CHAPTER 554: THE HUG THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING! (2)

Wendover Mansion ...

He looked exactly as he always did: sharply dressed, eyes unreadable, and grim as if carrying the weight of a dozen secrets in his calm, clipped movements. Currey’s presence made even the air seem more alert. As he scanned the hall with that detached precision.

Angela, who had received him, finally said, "I’ll get the master and mistress."

She was always nervous around him, afraid that she would make a mistake, but trained well, didn’t dare look up at him. She simply bowed deeper, murmured and disappeared down the hallway, heart pounding in her ears.

That had been hours ago.

Master Rocky and Miss Ava had already attended to Currey, and she had thought that he had already left. With the pregnant Ava on premises, Angela was leaving nothing to chance and was extra diligent in everything that she did.

They were all very happy for Rocky because they also knew of Rocky’s crush on Ava. Apparently, every single person around Rocky knew of this. He had made no secret of the fact that he liked Ava and wanted to pursue her for marriage.

The problem was that, when Rocky had made this declaration, he was still considered a child in the eyes of many. He was barely fifteen, so no one had taken it seriously, but when he finally brought Ava home, they all couldn’t help but marvel.

However, Angela was very happy for the new couple, for she knew that the two of them deserved the best. Angela, more than anyone else, also knew that if James and Clara Wendover were actively around, the union would have been frowned on and had many more obstacles than they probably experienced.

Master Rocky was now the epitome of determination for all of them, for he succeeded against all odds.

Most importantly, they knew that Ava was the best match for him given the family’s unique circumstances.

With both parents unavailable, it was the best outcome for the two siblings’ lives as could be. Shelby had her own family, and now Rocky had one too.

Now, well into the evening, the mansion had softened into a warm hush. The lights were dimmed to a golden glow, and the bustle of the day was winding down. In the main kitchen, a couple of workers were tidying up when one of them, peeking through the window, paused.

"Hey... isn’t that Master Ian’s assistant standing under the old pine outside?" she said, frowning.

Angela, who was pouring tea into a tray meant for Ava’s room, looked up curiously. She walked over, peered through the lace-draped glass, and indeed, there he was. Still as stone, one hand loosely in his pocket, the other holding what looked like a tablet. He always had one electronic gadget on him at all times. His brows were drawn, and his jaw tight, as though caught in a silent war with himself.

That was strange.

Assistant Currey was famously brisk, in and out like a whisper with barely a word, always on time, always efficient. For him to linger outside of all places wasn’t just uncharacteristic, it was troubling.

’Did we do something wrong? Is he monitoring us?’ Her heart started thumping wildly as she tried to think of what she or anyone could have done wrong.

Angela recounted the day’s events in her mind. Currey had only come to deliver news from the Thornstons’ and nothing else.

"We shouldn’t have done anything we’re not supposed to.... So... why ...."

She didn’t waste time.

She handed the tray to the nearest maid. "Please, take this up to the mistress. And carefully, the teacup wobbles."

Then, smoothing her apron and tightening her shawl around her shoulders, she stepped out into the cool night. The breeze caught a few strands of her hair as she crossed the courtyard and approached the still figure under the pine.

He didn’t move at first. Didn’t even look at her. Making her feel like he had been so lost in thought that he had not seen her, but knowing Currey, that was not even possible.

The closer she got, the more she wondered if she was interrupting something serious, especially as he never made any movements. Or worse, if he’d seen something concerning and was standing sentry until someone dealt with it. The same thoughts were going on repeatedly in her mind.

She stopped a respectful distance away and cleared her throat. "Sir? Eeerm, Assistant Currey?"

He finally turned slightly, eyes flicking to her, calm as ever. "Angela."

"I - I noticed you’ve been standing here a while. I thought perhaps..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at his face, then down again quickly. "Did you need something? Or shall I call for someone?"

A pause.

Quietly, Angela took the last few steps and stopped beside him, following his gaze into the softly lit garden.

"Is everything okay, Assistant Currey?" she asked, her voice kind but measured. She was thinking of the best way to probe without seeming too blunt and offensive.

A long pause. Then his voice, low and slightly strained:

"...I shouldn’t be."

She glanced at him sideways, trying to read more than his words, for they didn’t make sense. What did it mean that he shouldn’t be there?

"You look like you’ve been standing here with a thousand thoughts and not one you’re willing to say out loud."

’Why am I even saying this to him?’

"It’s not my place," he muttered, almost like he was arguing with himself. Angela frowned, not understanding any of the words he was speaking.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Assistant Currey? Does Master Ian or Miss Shelby have any other instructions?"

Currey turned to her again, smiling wryly. This was different from his creepy, all-knowing smile. Somehow, being near Currey made one feel like he could read their souls. It was as if there were no secrets to keep around him. In Angela’s view, Currey was better in this than master Ian, for he was something else totally. For Shelby to be able to stay and love him was an incomprehensible fact to all observers.

Another pause. His fingers tightened slightly around the tablet. It was evident that he was fighting with himself... like a fierce inner dialogue.

Then, "No. I was... thinking."

She nodded, already preparing to excuse herself. "I see. Pardon me for disturbing ...."

Angela started, but Currey’s following words caught her full attention.

"I would like to pursue you."

The words landed like a dropped platter.

She blinked, stunned. "...I’m sorry?"

"I would like to pursue you," he repeated, voice still neutral, as if confirming a meeting time. "Romantically."

Silence stretched between them.

’What is he talking about? What should I say to this? I-’ Angela was blank.

She stared up at him, mouth slightly open, wondering if she’d fallen asleep on her feet and was dreaming.

"...Sir? ... I mean, Assistant Currey... I-"

"I understand this may come as a surprise," he continued, matter-of-fact, "but after observing you for some time, I have determined that I wish to... court you."

Her brain did a backflip.

’Me and assistant Currey? I mean, I have never thought of that. He is so high up in society and so powerful. What can I.... a little maid and ....’

Angela couldn’t wrap her mind around it, but the hopeful look on Currey’s face was not something that she was imagining, then it hit her,

Court?

Did he just say court?

"But— but I’m..." she stammered, cheeks flaming, eyes darting to the windows as if someone might overhear. "I mean, I -I’m just .... Just a maid... I don-"

"Yes, you are the head maid. I know that fact. You are diligent. Responsible. And kind." He said it like he was reading off her résumé. "I find those qualities... compelling."

She was halfway between laughing and collapsing. For a moment, Angela forgot that meant she was being pursued, for Currey’s words were too strange. It was as if they had stepped out of a 1800s movie. I mean, who courts anyone in this day and age?!

Then she noticed that she was being rude, from how the light in Currey’s eyes dimmed. It looked like he had mustered all of his courage to say those words, and her rection was not helping

"I’m sorry, this is just... unexpected. I have never thought of this... I-"

"I am aware." He looked vaguely embarrassed now, though it barely showed.... just a slight shift in the way he stood. "I understand if the answer is no."

She stared at him, still red-faced, trying to grasp the fact that one of the island’s most intimidating men had just confessed to watching her for some time and found her compelling.

"I - I need a moment."

"Of course."

She took a few steps back, pressed her hand over her mouth, and whispered into her fingers, "What just happened?"

Then she looked up again. He was still there. Waiting. As still and serious as always.

And somehow, that made it all the more real.

"Is it because I am older? I know I am a decade older than you in earth years, but I will make up for that by taking good care of you... if you allow...."

Angela’s brows lifted slightly in understanding. Currey’s words were strange but strangely endearing.

"It’s not about that.... I-"

"Do you find any trait about me bad?"

"No, that’s not it!"

"Do you hate me?"

"Of course NOT!"

From all these, Currey took that as a positive outlook, and he refrained from peeking into her mind.

"Then, will you give me a chance? At least, let me pursue you and assess whether you’d like to spend your life with me...."

"I-"

Angela weighed everything in her mind on this. It was sudden, but she did not dislike. Her tone turned warm, tinged with amusement.

"Ah," she murmured, as if coming to a sudden understanding. "So that’s what’s keeping the ’stone statue’ under the pine tree. You’re not afraid of being rejected... just afraid of being accepted."

He turned his head to look deep into her eyes, as if mustering a newfound courage, lips twitching ever so slightly,

"...You were always too sharp."

The moment hung between them for a heartbeat longer, and Currey finally took a peek in her thoughts, not waiting, he stretched his hand and engulfed her in a hug, which she reciprocated.

*********

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