Nicolae eyes  as he fixed his attention on me.

Nicolae - "Zeva, you may enjoy your sunday, after all, you had a very eventful evening, last night ..."

How can he already know that I got lost in the woods? Has Peter told him already?  A little embarrassed, I head to my room. Why is it that Nicolae, in some way or another, always knows everything that goes on at the Manor house?