It was quite a miracle to think that an international flight could be found within twenty four hours. They had gone straight to the airline counter and Henry had started to barter, expecting that there were no seats available, but Michael had smoothly handed over the already booked tickets and the attendant had escorted them to the priority lounge to wait. Henry had misgivings about flying economy for the first time, but Michael had already been twenty paces ahead. Henry couldn"t imagine how he could have known there would be a need to have a flight.But it was found and done so Henry was home in a way that was quick and sound. It was the quickest flight in the most comfortable setting. How very much like the highly competent Michael. Henry mused about the idea of a raise, but he was really at his wits end. His thoughts had been spinning round and round as he made the dizziness worse with alcohol. It wasn"t the plane that was spinning in circles. Even though he was out of his mind, his mood was still nothing short of dismal. He knew his running away from the things that brought him discomfort had finally caught up to him. His enemy was his own feelings.
He had finally met the woman who was his match instead of lesser. It had been up in the air then would he run away from his panicky past or deal with it even if he was afraid that he would lose her. To injure himself to keep her was something that he had reservations about. His fatal flaw had been shown there in that castle that he was a devil courted by an angel. To make matters worse he had acted on his darker instincts to prove his point.
It was grand too that he would have the whole d.a.m.ned building to himself for once. He could sleep with a guilty conscious but rise knowing there would be someone to find some answers. He would go on to New Jersey to try and find the only man whose approval mattered--Nadius Prime.
As the car slowed, seeing the familiar entrance that he had felt often a bit aversion to. Today, it was quite nice. It was much nicer than Stanford Hall, Henry realized. It was funny to think that something in American could be better quality without all the history that Britain had with its architecture. Americans were so much fonder of minimalism and large empty s.p.a.ces. He had never noticed the echo when there were so many people around, but now that he was alone each one of his steps felt hollow. Aptly, what was a bachelor doing with so much when he could definitely downsize.
Michael b.u.mped into him behind him with four rolling suitcases so Henry sheepishly took his two while pressing the elevator up b.u.t.ton. It was a bit silly as Henry had forgotten about his own luggage because he had been caught up in his own affairs. The serene indifference of the practiced butler was a bit unwelcome on a flight where Henry had spent most of the time heaving or sleeping. They had been through so much together but this was the first time where Michael would at interval glower at him with disapproval. Henry knew that Ellie had offered a post back in his native England where he could be close with family and his wife. He wondered at times if the man had finally gotten caught up with Henry"s antics and would quietly leave a resignation letter for Henry to find. How many people would leave before his trust dried up. Was he doomed to be forever alone?
As the doors open to the homey foyer, Henry immediately took off his shoes and stowed them in the little cubby on the sides. It was nice to have on his own slippers. He expected no one, but was surprised with three maids who bowed to him with a chorus introduction sang to raise his spirits. Henry clapped as he looked from their newly laundered uniforms to the hot meal wafting out of the side table on a silver platter.
Henry turned to the servant who had followed in his footsteps on the whole journey without a single complaint. Michael was being helped with the luggage by some footmen. Henry sighed. "When did you get the time to do all of this, my old friend? I was planning the package I would give when you handed me your resignation. I don"t deserve this. I"ve made so many mistakes recently which are sinful beyond measure. You saw all of it. Blame me. Scream at me. Give me some harsh words before you storm out. Why aren"t you leaving?"
Michael nodded slowly with his eyebrows raised. "Leave you, sir? Why? Am I not sprightly enough to your standards?"
"No, it"s just. I"ve upset you."
"You"ve upset quite a lot of people. You"ve upset a whole community of people you are now a representative and reflection of. You have left your wife. The tabloids will surely soon catch ahold of you in their talons and rip you to shreds. Your stock will probably drop and you"ll get kicked out of your company and your position. You"ve soured and taken a wrong turn which you"re paying the price for. All of this I am sure had been torturing you for ages, but I"m sure you"ve never had a bad intent. I"ve raised you from birth, sir. I know when you"re upset you like to take some time to yourself to reflect before you apologize. There are a great many changes which are going in your life. You"re becoming a man with all the complexities and misgivings of one. There was never a moment where I haven"t been proud of the progress that you"ve made with Miss Chen. Love is a complicated process where I knew that you needed someone whom you could trust for good advice."