Early in the morning, Barrett Manor welcomed a new day. The safe return of the owners had filled the butler, Thomas, with enthusiasm. He was preparing for an interview scheduled for the afternoon, ensuring that the entire lawn was freshly trimmed, free of any protruding grass tips. The pathways were cleaned, leaving no speck of dirt, especially the winding garden paths, which received special attention with leaves meticulously separated.
All the heavy curtains in the living rooms were replaced with new ones. The furniture, including the sofas, tables, and chairs, was thoroughly cleaned with care. Barrett Manor was completely revitalized from the inside out, looking clean and tidy.
The first to arrive for breakfast was Alisa, and she couldn’t help but notice the unusually bright state of Barrett Manor. She asked Thomas, “Is Barrett Manor having a regular spring cleaning?”
She quickly realized that something was amiss. While Barrett Manor had daily housekeeping to maintain its cleanliness, today was different. The complete replacement of curtains, tablecloths, and carpets, along with the absence of even a speck of extra soil on the flower pots’ edges, was indeed peculiar.
Thomas had not informed Alisa about the upcoming interview at Barrett Manor in the afternoon, and he was cautious about the girl who had disrupted Mr. Barrett’s marriage proposal plans.
With a polite smile on his face, he responded, “Dear Alisa, Mr. and Mrs. Barrett returned to Barrett Manor last night to celebrate.”
Alisa, somewhat annoyed, retorted, “I should have been notified last night.”
Marvin, carrying a plate from the kitchen, joined the conversation. “Good morning, noisy little bird.”
“Good morning to you too, you troublesome and sensitive gray wolf. You’re quite lucky to see me this early.”
Thomas, standing between the two, found his smile growing strained as the troublesome pair encountered each other once again.
As expected, Marvin taunted, “You’re chattering away so early. Isn’t that noisy?”
“I bet you’d find me annoying even if I sat quietly. Just like you would if you had to sit with someone as irritating as yourself.”
“At least I’m useful. But you, the clingy little bird in Barrett Manor, the front gate is always open for you.”
Alisa hesitated mid-step, refusing to accept the label of “useless.” At the very least, the century-old wedding dress that had been ruined was her creation. She awaited the astonished glances of everyone who saw it.
She tilted her head and glanced at Marvin’s breakfast, “The only one who lets me leave is Maggie, but you, this foolish wolf who enjoys heart-shaped omelets and cute plating, please don’t waste your saliva.”
“Foolish wolf? You’re calling me that?” Marvin was determined to grow into a mature and capable leader, much like Aldrich, and Alisa always seemed to find his sore spots.
He retorted fiercely, “This is a heart-shaped breakfast I prepared for Grace. A lonely girl like you, who nobody loves, could never understand.”
“Who do you think is unloved?”
Alisa stood up in anger. “I love Maggie, and she cares about me, believes in me. But you, you poor gray wolf, still hope to capture a girl’s heart with a heart-shaped breakfast. Childish and low-level!”
“Sorry, I can’t see how close your relationship with Maggie really is.” Marvin looked Alisa up and down, his eyes filled with disdain and criticism. “I’m sure Thomas provided you with a suitable outfit, but you chose to wear a dress that doesn’t suit the occasion for the interview. You really are a great friend to Maggie.”
“Outfit? Interview?” Alisa was confused.
She looked for Thomas’s figure and realized things weren’t looking good. As she slipped out towards the door, Thomas, caught at the entrance by Alisa, stood there awkwardly. “I was just going to ask Elizabeth if the dress is ready…”
Marvin chuckled, “It turns out that the noisy little bird wasn’t even informed about the interview! You’re the one who’s been excluded.”
Splash!
White milk splashed all over Marvin, and he vigorously shook his head to get rid of the milk on his face. At the long table across from him, Alisa had just put down the empty milk cup.
Everything happened so quickly, and the servants assumed it was an argument between the two. After all, Alisa was human and they thought it was just a matter of her talking back.
But as for the angry Marvin, it wasn’t as certain. At their first meeting during the dinner, if Aldrich hadn’t intervened, Marvin would have transformed into a gray wolf and pounced on Alisa.
However, this time, it was Alisa, who had no practical attacking abilities, who struck first!
Thomas quickly rushed to Marvin’s side, seemingly offering a handkerchief but ready to restrain Marvin in case he transformed into a wolf.
Marvin sneered, “Milk is what I hate the most.”
Alisa taunted, “Well, isn’t that perfect?”
“Alisa, are you challenging me?”
“You’re overthinking it.” Alisa pulled a chair behind her and the servants instinctively stepped back, clearing a path.
She warned Marvin coldly, “Remember, it’s not your place to judge the emotions between Maggie and me.”
Alisa left the dining room with a frosty demeanor. Shortly after, a servant informed Thomas, “Alisa has left in her car; she’s probably headed to work at the hospital.”
“That’s a relief. With that ticking time bomb gone, the Barrett Manor interview should go smoothly.” Thomas let out a sigh of relief.
Marvin, wiping the last milk stain off his hair, said disdainfully, “I’ve made quite a contribution!”
“Marvin, did you have any conflicts with Alisa before?”
Maggie had asked him this question before, and even requested that he try to get along with Alisa, but he seemed to have forgotten everything she said.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“What do you think?”
Thomas glanced at the milk stains on the floor.
“I’m sorry; I couldn’t control myself.”
“You two seem like destined foes.”
“It’s really hard for me to get along with her; it’s torment.”
Marvin strode away; he couldn’t stand the smell of milk on him and needed to wash up. But then he paused. “Please help me dispose of that breakfast, and don’t let it show in front of Grace or mention it.”
“Leave it to me.”
Thomas watched Marvin’s retreating figure, picked up the heart-shaped breakfast Marvin had made, and said to himself, “It seems he still cares about what Alisa said. When will Marvin get rid of his habit of saying one thing but meaning another…”
On the road leading out of Barrett Manor, the path was smooth, with lush trees on both sides. A sports car sped past.
As Alisa drove, she told herself, “Dear, don’t lose control. It wouldn’t look good if you got into a car accident.”
She controlled her emotions, parking her car by a quiet lane. Her legs curled up as she leaned over the steering wheel, sobbing quietly. Fear and frustration overwhelmed her.
She adjusted her sitting position, hugging herself tightly with her arms, as if that could give her strength.
“From the moment you made that decision, didn’t you prepare for Maggie’s displeasure? Alisa, why do you feel wronged now? Marvin, the one you hate, is right. These are the consequences I deserve.”
Alisa’s eyes were red, her chest heaving. “No crying allowed.”
She squeezed her shoulder harshly, hoping the physical pain would help her control her emotions. Her teardrops splashed down, and she raised her head, trying to contain her tears. “It’s worth it, Alisa. Believe in yourself.”
“Now, stay composed. Go to the city, pick out a beautiful dress, then relax at the beauty salon. Come back looking stunning, and make sure to give Aldrich a big surprise at the interview!”