Chapter 29
1929words
"why are you doing all this? I have lived with your family for years and no one has ever cared or thought to do it so why do this, what exactly are you after?"
Philip looked at her and said "you don't trust anyone do you? I hope you know that we are related by blood, and I think I can buy you things. No matter what you say I will still but them. Even we buy our servants new clothes."
"Not me" she murmured. But he was quick to hear what she had said and frowned seems his family had maltreated her.
Turning to face her, he used his hand to raise her face to look at him and said, taking a deep breath, "Mary I want you to be open-minded. You do not have to see this as anything. Just take it as something we should do as people you're working for."
Martha shrugged not minding after all she really did need the new clothes as the old clothes are getting tight and uncomfortable and the roughness giving her rashes.
Walking side by side with him, they walked past several shops. Mary found herself enjoying the moment as she saw places she had never seen in her life. Children running living a care free life made her wish she had such an opportunity when she was younger.
Entering into the store, she decided that she would forget everything else and enjoy this moment. She went round touching each fabric and each cloth with a wide smile on her face. Seeing the person she came in with most shop owners treated her with utmost respect it seemed Philip was well known in this area. Most of their daughters came towards Philip pushing their chest against him with their cleavages in clear view with an attempt to draw his attention but Philip never acknowledged their presence as all his attention was on her. She never understood why he had a sense of responsibility towards her but that will not stop her from getting her revenge. They kept moving from one store to another as Philip was a gentle man who carried her bag.
Martha smiled, this reminded her of her former life of luxury when she used to have maids at her beck and call. Not looking back to see if he was struggling with the bags, she walked on letting him follow her. Philip smiled behind as they walked, he had never seen her with this much energy, indeed it was a good thing to take her shopping. He decided not to speak not wanting to interrupt as he enjoyed the sun reflecting upon her face as she smiled picking up clothes and gently caressing the fabrics. She looked like this was where she was meant to be as she walked magnificently through the crowd. Seeing her someone could think she was rich all her life. As they were getting into the next store, Philip handed the bag to the person standing in front of the store just then the excited cries of the children echoed around the area as a boy who looked to be seven years in age ran as he was being chased by his sister who seemed a year or two older than he was.
Philip looked at Mary as she was distracted by a chain that caught her interest not seeing the oncoming children. Soon he quickly rushed forward to prevent the impending accident and he was just in time as Mary collided with them bracing herself for her fall; strong arms caught her. The force of the collision made her hair loose as it wiped itself across his face.
Philip appreciated her feminine look with her chest rising up and down Philip found himself looking where his eyes should not be. This was an awkward yet amazing moment as he felt a tingling sensation as he brought his eyes to look at her panic filled face. As much as he enjoyed this moment Philip knew he had to let her go for the sake of his sanity as he gently let her go as he took two steps back.
"Well seems like I keep on saving you every time you're in trouble Mary." he said. Crossing her arms, she looked at him with a scowl on her face and replied
"You should after all you're the one who brought me here. I think you brought me here to kill me"
Philip looked at her and laughed how she came up with such silly conclusions. She scoffed and continued her shopping like nothing ever happened and Philip shook his head she as he enjoyed her every attitude this scared him a lot, he wondered what this was turning to, what is this feeling that he has going on. Martha felt exhausted after the shopping but also happy as it showed on her face and every stride she took as they arrived at the mansion. She went to her room and took a quick shower as she changed to one of her new clothes and quickly came down to have her dinner after which she decided to take a walk in the garden as Philip followed her as he found himself wanting to know more about Mary. Turning back, she met with Philip behind her, making her frown as she said to him "do you mind giving me time to myself?"
"Well Mary I am here to protect you. You are in a place where you do not know what people are thinking and these days you certainly look more ravishing" Philip said looking at the black gown that hugged her body in the right places. She frowned and said "are you meant to be saying such to me, half-brother?" He smiled and replied "I mean no harm I just meant that you look good and it's good for me as your brother to protect you." Mary shook her head as she turned; she was certainly not a fool she has seen the way he looks at her. And then an idea popped in her head what can be a better way to get back at the Winston's than to get a scandal in the family. She certainly had nothing to lose and she had no one in this world what can be better than ruining the reputation of the so-called Winston's as she laughed to herself. Philip looked at her in confusion
"please do share what is on your mind Mary. It will be sad that you kept such a joke to yourself" He said. She looked at him eyeing him slightly as she said
"you do not want to know Philip you do not want to know." Philip loved the way she said his name from her lips he certainly knew he was in for a lot of trouble but he decided to test the waters as he followed behind her.
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Mary sighed in relief as she got her result for the clast assessment she would have before her exams. It seemed Night Cross had decided to give her a break, for which she was grateful for, everything was going so well. Something she had learned in her past life and this present life was to enjoy every moment. She had no clue of when Night Cross would be back to torment her life or when she would die, the least she could do was to enjoy what she had.
The truth remained that she was surrounded by fake friends she met once in a while just to spend, but she knew they were fake and had no problem with it. The rest of the time she used in reading and appreciating the good things of life and that alone made Mary content.
Not to add the recent unwanted addition in her life, Mr Mark Walters. But Mary had to admit was a perfect gentleman and she loved that about him. In her previous life, she had dreamt of growing and getting married to a perfect gentleman and having children of her own, but she had no interest in living her life for anyone after all she had been through.
All she wanted was to survive, enjoy what she had and die in peace. Just as she walked towards her car in the parking lot to leave the campus, the very person that occupied her mind showed up turning to the side to see him parkingbeside her car and she knew he had already seen her there was no use trying to leave so she waited for him to come.
"nice to see you Miss Bernard" he said as he walked towards her with her smile on his face.
"Are you following me Mr Walters?" she asked. He looked and said with a smirk
"I would like to say I am but truthfully am not. My cousin attends this university as well so I came to drop something for her and happened to be blessed by a beautiful sight which happens to be you." "Mr Walters I suggest you stop being so informal with me. All that we have between us is a business partnership" Mary said.
"Yes your right Miss Bernard but I would love if you could give me a chance to change that" he said. She looked at him with a scowl on her face as she said "you know I am not interested." With a look of hurt on his face he replied "but why Miss Bernard. I will like to know the reason why you refuse to give me a chance?" Mary kept quite as there was no reason she could explain as she shook her head and said "there nothing to be said as I owe you no explanations." He replied "well then if you won't give me a reason why don't you be my date to the next conference." She gave a slight laugh as she looked at him "I would like to come alone" she said.
"But we are partners it would make sense if we were to go together" he said with a smirk on his face as he knew this was it. Mary thought about it and she knew he was right. Taking her silence as a yes he said "then I will pick you up on Saturday night by 5:00pm."
"No 5:30 will be fine" she said.
With a smile of accomplishment on his face he replied "alright then 5:30 it is." For a moment Mary was enchanted by his dazzling smile as she shook her head not to let herself to be sucked in by his charms she walked to her car and drove off. She certainly knew what was coming and she didn't like the thought of it.
