Stealing Glances
The cool morning scent wafted into every crevice of Nivea’s room. She has been awake since ten minutes ago and now she is looking at the side courtyard facing her room. Nivea stood up, leaning half of her front body against the wall of the window that she had opened wide. The holly trees around the garden were swaying gently in the breeze.
“Good morning, miss. Ah, did you break this teaspoon, miss?“ Seri said later after approaching the whereabouts of the tray that she had brought for the girl.
“I didn’t mean to, Seri.“ she replied without turning to Seri.
“No problem, miss. We still have plenty of spoons.”
“Is my hot water ready, Seri?”
“Of course, miss. While you bathe, I will tidy up your room and prepare the dress.”
Many minutes passed.
“No Seri! Don’t you bun my hair!”
“Yes miss?”
“Can you tie half of my hair?”
“You mean, I’ll tie the top half only, miss?”
“Right Seri, let the rest flow down to my shoulders!”
“I understand, miss.”
Seri’s two hands had completed the task of styling her lady’s hair. The girl also added a yellow ribbon that matched the dress Nivea was wearing today. Meanwhile, Nivea was still looking at her face in the mirror.
“Is that enough, miss? Do you feel that my work is not neat enough?”
“Ah, no Seri! This is enough. We’re leaving now.”
Duchess Elvira opened the door to her daughter’s room just as Nivea stepped towards the door and was about to open it from the inside.
“Oh my, Mom! You startled me.”
“Oh, sorry my child. Are you leaving now?”
“Yes mom.”
“I just wanted to remind you to arrive home early. You didn’t forget, did you? Last night you said you would come with us to the palace.”
“Of course Mom, how could I forget it. I’ll be home early.”
“Take care girl! Have a good day.”
“Okay mom. Goodbye.“ Nivea slightly bowed to her mother and walked away followed by Seri who had smiled and nodded to the duchess of Elvira.
The beautiful woman in her fifties again closed the door to Nivea’s room and went back to doing her own thing.
“Your girl is gone Elvira?”
“She’s your girl too.“ she replied flatly as she took her seat in the dining chair.
Duke Eduardo sighed, “She misses breakfast with us so often. I feel like we don’t have a child. Why is she getting unruly?”
“Are you blaming me? Do you mean to say that I can’t educate her properly?”
“Hahaha. Are you offended Elvira? I’m just asking questions and maybe I’m just complaining.”
“We’d better start the breakfast now. You should also get going to do your work.”
“Hmm. Alright!“ while shaking his head the man dismissed his thoughts that were still on his daughter’s behavior.
Meanwhile Nivea and Seri were enjoying their trip to the bakery this morning. Occasionally Nivea could be seen forming a curl at the corner of her lips after staring out at the road a few times.
“You seem to be in a good mood, miss?”
“Do I look it, Seri?”
“Of course! You’ve been smiling a lot since earlier.”
“Ah, you noticed me huh?”
“Hahaha. Not really, miss. It’s just that I accidentally caught your smile a few times.”
“Alright! For some reason today I feel so excited about going to the shop.”
“Is it possible that you’re actually looking forward to coming to the palace tonight?”
“What? What are you saying, Seri? Huh, just by remembering that, I’m not excited about life.”
“Ah, you shouldn’t talk like that, miss. Smile, lady! Just smile even if you don’t know what puts you in a good mood.”
“Hahaha. You’re joking, Seri!”
“No, miss. Of course I’d rather see you smile for no reason, than if I have to witness you being sad or angry. I have lived with you long enough.”
Nivea blinked her eyes, turning her gaze from the small window to Seri.
“I know Seri. Thank you for all the things you’ve done so far for me. Not only have you helped me a lot, but you’re like a best friend and sister to me.”
“Ah miss, you stirred up my emotions this morning.“ with the back of her hand Seri wiping away a speck of water at the corner of her eye. The girl was moved by her lady’s words.
Upon their arrival at the bakery located in the center of the city which was quite strategic city center, of course they immediately did their respective tasks. Until the time came for the opening of shop operations. Customers began to arrive one after another, carrying their choice of bread and lemonade in their paper bags.
The customer seats inside the store had also begun to fill up with customers who chose to enjoy their snacks on the spot.
“Good afternoon, miss Nivea.“ a man wearing a typical black suit of the that year, stood with a slight bow in front of Nivea. Greeting politely to the girl behind the bread display case. Nivea who was looking down suddenly looked up at the man.
“Ah, there you are. Good afternoon, Mr. Matias.”
“Would it be okay if I sat there, enjoying your bread with a cup of tea?“ Matias directed Nivea’s gaze to the row of customer seats that looked still empty.
“Ah, of course you may sir! If you buy my bread that means you are my customer. There’s no way I wouldn’t allow you to sit there.”
The man smiled faintly with one hand stuffed into his pants pocket. Looking at Nivea’s shaded face. And what he had done made Nivea feel stupidly inclined, like she was about to make a mistake.
“So what kind of bread would you like, sir? And did you also order tea?“ the question asked by the girl in the yellow dress broke Matias’ reverie.
“Ah, yes. I... I like bread with chocolate spread inside. It seems that I should order two of them. And a cup of chamomile tea.”
“Ah, well! Chamomile tea is very good for your digestion, sir. You choose your drink wisely.”
The man’s brown eyes still continued to look at Nivea who was preparing all the messages. He chose not to make a sound, he didn’t want to disrupt Nivea’s concentration.
“This is yours, sir! There are some empty seats there and you are certainly free to choose which one to sit on.“ with both hands Nivea presents a wooden tray containing all of Matias’ orders on the table.
Both hands of the man grabbed the tray, “Of course, miss. Thank you. I will sit on the chair in the most favorable position for me.”
“Huh? What? Aren’t all the chairs arranged in a good position?“ asked Nivea rounding her eyes.
“Hahaha. It’s just that, I mean... Never mind! Don’t worry about it, Miss! I excuse me.“ as both hands carried the tray to the table he had in the corner of the room.
“Ah, let’s see who’s sitting there, miss!“, Seri approached Nivea who had returned to her straight position facing the entrance of the shop.
“Who do you mean? Are you talking about Mr. Matias?”
“I think that young man deliberately sat facing this way so that...”
“So that what Seri?”
“So that he can enjoy his bread while occasionally stealing glances at you.”
“Stop your jokes, Seri! You’d better go back to the kitchen if you’re just going to say nonsense.”
“Alright miss. I’ll just keep quiet.”
And what Seri said was indeed the truth. The man who was sipping his cup of hot tea had already stolen several times his gaze at Nivea several times.