"You won't be able to find me this time!" Alec secured behind her, making Rose smile, her face pressed against the wall, as she listened to the sounds of his fading footsteps down the hall.
"Nine, ten! Ready or not, here I come!” she announced loudly as she started down the hall, pretending not to see Alec's shoes peeking out from under one of the curtains nearby, or his soft chuckle, as if he was sure he'd already won her over.
Luckily for Rose, unlike the other two times, Jullian was right when he said that Aaron would be out of the mansion for some time, which meant that she was free to read in the library in the morning when Alec was at school, and play with him in the afternoon. However, as much as this routine that they had developed in the last three days was being great for her sanity, Rose still knew perfectly well that it wouldn't last forever. That's why she was devoting her blood, sweat and tears to finding a way to build a future for herself and Grace when she finally got out of that place, even though the prospects weren't very good...
However, she still had plenty of time to think about it. And unfortunately, she was likely to have many more fights with her “husband” as well, before never having to look at his sour expression again.
“I wonder where Alec is…?” she started to say, as she approached the curtain where Alec was standing, pretending to be looking around for him “Gee, he's so good at playing hide and seek… I really don't think I'll be able to find him this time...”
His giggles increased, although in the light coming from the window that silhouetted him against the curtain, Rose could tell he was covering his mouth with his hands.
"Uh... Wow, I think this time he really got me..." she sighed, starting to walk away, pretending not to see how he was peeking at her through the crack in the seam between the curtains, until he finally turned around. suddenly “Hey... Wait a minute... Curtains don't have legs!” Rose jumped towards him, opening the curtains and making Alec cry out in surprise, before starting to tickle him "Gotcha!"
"That's not fair!" he snorted, trying to get out of reach of her hands “You always find me! How you do it?"
"A good magician never reveals his tricks." she smiled, hands on her hips, only making the little boy in front of her even more disgusted.
"Again! This time I will beat you, I'm sure!” he assured, shortly afterwards pointing to the wall where before she had been saying “Count again! And no spying!”
“Okay, okay.” Rose laughed, especially when she noticed that he remained there for a long time beside her, making sure she had her eyes tightly closed, before finally running away, the sound of his footsteps fading away letting her know that he he had gone to hide in a place much further away this time.
Counting to twenty this time, to give him a head start, even though she knew this time she would let him win anyway, Rose walked away from the wall and went back to looking for him, turning down the hall in the direction she thought he had gone. run, if her hearing hadn't deceived her. Apparently she wasn't the only one who had limited access to certain parts of the mansion, as the servants she occasionally saw, although they seemed to be many as their faces were hardly repeated in the time she was there, moved with all silence and discretion from the world, not walking around unless they were doing strictly necessary work. Which, most of the time, left that huge place completely empty, like at that moment.
Knowing that she could easily discover where Alec was hiding, since he wasn't exactly good at going unnoticed, Rose decided to let him feel the excitement of winning, when he realized that she hadn't found him right away, like the other times. So she kept her steps slow and took her time running her eyes over the paintings on the walls, which betrayed that Vamcap money and influence dated back a long time, as they were filled with old paintings of people, especially men, whose clothes dated back centuries, to a time when humanity probably didn't even dream of the concept of photography.
However, as Rose made her way into that part of the mansion that she had never had the opportunity to venture into before, she began to watch the paintings being replaced by huge photographs, framed in frames more refined, and probably more expensive, than many of the jewels that his mother had hidden in her closet, to prevent Michael from pawning them. And eventually, among the many faces of past generations of Vamcap, she he recognized a certain stoic woman, appearing to be staring at the photographer as if she could read his soul. Her hair was so long it cascaded down the back of the chair like a waterfall, and she had a sharp beauty that, as Rose had seen with her own eyes, time had not been able to erase.
A little curious, Rose approached the painting of Adele Vamcap in her youth, noting how she and the blond man beside her, who was probably her husband, were so cold and serious in that image that they seemed to be meters away from each other, rather than just a few centimeters. And that was even clearer with the contrast of the little boy who was between them, who seemed to be trying to imitate his father's imposing posture, with his hands behind his back and his chest puffed out. But despite his best efforts, he still looked like just a little boy, less than ten years old, with Adele's red hair and his father's nearly black eyes.
Already the next photo showed that boy already grown, now really looking as emotionless as his father. In fact, Rose now understood that Aaron's frown seemed to run in the family, as most of his ancestors seemed to have been physically incapable of smiling even in the past, be it for a painting or a photo. However, she had to admit that in that particular portrait, there was an extra coldness, much more because of the red-haired man than anyone else, since the dark-haired woman who was next to him seemed very friendly, as well as the others two children, very similar to her, who were each holding one of her hands. The little girl, in particular, seemed just as friendly as her mother, and Rose remembered Jullian mentioning that Aaron had another sister named Andrea, but, until that moment, she had never been able to see her and had no idea if she was in the mansion or not.
Not that it mattered, of course. Everything would be fine if she wasn't like a certain person...
Narrowing her eyes, Rose even wondered what had happened to make that little boy with the shy smile, practically hugging his mother's hand and who had clear similarities with Alec, grow up to become a bloody and heartless frown like Aaron Vamcap. However, that thought passed through her mind as fast as a gust of wind, and soon, she had already left the family photo of Aaron behind and focused again on looking for Alec, wondering if he wouldn't end up beating her anyway. true that time, since in that plethora of rooms and decorations around, there were many places where he could hide.
However, when passing near what appeared to be a balcony and hearing something move behind the thick curtains, Rose was relieved that her search had not been so difficult and, with a smile, she moved the fabric a little to the side, ready to surprise Alec... But in the end, she was the one who ended up being surprised.
Because, standing there, in each other's arms and their mouths locked in what felt like a passionate kiss, were Jullian and Adele.
As stunned as she was feeling at that moment, Rose could only remain where she was for a few seconds, blinking compulsively. However, just when she even began to question whether she was delusional or needed to clean her glasses, as that was the last thing she expected from someone who looked as proud as Adele Vamcap, they both noticed that she was there and, with a gasp, they pulled away, staring at her with horrified faces.Not understanding why they were reacting that way, since it was really surprising for her to know that they had a relationship, but it certainly wasn't the end of the world either, Rose raised both her hands, almost in a peace sign."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you." she explained, as Adele's previously horrified expression turned into a grimace of pure hatred "I don’t knew there was someone here...""You!" Aaron's grandmother roared, furious "You shouldn't be here!""Uh... I... I got lost on the way to the library."
“You know, if you have something to talk to me about, just say so.” Rose said, not even needing to turn around to know whose presence it was behind her, who had appeared while she was sitting at her bedroom desk, reading a book.“I… I'm sorry.” Jullian sighed, and finally she turned to him, realizing that her expression matched his troubled tone perfectly."What are you sorry for? For the way your boss treated me? Or your girlfriend?” Rose put the book aside, still a little irritated, though she couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the man who was old enough to be her grandfather.“Both of those things… And a lot more, actually. You helped us by keeping it a secret, and there was nothing I could do to stop Adele and Aaron from offending you like that. Also, I should have trusted my gut when I got the distinct impression that you weren't what we'd imagined, but I still chose to treat you like a criminal rathe
Rose was trying hard to hold hope by the heels and prevent it from running away from there, but every day it was becoming more difficult.Sitting at one of the garden tables, her mind torn between hoping Alec was doing well on his math test and concentrating on what she was doing, Rose sighed as she stared at the many bills and expense and earnings projections before her. In fact, it was partly her fault for being so optimistic as to think she might be able to build her own business during her stay in this house, since as long as she had plans but no money, none of it would ever get off the ground. Especially not her childhood dream of opening a bakery, something she should have known she should have put behind her a long time ago. She needed to be realistic and focus on how she was going to find a place to live and a job for herself and Grace, when that torment finally came like this...But it was a little difficult to concentrate on that when the feeling of being wat
“Look at that, Rose! It’s you!" Alec spoke happily and, looking up from the fruit he was placing on top of the picnic blanket to see him standing before her, holding out a huge drawing right in front of her, which showed a small stick figure holding hands with another that appeared to be wearing a skirt and had big square glasses around her eyes, and long dark hair “And this is me!”“Oh, that turned out great, Alec! You are so talented!” she praised him as she patted his head, causing her to break into that contented smile that was more radiant than the sun itself."It's a gift!" he placed the drawing there on the side before sitting down next to her.“Thank you, I loved it! I'm going to ask Jullian for a picture frame so I can put it on my bedroom wall.” she promised, before handing Alec one of the peanut butter and banana sandwiches she had just prepared, “I hope you like it. Jullian said that if we're luck
“Alec?” for the third time since they had left the office, Rose called out to him, trying to get him to lift his head resting on her shoulder, but to no avail. “Is everything okay? Are you feeling sick? Please darling, talk to me. Or I can take you back to your brothers, in case you're feeling so bad about missing them...""No..." Alec finally reacted, with a soft whimper, looking almost apprehensive."Are you sure?" she persisted, as she paused for a moment to place her hand on his forehead and check his temperature "If you're feeling unwell, I think we'd better let Andrea and Aaron know...""I... I don't want to hear them saying they hate me..." he sobbed softly, tears starting to trickle down his cheeks."What? Have they ever said that to you?” Rose gasped, not just horrified but furious, feeling like she could have turned around and punched Aaron Vamcap in the face right then and there."No, but... I know everyone hates me..." was
Before Jullian had the chance to try to defend his boss and insist that he wasn't as bad as he looked, Rose left the room, walking through the mansion corridors until she reached the kitchen, relieved that there was no one around, as expected. After all, she already had a lot on her mind, after what she had heard from Jullian. Of course, she'd realized that the relationship she'd been building with Alec over the last few weeks was perhaps a little more special than just playmates, but... To be called a mother figure? It felt so Permanent.And if there was one thing that wasn't permanent, it was her presence in that house.So it would be terribly cruel to let Jullian, and especially Alec, start to have that image of her as someone who would last in his life. Especially because, she knew what it was like to have someone she could call her mother, but from whom she should never expect affection, presence or attention. And if it was to win a poor child's trust, only to have he
Upon reaching Alec's room, Rose immediately noticed that something was wrong. He still appeared to be lying in exactly the same position she'd left him in, although Jullian had left a sandwich and a note on the desk beside the bed, presumably advising him that he had to leave on Aaron's orders.Even without knowing exactly why she had that exasperating feeling when she saw his small sleeping body huddled between the sheets, Rose went to the door and opened the curtains a little, to let the last rays of afternoon sun light up the room a little more, figuring that a little light would help him get a little excited, when he woke up. Then she finally set the plateful of cookies down beside her, hoping the appetizing smell would also help wake him up, and sat down on the edge of Alec's bed, touching the part of the thick sheets that lay right over his arms. from him.“Hey, Alec. It's me, Rose. Guess what, I finally got permission to bake cookies.” she told him, in a gentle whisper,
“Don't worry, Mr. and Mrs. Vamcap. Alec has already been medicated and the fever is going down as expected. You two did really well to bring it up so quickly. A little longer and he could have a seizure, but it's under control now. Try to get some rest, yes?” the doctor smiled sympathetically at the two of them, and Rose had to contain a grimace at the way she was treating them as if they were a loving couple desperately concerned about their child.“Thank you, Dr. Ackerman.” she thanked him, knowing it wasn't the poor doctor's fault for not knowing that the only reason she and this man were putting up with each other at that moment was the little boy asleep in the bed next door, completely passed out after taking a few shots.“Do you have any idea what could have caused such a high fever, Doctor?” Sitting in the armchair directly across from Alec's bed, as far away as possible from the armchair Rose was sitting in, next to the headboard, Aaron asked, casting a sharp look in h