Russian Requiem (Book 2 of RR Trilogy)

Requiem #8

Chapter 8

(Coffee)

I woke up early in the morning through the knock on the door. When I opened it, I was surprised to see Rob. He's standing in front of me, smiling.

"Rob!" I exclaimed in excitement. "It's been years! How are you? When did you arrive?"

He chuckled. "Just by the consecutive questions you asked me, I knew you missed me, Miss Ariadne."

Inirapan ko ang kahanginan niya. He didn't change that much. He just let his hair grow longer than before. But all his soft and foreign features are still the same.

He kept chuckling. "As you can see, miss, I'm doing fine. I just came back from Russia last night. And now, I am this mansion's butler again..." natutuwang balita niya. "By the way, Chef Rossi has already arrived too. She wants to apologize for being so late."

Natawa ako sa huling sinabi niya. "Yeah. I was waiting for her since we first lived here, and she only arrived now..."

Napaisip naman ako sa mga naunang sinabi niya. He's here as a butler? If I had no idea about who he really is, I would probably think that it's normal for him to be a butler. But no. He's not really a butler, and this is making me worry because I know that he might be here to protect us while he disguises as a butler.

"Are you okay, miss?"

Napatingin ako sa kanya. "Uh, yes... Have you had breakfast already?" Pag-iiba ko ng usapan.

Pumasok muli ako sa loob ng kwarto at dumiretso sa banyo upang maghilamos at mag-ayos ng sarili. Narinig ko naman ang boses niya sa may pintuan ng kwarto.

"Yes, I already ate, miss. I came here to wake you up so that you can already have your breakfast and then you'll go to work."

Nang matapos akong mag-ayos, lumabas muli ako sa banyo.

"Where's Clade? Did he already leave for work?" Tanong ko.

Tumango siya. "Your driver is already waiting for you outside. I'll be staying here to watch Clay and Carie."

"Oh, right! It's saturday today! Those two will be staying home then."

"Yes, miss. You should be ready. I'll be downstairs if you need me." Paalam niya.

"Alright. Thank you, Rob. And welcome back."

He chuckled again. "Thank you, miss."

Inabala ko ang sarili ko sa paghahanda para sa trabaho. I tried so hard to refrain from thinking negatively because of Rob's sudden appearance in our mansion. I must remember that I already promised Clade to trust him completely and not pressure him anymore. I must keep that promise.

Pagkababa ko sa dining area, nakita kong nag-aabang si Chef Rossi sa isang tabi. Napakalaki ng ngiti niya nang makita ako. Agad niya akong sinugod ng yakap. We both missed each other.

"How are you, anak?" Tanong niya habang hinahagod ang likod ko.

Bahagya akong natawa dahil tanda niya pa rin ang tawag niya sa akin noon. 

"I'm okay, Nay Rossi." Naghiwalakay kami sa yakap ngunit malapit pa rin kami sa isa't isa. I stared at her face and spotted some wrinkles, as well as white hairs on her head too. "How about you? How are you and your vacation, nay?"

Masaya siyang ngumiti. Iginiya niya ako paupo sa hapag habang nagkukwento.

"It's very relaxing. I've been in vacation in those years you and your husband lived in Italy alone. I really wanted to be your chef again in your home there, but you don't want me to." Tila nagtatampong aniya.