"Your Father request for your presence
Miss...."
Oh that voice is doing something to me and I can feel it and it's totally wrong but sweet.
I don't want him to be aware of how his presence is affecting me,so with a straight face I replied,"and you are?"
"The new temporary housekeeper"
"How did you get the information that we are looking to hire one ?"I asked him still with a straight face.
I heard words around the square so I decided to try my luck.
"Ohh,welcome"
I rushed down immediately because I was already shaking from just listening to him. I really need to go and see the priest because this feeling is all new to me.
I met my Father sitting at the foyer and immediately grabbed the chair nearest chair to seat
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes Father, I met the new Housekeeper but Father he is a male"
"Yes, he came highly recommended or is there any problem?"
Oh he lied to me I thought.
"Don't worry he won't be attending to you and moreover it's just temporary"
"No Father I have no problem with you employing him it's just that we have never had a male inhouse servant that's all, anyway, he said you requested for my presence and please where is Mother?"
"She left for the women's gathering at the Chaplaincy"
I was a bit relieved by the news at least I will get to move freely in the house. This past day have so frustrating with her being around. Not that I' m not missing her but nowadays I like the fact that we are now keeping to ourselves.
The voice of my father jolted me back to the present.
"I called you to introduce you to our new house keeper and also to inform you that we will be having visitors come next week so you should be prepared and try to make up with your Mother"
" What does my presence has to do with the visitors that is coming?" I asked.
"Everything ,but wait till you see them ,but in the meantime they and makeup with your mother"
"Who are those coming,if I may ask"
" Your suitors, the are coming to ask for your hand in marriage."
" But I'm only 17!!! Why do I have to marry now?I don't even know anything about marriage, alright, if this you punishing me ,I'm sorry and I will beg Mother if she comes back but please don't do this Father"
Oh my God,just when I'm beginning to enjoy my freedom, why are my parents being cruel to me,what did I do that was so bad that they want to marry me off,my 18th birthday is still in 8 months.
"I didn't say you will marry him immediately my dear,just get to see him,court him then after your next birthday,you both will get married"
" Who is this person? What if I don't love him?what if he is not my kind of man?"
" Hmm if you can reason this way then what is the delay?"He answered.
"Please Father,I need to go to my room and...."
" Dinner is served" that voice again,that feeling again. What is really happening to me, just when I thought I have everything under control.
"Come let's eat dear" said my father, I felt like telling him that I was not hungry but then I couldn't resist the thought of seeing the new Housekeeper dish out the meal from the serving plate.
" Okay Father I'm coming right behind you"
" What is your name?" I asked him.
"Leonard ma'am but you can call me Leo"
"Okay that's better" I answered.
I had a glimpse of his hands and I couldn't resist to notice the visible veins that run through them,what is really wrong with me, I really need to rush to the Chapel after dinner but then my Father may not allow me but I will still try and seek permission from him before my Mother returns.