The Murderer In My Shadow

Chapter Seven: Yaya Dolor

After her short conversation with Amberlene, Yaya Dolor went out of her room and immediately look for Conrad Asistio, his nephew to talk about what happened.

The head of the chambermaids tried to look for him in the butler's sleeping quarters, but he wasn't there. Then, she went out at the back of the mansion to see if she can find him. Then, she saw him watering the plants and some flowers.

The back of the mansion was full of different kinds of flowers and plants Amberlene's mother loved. Whenever she returned home to check her daughter's situation, together with her husband, she always dropped by her garden full of flowers and plants she bought from different parts of the world. It was her haven. A sanctuary to reminisce.

Just like what his nephew was doing, the mother of Amberlene always watered her flowers and plants. She enjoyed doing it every time she went home or came back from a busy and long trips in and out of the country. And of course, yaya Dolor witnessed her loved for nature.

“Auntie, what brought you here at the back?” she stopped reminiscing the days she saw Amberlene's mother enjoying the scenery of her garden when Conrad saw her approaching.

“Nothing much, Conrad. I'm here to talk about what Amberlene told me.”

The young man in his twenties turned off the faucet and wiped his wet hands. He leads her mother's sister into a vacant seat, so they can talk.

“Do you want me to get some drinks, Auntie?” he asked looking at her serious face.

“It's all right. It's not serious. I need to clarify something about the rules and restrictions of this mansion, Conrad. And I know, you knew it very well, right?” Her hands were crossed and her eyebrows were started rising, looking at him seriously.

Conrad took a deep breath and swallowed his saliva before answering her auntie. “Yes, I do remember that, Auntie. It was you who taught me to memorize all the rules and restrictions in this mansion, including my duties and responsibility.”

“Great. If I may ask, what is the most important rules you remember then?”

“It was the rules young master, Amberlene told us.”

“And that is?”

Conrad inhaled and exhaled again, trying to swallow his saliva one more time before giving a response to his auntie. The eyes of his mother's sisters were staring at him full of worries.

“We are not allowed to look at her face. Whatever happens, we should always bow down our head.”

“I see. That's good. It's wonderful to hear that you remember. Now, my question is, what happened? How did you end up bumping into her early this morning, Conrad?”

He knew that his auntie will ask him about what happened earlier. And he can't just create stories in front of her because her auntie was very vigilant and observant on every word he said. Conrad was sweating already, but he still managed to smile and answer her.

The cold winds were flowing in and out of the area, but Conrad was still sweating, trying to relax his mind and body. He can't lie in front of her, and he must tell her the truth, or else he would end up kicking out, leaving the mansion for good.

“It was always my duty to wake up early in the morning, Auntie,” he started telling her what his usual routine every day, taking a glance as well on her auntie's face.

“I was in charge of sweeping in the morning, and it was always my routine to sweep the dried leaves or dirt on the pathway. I was busy sweeping, and I didn't know that the young master was running. It was not my intention to see her face. I just wanted to look at her, so I could apologize.”

After saying those words, his aunt suddenly relaxed and changed her gaze into the flowers and plants in the area. He also calmed himself and massage his chest because he was nervous of his answers in front of his auntie. He knew exactly what kind of auntie yaya Dolor was. A little mistakes can even trigger her monster side, and he doesn't want to anger her.

“Now, I heard your side, I would like to inform you that you have to keep it to yourself what you saw earlier. The lady and the master of this mansion didn't want their only daughter to be a laughingstock. I am telling you this for your safety, Conrad. Do you understand?”

She was not raising her voice, but Conrad can feel her anger after saying those words. “Yes, I do understand, Auntie. I'll be careful next time.”

“You don't have to worry, I spoke with Amberlene, and she won't expel or remove you from your post in this mansion. But, you have to promise me that it won't happen again,” her stare made him nervous again. “I am not dumb, Conrad. I don't think you can see dirt and dried leaves on the pathway as early as past three in the morning, right? So, I doubt, you were there on purpose. You like her, do you?”

He was caught off guard. Now, he understands why some of his cousins were afraid of his auntie's frightening stare. It was her way to catch them with their mistakes. And will he still deny it?”

“No, Auntie. I don't like her. Actually, I wanted to befriend her. I noticed that she always live her life alone.”

“I know. And I want you to take care of her. If for instance, she talked to you, just listened to her. I also told her to befriend you in case, she also wants to get to know you better.”

Conrad's eyes widened and his ears were getting bigger after hearing from his auntie that the Unica Hija of the mansion wants to get to know him also. He just nodded, but he can't hide his feeling of excitement. He's excited to see how they would get to know each other soon.

“For now, finish your work and do not forget what I've told you earlier. Okay? I'll leave you then.”

He bid his goodbye to his auntie, immediately open the faucet. Then, he went back watering the plants, smiling and excited on the next days to come.