The woman paused with her hand on the doorknob of the children’s room.
"What is it, Suzie? I don’t have much time at the moment as I need to -"
"I need your help on-"
"Just a moment." Katie cut Suzie off as she pushed the door open and peeked at the three sleeping forms. She closed the door and turned back to walk away with Suzie, who detailed what she wanted help with.
Inside the room, Ingrid heaved a sigh of relief and removed the blankets that covered her head, her heart thumping so loud in her chest.
’I am so glad that she did not come in. Wh-at w-ould I have d-one? Sa-mantha is so s-mart to have ar-ranged the pillows like that. Even I believe that she is asleep!’
On the other side of the estate and in the North wing, Alex walked up to his wife in their room and gave her a back hug.
"I haven’t seen you for days! It feels like forever," he said and kissed her hair.
"No one asked you to spend so much time in the vineyards, I believe," Geneva responded sarcastically but fondly leaned back towards his hug.
"Don’t even get me started on that, Geneva," Alex said and then rounded Geneva to sit by her, "I never dreamed that I would still be working a few months from seventy. Our two boys are too much of a handful. They should be looking after us at their age, but I don’t even know what else to do. The vineyards are getting to be too much to handle, as are the merchants who think they have grown wings without Ian’s iron hand."
"I’m sorry, dear." Geneva knew exactly what he was driving at. She stood up and started expertly massaging his shoulders. Then, remembering something, she said, "Oh, I have good news on that!"
"Really? Tell me, Ian is finally out of the room?"
"Sorry to disappoint, dear, but it’s a little close."
"How close? Because I actually had an interesting conversation with Abram, too."
"Shelby was allowed into Ian’s room a couple of days back. I think it was the day you had an overnight work schedule because of the issue on the wine cellars."
"Yeah, that was a mind draining night .... But this news is interesting and surprising, too. There seems to be some hope. The progress between the two of them is a tad bit slow for us, but then, in the past couple of years that action in itself is major! I think that she is commendable to have gotten some reaction from him in less than two months."
"Exactly my thoughts too. But I wish that..."
She paused and then switched the topic "... anyway, Alex, what did you say about Abram?"
Geneva was particularly interested in that bit because for Alex to bring up something like that meant it was substantial enough and worth his time.
Alex went ahead and detailed the conversation, examining his wife’s face for any reaction, but she remained impassive throughout it.
"I must say, that’s quite intriguing! Tell me more."
Alex went ahead and detailed more of the conversation but added,
"... but I think it is not appropriate at this moment whe-"
"Let’s not rush into anything now and just observe."
"If you say so. You are the lady of the estate. Anything you say goes!"
Geneva smiled as the wheels in her mind started running rapidly!
In the Mush household, across the town, a similar conversation had transpired between Abram and Abi.
"Let me handle this, Abram."
Abram nodded and added, "Be gentle with her, Abi. Her heart is already broken through this."
"You are the reason we are even having this conversation today! You have spoilt her rotten!" Abi shouted as she headed for their door, on her way to have a conversation with their only daughter, Briana.
"It takes two to tango!"
"What did say, Abram?" She turned with her arms on her waist and a stern glare.
"I didn’t say anything!" Abi remained in her stance, watching him like a hawk. Abram got so uncomfortable and cleared his throat.
"I really did not say anything. I just cleared my throat like I just did now... and I also coughed."
Abi shook her head and left their room. Abram sat on their bed dejectedly,
"Her glare can cause a heart attack! Good, I was able to defend myself!" He added, beating up his thumping chest.
Abi, who had been just outside their room, started walking towards Brianna’s room with a bemused smirk.
"Open the door," she said, a little fatigue apparent in her voice.
One maid unlocked it, and the other opened it for their mistress.
"Briana? Mum is sorry, okay?"
Brianna did not reply, and Abi took that as the go-ahead. She sat by her on the bed. She sat very still and never said a word for a long while. Brianna broke under the suffocating silence and peeked out of her blankets.
"M-um, you really can’t do anything for me on this?"
Her eyes glistened with tears as two fat tears streamed down both cheeks.
"Silly girl," Abi reached out, cradled Brainna’s head on her lap, and cleaned the tears.
"I never said that. Mummy will always do her best for you, but you must understand how the world works."
"H-how t-he world w-orks?"
"Yes, Brianna, its always about the person who gets the last laugh. You are the only young lady of the Mush residence in this generation, and you will inherit our business in the near future. If you cannot even exercise patience, how will you run this place when we are no more?"
"N-o more? Mummy, don’t go anywhere!"
"Silly girl, we are not going anywhere, but we are only human and will leave this earth one day. You need to learn to stay on your feet. You need to learn how to turn the tables for yourself. It’s patience, connections, money and strategy that will get you what you seek... and you have your mum and dad to support you. Patience, my dear..."
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