“Reminds me of those wonderful times when Aunt Verna used to read to Alex and I,” Dillan said. “She had the most beautiful voice.”
“She did,” Mr. Rivers agreed.
Alex swallowed hard. He did not like any conversation that surrounded his mother. He didn’t even know why Dillan brought her up in the first place.
“She must have been a wonderful person,” Harriet said.
“She was the best,” Dillan replied. “She was like a…” His words were cut off when Alex stood to his feet suddenly. Alex avoided the eyes that were glued to him and brought his dish into the kitchen. He threw more than half of his breakfast in the garbage, before heading to the front door. Alex was almost sure his father would call him.
“Alexander?”
He stopped in his tracks immediately and swallowed hard. The voice was so reprimanding, like his mother’s would sound when he was being rude. Slowly, he turned to face Harriet, who was now standing with her arms folded across her chest.
“Yes, Ms. Milestone?” he replied as confidently as he could.
“Do you have a problem with me?” she asked. “I really need to know because it’s quite obvious that my presence irritates you, and to be honest, I don’t like to be in people’s way. If you think that I’m in no way suited to be your partner, I suggest you say it here and now, and I will pack my things and go.”
She arched her brows at him as she ended her statement. Alex could not believe she just said all those words. He didn’t know if he was to be angry with her, or applaud her for what she just said. It took him a while to find his voice, but she waited for him nonetheless.
“Um, I’m sorry if you think I have a problem with you, Ms. Milestone,” he responded. Alex considered that perhaps this was the best time to do damage control. After all, Harriet seemed like a tough girl who could handle the truth.
He turned his whole body to face the table and continued. “The only person in this room who I’m upset with is my father, because he’s practically deceived us both.”
Harriet’s arms and face fell, and she turned her eyes to her right. “What is that supposed to mean, Mr. Rivers?” she asked.
“Harriet, relax and sit down,” he replied. “My son is just overreacting over a simple misunderstanding.”
“A simple misunderstanding?” Alex growled. “You went all the way to Baltimore to get me a wife, told her that I want to marry her, when I didn’t even know about this in the first place! I’m sorry, Harriet, but I only knew about you when you arrived yesterday.”
Alex took a long breath, relieved that the truth was finally out there.
“Harriet, it’s not like that,” Mr. Rivers said, reaching out to take her hand. Harriet stepped out of his reach and smiled coldly.
“Well, at least someone in this house has the guts to be honest with me,” she said. Alex eyed her with a frown.
“What does that mean?” he asked. “Did you know the truth all this time?”
“I’m not a stupid girl, Alex,” she snapped. “I knew something was off the minute I set foot in this house. But don’t you worry, you’re not obligated to marry me. It was your father and my late uncle who tried to set us up.”
“Harriet, let’s talk about this,” Mr. Rivers said, jumping to his feet.
“Talk about what?” she asked. “You deceived me, and brought me hundreds of miles away from my home, and for what? To be embarrassed like this?”
Alex felt a pang of guilt from those words. Had he embarrassed her? That really wasn’t his intention.
“This was your uncle’s wish, Harriet,” Mr. Rivers replied. “He wanted you to have a happy life.”
“My uncle is dead!” she screamed. Alex could finally see tears in her eyes, but she fought to keep them from falling. A fight he knew she would lose any minute now.
For the first time, he began to see Harriet as a hurting woman, who was still mourning over the death of her uncle, just like he was mourning over the death of his mother. He watched her arguing with his father, and found himself trying to think of some way he could help her.
Then the thought came.
The library.
Harriet said she loved books. Maybe the library would cheer her up. But then, the thought of bringing anyone in his mother’s library was irritating. He didn’t even allow his father to go in there.
Bad idea, Alex.
As soon as he was ready to bring his attention back to the argument that ensued, Harriet stormed up the stairs, leaving Mr. Rivers calling after her to no avail.
Surely, Harriet was going to pack her bags and leave this instant. What was he supposed to do now?
Think, Alex, think!
Chapter Seven
Harriet threw the last piece of her clothes in her luggage before drying her face for the millionth time. Why did she believe for a minute that something good would have come out of this? She’d been tricked. Even when she saw the signs, she refused to believe that it was true.
Alexander Rivers Sr. was no better than Douglas McIntosh. Both were scheming old men who thought only about themselves.
But how would her being married to his so benefit him?
Suddenly, that thought didn’t make sense. If she were to think of it logically, she would have gotten all his riches at the end of the day. To be married to his son, meant that she would get everything that came with the young man.
The annoying thought came that Mr. Rivers really was looking out for her best interest. She did her best to trample the thought though, because she didn’t want her anger to subside. It was the only thing that could give her the energy to walk out of this house and return to Baltimore.
She wouldn’t have any home to go back to. She already made up her mind that she would stay with Francine’s family, until she got a job. That was if they said yes to keeping her. If that didn’t work out, there was Mrs. Fray, the old lady who’d offered to help.
Oh Harriet, look what you’ve come to.
She shook her head and grabbed one of the luggage. She dragged it to the door as she calculated how she would bring down all five. Her thoughts came to a halt when she opened the door and saw the tall, slender young man standing there. His eyes emitted gentleness, and some amount of pity. Harriet hated to be pitied.
“Are you checking to see if I’m done packing my things?” she snapped. A slow smile spread across Alex’s lips.
“I want to show you something,” he said. Her brows lifted in surprise.
“You want to show me something?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“I’m guessing it’s a carriage that will take me to the train station?”
“Don’t be silly,” he answered. “Come on.” Alex took hold of her hand, much to her surprise, and pulled her out of the room. For a minute there, she wanted to scream at him, and demand that he let her go, but the feel of his hand was captivating. She didn’t want him to let her go.
Alex took her downstairs, and then down one of the hallways that she’d never been down before. When he reached the door he was searching for, he stopped. He let go of her hand to go into his pocket, leaving her cold without his touch.
When did she become so attracted to this boy?
Alex came up with a key and lifted it between them with a smile on his face. “Tada,” he said. Harriet bit her lower lip to control the smile that was about to invade her face.
Alex unlocked the door and pushed it open. “Welcome to Verna Rivers’ library,” he announced. He ushered her inside.
“Goodness,” she breathed through her lips as she looked around. The library was three times as big as the one her uncle had set up back home for her, and there were hundreds of books. It was clear that Verna Rivers was a lover of books, just like her.
“My mother spent a lot of time in this room when she was alive,” Alex said. “She used to force Dillan and I to read, but we hated it. Soon, she had to resolve to reading to us all the time. Like Dillan said, she was the best.”
&nbs
p; Harriet listened keenly, as she rolled her delicate fingers over the books neatly stacked on the shelves. The more Alex spoke, the more she was confused.
“Why are you doing all this?” she asked, finally.
“Well, because…” She could hear his deep sigh. “Harriet, I’m sorry for the way I spoke earlier.”
“There’s no need to apologize,” she replied. “You were very clear and honest with me, unlike your father. He’s the one who should be apologizing. Not that I would accept anyway.”
“But I do need to apologize,” he refuted. “I embarrassed you in front of everyone, instead of talking to you privately about this. It was so immature and stupid.”
“Okay,” she whispered. She had no idea what else to say. She tried to ignore it, but she was angry with him as well.
“And about my dad,” Alex continued. “I know it might seem like he’s a bad person, but he really isn’t. He just loves to play hero and save everybody, even when they don’t wish to be saved. I was so mad at him when I found out that he brought me a wife without my permission, but when I thought about it, I realized, he was just trying to help me get over all this hurt from my mother’s death.”
Those words brought so much clarity to her. “I see,” she said. “So, are you still mad at him?”
“You mean about him bringing me a smart, beautiful woman to wife?” he asked, smirking. Harriet stared at her shoes when she felt her cheeks reddening. Instantly, she remembered Francine. She was always annoyed with Francine staring at the boots whenever men complimented her, but here she was, doing the same thing.
Harriet gasped when she felt Alex’s fingers lifting her chin. “Harriet, please don’t leave,” he whispered. “I know that things started out badly, but I’m hoping that somehow, we can try to work things out.”
“But…but you don’t want me,” she stuttered.
“Not so, Harriet,” he answered. “I do want you. I didn’t want to admit that, simply because my dad was the one who did all the work for me. Stupid, right?”
Harriet chuckled. “No, not stupid. I’d react the same way.”
“No,” he said. “I think you’d react way worse.” This time, she erupted into loud giggles. “Ah, that laugh. It’s so familiar.” She stopped laughing and frowned at him.
“What do you mean?”
“My dad said we used to be playmates. I didn’t really believe until I heard you laughing. I remembered it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. That’s crazy.”
“Really crazy,” she chuckled.
“So, what do you say?” he asked. “Will you stay with me?” Harriet locked eyes with him, and she could see the sincerity there. He did want her. This was not how she expected things to turn out. In fact, this was not how she expected to feel about him. If she were to be honest with herself, she wanted him too.
“Harriet?”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes. And hurry, and don’t take too long, I need you to read me one of these books.” A smile spread across her face. Alex was so much different than she’d initially thought.
“Okay, I’ll stay.”
“Yes!” he exclaimed, lifting her in his arms. It was so unexpected that she squealed loudly.
“Well, well, the love birds have made up.” The two stopped and looked toward the entrance. Dillan was standing there with a hand against the wall, a smile on his face. Alex playfully glared at him.
“Are you serious?” he said. “You can’t interrupt a man’s romance like this.” Harriet listened to the two arguing like two children, and she could not help but smile.
Things had finally worked out after all.
*** THE END ***
A Vampire Love In Time
By: Stephanie Hunt
CHAPTER 1
Fifteen. That was the number of shots that rang out into the crowded streets that surrounded the Gloomberg Hotel. Twelve. That was the number of victims that had been shot. Among those victims were my parents and I. My father being a paranormal investigator, would often take me and mother with him to do investigations. I was sixteen at the time and very excited about this particular vacation. I had heard father talk so exuberantly about the hotel. He swore that if he caught something, it would change our life forever.
The Gloomberg hotel was said to be extremely haunted. It was said that its residence had died violently there in the past. The hotel had gained fame as a tourist attraction. One of the more famous stories was told to me at the checkout desk. I remembered asking, “Why so many flowers?” as I walked into the spacious hotel.
The blonde haired receptionist smiled and said, “Lori likes them.” I looked at dad. “Lori is the housewife who died on the fifth floor. She had jumped to her death clinging to a bouquet of flowers” he informed. I frowned, “What happens if you don't put flowers out?” The receptionist smiled again. Her fingers typing our information in with lighting speed.
She was clearly used to these types of questions and was happy to give me an account. “It upsets Lori and she is known to be quite violent to people. One man traveling for business swore that she had put three huge claw marks on his back while he slept, because apparently he had stolen flowers from the lobby to take home to his wife.”
“Why did she like flowers so much?” I asked. Dad swiped his credit card when prompted, and placed it back into his wallet. “It was said that the bouquet was given to Lori by her lover, Arthur Clemens. He was said to have hung himself in the basement of the hotel. When Lori found out she was horrified. So she clung to the flowers he had given her and jumped.” Replied dad. “Oh, so you know the stories?” piped the receptionist with surprise. Dad gave her a slight smile and replied, “I'm a paranormal investigator. It's my job.”
Ironically, we were now its victims. The last thing I remembered were the screams. The horrible screams, and the blaring sirens that echoed in the distance. Signaling help that had come all too late. For three months I laid in a coma. When I finally woke up, my life had changed dramatically. It was explained to me by a social services lady that both my parents were dead. The shock hit me like a ton of bricks. I began to feel numb. Every other word she said sounded distant. Nothing mattered anymore. My heart shattered and a part of me, died.
“Lucy, are you okay?” I heard the social service lady ask. “I don't understand,” I replied. The lady started again and explained everything to me once more. Basically, an investigation had taken place. The shooting was found to be a disturbed teenager. He had been arrested at the scene. The gun commandeered. While much was still unknown about the event, much had been decided about my future.
I was to be placed in foster care. The doctors were unsure if I had suffered any brain damage or not. For now, it was a waiting game and I would have to stay in the hospital for several more weeks. The lady left me with that, and I was forced to lay there with my thoughts. I gravitated back to the last moments I spent with my family.
After we had checked in, we walked up the long staircase until we got to the third floor. We scouted out room one-seventeen, this was to be our room. Dad unlocked the door and mom was the first one in. She sat down a few bags that contained our equipment on the floor. The room seemed pleasant enough. There was everything you'd expect to find in a hotel. A king sized bed, a television, a desk, our own thermostat, and a mini fridge.
Dad took a seat on the bed and spoke, “What do you think Connie, can we all huddle in this bed tonight?” Mom pursed her lips, “Lucy is a little too old to sleep with her parents,” dad scratched his head, “Hmm...I see.” He mumbled something I couldn't hear and then snapped his fingers together. “No problem! We can get Lucy a room all by herself. How about it? My little girl, she's so brave! Being all alone in a haunted hotel,” I shrieked and jumped on the bed beside him. “No way!” I exclaimed.
Dad laughed. “Well, I suppose not. But it won't matter anyway, we're here to investigate, not sleep,” he said in the silliest voice he could manage.
Mom rolled her eyes. “Let's go get some lunch,” she suggested. “Did someone say lunch?” said dad still using that same silly voice. He turned toward me and tickled my stomach until I let out a squeal of giggles. “Dad! I'm too old for the tickle monster!” I complained through fits of giggles. “Too old? You're never too old for giggles!” We laughed until mom spoke up, “Alright you two. Up, up before the restaurant closes.”
Outside was the warmest of days. The air was fragrant with the stench of burnt rubber, covered up by the delicious smells of hot pizza and French fries. The streets were packed with tourist like a New York strip. We had just gotten across the street. Racing for the nearest restaurant, when gun shots exploded into the crowd. Bang! Bang! Bang! I heard and never realized that I had been shot. I stared up into dad's eyes one last time. His smile was still plastered on his face. Then it faded and the screams rang out.
I snapped myself out of the nightmare. Tears flooding down my cheeks. I sobbed loudly, uncontrollably. I cried for everything I had lost. I cried because I was alone. I cried because I wanted the comfort of my dad and mom, I cried because I so desperately wanted it not to be true. That was the first time I felt it happen.
I began to feel dizzy and sick. My mind raced and as I closed my eyes I saw a thousand tiny stars. It is hard to explain, but as the stars started whizzing by at speeds I couldn't calculate, I felt my spirit move with them. I was flying so fast and I felt so free. Then I fell, I fell so fast that I hit the ground in a matter of seconds. I instinctively winched, but found that I was unharmed.
After exploring around a bit I discovered that I had been transported back to ancient Greece. I had dined with poets, sang with bards, nearly escaped death twice. Once by marauders, and once for almost being imprisoned, (though it was little fault of my own just a communication error), when I had finally returned to my time two weeks had passed.
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