Veronica found the whole process of cooking the meal very therapeutic. Soon, she had all the food items laid out under the lamp over the breakfast bar to keep it warm, and she headed back upstairs to start getting the girls ready.
Veronica was pleasantly surprised to find that the girls were more than eager to comply with her wishes, and were very helpful and cooperative, even anticipating what they were supposed to do. It was clear that they had been under the care of some very good nannies in their young lives.
It seemed almost too fast that the girls were ready, and seated at the table enjoying their banquet of pancakes. Veronica easily assisted them with pouring drinks and giving them more syrup or whatever other toppings they desired.
In the midst of their breakfast, Frank strolled into the kitchen, and the girls immediately hopped out of their chairs and rushed to greet him.
Frank chuckled as each of the girls attached themselves around one of his legs. Frank indulged them, and began to walk across the kitchen. Veronica couldn’t help but smile as the girls giggled hysterically. Frank looked up, and Veronica was immediately locked in his dark gaze. He flicked her an easy smile, and Veronica felt an ember begin to burn deep in her core.
“Alright girls, back to the table,” Frank said with a chuckle. The girls rushed to obey, and say at the table looking over at him admiringly.
Frank looked back at them, a broad smile on his face. When the girls were once again engrossed in their meal, Frank looked back at Veronica, that familiar twinkling light in his eye.
Veronica blinked a moment, and hurried to act as she felt her cheeks flush.
“Can I get you some breakfast?” Veronica asked softly, looking anywhere but into his eyes.
“I can help myself, thanks,” Frank said easily. Veronica gave him a single nod. It looked as though the girls had largely finished eating, so Veronica took up their plates and started the process of getting them washed.
As she took care of the dishes, Veronica was constantly aware of Frank’s presence in the kitchen. It seemed that no matter how she tried to occupy her mind, she always found her eyes wandering to him. And each time, his eyes seemed to meet hers, and her world seemed to center solely on him.
Veronica could hardly think at all.
“Alright, I’m off,” Frank finally said, standing from his place at the table. Veronica felt a mix of relief and disappointment that he would be leaving.
Veronica stood back as he kissed the girl’s goodbye, smiling a little as she witnessed their interactions. When he finished, he looked up at Veronica.
“The movers should be bringing your things in today,” he said easily. “Someone will be here to take care of everything for you.”
“Oh,” Veronica blinked. If she was honest with herself, she had forgotten all about her belongings in the flurry of activity that had taken place in the short time that she had been there.
“Thank you,” she managed.
“Of course,” Frank smiled over at her. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“Yes sir,” Veronica gave him a nod. Frank blinked and frowned a little, apparently a little confused by her use of a title.
Frank said nothing more as he moved to leave, though he did cast her a curious glance. Veronica let out a soft sigh as she heard the front door close. She gathered up the few remaining dishes and took care of them as the girls chatted at the table. With Frank gone, she was finally able to focus on her job.
When she was finally finished cleaning up, she turned to the girls. She gave them a smile, and they both smiled back eagerly.
“I think the weather outside is nice and warm,” Veronica pointed out. “Who wants to go for a swim?”
Veronica was immediately met with squeals of excitement.
Veronica spent the day entertaining the girls, frolicking with them through the house. After their swim, she helped them get cleaned off and changed into fresh clothes. No sooner were they redressed, though, they wanted her to take them out on the trails, and of course, she obliged.
As Veronica took care of the girls, bringing them in to have lunch after their trek on the trails, she noticed that rest of the staff had filtered in. Most notably, she caught sight of the men who she assumed were the movers taking her possessions up to her room.
Veronica felt a flash of guilt as she saw them. Her belongings reminded her of the home she had made with Calvin, and she wondered vaguely what he was up to. She realized she hadn’t spoken with him much at all the previous day, and she realized she should probably call to check up on him.
It was strange not to be around him all the time, where the details of each other’s lives just sort of came out in the midst of everyday life. Now, though, that they were no longer physically together, she knew she would have to put forth a bit more effort if she wanted to keep tabs on him.
Veronica considered all this as she cleaned up the dishes from the girls’ lunch. She decided then that she could dwell on all this later, and she refocused her attention on her young charges.
They seemed a little worn out from their swim and their hike through the woods, so Veronica opted to settle them down in the den for a while and put on a movie. She nearly laughed as she had to intercept what may have turned into a fight over what movie to watch, and they finally agreed upon a system wherein they would alternate who selected the movie to be watched.
For today, Veronica picked the movie, and the girls were content to watch it. They were quiet for the duration of the movie, but after sitting still for so long they were well rested and ready to go at it again.