Chapter 4

Nora was still timid, but she said, 'I am quite aware that we do not have the right to say that, but we want you to reconsider something because we have a bad feeling about the guy you are getting betrothed to!' 'Come on, please Rosalie, not you as well! I realize that Oliver's past has not been an exemplary one, but I truly believe that he has changed for good!' said Catherine. 'What if he has not and he is just . . .. pretending that way!' said Nora. 'Then, Nora It would be on me and the consequence of my choice!' said Catherine. 'Cathie, please we do not mean to offend you . . .. we are just worried about you and want the best for you!' said Rosalie. Catherine faced that turned red with anger and exhaustion turned normal. She held Rosalie's hand and said, 'Dearie I am mindful of that! I am aware that he has not been the best, but he has promised me to change into a good man!' Rosalie knew that there was no way to convince her because she thought it was hopeless as Cathie was confident about him. Oliver was playing all the card right and he had won her. Nora sighed and ordered tea for all of them. 'I hope I am receiving an invitation to your wedding!' Nora remarked. 'Don't worry I am not a child to just hold grudges we are young fools, and we are supposed to learn from what mistakes we make' commented Catherine. Rosalie was silent and got drifted in a memory.

She remembered her mother sitting alone at nights waiting for her father to come home. As he came home, he was drunk and out of his senses. She held him in her arms and sat him down on the couch and brought him water which he threw away and continued 'I told you; I would lose it and yeah, I lost a lot of money! All thanks to your moral upbringing that would not let you help your lousy husband!' 'You promised that you would not go to that gambling guild but still you have failed us! Why can you just not leave it!' said Anne-Marie. He wailed in a loud voice 'Women! They all create their own gloom! They never stop fretting over little things!' Anne-Marie was now crying as she loved that man and could not see him getting destroyed even if she has to burn herself for him. She was faithful but not an unwise woman. These days she was at home instead of joining her husband at the guild she started mending dresses and making new garments. She took loan from the government. And she made good money which her husband was wasting on gambling. She had to hide whatever money she made and often Anne-Marie was left bruised on her face. She managed and thrived even in this toxic environment. She was brave but she knew marrying that man was his choice. Catherine called Rosalie and asked her for reassurance. 'Catherine, I admire you a lot to let you be a part of something I do not have a good feeling about! And you are absolutely, and utterly correcting about it being your decision but the only one here who can reassure you is you! We hope that you prove all of us wring and live a happy life with him! because at the end of the day it will be you who will live with the consequences of your choice!' said Rosalie. 'So, I suppose that I will take it as a yes from you!' remarked Catherine. Rosalie hopelessly tilted her head and then nodded. 'Whatever makes you happy! Cathie . . ..!' remarked Rosalie. It was getting late, and Catherine left the restaurant and then went home straight. George dropped both of them home. She sat on the sofa and locked the door behind her as her mother was not coming home that day because she had to assist her employees finish the work for the charity. She gazed at the fire and zoned out; she slept on the sofa soundly.

Catherine reached home late and found Jonathan squatted near the fireplace jabbing at the fire with a stick. 'You know it will set out if you keep doing that!' said Catherine. Jonathan looked at her in surprise and said, 'It looks like you had a great time with your errands!' Catherine settled on the couch near the fireplace in the foyer. She appeared refreshed and said, 'Dear Johnathan I really and absolutely am in no mood to pick a fight with you right now! But I would take the risk of saying that looks like somebody didn't have a good time!' Jonathan moved near her and sat on the couch beside her. He sighed and attempted to utter something but stopped. Catherine was now impatient it was the first time in years that he tried to do that. It reminded her of the time when he first came to her house when he was eleven. He was distrustful, hesitant and shy and didn't touch food because he wished to die. Johnathan's father had sent him to London after his mother passed and he was a sad and lonely little soul. She was the one he warmed up after her mother and in her he found a true companion, sister, and mentor. He esteemed her deeply and never ever anybody who saw them together questioned their affection for each other except for their sloppy age fellow.

Johnathan didn't look that battered ever to her and she cried 'What is that you are not telling me? You know you will not feel well if you will keep that in! Just say it!' Johnathan finally opened up 'I think that I would return back to Italy!' 'What . . ..? What are you saying?' said Catherine as she turned red with anger. Johnathan hugged her and said, 'I can't help it! There is no reason left my education and career is settled and I will pursue that over there!' 'You said you never desire to return back! Then why are you saying that? Johnathan, you cannot just go back!' said Catherine. 'I was young back then and I did not know better! But I will keep visiting you! So, don't worry dear, you can write me letter every time!' said Jonathan. 'You have spoiled my good day!' said Catherine. 'Sorry, Catherine . . . .. but I cannot help that this day was approaching ever I came here!' Catherine stood up and left to her room, she was upset now. His best friend was leaving and she desired him to be here forever. She loved her as her brother. She soaked her pillow wet. It felt tough to fall sleep as mountain of emotion was saddling her soft soul.

Johnathan had a reason to stay that Catherine knew as well but could never interfere as it would break his trust in her. Johnathan knew it would be a bolt to her and aunt as well as he spend his most memorable time with them. He remembered and thought that how he detested the day Nora told her that she loved him. Rosalie expected him to say yes to her but he denied her saying that he loved someone else. He saw Rosalie who gazed at him with her fierce glance and said, 'You are extremely unkind!' He tried to talk to her ever since then and she never once spoke to her and today was the first time in years, she talked to him. He wanted to tell her that he loved her when he saw her first on his arrival to Keswick. He was awestruck and froze. Catherine had to punch him to bring him to his senses. She knew that he like her but it grew with years and it was not infatuation anymore. Today he could tell her only if Uncle George had not arrived to pick them up. He could have said it all. But he didn't want to hurry as well that is the reason he was a bit off. He was actually planning to leave but with her on his side. That was his dream but it felt like he would no longer be able to accomplish that. He was not deprived of hope entirely but it started getting weak as he saw her taking to Eliot with a fondness that nearly made his blood boil. He knew Eliot and he was not at all a fellow who would hesitate to express his love to whoever he desire to. That was his fear and Catherine always diminished this fear by saying if I were to choose the more desirable man in this whole town then it would be you and no girl will be foolish enough to fall for anyone less.