Broken

CHAPTER THREE

She took solace with the books she loved. Big fat tears are dropping on the pages of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Doggedly, pushing herself to read. She needs to forget what she heard an hour ago—Chris and Lea's tragic love story, cut short by her aunt's intrusion. 

No wonder Lea has been cold to her. Everybody in town believes she was a snitch. Once, her young sister adored her. The big sister protects her from harm and spoils her sister with love and attention.

That day, Lea suddenly became sick. She asked Agnes to accompany her to the bedroom. Inside her room, Lea told her she had an important date. Agnes needs to cover for her. She agreed, even if she felt something was not right.

Agnes covers her face and body, ensuring that her black hair will not peek out from the thick blanket. It would have been a good plan. Only Ann entered, bringing medicine for Lea. She screamed in alarm when a black-headed body emerged from the thick blanket instead of a blond girl.

Intercepted by her father, he brought Lea to her aunt. Lady Elizabeth managed to stop her sister's wedding. A week after that day, Lea departs from the castle to pursue her acting career. Three years after she married a wealthy doctor. Lea divorces him after two years. The substantial funds from the divorce made her very rich. Agnes remembers her flaunting the diamond necklace, "Look, sis, this is how you do it. Marry a rich man and get out much richer. See these diamonds? Each one is the cost of our servants' salaries. Plus, I'm a free woman. Doing whatever I want, go wherever, buy the stuff you only read in your precious books. No Aunt Liz to hover in your neck."

Agnes snapped out of her recollection from the past. Her heart is hurting, and her mind is tortured by the reality that Chris still loves her sister. Her mother fondly called her Lea, the jewel of the Walden. If Lea is fair like the sunbeam, Agnes was the night. Her hair was always black as sin. Their late father teased her about it, making her mad. Lea has blue eyes like the ocean, but Agnes' eyes are blue-green like the color of the moss of the sea. 

"Don't worry too much about looks, child. Women with brains are better." Her father assured her.

"But Papa, I want to look like Lea. She didn't need to talk much, but boys did her bidding. They treat her like a princess," she said resentfully.

Her father laughed and hugged her. "But you're one with the spell. Princess doesn't have spells. Witches can be anything she wants. One day, some man will fall in that spell, and my dear will truly be loved."

"I don't want to be a witch. I want to become a princess too. Princess has prince charming. What does the witch have? A black cat!" Agnes pouted. The servants listening to their conversation laughed. The joke stuck with her until they grew up. From that time, they call her the Witch of Walden.

Strangers and visitors alike adored Lea. She retreated on her shell and buried herself in books. She can be the princess that the prince would slay the dragon for or Cinderella with the glass slippers. Time flies. Growing into a young woman, she never once falls in love. Her world is the library. Lea is very popular among her peers, especially the boys. At an early age, Lea's love life was flourishing in secret. As the oldest child, her knowledge of the opposite sex was limited.

Then, come one summer. Chris Duvier arrived in the castle as the stable boy. She gazed at those amazing grey eyes that seemed to promise her the world. He was strong and confident. His handsome face down to his gorgeous body is what she imagines of princes. Agnes loved him the first time she laid eyes on him. To her, Chris Duvier is the answer to her prayer.

She doesn't want to be the witch in their fairy tale. Agnes has to let go. A year of marriage is a breeze; she consoles herself. She can let go of the castle too. Lea deserved it more than she did.

Accepting her faith made her heart quiet and still. Slowly, she stood up. She was gingerly reaching out the clerestory window above the bookshelves. Below the window are the big wing chairs and the oak table, arranged at an angle. The library was now empty. Precariously hanging in the balance, she gingerly reaches for the opening and slides out, but before she can hoist herself up, her leg slips.

Oh God! she screams, falling from the top of the mezzanine. Before she reached and crumpled on the floor - someone grabbed and caught her.

Her body tumbled on something solid that cushioned the impact of her free fall. Shock and dazed from her tumble; she tried to move her body carefully. She looked down and met the cold grey eyes of Chris Duvier. Her body sprawled on top of the man himself.

Stupidly Agnes exclaimed, "I can explain why I fell..."

"Get off me!" He barks. She rolled away from him. Her skirt was hiking up, showing her very conservative underwear. Chris blinked and could not believe what had just happened. Lost for words, the man of the hour watched her hastily move away from him while trying to pull down her skirt. A grin spread his face.

She saw how amused he was watching her untangle herself.

"Enjoying the view?!" she hissed at him.

"A mere thank you would suffice. You don't have to wrap yourself up as a gift." He flicked amused eyes at the ribbon on her dress. Agnes was furious. The man---no, this arrogant cad is making a mockery out of her fall.

"Mister Duvier, one more word from you I will --"

"You will what?" he raised his brow arrogantly and continued to smirk at her.  

For the life of her, she went blank. Yes, what would she do? Punch him in the face? Insult him more? No. It would make her a clown for his amusement. Agnes sweetly smiled at him and said courteously, "I will do nothing. After all, you're my knight. Saving me from my distress." 

He already guessed who she was—the witch of Walden. The woman stood up with one fluid grace. She steadied herself. Looking down on him, Agnes stood up there aloof and regal. A shaft of light from the afternoon sun that pierced the windows gives him enough deduction of her features. Her body was unlike her sister's. Lea is delicate, while this one has a luscious body. The words creep out from his subconscious. Chris detests the thoughts running in his head—blocking it out before going further.

"Thank you for catching me on time. I would have broken a bone. "Agnes extended her hand to help him up. He took it. Electricity flowed out from his body like a jolt. Heat. Agnes felt it too. Both of them released their hand as if electrified. She tried to cover her confusion by moving away from him. 

"If you remember, I'm Agnes Walden." she cannot help to add, "--Lea's sister."

"I don't remember you." The words that came out from his sweet mouth pierced her heart. The reality hurt her badly. Steady my heart, don't bleed anymore, she consoled herself silently. Chris tried to bite off the words, but he had already blurted it out. He saw her winced at his words. 

Agnes straightened her shoulder, trying to counter the pain she felt somewhere near her chest. "Yeah, probably, you're too busy tending the horses and the other sister." she fired back. 

Chris's eyes flashed. "What do you mean by that?" he asked dangerously.

"Do I have to explain?" she asked.

Agnes can feel the tension even from where she stands. Slowly but surely, the man purposely walked towards her. The jab about her sister hit home. She wet her lips; her throat suddenly felt dry. He watched her tongue moisten her lips. Lost as he watched her unconscious action, something inside him stirred. If this woman will be his wife, it seems he will enjoy it immensely. Agnes is an excellent weapon to start a war.

Trap animals must feel like this. Galvanized on the same spot as he moves towards her. What to do?... what to do? she asked herself, panicking at every step he makes." I know this sounds crazy, but right now, I'm about to pee!" Chris gaped at her. He stops in his tracks, and before he can react. "I'm going back to the powder room. Goodbye!" She bolted out from the library and out from his sight. He watched her escape in bemusement. Just like that Agnes Walden, left him stumped.