The Encounter

A delivery man came to deliver the Ashton-ordered goods, meat, and vegetables. Ashley saw him getting off the truck as she went to help him out.

"Hey, who was that guy on the horse stable?" Jordan curiously asked as he puts out the box of meat while Ashley helped put down the basket of vegetables.

"Oh, that's Creighton. He's Uncle Donald's adjutant."

Ashley carried the basket of vegetables as they went inside the kitchen to drop the baskets and went back to the truck to get the rest.

"Is it? He really has a broad masculine body. A tall guy and very good-looking too. I thought he was Lady Agatha's lover that the town is gossiping about." wiped the sweat off his forehead on his shoulder sleeves.

"I just hope you are not blending with those tattlers in town, Jordan." she reprimanded him, arms crossed.

"Of course not, besides I also wish for Lady Agatha's happiness too since she was so generous to a family like us. Anyway, I got to go. See you next time, Ashley."

Jordan hopped on the truck and waved goodbye to Ashley. Ashley waved back, in a good mood, smiled, and she went back to the kitchen to help her mother.

**

At lunch, Creighton feeds Liam with mixed mashed potato and carrot. Liam chewed his food well as he taps the table. Gently looked at his father's face, and brightly smile, with bits of mash on his adorable cheeks.

"Pap-pa," chuckled looking at him with a messy mouth.

"Eat up Liam, father needs to go back to work soon" smiled back while feeding him.

"Ashley is about to finish the laundry; you can leave Liam after you are done eating as well," Carrie said while washing the dishes.

"Thank you, Carrie, for looking after my son," Creighton said, politely.

"That's not a problem. Liam's presence is comforting and brightens our day regardless of how busy we are. He is well-behaved. So, don't worry we will look after him while you are gone." Carrie smiled back as she wipes her hand on the dry cloth.

"Do you need anything from town? I will accompany Sir Donald, and we might be back in the evening." he wipes Liam's mouth with a clean cloth, as he finished eating. He keeps tapping the table and at the same time tries to reach the empty bowl.

"None in particular. And don't worry, we will put Liam to bed if you are not back before 9:00 pm. By the way, be careful when you come back, seems it's going to have a heavy rain tonight."

Carrie walked towards them. Creighton gave Liam to her, as she carries him.

"Yes, we will, thank you, Carrie"

"Liam, behave while I am gone." he caresses Liam's head and gave him a warm smile.

"Pap-pa." he chuckled adorably and gabbled.

**

"You're bringing Creighton today at the factory?" reading the output of the company's current sales status on the flip folder.

"Yes, my Lady. We will be back by evening." Butler Donald said.

"I just hope you will not cross paths with my uncle," and she puts down the document on the table.

"But if by chance Uncle Douglas will be there, are you able to manage him while Creighton is with you?" she sounded unsettled and worried.

"Don't worry, my Lady. I have known Lord Douglas for years, not a chance he would notice that Creighton is taking my place," reassured her. She stood up and left the office with a worried face as Butler Donald followed her from behind.

**

They left the mansion. Creighton was looking outside the car window, looking at vibrant Greenland as the afternoon sun sets upon them. Butler Donald was scanning the content in the folder.

"Creighton"

"Yes, Sir Donald,"

"Once we arrive at the factory, if anyone asked who you are, pretend that you are a new employee as a packer." he politely advised.

"Ahm, am I going to cause any trouble?" He wondered and felt worried.

"No, Creighton, but if you happen to cross with Lord Douglas, Agatha's Uncle, or anyone, just do as I told you to do." he insisted, as he closed the folder, with ease.

"Yes, Sir Donald. I understand." He agreed without hesitation.

He thought "Lady Agatha has mentioned his uncle intervening in their life before. So, I guess, I will just follow Sir Donald's advice, and see how this man is."

The sun is almost setting down before they reached the garment manufacturing company.

**

"Woah, so this is the factory, it's really huge and spacious inside," Creighton murmured looking around and staring at the people working from the first floor. They were on the second floor to check some stuff in the Quality Control Room. Suddenly, Lord Douglas Ashton came out from Production Office just beside the Quality Control Room with his Butler and came across their direction in the hallway.

Butler Donald stopped walking as Creighton noticed that someone is coming their way. He immediately stopped and looked at who was approaching.

"Good evening, Lord Douglas." Butler Donald slightly vows.

Creighton looked and he hastily slightly vowed as soon as he heard the name, "Lord Douglas".

Lord Douglas Ashton looked arrogantly as he raises his eyebrows toward Creighton.

"Who is this man with you, Donald?" impolite gesture.

"This is Creighton Birkin, my Lord. He's a new employee in the packing area, and I am leading him the way. I saw him outside the building standing and waiting when I arrived." he lied to avoid any suspicion from Lord Douglas.

"I see. By the way, please tell Agatha that Lord's Brighton Ball Party is coming soon, and he wants Agatha's presence. He will send the invitation soon. He's inviting all his business partners. I believe Agatha will not decline his invitation since the Ashton Family has been on great terms with Brighton. Also, Lord Benedict Holmes's son, Jason will be there too, so it's time for them to get to know each other." Lord Douglas smirked, arrogantly.

**

After their encounter with Lord Douglas, they proceed to the Quality Control Room.

"Sir Donald, do you mind if I ask who Jason is?" Creighton curiously asked while they walk.

"He is from an aristocratic family. The Holmes in which Lord Douglas is persuading Lady Agatha to marry Jason Holmes."

"Isn't it a good thing for Lady Agatha?"

Creighton feels a little envious, but Butler Donald noticed his reaction.

"However, Lady Agatha has already declined that proposal. Yet, Lord Douglas is still persistent in persuading her to marry Lord Jason Holmes."

Creighton kept quiet for a while as he seems to comprehend what was going on between Lady Agatha and Lord Douglas that they seem not getting along well.

"Creighton." he looked at Creighton's face.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sir Donald, I spaced out,"

"Creighton, do you perhaps have feelings for Lady Agatha?" Butler Donald suddenly asked out of the blue.

"Huh? -- Am I even allowed to have such feelings for Lady Agatha, Sir Donald? For a lowly man like me, I have nothing compared to that aristocrat, Lord Jason Holmes" Creighton cleared himself out.

"Do you think a person's status is important to Lady Agatha?" Butler Donald bluntly said as Creighton looked a little surprised by his words.

"What do you mean?"

"I believe, Lady Agatha has already told you about her family. She has everything that most people are either envious of or intimidated for how much she has. Knowing she lives her life independently. You, yourself have seen what truly matters to Lady Agatha. Whether it is love or pity you feel towards her, I am still thankful that you are the first man who comforted her after all these years." Butler Donald presented his honest opinion as he looked at Creighton.

The words of Butler Donald touched Creighton's ego as he considered himself a lowly man than thinking of how he could mend Lady Agatha's affliction. It reminded him of the genuine words he said to Lady Agatha when they were at the sanctuary. They weren't just genuine words, but it was his thoughts and feelings toward Lady Agatha that stops him from doing so because of his pride.

Then, the heavy rains poured down on the building as its water runs down on the big wall window seal from the outside. Butler Donald and Creighton looked as the thunder starts to become more visible outside.