“Second miss, it’s best if you go back to sleep.
It’s quite late, and the old master will be back tomorrow for the fitting,” Butler Nolan said.
“You should go back to sleep too, Nolan.
Also, let’s put some ice packs on these cheeks.
Damn, that woman has power in her hands.” Lara said and headed for the kitchen.
Butler Nolan followed her quietly.
Lara took out some ice from the freezer, and Butler Nolan handed her two handkerchiefs.
Lara looked at him curiously.
“Just in case I need two.
A gentleman should be always ready,” Butler Nolan insisted.
Lara, amused, nodded and took the handkerchiefs and made makeshift ice packs.
Lara pressed the cool ice pack on her hot cheek and shivered in pain.
Butler Nolan said, “I didn’t think second miss would be able to handle the first madam that easily.”
“Why?” Lara asked.
“She is very…” Butler Nolan thought of the correct word.
“Precarious, insecure, unstable, envious.
I don’t know, toxic?” Lara suggested.
Butler Nolan laughed heartily.
“You’re right, miss.
She is incredibly difficult to handle.
And the most amusing part is, she was the arranged perfect bride for first master Kevin.”
“They had an arranged marriage?” Lara was surprised.
“Yes, miss.
Master Kevin was actually in love with someone else.
The woman he was in love with was already in a relationship with someone else.
”
“Yet still, Master Kevin pined for her.
The old master and the old madam couldn’t take anymore of his childishness and arranged his marriage,” Butler Nolan revealed.
“How…
romantic,” Lara said slowly.
“Young first master was.
After the marriage, the couple really revolved around Miss Juliette.
Maybe, that’s why they can’t really take anything against Miss Juliette because it would literally break their marriage,” Butler Nolan said.
“I can see why they are like that, but that doesn’t give them any right to do whatever they please to satisfy Juliette.
They are literally enabling her.” Lara stated.
“You’re right, miss.
Do you know, miss, sometimes I think you are older than what you actually are?” Butler Nolan just randomly dropped his opinion.
Lara panicked.
Was she caught by any chance?
“What do you mean by that?” She asked carefully.
“Nothing, miss.
You are way more mature than the other Ravenwoods of your generation.
But maybe that could be because you were raised in a different environment,” Butler Nolan said truthfully.
“Go to sleep, second miss.
You have a long day tomorrow,” Butler Nolan insisted.
Lara signed a breath of relief inwardly.
“Good night, Nolan.” She left the kitchen, still holding the ice pack on her cheeks.
“Good night, second miss.” Butler Nolan said to her retreating figure.
*****
The next morning, Isabella caught hold of Lara, for she could escape from her clutches.
“Where are you going, girl?
Show me your cheeks.” Isabella demanded, holding Lara’s shoulders.
“Why?
How do you know that woman slapped me?” Lara whined.
“If someone makes such a loud mess in the middle of the night, obviously everyone is going to hear it,” Isabella said.
“You mean, even the housekeeping knows that I slapped that woman?” Lara was stunned.
“Oh my god!”
Lara was mortified.
“We know, and we are thankful for you.
You have no idea how much we wanted to do that to her, but we can’t because we are employees here,” Diasy said.
She was beside Isabella, holding some ointments on a tray for Isabella.
“Why?” Lara asked curiously.
“She is pure evil.
If any one of us even smiled the slightest at first master Kevin, she would fire us.
Do you know how difficult it is to get a job that pays this good in the hospitality sector?” Daisy huffed with months of injustice.
“Please don’t worry second miss.
I think even the old master is proud of you regarding this.”
“Anyways, let’s go and have breakfast.
After breakfast, we have to see your wedding gown.” Isabella said as she applied some cooling ointment on Lara’s cheek.
“It arrived?” Lara asked.
“Yep, second miss.
The old master has wrapped it so well that nobody can guess what the final dress looks like.
I mean, everyone has seen the draft that you had sketched back then, but we all want to see you in the dress.” Daisy said, all excited.
“Yes, and my granddaughter must eat something good and then wear the wedding dress.
I will not make a skinny woman going down the aisle,” Isabella said and dragged Lara to the dining room.
At the dining room, Arnold was already seated at the end of the table, reading a newspaper.
“Good morning,” he said joyfully.
“‘Morning,” Lara greeted politely.
“Good morning, Mr Arnold.
Is that the morning edition?” Isabella asked.
“Yes, Mrs Isabella.
I will hand it to you shortly after I’m done reading it,” Arnold said.
“Oh, no worries.
Take your time,” Isabella said.
“The swelling seems to be a lot better now.” Arnold noticed Lara’s cheeks.
“Isn’t it?
This clever girl had used an ice pack last night.
Thank goodness I had some ointment that has some cooling properties.
I just applied it to her face.
My poor granddaughter.” Isabella sighed.
“But I must say, I am impressed by the way you have dealt with Cristina.
Nolan could only speak about your actions in a loop as soon as I asked about the past few days,” Arnold said, pleased with Lara.
“She needs a marriage counsellor and a punching bag with her husband’s face stuck to it,” Lara said.
Arnold laughed.
“Sure, I’ll pass that message on to Cristina,” Arnold said.
“Please do so.
That child needs help,” Isabella joked.
Lara sipped on her coffee and looked at the synergy of the two old people.
“Why do I feel like they…have something going on?” Lara kept the thought to herself.
After finishing breakfast, Isabella dragged Lara to the dressing room.
Daisy and Jennie stood beside Isabella, all excited to see the wedding gown on the bride.
The gown was in a large box, wrapped in a beautiful beige and golden wrapper with ribbons.
Lara sat on the floor and slowly unwrapped the box.
She opened the upper lid and exclaimed in surprise.
“Oh my god!”
“Oh my fucking god!”
Lara squeeled.
Lara took the white dress and stood in front of the mirror and admired the dress from outside.
“Wear the dress,” Isabella said.
“Yes, second miss.
Wear the dress.” Daisy exclaimed.
“Ok!” Lara said with pure happiness and went to change into her wedding dress.
After coming out, every single person screamed in excitement.
“I bet 50 dollars, the groom would regain his eyesight and ability to move on his own after seeing our bride,” Daisy bet.
“Imagine if we got her makeup done and her hair with the veil.
The groom will surely have his jaw hanging,” Jennie said.
“Oh, my child!
I can’t wait for the marriage to happen!
When is the marriage?” Isabella said.
“In a week, after Juliette’s concert,” Lara said.
“In the daylight or nighttime?” Isabella said as she took the veil and neatly brushed it.
“Daytime, Grandma Bella,” Lara said.
“Good.
Good.” Isabella said and placed the veil on Lara’s head.
“Now, look at the mirror, my dear.”
Isabella turned Lara towards the mirror.
Lara stood still.
Yep, her groom will definitely miraculously get fixed in her wedding after seeing her.
*****
“Add roses.
Red roses.
As many as possible.”
“Yes, add pearls too.”
“Money?
No problem.
Just do it.”
“All I want is the church to be filled with red roses.”
Adrian said on the phone.
He spared no expense on his wedding.
“My wife is coming.
I should get the marital house ready.
Before that, I need to buy that large bed and get the master bedroom ready.”
He called Ethan.
“Hi, my bro.
What do you want?” Ethan said, all chirpy.
“Get a new bed for my marital bedroom in my mansion.
Also get the basement room renovated to a music recording studio,” Adrian said.
“The basement?
The basement where we tortured people…?” Ethan said.
“Yes.
On that note, increase the security level to the max.
I don’t want my wife to have any kind of security problems when she is in my house,” Adrian said.
“Dude, get a grip.
That house has the best security.
It’s on par with the president’s residence.” Ethan rolled his eyes.
“Get it done.
I don’t want any kind of mishaps,” Adrian insisted.
“Ok, ok.
I’ll get it done.
What else, your majesty?” Ethan said.
“Oh, get a slide ready and childproof the entire house.
I don’t want my future child to get hurt too,” Adrian said.
Ethan just cut the call.
“Huh?” Adrian was confused with Ethan’s actions.
He looked up to see Daniel’s shocked face.
“What?” Adrian asked, pure confusion.
“Nothing,” Daniel said quickly.
“I have come to read out Mr Arnold Ravenwood’s email.” Daniel said.
“What did he reply?” Adrian asked, all in ears.
“He said, ‘Young brat!
If you want to marry my granddaughter, then get rid of the rumours you have spread on purpose.
I don’t want my granddaughter to think I married her off to a disabled man.’ ” Daniel read out monotonously.