Chapter 82 - 82: Details For The Ball (2/2)
”It's nothing much, but I beg to be excused for our next visit on the 17th. I have a very important event to attend to the night before.” Serena explained, she had no plans to return the day after. She wanted to stay with Charlton the whole night and well, the day after. It's not everyday that they get to spend the night together.
Geoffrey who was curious about which event she will be attending could only wait for the meeting to end to ask her. Meantime, as he can do nothing about it, he only nodded his head in approval.
”thank you.”
Geoffrey asked one more time if they still have any other concern, there being none, he adjourned the meeting.
--
”Serena,” Geoffrey called.
”Yes?” Serena replied as she looked at Geoffrey. She was about to leave the room along with Leonard when she heard him call her name.
Leonard on the other hand was surprised. Since when did Geoffrey and Serena been on a first name basis?
”What event are you attending on the 16th?” he asked.
”The golden anniversary of Maestro Ligeti. I will be performing a song then.” She explained.
”Ah.” He replied, he was not invited on that event. He wondered if he should procure himself an invite.
Serena seeing his expression added for good measure, ”Sir Felix will be accompanying me and Lord Daniel, it's an intimate event for the couple, so…”
Geoffrey understood what she meant to say. He should respect the wishes of the old couple. ”I see…”
”Is that all?” Serena seeing that he understood asked.
”Do you have an escort for the ball on the 22nd already?” Geoffrey asked with some embarassment.
Serena thought that he was asking her just because of propriety. Everyone will be talking if Geoffrey were to escort another girl aside from her. She recalled that in the novel, Geoffrey escorted Serena despite their relationship. However, she had no plans to follow the same step. So, she nodded her head.
”Yes, I'm going with brother Leonard. We talked about it while we were arranging the program.” She replied. Fine, they didn't talk about that and her plans of attending with Charlton was ruined. But that excuse should work.
Leonard at the sideline was surprised. They didn't have that talk. But the most curious thing was Geoffrey asking to escort Serena. Did he just realize how wonderful his sister was? But wasn't his sister seeing Charlton? Just as he thought. What a mess.
Geoffrey looked at Leonard, as if to tell him to change that plan.
Leonard took 3 seconds to think if over. In the end, his brotherly instinct won. Plus, Geoffrey haven't treated Serena that well in the beginning. So, he only shook his head at Geoffrey.
Geoffrey seeing Leonard's expression sighed. He knew he already lost the battle for this round. ”Alright. Then, please save a dance for me at the ball.”
Serena thought that Geoffrey was only asking because people might start talking if he were to escort Emily and not even dance with his intended. Besides, what else could she do? She could only agree and say, ”of course.”
--
”I didn't know that you're on friendly terms with Geoffrey.” Leonard commented, obviously wanting his sister to explain. Although he never talked to her about her relationship with Charlton, she knew that he knew.
”Well, we're friends now. He did apologize for his earlier rudeness.”
”So, what do you plan on doing now?”
Serena knew what he was pertaining to. Just wanting to straight things out, she looked at him as she stopped walking. ”I will be honest with you brother Leonard. Please don't blame me for this, but, from the beginning, my heart has been set on Charlton.”
Although Leonard usually goes along with what Serena wants, this time he had to give her a sound advice. ”Serena, you're engaged to Geoffrey. I know that he has not been nice to you at the beginning, but if you try to spend more time with him and to get to know him better, perhaps you will develop stronger feelings for him. I know I said that I'm keeping my arms crossed, but that was before Geoffrey began showing his interest. You know that our parents and I will always be behind you even when the crime becomes a lese majeste. But before you dive into anything, please show me that at the very least, you've tried. So won't you give Geoffrey and yourself a chance?”
--
TBC