Chapter 6 Awkwardness

Marianne was awed and amazed at the view of the castle earlier, but had lost interest in her surroundings after hearing what Francois’ secretary had just said.

 The tour guide voice of Annie is just like a muffled sound to her ears, her mind is elsewhere.

       “Annie, why would the Queen invite me? I'm puzzled as to why I am having an invite from the Queen? Is it because I’m Francois’ wife? I wouldn’t even know how to act in front of the Queen!” said Marianne anxiously.

       “Marianne, come on, you of all people shouldn’t be saying that! You’ve been groomed to be a proper lady ever since young. Also, you’ve met the Queen already. You were bragging about it at school and I was jealous. I even asked you to bring me next time you went there and then you said that you would ask your mum, of course thinking about that now, we were just young then ...”

         “Annie!” a loud voice coming Marianne interrupted Annie. She has to do this or Annie could go on and on.

“Did you say that I’ve been there before!? Are we... that ... important?” Marianne asked her.

        “Well, of course! Your grandfather is Lord Arnold Williams, he donated a lot to the community and other charities around the world! I remember my mum saying that your family is close to the Royals so it’s no wonder to have your presence at Buckingham Palace,” explained Annie.

   

          Marianne stares at Annie while digesting the information. Her planned new life seems to have a lot of adjustments. She had a feeling that it’s going to be more difficult than she thought. 

          “Annie, I don’t remember any of my life before so could you please tell me whatever you remember of it,” pleaded Marianne.

         “But of course! Marianne, gladly to help. Let me tell you from the start. We met at the nursery. Remember the playground I was pointing at earlier?” ask Annie, while Marianne thinks that it’s going to be a long day but she still listens patiently to what Annie is saying, for she knows that she needs to understand the previous Marianne. Annie carried on chatting and also providing a lot of details that Marianne thinks it’s unnecessary.

Marianne is learning more about the old Marianne.

So, the real name of the owner of this body is Marianne Adelline Williams, 23 yrs of age, the only daughter of  Adam and Briana  Williams. They passed away seven years ago because of an accident, an accident that caused her disability. She was close to her Grandad when she was young but not after the accident. There is a distant cousin, Leonna Rucci, that she abhors! Lenna’s mother, Florence Rucci, who is married to an italian man, is her guardian and is nice to her.

As to why and how Marianne got married to Francois? Annie doesn’t know. She only has knowledge about their childhood and some gossipy stuff about Williams’ Family. 

         “Marianne’s life seems to be a mystery, no one even knows why she tries to kill herself! Did she really wheeled herself to the cliffs? How about Francois?” Marianne’s thoughts are deeply preoccupied with what she learns from Annie.

Annie brought her to her room with excitement!

       “Wow! It’s pretty much the same as before except the pink castle bed with the stairs and slides are gone, and the tent where we had our pretend camping is not here.  I always thought, when I was a child, that your room is humongous, and I still think the same!” Annie said while exploring the room like a child.

A plump woman came in dressed in a royal blue which is similarly cut to the dresses of those women that Marianne spotted at the entrance, only theirs are patterned with pink and blue. 

        “Miss Annie, we put your luggage in the room next to Lady Marianne’s, it’s the one on the right. There’s an ensuite in your room, if there’s anything else that you need just ring the bell. We can take care of Lady Marianne,” said the plump woman.

         “Oh! I suppose I won’t be staying in your room like I used to when we were young. Oh yeah, I almost forgot that you're married!” said Annie chuckling to herself.

 Marianne is also wondering if Francois will be sharing the room with her.

 “But knowing Francois, there’s nothing to be afraid of, I hope,” thought Marianne. She waved to Annie, who obviously wanted to check her room, she hurriedly excused herself to freshen up and said to meet her downstairs, leaving Marianne with an amuse smile.

           “Lady Marianne, I was told by your Aunt that you’ve lost your memory,” said the woman after Annie left, while observing Marianne’s face.

Marianne looks at her, this woman came into her room without knocking and basically ordered Annie to leave but Annie is gullible to pick up the intention or just too excited to see her room.

           “Yes, and you are?” Marianne said, this woman doesn’t seem to say anything else if she won’t answer.

            “Although you’ve lost your memories, that tongue is still sharp as ever, I’m Delia Terry, the Williams’ household housekeeper, call me Mrs. Smith,” she said with a slight twist on her lips.

Marianne nodded. Trying to figure out if Marianne was close to this woman. From what Mrs. Smith had just said, Marianne has a sharp tongue. 

            “Your Aunt Florence and family will be arriving shortly, I’ll help you get changed” said Mrs Smith, already pushing the wheelchair inside the dressing room.

Marianne is awestruck at the various quantities of women’s stuff. She had never seen such an extravagant dressing room. 

Mrs. Smith picks a dress with matching shoes and earrings. The dress looks simple and modest, unlike most the other dresses that are displayed in racks. But, Marianne doesn’t really care, she is still learning to be a woman and dressing up ostentatiously would be a foolish act.

After getting dressed, Mrs. Smith brought her to a room that is bright, one side of the wall is made of glass that has the view of a luxurious garden with different types of flowers around the world. The garden is terraced facing the bright room which is obviously done for the enjoyment of the people inside this room. 

             “ Such an extravagant lifestyle,” Marianne thought.

 She spotted three people who are dressed elegantly and look rich. 

             “This must be my Aunt Florence, her husband and my cousin Leonna,” she thought.

             “Oh poor Marianne, how are you? You should have stayed longer in the hospital. I was shocked to learn from Dr. Bennet that you left the hospital! But dear ... Are you really okay?” a concerned voice from Aunt Florence.

             “Mum said that you lose your memories? Can you really not remember anything? Or are you feigning to not remember to cover up your embarrassment!? I say, it would have been better if you were lying on one of those cold metal boards than sitting on that chair, don’t you agree, dear cousin?” Leona said sarcastically and with a smirk on her face.

               “Shhh now Leonna, don’t tease your cousin too much, she is still recovering,” said Aunt Florence, while she turns to her husband who hasn’t looked or acknowledged Marianne’s presence. “Alonzo, would you like more wine?” she asked him.

Marianne is like witnessing a drama in a live action, her mind couldn’t believe what kind of attitude these people have. And how would the original Marianne normally respond to these fine looking people with deplorable behaviours!? 

In the end, she chose to be polite to them.

              “Hello everyone. Thank you for your concern Aunt Florence but I’m perfectly fine now,” Marianne said politely. While sipping her cup of tea that Mrs. Smith served her. 

               "Tell me dear, when did you get married? How come I only just found that out today. I am your closest relative alive and I didn't even know that you got yourself a husband! Do you know how hurt I am?” said Aunt Florence while sipping her wine.

              “What!!?  Is that true! Mother!? Leona said with an astonish face. She turned to Marianne and said “Are you married!?”... pfft ahhahahahha, you’re married!? Who would be a stupid person to marry you? Don’t tell me that you paid someone to marry you? He must be oblivious to see through you. I pity that innocent man.”

              “Hmm yeah ... I suppose you could say he is innocent,” said Marianne with a wry smile. Considering Francois  an innocent person in a different perspective but not that innocent in dealing with different types of people.

 Aunt Florence who had been observing her for a while said, “So, when can we meet that husband of yours? And tell me dear Marianne, how did you get married?”

              “Yes, pray tell us, how and when did you two get married?" said Leona mockingly.

              “I don’t know the answer to that, I woke up and I suddenly have a husband. I truly  have no idea what had happened in the past,” explained Marianne sincerely while silently wishing that the real Marianne would just come back. She can already foresee that being Marianne is not an easy life. These so-called close kin of hers are already like her enemy, Mrs. Smith doesn’t seem to be fond of her, and how about the rest of the world?  Also, it looks like she has to meet important people like the Queen, and how often would that be? She thought of Kenny Jones, his life is much easier… but, she can’t be thinking about that now.

“I need to plan my life, and meeting people wouldn't help me now. First, I must know how to act like a proper woman or rather a proper lady,” thought Marianne.

               “I will ask my husband as to when he will be free so you can meet him,” Marianne said after she caught their gazes that tells her she hasn’t answered all their questions.

              “Why don’t you call him now dear, I’m sure that he could spare time for his in-laws,” said Aunt Florence meaningfully.

               “I’m sorry Aunt Florence but he really is very busy. He came to see me at the hospital but had to leave as he has a lot of work to do,” explained Marianne.

                “He probably can’t stand the sight of you and that’s why he said he is busy,” Leona said with mockery.

                

               “I don’t think you understand Marianne, I was ordering you to bring him here.  I am your guardian and I should be the first to know what you're involved in, let alone a marriage! So be a dear now Marianne, call him to come over,” said Aunt Florence without raising her voice.

Marianne is amazed at her Aunt’s calm act. She can tell that she is mad but she is maintaining her composure. “What a scary lady,” Marianne thought. 

                “I’ll make the call Aunt Florence,” said Marianne, feeling a bit of a relief just thinking that there’s Francois, her husband who can easily deal with them. 

The phone had been ringing for a while and Marianne thought of telling them that she can’t reach him but a sudden deep voice said “Hello” startled her.

          

               “Oh, hello Francois, It’s Marianne here, I left the hospital a while ago.”

                

               “Yes, I was told,” said Francois. Marianne isn’t surprised with his response.

                

                “Well, the reason that I am calling is that my Aunt Florence and family are here. They want to meet you,” she said meekly. She spotted her cousin doing an unladylike manner by mimicking her like a child then thought “I can already imagine what it was like when they were young.”

                

                “Why?” Francois asked.

Marianne for a second thought that Francois is being rude or dumb to ask that. But, maybe Francois doesn’t understand the meaning of having in-laws.

               

                “Pass me the phone, Marianne,” said Aunt Florence.

She was hesitant to give the phone to her Aunt but she heard Francois’ voice agreeing to it.

                “Hello, this is Marianne’s aunt. We are having a family meeting and I would like you to come and clear up this mess. I don’t know how you convince my niece to marry you but I am her guardian and I didn’t allow this!” said Aunt Florence.

Marianne can see the dissatisfaction of her aunt’s face and is getting angrier and then slammed the phone on the table. “Oh, my phone! Thank God it’s not smash,” thought Marianne while checking it.

               “The nerve of that man! Where did you find him!?” said her aunt to Marianne.

               “What did he say, Mother?” asked Leona.

              “Oh, he is the rudest person! He said he’ll be sending someone to clarify things then said goodbye and hung up the phone! He hung up the phone on me! How dare he!?” said her Aunt Florence angrily.

               “He didn’t even give me a chance to talk! What an awful awful man!”

Marianne nearly laughed, she knew that Francois must have been so busy and so he acted that way. She heard something similar like this that he did before. 

At the military base everyone knows of his character, but outside it will be a lot different.

               “Aunt Florence, I understand that you’re my only relatives left but I’m already 23 years of age and I think I’m capable of doing things,” said Marianne.

               “Are you saying that you don’t need us!? Are you saying just because you have a husband that you won’t be needing us? Let me tell you this, your Grandfather left you in my care since your parents passed away. I was the one who made sure that you are being cared properly. And now, I’m hearing this from you?” moaned Aunt Florence angrily.

               “That’s not what I mean, it’s just it’s kind of awkward that I’m 23yrs old and I feel like a kid having a guardian. Having you as my next of kin is already great,” explained Marianne.

                “Hey, little missy! Don’t you think that you are being rude and ungrateful to my mum just now!?” said Leona with a mean look which made Marianne amuse by calling her a little missy. 

                “Marianne, don’t be rude to your aunt!” said Alonzo with a loud voice, the husband of her Aunt. “Oh so you do exist in this world,” Marianne thought while sparing a glance at this man who suddenly joins in the conversation. 

A knock on the door with the presence of Mrs Smith disturbs the unpleasant atmosphere in the room which Marianne is grateful for.

                 

                 “Pardon the intrusion but there’s a man at the gate, a solicitor, this is his card,” said Mrs Smith while handing in the card to Aunt Florence.

                 “What does he want? Why is he here?” said Aunt Florence.

                “He said he was sent by Mr Francois Davidson,” explained Mrs Smith.

                “Who?” said Aunt Florence, then she added “Just send him in.”

Marianne felt relief with the appearance of the man that Francois sent. The solicitor explained that Marianne and Francois got married two weeks ago. He presented a copy of their marriage certificate. He also mentioned that now that Marianne is married, her legal guardian would be Francois. After discussing things with them he bid his goodbye then left. 

The Rucci family was shocked, they didn’t expect that the marriage was real. After a while, Aunt Florence said:

             “This Francois man, where did you meet him? Of course! He married you for money. He can’t get away with this. You must divorce him!”

Her Aunt carried on about the divorce while her daughter is doing the same and the husband gives her a disgusting look.

After a while, Marianne relaxes herself while watching the tail of the car of the Rucci family leaving the gate. It’s been like a drama, the characters of those people are surely not the ones that she encountered before. She felt too innocent for their kind.

“My cousin is a bitch and my aunt is wicked. Her husband is acting like a king though he lacks etiquette. I wonder if Marianne was depressed before, I would surely turn into a mad person if I’m with those people,” thought Marianne.

                “Hi, what are you doing here alone? Mrs Smith said that your Aunt Florence is here, so where is she?” came from Annie, who looks lively in a summer dress.

                 “ Hi Annie, you had missed the drama, you should’ve come earlier,” Marianne said.

                 “Oh, you mean Leona? Is she acting ridiculously and still has that filthy mouth?” said Annie.

                  “You could say that,” she answered.

                  

                 “So, how is Aunt Florence? I remember how kind and nice she was to us. I wonder why she could have a horrible daughter,” said Annie while Marianne frowned after hearing this.

Marianne asked Annie for more details from before. It seems that Aunt Florence is indeed not the person that she thought she was. “Maybe I quickly judge her,” she thought. 

               Nearly a week had passed since they stepped into the castle,  Annie had been helping her with the past but no word from Francois nor her so-called relatives. She doesn’t mind it as she is learning a lot of new stuff. Annie is into cooking which she drags Marianne along in the kitchen. She took over the kitchen and Marianne is just too eager to learn how to cook which surprises the maids and Mrs Smith.

               Marianne receives a phone call from Lana, Francois’ secretary, telling her that Francois would be picking her up for their visit to Buckingham Palace. Astounded with the call, she didn’t realise that today would be that day! She is not prepared yet. Thinking of a way to refuse it, maybe feigning to be ill? My crippled leg is hurting?  And there’s Annie who is so excited for her that she is going to be reunited with her husband. She has this illusion of Marianne and Francois’ reunion after not seeing each other for a while which Marianne just laughs at. 

              “Hello, Marianne,” said Francois while helping her to get into the car.

“Gosh! This man looks really amazing,” on Marianne’s thought while she said her hello to him and let her scope her from the chair to be seated next to the driver seat. She spotted Annie’s delight and approval looking at Francois’ action while she can feel that her face is getting hot. 

               “I must be looking like a red tomato here,” she thought, then received a teasing message from Annie with a lot of emoticons which made her more embarrassed. 

               “I feel like a school kid being teased at with her crush,” she thought, feeling more annoyed at her reactions.

After a while on the road, they had arrived at the grounds near the Palace. Francois parked the car here as they arrived too early.  Francois suggested for them to stroll around the park after the drive before meeting the Queen. Then he receives a work call after strolling for just a minute.

                 “It’s ok, you can take your call, I won’t go that far,” Marianne said. 

Looking at her surroundings, she feels peaceful.

               “It’s been a while since I’ve been on my own, except at bedtime when I’m normally exhausted with activities during the day. Since I’ve been in this body, never had I any freedom. Everything is being decided upon, my clothes, my diet and even the time to go to sleep and wake up. All my activities are planned. I’m like a child. And even coming here is not at my will,” Marianne thought sadly.

Marianne saw a dog in a position of discharging the compounds from it’s intakes. She suddenly came up with an idea. She innocently wheeled towards it after the dog had finished defecating. She pretends not to see that the dog’s owner is coming to clean up the dog’s mess. She can feel the wheels of the wheelchair running over the dog’s poo, she grimaces and a slight shiver of disgust runs through her, then she is hit with the repulsive smell of it that nearly made her vomit.  She is horrified to see a bit of the dog’s poop  on her expensive lovely dress that she is regretting her impulse action. Wondering why she acted that way. She’s never been one to act impulsively. Or, could it be that this is the character of the owner of this body?

At a distance, she could see the gleaming sight of Buckingham Palace and saw Francois walking his way towards her. 

She hurriedly said when he was near her "Francois, I think you should cancel our appointment with the Queen, I just ran into a mess and it would be inappropriate to meet the Queen with this stench!” 

After saying that, she couldn’t believe what she just said!

Who would dare cancel their appointment with the Queen at the last minute because of a dog’s poop!!? 

What an insane idea is that!