After Marianne is completely wearing her outfit. Francois gently helps her into her wheelchair. He heard her say “Thank you!” and then she randomly said “I was going to wear a christmas jumper but opted into wearing this dress instead. I think it is the right choice. Don’t you think so?”. Francois just nodded at her and did not say anything. His mind keeps thinking of his conversation with John. ‘Does asking me to zip up her dress could just be what really it is and no other intention?’ he thought.
They left the dressing room and went to their bedroom. Marianne opens her drawer and takes out something. She gives it to Francois and then says “Merry Christmas. I hope you like it.”
Francois opens it. It is a watch. The latest design of one of the top brands that is not even out
"You have… to take the initiative, Marianne… you must!... if you want to be happy… hik," said John, and then he went into silence.Marianne turns her head to the phone, and then back to Francois. Then she goes to where her phone is. "John, let's talk tomorrow, John. Bye for now," she said, and was about to pick up her phone when there was a noise in the other line."As I was saying… take the initiative… like maybe asking him to help you get undressed, hehe. You know… you can just pretend that you cannot do it by yourself. You are his spouse… it’s normal for a couple. You could ask him to unzip your dress… hehe. Hik hik. Sorry I think I'm really drunk. But, yeah… do that… F
After breakfast in the morning, Marianne left the eating room. She had expected for Francois to be joining her because there is no way he is going to the office as it is boxing day. It is the nation’s holiday. She also did not see him when she woke up. His words had kept her awake, that she cannot remember what time she went back to sleep. She meant to speak to him about it this morning but the man is nowhere to be seen. When she asked one of the maids, she was told that he was last seen at the kitchen table. He had, again, prepared his own meal, and had instructed them to help the madam when she wakes up and to accompany her at most times. Marianne sighs ‘I’m thankful that he does care about my welfare, but I think that is all to it. I just hope that he doesn’t think last night has more meaning or what John had said.’&n
After Francois had left the drawing room, Marianne thought ‘I wouldn’t or don’t care whatever that means.’ She decided not to think of what had happened and grab her book. ‘I need to focus and won’t allow anyone to distract me,’ she thought. However, the meaning of the words are hard for her to understand. She had reread the same sentence for a while, and had even asked Lita what she understood of it. Yet, the words that are coming out from Lita are all alien to her. She let the book drop to the floor, irritated at the sight of it. She feels like kicking it, if only she could.“Madam... would you... perhaps like to go outside to have some fresh air? Or… uhm... maybe I could get you some snacks,” a hesitant voice came fromLita.&
Marianne takes her time to go back to the castle. Lita, who was following her, had volunteered to push the wheelchair as she was very slow on maneuvering. Marianne did not talk much but had asked her to take her to the grounds where she can see when the chopper arrives.As they moved around the building, going to the front of the castle, both Marianne and Lita were taken by surprise when they met Francois.The gasped sounds from Marianne and her maid made Francois stop in his tracks.“Gosh! I didn’t know you would be back so soon,” said Marianne, looking up at him.
“Yes, of course! I’m just amazed. Earlier, one of the staff had talked about it, and I thought that it’s just beyond my knowledge of technology. Now, you are talking that there is actually more and complicated stuff to it. This just blows my mind away. It’s just incredible! You are incredible,” said Marianne with full of admiration. However, after she said that, she has a feeling that there is something amiss. She then realised that it was his tone. As far as she knows, this is the first time that Francois had talked in that way. She saw Francois who had just nodded at her. ‘I just praised him. Shouldn’t he say something?’ she thought. Unable to hold in her thoughts, she asked “Did you think that I wasn’t listening to what you were saying?” Then after she said that, she hated that she had opened her mouth. ‘I think I’m developing a bitchiness c
Marianne puts her hand around his neck as he lifts her up from her seat. She is feeling more positive and hopeful that he had talked to her in his normal voice. Also he is carrying her in his arms. ‘He can’t be hating me for he doesn’t mind holding me,’ she thought full of hope.Unlike earlier when she was being carried in his arms, when she was lost in her thoughts for being too close to his body that she did not notice her surroundings, this time she is more alert. She pays more attention to her surroundings. She looks admiringly at the main library as they pass it. She also noticed that it has a higher level. She caught a glimpse of the pool table, an empty bar counter, and an old yellow game stand of Pac-man. ‘That must be the arcade area that Annie was talking about,’ thought Marianne.She also
At the Davidson’s residence, in Cornwall. Marianne sips the juice that Francois had given her. It is the beginning of the year, but the Davidson’s are not like any other households that have boozes in their houses to celebrate the first day of the year. Francois’ dad, Donald, is forbidden to take in any alcohol and Francois is not one to drink. Mary Davidson had also completely given up alcohol.“Are you okay dear? Would you like to have some nibbles?” said Mary, seating next to Marianne with a tray full of bowls of nuts, chocolates and other mini food for nibbling.“I’m alright, thank you. The meal was really lovely and I stuffed a lot. I’m afraid I
Marianne has been feeling on edge as the light of the day is fading. This is the first time that she will be spending the night outside of her comfort zone. Her first time sleeping at her in-laws' house. Mary had shown her their room earlier. She was informed that it used to be Francois' room but because he has rarely used it, it was turned into a guest room. It has a double bed which had been making Marianne flustered for the coming of the night. She is used to sharing the bed with him in their massive bed which occupies about four to five people. Which is just perfect for her comfort and thoughts. It is too wide that they barely had any skinship, unless Marianne will move closer to Francois’ side.She has not thought that there might be a situation for something like this, otherwise she would have objected to sleeping out. Then when his Nana Pauline had said those words, it still rings in her