Summer Is For Falling In Love
12. Disdain

Holland's absence on the first night of the two brides became an open secret at the Floral residence. However, all workers are asked that this secret not be spread outside the residence, let the people inside know, but not others. It would be a marriage in vain if others knew that Holland and Olivia did not love each other.

Holland's act of leaving Olivia behind on her first night is clear evidence that Holland is not interested in Olivia. Olivia was so angry that she destroyed a room.

When Holland returned the next day, he simply asked the servants to clean the room and to shut up about the matter.

"Well, anyway, Mr. Duke will love only Miss Esther" whispered the waiter who was wiping the window.

His co-worker who was also cleaning the window nodded slightly. "I agree. Back then, my friend was working in the food service department so I could tell the conversation the late Master Duke and Master Duke were having right now. It was a tense conversation."

The hand that cleaned the window stopped moving. Instead, he turned his head to his friend with a curious look. "What are they talking about?"

"Well, you know what? As Lord Duke loved it Miss Esther and she was so against this political marriage."

The waiter exhaled, again cleaning the window deftly. "That's a shame, Mr. Duke. I also know what it's like when my relationship isn't sanctioned by my family."

"Really, right? Also, take a look at the situation at the Floral residence after one day had passed since the wedding ceremony. Mr. Holland locked himself in the study, even asking the waiter not to let anyone in."

"What a pity on Mrs Olivia. Rejected by her husband, must have been so painful."

"Pasti—"

"I thought I was paying you to clean up the residence and not to gossip," cut out a voice that sounded so cold.

The two maids jumped in shock and immediately prostrated themselves on the floor, making sure that the foreheads of the two were actually pinning down the marble floor. Self-esteem is not important, life is the most valuable. "I'm sorry, Mrs Olivia! Please don't fire us!"

Olivia looked at the two maids nyalang, then screamed frutration. "Well you or the other waiter it's the same! You are so insolent!"

"Pardon us, Mrs Olivia!"

"Get your heads up!" scream Olivia.

The two maids fearfully straightened their bodies only to be faced with a pair of sinister red beads, sending a tense sensation on the back.

Olivia gripped the chin of one of the servants, pressing her two fingers roughly on both jaws. "Ross up all you want. On other occasions, I'll rip your lips and mouth to death!"

The servant who was gripped by his chin trembled violently, even his two eyes were glazed over. "Please, Mrs Olivia, please" she said in a voice that shook.

Olivia took off her grip and snorted in annoyance. With an arrogant step, he passed the two maids and walked briskly in the large hallway.

"This is because of the woman who took my husband!" olivia shouted in frustration. "Holland also left me on the first night, so presumptuous! It's very clear that he's not interested in me, but also has to destroy my dignity in the presence of those lowly servants?!"

Olivia now vows to pull Holland to her side, making the man infatuated with her, until another woman whom Holland dates will be left out.

...***...

Holland literally locked himself in his study all day. He asked the waiter to bring him breakfast, lunch and dinner, to take him to his study. Holland did it to avoid being in contact with Olivia.

Fortunately, Olivia did not come and protest blatantly.

"Mr Duke, it's already nine in the evening" lamented Miel who also accompanied Holland inside his study.

"Then?" holland asked sarcastically. His fingers did not stop reversing his work documents, reading every letter listed. Holland modelled the lighting of a candle that lit in every corner of the room, making the room no longer covered by the darkness of the night.

"It's time to rest! It's time for me to rest!" miel said with annoyance. "Do you want to enslave me? I've even usually sent you to bed and sang Lullaby to you. Why are you still in the workspace? Come on, Mr. Holland."

Holland was a little sympathetic to Miel being dragged by him into the study, not allowing his servant to leave unless he had his own interests.

"You go. I'm gonna sleep here," break up Holland, make Miel gawk.

Miel looked at Holland's workspace. The workspace is spacious, with bookshelves and journals on both sides of the room, soft sofas, other decorations, as well as a Holland desk. Holland will obviously sleep on the sofa, although the sofa is large and soft, still it will not be too comfortable.

"Are you sure you want to sleep on the couch?" asked Miel doubtfully. "Of course the sofa will not be comfortable for you, right? What if the next day, you even have neck pain?"

Holland tapped on a quill pen on a piece of paper. "Better than meeting Olivia."

"Ah." Miel felt sorry for her master.

"Then, I'll bring the ointment for muscle soreness tomorrow morning."

"good. Now go, you're so chatty."

Miel held back her sense of regret and resigned herself. "Good night, Mr. Holland. Wish you could have a good dream tonight" he said before closing the door.

Holland's study room turned silent after Miel left. Previously, Holland heard many complaints from his personal servant until the workspace was crowded.

Holland sighed and tried to finish his piled up work. The man did not know how much time had passed, when he realized it, he heard the door of his study knocked.

Holland frowned. Wh who? A waiter? Or Miel who forgot something?

Holland hesitates, but his voice finally airs, filling the silence, "Come in."

The silence of the night vanished when the sound of the door being opened sounded. Behind the door, the person Holland wanted to avoid the most came to him.

"Mr Holland?" Olivia entered the room and closed the door.

Holland held his breath and stood up from his chair. "Miss Olivia? Is something wrong? You can ask the waiter to help you."

Olivia could hear the implied meaning of Holland's words, it was like "don't bother me, I don't want to see you". The meaning upset Olivia, but decided to maintain a gentle and innocent smile on her lips.

"Mr Holland is still working?" asked Olivia timidly, taking a step closer to Holland.

"Yes, Miss Olivia. My job increased after I got the Duke's title." Holland frowned when Olivia was now only half a meter away from him.

"That's it, huh?" Olivia's closing in.

Holland did not pay much attention, but as the woman approached, Holland could see what the woman was wearing under her satin robe. It was white pajamas, but the chest part was open, the skirt was so short despite having a thick layer. Moreover, the satin robe that was draped on both shoulders was finally removed when the distance between the two was only half a inch.

Holland took a step back until his back almost touched the wall. However, Olivia stepped forward, cornering Holland.

"Mr Holland, what if you set aside your work now and play with me?"

Holland jerks. The light from the glowing candle illuminated Olivia's face. What Holland saw there was not naivety, but pettiness.

Holland looked at Olivia coldly. "Miss Olivia, I don't have time to play with you. I'm a busy man. If you talk nonsense again, I'll—"

"What will?" Olivia erodes the distance. His fingers touched Holland's chest, pressing the man lightly. "You left me on our first night, Mr. Holland. One day has passed, and you're trying to avoid me?"

Holland sighed, pulled Olivia's hand which pressed against her chest, then squeezed her a little hard. Olivia even complained.

Instead, Holland pushed Olivia against the wall, pressing her down.

Olivia rounded her eyes, but a warm thumping feeling spread. "Mr Holland?" Olivia was being seduced. His vision was filled with stunning Holland visuals. The light from the faint candle shone on Holland's collarbone which was spared from her clothes, glittering, especially the distance between the two who were too close to make Olivia hold her breath.

Olivia was happy. Does this mean Holland has fallen on him? Olivia wanted to put both her hands around Holland's neck, but the man held her back.

"Don't my actions show you one thing, Miss Olivia? I'm not interested in you."

Olivia's pulse beating warmly turned into a painful twitch. "Yes?"

Holland approached Olivia's ear, whispering, "And don't tie me to a child."

After saying her sentence, Holland let go of Olivia. He then grabbed the satin robe on the floor before throwing it at Olivia. The man no longer turned to glance at Olivia as he left the room. A loud door blow dawned on Olivia that she had been harshly rejected.

Olivia's face flushed with embarrassment. Squeezed the satin robe on both hands violently.

"Holland! This humiliation ...!" Olivia's voice was choked, and she threw the robe in any direction before shouting frutration.

...***...

Is there anyone else with Olivia?

July 2nd, 2023