15 The first floor

She scouted around the center of the garden, where Lilith and Mr. Grahams had last visited, the crawling vines by the gate, the fantastical greenery of the walls yet faded and dead. On her way further deep into the garden, the wet leaves squished beneath her stepping foot. While observing the lost beauty of the garden she wished for it to come back, the imaginative beauty it would become if all were to bloom and the leaves were in radiant colors.

“Madam”

Lilith turned to her back, “Mr. Grahams”

“In the garden, before the sun appear?”

“It’ beautiful”

“Oh, yes, madam. It was”

“Will it be alright if we continue the tour around the house?”

Mr. Grahams carefully flung open the massive heavy door by the entrance of the mansion and Lilith paved her way in the mansion. Breakfast had passed and so must Lilith proceed to their venture around the house.

They began at the first floor of the mansion, from the entrance, was the expansive hall she is familiar of since she walks through it almost every day. Facing them was the half-spiral staircase that led to the second floor. Behind the staircase is another door leading to the dining area where they gather and feast, to its right side was the kitchen and the pantry closet.

Next to the kitchen was the vast library, with perhaps thousand of books. The tomes, and books could almost cover the walls full, that and the papers on the workspace left no space for anymore papers, for there had been lied writing machine, telephones and more manuscripts. Although there were no doors barricading the privacy of the library, and is rather open for the guests and visitors to come in and wander, it was not noticeable upon her arrival in the mansion, but since Ada somehow managed to clean some of its dust, the book cover of the books were rather eye-capturing in unison and piled up and Lilith took an interest on visiting this area.

She swifts her fingertips through one of the book aisles, walking through the plants of areca inside the library. Apart from the library linking to the inside lavatory, she realized there is not much in this area, but thousands of unread books, she assumed, millions of papers and some plants.

These areas are the place Lilith already knew of and have visited perhaps twice or numerous times over the past weeks she has been living there. She went off from the library and began again from the main entrance whereas to their right, stood two gigantic pillars, supporting the indoor terrace deck of the second floor above it. And behind it was another closed door.

They started of there. Upon opening this heavy wooden door, Lilith was surprised by its empty massiveness and the extravagant chandelier poised in the middle of the place, and the sconces hanging on the walls. Props to Ada for cleaning this, I’m surprised. Lilith complimented Ada’s cleaning skills.

The shine of the sun from its twelve windows to the floor could almost blind her and the place was out from a fantasy. The eccentric design of bas- relief from the ceiling gave enormous contribution to the place’s exquisiteness. The light paintings on the wall could come out alive, as if the angels could sing them Hallelujah.

“Wow, so grand”

“Madam, The ballroom”

She walked on the floor, not missing a step of the ground and savored the vivacity, and the ordinariness, at last, in the mansion. Something finally alive, lively, and beautiful place, from the rest of the failing beauty of the dead mansion. Lilith saw the resting piano on the elevated floor which lied on the front of the room.

“A piano… Do you know how to play a piano, Mr. Grahams?”

Mr. Grahams went to the elevated floor across the room and seated on its chair. His gloves were removed and laid on the keys of the instrument. As he pressed a combination of keys in a slow to moderate pace, a melody swayed and filled the space. Its rhythm made Lilith dance across the room. Unwarily her feet began to waltz alone, as if swayed by the flow of his music, she knew not of the song Mr. Grahams is playing but it sounds soothing and gentle

Lilith stumbled on to the waving huge pillars at the side of the ballroom. She halted her dancing and walked over to the front.

Her hands applauded to his talent “Bravo, Mr. Grahams”

“My pleasure” playing the last key of the song.

“My, you have a talent, Mr. Grahams!”

“By Strauss, Künstlerleben op. 316” putting on his gloves, “A wonderful piece.”

Out to the ballroom, by the sides laid antique hardwood tables and ceramic flower bases with floral patterns in its surface. Along if it, on the walls, were the similar sconces in the ballroom. To her other side were the vintage sofa, unique of its style pillows that concentrates in the colors of brown and white with golden patterns.

There was almost nothing in the wide parlour. And so, Lilith suggested continuing on the second floor if there is nothing more interesting that is now yet aware of, and so they headed.

On their steps they had spoke of the little details Lilith had noticed, “Why do you wear your gloves every day? Does it not tickle your palm?” “I must say it does for me” she jests furthermore.

He halted, “I have a disease, madam” and turned to Lilith, “it is hideous, a sight. Pay no mind, these gloves are to save you from the unpleasant sight”

Lilith was surprised at his response to her mere jest, but she was rather relieved to have known something about the people around. How could I have been such a fool not to notice that when he had his glove removed earlier? Her guilt spoke in her mind, she did not know what response she should have commented to him, but only these escaped her lips,

“Oh. I beg your pardon. I did not mean to make fun of it”

“Oh, Madam. Surely it is not your fault. Do not trouble yourself to apologize”