Studying

After breakfast I decided to explore the premises myself and try to find Rhett to talk.

As I was wandering the second floor I heard shouting coming from one of the doors. I decided to investigate further. I found the room the noise was coming and listened. The shouting stopped and now I could only hear faint mumbles but couldn't decipher the words. The doors swung open, I rushed away and pretended I was lost looking at paintings and vases. A man probably in his 50s walked out as he passed me, he bumped into me, even though there was enough space in the hallway for 6 people to walk through without touching. I flinched as he put his hand around my waist and spoke up in a croaky voice while reeking of cigarettes and smoke:

"You know, I could let off some steam right now. Let's go to my place for a quickie."

I had no idea what to say, I just tried to push him away nicely while shaking my head "no", I felt disgusted, my eyes darting around the hallway pleading for help.

Suddenly I felt another hand grab my shoulder tightly; I looked up and saw the café man. He seemed pissed.

"I don't think so. She's going to go and do whatever I tell her to, no one else has the power to, especially in my house."

I felt joyful and aggravated at the same time. Only he could make me feel two completely different emotions at once. I observed Rhett. He was ready to punch a man but the old man just put his hands in the air and ran through the hallway. I glanced over at Rhett. He pushed me away.

"Never come to my wing again. What were you doing here in the first place?"

"I just wanted to find you and talk, maybe help with something, it's boring here."

It really felt like I shouldn't have come here. I wanted to apologize. We started into each other's eyes for a moment; I've just noticed he had olive green eyes. They were really noticeable paired with his black hair. Out of nowhere he started laughing- mockingly. I frowned, what was he doing?

"You? You want to help me?" He laughed even more hysterically. "A girl like you help me? With what? As if you could do something more than just look pretty. Don't pretend to be smart, people know you aren't. You really must be insane." He let go of me and walked into his office still laughing maniacally.

I sat on my bed. What did I do wrong? What did I do to deserve to be treated like this? I really just wanted to get on his good side. Two can play that game Mr. Wolfestern.

I've been laying for hours now but still couldn't figure out how to get closer to him; I must try harder. This way he will have no other choice but to start to grow keener of me. Having too many thoughts in my head I feel asleep.

I got woken up by a strange feeling of the bed sinking. Opened my eyes and saw The man sitting on the bed. I jumped grabbing the blanket and covering myself even though I was fully dressed. He laughed again.

"You're such a comedian today. You know you're fully dressed. Did you sleep through the entire day?"

I didn't want to reply, did he come here just to insult me more?

"What do you want?"

"Glad you noticed I didn't come just to chat with you. There's a gala we will be attending this weekend and I need for you to learn who is who."

"Why? Do I have to learn for you?" my voice was trembling from today's incident.

"No, I will be the one teaching you as a matter of fact. This will be your way of helping. So when we attend the gala you wouldn't embarrass me, and show you are capable of at least something."

I turned away, rethinking all of my possibilities: could I avenge him by embarrassment? I could just disagree and not learn anything, but at the same time I wanted to show him how capable I was.

I whispered:

"When are we starting?"

"Now." He didn't even budge, took out a massive stack of papers and put them on my desk, took another chair and gestured for me to take a seat.

I looked through the window and it was already pitch black, I wondered what time it was, sat down and started at the stack of what seemed files about everyone who would be attending the gala.

"This won't be easy, there are a lot of people. I took it upon myself and printed out every single person's photo and description of what they do and information about them, plus one they will be bringing. We will get through some of them together every evening at 8pm sharp until the weekend. You will have time to memorize the others during your day. You have plenty of time for it as I've noticed." He stated looking at my messy bed.

"Sounds good enough for me but if I have any questions…" he cut me off.

"You will wait until 8pm. don't come to my wing… ever."

I just nodded and took the first file into my hands. To my surprise it was Kevin's father.

"This is…" Rhett was about to start his lecture but I just put the paper in another pile.

"Richard Ropeling he has a wife Gertrude Ropeling and a son the heir of the Ropeling Corporation Kevin Ropeling. I know this one, we can skip them."

I said putting their papers away.

"What about Kevin's date?"

I felt sick I already knew who it was, I really didn't want to say it out loud, I despised her, she stole the love of my life from me.

"Cassandra Trun, she's nobody just a normal college girl studying at film school. Her parents aren't rich or well known."

"Very well." He handed me the next paper. "This one is Simon Rosales, all you have to know about his is that he owns a lot of businesses around the world and also keep your distance from him."

He put the paper on the third pile, the one where I should research myself about these people.

We went through a fourth of the pile today, gladly I already knew most of the people myself.

"I reckon we should be done for today. You impressed me, keep it up." He left.

I hopped back on my bed and checked my phone it's 11pm. I felt great, finally doing something in this house other than just wandering around with no destination.

This time I didn't have to go to Peur. I met him in the hallway on my way to the dining room.