Male Cat

The clock struck 10. 15pm and the girl in the ivory-white nightgown was still pacing near the main door of her house. Until someone opened the door from outside.

"You're not asleep yet, Martha?"

"Ah. You've finally arrived."

"Have you been waiting for me all this time?"

"That's right, big brother! Did you get caught in the rain?"

"Hmm. Yes, but I was quite busy at the farm today." he replied as he walked over and sat down on one of the chairs there. Followed by Martha who also began to sit in front of him.

"She was here to see me this afternoon. Miss Nivea came and talked to me."

"Are you kidding Martha?"

"No brother! I'm not joking."

"So, what did she come here for? Is she looking for you?"

"I think she was actually looking for you. But since you're not at home, then she said what she wanted to say to you through me."

"Really? What did she say?"

"Miss Nivea and some of her bakery customers feel uncomfortable if you keep hanging around near the shop."

"What? Hahaha. She said something like that to you?" the man moved leaning forward, making sure his ears didn't catch his sister's words by mistake.

"Yes! Is what she said true?"

"Hmm! I did go there to see her these past few days. But, the servant always said she didn't come to the shop."

"What do you want to see her for?"

"You know Martha, I've always had a crush on her and time is running out. I need to get close to her before someone else takes her away from me."

"Never mind brother! You don't go near Miss Nivea anymore. Just find another girl for you!"

"No Martha! I really like her."

"Why do you like Miss Nivea so much?"

"She's... I don't know Martha, I don't know. Do you need a reason to like someone? And that time... she also helped me out with the explosion on Hawkins Road."

"What? What happened to you then?"

"The lock on my carriage door had been broken for a long time and it locked me out. Only Mr. Luigi could open it with a tool. And somehow, she was able to open it from the outside."

"But I don't think she knows that she helped you."

"That's right, I didn't get to say thank you, because at that time she left in a hurry after opening the lock. Yes, I think everyone were in a hurry to get away during that incident."

Martha sighed. "I hate having a stupid brother like you, Matias."

"Come on Martha, help me win her heart!"

"But you don't have to wait for her twenty-four hours in front of the shop! You're not a male cat in heat who stalks wherever your female goes."

"Do I look like a stupid cat, Martha?"

"Ah! Never mind, there's no point in talking to you." Martha finally got up from her chair first. Preceding Matias who was still pensive alone there.

With the rest of his tiredness today, he daydreamed about his girl who had indeed avoided meeting him. He remembered the incident this morning when himself, who was already like a stalker, spied on Nivea's whereabouts from behind the wall opposite the bakery. But why did Nivea have to avoid him? Matias felt frantic, he couldn't find an answer.

***

The remnants of last night's rain have caused this morning's air to feel colder than most days. But everyone was trying hard to force themselves to start their respective activities as usual. In fact, the air like this is very possible for someone to just stay at home, relaxing to enjoy the day more.

And Lawrence's family members had gathered to start breakfast together. They chatted in between their breakfasts.

"You came home very late, Matias?"

"Yes, the rain was very heavy, Mother. I had to wait for it to let up a bit so that Mr. Luigi can drive the train properly."

"You're a field worker, Matias. Aren't you free enough? Why don't you go home, when the sky is already looking cloudy?"

"There's been a bit of a mix-up with the management of the estate, Father."

"Really?" Martha asked.

The man nodded with certainty, "Yes! Mr. Carlos suspects that the financial statements regarding the estate tax. He complained about it to me, and he also felt the need to investigate."

"Is Mr. Carlos planning to make you a spy, Brother?"

"No Matias! That's quite dangerous. You'll be dealing with cunning people."

"No, Father. He didn't ask me to spy on anything. He just complained about it. Of course he was surprised, he didn't understand how such irregularities could happen."

"But I think you're pretty good at spying on people."

"What did you say, Martha?" countess Victoria asked her daughter.

Matias who flinched at his sister's words, rounded his eyes at Martha not to say anything about Nivea in front of their parents.

"Ah, that... No mom! I'm just talking out of my ass. Hahaha. I'm sorry." she replied then fell silent, grabbed a glass of water and drank it.

After finishing their breakfast, they got up from their seats one by one. And started doing their own thing.

Matias had decided to stop going to the bakery owned by the girl he liked. For the time being, he would make Nivea feel successful in had prevented him from coming there, by telling Martha about it. After all, Matias himself didn't want his visit to make Nivea feel uncomfortable.

From today on, he wouldn't stalk Nivea anymore or even appear in front of the beautiful girl. Although later, he would still continue his plan to approach Nivea. He also just realized that Nivea wouldn't be easily approached by a man, so he didn't have to worry about someone who might succeed in capturing his girl's heart first.

Outside, the morning sun had begun to appear. The stalks of the trees were still swaying gently in the gentle breeze. Making all the wild animals seemed to be happily running along the park near the city center. Some of them took shelter under the trees. Waiting for the fruit to fall from up there. Beautiful butterflies danced, occasionally settling on the tops of leaves and flowers. And birds with their chirping also perch on the trees and chairs.

The man in the carriage smiled faintly and chuckled as he looked around the garden. Amazed at the atmosphere along the park that he crossed.

Matias was now on his way to the vineyards. Of course, his mind was still on the figure of his classmate. He hoped that as soon as possible Nivea would change her mind, not avoid him anymore. I don't know what he should do if Nivea really wants to stay away from him.

Matias will be very disappointed if that happens. Because deep in the corner of his heart, Matias Vander Lawrence really wants Nivea Del Castano to be by his side one day.