Chapter 04: Kathline Reis
In the evening, Celestine was peacefully sleeping in her room. When a sudden knock on the door, wake her up.
She hastily walked to the door and opened it. Outside her room, there's a girl that looks cold and arrogant. Celestine wants to say something but remains speechless.
The girl stared at her then smiled. Celestine thought ‘She looks creepy doing that.’
As she was freaking out a little, the other person spoke up. "Good evening!"
"Mm... what do you want?" she pursed her lips and smiled. Even though she's smiling now, Celestine was still thinking about how fast the girl changes her expression. She was just looking serious and cold earlier, then looks childish right now.
"I'm here to inform you that dinner is ready. Mira knocked and called a few times, but no one answered..." She looked at Celestine before continuing to speak. "...looks like you fell asleep."
Perhaps Kathline noticed how messy her bed is, wherein the blanket was about to fall. Kathline also noticed her messy hair. Celestine was in a hurry. Therefore, she did not even bother to tidy up herself.
Kathline said that she would head downstairs first, and Celestine should fix herself before coming down. Celestine nodded and smiled at her. She sighed and closed the door when the girl left.
‘What to do? That’s embarrassing!’
Celestine went to the bathroom to wash her face and then comb her hair. She just did what she had to do quickly. After that, she left the room and made her way to the dining area.
***
The food was already served at the table as soon as she arrived in the dining area.
"Good evening, Lady Celestine." Aunt Carmen greeted her the moment she saw Celestine walking towards the dining table.
The woman has been serving their family for a long time. Thus, Celestine is quite familiar with her. When her grandparents died, the old woman took over and kept the house clean. She’s already widowed and doesn't have a child so she chooses to spend her time in that house.
Celestine was about to sit when she roamed around. Again, there's no trace of that girl. She creases her forehead as she asks Aunt Carmen. "By the way, where's that girl?"
Celestine was referring to the woman who had been in her room a while ago. From the moment she left her room, she had been looking for that lady, but Celestine still could not find her.
Celestine was already thinking that that woman might be a ghost. But there are no ghosts in this house, right? She's feeling nervous right now.
The woman was wearing a white dress and she was even having waist-length black hair. She is also tall and has porcelain skin.
"Are you referring to Lady Kathline? She just went to her room a while ago."
Celestine breathed a sigh of relief. Oh gosh, what she was thinking? After going to Carmier, her mind was messed up. Really Celestine? You're just afraid, aren’t you?
It was already six in the evening. Celestine opened the sliding door and went out to the balcony. She let the cold breeze of air touch her arms. She thought of going there while waiting for Kathline.
"You actually waited for me." A voice from behind was heard.
Celestine straightened her back and turned around. She looked at Kathline who was standing near the sliding door. They smiled at each other. "Well, I just think that it's better if we eat dinner together."
Celestine was not used to eating alone. She feels that the food is not that tasty and appetizing at all if she was eating it alone.
They went inside the dining room. Kathline was the one who closed the sliding door, while Celestine sat first. Kathline followed her and sat beside her. The two of them quietly eat their supper. Celestine was the one who broke the silence between them.
"By the way, what are you doing here?" Celestine asked. She doesn’t want to offend her as she was only confused.
Kathline stopped eating. She put the utensils down and looked at Celestine's confused face. She swallowed her food before answering, "Does Uncle Anthony didn’t tell you?"
"About?" she asks. Wondering what Kathline was referring to.
"Uncle Anthony called Dad a few weeks ago to inform him that you will stay and study here. Uncle requested Dad to check on you while you're away from your home. That's why I told Daddy if I can stay here with you. I've been here for almost a week because... I'm waiting for you!"
Celestine doesn’t have the slightest clue that Kathline was living there with her for the time being.
After Kathline’s explanation, she understands now what's going on. She took a bite of her food, then replied, "I see. However, Dad indeed didn't mention anything about that." She took a sip of water then continued what she was saying. "Maybe Dad forgets about it. He is always busy at work."
They continue eating their food when Celestine remembers that Kathline is not in the house when they arrive.
"In that case, why weren't you here when we arrived?"
"I'm at the mall, you know... shopping for some nice clothes." Kathline was slicing the meat while answering her question.
The night was indeed peaceful and relaxing. After eating, Celestine and Kathline decided to stay on the balcony and talk to each other for a moment. It was past eight in the evening when they decided to go back to their rooms.
Celestine took a shower before going to bed. Being exhausted the whole day, she quickly fell asleep.
***
The next day the weather is great. The sky was clear, and the air was refreshing. Especially the fragrance coming from the garden.
As usual, Celestine woke up early. Tidied her room and took a shower. After her morning routine, she walked downstairs to eat her breakfast.
"Good morning, Lady Celestine!" Mira bowed to greet her. The girl just came out of the room while Celestine was walking downstairs.
"Good morning too!" Celestine greeted back.
Mira is the one who oversees cleaning the house. The girl who wears eyeglasses is Camille, she's in charge of maintaining the garden. While Aunt Carmen oversees the whole house. She's also the cook.
"Have you seen Kathline?"
"She left the house early, Lady Celestine." Celestine just nodded at her statement. She went straight to the dining area for breakfast. Mira, on the other hand, continued to clean the living room.
Celestine just has a simple breakfast. A porridge, side dishes, some snacks, and milk were on the table.
Thinking that she doesn't have anything to do that day, she chose to return to her room and rest after breakfast. It was her habit to stay in her room or in the garden.