5
Alayna
Monday 22nd January, Year 825.
As Marco drove up the winding driveway, my stomach somersaulted with a mix of dread and nausea.
What the hells are you doing here? I kept repeating to myself.
It was a sprawling beast of a house, basically carved into the mountainside, and I had to spend at least another ninety minutes in this place alone with him. I craned my neck to take in the towering mansion, noting how the harsh glare from its spotlights glinted off the snaking coils of barbed wire on top of its surrounding gates. Must have been cosy, being so snug behind all those defences while the Umbrith made mincemeat out of my lot, too skint to afford the luxury. My jaw clenched tight enough to crack a tooth.
We pulled up to the house and someone opened the car door for me, offering a hand to help me out. I recognised the man as Jo's dad, a chauffeur for the Hawes family. He gave me a warm, dad-like smile and threw me a conspiratorial wink, but did not speak. With an outstretched hand and an umbrella at the ready, he ushered me out into the rain. Despite myself, a snicker bubbled up and popped out my mouth before I could cork it. The whole situation was mental.
What the hells are you doing here?
Marco was awful but he was also Marco Hawes and I was a scab. My options were very limited. I had to tread carefully; I had hurt his feelings with my behaviour all day and he was being very cold. Even as I reminded myself to butter him up a bit more, everything about him - the way he carried himself like he owned every speck of dust we walked on - it made me want to gag a little. Typical Central snob behaviour... But Mum loved Mayrina so I thought her children might have been different. Tiv seemed like an absolute oddball too. I wondered if both the siblings were as bad as each other. Ego, wrapped in muscles, wrapped in money. I curled my toes in my boots at the thought.
What the hell are you doing here?
I reminded myself of the aim of the game: I wanted to tell myself it was to shut my Mum up. But really I held out hope that spending a few days with Marco might make those arson-happy assholes think twice about torching my doorstep again. Running up beside him, reluctant fingers seized his hand. His palm felt cool against my clammy fingers and as our hands met, his demeanour thawed ever so slightly. He shot me one of his trademark winks - the kind that left an acid taste swirling on my tongue - and for a split second, I wondered if this was really worth it after all.
He led me to the front door in silence as I wished the floor would open up and swallow me whole. The front door was large and white, roughly about as tall as my house with a back and silver ornate door knocker. Before we reached it, it swung open to reveal a tall, extremely skinny woman who looked about Ben's age. She had long, mousey-brown hair tied up in an elegant bun with big blue Vakosian eyes. She has tanned skin but she wasn't Lambentian. Everyone with Lambentian heritage had gold around their pupils. She was one of us, not them. With not a hair out of place, meticulous makeup and a beautiful red dress that looked more expensive than everything I owned combined, she could have been a movie star…
"Welcome, I am Meredith Ulter, the housekeeper," she said happily, vigorously shaking my hand, thankfully forcing me to release my grip on Marco.
"Hi, I'm Alayna Jameson," I muttered.
"Please come in, such abysmal weather out there! Shall I fetch you both something to drink, darling?" she smiled endearingly at Marco.
'Fetch'? What century is this woman from?
"One of Father's bottles of Solaire?" he grinned, looking a lot like his younger brother.
Solaire was a fancy wine. It only came from a tiny province in Lambent and was pretty rare. It started at about five hundred ven a bottle, roughly Mum's monthly wage… and he was asking for it as a drink like it was water. I gaped for a second before the expression on Meredith's face suggested he was joking.
Meredith's smile widened, "I do not think so. I shall fetch you one of the store-bought bottles of wine. Preference?"
Marco looked at me and I stared blankly between them. I wished I had taken note of which wine Mayrina had sent me for my birthday so I could at least say anything.
"It's three o'clock in the afternoon," was the only thing my stupid, smart mouth managed to stutter out. "Maybe just some water would be good?"
"More for me," he shrugged. "I'll get it. Meredith, take Alayna's coat and bring her to the lounge."
I was in awe of the lobby's size, about five times bigger than my own house. Meredith tried to grab my jacket as I took in the black marble floor and gleaming animal sculptures lining the walls. A giant glass dome filled the room with natural light, or it would have if the rain clouds hadn't blocked it out. Two black wooden staircases curved up from the foyer to the second floor to meet in the middle, leading to a grand chandelier made of crystal teardrops. Below it hung a simple white clock with gold calligraphy and the words "Everlasting Light."
The room was extraordinary and it was just the lobby. I was overwhelmed. Feeling small, I had the urge to run away. I refused to give Meredith my jacket, determined to keep it in case I had to make a quick getaway.
What the hells are you doing here?
"I wasn't sure you'd show up," said a familiar voice mockingly.
As I pivoted, Tiv leaned casually against the marble archway which opened into an even bigger room holding a grand piano and a guitar. The guitar was pristine and looked brand new. I wanted to play it.
Tiv distracted my attention, looking at me with a dazzling grin on his face. It took away my ability to speak for a moment.
Lambent must have bred them breathtaking; every inch of Tiv was proof of that—from his towering stature to his coffee-kissed skin that somehow seemed to radiate warmth even from a distance. Was it something in the water there? He shared Marco's physical fitness, but where Marco had the soft curls and round face of their mum, Tiv's hair lay sleek and short against his head, his features more angular, in line with Anthony's traits. Tiv's dark brown eyes had a bright, glimmering circle of gold, brighter than Marco's. But the main difference was their personality, obviously. Tiv had an ease about him, a gentle calm that seemed to draw you in… and Marco was an idiot.
At once I felt acutely aware of my own appearance: a scruffy scab with her tell-tale barcode peeking out from under her sleeve. My thoughts had done a loop and I was now back to thinking I had no idea why I was there.
Meredith looked at Tiv with so much love in her features, like she was his mother, not her employer's son. It was weird for a housekeeper. The entire household was weird.
"I was just showing Alayna to the guest lounge, darling," she explained.
Tiv's smile stayed in place on his face and he gestured to beyond him, "I'll take you"
"This is a lot of fuss to get into a room. Just point me in the right direction. I'll make it. I promise," I said, feeling cramped under their attentive looks.
"That way," he pointed to his left behind him.
Striding past him into the room, I turned left only to be confronted with three unmarked doors.
"Ah, you're a piece of shit," slipped from my lips before I could stop it, earning an audible gasp from Meredith.
I couldn't help but let out a tense, awkward laugh. It burst out of me like it had been pent up for days. It was kind of liberating to break the serious vibe of this place with some humour.
Thoroughly enjoying my discomfort, Tiv linked his arm through mine and led me forward. His grip was soft, a reminder of a world I didn't belong to. Like something out of an old-timey movie, it felt all kinds of awkward on my skin… Until I realised it didn't. It felt thoroughly right. Like my arm was supposed to be there.
Cut that out now.
Hoping Meredith would provide some needed break in the tension, I turned and realised she was gone.
"How's your day been?" Tiv asked conversationally.
"It's been one for the books," I grumbled.
"Enjoy it. Tomorrow will be a mundane Marco-less day if you play your cards right," he quipped.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
He was right. But I needed to stop the thugs vandalising my house. We couldn't afford it. I needed to keep in Marco's good books.
"He's not so bad," I lied.
"Oh, good then," Tiv replied stiffly.
We stepped into yet another space that'd swallow my whole house. Black and white again. The Hawes family clearly hated colour. A huge white marble fireplace was the focal point of the room, framed with a wreath of fresh greenery, the only colour in the room. Even the family portraits that hung on the wall were in black and white. The room felt like a sterile hospital. I sat on a large sofa and took a deep breath.
"Are you alright?" Tiv asked.
I thought he had left.
The mad urge to tell him I was only there to shut my Mum up and stop my house from being set on fire pressed on my throat but knew that would lead to nothing good. So when I pasted on my grin and tossed him thanks for being my compass through the maze.
Unexpectedly, he didn't buy it, "Simply humour the house tour and that'll keep him busy until it's time for you to leave. He gets an arrogance boost from showing off. If you have figured that out you are already smarter than any of the bimbos he has ever brought back."
The second the words were out of Tiv's mouth he seemed to regret saying them, a deep amber flush rushing into his cheeks.
"I didn't mean you are a bimbo, or even that he brings back many girls, I mean, I meant, I think-" he panicked.
The giggle burst from me before I could cage it. Seeing him flustered was something else - not Marco's brand of bravado but sweet shyness that stitched dimples into his face when he smiled nervously.
"I just wish I had known I was in competition to show off. I could have brought my… sparkling personality," I mocked.
"Oh, this isn't you at your best?" he said sarcastically, relaxing slightly.
Our senseless back-and-forth bounced around the room, the sound more alive than any sterile Hawes decor could ever hope to be.
Lifting an eyebrow, I pretended to ponder his question. "No," I replied dryly. "This is me on a bland day. You should see me when I'm really trying; I'm practically irresistible."
Tiv laughed, a rich sound that filled the space between us. "Irresistible? That's not hard to believe when you're already causing such a stir in my rather boring life."
I bit my lip to stifle another peal of laughter, feeling the warmth of amusement painting my cheeks rosy. "Yeah, well, your 'boring life' could obviously use a bit of chaos then."
"Is that what you're offering? A bit of chaos?" His grin was infectiously mischievous as he nestled into the armchair opposite me.
"As opposed to what?" I leaned back into the couch cushions. "Your usual dose of rehearsed parties and stiff conversations about money and caviar?"
I found myself excited to hear his retort, but it was silenced before he got the words out.
"Why are you here?" The sharpness in Marco's voice cleaved through our little bubble. Tiv straightened up as though yanked by a noose.
"Just showing her to the lounge," Tiv replied, his voice low as he avoided Marco's piercing gaze.
Marco said something sharp in a Lambentian. I heard my name and flushed. Tiv gave a short, cold response without missing a beat.
"Would you like a tour of the house?" Marco's tone swung bright as sunshine as he handed me a chilled glass of water. The cool condensation kissed my fingers contrasting with the heat rising in the room.
I smirked, "That sounds wonderful."
As we walked out of the room, I turned back to Tiv who waved with a grin.
"Good luck," he mouthed.
I stuck my finger up at him and he just grinned wider, mischief gleaming in his eyes until his wink sent an annoying flutter through my stomach.
Ah crap.
----------------------------------------
After half an hour of walking around the mansion, my first impression of Marco was confirmed in concrete. I was in the middle of looking for a window to jump out of when we bumped into his Mum, Mayrina. The only thing I had learnt from my tour was that the only person who loved Marco more than himself was his Mum. And maybe Meredith. I thought they must be related to the housekeeper, however there was no resemblance apart from the amber skin.
Mayrina had decorated the hallways and rooms with photographs of her two sons and a petite girl with curly, black hair who looked no older than five. Again, she had giant brown eyes with flecks of beautiful gold. I assumed her to be Tiv and Marco's little sister. Everyone knew the rumours that Mayrina had been a bit naughty and her daughter was Marco's half-sister. The pictures gave credence to this theory; she looked exactly like Mayrina and nothing like Anthony.
The pictures were accompanied by certificates and trophies for all three children; everything from playing instruments to numerous different sports and fighting. I had to say it was impressive. On the other hand, every photo and trophy had a story behind it, giving Marco what seemed like a thousand opportunities to tell me about himself and how much better he was at everything compared to Tiv. I would have bet my house that by the end of that evening he would not be able to tell me a single thing about my life, but I'd have several thousand useless pieces of information about his clogging up my brain.
"Alayna darling, it is so lovely to see you," Mayrina said as she spotted us, kissing both my cheeks as rich people tended to do.
"It's nice to see you too, Mrs Hawes," I smiled; she was a kind woman.
"Please, call me Mayrina. I hope you are having a good afternoon, do let me know if we can get you anything," she smiled again then turned to Marco speaking in Lambentian.
I heard Tiv's name and Marco scoffed, shrugging.
"My darling daughter never seems to get tired; much to the annoyance of her older siblings," Mayrina laughed as if I'd understood the exchange before delicately touching a bruise across Marco's face.
A fleeting shadow crossed her ebony features. I had not dared to ask him who had battered him and he didn't offer up the information. Either way, I assumed it was not something he wanted highlighted.
"I had forgotten you had a daughter. Mum has mentioned her before though," I said, making small talk to interrupt the moment.
"Oh! Her name is Beau. You must meet her. She is adorable," she smiled.
"Alright Mother, time to go," Marco mumbled, pulling his face away from her grasp.
"Your mother is just working in my office Alayna if you want to pop in and say hello," she said warmly.
"Thanks but I'll just leave her to it. She'll be busy," I didn't want to get Mum into trouble and she couldn't save me from Marco anyway.
With that, Mayrina made an excuse to leave. I tried to prolong the conversation before Marco pulled me into his room where I sat on the edge of his bedroom bench silently.
Another huge room, this one looking like another living room, with a brown leather sofa, a pool table and a flat-screen television in it. Above his state-of-the-art computer was a wall filled with different films and games. It was outstanding and for a second I actually felt jealous. For fun at home I could read, play guitar or watch one of three channels on the tiny kitchen tv. I reminded myself I was lucky to own a tv. Most scabs didn't.
Marco sat next to me wrapping his arm around my waist and pulled me close. In an instant, he kissed me. Shocked wasn't the word. Furious was probably better. I shoved both my hands against him and tried to breathe. My entire insides clenched.
You idiot.
"I'm so sorry, that caught me off-guard. I- Let's try that again," I stammered.
He pulled his head away from me and studied me for a moment. In my head, I screamed at him not to touch me, hoping he would hear but after a few seconds he replaced his hand on my waist and this time, I let him press his face to mine and put his tongue in my mouth. I wondered how much would constitute enough to stop my tormentors. It wasn't like I hadn't put out for stuff before but it was always with people who I actually wanted to have sex with. Mum had got sick and couldn't work and Dad hadn't worked in a month because of his back—we were literally starving to death. Desperate times, desperate measures.
This is fine. It's transactional. He gets sex. You get to keep your house intact.
But it wasn't fine. In the past I liked the guys I got stuff from. It didn't feel transactional. Lucy would be giving me so much shit for this right now. Apparently my body was not currency. She was so naive and cute. My throat constricted at the thought.
Don't think about her now, you asshole.
After a few more seconds, I pulled away and gave Marco my best 'yes, that definitely wasn't like kissing a washing machine' smile.
"I'm not going to lie, I didn't think this was going great," he smirked.
I actually laughed. He thought I was laughing with him and not at him so I got away with it.
"Listen, why don't we get together again this weekend? We can get a hotel in Central. It'll be fun," he said.
"Marco, you have a guest," Meredith called, knocking lightly on his door.
"I'm busy, who is it?" he snapped.
"Marco, I think it would be advantageous for all parties if you investigate yourself," she replied.
"Em, not today. I'm busy," he barked like a brat.
"It is Miss Helen Parr. She is rather adamant you talk with her," Meredith muttered. "I think she knows you have a guest."
Marco swore and looked at me, "Listen this is really bad timing. The girl's unhinged. Leave it with me. I'll be right back."
The second he closed the door I took my opportunity to bolt from a date which could only be described as a fever dream. I could have gone to see Mum but that didn't help me get out of the mansion that felt both huge and suffocatingly claustrophobic. No, I was going home. But it was too late to walk. Thinking quickly, I swiped some coins from Marco's desk. If I ran I could make it to a phone box and get Ben to collect me with Kithry. I pushed my head out Marco's bedroom door, scanned the empty corridor and silently stalked back towards the main staircase. When I made it to the top of the stairwell, I saw him greet Helen, another bitch in our year, at the front door. He kissed her passionately before leading her into another room hand in hand.
What the hells are you doing here?
I fumed for a few seconds before it dawned on me that I'd kissed far worse for far less. Ok, maybe not worse. Either way, I wasn't remotely jealous of Helen. In fact, I didn't care at all! I was relieved that he wouldn't notice if I made a quick escape. I used the distraction, pulling my hood up, and sprinted silently down the stairs, nearly colliding with Tiv who had entered the lobby from the next room, too busy looking back at Marco and Helen to notice me.
He grabbed me to stop me falling and I felt like I had been electrocuted. Not the 'I'm in love and it felt electric' cliché, more that he had literally given me a static shock. I threw myself away from him grumpily, swore and rubbed my collarbone where it had collided with his arm.
"Don't touch me," I spat.
"Sorry," he replied, his face scarlet.
For the millionth time that day, I felt a rush of remorse for being so short with him. It wasn't his fault his brother was the biggest pain in the ass I had ever encountered.
Tiv looked back at where Marco and Helen had walked then back at me, who he had just caught fleeing his house. Putting the obvious clues together, he smiled sympathetically at me.
"Would you like a lift home?" he asked.
"Yeah please," I said too quickly.
Silently, I put my head down and followed Tiv through several rooms to a garage and out to his car. I inwardly chuckled at my naivety when I felt surprised at the number of expensive cars in the garage. Tiv opened the door of a polished, silver soft-top. I did not speak car but I knew what I was looking at was a good one; something Dad and Ben would appreciate. On top of that, the car seemed to be one of the less shiny ones I had walked past. He smirked at my expression and my stomach churned when he looked at me. I rushed quickly into the car just to get another look at his face.
Not good.
I was supposed to be dating his brother! Although, I had technically escaped my date. I had not agreed to a second date with no intention of doing so. I would set my house on fire myself before I let Marco's face anywhere near mine ever again… But Tiv's face didn't seem so bad. I felt humorously awkward and completely at ease at the same time in his company. It was the strangest feeling I had ever had and I actually enjoyed it.
I was in trouble.