Shadows of Guilt

CHAPTER 06 : LIU

           Fendice and Shawn got off of the car the moment the car stopped in front of Liu’s household. The place was secluded from any noise and the landscape surrounding the place was wide, making the place mysterious and traditional. The place kept its natural features, even the mansion was renovated to maintain the tracks of generations that handled the family for decades.

           Fendice and Shawn didn’t talk about personal things to each other, they were strangers inside this marriage and Fendice didn’t demand anything including his background or even things about his family. But seeing this place made him feel calm as well as regretful, the fact that he didn’t initiate to visit his in-laws was so immature of him. They were good people after all.

           “Come,” Shawn called

           Fendice nodded and finally turned away from the beautiful scenery of the place. They were welcomed by maids and butlers working in the place, they wore a mix of traditional robes and modern clothing, hairs were all tidy even their posture was good and proper.

           Fendice can’t help but awkwardly bow back as the rows of them bowed to greet Shawn.

           “This way Sir.” the head butler said and walked forward to lead them to Madam’s quarters.

Fendice silently followed and finally saw the inside where the beauty is beyond description. The mansion had several courtyards and each corner had an open space where they raise fish in a pond then there were trees. They didn’t emphasize the interior design but focused on renovating the whole space into its original state. The Oriental decoration was still there, there are ancient artifacts like vases and paintings displayed on the corner, swords and wooden weapons displayed on a frame. Everything was mostly displayed for display only and no longer can be used.

           The house wasn’t that full, only the unhurried steps of the maids can be heard all over the place. It seemed lonely and quiet.

           They reached the private area of the place where the masters and young master dwell. They were completely separated from the public area.           

           They stopped in front of a big door and the butler gently knocked, “Sir, the young master is here.”

           Fendice gulped. He can’t help but get nervous. And seeing his worried expression, Shawn smiled and reached for his hand. His palm covered the sweating palm of the other, “Why are you so nervous?” he heard the man asked

           Fendice tried to take away his sweating hand from the man, but just glared at Shawn when he wasn’t able to.

           Shawn tightened his hold, “It’s not like we’re still in a courting stage.” he said in a humorous tone

           Fendice frowned and before he can refute, the butler already opened the door to have them enter.

They entered and Fendice witnessed another intricate design for a room. The room was filled with the aroma of sandalwood blended in the soothing scent of the incense placed in the room. Fendice finally realized why the elders and old surviving families respected Liu. The Liu strictly kept the tradition despite the modernization, every generation was taught well about the origin of their family and to respect their ancestors in all ways that until now, they adapted it well.

           And Fendice can’t help about the talk they had once with Shawn that the lineage must be kept.

But he snapped from his thoughts when a hand reached for his, “Fendice, it’s been a long time.”

           Fendice saw that it was a woman who had a lot of similar features to Shawn reached for him, gazing at his eyes as she lay on the bed.

           “Mrs. Liu…”

           “Call me Mother Fendice.” Mrs. Liu interrupted him

           Fendice was feeling a lot of things now but lowly muttered, “M-Mother.”

           Mrs. Liu’s sharp features softened and smiled, then her gaze turned to his son. Her stare didn’t change but there was a hint of indifference, “Thank you for visiting son.” she said

           Shawn just smiled back, “Have you been well Mother?” he asked

           “Just need a little bit of rest.” she said and turned to Fendice, “Fendice seemed to wonder about the place.”

           Fendice awkwardly smiled, he had the behavior to expose his curiosity and wonders when coming to a new and strange place. Some were laughing at him because of it, “I just thought that the place seemed to be strangely beautiful…” he stopped, his expression dropped,

           ‘He shouldn’t have said strangely!’

           Seeing him made the madam laugh wholeheartedly, “Right? You’re not the first one to say that.”

She then gazes at the courtyard outside her room. Then Fendice just then saw that there was a magnolia tree that stood by that area, “This place had a lot of memories and treasure that was beyond any value. Blood and wars were tainted here, love and hatred.” she said softly as if reminiscing something then turned to Fendice.

           “Have you read the book of the Little Prince?” she asked

           “Ah, that children’s book?” Fendice enthusiastically asked

           “Yes.” Mrs. Liu smiled. Realizing what she meant, he then turned to look at the courtyards outside and by the magnolia tree was a small pond. He was in a daze for a moment then snapped to realize something, “The Little Prince’s tree and tears?!” he asked suddenly to Mrs. Liu in all smile

           Mrs. Liu lightly laughed, “Yes, the prince’s tree and tears.”

           They both smiled happily as they gaze which left Shawn confused, “What do you mean by the Little Prince’s tree and tears?”

           Fendice turned to him in confusion, he tilted his head in wonder, “Haven’t you read that?”

           Mrs. Liu turned to answer, “Our Shawn has been academically excellent since he was young, he was filled with educational books and didn’t have the chance to read such stories.”

           “Ah…” Fendice nodded. To be an outstanding person is quite lonely ain’t it?

           Shawn asked again, “What about that story?”

           Fendice felt a gush of confidence in his heart and cleared his throat to narrate the story, “The Little Prince was a story about a young prince who wanted to plant a tree, a magnolia tree that when its flowers blossoms signify the start of spring. He loved spring so he took a sapling to plant the tree but the soil was too rough and dry so to make it moist, he cried for days and nights until the soil finally became moist and good. He successfully planted the magnolia tree and his tears from the soil gathered and became a small pond.”

           Fendice was happily narrating since he has been telling stories to Four but he realized it was Shawn so he just cleared his throat and ended the story that way.

           Shawn can’t help but frown, “Tears that became a pond?”

           “It’s possible if one tries,” Fendice said satisfyingly. He had loved that story because it’s so simple and easy to understand.

           “It’s only a children’s book,” Mrs. Liu laughed and stopped to gaze at the falling flowers from the tree, “No matter how simple it is, every story held meanings.”

…

           After they visited with Mrs. Liu, they were guided towards their room and Fendice saw another majestic place upon entering their bedroom. It was almost designed from an old style of ancient rooms but was blended with minimalistic style and modern touches, and as expected, there was also a courtyard.

           “Your house is well preserved, I feel like I’m in a museum,” Fendice said seeing the paintings by the walls. There were landscapes but most of them contains a painting of a person.

           He wanted to ask about it when Shawn responded in his last statement, “I heard you’re a straight F student in history during your college years, I think this place would help you.”

           Fendice abruptly turned to him, “I-I also had a B+, once,” he stuttered, trying to correct that shameful ‘rumor’. He then stared at the single bed, his brows frowned, and turned to the sides.

           Shawn noticed it and asked, “What is it? Did you forget something?”

           Fendice turned to him with a confused expression, “Where’s my bed?”

The two stared at each other in silence and Shawn can’t help but break a low chuckle, amused at how Fendice stood dumbstruck realizing his fate.

“Why are you looking like that?” he reached a hand to caress the man’s cheek but Fendice immediately avoided his hand.

           He was feeling unsettled and said, “We’re not sleeping in the same bed Shawn.”

Shawn’s expression was carefree staring at him with fondness, “This is already enough for the both of us. And if you want to sleep in a separate bed, you need to transfer to another room.”

He leaned closer, “But if you do that, what would my parents think about it? Mm? Seeing our relationship this mess, won’t it create some misunderstanding?”

           Fendice’s frown went deeper hearing his words but he couldn’t find anything to refute back.

Shawn curved a smile seeing his confused state, “We’re both in husband and wife Fendice, between us there’s nothing to be nervous of.”

           “Who’s nervous?” Fendice reprimanded and turned away. “I’ll sleep on the couch then.” He immediately said seeing the long and fluffy couch by the side.

           Shawn already took off his coat and leisurely replied, “I know you’re tired Fendice, sleeping beside me will comfort you.”

           Fendice can’t help but think that Shawn is getting more and more talkative.

           …

After dinner, Fendice and Shawn had a casual talk with Mr. Liu before they settled back on their quarters. The mansion was covered by the natural noise from birds and cicadas around, making the place solemn and quiet.

Everything felt strange and new to Fendice but he felt much comfortable and good compared to the places he’d gone to. Covered by a night robe, he walked by the courtyard outside their room and he noticed that every magnolia tree has a small pond below it and there was no exception on this courtyard so he went to take a closer look and immediately smelt the faint spring scent of the falling flowers of the tree. Spring was long gone and winter is approaching, the tree started to sleep again, letting the cold breeze take the flowers away.

           He then bent to stare at those flowers which landed on the pond.

           Smiling, he let his hand dip on the water but immediately shivered from the coldness but he liked the feeling and let his hand play on the water. Head leaning on his knees as he stares at a space.

           If Lin were here, he would surely love the scenery. And he snapped upon remembering that soft, gentle smile.

           He took his cellphone from his pocket and dialed him.

           Lin was in the gallery when he heard his phone rung. He immediately dismissed the member of his team who was discussing the final schedule seeing that it was Fendice who was calling.

           He smiled, “Mm.”

           Fendice smiled hearing his soft hum, “Are you busy?”

           Lin stood and went outside to hear his voice clearly, “I’m done with my stuff today. You?”

           “I’m in my free time too.” He replied, “Are you going home now?” Fendice had already kept Lin’s schedule on his mind and seeing that it was just 6 PM, he might still be in the gallery.

           Lin giggled realizing it, “I’m going home for a while. Need to wait for Portia.”

           “Okay. Don’t forget to take a bath.” Fendice reminded since Lin had the habit of sleeping the moment he reached his bed and would sometimes wake him to have him wash up.

           “Yes, yes Sir. I just wished you were here.” Lin said

           Fendice smiled and was about to reply when someone called him.

           “Hey, Fendice come to help me here a bit.”

It was Shawn.

Hearing his first word, Fendice had already ended the call. He momentarily panicked but calmed down as he faced the man, “What?”

Shawn was currently wearing his reading eyeglasses and night robe, but what’s more strange was that he was holding a children’s book.

“Is this that story you said?”