3 - Necklace

Kate had looked away from Edmund a long time ago and was digging her gaze in her plate. Still, she felt Edmund's gaze still heated unto her skin. Her heart leaped and her chest grew heavy each second that passed by.

“Well.... I'm sure Edmund will make us proud one day.” Charlotte forced a sincere smile on her face but her eyes clearly gave out mockery towards Edmund.

Collin was disappointed. He didn't even want to look at Edmund's face. He didn't hate him but he also couldn't say he loved him as much as his other two children. Harry was on his way to becoming a famous and successful writer while Olivia was groomed by Charlotte into becoming a proper lady in society and securing a rich suitor for marriage.

Meanwhile, Kate couldn't eat no matter how hard she tried. She just kept on stirring the soup with her spoon.

“Is something wrong, Kate?” Harry had noticed that Kate was yet to touch her dinner.

Kate blinked and cautiously raised her head to only look at Harry. “No, nothing's wrong.” She muttered as she struggled to avoid a certain person's cold and heated stare.

“Are you sure? You haven't touched your food yet.” Harry said, feeling that there was something wrong that Kate didn't want to share.

“Are you fine, my dear?” Mr Collin asked, also looking concerned.

Kate immediately nodded and flashed out her perfect fake smile. She didn't want to become the center of attention at the dining table, especially if she was apparently stealing the spotlight from both Olivia and Charlotte.

“Anyways...” Harry said shyly as he passed a glance over at Kate. “I got something for you, Kate.” He told her as he reached his hands under the dining table and took out something.

It was a medium sized red rectangular box.

Olivia instantly gasped with jealousy once she saw the brand name written in golden calligraphy, while Charlotte frowned as she believed Kate wasn't worthy of receiving anything expensive.

Harry smiled at Kate as he opened the box to reveal a stunning pearl necklace.

Kate's eyes widened and her mouth fell in surprise. Her eyes twinkled seeing the beautiful necklace in front of her.

Edmund's jaw clenched after seeing her eyes sparkle for the gift that Harry had gotten her. His free hand balled into a tight fist as he shot daggers at Kate. She had rejected his genuine gift and thrown it into the trash. And now she was gushing over the expensive jewelry that Harry bought for her.

Kate looked at Harry and her eyes almost turned misty. “Harry.... You...you shouldn't have,”

“Nonsense.” Mr Collin interrupted with a smile. “My son is a gentleman and he has every right to show his bride-to-be some form of love and affection.”

Kate blushed instantly before she froze when Edmund abruptly stood up, and the sudden way in which he rose up made his chair swing backwards and hit the floor hard.

Kate didn't dare look his way but felt his intrusive stare on her temple for a moment before she heard him storm out of the dining room.

“What's wrong with him?” Olivia whispered to her mother.

“I don't know if I should say this, my love, but Edmund has been behaving strange lately and I'm worried about him.” Charlotte feigned concern. “You do know that he is trouble and he's always with bad company. I fear he's involved in some illegal activities or maybe he's even into drugs?!”

“Yes, father.” agreed Olivia. “You can even ask Kate here. Whenever I'm out on a stroll or go shopping with my friends, all they do is gossip about Edmund and his friends causing some sort of trouble all over town and I feel so embarrassed everytime because I'm related to him.”

“Or maybe he was tired and wanted to retire early.” Harry reasoned, but only Kate knew the real reason why Edmund stormed out in a fit of rage.

So many times she had wanted to let Harry know about what was going on without his knowledge but the last thing she wanted was for more feud and tension to arise in the mansion because of her.

Mr Collin inhaled sharply and wore a hard expression. “Forget about him. He's not worth talking about and ruining the entire atmosphere.” He then turned to Harry and forced a smile. “And what are you waiting for, son? Put the necklace around your future wife's neck.”

Harry nodded enthusiastically as he carefully took out the necklace from inside the box. Kate now forced a smile as she was in turmoil within and turned her head slightly. She flipped her hair to the side and Harry put the necklace around her neck.

The pearls on the necklace made her fair skin glow even more under the candlelights. She then looked up to see Harry staring at her with a wide satisfied smile.

...........

Later that night, Kate was walking down the quiet corridor. Most of the candles in the mansion had already burned out and everyone had all retired to their bedrooms for the night.

Kate was heading towards the storeroom - her favorite place in the entire mansion and her sanctuary. It was where she always wrote secretly without anyone finding out about it.

Today had been one heck of a day and amidst the chaos, she had found some inspiration to pen down on her papers. While on her way, out of nowhere the pearl necklace around her neck was pulled harshly from behind, almost choking her.

“Ahhh!...” Kate let out a small scream before a hand covered her mouth right away. She immediately inhaled the familiar scent of his cologne and his warm breath fanned the back of her neck. Her eyes widened in fear as he now walked around and stood in front of her before removing his hand from her mouth. Her trembling eyes first fell on his fly collar white linen shirt with the first three buttons undone to reveal smooth little hairs on his chest.

Her body was completely still as she felt Edmund's fingers tracing the necklace around her neck. Even her soul within her body felt restless with him being in front of her.

“I see you liked the gift Harry bought for you and accepted it...” There was a thin line of anger when he spoke. His eyes heavily rested on the necklace around her neck. “It's quite expensive I must admit.”

Kate managed to croak out. “P-please, Mr Edmund. L-let...me go.” Her voice low and barely a whisper as she didn't dare look up to meet his eyes but still kept her gaze glued to his chest.

“On the other hand, you not only rejected the gift I sent to you with so much love but you also ripped it apart and threw it into the garbage.” Edmund continued, with his tone of voice soft but stealthily deadly.

His hold around her necklace tightened and Kate held her breath.

“Look at me!” He demanded.

Kate obeyed immediately and slowly moved her face up to lock eyes with his. All she saw in those gray eyes were anger and a silent rage. She didn't dare take a step back nor try to run away from him or it could be much worse for her.

“Why do you keep rejecting me, Kate?” Edmund demanded, his jaw wounded tightly as he fought to keep his rage within him.

Kate's mouth continued to tremble vigorously. She had already told him her reasons in the past - that she wasn't in love with him and couldn't bring herself to love someone like him. But each time she did so, Edmund either got upset or just pretended not to listen to her.

“Why?! Is it because Harry's gift was expensive!!! Have you become greedy for money now?!!!” His voice rose up this time as he harshly pulled the necklace off her neck in one tug.

Kate gasped in shock when the necklace string snapped in the process and sent some of the pearls to hit the floor and roll away towards different directions.

“Noooo!...” Kate's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched the pearls roll away and Edmund threw the rest to the floor. This time she tried to pull away from Edmund and bend over to pick up all of the pearls that were rolling away but Edmund grabbed both of her wrists in a tightful grip.

“I said look at me!” Edmund got his index finger under her chin and forced her to look up at him.

Edmund's body boiled with more rage after seeing her eyes leaking out tears. He didn't like that she was crying because of Harry's gift being ruined.

“It hurts, doesn't it,” Edmund mocked bitterly.

“Why... why did you do it?” Kate asked, she couldn't understand why he didn't just leave her alone. She didn't want to get involved with him, didn't want to even be seen near him, let alone fall in love with a person like him.

“So it does hurt a lot.” Edmund smiled. “Then imagine how I must have felt seeing the gift I got for you all ruined and resting inside the dustbin. The carnation flower has always been your favorite and I thought of putting a smile on your face, but you just had to disrespect my gift and feelings, Kate.” He tightened his grip around her wrists even more, eliciting out a soft whimper from her throat. “And that isn't done, Kate.”

Then he dug one of his hand inside the side pocket of his trousers and took out a single squashed up carnation flower. Kate instantly recognized it was one of the few flowers she had broken and thrown into the dustbin.

“I was able to save this last one before it completely lost its beauty.” Edmund said, smiling widely before he tucked it in her hair.

Kate stood silently and allowed him to do whatever he wanted. Once Edmund had tucked the flower in her hair, his thin bow lips curled up with immediate satisfaction.

“Now this is the right gift for you as it suits you best. Both simple and definitely elegant when it's on you. Only my gift should be put on you and nobody else's.” Edmund pointed out and took a one last deadly glance at her before he stormed off and disappeared into the darkness.

Once he left, Kate immediately got down and started to pick up all of the pearls on the floor while wiping her tears.