Essi and Oneil arrived in Normandy to a country house long known to be entailed with the inheritance of “de Stafford.” That is Latifa’s maiden name. Oneil’s family lived in Saint-Céneri-le-Gérei for 12 years until they moved to Bordeaux to be with the other Mercators. Entering again to the country house never felt new to Oneil. The interiors remained the same. Except that the items around are covered with dust sheets. His dad’s favorite figurines are still are still in place. The entire house barely felt the touch of the sunlight.
Essi volunteered to open the draperies and set a new ambiance in the house. Because of the light shafts finally discovering that there are more pathways inside the country house that they can pass through, everything suddenly got so bright. Essi has to cover her eyes with her arm until she adjusted to the surrounding. What is directly set before her eyes are the various pictures of the Mercator family. But along the seas of the photographs, o
Normandy has been sung with the tales of D-Day. Wars were there. Accounts of de Stafford too. In the village of Saint-Cénéri-le-Gérei is a thousand more of memories. Starting from that which drifting through River Sarthe, the song of youth meandering upon its stone bridge and the promise of rest by the curved roads to cob buildings and timbered houses, everything in the village creates a very special gem to keep in the treasuries of a visiting heart.It has been worthwhile to touch down upon this well-known land. While Oneil has to return to Bordeaux for his work, Essi still has to stay for her business."Are you sure that you will be fine here?" Oneil asked while packing the things he needed."Of course, althought I will miss you," Essi answered."To be safe, you should just stay here instead of checking in to hotels." Oneil has been reiterating that what is his shall be for Essi as well. Essi has been reluctant to
After all the posed confidence to face Essi, Niana never came up and has only emailed that she has an urgent thing to do. Essi expected that. And for the days that she remained in Normandy, Niana didn’t follow up further secret visitation to the country house. But since it was rainy on Essi’s supposed schedule to return to Bordeaux, Essi decided to reschedule her flight in the next two days. Saving herself from boredom and the feeling of not being productive, she decided to create a gift for Oneil with her secret talent of making miniatures.She made a mini-model of Oneil’s favorite place in the house which is the library. The process was tedious enough for her to focus longer inside the country house. Clay was her ultimate and friendly medium. She smiled upon proceeding to the details of Oneil’s favorite desk and making a miniature of his hanko. Truth be told, she was supposed to give him a hanko she made by herself. But the hanko master says that it
Essi was in a silent rage and tensed upon her seat while absorbing what Victor said about Jillian. Essi rather supposed that it is more convenient to tolerate Jillian’s feelings to Oneil. But is a different case since Jillian had something to do with Oneil’s accident. Jillian was there, in trying to drag Essi’s name at the wrong side for Oneil to dislike Essi. She was there, in trying to make Oneil jealous about Essi and Victor. Jillian was there with furious eyes on how Essi could have everything that Jillian badly wanted. She was there, feigning her friendliness when Essi highly regarded Jillian as someone dear to her.“Is that why she’s working with Niana?” She never thought that the two could be in the same feather after all. “They were trying to find the trade secret of MG at the country house,” she disclosed while wondering what else they might do.“We’ll never know now is she up to with Niana,” Victor said while dropping the hints on how Niana was so invested on looking who is
Oneil and Victor opened the discussion about Jillian’s doing. But it has become inevitably unfolding to the actions of Niana. They couldn’t believe about what Niana has done at the country house.“So after all this time, she wanted to get the trade secret,” Oneil uttered. Niana must have been stunned that the papers she took from the secret portion from Oneil’s study room is not the real copy. “We barely know what’s the next thing she would do. She’s not residing at the manor anymore.”It’s the lack of source of information that pulls their situation to a more critical mess than the first time that they recognized it. Their conversation suspends in itself in the way that they formulate silent plans to mention later.Jacques arrived at the scene astounded that they are only staring at each other without words. No matter how Essi and Oneil has finally reconciled, it is still not typical for Jacques to see Essi and Oneil sitting close to each other. He gazed at the person they have with
Niana freely comes in and out of the Mercator Manor. It is the same usual morning when she attempts to observe the behavior of the other Mercators. The manner that they remain relaxed when they meet her in the hallway highly depicts that they do not have any idea what she has been up to.“Welcome, Niana. Did you take your breakfast already?” one of her younger cousins ran towards her.“Oh, I haven’t,” she hugged back to them. They even brought her towards their own picnic table under the wisteria.“Would you like to join us?” The kids were having a brunch outdoor. There is only one seat vacant.“Let me get a new chair for you,” said by a young boy and immediately ran towards the kitchen door.“Sorry Niana. This is for Gwyneth because she wants to join us. Please wait for your seat.”“It’s alright,” Niana repeatedly told them. “You can enjoy it without me. After all, I still have something to do inside. Maybe next time, okay?”“Sure thing!” they said in unison.Niana left with a wide s
Impatience doesn’t have an owner and by the same reality that it can actually own anyone. But its best favorite are those who are chased by the extremes of apprehension. Niana needed to find out who must have touched the phone from the drawer. That the same person might spread a sudden news that Oneil’s phone had always been with Niana. But minutes after requiring Frederick to send that helper to her, no one came.She bolted out from her room. The phone is inside her vintage wristlet as she headed to the maid headquarters. But what awaited her were not faces caught in tyranny but rather in refuge.Oneil has visited them with a set of gifts and foods to their delight. All heads turned to Niana who thundered a sound through the double doors. She was still catching her breath and her eyes kept on scrutinizing everyone around.“Oneil…” she gasped. “Since when did you arrive?” Niana tried to calm herself done and pulled all her efforts to remain friendly towards him.“Just now. I thought o
Grant was at the end of the hallway when Niana tried to flee from a possible confrontation. She almost shrieked upon seeing his dark appearance. He is donned with black suit and the only light gleaming from him was the glint from his glasses. He is holding his cane not as a dear help to his stance but a mere reiteration of his authority. He walked towards her and his eyes didn’t fail to look directly at Niana.“Why are you seem so startled Niana?” Grant asked. His cane only makes a subtle sound against the carpeted hall. But even at that, anyone could know that their heartbeat is as strong as that. “And where are you heading?”“I’m just going back to my room,” she answered while decreasing the pace of her steps. “I’m just surprised that there is another person standing there.” She took the sideway while looking down. It has always been inevitable for Grant to make his simple question a series of mixed good wonders and suspicions. Before every little question would become a fuel to gri
So they were in the courtyard, east of the manor. Unlike the promising rote outcome of a formal dinner, there was a synergy of the former’s designs and the tones of a friendly setting. There were flowers to set good colors. Baby’s-breath to join the spring dance with dahlia bulbs and roses. Crocuses and heathers to reveal the designer’s wit, and lily of the valleys to allude the ever meaningful ensemble of forget-me-nots along the center of the lengthwise oakwood table. The warmth from the dinner setting invited most of the Mercator to sit with their visiting scion. The string of light bulbs oscillate their entrance and kiss greetings to Latifa and Oneil.Niana was hesitant to come out. But if she would hide a little longer, all the eyes of the Mercators will be upon her. She marched out of the arcade as if finally breaking away from the edge of her fortress. She dreaded their attention. But when all their eyes were just on Oneil, talking delightedly with him and on how he seats peac
Essi has always believed that meeting people like the Binici Siblings meant a good thing --that be it in business or social partnerships. But what Karina offers to her is quite different. Her words have stronger meaning underneath their simplicity as if Katrina had been always trying to interfere in Essi and Oneil’s lives. “So you people are just engaged. It means there is still a greater possibility for any of you to quit, right?” she asked Essi with a hint of excitement. Her words simply do not respect the relationship between the two. Essi chose to not pay attention to it. But Katrina was bugging her in another way by trying to set Essi up with Wyath for coffee nothings and casual dinner. “I do not have much time. If this meeting does not make any sense, then I won’t go, Miss Binici,” Essi declined. “My brother is willing to marry the girl he likes,” Katrina inserted just to make the phone call go on. “Really? That’s good for him then,” Essi commented but was about to excuse he
When everything got settled, she found herself already bringing the large paper bag filled with the three casings where the jewels in their trinket boxes are placed. Her chauffeur waited for her outside and walked with her down the stairs of the auction house. Her car is also set to conclude her night from the Legalion. But before she took a step, Wyath went to her again. “Essi, since it is rare for us to meet, may I ask for your contact number?” Wyath was implying the personal one. “Okay,” Essi said and gave him her number. “But you should also give yours since my phone automatically sets an unknown number as spam.” When they got done exchanging numbers, Katrina went to Wyath to remind him that they must go home now. “Essi, it was nice to meet you. We’ll go ahead for now,” Katrina bid and dragged her brother to their car. “Will you still proceed to the hotel madame?” her chauffeur asked. “Yes, you can also take your time to enjoy things around,” Essi grinned and reminded him ab
It is the actual bidding night. With the preparation of the lights and the friendly interiors of the Legalion Action House, Essi knows this night shall be friendly to her vision. She takes a simple white dress with puff sleeves and white heels. She takes a silk cloth as her headband. Her appearance for the night is elegance mingled with youth and enthusiasm.“Welcome, Madame Essi,” the guard said upon recognizing her card. “This way please.”Essi followed the red carpet leading them to the Jewel Auction Hall No. 1. It is her first time to join an auction by herself. Oftentimes, she would just accompany a family member when they would like to purchase something from the auction. She continued walking around and not recognizing any familiar faces around the auction hall except Wyath. Wyath quickly noticed her too when he turned around. He approached her with a smile. He even introduced his sister to her.“This is my sister, Katrina. She’s the reason why we’d like to buy some of the Maes
Essi had a simple target in heading to Normandy. The Legalion Auction House announced its 25th jewelry auction. Essi was never attentive towards auctions. But this one sets a great importance in her agenda because it was the jewelry collection made by Maestro Marco. She had two important target items because of the discovery that she arrived upon studying the decoration and details on the jewelry portfolio of her grandmother Priscilla. Two pieces of jewelry are no more in the possession of the Paulsson household. It suddenly became included in the auction series of the Legalion because it is made by Maestro Marco.The first piece was dubbed as Ingrid’s because Essi’s grandfather had especially commissioned the jewel maker to make a bluebird-inspired jewelry as a ready gift for his daughter once she will be brought to the world. And yet the owner, continued sleeping.The second piece was a fancy yellow diamond about 80 carats filled with many more white diamonds on its side, forming l
Victor has to weigh many company concerns. First, for the Amyrgia-Gautarza. Second, to Essi’s Gautarza Company and third, to the Mercator Group. Concerning the first two, he can see the clear directions on how the owners would take their future paths. But for the Mercator Group, he couldn’t see exactly where it even errs or go on correctly.He became an instant breadwinner with a clear source of income because the other Mercators in their humble barn house have to lie low for a while. His great ally on the discussion for the Mercator Group was his father.“Our hope in raising this alarm is to the interim chairman himself,” Paulo said. “If only he could also be cooperative to us.”“I don’t see any reason though that he wouldn’t,” Victor stated. “That is why I talked to him about the deliberation of a new policy concerning the selling and purchase of shares.”“What do you see is the problem about the shares then?”“I see some problems of the old policy. It may allow the shareholders to
Sometimes, amid all trials, one couldn’t help but wonder how others felt for them. It was in Victor especially when he regarded how Mr. Arlelle must have reacted to the fate that chased the Mercators. Yet, hoping to be always in his favor, Victor could only remain in silent and work with perseverance. It must have been a good asset that he was not heard as a Mercator because no one would chase him in the hopes to scoop out a splice of an information that can serve a cup of tea. Victor was on his way back to Arlelle’s office, bringing the reports about the recent confirmations he received on his email. But while he was outside the office, he heard some key people of Amyrgia-Gautarza.“How come that you still keep him sir? Is he not a member of the Mercators? It is quite unsettling.”“How can I not when he is still officially a part of the Amyrgia-Gautarza? And what has he done then that he should be fired out?”“But he is a Mercator.”Victor couldn’t deny that maybe in the business wor
Because of the conversation Lady Imeldine and Latifa had in the dining room, Grant went to them with some mud on his jumper and polo. He was worried that Latifa cried again while no one was watching.A shine light hit his eye when he tried to look at what is on the table. He marched slowly until he could see what is inside the box.“Is this your last jewel that you would sell, Latifa?” he asked because he couldn’t recognize the jewel.It was pretty understandable. Because he was never able to see this ring right from its bidding and until his wife’s death. It was Paulo who kept it because Grant didn’t know about the many things that his wife bought.His daughter-in-law didn’t answer yet but his recognition was also now to the visitor. “Your highness,” Grant said. He bowed even lower because he is ashamed of his situation. Knowing that Lady Imeldine was a shareholder, it would be harder to explain his situation to the royalty.“Please, may you be comfortable in dealing with me for I am
It was surely a grave offense that Louis made only to stain the reputation of the house of the Emirvas. But Lady Imeldine couldn’t even make greater punishment against him by sending him back to their country because he would face more grievous repercussions from the entire royal clan concerning the ring. After all, she has compassion to this lad who was also alike to her, almost impossible to receive the crown. He is but a royal and yet has to live in a manner that could promote his name despite the absence of the crown.So Louis was grounded in the rest house and every inch of his move was under Lady Imeldine’s strict supervision. When he tried to beg to his aunt that maybe he could go with her to talk to Essi, she glared at him.“Isn’t it enough that you made a careless work here?” she snarled. “Louis! You even brought shame to our family in front of the Paulssons.”“I’m sorry,” Louis cried out barely having any sincerity since he said out of annoyance to his aunt’s endless squawk
When the prompt for writing kicks, it is sometimes hard to stop the feeling of typing it all. But when Essi got done, she was unsure on how she should continue her article. Because there was something missing about the details of the maestro. Until she remembered what Marco’s wife said when she asked why is it okay for them to look.“It’s just like our twins are also cheering for him.”Essi’s tears escaped from her eyes. Now she’s doubting if she should tell his story. She tried to call Oneil and glad that he had also picked up.“Why? Are you alright?” Oneil asked because it is still not yet 11PM. It means Essi must be still working for something. “But with all the curiosity that Essi has, she hesitated in asking.“Come on, you can tell me,” almost pleaded because when silence starts to answer, it means a bothersome case.“Did Sir Marco ever tell you that he would like some people to interview him? He’s quite famous as a master jeweler.”“You were inspired to write about him, is it?”