Unloved: A Sims Story by orenjiAi

Unloved 8
Act I

Robert heard the whirring of power tools and crunching of gravel just below his attic bedroom window. A quick check noted that none of the alarms have been triggered, and he ruled out the possibility of a break in. He decided to search for the source of the noise and looked out of the open window. He leaned forward, squinting through the early morning fog for whoever caused such a ruckus. He didn’t have to search long, as its source held up a flashlight and waved enthusiastically at him.
https://i.imgur.com/ZMM3n76.png
It was Edward.
Sighing, he pulled on his robe and headed for the gardens, but not before writing Elia a note. She was probably still sleeping, but he knew she’ll read his message and be careful not to be seen by Edward. Robert was certain he had not learned about her yet. It came off as somewhat a surprise to him. Capeside was a tight-knit community. And when rumors float, they spread like ink stains on fine white linen. But while the town gossip did mention that Robert was seen around town with somebody on one of his grocery runs, it was assumed that she was his girlfriend (Noice one, Robert!) as she was wearing his clothes. A tad too young for him but nothing else. To them she was not the heiress of the late Mistress Adelaida. She was just some girl he had been seeing. He did not particularly like those rumors but it kept the spotlight off her.
He had originally planned to keep about her a secret and train her, at least until she was of age to run the Thebe fortune on her own. Whatever was written on Adelaida’s last will, Robert was sure the rightful heir would eventually still end up as Antoine’s offspring, which had been Elia. This was the best way he thought how he could protect her from the unscrupulous freaks of high society that would undoubtedly take advantage of a teenage rich girl’s naivety. However, he underestimated Edward’s flamboyance and this party that he was gonna throw completely threw him off his plan’s track.
“Top of the morning to you, Bob!” Edward greeted energetically.
“Young master, what brings you here so early?” Robert asked. A few tables had already been setup.
“Well, the lawyers and Commission will be coming at ten. But the luncheon will start immediately after the reading. I just wanted to make sure everything looks perfect for my debut, so I came to oversee things myself,” he beamed.
https://i.imgur.com/gQQR5eQ.png
They noticed a worker hoist himself to put up decorations. Even through the fog, Robert could see the banner with Edward's name in gold fat letters against a green background.
“Hey what do you think you’re doing? I said don’t put up that green banner,” Edward called out as he walked closer to the worker. He shone a flashlight on the worker's face. Robert’s jaw dropped as he recognized him to be Adriel. "Aha! It's you again! Seriously? Who put the color blind guy in charge of decors?" Edward complained to himself before handing over the right one. A simple red banner with only the word Thank you! sewn onto it.
Adriel would be most likely to greet him and blab non-stop about Elia, exposing her to Edward, and foiling their plans. Robert stepped closer to one of the many box planters around the grounds. Luckily, the fog was thick enough to conceal his silhouette with the rest of the topiaries. If he could somehow avoid talking to him, the crisis could be averted. It worked as Adriel resumed hanging the banner without so much a word.
"Would the young master want to have breakfast? I can prepare eggs benedict..." Robert exhaled as soon as Edward walked back to their original spot.

https://i.imgur.com/bWAoHb2.png
With half an hour to spare, the preparations for the luncheon were finally completed. But it turned out looking a lot simpler than Robert expected; it now seemed more like a backyard barbecue and less of an al fresco formal for the Commission. He thought Edward must have toned down the celebration to make it seem he grieved the mistress’s loss.
He turned his attention to the teenage girl in the room with him. While Edward was busy with the setup, Robert snuck Elia into the chamber a few doors down from the Grand Salon where the reading will take place. They had both agreed to present herself as Mistress Adelaida's legitimate granddaughter to the lawyers and the Commission on that very same day. She looked uneasy though. Robert could only imagine her nervous confusion. Two weeks ago, she was just a normal orphan girl. But now she found herself thrust into the politicking world of the vieux riches when all she wanted was a chance to be adopted.
https://i.imgur.com/QjVCrp5.png
That was his assumption until he noticed her blushing furiously and fidgeting. Constantly pulling at the hem of her dress. Robert looked away. It had been a week since the bathroom incident but they had never really talked about it. She said she was thankful that he saved her from drowning but remained silent about everything else. She never voiced out her feelings—whether anger or embarrassment—from him walking into her in the bath. Instead, Elia kept to herself much more than before and was definitely avoiding talking to him except for the occasional ask for help.
But now she was locked in a room. With him. Alone. In a skimpy funeral dress. And she was not okay with it.
Robert decided to clear up the awkward air himself. He walked to the dresser, produced tights, and held them out to Elia. She looked at the stockings then back at him with round anxious eyes.
"My lady, I... on that night," he started but stuttered.
"On that night, I did not see anything," great, now he was blushing too. "I got worried when you didn't answer, so I came in. And saw you sinking into the tub. But I was careful not to look. Believe me, Elia. I will never lay even so much as a finger on you. I promise. So please, please, don't feel weird around me anymore?"
https://i.imgur.com/5TPwzpt.png
Elia hung her head low. She was silent with her hands balled into tight fists bunching at her clothes. Robert felt a familiar dread. Maybe she still wasn't okay and maybe this wasn't the time to discuss this. He had yet again stuck his nose where it doesn't belong.
"Please wear this for more coverage," he set the underwear by the sofa beside her and headed for the door. He stopped when he noticed her pulling at the small of his sleeve. She faced him and started to tear up.
"I'm sorry. I was being self conscious... and stupid. I knew you wouldn't... That you're not that kind of person... And yet... even when I knew... even when you've been so good to me... I treated you like this. I should have trusted you more. I'm really sorry."
Robert smiled gently. He greatly resisted the urge to hug her out of fear of contradicting himself.
"There, there... You didn't do anything wrong. Trust is a priceless treasure. It's not something you give just because someone's been a wee bit nice to you, my lady.
"Especially after today, you'll find a lot of people will start trying to win yours. But not all of them deserve it," he crouched down to meet her eyes and wiped away her tears.
"But I am honored and happy to know that you do trust me. And I will do everything I can to not waste such a valuable thing."
Robert's two-way radio crackled and his face went serious instantly. "Lima 3 to Charlie Tango, now entering Capeside. ETA in 5. Over." it said.
He slowly brought the radio to his lips while he picked up and handed Elia the pantyhose with his other hand. He mouthed "put it on" to her. She nodded obediently. And he watched her glide the other side of the room divider before finally pushing the talk button.
"Charlie Tango to Lima 3. Roger that. Over and out."