CHAPTER 36: CHANGE OF MIND?
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“Here, you can put that here.” I commanded the men who were placing the things inside Elisse’s playroom.
I also changed the wallpaper from pale pastel to pink with bears on it, then I made them put some star stickers on the ceiling which could light up when one turns off the lights.
“Do you have anything else to change, ma’am?”
“No, it’s alright now. Thanks.”
“Thank you, ma’am.”
As soon as they left, I also stepped out of that room and went to the living room to watch T. V while waiting for Matthew and Elisse to arrive. I asked to buy some things at the supermarket.
Ever since that kid came here, this house was never the same again. She is so loud that I can’t even sleep so well at night. She keeps on running around the whole mansion together with Matthew every morning which makes me wake up so early.
“We’re already here, Miss Winter!”
Speaking of the loud kid. They’re here again. The most annoying people in my life. I just pretended not to notice them, until she ran into me and covered my eyes with her hands.
“Ugh, don’t cover my eyes with your dirty hands again!”
She immediately moved away and started wiping her hands with her clothes. “It’s not dirty, though.”
“But you just went to the supermarket. For sure you touched so many things there.”
“Winter is right, Elisse. You should wash your hands first before touching something or someone.” said Matthew who also sat on the couch.
“Were you able to buy everything I told you?”
He nodded his head with an annoying smile on his face again. “Yes, milady. No more, no less.”
“Just make sure, or I won’t allow you to have dinner with me. By the way, can you check that room? I think there’s something in there.” I said, pointing at the playroom.
“Huh? What’s in there.”
I shrugged. “Something’s in there. I can hear someone making noises there every night.”
“Really?”
“Maybe there’s a ghost in there!” Elisse screamed.
“Then the two of you should go check it.”
They both looked at me before looking at me again. “No.”
“And why not? I am allowing you to live here with me. That’s the least thing you can do here.”
In the end, they had no choice but to go upstairs while Elisse was holding onto Matthew’s shirt. I almost laughed while watching the two of them.
As they reached the room upstairs and opened the door, both of their eyes widened in surprise.
“What’s in there?” I asked, pretending to be innocent.
“I-It’s a playroom…” Elisse said, enchanted.
Matthew was already smiling while looking at Ellise.
“A what?” I said while walking upstairs.
“A playroom…”
I stood beside the two of them. “Then, why don’t you go inside and check it out?”
She didn’t move. Then later on, she turned around and looked at me with tears filling her eyes. To my surprise, she ran into me and hugged me so tight. “Thank you so much, Miss Winter…. Thank you so much…”
I could feel my eyes getting hotter while she was hugging me. Her small arms were wrapped around my hips. I just found myself smiling while hearing her cry because of too much joy.
“I’ve never seen a very beautiful playroom like this… I have never experienced having toys….. Thank you so much, Miss Winter….” she kept on sobbing.
“Stop crying there now. It’s not like I am giving you that for free. I just wanted to pay back for my birthday party last time. You might think I’m so ungrateful if I don’t do this.”
“Thank you, Miss Winter….”
“Come on. Are you just going to cry there? I might change my mind and take this away from you again. Go on and check it out.”
She immediately moved away from me and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then slowly, stepped inside her playroom and started checking every toy with a huge smile on her face.
“This huge bear is so cute!!! Oh! And there’s swing too! And a slide!!! I love it soooo much!” she cooed.
“She loves it so much.” Matthew whispered.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
He faced me with a smile on his face, too. “Thank you, Winter. I know this isn’t easy for you. But you made Elisse so happy. I should thank you for that.”
I averted my gaze from him. “Stop thanking me already. As what I just said, I didn’t do it only for her to have a place to play. I don’t want to be called ungrateful after you remembered my birthday.”
“She won’t forget this day, that’s for sure. And that is because of you.”
“Brother! Miss Winter! Let’s play here!” Elisse suddenly called the two of us.
Matthew immediately went inside.
“I’m already tired, I want to rest. Just go and play all you want with your childish brother.” I said.
“Okay! Thank you, Miss Winter! Let’s play some other time!” she said enthusiastically at me. And as I was about to leave, I suddenly felt Elisse’s hand on me which made me look at her. She beckoned me to move down a bit so she could reach me.
I rolled my eyes and bent down, and I was surprised when she suddenly kissed my cheek.
“Thank you so much, Miss Winter. You really are the best!” then she ran inside the playroom again.
I was left there, standing while touching my cheek that she just kissed.
That was the first time someone kissed me on my cheek as a form of gratitude. I felt her heart while thanking me.
I just found myself smiling while walking to my room.
So, this is what it feels to be appreciated by being who you really are. I was used to getting rejections and hate comments even from my own family. But now, I finally know how fulfilling it is to make someone genuinely happy.