Chapter 37: the Ashford Foundation V

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: the Ashford Foundation V

The room slowly emptied as the first-year volunteers gathered their belongings.

Around them, the returning volunteers stacked chairs, collected spare handbooks, and chatted easily with one another.

Claire slipped her handbook into her bag.

"So..."

"We’re officially Community Outreach and Development volunteers now."

Amelia smiled.

"And next week we already have our first workshop."

"I wasn’t expecting to plan a fundraising project this soon," Eleanor admitted.

Vivienne smiled as she looked around the room one last time.

For some reason...

She was already looking forward to next Saturday.

Just as the four girls reached the doorway, a familiar voice called after them.

"Leaving already?"

They turned.

Damian had just finished helping another returning volunteer gather the remaining folders.

He walked over with his usual relaxed smile.

"So..."

"What did you think?"

Claire answered first.

"I think today was far more interesting than I expected."

Damian laughed.

"That’s usually a good sign."

His gaze shifted naturally to Vivienne.

"And you?"

Vivienne met his eyes.

"I think I understand now why so many people choose to come back."

For just a moment, Damian studied her expression before a small smile appeared.

"I thought you might say that."

Claire caught the exchange immediately.

"Oh?"

"And why’s that?"

Damian glanced briefly at Claire before his eyes naturally returned to Vivienne.

"Because she was listening differently."

The four girls looked at him.

"Most people spend their first orientation trying to figure out what they’ll be doing."

He smiled lightly.

"Vivienne looked more interested in why we do it."

His gaze remained on Vivienne as he finished.

"I had a feeling that part would stay with her."

Vivienne blinked, a little surprised.

"...Was I that obvious?"

Damian gave an easy shrug.

"Maybe."

"But I’ve been here long enough to notice when someone is genuinely curious."

Vivienne laughed softly.

"I suppose you caught me."

Damian chuckled.

"Let’s see if you’re still saying that after your first project."

"I think I will."

His smile widened just a fraction.

"I’ll remember you said that."

Before anyone could continue, one of the senior volunteers called from farther inside the room.

"Blackwood."

Damian glanced over.

"We’re heading downstairs."

"You coming?"

"I’ll be right there."

He looked back at the four girls.

"Have a good weekend."

"You too," Claire replied.

"See you next Saturday," Amelia added with a wave.

Eleanor smiled politely.

"Take care."

Vivienne returned his smile.

"...See you next week."

With one last wave, Damian turned and rejoined the other returning volunteers.

The four girls made their way downstairs.

The Foundation had grown noticeably quieter.

Most of the volunteers had already left.

Only faculty members, Foundation staff, and representatives of House Ashford remained, finishing the conversations that naturally followed the morning’s orientation.

As they stepped into the main hall, Vivienne’s eyes instinctively searched the room.

She found him almost immediately.

Anthony stood near the entrance, speaking with Professor Aldridge and two Foundation trustees.

The conversation appeared important.

Claire followed Vivienne’s gaze.

A knowing smile slowly appeared on her face.

She exchanged a glance with Amelia.

Amelia immediately understood.

Without another word, Claire gently nudged Vivienne’s shoulder.

"We’ll wait outside."

Vivienne blinked.

"What?"

Claire looked at her innocently.

"You’ve been hoping to speak with your fiancé all morning."

Warmth rushed to Vivienne’s cheeks.

"...Was I really that obvious?"

All three answered together.

"Yes."

Vivienne covered her face for a moment.

"...You three are terrible."

She took a step—

Then stopped.

"...Wait."

The other three looked at her.

Vivienne instinctively smoothed the front of her pale blue dress before lightly touching the pearl earring at her left ear.

"...Do I look all right?"

Claire smiled reassuringly.

"You’ve looked beautiful all day."

Amelia nodded enthusiastically.

"You really do."

Eleanor smiled.

"So stop worrying before he finishes another meeting."

Vivienne laughed in embarrassment.

"...All right."

Still smiling, the three girls headed toward the entrance, leaving Vivienne standing quietly in the hall.

She looked toward Anthony once more.

He was still speaking with the trustees.

So...

She waited.

A respectful distance away.

Her heartbeat felt strangely loud.

It’s only a conversation.

Why am I nervous?

She drew a slow breath.

Just thank him.

That’s all.

A few moments later, the conversation came to an end.

Professor Aldridge accompanied the trustees toward another corridor, leaving Anthony standing alone for the first time that morning.

He turned.

...

Lady Beaumont.

Waiting.

Of course she was.

For the briefest moment...

He almost wanted to sigh.

...There really is no escaping this.

The thought surfaced so naturally now that even he found it faintly absurd.

Still...

She had waited politely instead of interrupting.

That was... different.

He walked over.

"Lady Beaumont."

"Lord Ashford."

A brief silence settled between them.

Vivienne clasped her hands lightly together.

"I just wanted to thank you."

Anthony regarded her quietly.

"For your speech."

"It was very inspiring."

"I already knew the Foundation was important..."

"But hearing you speak about it..."

"It made me want to do my best."

Anthony was silent for a moment.

Then he inclined his head.

"I’m pleased to hear that."

"I hope your time with the Foundation proves worthwhile."

"I think it will."

A member of the Foundation staff approached.

"Lord Ashford?"

Anthony turned slightly.

"The boardroom is ready."

"I’ll be there in a moment."

The staff member nodded before stepping back.

Anthony looked at Vivienne once more.

"I’m afraid I still have several meetings this afternoon."

"Of course."

Vivienne smiled.

"I won’t keep you any longer."

"Thank you for taking the time to speak with me."

Anthony acknowledged her with a courteous nod.

"Have a pleasant weekend, Lady Beaumont."

"You too..."

The words escaped before she could think.

"...Anthony."

The name hung gently between them.

Anthony paused.

For the briefest instant, an old memory surfaced with startling clarity.

"Anthony!"

A little girl running after him through the Beaumont estate.

"Anthony!"

Calling his name again.

And again.

And again.

He almost shuddered.

...There it is.

I knew it was only a matter of time.

Outwardly, however, nothing changed.

He simply gave a small nod.

"And you as well."

Then he turned and walked toward the boardroom.

Vivienne remained where she was, cheeks faintly pink.

A smile slowly spread across her face.

She had actually called him Anthony.

Out loud.

Then another thought struck her.

"...Ah."

She blinked.

"...I forgot again."

She had thanked him.

Complimented his speech.

Called him by his name.

...

And somehow...

She had forgotten to ask for his cell phone number.

Again.

Vivienne sighed before laughing softly at herself.

Maybe next time.

Outside the Foundation, Claire spotted her immediately.

"Well?"

Vivienne walked over, unable to hide her smile.

"It went well."

Amelia leaned forward curiously.

"So?"

"What did you two talk about?"

"I thanked him for his speech."

Vivienne scratched her cheek sheepishly.

"And..."

"...I forgot to ask for his cell phone number."

For one perfectly silent second...

The three girls stared at her.

Then they burst into laughter.

Claire shook her head.

"Vivienne..."

"You had one mission."

"I know," Vivienne admitted between laughs.

"I know."

Eleanor smiled kindly.

"There will be another opportunity."

Vivienne glanced back once toward the Ashford Foundation before turning to her friends again.

"...You’re right."

Claire linked her arm through hers.

"Come on."

"As promised..."

"Shopping."

"And coffee," Amelia added immediately.

"Definitely coffee," Eleanor agreed.

Laughing together, the four girls disappeared into the warm August afternoon.

Their first week at St. Albion’s had finally come to an end.

And somehow...

It already felt like the beginning of something wonderful.