Rostella. I lay on my back, my eyes glued to the clear sky after the downpour. The sun slowly returned to its zenith, as if the day had just begun all over again. Hues of crimson scattered in the horizon, birds chirped again and the raw smell of fresh rain filled the air. Serenity returned, but my mind was far from this calmness. “Your tea, my lady..” a soft voice rang through the fog in my head and I sighed as I sat up on the chair. My legs felt wobbly for a second and my head spun. I could feel my eyes blurring and I winced softly. “Is everything alright my lady?” The servant asked again as she held out the steaming teacup for me. “Do you need me to get you any medications?”I rolled my eyes and took a sip of the tea. The hot liquid burned my throat and chests as it went down, warding off all the chills I had felt earlier. The pain in my head stopped temporarily, and my vision cleared up. “Pour in some more tea” I ordered and she nodded with a smile. I could sense the embarras

RostellaAs I drove back home, I couldn’t help but imagine the guilt in his eyes when he realizes I was probably the first and the only person to remember his birthday and even get him a gift. I know I can’t even remember what he likes, but it’s the thought that counts and if I can at least get him to feel even the slightest bit of guilt, then I’m sure he’ll be the one to call me to his manor in no time. I arrived back at the mansion, walking in with so much confidence. My job was halfway done, and I know how sentimental Damian can be. It's not the first time I used this method in getting my way. As I walked into my room, I noticed the door was slightly open, so someone was inside. The only person with as much audacity to do so was clearly Preston. I pushed the door open and slammed it shut right behind me. Preston looked up at me, holding part of the wrapping sheet I had used in wrapping Damian's gift and a ruffled piece of paper that I used to draft the card. "You really need

Damian.The day had grown old. It was time for the sun to rest, and it left hues of orange and red scattered all over the skies on its way out. I sat in the courtyard, my head tilted back and my legs stretched out casually. Dark clouds had formed in the sky already and I watched as the stars resumed their duties one after the other. The pool sparkled under the moonlight and the toads in the bushes chorused with the crickets and the night birds. A car engine revved behind me but I didn’t move from the position I sat in. If I needed to convince Rostella, she had to see a little bit of loneliness and depression in me that’ll make her feel I still need her presence in my life. And if I can’t act it perfectly, I need to at least look the part. “Hey birthday boy..” I rolled my eyes in her direction and her dress caught my attention. A black satin dress with a very visible slit going up to her thigh on both sides. I sat up straight, facing her directly. “Sit and start talking.” I growl

Rostella “Ahh there she is!” Preston bellowed as I walked into the hall and the guests turned to look at me. I tried to steady my breathing and stop my reddened face from getting worse. “What in the world happened to your dress?” My mother and I stared at her weirdly. “How?” I asked and she glanced at my corset. I peeked down and then it hit me. This was the reason I went out in the first place. “Uhm.. yeah. About that…” I chuckled and Blair immediately handed me a wet napkin. “Well someone spilled her drink and I tried getting it off but I guess I’ve had so many guests to say hello to, it just slipped my mind completely” I wiped the stain slowly, hoping it wasn’t too late to get it off but Preston had more questions to ask. “Someone said she saw you coming in through the front door..” he blurted as he moved closer to me. “Isn’t that where everyone else walked into this hall through? Should I have waltzed down through the chandelier?” I teased as I handed the napkin back to Bla

Rostella I grabbed my ice cream, cleared at the counter and quickly got into my car. I didn’t start the engine immediately, so I waited a few seconds until she had gotten further away. Blair’s movements were brisk and precise. She didn’t move like someone who just wanted to get groceries, and I would know that because I can tell the difference between a casual walk and this one. Her steps looked very suspicious and I knew there was something more to her than everyone else saw. As I revved my engine, I slowly drove behind her, making sure I gave her a significant distance so it wasn’t obvious that someone was trailing her. Cars sped past me, but I maintained my slow pace and it was easy for me to go unnoticed because she never turned her face back. I know there’s no way she won’t recognize this car. It’s from the Baldwin family, even the dogs on the street know it. She finally got to her destination and only then did she turn around. I managed to hide behind a large truck in fron