A sense of familiarity budded in her heart as Genevieve stared at the girl in the photo.

I feel like I've seen her before, but I might be wrong. They lost the girl when she was five or six. There's no way I know her.

Not wanting the sickly old man to dwell on the sadness, Genevieve took the photo away. “Old Mr. Zeigler, what about I read you the novel—Her Tearoom—by Francis of Frosa?”

“I know this book,” Herbert replied. A smile broke out on his face as he reminisced about the past.

“Harriet asked me to buy that book when I went to Frosa for work, but because there weren't many published copies, I went all over the country just to look for it. It was not until night that I found it at a bookstore, and the customs officials almost stopped me from going through. Harriet was so happy she kissed me repeatedly when I passed her the book.”

Genevieve's heart warmed as she listened to Herbert recounting the story.

For the whole morning, Genevieve sat beside him under the sun and read to him the book until the housekeeper knocked on the door.

“It's time for lunch, Old Mr. Zeigler,” Genevieve reminded, closing the book.

“I want to hear more. Lunch can wait,” he insisted. Herbert felt reluctant to leave because listening to Genevieve while resting under the sun made him feel as if Harriet was still beside him.

“This can wait, though. You might get a stomachache if you don't eat on time,” Genevieve persuaded, shaking her head.

She got up from the chair and went over. “Let's go. I promise I'll read you five more pages after your siesta,” she suggested with a smile.

“All right. Don't go back on your words.” The old man finally relented and got up.

The dishes were served when they arrived downstairs, but no one else was seated at the table. “Where's Yuvan?” Herbert asked.

“Mr. Yuvan called at eleven, saying he won't be back for lunch,” the housekeeper replied.

Herbert nodded and sat down for a meal with Genevieve.

Ten minutes after lunch, the housekeeper went to the living room with some liquid medicine. “It's time to take your medicine, General Zeigler.”

Herbert was annoyed at the sight of the medicine, for he had taken it for almost a month. “Take it away. I don't need it. I'm still strong, and I can even go fishing.”

The housekeeper looked at him, troubled. “But Mr. Yuvan said you must have it. The doctor prescribed it—”

“Oh! So, what he says carries weight, but not what I say?” Herbert snapped in agitation. The woman was so scared she froze where she was, not knowing what to do.

Seeing this, Genevieve quickly got up and took medicine from her before sitting down beside Herbert.

“You're still recovering, Old Mr. Zeigler. That's why you need to have this,” she explained, swirling the liquid to cool it.

She got up from the chair and went over. “Let's go. I promise I'll read you five more pages after your siesta,” she suggested with a smile.
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255