Hazel hummed a tuneless melody as she polished the already gleaming silver tea set. A blush still warmed her cheeks, a lingering echo of the cozy morning. Just the memory of it sent a flutter of butterflies through her stomach.
She'd been nervous, of course. Serving Mr. Stern earlier on was a big task. He didn't have that disgusted look on list face. He did not just agree to the tea, but he'd looked… well, he'd looked at her. His eyes, usually the color of a stormy thunder, had somewhat softened, warmed like the foamy sponge she was now holding.
She fumbled with the sponge in her hands and imperceptible smile playing on her lips.
Hazel was having her own day dream when they others walked in.. and started their chores. Mira took notice of Hazel pink cheeks and blocked her view with her face.
"What is that right there" Mira pointed to her cheeks.
And hazel jolted back to reality. she felt embarrassed so she turned her face away.
Going to the cupboard trying to arrange the washed dishes. but Mira being Mira followed her like a lost puppy.
"jeez Mira " Hazel chuckled"
but Mira was even more stunned.. did she just chuckle? something must've happened she thought to herself.
"Tell me Hazel, is it one of the guards?"
Mira questioned. but hazel looked at her confused, when suddenly Lucy asked, drawing everyone's attention.
"where's rose?"
Everyone became quiet because they suddenly realize that she's the only one not present.
Lucy offered to go to her room to check on her but upon reaching there she found the room empty with no traces of someone being there before. as... as if no one ever stayed there. The wardrobe was empty as well.
Lucy run down stairs to the kitchen, her heart racing in her chest.
"Rose is not in her room, and her room looks vacant, she's no where to be found. Her things are gone too" Mira cried whiles panting from running down the stairs.
everyone looked surprised and confused.what could've happened to her?. Did she run away? they all had the same thought running through their minds but no one dared spoke aloud.
They contemplated whether to ask Mr Brown about rose. But they were scared.
what if they put her in trouble by doing that?. In the end they decided not to.
After an hour, Mr. Brown walked in to inform the ladies to hold on with serving breakfast to Mr stern as he's still in bed asleep.
That itself was shocking but what shocked them the most was that Mr Brown did make any comment about rose not being present. Does he know something?. They all frowned and gave each other looks. But decided to keep quiet.
Hazel glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was 12 noon. And Mr. stern hasn't come down yet. she sighed and decided to go to the garden since there isn't any chore left. she sat quietly gazing at the flowers in the garden.. the blue rose caught her eyes and she just stared at it.
She didn't know why but she thought of me stern when looking at it. And an image of him came into her mind with a small smile. She sighed when a beep ringed in her pocket. She brought out her phone to check and it was a message from Kate.
Hazel chuckled upon reading the content.
"fluttering heart. xoxo"
Hazel pushed herself up from the wrought iron bench, brushing imaginary dust from her simple grey dress.
immediately she turned towards the house, a knot tightened in her stomach.
Mr. Stern's bedroom window, usually a dark, unseeing square, was illuminated from within. And there he was. Standing perfectly still, a silhouette against the warm glow of the sun. He was looking directly at her.
Hazel's breath hitched. She hadn't realized anyone was watching. A flush crept up her neck. She didn't know how to react to she tried smiling at him.
The smile felt frozen on her face. Mr. Stern remained motionless, his expression unreadable. Hazel couldn't discern if he'd even registered her greeting. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, punctuated only by the chirping of crickets. She held his gaze for what felt like an eternity, searching for a flicker of recognition, a hint of acknowledgment.
Then, just as abruptly as he had appeared, he turned away. The light from the room shifted as he moved, casting his face into shadow. He walked towards the deeper recesses of the room, disappearing from view as if he had never been there at all. The window became a dark, empty square once more. Hazel stood rooted to the spot, her smile fading completely. Confusion warred with a prickle of unease. Had he seen her? she didn't know why but she felt her heart sting.