ELOISE My meals were delivered to my bedroom for the rest of the day. Honestly, this way was much better because I had no interest in dining with my father or Davina. It felt kind of lonely whenever I contemplated if this was their everyday life in the mansion. Probably because Malcolm had just passed away, the silence was painfully pronounced. I suppose my actual hellish day starts tomorrow. I checked my phone again before bed. I had messages from my work emails that needed responses, but I figured I could ask Trina to handle those. Fortunately, she was there as my counterpart. Jenna had messaged me this morning to ask how it was going, and there was also an unanswered message from Adam. He hadn’t messaged since. Rolling onto my side in bed, I wondered what I could reply to him, constantly composing and deleting messages. “I’m busy…” I deleted the text. “Just say it here.” I deleted the text again. “You can just call me…” Damn it. I deleted my message again but accidentall
ELOISE The mansion’s veranda appeared somber, especially under the shade of gray clouds that hung to the sky like a heavy shroud. The early morning air was moist with the scent of rain-soaked soil, and steady showers played a gentle rhythm on the grounds. I was dressed in a casual coral sundress that Nina chose for me. She said it was fitting for the morning meal, but I felt the color didn’t match my mood and the dull ambiance of the place. Nina then ushered me to the table where a traditional Scottish breakfast was served. I hesitated, but my father’s stern gaze urged me to sit. I settled across from him. The atmosphere was tense, as if sitting together was an unfamiliar ritual. Which, of course, it was. I grew up outside his care, with him only fulfilling the responsibilities of a parent from afar. On the table, breakfast consisted of haggis, black pudding, fried eggs, sausages, and baked beans. It was generous, but the weight of my father’s presence made it difficult for me to
ELOISE When we returned to the mansion, Nina read my schedule in her notes as we selected my evening dress. It felt incredibly tiring to change repeatedly on various occasions in a day. “You’ve got a dress rehearsal with the personal tailor tonight, Mrs. Laurent. Lord Cunningham’s birthday dinner is already on Friday, so we’re tight on time for a custom dress. Instead, you’ll try out her new designs, which she’ll adjust to your size. She’s waiting for you in the drawing room. I’ll give you some basic table manners lessons tomorrow morning during breakfast. “After that, I’ll take you to the hairdresser, shopping, and the spa. You’ll have some free time in the evening, but since Lord Cunningham wants you to meet the baron, I’ll keep you engaged to avoid him. That might also help us postpone meeting him until we’re more prepared. Your father still expects you to attend at least one dinner with him.” I clenched my teeth. “Fine. What else?” “Around afternoon tomorrow, you’ll officiall
ELOISE “Hello, Eloise,” Adam greeted. God, his voice. It resonated deep within my bones. “Hey, um, are you busy?” “A little. I still have some matters to look into,” he whispered. “Work stuff?” “Yes, I’m reviewing the proposals sent to me by my producers.” “Oh.” I bit my bottom lip. “We can just talk later, then.” “No, it’s alright. This can wait. How are you?” “Mm. Tired?” He chuckled softly. “So you think calling me might make you feel untired?” I laughed. God, he did make me feel good. “That’s not even a word.” “Of course it is. I was waiting for your call.” I lay on the bed with my eyes on the ceiling. “I’ve had a long day.” “Want to tell me about it?” he asked. “Uh, I’d rather not. I would rather escape from all this.” “Try me.” “I’d rather go back to New York.” To see you... “So you’ve admitted you’re somewhere out of the States.” It wasn’t a question but more of a probing statement. “Edinburgh,” I admitted. “I’m here for unavoidable family matters. They’re my
ELOISE The next morning, we started our activity following our schedule. Nina and I were sitting close to a long, extravagant dining table, surrounded by the family’s shiny and overwhelming wealth. Right in front of us was a neat arrangement of plates, bowls in different shapes, and silverware, all decked out with elegant table mats, candlelight, and floral centerpieces. Our goal for today was to navigate the traditional Scottish dining etiquette, where each utensil had a purpose. “Let’s get into it step by step,” Nina said confidently, squaring her shoulders. “The utensils here have their own roles.” Her movements directed my attention to the organized utensils. “This,” she pointed at the spoon with a deep, round head, “is a soup spoon. Obviously, it is used for consuming soups and broths. Next up, the salad fork,” she explained, focusing on the fork with slightly shorter tines. They also used this for appetizers.” “So fussy,” I murmured. “And then?” She moved to a knife wit
ELOISE “Lovely! You look like a princess!” Bonnie smiled alongside me in the mirror. Nina gave me a thumbs-up in approval. Then, we went shopping as per our schedule. We selected various designer bags and jewelry based on Nina’s choices, as usual. She mentioned that pearls, stone stud necklaces, and earrings, such as diamonds, would be necessary. I almost had a heart attack seeing the price tags I rarely encountered in my life, but the card my father provided us with was without a spending limit. We also picked out some watches, although I wasn’t sure where I’d use them, as I was fine with the one I already had. Lastly, we bought a couple of coats from Burberry that caught our fancy, even though I already had some in my wardrobe. I offered Nina some garments to take with me. After shopping, we happily dined at a casual seafood restaurant, chatting as if we were lifelong best friends. We laughed over trivial subjects unrelated to the Cunninghams. During our conversation, I discove
ELOISE “Daddy? Why is it so dark? Please, let me out! Daddy!!” The air is cold, and the smell of dust is entering my nose. I’m coughing because of it. I can’t see anything. Daddy isn’t listening to me. Where is he? Is he drinking again? Where is Mommy? Why is she begging Daddy to leave? That’s why Daddy is cruel to me. I don’t want them fighting. I want my old daddy. My happy daddy. But he has changed. He’s bad now. Bad, just like Mommy. What did she do? Why is she always not home? I scratch my eyes and sniff my dry tears as I pound the door continuously. Please, someone, please… I want my old daddy back… I don’t want my mommy leaving every night… The door is finally opened. Thank God! Daddy still loves me. “You! You little brat!” Daddy grabs my arm and pulls me out. “Where is your mother? You know where she is; why aren’t you telling me? Is she there again? Is she getting fucked again?” Daddy smells like puke and sour liquor again. I cry. I cry hard. He hurts me. “Stop
ELOISE Adam was here in Edinburgh, but how? How did he know where I was? Wait. Maybe he was just pranking me. He liked to play games, he liked… Oh, crap. I jumped out of bed and grabbed a hoodie from my wardrobe. Carefully, I knocked on the next door to wake Nina. She intentionally stayed in the room next to mine so I could call her when I needed something. She promptly answered the door for me, looking like I had woken her from a good night’s sleep with her scrunched-up face. “I’m sorry for waking you, Nina. I need your help.” “Is something wrong?” She rubbed her eyes. “Nothing’s wrong. Kinda.” I slipped into her room and closed the door. “Someone I know from New York is coming here in a few minutes.” She frowned. “What? That’s impossible. Maybe he’s just playing with you.” “I thought so too, but he’s not the type, and he’ll be here in less than ten minutes. Can you help me get to the gate?” “Have you been crying?” She examined my face, furrowing her brows. “No, I’m just