The Offer

Creighton happily took the bread wrapped in a thin parchment paper with a change that he will later use. He went outside, standing on the sidewalk, as he slightly opens the parchment paper and took a thin slice of freshly baked bread. While he was chewing, Butler Donald was just staring at him from the side.

"Oh, Hello Sir, thank you again for earlier, I have kept the rest of the bread for later." Creighton politely said, and smile.

"Not a problem. What is your name, young man? You seem not to be from this town."

He faced him, holding the box as he waits for the driver to arrive.

"I'm Creighton Birkin, sir, and I live in the farmland of Kentidale. I came here with my son to look for a job and in the hope to find a small place to stay for me and my son."

Creighton explained as he holds his son's back with his left arm while carrying the bread in his right hand.

"I see Creighton Birkin. If you don't mind, I am looking for an aide to help me around the house. Would you be keen to work for me? And you don't need to worry about where you will stay."

Butler Donald offered and suggested, with a sincere face.

"What? Are you sure, Sir? You helped me earlier and now you are offering me a job. I don't know how to thank you. I am truly grateful for your kindness, sir"

Creighton could not believe the good luck he has after walking two days without a night of proper sleep.

"It's not a problem besides I know you are doing this for your son's future. So, I trust you with that." Butler Douglas said as he looks at his son soundly sleepy on his chest.

"It is true, sir, I want to provide a good life for my son so he will not end up like his father,"

As he softly caressed Liam's head while sleeping with his gentle smile.

"Very well, come with me."

The driver just arrived and took off as they settled in the car.

**

As the day is about to end with the clear view sky at the back of Ashton's mansion, Lady Agatha is about to finish her paperwork, as she looks at the old antique metallic gold clock in front of her, beside which she organizes papers and books.

Butler Donald came in with a food tray, a piece of Colston bun, and tea. She would have a late supper by herself in the dining area before resting for the night.

"Did Uncle Douglas have any words for me?" Lady Agatha said as she signs the last document.

"No, my Lady. Even though he just laughs about it, it seems he is not pleased with what you wrote in the letter."

He placed the food tray on the coffee table and arrange it.

"Well, as expected, he's determined to marry me off to someone I don't even know. He's the type of person who would try every means just to get what he wants from me, the entire inheritance of the Ashton Family."

She couldn't withhold the disappointment she felt towards her uncle's actions.

"Anything else?" as she stands from her chair and walks towards the couch where Butler Donald stands.

"Yes, my Lady. It's about finding an apprentice under my supervision. I happened to meet this young man at Mr. Bolton's bakery, and he's looking for a job and a place to live. He is not from this city, my Lady. So, I offered him to work as an aide."

Butler Donald said with a white cleaned cotton cloth hanging on his left arm.

"Where is he right now?" Agatha said.

"He's at the guest lounge, my Lady, but – "

Butler Donald hesitated to say the next sentence.

"But what?" as she looks at him, wondering.

"He has a son." Butler Donald said as he awkwardly smiles.

"A son?" she curiously stunned

"So, I thought of informing you first before you go and see him."

"Very well, he came a long way to the city, so I better see him. Just bring the food tray to the guest lounge as well."

**

In the guest lounge, Creighton sat down and put Liam on the couch beside him, who was still soundly asleep. Then, his eyes look around in awe without touching anything and sat still where he was left by Butler Donald.

Butler Donald came in with Lady Agatha, as Creighton slightly vowed his head that he was not able to clearly see Lady Agatha when she came in. He could smell a fresh flower scent from Lady Agatha, as she sat on the couch in front of him.

Butler Donald put down the food tray on the coffee table. Lady Agatha did not touch the food as she looks and observes Creighton from head to toe.

"He is surely not from this town." she thought to herself.

"Creighton, this is Lady Agatha Ashton, the owner of this house." Butler Donald politely introduced him to Lady Agatha.

Creighton is quite speechless and hesitant for a moment, yet he needs to be polite if he wants to be hired.

"Hello, Lady Agatha, I'm Creighton Birkin, from Kentidale. It's nice to meet you."

Creighton politely greets her with respect, with his head down, and both hands placed on his knees without looking at her.

"He looks like a polite man even though his greetings are not formal, but I somehow feel comfortable with this man's presence."

Agatha again talked in her thoughts, as she took the cup of tea and slowly sip. She secretly glanced at Liam sleeping on the couch, she felt a little at ease as she remembers her brother Arley when he was a toddler with those black settled hair and a fair complexion like their father.

She looked at Creighton again and breaks the silence.

"Creighton."

"Yes, Lady Agatha?" Creighton still slightly vowing.

"How old is your son?" Lady Agatha suddenly asked.

Butler Donald averted his gaze toward Agatha.

"He's one year old." Creighton politely said.

"And you're beloved?" she curiously asked as she take another sip of her tea.

"She died after giving birth to our son." Creighton sadly said.

Lady Agatha slightly felt shocked and felt sorry for him.

"I'm sorry, I thought –" she slightly felt guilty for asking.

"No need to say sorry, Lady Agatha. Even though she's no longer with us, she gave me a precious gift, our son, Liam."

Creighton felt somewhat at ease and slowly looked up, unexpectedly looking at Lady Agatha's face when their eyes met.

"A mask?" his eyes slightly widened yet he was captured by her eyes, the way she looks at him.

Lady Agatha looked straight at him in the eye, without hesitation, slightly poker-faced yet her eyes were quite sad.

Creighton hastily looks away and slowly nods down

"I'm sorry, Lady Agatha." Creighton politely said in thought.

Lady Agatha stared at him for a while. She would feel displeased if anyone looked at her face in disgrace, but she felt different about how Creighton looked at her. It was a looked of a man's eyes feeling sorry for her yet calm.

"That's fine. Butler Donald will explain to you all the details. Rest up and start working tomorrow."

Lady Agatha stands up as their eyes meet again.

"Huh?" Creighton reacted and accidentally looked at her again.

When their eyes met again, it felt like time stopped for a moment between the two of them in a surreal and solemn place, surrounded by a calm mist. They both felt at ease, they both felt differently, and they both felt that they needed each other but didn't know where to start.