The First Time

I walked down the corridor, dad and mom passed away last year and only I had survived yet the grieve is what can never be disappear. Grandfather decided I needed a break so he brought me to Cannes to find a new hope so to live on. Grandfather Alex was grandfather's best friends, before I was born they made a promise of marriage between me and grandfather Alex's granddaughter. I look out the windows at the gardens, their gardens are beautifully designed. A rectangular pond stood in the middle of all of it. Ahead of it is the clear blue sea. I stopped moving as my sight focused on a young girl who was practicing her sword in the gardens. She looks beautiful, the way her arm moves and the seriousness in her eyes.

Her curly brown hair was tied back in a ponytail. Her hair swings back and forth following her movement. The view was beautiful but all my focus is on her. The sun shines on the sword lighting up her hair. The staff that is leading me around the mansion too stopped when I had so I asked, "Who is that girl?"

He looked out the window and towards the girl I was talking about, "She is Miss Aurelia Maniver, granddaughter of the Master" he said

"Aurelia?" I said in a whisper, my fiancee, "What's she like?" I asked continuing to stare at her

"She is kind to us staffs. Everyone loves her." he said, "She just won a fencing competition in Washington a few days ago. Master decided on a big party but she said, 'Let's just have a small one in the gardens with all the staffs'. She is always considerate of others but not herself" he said smiling, proud in her voice

"Why do you say that?" I asked

"Say what?" he asked looking at me

"The considerate part" I said

"Oh, that part" he said, "Last year she came over for summer holiday. She just started learning fencing and one day Miss Aurelia was practicing in the gardens for hours. And a cat jumped of the bushes and fell onto the pavement injured. She got so worried she carried the cat and ran straight towards the house. On the way she fell down and her legs started bleeding. But instead of caring for her wounds, she care more of the wounds of the cat. When she showed the cat to Jay, he was more shocked for her than the cat. She wouldn't let Jay bandaged her before she worked on it. There is still a scar on her knees."

"Oh", that was all I could think off to say

"Let's go" he said, "I will show you to the resting room."

"Ok" I said and followed him

He left me in a room with the view of the gardens, I sat by the windowsill and looked out the gardens. She was still practicing as Grandfather Alex walked out and towards her, she turned around. Once she saw him, she dropped her saw and ran up to hugged him. She was laughing and smiling, which makes her more beautiful. He twist her around, and put her down again. They started talking and she picked up her sword and left with him. A few minutes later grandfather came in and said, "Let's go"

I turned to grandfather and asked, "What is she like?"

"Who?" grandfather asked, I wonder what's she like in grandfather's mind

"Aurelia" I replied

He looked at me in surprise, "I thought you never thought about her."

"Just wondering" I replied

"My answer would be she is just like her mother, considerate of others" he said

I felt him staring at me with amusement. "Why are you staring at me?" I asked, looking back at him

"Nothing" he replied and looked away.

Everyday grandfather would visit grandfather Alex, I would follow him just to see her, my future bride. I sit at the windowsill and look at her practice. After a few more visits I was allowed to walk around without any staff following me.

Aurelia kept swinging her sword, the routine was the same each day. She wouldn't stop till grandfather Alex came and find her. But today was earlier than usual, grandfather Alex walked through he glass doors. Something seems wrong, she sensed it too. She ran to grandfather Alex and hugged him, she smiled and patted his head as he was crying.

Grandfather came in, deep in the air something felt wrong. "What's wrong?" I asked

"Aurelia's parents got into a car accident in Washington on the way to the airport. Thomas didn't get the treatment in time and passed away, Amelia is currently in surgery." he said

I stood up abruptly. I couldn't say anything, I know what its like to lose both parents. I hope she would at least have her mother by her side. I can't bear to see the sadness in her face. Grandfather stopped visiting grandfather Alex, he wanted to give him time to grieve.

Grandfather Alex and Aurelia stood by the coffin. Her eyes were full of tears, I really hope her mother would wake and I will get to see her smile again. I would try and be her hope just as she is mine.

The phone started ringing pulling me out of the memory i'm in. I pick up the phone and answered it, "Hello?"

"Gabriel" the voice said, "Its Alex here"

I stood up surprised, "Grandfather Alex why have you called me?"

"I called to tell you Aurelia is coming back in a few days. She would be staying for a week or so. I'm sure you want to see her, come over when you are free." he said

"Ok" I replied, "Thank you"

I sat back down full of excitement and joy. She have loved another and loss but I will heal her wounds. The girl I have loved for the past eight years. The girl who would be my future bride. The girl who is my hope and my future.