She Had It All, page 3
The Lawyer (continuing):
You are a well-known family in this part of the town. Please try to make a proper decision. I will try to get your property issues sorted quickly.
While leaving the lawyer’s office, Sarah mentioned that the lawyer sounded trustworthy and optimistic. Kian then went to fetch the car.
Kian:
My lady, please let me know what you want to do.
Sarah:
If I decide to stay in the cottage, where will you go?
Kian:
I won’t be staying in the cottage anymore, for sure. Maybe I will buy a portable house, it’s called a Connex here. I will put it next to the workshop.
Sarah:
Oh no, please! You do not have to stay like that. Don’t worry about me, I am not your responsibility. I will take care of myself. Please stay in your cottage.
Kian:
You are one of the owners of this farm and all the lands around it, so you need to stay near and see what is happening around you.
Sarah finally gave in and accepted the offer to stay at the cottage. She did not notice Kian brimming with happiness and went on to ponder over things she should buy to make her move back to the farm smooth.
Chapter 5
The Return to Farm Life
Sarah is making a comeback to farm life after a decade. As much time she is going to take to get used to the surroundings and people, equal amount of time the people around are going to take to accept her.
The next day, Sarah went back to the city and packed her things from her aunt’s house, and brought them along. She only picked the essentials she would need. Despite her cousins and aunty insisting on not leaving, she said goodbye to all of them because she needed to experience a new life on the farm and be independent.
It was almost evening when the truck arrived with her additional luggage. She was expecting Kian to be around to help her move in, but instead, she found Paul. Kian moved out of the cottage without taking anything; everything was kept as is, right in their places where they earlier belonged.
Sarah:
Did Kian not want anything from this place?
Paul:
He has taken whatever he needs and the Connex is small. He doesn’t require too many things, and if he needs anything, he can just take it from the grand house. Now please, come and tell me where you want me to place your things.
Sarah paid the truck driver, sent him away.
Sarah:
These are just a few of my books that I will place on the shelves later. Just keep these suitcases in the upper cupboards, please. After this, can you make me some coffee?
Paul:
Your wish is my command!
Paul rushed to the kitchen and made two cups of steaming coffee and brought them to Sarah.
Paul (with admiring eyes and a soft voice):
I can’t hide it anymore. I have to tell you the truth. You are the most beautiful lady I have ever seen in my life.
Sarah (slightly uncomfortable):
We are going to be around a lot now, Paul. You need to stop flirting with me.
Paul:
I am sorry, I cannot promise that. Anyway, you are invited for dinner at the grand house. I have asked the chef to cook his signature dishes, you are going to love it! And also, if you need anything just let me know. I am around to help you figure things out.
Sarah:
I am happy that you are still the same kind boy from my childhood. We are the same age so we understand each other better than others.
After they finished their coffee, both cleaned up the place a bit and started walking toward the grand house. It was getting cold in the evenings and Sarah thought if she walked faster, she could keep herself warm. It was quite a distance between the cottage and the grand house. The grand house was a huge building at the southwest of the farm, the building was more than 300 years old and it had around 15 bedrooms, four halls, two kitchens, and servant quarters were built near the main entrance which had a shortcut to the kitchen. Once they got in, they directly went to the main hall where the meals were usually served, and they found everyone waiting at the table.
She didn’t see Kate there and was instantly happy, but she noticed a new gentleman in a suit sitting at the table.
Paul (whispering in Sarah’s ear):
He is Frank, Pearl’s boyfriend. But they address each other as fiancé –
same as Kian and Kate. These couples aren’t even engaged yet!
Sarah smiled at Paul and thanked him for the information. Frank was a director and was helping Pearl with her projects in acting school. He seemed like a witty guy and for no reason tried to create a poem out of every word that people spoke.
Paul (continuing to whisper):
Frank and Kate usually don’t get along with each other, so whenever he is here, Kate won’t join and vice versa.
Sarah:
Is there anyone here who can get along with Kate?
Paul pointed at Kian, and they both laughed. Petros looked at Paul.
Petros (sternly):
Speak out loudly, so that we all can laugh.
Mary (interrupting Petros):
Let them be, Petros! What is wrong with laughing? You want me to call Kate? She will completely change the air in the room?
Pearl:
I am very hungry; shall I ask the servants to serve the food?
Sarah:
Can I request something? I would like to sneak into the kitchen and have my dinner there just like in the old days! After that, we can take some chocolate cake and eat in our rooms!
Pearl and Paul jumped up excitedly and told Sarah she could count on them! Frank and Mary liked the idea too. Kian, on the other hand, believed they were too old to behave like children, but decided to ride the tide. They went to the kitchen, sat with the servants, and had their dinner. The entire evening, Frank kept staring at Sarah. After dinner, everyone was ready for their chocolate cake to be served and Kian pointed out that Sarah never had any plan of selling the farm. Everyone thanked her for her never having that thought.
Frank (suddenly curious): Sarah, what do you do for a living?
Sarah:
I have had my share of the struggle in finding a means of living. I have been writing quite a bit because I have always enjoyed that process. I wish I can publish this novel that I have completed, and even make a movie or TV series based on it.
Frank:
I believe everything is possible if you have enough money or luck.
Sarah saw Kian’s face which was suspiciously looking back and forth to Frank’s and her face. She controlled her emotions.
Sarah:
Exactly!
Before she continued talking about the book, her mobile rang. It was her cousin Nancy from the city. She accepted the call excitedly.
Sarah:
Hello, my sweetheart! I was expecting your call. How are you? …I am good too… I just finished dinner, you? …I don’t think I am going to write anything tonight, honey! …Sorry, my love! Please go to sleep.
She had tried her best to speak in a lower volume, but everyone was listening intently to her conversation and believed she was talking to her beloved. Nobody asked anything after that. Sarah wanted to call it a night and return to the cottage to rest.
Kian volunteered to walk her to the cottage. She thanked everyone for the lovely dinner and walked out of the grand house with Kian escorting her.
Sarah:
Why didn’t you tell me that Kate is your girlfriend and not your fiancé? Why Pearl and you introduce your partners as fiancés when you aren’t even engaged yet?
Kian:
Oh come on! You are one of us. You have a lover in your life who can’t even go to sleep without hearing your voice!
Sarah (laughing uncontrollably):
I like the stress on the title ‘lover’! You are mistaken though. The person on the call was my cousin Nancy. She is one of the only sisters who is close to me and we are used to each other’s presence. She loves what I write, especially short poems, which I read to her every night.
Kian (seemingly pleased on listening to the truth): We are here.
Both of them raised their hand to switch on the light and accidentally touched. Kian quickly took his hand away and apologized. As he turned to leave, he spoke out loud.
Kian:
Soft hands, soft heart. Good night, pretty face!
Sarah went in and shut the door, her heart was pounding and her cheeks had become tomato red with all that blushing. Too many thoughts were running in her mind. In that one day, she had three different men try to make a move on her – Paul wanted her to rely on him if she needed anything, Frank kept staring at her the whole evening, and now Kian! She sincerely hoped that she had caused no problems in any of their personal lives. She changed into her nightdress and went to bed. She wasn’t sleepy and kept twisting and turning in the bed. Finally, she got up and started scribbling in her notebook. No idea of when she dozed off.
At almost noon the next day, Sarah woke up to a sharp noise coming from outside. She opened her window to see that a huge crane was carrying the Connex that Kian had ordered. It was a scary sight, it felt like the crane might just drop the portable house on the cottage, so she ran back in.
Out of nowhere, she heard Kian’s voice and went to open the gate for him.
Kian:
Good morning, beautiful! Oh, don’t tell me you were sleeping because I saw you on the balcony, in your silky nightdress.
Sarah:
I thought I was in a nightmare until I saw the crane.
Kian:
I have brought you some fresh buns, butter, and milk from the farm.
Let’s make some breakfast for you, or lunch, if you may please.
Sarah:
I couldn’t sleep last night; the winds scared me too.
Kian:
Oh. I can ask one of the servants to stay in the cottage until you get used to living here by yourself. I am sorry that I forgot you have been living in the city and are not used to the farm life.
Sarah asked Kian to look another way so that she could get out of bed, grab her clothes, and rush to the washroom. She swiftly got ready and had a glass of fresh milk.
Sarah:
Now what?
Kian:
Where do you think I should locate the Connex? I was thinking of locating it near the grand house.
Sarah (pleadingly):
Please, Kian, locate it between the workshop and cottage, If I know you are near, nothing can scare me.
Kian:
Sure! Anything to make you feel comfortable. Let’s go and find the best spot.
They went out and figured the best place where the Connex could be put. After the workers and the big crane had moved out of the farm, Sarah opened the door to the Connex and was surprised that it was bigger than what she expected.
Kian:
I have no idea how to furnish this place!
Sarah:
Oh! For this, you should get your lady involved. Why don’t you call Kate and ask her?
Kian:
Kate doesn’t have time for these things, since she wants to plan for the wedding!
Sarah seemingly got upset listening to that and went out to get some fresh air. Kian came out wondering out loud.
Kane:
What if I ask Kate to move in with me in this Connex? What do you think will be her reaction?
Sarah:
I am sure she loves you. None of this matter to her – this farm, the grand house, the cottage, your money – nothing! She just wants to enjoy your presence, wants to be close to you, and—She stopped abruptly to look at Kian’s face, hoping he hadn’t noticed her emotions for him surfacing—don’t worry, she is a great woman for you! Also, if you feel this space is not enough for both of you, I can move into the Connex and you can come back to the cottage.
Kian:
We have enough room in the grand house and I can buy a house in the city if she wants. I was just curious to know what you think. Anyway, I didn’t go on my morning walk down the river today, so I am leaving now. Would you like to join me?
Sarah would have loved to join him but didn’t want anything to happen between them or people to see them together, especially Kate.
Sarah:
I should go to the cottage, I am tired.
She started walking toward the cottage, while Kian went for his walk.
Sarah came inside the cottage; she was feeling some sort of excitement but didn’t know why. She made tea and sat at the table on the balcony, thinking about her feelings for Kian, and wondered if they could stay friends after he married Kate. She enjoyed his company, wanted to have a friend more than anything else because he was so well- mannered and understanding. Her life had been lonely, without friends and family, for too long, but she knew Kate may not like it. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that her emotions had to be put on paper.
It was almost an hour later that she heard Kian’s voice from downstairs
Kian:
Can I have a cup of tea and something to eat? I am starving! If you don’t have anything, let’s go to the grand house and check.
Sarah:
I can offer some good tea as of now. Food, we will check in a while.
Sarah went to the kitchen to put the kettle on and Kian went to freshen up in the bathroom adjacent to the kitchen.
Kian:
I am planning to make some changes to the architecture here. I want to build a small path connecting the grand house and the river along with one between the cottage and workshop. I think I should take the responsibility to get it done.
Sarah:
Don’t forget that we need to plant more trees and flowering plants, especially roses!
Kian:
Yes, madam! Will keep it in mind. I am going to the market with Kate, do you need anything?
Sarah:
Thanks. I need a few things, but I prefer to go alone.
Kian:
Paul is in the grand house sitting idle. Why don’t you ask him to come with you? You know he loves being at your service when it comes to shopping, so feel free to contact him.
Sarah:
I know, he is very kind and a gentleman.
Kian:
What about me and Petros? Aren’t we gentlemen?
Sarah:
All of you are kind and I am blessed to have good cousins.
Kian’s mobile rang and his face expression told it was Kate. Sarah also dialed Paul’s number to check if he was free to join her for some shopping and he readily accepted. She went upstairs to change her clothes and returned to find Kian still on call with his girlfriend. He looked angry, but she made a hand gesture to keep moving. On reaching halfway to the grand house, he disconnected the call.
Sarah wanted to comfort him.
Sarah:
Did you two argue?
Kian:
Tell me when are we not arguing or fighting? It is never-ending, I am losing my patience.
Sarah:
Love is a very complicated thing. It makes people happy, sad, angry, hurt, jealous, everything! You have to accept the complete package, you see.
Kian:
Who told you all these? Your lover who can’t sleep without hearing your poems?
Sarah:
I have told this before and I am telling again. I do not have anyone in my life. She was my cousin Nancy, who has gotten used to my presence and me writing and reciting a poem for her every night. Anyway, I don’t have to convince you. You can believe whatever!
They reached the grand house parking and saw Paul was already waiting.
Kian:
Did you see Kate around?
Paul:
No, haven’t seen her. We can wait for her to come, no rush.
They saw Pearl and Frank exit the grand house and walk toward them.
Pearl came and hugged Sarah.
Pearl:
How was your stay in the cottage?
Sarah narrated the whole story where she was frightened due to the winds, how the crane noises woke her up in the morning, and the lack of sleep.
Pearl:
We should not have left you alone on the first night. You grew up in a city and definitely wouldn’t be used to staying in a huge cottage. But, don’t worry; from tonight, Kian is your neighbor.
Kian interrupted the conversation out of nowhere.
Kian:
Did you know that Sarah is a poet? Do you want to hear a poem or two that she has written?
Sarah (angry and disappointed): Kian! How dare you touch my book?
Kian:
I swear I didn’t read anything. I was just pulling your leg. I know these are important to you and I wouldn’t have the courage to read your book behind your back.
Frank:
Once it is published, everyone will read, but till then it is solely Sarah’s intellectual property.
Paul sensed the situation heating up and tried to calm everyone down
Paul:
Are we going out or waiting some more?
Chapter 6
The Mysterious Kate
They see Kate arriving. There is something about this woman that is off putting. Her face, her demeanour, her thoughts all seem to be totally misaligned, she never shows any love toward Kian. She walks in as if she did not have any argument a while ago with him.
Kian:
I am not in the mood to drive around now. We will be joining you both.
Nobody spoke a word in the car. When they reached the mall, finally, Kian broke the silence.
Kian:
First, let Sarah buy whatever she needs. (Sarah wanted to say against it, but he continued) You said you need a sofa bed and matching curtains to the carpets.
Sarah didn’t remember having this conversation ever.
Kate (interrupting him):
The Connex belongs to Sarah, why are you deciding everything for her?
Paul:
My dear Kate, you are mistaken! The cottage is Sarah’s and the Connex belongs to Kian.
She froze in the middle of the mall and began screaming angrily at Kian.
Kate:
What have you done! You have given the cottage to this witch and you have got yourself a Connex? Today she gets the cottage, tomorrow the farm, and later your life?
