Circumstances of graph (7)
I was coughing so hard that Lucas patted me on the back to make sure I was okay. Finally I calmed down and looked at him dumbfounded. “What did you just say? Who's beautiful? Me?.. Do you see poorly?”
“Beautiful?” Vincent asked. I came to my senses and looked at him again. - Who are you talking about?
“I'm talking about my brother's maid,” Lucas said, his voice firm.
There was no hesitation in his answer. I turned my gaze back to Lucas. “Are you crazy?” – I asked silently.
– Do you think I’m... beautiful?
- Yes.
- Is it true?
- Yes, sure. Lucas replied, looking at me.
Our eyes met and he smiled sweetly. I wondered if he was teasing me, but there was no hint of falsehood on his face.
After a moment of silence, Vincent finally muttered quietly:
- She's beautiful...
“White suits Paula so well.”
- Yes, she’s beautiful.
- Very.
Vincent's words hit me like a blow. He looked unusually confused.
But I was the most puzzled.
I couldn't understand Lucas' words. Did he even see my face? If not, then I wanted to lift my bangs right now and show him. What part of this face do you think is beautiful? What the hell do you see beautiful about this face? Maybe it tastes a little strange?
– This dress probably really suits her.
But I couldn't because of Vincent. He looked a little taken aback. I couldn't bring myself to ask him.
- Yes. So much so that you fall in love at first sight.
My mouth dropped open in shock. Vincent looked up in surprise. Only Lucas was still smiling with his fresh, sweet smile.
Oh my god, this guy is very strange.
- Why are you looking at me like that?
“I don’t know if I should tell you this,” I replied.
Instead of asking, “Are you crazy?”, I beckoned him with my hand. Lucas ducked slightly. When we got a little closer, I covered the corner of my mouth with my hand and whispered so that only he could hear.
– Do you, by any chance, have any unusual tastes?
“I haven’t thought about it, but I think my tastes are pretty ordinary.”
-Then why are you doing this?
- What?
He looked genuinely perplexed. I pursed my lips in disappointment, and then looked at Vincent, who had remained silent until now. His face was calm, but I could see that a million thoughts were running through his head. I think the image of me in his head is becoming clearer.
– You are mistaken.
- Who?
- You, Sir Lucas.
– Did I say something wrong?
I don't know why Lucas did this. I was about to answer, but then I stopped. No, do I really need to correct him? Come to think of it...he didn't do me any harm. I wanted Vincent to remember me as beautiful.
Yes, there is nothing like that in this.
Although he surprised me, Lucas gave me a compliment that I will never hear again in my life. I was never told that I was beautiful enough to make a man fall in love with me. And even if it was said out of politeness, it was something that any girl would be glad to hear.
– Did I put you in an awkward position?
- No. Not at all.
I lowered the hand covering my mouth and straightened up. Lucas tilted his head. I cleared my throat and spoke so Vincent could hear me.
“I’m embarrassed, although I know that you just wanted to tell me something nice.” In the future, only say such things when you are alone with me.
- Necessarily.
-...
I was laughing at my own shamelessness, but Lucas' answer was just as ridiculous, and Vincent frowned slightly when he heard it. At least this time I didn't lie. I decided to be even more arrogant.
-Where should we go for a walk?
- In the forest.
I finished off the rest of my tea, and we headed into the forest behind the outbuilding. As we admired the trees blocking the sky and the leaves sprouting on their majestic branches, Lucas turned to the side.
“Sir Lucas, this is not the way.”
- It's better to go here.
He pointed to the left. There was no path there. What the hell? I looked straight at Vincent, and he, sensing my gaze, nodded. This was permission.
And I followed Lucas into the forest. Walking through the forest without a path was difficult. While walking, I removed branches from the path and warned Vincent about dangerous obstacles. He held my hand tightly and carefully followed.
We came out into an open space surrounded by dense trees. My jaw dropped. My God, I had no idea there was such a place in the forest.
- Wow!
- Beautiful, right? – Lucas asked in response to my reaction.
I nodded, unable to take my eyes off the sight before me.
In front of me was a stunning field of flowers.
On the way here I saw very few flowers. But in this clearing they filled the entire space. White, fresh flowers swayed softly. As if welcoming us. The trees surrounding the field seemed to protect them.
The field was not fancy. It was more modest than opulent. In terms of splendor, the mansion's gardens were superior. This was to be expected from a place that strives to create beauty at every turn, but here it felt completely different. The place was untouched by man, showcasing the beauty of nature. Just looking at him clears the mind.
– How did you find out about this place?
– I found it one day when I was bored and wandering around the neighborhood.
– It’s too beautiful here.
Lucas laughed at my excited voice. My gaze wandered over a field of white flowers. It was thick, like carpet. I couldn't believe it.
- Mister, master! The flowers are so beautiful!
I waved to Vincent, who was standing behind me. He looked around as if looking for the flowers I was talking about.
I smiled widely and led him to the center of the flower field. The flowers here were long and tall. They reached my waist, but Vincent's were up to his thigh.
- We are in a flower field.
– Are there many flowers?
- Yes. They are everywhere.
I took my time describing the surroundings. The trees that surrounded us, the flowers that filled every inch of open space, the pure white petals that felt soft to the touch, the wind that blew through us, and the blue sky above.
It was all exquisite and perfect.
“It’s strange that they grow only here,” I said. “On the way here I already saw a few flowers, but not so many.”
- Yes.
“I'm sure you'd be impressed if you saw them with your own eyes.”
– Your reaction is enough.
In contrast to my delight, Vincent's reaction was too restrained, but I still smiled. When I repeated how wonderful it was here a dozen times, he finally nodded in agreement.
I placed the flower in his hand. He followed my example and leaned awkwardly. White flowers touched the tips of his long fingers.
“I want to jump into them.”
- So jump.
“But then I’ll crush all the flowers.”
“You just have to jump carefully.”
I didn't understand if he was joking. His gaze was fixed on the flower. His hand touched the flower again and again. He gently smoothed the petals. I think he likes it here.
I knelt down next to him and buried my face in the flowers. They smelled great.
“They smell nice,” I said.
- They all smell the same.
- And yet.
I continued to smell the flowers, and Vincent continued to touch them. Lucas, who came closer, looked at us with pride.
- Do you like it?
- Very!
- What about you, brother?
- Not bad.
Lucas's smile grew even wider at our answers.
I tilted my head and looked at the endless expanses of flowers. This mesmerizing view made me want to take a walk across the field, so I stood up and patted Vincent with my hand. He gave me a questioning look. I pulled his hand. Understanding my intentions, Vincent stood up and straightened up.
I led him further into the depths. Vincent followed me and Lucas followed Vincent.
- Mister, spread your arms to the sides.
I waved my other hand sharply. Flowers touched my fingertips. Lucas, who was following Vincent, laughed when he saw me. He followed my example and extended his hand, the flower barely touching his fingertips. I laughed happily.
- Master! Come on, hurry up!
- Brother. Come on, hurry up!
-...
At our request, Vincent hesitantly raised his hand. Slowly he moved it aside, and white flowers slid over his fingertips. I wonder if he felt it? Vincent opened them wider and his hand filled with flowers.
I looked at his face and quickened my pace. Flowers tickled my back, the breeze ruffled my hair. I wanted to run, run as fast as I could. The steps behind me quickened. No, it was my steps that became faster. Suddenly I ran across an entire field.
It was like I was a flower.
It was as if the wind was carrying me away.
When I stopped, I found myself at the end of the field. I ran quite a lot. As I tried to catch my breath, Lucas appeared next to me, also bent over and panting.
- It was pretty fast.
- Ugh, sorry, I didn't mean to run.
It wasn't until I saw Lucas gasping for air that I realized how fast I was running. This must have been unexpected for the two men behind me.
I apologized several times. He waved his hands, saying that everything was fine. I looked up at the sky to make sure it was still above me and took a deep breath.
Lucas then burst out laughing. It was a happy laugh.
“I haven’t run like this for a long time.” Great feeling, right bro?
Lucas looked back and I followed him. Vincent stood behind me, breathing heavily. His breathing was ragged, his golden hair was disheveled from running, and underneath I could see his flushed cheeks.
Our hands, still clasped together, were damp with sweat. I looked at him, overcome with panic. I asked if he was okay, but Vincent said nothing, only blinked as if in a dream, and then slowly looked down at our hands.
Behind me, Lucas laughed again and sank to the ground. I looked back at him in surprise.
– You had fun, didn’t you? – he asked again. I looked at Vincent again. Still breathing heavily, he pulled his lips into a smile.
- Yes.
His emerald eyes moved to my hand.
- So nice.
Relief showed on his face.