The Tragic Tale of Teddy Woven novel Chapter 2

I let my hands curl around the small creature and brought it over to the man next to me. He was able to lift Luna with one hand, allowing him to settle Luna on his lap with only her head peaking over the edge of the table. “Wash your hands,” he reminded me once he spotted me reaching over for my muffin. “Please.”

I pushed back my chair and turned on the tap. The water was icy cold against my fingers, and when I splashed it over my hand, I let my gaze fixate over the garden that was just starting to bloom with spring. The soap was poured on my hands, and once enough soap suds were spread all over, I knew it was time to rinse it off.

“Sela?” called out Teddy behind me. “Is this your full-time job?”

“Yes, it is.”

“For how long?”

“About a year and a half.”

The tap was just being turned off when I overheard: “Do you enjoy it?”

“I wouldn’t be here, if I didn’t.” I felt that statement was somewhat rude and looked over my shoulder to see his head bent downwards with pure fixation on his cat. “I never meant to be rude. Sorry, it was sarcasm.”

His voice was unbearably low as he uttered: “Sarcasm.”

“I’m sorry.”

His response was delayed, but eventually he spoke out: “It is forgotten.”

I let the dish towel dry my hands quickly, so I could return to my seat. Teddy never lifted his gaze from his beloved cat. I took a seat nervously and then reached forward to have my first bite of the muffin.

“Would you like it heated in future?”

“Yes, that would be nice.”

“I am not used to having guests,” he stated in an exacting tone of voice. “I like my house to be quiet.”

I chewed down on the muffin softly, hoping I wouldn’t do anything else to disturb him.

“I enjoy peace and quiet,” he continued. “I can’t bear the scraping of chairs, the prattling of people.” He lifted the chin of Luna, so he could see her light blue eyes. “Cats are quiet creatures, except when they meow.”

I let out a light chuckle since I agreed with my employer.

“And the sound of the sea calms me. I have…” He tilted his head to the right. “Frazzled nerves.”

“Frazzled?”

“Excitable,” he offered out. “Any little thing can trigger it.”

I let my eyebrows lower curiously, for I was having trouble understanding what Teddy was telling me.

“You look confused,” he observed. “Don’t worry. I will make sure it won’t be lashed out on you.”

“Excitable?”

“I am sensitive to sounds,” he muttered.

“The piano doesn’t bother you.”

“With the right tune it can soothe my nerves,” he rapped out carelessly. “How are you finding the coffee?” I nodded my head since my mouth was stuffed with food. “Enjoying it?”

“Yes.”

A grandfather clock struck loudly in the house, making me think it was the exact opposite sound that would agree with Teddy. He closed his eyes with half annoyance, and only appeared at ease once the reign of terror ended. His cat leapt off his lap, shooting down the kitchen to sprint down the hallway. I felt goosebumps rise at the back of my arms, but when I looked over my shoulder all I could see was a wooden door that was bolted shut with a heavy chain.

“That goes down to the cellars,” Teddy explained. “Nothing important down there.”

I turned my gaze to the homeowner, having a sense of eeriness since I felt he was lying to me. My hand trembled as I reached for the cup, noticing how the room darkened as a series of clouds eclipsed the morning sun.

There was something strange about this man, but I could not put my finger on it yet.