Chapter 23 - Harmless Flirtations Part 2

Marcus only stepped forward and grabbed her left hand. Bending slightly, he said, “That’s because I am confident Ms. Ysabelle, ” and kissed the tip of her forefinger as a sign that their bet was in effect.

Ysabelle scoffed and confidently announced, “Oh, but Father Marcus, so am I.” She pulled the hand that he kissed and hid it at her back. “I tell you already this: You will lose because you won’t be able to step foot on the Rogratiatto Mansion ever again.”

A grin appeared on Marcus’ lips after that and just as he was about to respond, Mehak jogged back to them and caught their attention.

“Uhmm, Father, we should go. My teacher needs to talk to Auntie Belle before the castle tour starts, ” she said whist holding Ysabelle’s free arm.

“Ah, yes, yes. You and your Auntie are free to go. Don’t mind me at all, ” Marcus stated with a sincere smile on the girl’s way.

“See you later then Father!” said Mehak as she pulled her Aunt with her.

“Yes, see you later Father Marcus, ” Ysabelle echoed and gave a turn-away smile.

Marcus remained in his spot as he continued staring at the group now ascending the first-floor stairs. He was happy that everything turned out according to his impromptu plan, already feeling positive that he will win the bet. How will he be able to win it? That question remains to be answered, but he has this strong feeling inside him that he’ll be back in that mansion in no time. Call it intuition maybe or just plain vibes from a priest.

***

Ysabelle, on the other hand, was doubting the strength of her words, but it was already too late, unfortunately. She wasn’t a woman who jumps in a game of chance. She wasn’t even a gambling type, but call her a competitive woman and that would hit the mark. It would certainly fit a definition of her being impulsive in accepting the exorcist priest’s bet.

She had great faith that her Uncle and the brotherhood would not permit Marcus to return to the mansion again. But, looking at the calm confidence he had when she threatened him to lose, it made her rethink her choices.

“You look flustered Auntie Bell. Are you okay?” Mehak questioned the moment they reached an opening. They were in the north entrance of the second floor now, looking at the long hallway ahead of them.

“Yeah, I am fine, Sweet. Don’t worry about me. Now, where’s our room?” Ysabelle answered, bending slightly and arranging the girl’s pink hat in place.

“Oh! About that! Good news for you Auntie, ” Mehak started with gleaming eyes.

Ysabelle had to raise her brows then. “Why?” she asked.

“Because you get to have a room for yourself on the third floor since you’re the special guest of the school tour.”

“What? And how about you?”

“I am being grouped together with Sheila and Evette in the Suite Room on this floor. It’s per our Principal’s orders.”

Ysabelle looked lost for a moment but eventually understood the room arrangement. Apparently, class officers are supposed to stay together to plan all the activities ahead.

“I see, ” she said, putting a finger in her lower lip unconsciously — the finger that Marcus had kissed earlier. “So I guess this won’t be my typical tag-along tour huh?”

“Nope.” Mehak popped the ‘P’ playfully and smiled. “You get to spend your own time touring the castle after you capture our activities, Auntie. How great is that!”

Ysabelle took the key card when Mehak handed it to her.

“Yeah, it is great!” she stated joyfully, already looking forward to capturing the details of the castle in her point-of-view.

***

The whole afternoon went about with Marcus posing as an unintentional audience. Why? Because wherever he went, the group of Mehak’s school tour was there to enliven the place with their girlish laughter and vocal admiration of the sights. They were a bunch of teens, so it was expected that their fairy tale daydreams would be exhibited in this kind of place.

Marcus wasn’t bothered by it though. Actually, he even embraced their presence, most especially Ysabelle’s, who kept some distance from him the whole course of the tour and acted as if she was busy with taking the student’s pictures.

The group had their dinner in the second floor restaurant while Marcus had his own alone in a sister cafe on the third floor. It was after his meal when he decided to head to his room. What he didn’t expect in the hallway going there though was seeing Ysabelle standing in an open doorway with a card key in hand.

“Is this your room?” Marcus, without warning, asked, poking his head on the opening.

“Oh!” Ysabelle turned with a start. With widened eyes and a hand on her chest, she spoke in a high-pitched voice, “Father Marcus! Goodness! You scared me!”

Giving her an incredulous, playful look, he asked, “Do I look like a ghost to you?”

“Yes! When you are wearing all black!” she quickly retorted.

Marcus had to contain his laugh and glance at his black cassock at the same time.

“Oh, I apologize. I guess I indeed look like a handsome grim reaper wearing this vestment, especially in a castle like this, ” he remarked, eyes glimmering under the warm chandelier light. He watched her as she busied herself rummaging on her backpack for whatever object she was looking for. “Is this your room?” he again asked, curious about the place.

“Mhmm yes, ” Ysabelle nodded, showing him the card key but without looking at him, “The school admin wanted me to have my own room. They say I am a special guest and not just their photographer.”

“Hmmm... that’s nice.”