Tea party with the Count (9)
– Paula, did you hear? Today I will meet Vincent!
- Yes, I heard. Please accept my congratulations.
- All thanks to your support.
Violet smiled and looked happy. Seeing this made me proud. It was difficult to achieve this, so I had reason to be proud.
- I'm so happy. If I had known that this would happen so soon, I would have dressed up.
– You still look beautiful.
- Thank you.
Smiling shyly, Violet began twirling a lock of hair around her finger.
“I’m so nervous because we haven’t seen each other for a long time.”
Violet pressed her hands to her chest, anticipating meeting Vincent. Ultimately, she called people from her mansion to help her change into new clothes. Dressed in a beautiful outfit, she beamed like a saint. From the emanating radiance, I covered my eyes with my hand and at the appointed time brought Violet into the living room of the extension.
Vincent was waiting there, having been carefully prepared for the meeting in the morning. He took a comfortable position, crossing his legs and leaning against the back of the sofa. If you didn't look closely, his faded emerald eyes didn't attract attention.
- Vincent!
Violet ran straight to Vincent at the speed of light. She was unstoppable, like a predator hunting for prey. Luckily, Ethan deftly blocked her path. After that, he managed to get Violet to sit down, who kept trying to approach Vincent.
Even sitting on the sofa, she continued to fidget impatiently. I set the tea and snacks on the table and looked at Violet.
- Long time no see.
- Yes. It was a long, long time ago! I missed you.
Violet could hardly hold back her tears and did not take her eyes off Vincent. As he did during training, Vincent calmly took the cup, raised it to his lips and drank. Then, holding the cup in his lap, he raised his head and met Violet's gaze. He had little time to prepare, but even so his movements were smooth and natural.
I stood behind Violet, and Ethan sat on the couch, which was to the side of Violet and Vincent. I watched Vincent and Ethan watched Violet so we could signal each other if something went wrong.
- What's happened? How is your health? Are you feeling better? Why are you so skinny? Why didn't you answer my letters? What happened during this time? What's happened? Do you know how worried I was?
- Speak more slowly. Why such a rush?
Ethan clicked his tongue at Violet's questions. Violet looked at Ethan and shrugged. Her gaze quickly returned to Vincent.
- Fine. Ask questions one at a time and I can answer them all.
- What's happened?
- A lot has happened. You most likely already know about this.
-Are you still feeling bad?
- No. I feel better, but I'm still recovering.
“But it’s still not good.”
Violet began to cry and covered her eyes with a handkerchief. Ethan added from the side that this was quite a sight. At that moment, her heel slammed into Ethan and he grabbed his calf. Vincent followed the sound and turned his head slightly. But he remained silent because he did not see what was happening.
Vincent continued to speak calmly, according to plan.
-You don't have to worry about anything. The reason I didn't meet you earlier is because I'm busy. Dangerous things were happening. I was nervous. I didn't date you because I was afraid that I might take it out on you. I myself was not confident in my safety and could not endanger you either. I was going to meet you when I was safe and well.
- Everything is fine. I understand everything!
Violet screamed the words as she leaned towards Vincent.
-You are safe and sound. I'm glad you're doing well. Thanks for showing up to me. I... I thought you hated me.
- This is impossible.
- Yes. I know. I know! I just... I missed you so much.
These were the words that I uttered with such difficulty. Violet said them smoothly, as if she had originally planned it that way. And Vincent must respond to these words with gratitude and a mischievous smile.
- Fine. I will definitely answer your next letters.
"Uh...?"
- Is it true?
- Yes.
Vincent nodded his head. Violet looked happy. I looked at Vincent. The answer he gave earlier was strange. This is definitely a part of the conversation that we have practiced... but he responded differently. Why? He definitely smiled, but not like he did then.
I looked at him in surprise. He drank his tea and raised his head. His gaze, just like during training, was directed towards Violet, but there was a feeling that he was reaching right to me. It didn't make sense, but I looked away.
After that, the conversation about how they were doing continued. Violet spoke with concern, and Vincent answered her from time to time. When the situation became awkward, Ethan intervened and the conversation continued at the same pace. Violet was so focused on the conversation that she didn't seem to notice Vincent's oddities.
Judging by their conversation, I concluded that they were indeed old friends.
- By the way, Vincent. Flowers are beautiful, aren't they?
- Flowers?
Vincent was puzzled. I was horrified.
- Oh, dear. I sent you a bouquet. I asked that it be placed next to your bed, have you seen it?
-...Yes.
– Are the flowers fresh? They were all fresh and beautiful. Which flower did you like best? Next time I will try to make a bouquet only from these flowers.
-...
Vincent lowered the cup onto his lap and felt it with his fingertips. At first glance he might appear to be thinking, but in fact he was puzzled. I felt the same. I couldn't describe to him the bouquet that Violet made. I didn't have the opportunity to tell him about this bouquet. Violet asked about it before I could say it.
I didn't know what to do, so I waved my hand in panic when I met Ethan's gaze. He smiled at me.
-Are you embarrassed?
Ethan patted Vincent's hand. It was an encouraging gesture. Vincent's gaze moved to Ethan. Ethan grinned and answered for Vincent.
“Didn’t you tell me that purple flowers were the most beautiful?”
- Oh. Were they really the most beautiful?
Vincent slowly nodded his head to Violet's question. She said that she liked picking flowers, and next time she would collect a bouquet with the flowers he liked. There was no hint of doubt in her cheerful voice. Turning to face Ethan, Vincent smiled and nodded slightly.
Failure was close, but it was avoided. I breathed a sigh of relief.
Vincent needed to end the conversation. The longer it went on, the worse it got. If Violet stays near him for a long time, she might suspect something is wrong. She did not notice anything suspicious, because she was too absorbed in the happiness overwhelming her, but if their meeting dragged on, she would probably suspect something.
As planned, Vincent began to bring the conversation to a close.
- Violet. I'm tired today, so can I leave you first?
- Oh, yes, I understand.
Violet's response was filled with regret. I couldn’t see her facial expression, but I could guess what emotions were reflected on it now.
– Can I come to you again?
- Certainly. You are always welcome here.
Then Vincent quickly stood up. I also quickly went to the door to help him. Ethan and Violet followed.
Now all that was left was to get out. The performance was close to its end.
This happened at the moment when Ethan and I exchanged glances with each other, foreshadowing the end of what was happening.
- Vincent!
Violet jumped into his arms as he headed towards the exit. Everything happened suddenly. Vincent, trying to maintain external calm, tensed. Ethan stared at them in surprise. I tensed up too.
Meanwhile, Violet, who suspected nothing, raised her head.
- Vincent. I missed you so much. I missed you so much.
- Vi...olet. Calm down at last.
- Of course, of course.
Her eyes filled with tears and she was ready to cry at any moment. I hoped that Vincent's and Violet's eyes would not meet, however...
- Huh? Vincent's eyes...
As soon as she said those words, Vincent pushed her away. It was like his instinctive defense. Violet flew towards the table behind her.
When Ethan came over and helped her, Violet looked at him blankly. Hearing a loud noise, Vincent froze in place. Panic inevitably leads to rash actions. Vincent's hand began to circle chaotically in the air. Having come to his senses, he quickly pulled his hand away, but Violet had already seen everything.
- Vincent?
- Sorry, sorry.
Confused, he turned around to leave the place.
However, the misfortunes did not end there.
Trying to quickly leave, he fell, hitting his knee on the armrest of the sofa. He fell to the floor, landing face down.
First there was a knock, followed by painful cries.
I was shocked and ran to him. I grabbed his hand as it circled in the air to help him stand up.
There was instant silence.
- Vincent.
-...
His face turned red.
In the end, everything went as badly as possible.
***
- Vincent! Vincent! Open the door!
Knock! Knock!
A soft voice was heard from behind the tightly closed door.
- Vincent, let's talk. Fine?
Knocking again!
Knock! Knock!
However, the door was not going to be opened.
And even knowing this, Violet continued to knock.