There he was, standing in his full glory, the strange man at the inn. Singed blue hair and sea rover blue eyes were ever vibrant.
"You have an appointment with me?" he asked and strode forward with leopard-like grace.
Mrs. Dash answered instantly. "Yes, sir, I'm from the agency. It's nice to meet your acquaintance," she bowed.
He nodded with a tiny curve of his lips. "It's Mister Ezekiel," he said, and Mrs. Dash nodded.
"Yes. I had asked them to provide me with the best governess they had and seeing you here it purports you're the most proficient, I right?" he spoke elegantly.
"Yes," Mrs. Dash bowed.
Sighting the girl behind her who seemed lost he turned to ask "Who is your acquaintance?"
"She's my niece, she works under me. She's of no peril I promise sir."
"Hmm. More like an apprentice?" He asked, tilting his head to the side as if trying to figure out something.
"Yes, if it is okay with you."
"In here we don't condone any nuisance but if you pledge she's of no jeopardy, it's fine" Mrs. Dash bowed "Thank you"
"No need to thank me I haven't interviewed you yet. You have to pass the test first. Follow me" he turned and left without another glance.
Immediately he left Mrs. Dash let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. She turned backward and saw Bianca still in the same spot she was, lost.
"Have you suddenly lost your voice, Miss Wright?" She asked.
"Is he our employer?" she asked, still staring at the spot he was standing a few seconds ago. What on earth just happened? Does he live in this magnificent house?! She couldn't believe she met him after many weeks of pondering who he was. From the look of things, it seemed he didn't remember her.
"Really?" Mrs. Dash frowned.
She cleared her throat, recovering her stance. "I…Uhm, never mind" she said, biting her lower lip.
Mrs. Dash looked her up and down as if trying to add up her deportment. "Let's go," she said, and they moved out into the corridor following him.
They threaded on his heels as he led them upstairs towards a room at the far end of the corridor. They passed by many servants in black and white uniforms bowing towards them, each in their mission. There were only two rooms on this floor. The stair railings and the marble were clean and sparkly. Bianca felt she might soil it if she held it too close. Everywhere was sparkling clean, making her wonder how many servants helped in cleaning this mansion.
"It must take a lot of hard work," she thought, looking around like a lost puppy. No wonder people would give anything to be wealthy; just the sight of this house was mouthwatering. She had never been in a house so fine before. He opened the door revealing a children's bedroom.
"Come in," they made to enter but he halted them. "Just you," he pointed at Mrs. Dash. "You wait outside," he motioned towards Bianca.
"I reckon we do it together," Mrs. Dash pleaded on her behalf.
"You trust her?" he said as his eyes darted to her for a few seconds and then back to Mrs. Dash.
"Yes, I do."
He contemplated for a while and gave a curt nod. They went in revealing a massive room with children's belongings. Two big beds, decorative and fine paintings were on the four corners of the wall. Seated on the rug on the floor were two blonde kids.
On seeing him they ran into his arms. He patted their head lovingly. Was he married? Bianca thought. Never in her wildest dreams did she dream of seeing him again. It was a little world indeed.
Her eyes couldn't help darting towards him. He was dressed in a royal deep blue suit with black embroidery, his black boots polished and shiny while His hair was slicked to the back compared to the rough state it was that evening.
He turned towards them but it felt like his eyes were boring into hers. At that moment she felt he remembered her but he averted his gaze.
"He doesn't remember you," her subconscious mind said.
"They're my kids," he said plainly but to Bianca, it was as if he was talking to her with the way he stared at her. She didn't know how she felt at the moment but she averted her gaze onto somewhere else. "Good for you" she muttered underneath her breath.
"You see, they don't talk to anyone except me. I've had many governess, tutors and caregivers over but they couldn't make them comply. So if you're able to make them open up and do as you say, you would have the job"
Mrs. Dash turned back and gave Bianca a biannual look, as if pondering this. She turned back and answered.
"I will try my best to."
"I'm sure you can pull this through if you're good at what you do. And mind you to thread carefully on how you handle them. Any mistake, there are repercussions."
Mrs. Dash gulped as she felt she was walking on a thin line. She nodded. If the agency had chosen her, she must pull through. They looked quite delicate to her; she had many cases of children like this in the past, most suffered from trauma.
"Sir, I might need a lot of time to…." she tried to say.
"You can make yourself acquainted with them. I'm giving you a maximum of three days, make them like you and do as you say, you have the job," he said in a tone of finality.
Bianca was quiet all along, studying her environs and thinking this might not go as smoothly as it looked. Staring at the kids, she wondered what must have made them this way. To her, it wasn't their job; he should find some kind of therapist. Come to think of it, she hadn't seen their mother or was she dead? She wanted to ask, but a fine lady stepped into the room, interrupting her thoughts.
She was in a polished red gown sweeping the floor as she moved, her thick brunette hair cascading down her back adorned with hair clips. Delicate and defined features fit only for the elite. With the looks and confidence she possessed, Bianca was surprised by the kindness and warmth in her lovely brown eyes. It was rare to see such in any of the noble men and women of society.
"There you are, mother has been looking for you." She smiled warmly on seeing who she had been looking for. She stood near him.
"I will be with her shortly." He turned towards them. "Your time starts now," he said and left without another look their way. Bianca was speechless. Was there a countdown? This kind of thing took time and strategy. He was as phlegmatic as she had noticed the last time. She let out a breath.
"Don't worry, you can have your time. He can be harsh sometimes but he's really nice." She chuckled at the end, moving over to the kids.
"I'm Alice, by the way." She introduced herself with ease.
"It's nice to meet your acquaintance, milady." They bowed, and she nodded in greeting.
"I'm Mrs. Dash."
"Bianca Wright, milady."
She nodded. "Bianca..." she trailed off. "I feel like I've heard that name before, and you look a bit familiar." She said, scrutinizing her.
"I don't think so, milady," Bianca said, astonished. How could she ever know about her?
"Never mind at all." She waved her hands, dismissing the thought. "It's Miss. Just call me Miss Alice." She corrected her, and she nodded in affirmation.
Bianca wondered who she was to him. Perhaps their mother? But she looked young to birth this kids. So far, she had seen only the two of them in this house, except for the butler and maids.
"If I may, milady," she said, asking for permission for what she was about to ask. Mrs. Dash gave her a stare as if reminding her to stay out of it.
"Yes?"
"Where is their mother if you don't mind?"
Her expression turned sullen immediately when she asked the question.
"I'm sorry if it's bothersome for you. Forget I ever asked," she said, feeling bad for bringing up the question. It must be a sensitive topic, and she regretted asking. Mrs. Willow gave an annoyed 'I told you so' look, clearly annoyed by her straightforwardness.
"It's..." Alice tried to say.
"None of your business." A familiar voice interrupted, turning everyone's gaze toward the door.
He was back. From his expression, he wasn't that pleased with what he heard. Bianca lowered her gaze as she was the culprit.
"It's been barely a few minutes since you came here and you're already poking your nose into the family's affairs," he said, displeased. His eyes narrowed at her. Bianca gulped.
"Brother, I" Alice tried to ease the tense atmosphere.
"Go, Alice."
"I"
"Why are you acting as if you care now when you don't?" he said, but there was more to his words; his eyes held something else as he looked at her.
Alice's eyes widened at what he said. "I wasn't going to…"
"You do have ears, don't you?"
"I would leave now," she said and left with her head bowed.
"You're not here to gossip, are you?" he turned towards Bianca.
"Sir" Mrs. Dash tried to speak.
"I was talking to her," he said, indicating for her to stay out of it.
"You haven't gone deaf, have you?"
Bianca kept biting her lower lip as she grew nervous because she was accountable. She began fidgeting with her gown by her side.
"I'm deeply sorry," she managed to say, clenching her dress.
"I'm quite dubious of your apprentice," he said, referring to Mrs. Dash.
"I apologize on her behalf; her behavior won't happen again."
"I need to remind you that everything that happens here is confidential and you should be aware. That is, if you have the job anyway."
Their eyes widened. It seemed they were going to lose their job.
"I promise such would never happen again," Mrs. Dash apologized.
"You haven't proven to be worthy," he said.
"We will get to it now, if you permit."
He was silent for a few seconds. "Then get to it. If you succeed, we will talk about the details of your service. If you fail, kiss the job goodbye. It's in your hands now," he said, and left after kissing the kids' heads.