George stood up immediately after hearing the Hoshi. Georgia slowly removed the cup from her lips and looked at her brother.

“You want to go somewhere?” asked Georgia. George tried to say something, but closed back his mouth as soon as he opened his mouth. As usual, Mary came to the rescue.

“The sofa must be getting hot. I will get the temperature lower.” said Mary and left the place. George nodded and sat down back on the sofa. Everyone was still looking at him, and even Malee could see he was feeling uncomfortable with the attention paid to him and the slight drop of sweats rolling from his hair. Georgia continued the conversation as if nothing had happened.

“As I was saying, we will go to beach tomorrow then shopping. Oh, and Williams coming as well?” asked Georgia.

“Unfortunately, he couldn’t make it.” replied her friend with a faint smile. Malee wondered who was this Williams that they were talking about, but she said nothing as instructed. Mary came back and behind her were a few men, along with John and Michel, carrying suitcases.

“Shall we continue this later?” asked George’s fiance as she stood up immediately. Georgia too stood up and Hoshi bowed, but George remained sitting down. It was only after an annoyed stare from Georgia that he stood up and nodded. Mary walked in front of them and made a gesture to follow her to their room as they left the lobby, followed by Hoshi. Malee could hear George sighed at the sight of them leaving and strangely, she thought she heard Georgia let out a heavy breath of relief too.

Just as they were about to return to the room, an elderly lady rushed in.

“Sophie! How wonder to see you again!.” said Georgia as soon as she recognized the lady as they both hugged. “This is George, my brother. George, this is Sophie. Chief of staff.” Georgia introduced Sophia to George.

“Forgive me for cutting this short but I must prepare the bath for the princess. Oh, and where is Mary?” said Sophie, looking around the lobby for a familiar face.

“Mary is with the princess. Come, I will bring you to their rooms.” said Georgia before pulling Sophie by the hand towards the stairs, leaving George and Malee the last people standing in the lobby. George tuned around to face Malee.

“I failed. Didn’t I?” asked George. Malee knew better than to answer that question. George slumped back into the sofa and closed his eyes. Malee could do nothing but watch and it was just and both Mary and Georgia came back to the lobby.

“Stand up, George. Refresh yourself for the dinner later.” said Georgia. She liked nothing better than to make fun of her brother, but it wasn’t the right time. George looked up at his sister from the sofa and nodded. He slowly got up from the sofa and dragged his feet up the staircase towards his room on the upper floor with his back slumped. It was a sorry sight to see for them.

“I will talk to him.” said Mary as she followed George to his room.

“We should get prepared too. But leave me alone.” said Georgia before turning around and walking up the staircase. Malee nodded and slowly walked down to the basement to her assigned room. She sat down on the bed, and lied down, remembering what had happened to George. She felt powerless to do anything for George after seeing his blanked face staring at Georgia. Then there was a knock on the door, and Mary came into the room. She must have done talking to George.

“Get up and take a quick shower. Wear this for dinner.” said Mary and passed a newly dressed to Malee before closing back the door. Malee sighed. She was feeling more tired than she ever been, even when she was pushing the full load of potato in the cart up the steep hill. She shook her head and slapped her face a few times. She was just a servant in the house and were to follow their orders. She stood up from the bed and took off her clothes before walking into the shower room. It seemed small after being in the tub with Georgia, but Malee consoled herself that at least she had the whole shower to herself and not shared with the rest of the servants.

The water falling from the sprinkler onto her face washed away the sights and feelings in her and she felt refreshed again. She felt ready for the dinner.