CHAPTER IV BEATRICE

From a distance in Karvelstraat, a captivating sight unfolded, slowly approaching the gathering. The black Rolls-Royce Phantom exuded an air of luxury and sophistication, its polished exterior catching the light from the street lamps. The hushed whispers of the crowd intensified, a blend of intrigue and wonder as the opulent vehicle gracefully came to a halt.

As the car pulled up, Jenna emerged with an air of poise and elegance, moving with effortless grace. She effortlessly swung the door open, inviting the passenger to step inside. The entire crowd was captivated by the sight of "De Prinses Witte Klaver" as she gracefully stepped out of the vehicle, capturing everyone's attention. Her movements were unhurried, reminiscent of a celestial body casting its radiant glow upon the world below. The way she captivated the attention of those who crossed her path was nothing short of enchanting. Her presence breathed life into the ordinary day, turning it into a captivating experience.

"Hey Jenna, so, where the location of the flower shop you were talking about earlier?" Despite the fading light, Beatrice maintains her elegant demeanor.

"Come with me to center of Karvelstraat Tris, it's not far from here,"

 "Alright, would you like to take a break, Jenna? You've been quite occupied since morning, going from one place to another"

"I don't believe it's required, Tris. It's my responsibility as well, and I've already had plenty of rest in Rottendam."

"Oh, really? Then lets get going"

"Yes Tris," 

Jenna observed the gazes of numerous individuals as they strolled, their eyes filled with curiosity and suspicion. Soft murmurs followed their every move, and Jenna could feel the unspoken opinions being formed. Beatrice's icy disposition only fueled the disapproval of the onlookers, who couldn't help but sneer as they passed by. Jenna was aware that Beatrice's deafness was a well-kept secret, which only intensified the scrutiny they faced. Jenna's discomfort grew, as she longed for the ability to blend into the crowd without drawing attention. Beatrice, however, appeared to be unfazed. She was acutely conscious of the mocking glances and hushed comments, yet they failed to rattle her in the least. She strolled with a serene nonchalance, seemingly shielded from the opinions. Soon enough, they reached The Karvel Petal, where Oliver and Miss Harvey were already waiting by the door.

"Welcome to our esteemed guest who seems to have caused a bit of unease for Miss Harvey... ouch," Oliver graciously greeted Beatrice and Jenna as he stepped forward.

"Hey, shh! Shut up, don't embarrass me, you idiot," Miss Harvey, her face clearly displaying nervousness, gently pinched Oliver.

"So what w-can I help you, Miss Beatrice?"

"Miss, there's no need to be nervous. I'd love to discuss which flowers would be perfect for my father's birthday." Beatrice inquired with a slight smile, addressing Miss Harvey.

"Apologies, ma'am, it's not often that we come across customers as unique as yourself in this quaint little shop."

"Rest assured, Miss Harvey, I will handle it with utmost care. You can trust me, Oliver, to come to the rescue...ouch" Oliver's attention was suddenly diverted as he shifted his gaze towards Beatrice and Jenna, causing a momentary pause in the conversation.

"shh! "I told you to shut up, I'm sorry for the rudeness of this new employee, Miss Beatrice." Miss Harvey once again pinched Oliver due to his behavior.

"No worries, Miss, I'd love to hear your thoughts, Oliver, on which flowers would be fitting for my father."

"For Mr. Hendrik Van Whiteloe, a highly esteemed individual in the Netherlands, I believe a fitting choice would be a blend of Cymbidium and Dendrobium flowers, Mrs. Beatrice," Oliver remarked graciously, his hands poised like those of a regal servant, accompanied by a warm smile.

"I just found out about it. What's the story behind those flowers, Oliver?" Beatrice inquired of Oliver.

"The combination of these flowers represents a beautiful blend of delicate blooms, evoking a sense of exotic elegance and grandeur that would surely captivate Madame Beatrice."

"Oh, how intriguing, If that's your suggestion, I would love to place an order for next Wednesday, along with a lovely bouquet of flowers. I hope there won't be any delay, Oliver," Beatrice said, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Rest assured, Miss Beatrice, Miss Harvey's adept hands will expertly assemble it."

"R-rest asured Madam, I'll make sure there are no delays in the work," Miss Harvey said, her nerves still evident.

"Alright, it seems like we've covered everything we needed to today. It's time to wrap things up, Jenna."

"Yes, Tris."

" Hold on a moment," Oliver said with a smile as he presented a stem of Black Orchid flowers to the secretary.

"This is for you a gift from me miss secretary"

"Hmm? Thank you," Jenna said, her face showing a hint of surprise.

Upon completing her task of ordering flowers, Jenna experienced a sense of relief as she witnessed the radiant smile on Beatrice's face, knowing they were about to embark on their journey back home. Karvelstraat, a vibrant street where individuals from diverse backgrounds gathered, was a hub of aspirations and yearnings that permeated the atmosphere. The street teemed with the buzz of conversations, the rhythmic patter of footsteps, and the occasional exclamation of street vendors selling their goods. In the midst of the daily chaos, an extraordinary event started to unravel, capturing the undivided attention of all those present. Before going home, Beatrice and Jenna went to the cake shop as support later when Beatrice and Jenna enjoyed wine at the mansion before Beatrice stopped because of something.

"So that's what Mrs. Vanesha desires,"

"Hmm, I'm considering not wanting to let her down. Perhaps I'll inquire with dad at a later time."

"I'll be sure to compile a comprehensive list of pianists from across Europe to assist you in selecting Tris,"

"You are truly exceptional, Jenn..." While walking, Beatrice abruptly halted, her words trailing off as a look of astonishment crossed her face.

"What? Why Tris? Do you feel unwell?" Jenna quickly glanced at Beatrice with concern.

"Jenna, are there any piano players here?" Beatrice's expression clearly conveyed her astonishment.

"Huh? Yes, Beatrice, there is a crowd of people there watching street musicians play, can you hear Tris again?" Jenna found herself perplexed by Beatrice's statement.

"I-I can only hear the melody from piano, but not the other sounds, I want to see it"  With urgency, Beatrice seized Jenna's hand and swiftly led her towards the bustling crowd.

"Move!" Beatrice raised her voice, urging the crowd to make way, leaving Jenna taken aback by Beatrice's assertiveness.

The audience was taken aback by Beatrice's presence, wondering why someone of her stature had chosen to be there. They moved aside with a deliberate slowness, seemingly influenced by the commanding presence of Beatrice. Jenna found herself perplexed by the encounter between these two individuals, unsure of how to navigate the situation. It was a rare sight for Jenna to witness Beatrice, who is typically so poised and graceful, lose her composure.

"Why, how could you do that!?" Beatrice's face showed clear confusion as she looked at the man with black hair tied in a ponytail and brown eyes.

"Hmm? Is there something troubling you, Miss? Would you like to make a song request?" Louis inquired of Beatrice, his smile shrouded in intrigue.

"How did you manage to do that?"

"Do what Miss? I'm just a street pianist"

"ugh, how can you make that sound?"

"Sound? Isn't this something that usually comes out of piano notes, Mrs. Witte de Klaver's?" Louis said as if he already knew who he was talking to.

"No, no, you don't understand," Beatrice's voice was a little stuttered.

"Hmm, I think I understand Miss"

"What? Do you understand? What do you understand?"

"Hmm, no Miss, just think I don't understand"

"This man, ugh, never mind, what's know your name?" When Beatrice encountered this man, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease, as if she had lost touch with her true self.

"Louis Rouiver, Miss,"

"Alright, Louis, without wasting any more time, let me know the price of this piano?"

"What is the reason behind your interest in purchasing this vintage piano, considering your company's ability to produce high-end pianos on a daily basis, Miss?"

"There's no need for you to be informed of the reason."

"Well, in that case, I'm afraid I won't be able to sell it to you, Miss, without a reason." Once again, Louis' enigmatic smile graced his face.

"Oh, talking to you doesn't seem to solve the problem," Beatrice said with a sweet pouting face, reminiscent of royal honey. It's frustrating and disheartening.

"Ah, I see that you're considering purchasing this piano as a solution. Is that correct?"

"We should probably head back, Tris," Jenna interjected gently, grasping Tris' hand, eager to wrap up their conversation.

"But Jenn..., alright, let's get this conversation rolling, I must admit, I'm not exactly thrilled to see him."

"Hahaha, it's truly a pleasure to have crossed paths with a renowned figure from Amsterdam. I sincerely hope our paths will cross again, Mrs. Beatrice Van Whiteloe."

"Hmmph."

After the meeting, Beatrice was overwhelmed by a jumble of conflicting emotions and a sense of bewilderment in her interactions with Louis. As she strolled away, a sense of surprise lingered within her, pondering the reason behind the faint strains of Louis' piano gradually fading away in the distance. She couldn't shake off the strange feeling, which left her feeling incredibly uneasy. They set off from Karvelstraat, the night wrapping them in its serene tranquility, as Beatrice found herself caught in a whirlwind of unaddressed inquiries whirling through her thoughts. The streetlights cast elongated shadows, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere as she contemplated her thoughts.

Beatrice found herself deeply troubled by the predicament of her own situation. She was resolute in concealing her deafness, fully aware that its disclosure could have substantial consequences for the company's public perception. Her family's business revolved around musical instruments, and the irony of her condition weighed heavily on her, though she kept it to herself. She was cautious and hesitant, concerned about the possible negative consequences and how they could affect the company's image. As she continued her journey, the burden of her hidden truth weighed heavily on her, further complicating her already intricate emotions regarding Louis and the events of the evening.