ENDLESS NIGHTS
Chapter 11
Mrs Katie
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and crimson, I found myself in the kitchen, intent on preparing a breakfast that would not only nourish our bodies but also please the delicate sensibilities of my family. Although the servants were always at hand, there was an unspoken rule in our household that when my husband was nearby, he preferred the meals crafted by my own hands—his wife's touch was a necessary ingredient in his appetite. It was a tradition, perhaps an obligation, that I had come to accept wholeheartedly. As I moved toward the stove, my heart was already filled with anticipation, ready to conjure something delightful for my loved ones.
Just as I was about to ignite the flame beneath my favorite skillet, the shrill sound of my phone buzzing interrupted my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and immediately recognized Hannah's name—Pinky's mother, the bearer of burdens I was increasingly reluctant to bear. I stepped outside, seeking a sanctuary where our conversation wouldn't be overheard, the evening air cool against my skin.
"Hello?" I answered, attempting to keep my voice neutral.
"It seems like you've forgotten about our little arrangement," she murmured, her voice low and conspiratorial. "You know the stakes, right? Make your son marry my daughter, or I'll be forced to reveal your little secret."
At her words, I felt my pulse quicken, an urgent drumbeat echoing in my ears as I quickly scanned my surroundings, ensuring no one was in earshot.
"Hannah," I replied, my voice trembling slightly. "You and I both know it's not that simple. Convincing a man to marry someone he has no feelings for isn't an easy task. Just give me time, I promise I'll do my best to facilitate Pinky's marriage to my son. Please, keep my secret safe. If you expose me, my life as I know it will shatter. I would end up in prison, and my husband and son would despise me. Just a little more time, that's all I need!"
"You'd better deliver, Mrs. Katie. Your life hangs precariously in my hands. I've heard things—rumsors that there's a girl in your home, enticing your son," she hissed, and I could almost hear the smug grin on her face through the phone. "You should really consider what that means for your situation. Do you want to keep playing games with me, or are you ready to comply?"
"Hannah, I understand. But I really must hang up now."
"Perfect. But if I hear from you again, it better be with good news," she snapped before disconnecting, leaving me reeling from the weight of her threats. The air felt thicker as I pondered the depths of her malevolence. If her intimidation continued, I feared that tranquility would be forever out of reach. The thought flitted through my mind, dark and desperate: perhaps if Hannah were to simply vanish, my secret would remain buried.
That sinister notion faded just as quickly as it formed, and I turned back to the kitchen, desperate to distract myself with the rhythmic motions of chopping vegetables, anchoring myself in the comforting familiarity of cooking. As I was absorbed in my task, the clatter of footsteps approached, and suddenly, Ariel appeared with a girl in tow—the same girl I had caught a glimpse of earlier in the day.
"Who is this girl again?" I inquired, a hint of irritation threading through my voice.
"Hi, grandma... I'm Mandy!" the girl introduced herself, a carefree smile lighting her features.
My heart sank as I tried to mask my shock. How presumptuous! This girl, so bold and unabashed, daring to call me 'grandma'. I glanced at myself in the reflection of the kitchen window, taking in my elegance, my status, my worth. I had no time to entertain what I perceived as the insolence of lower-class individuals. My annoyance flared, particularly in the wake of Hannah's dire warnings, and I struggled to keep my frustration at bay.
"Ariel," I interrupted sharply, "please, don't start with this. I'm already overwhelmed. Take your friend somewhere else and enjoy yourselves. I have far too much on my mind right now to deal with interruptions." My throat tightened as I said it, but I held my ground.
With a shared glance that suggested her empathy, Ariel took Mandy's hand, and they exited the kitchen, leaving me alone in my whirlwind of thoughts. As I continued to chop the onions and tomatoes, the slicing seemed to match the quickened rhythm of my heart, still haunted by the chilling threat that Hannah had dropped. Each chop felt heavy, laden with the implications of my precarious situation. I stood there, surrounded by the fading light of day, trying to dispel the lingering shadows of fear that circled around me like vultures, waiting for their moment to strike.
**Ethan Maynard**
"Ethan, welcome to our new home! Can you believe we're neighbors with the Maynard family now?" Sieena whispered with a spark of mischief in her eyes as I stepped across the threshold of a small mansion that now belonged to her. The house was charming and exuded an air of elegance, with its quaint façade and intricate details that captured the light just right. It wasn't enormous by any means, but somehow, it felt like a treasure tucked away in a corner of the world. I recalled her excitedly sharing the story of how this place had once been claimed by someone else, and I turned to her, curiosity bubbling to the surface.
"Sieena, wasn't this the very mansion you said someone had already purchased? How on earth did you manage to snatch it away when it had been claimed by another?" I inquired, my voice a mix of disbelief and intrigue. Deep down, I was uncertain, yet I knew her well enough to anticipate her response; Sieena was the sort of person who believed that if she set her sights on something, she would bend circumstances in her favor. She gave a lilting laugh, tossing her designer handbag aside with flair.
"Ethan, darling, let me make this crystal clear: if I want something, I will have it. It's as simple as that! You do know that by now, right? Sure, someone had their name on this beautiful mansion, but I confidently told him to either retrieve his money or face dire consequences. It was certainly a choice worth making—he chose the safer route of getting his cash back!" She laughed again, her vivacious spirit radiating through the small space.
"But Sieena," I countered, the concern evident in my tone, "don't you think that might have been a bit excessive? What about the feelings of the person who had originally paid for it? Sometimes, it's worth considering acting a little more…normal, like the rest of us do."
"Absolutely not, Ethan! Are you seriously questioning my choices now?" she snapped, her excitement momentarily giving way to indignation. "I was simply trying to brighten your mood! You wanted to be near your brother to settle some scores, so why pretend to be morally upright?" Her voice rose, sharp and uneasy. I bit my tongue in response, my thoughts swirling in a tempest of emotion. Leaving my current seat on the floor, I made my way to the plush couch nearby. I took a moment to collect myself, pulling out my phone and navigating to my gallery. I hesitated before unlocking a hidden folder that I had kept secret. I had always told Sieena it contained cherished memories of my mother, but the truth was far more complicated. What I hoarded in that space were images of Alessia, snapshots of a love I was desperate to hold onto, even if it meant lying to keep it alive. I had no intention of parting with those precious images, even if keeping them was a form of self-imposed torment.
Just days earlier, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of rage, giving in to dark thoughts that led me to arrange things that would rid me of David. I had wanted him gone, but never Alessia—her well-being was something I held dear. In truth, a part of me felt relieved that my plans had failed; it was her that I cherished above everything else.
"What are you so engrossed in on your phone? You look like you're off in your own little world," Sieena remarked, keenly observing the smile that unexpectedly danced across my lips. Quickly, I locked Alessia's photo and instead brought up a picture of my mother, forcing a small smile as I replied, "I was just reminiscing about my mother. I miss her more than words can express. It's probably time I pay her a visit."
"Oh, then it's settled! We'll go together!" Sieena replied enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and camaraderie. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit, nodding in agreement. Her presence had woven itself into my life's tapestry, and losing her was not an option—not after everything we had been through. I thought back to the times both she and Alessia had been my lifelines after my father abandoned me, even if Alessia was unaware of the full gravity of my pain.
"Dear sweet brother, I'm back and ready for war. Let's see who emerges victorious," I muttered to myself, gazing down at David's photo that had unexpectedly resurfaced in my gallery. I usually didn't keep images of him, but I recognized this one, a snapshot captured by Alessia. It was of David in a fleeting moment, his unmistakable charm radiating from the image—the humble figure that had drawn Alessia in long before I had mentioned his name.
I pushed myself up from the couch, my feet carrying me toward the grand window where I stared out at David's expansive mansion across the way. An ache lodged itself in my heart at the sight. By some cruel twist of fate, I could not help but think that had my father accepted me, perhaps I'd be living in a place like that too. There was an overwhelming flood of memories that stately house conjured—a reminder of the life denied to me, a life that felt like a stark contrast against the struggles I faced now. It was moments like these when I felt the overwhelming desire to distance myself from that house, to escape the haunting echoes of a past that would never let me go.
**Alessia**
I was hanging out in Ariel's room, just having some fun. I asked the maid to take me there because I was missing Mandy and wanted to check in on Ariel, making sure she felt safe and happy too. Ariel then asked,
'So, are you guys serious about heading back home? I can talk to my dad, and he can find a place to stay with us. Come on, please?' Before I could respond, David jumped in. I got up and said,
'Alright... we'll stick around for dinner, but we're heading back tomorrow.' Then Ariel piped up,
'Dad, can I go with them? Staying at their place is totally fine for me!' David shot her a look and whispered,
'We'll figure that out later, Ariel. How about we go to the sitting room for dinner?' But I cut in,
'I thought we were eating here or in your bedroom? Why go to the sitting room? If your parents are there, what will they think? What will they ask me? What's my answer supposed to be?' Ariel chimed in,
'But Alessia, just relax. My grandpa's not a bad guy, okay?' Honestly, I wasn't keen on going to their dining area, but I was doing it for Ariel. I managed a smile and told Dav,
'Alright, let's go.'
'Thanks,' he replied. I suddenly felt super nervous; the thought of meeting his family was making me anxious. Would they even like me? I was just a regular girl from a not-so-well-off family. Mandy and Ariel had already headed to the sitting room. While walking there, I was surprised when Dav took my hand. I paused and asked,
'What's up? What are you doing?' I looked him in the eyes, something I've never really done with a guy before. He leaned down like he was going to kiss me, but I quickly stepped back.
'Remember, we're just friends. I don't get close to rich people. So keep your lips and everything else in check,' I teased with a laugh. Every time he touched me, I could sense he was into it. He thought I didn't notice, but I always did and just kept quiet about it. We walked into the sitting room where David's mom and dad were, along with a girl who looked super classy. As soon as they spotted us, they stood up. I felt really awkward and almost turned to leave, but David grabbed my hand before I could...
To be continued.