Connection

"I won't take long, I'll be home before dinner. Just lock the doors and don't let anyone come in. Understand?" Aunt Lucinda instructed when she was ready to leave.

"Great, I'll do what you said. Doors locked, and no visitors." I spelled out to her with a quick smile.

"I trust you on that, Raven. You can get anything you want in the fridge, and remember the dishes." She eyed me which I nod.

"Of course, I know. Just leave already." I said impatiently and she laughed.

"Alright-alright! Just do what I say, ok? See you." She gave me a quick wave and she leaves by the main door.

When I watched her leave the house, I noticed that her chauffeur was waiting for her outside, right next to her car. He only concentrated on assisting Auntie to get into the car while I watched him from a distance. He has a peculiar aura about him.

Disregarding that feeling, I chose to lock the door after closing it instead of waiting for her to enter the vehicle.

Walking back towards the stairs, I coincidentally passed by our picture frames hanging on the wall.

I didn't noticed this when I arrived yesterday.

Photos of my Childhood we're putted in vintage picture frames. That makes it interesting to see. A few pictures of us we're seen on the picture frames and i was at awe observing our memories in a picture.

Aunt Lucinda, was a very interesting woman to me when it comes to these "victorian styles" things that she collects around her house, but apart from that the most interesting part from her was how she cherished and kept our old memories thus It was a habit of hers.

I've been wondering whether she's already married before i came but then, i found out she waited for years to the man she's longing for.

Asking her about it when i was a middle-schooler, she always said to me that 'If you want a man who will care out for you and love you genuinely. You must wait through until he appears. He will come and look for you despite the passage of time—months, years, even centuries.'

At first, i thought she got it in a love story book or something but when i grew up, little by little i understand what she's trying to say.

Love will conquer all things just to find it's pair for them to be together.

But for me, I only felt love for my family and loved ones thus i never feel love to my opposite sex which is rather mysterious to me.

How does it feel being loved by a man? was it good? romantic? then what else?

Even years had passed, Auntie was still strikingly beautiful even at a old age. She was famous around here in Sudbury because of her beauty and wiseness. She was a woman that cannot be tricked easily even from mens who was courting her.

On the other hand, she rejected all of them.

Then i asked her one day, "Why don't you give them a chance? We don't know if one of them was the man you are waiting for."

I joked that day, to test her if she'll grant them.

but i was surprised when she answered me:

"Waiting for the right one was my best choice."

Truly, she was the woman that inspired me, and from her patience. But learning from her how to wait. It was difficult for me to do. I had the vision to be like her but it was way beyond my dreams to keep up.

I proceed my steps towards the stairs and planned to read the book that i just bought from the Antique shop.

Passing through the living room, I recalled the Chaffeur standing outside the garden while facing the treehouse which is rather odd for me to see.

What was he doing there by the way?

I let out a long sigh and just kept walking upstairs. But just as I was about to proceed, I heard a thud coming from the back door.

I cautiously peered over the handrails in order to see the back entrance since I was alarmed.

"Who's there?" I called out, but no one responded for a few seconds.

I began to feel uneasy as I remembered I still hadn't locked the rear door.

Therefore, I quickly picked up a vase and cautiously made no further noises as I gently walked toward the rear door.

According to what I am aware of, nobody can enter Auntie's garden without using the front door. So, it must be some kind of rodent.

I swallowed nervously when I started to imagine bad things.

Maybe it's a wolf or a bear from the wild.

I shook my head and forced myself to think positively.

Thinking happy thoughts, Ghilette.

I mentally chanted.

I eventually approached the door and slowly grasped the knob with shaking hands. On the other hand, I was holding the vase I was holding, prepared to throw it to some rodents or something.

I swiftly and surprised myself by opening the door. A tall man who was old but not too old was standing in front of me. My location of shock caused my eyes to widen and he responded similarly to how I do.

I was unaware that I had already released the vase and did it mindlessly. It crashed onto the concrete steps, next to my feet.

~*~

"What did i told you grabbing those vases? Those aren't weapons! it's a display, Raven!" Auntie scolded me as she treated to the wound on my right foot caused by the vase's shard.

As she irritably dabbed the cotton that had been soaked in alcohol on my wound, I groaned in pain.

"Ouch! Can you be a little more gentler while treating me? It hurts!" I complained in pain.

She just ignored me and continued healing my wound. After the painful torture, she was finally done.

"Did i make you wait? Mr. Steele? Pardon me for my niece's approach to you. Should i make you some tea, perhaps?" Auntie said in a apologizing tone towards the man sitting by the dining area.

He stood up to greet my Aunt's approach with a smile.

A physical giant of a man, six feet five, fit, attractive, broad shoulders, without a hint of flab, white hair and a white beard, solid as a lion with a roar to match was to describe him. He looks like a sugar daddy for short. I'm not going to jaw-drop to this man.

"It's ok, Linda. I just stopped by for a moment to talk about you with something" He said and he looked at my way, concernly.

Linda?? that was the cheesiest nickname i ever heard! Who is this guy by the way?! and what was he doing in my Aunt's garden?!

I leaned back onto the sofa while my arms crossed, watching the two of them from the living room.

From what i have observed, This man looks like he owns a company because of how he appears. He wore a fitted gray v-neck shirt and a black trousers, that shapes his built.

But what matters the most was who he is in Auntie's life? Is he another one of her suitors perhaps?

All of a suddden, both of them looked at my way as both of them walked towards me. My brows knitted in confusion.

"I forgot to introduce to you, he is Mr. Jackson Steele. Our good neighbor and a long friend of mine," She introduced him to me, which i keep my composure still.

"You must be Raven. Your Aunt was mentioning you to me and i'm glad i met you today. I apologize what happened earlier, did i startled you?" He said and gave me his calm smile.

I smiled back in a sarcastic way. "Very much."

"Raven." Auntie called with her warning tone. Telling me to act properly.

I took a deep sigh and sat properly.

"If you both want to have a long talk, I'll be taking my leave and rest in my room. Especially my wound on my feet was still aching. if you will excuse me." I said in a polite tone and stood up from the sofa.

"Let me help you go upstairs, Raven." Auntie offered and wen't to my side as she grabbed my arm. I was going to refuse when she squeezed my arm painfully.

"Ouch! Why did you do that?"

And she just chuckled at me.

"She really need to rest. I'll be back in a second" She informed and we both leaved from the living room.

While walking upstairs, I managed to ask her.

"What was that earlier for?" I confronted in a whispery tone, as we both slowly made our way through the stairs.

I noticed her expression was serious and she stares out in space.

"Hello? Earth to Linda? Auntie are you even listening to me?" I asked her still in a whispered tone.

But when we already got inside my bedroom, there she spoked.

"I think he's the one i've been waiting for so long and i already feel our connection." She confessed in a soft tone.

And i was there, Jaw-dropped.