Chapter 4: The August Visitor

CHAPTER FOUR

(The August visitor 1)

Chloe had just returned from a restaurant where she had lunch with Kylie after a long and stressful day. They had sat for hours receiving lectures. It was a big relief for them when the lectures ended. Chloe was anxious all through the lecturing hours. She couldn't wait to be back home.

She had to prepare for Dylan's arrival. The big mansion was pretty silent except for the constant sounds made by the domestic workers. The gardener was trimming the flowers in the compound while the maids were cleaning up the house.

Her tired eyes scanned the living room and she was impressed with the work done. She was about to enter the elevator leading to her room when she heard a sound behind her.

A maid who was wearing a blue gown with a white bonnet on her head walked in. On the dress was an apron smartly tied around her body. The apron was particularly designed with red and white horizontal stripes.

"You are back Miss" She observed as a smile appeared on her thin face.

Chloe turned to look at her and smiled. "Yes, I just came back. I can see the beautiful work done here. well done guys." She said with a smile.

The maid smiled and bowed. "Thanks Miss. What do you want for lunch? Let me go and prepare it while you freshen up. You looked stressed out" She said with concern.

Chloe shrugged indecisively and responded. "I am not really hungry. I ate lunch few minutes ago. I won't mind a plate of chicken soup though. The whole house is smelling so nice from the chicken soup you guys are cooking. I am tempted to taste some." Chloe said amidst laughter.

"Thanks Miss" The maid said with a slight blush. "The chicken soup will be brought to you" She said and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Chloe called after her. "Has my brother's room been cleaned up?" She asked, pointing to one of the rooms upstairs.

The maid nodded. "It has been cleaned up Miss"

Chloe nodded in satisfaction. "Alright Maria. He said he will come tomorrow and not today as planned." She told Maria.

"Oh" Maria slowly nodded.

Chloe smiled and took the elevator to her room.

Her room was a typical girl's room painted in bright colors of pink, green and silver. Hanging on the wall were frames of beautiful paintings. Most of the paintings were about plants and animals. The few paintings about humans were more fascinating. Right in the centre of her room was the painting of Antonia Daniels. It was painted in such a unique way. The paintings were all made by Chloe.

Tiny star-shaped, bright lights were made to form a dandelion on the wall on which her cozy bed was resting. Right beside the bed was a dresser and on top of it was a shiny make-up box filled with cosmetics and jewelry of different kinds.

At a corner of the big room was a makeshift painting studio. There was a brown shelf which was fully occupied by painting materials like paint brushes of different types and sizes, paints of various colours, canvas, sketch books and pencils with some paper towels and in front of the shelf was a painting easel.

The shinny floor was tiled with brownish tiles with the centre decorated with a green rug. The pink closet of the room was filled up with neatly arranged clothes and shoes. The room was such a beautiful scenery.

Chloe lazily sat on the only divan in the room and stretched out her legs, her hands supporting her chin as her elbow rested on the arm of the divan.

She let her mind wander aimlessly as she looked at the white celling of the room. She slowly closed her eyes as she reminisced about her favorite memories of her brother.

Dylan was her elder brother and only sibling. He had left the country four years back to study in one of the top business schools in the world. Now that he had graduated, he had to come home and take over his family business from his parents.

When his parents told him that he would be taking over their company, he had vehemently refused.

"I don't want to control it all. What about Chloe? She has to be involved in the affairs of the company too." He said.

"But Dylan you know your sister doesn't want to venture into the business world" Sir Macintosh protested.

Dylan paused for a while before replying. "Well...at least bring up the issue with her first." He insisted.

When her parents said a seat has been secured for her in the company, Chloe had stood her ground. All she wanted was to paint and draw. Her dream was to see her artworks being displayed in art exhibitions and get international recognition.

"I have no interest in the business world and you know it. At least not now." She had told her parents.

So, Dylan had lost the argument. He had to be the CEO of the company. It was time to come home. During his four years absence, he only came home thrice. The first time was during a Christmas festival, and the other two times was during Chloe's 19th and 20th birthday respectively.

Chloe slowly walked towards a painting of Dylan which was hung on the wall. She ran her long fingers through it and caressed it.

Chloe smiled as she remembered the lovely moments betweens her brother and her. Dylan had always been a big brother to her and to Kylie who had been her childhood best friend.

Kylie had made her life pretty interesting since the departure of her brother. The duo were similar in character. They were kind, protective and always teasing her.

She was more of an introverted person who spent her teenage years idolizing Antonia Daniels and painting things. Since Dylan left, Kylie did everything possible to ensure that Chloe didn't feel lonely. They would go on vacations, go to cinemas and other places of fun together.

Since Kylie was also a talented artist, they would draw and paint together.

Despite all that, she still felt an emptiness in her heart which she knew only Dylan could fill.

"I can't wait to see him again" She soliloquized excitedly and picked up her phone. She was about to call Dylan when she heard a gentle but firm knock on the door of her room.