Fate In Ink

chapter 26

I thought I was okay. 

My throat was stuck and I found it hard to breathe. My eyes darted all over the place, looking for anything to set my eyes on, searching for things I could mention to him to break the awkward atmosphere.

The awkward atmosphere that only I am feeling. 

Julian led me to the Rivera's azotea, which for me would just be a fancy way of saying 'balcony' at this point. I stepped out to the balcony while an an uncontrollable smile found its way onto my face. 

Flowers and herbs lined the banisters, with vines creeping down and under. The sweet floral smell conquered my nose, and I felt like a princess suddenly transported into a paradise. The air was cool, as an extended canopy blocked the excess sunlight. 

I leaned over the banister, watching the a single gardener pruning some shrubs and bushes down below. 

"So."

"Yes!" I squeaked and jumped on my spot, earning a confused look from Julian. 

I flashed him the brightest smile I could muster. "Yes?" I repeated.

"The letters. How are they?" he asked. 

"Oh." My shoulders slumped down in slight disappointment. I didn't even know why  I was disappointed in the first place. I fumbled through the drawstring bag, grabbing a handful of letters and notes in my hand. "Here, I've finished reading through them."

"And? Did they say anything important?"

I sighed. "Well, a lot of them had death threats and all that. I stuck notes and marks on the letters with information I thought you'd find useful. I hope that's okay," I said, pointing at some of the letters with small strips of paper peeking out from the corners. 

My eyes caught the edges of the blue paper, its scent no longer evident. I looked away and fiddled at  my nails. "You also have a love letter there," I said softly. 

"Love letter?" Julian frowned and swiped through the papers. He came upon the letter, flipping it and reading the lines. "Ah. It's from the Lady Marianne. If I remember correctly, she's the daughter of a viscount."

My lips rounded in feign fascination, hiding my suspicious thoughts about it. "I thought you didn't have women."

Julian glanced at me, mischief lining his lips. "Could you be jealous?"

"What? No!" I exclaimed in disbelief. I crossed my arms over my chest. "Why would I be?"

"Why else would you specifically point out the lovely feminine blue letter and bring up my women matters, if not?" he said, his mouth curling up to a smirk. "So, are you?"

I rolled my eyes. "No," I snapped. I calmed my erratic heart, afraid it would paint my cheeks red and give out just how flustered I was. "Besides, if it is as feminine as you say it is, why would you investigate that kind of letter? That's rude to this... Lady Marianne."

"One can never be too sure," Julian said and pushed the corners of the papers together. He sighed, yet the smile did not leave his mouth. "You could have just said you were envious."

I slightly stepped away from him, my mind a nervous wreck after thinking of all those wild fantasies. The anxiety was unbearable and I was stressed at the fact that this man - rude in front of me yet a gentleman to everyone else - who wore a smirk I was annoyed with, suddenly became interesting to me. 

I didn't like how our environment was too aesthetically pleasing as well. 

My mind traveled back to Emilia's words. I leaned my chin on my palm over the banister. I wondered what could have pushed Emilia to the cliff of hatred for this man. He looked pretty close to Doña Valentina, too.