Endless Nights
Chapter 9
David
"No, no, sir! Please, don't kill me! Alessia is hiding under the bed! I-is that the girl you're looking for?" The doctor's voice trembled, a desperate pitch of fear creeping into his tone as he pleaded for his life. I could see the terror etched on his face, his eyes darting nervously around the dimly lit room, searching for an escape.
Mandy, without a moment's hesitation, dashed to the floor, her knees hitting the hard surface as she peered under the bed, her heart racing with anxiety. "Alessia!" she called out softly, almost as if she were coaxing the frightened girl from her hiding spot. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the scene unfold, swirling emotions mixing into a heady concoction of rage and concern.
Turning my gaze back to the pathetic figure of the doctor, I demanded, "What were you doing locked in a room with her? Answer me honestly, or I swear I'll break every bone in your body." My voice was low but intense, filled with an authority that promised dire consequences.
"Sir, I-I swear that Alessia came to the clinic for her tests to…" he stammered, his voice quaking under the weight of my glare.
"Blood tests, yes, yes! Only blood tests," Mandy interjected, her voice filled with urgency as she straightened herself, now focused on uncovering the truth.
I directed my intensity back at the doctor, locking eyes with him, trying to decipher if he was lying. "Is that true?" I pressed, my words like daggers.
The doctor nodded vigorously, a bead of sweat trailing down his temple as fear gripped him tighter. In a swift motion, I retrieved my cell phone from my pocket, my determination hardening. I called the police, my fingers trembling slightly with adrenaline. The doctor tried to intervene, but his feeble words fell on deaf ears; what he had done was entirely unacceptable, and I wouldn't let him escape justice.
Before long, the sirens pierced through the air, signaling the arrival of law enforcement. As they entered the room, I pointed at the doctor with an unrelenting authority, exclaiming, "Arrest him now!"
"Of course, sir," one of the officers replied, acknowledging my command. Their rapid response was a comforting presence amid the chaos.
Once they had him in handcuffs, I swiftly scooped Alessia into my arms, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Mandy hurried along behind us, her eyes wide with concern, and she reached out to open the door to my car, her hands shaking slightly.
I placed Alessia gently into the backseat, my heart heavy with worry. Carefully, I laid her down and removed my jacket, draping it over her as a protective shield against the cold air. I turned to Mandy, who had climbed into the front seat and looked back at me anxiously. "You should sit in front," I instructed her.
"Okay, sir…" she responded, her voice laced with lingering apprehension.
"Please, Mandy," I said, my tone softening, "there's no need to address me with such formality. Just call me by my name; I won't mind."
She chuckled lightly, a small smile breaking through her worried expression as she settled into her seat. "Alright, then. Take us home; she'll be fine," she suggested, her confidence beginning to shine through.
"No, I won't be taking you home just yet. I want to ensure that when Alessia wakes up, she receives the best care possible. That's why I'm bringing her to my place. Can I ask you something?" I inquired, trying to mask my concern with casual curiosity.
"Yes, please, what's on your mind?" she replied, her eyes adjusting to my seriousness.
"Why did Alessia want a blood test? Is there any reasonable explanation for that?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Mandy hesitated, glancing away as if searching for the right words. "Well, I… my mother, and Alessia, Look it's part of our culture to get tested regularly, at least twice a month," she admitted, biting her lip nervously.
"What kind of culture calls for such frequent testing?" I was probed, intrigued by the intricacies of her background.
"Honestly, I don't know," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper, sadness lacing her words. The car filled with a heavy silence, punctuated only by the steady hum of the engine as we sped toward an uncertain but hopeful future.
**Mandy**
As I found myself in the midst of a rather surreal moment, I inhaled deeply, attempting to steady my racing thoughts that were still reeling from the overwhelming events of the day. The shocking gravity of the situation plagued my mind: "What if David had been aware that Alessia was pregnant?" I could hardly shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at me. I couldn't help but think about how, once Alessia regained consciousness, she would inevitably struggle to grasp the reality that I hadn't been the one to disclose her condition to David. It was the doctor who had shared the news, an uncomfortable truth I had managed to divert by cleverly claiming it was merely a blood test result.
As David navigated the road ahead with a calm demeanor, my eyes wandered to an intriguing tattoo etched into the skin of his neck—a delicate rose, remarkably vibrant despite the mundane backdrop of our car's interior. Curiosity piqued, I broached the subject, my voice attempting to break through the lingering tension.
"So, you're quite fond of tattoos, I see? I must say, that rose is stunning."
He smiled, a genuine warmth illuminating his features.
"Thank you, Mandy. But enough about my ink; I'm curious about you. Where are you studying these days? Don't you dream of attending prestigious schools, the kind that come with hefty price tags but are considered the best of the best?"
For a moment, I was engulfed by silence as I contemplated his question. It was a wistful thought, to be sure. Finally, I responded, my voice tinged with a mix of honesty and resignation.
"I wish it was possible, but those kinds of royal schools are simply out of our reach financially. However, I take pride in my current school. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to attend lately due to my mother's circumstances, and now it's Alessia who requires my attention."
"That's truly unfortunate," he said, a note of empathy in his tone.
"But if you ever had the opportunity to study in one of those prestigious institutions, would you accept?"
"Yes, I would certainly consider it. But let's not forget—my mother has the final say in those kinds of decisions."
"I understand completely…" he replied, and I could sense a shared acknowledgment of responsibility hanging in the air between us.
Attempting to shift the conversation away from the weight of our burdens, I asked,
"So, do you live alone, or do your parents still reside with you?"
"I stay with my parents—Mr. Maynard and Mrs. Katie—along with my darling daughter, Ariel…" he began, only for me to interrupt, nearly breathless with wonder.
"Oh my goodness! You never mentioned you had a baby! What about her mother?"
A shadow fell across his face as he uttered, "She passed away."
A somber silence enveloped us, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions, but we managed to keep the conversation flowing smoothly as we drove on. My eager curiosity prompted a flurry of questions that spilled forth as we traveled down the road, eventually leading us to an unexpected destination that took my breath away.
"What is this place?" I inquired, glancing out the window as we rolled into view of an enormous estate.
"This is where I live; it's my mansion," he responded, a hint of pride coloring his voice.
"A mansion? This looks more like an entire town! It's enormous… My goodness, how many rooms does your mansion even have, David?"
"Ummm, if memory serves me right, it boasts around 203 rooms, both upstairs and downstairs," he replied nonchalantly.
"203 rooms? Jesus, are you serious? That's like a town unto itself! I've never seen a mansion so breathtakingly grand. When we go inside, do you mind if I snap a few pictures? I want to share this marvel with my friends," I asked, my excitement bubbling over.
"Of course, that's perfectly fine," he said, and I found myself momentarily lost for words, the sheer magnitude of what lay before me leaving me in awe. It dawned on me that David was wealthier than I had initially perceived. I had thought perhaps he was of average means, similar to Ethan, but as I observed the opulence surrounding us, my perception shifted dramatically. Gathering my courage, I posed a question that had been simmering in my mind.
"Are you a billionaire, then? Just out of curiosity, how much are you worth?"
"Ummm, I'm nearly at 450 billion dollars, to be precise," he replied matter-of-factly.
Before I could formulate another question, my eyes fell upon a pair of formidable guards stationed by the gate, and I blurted out,
"Oh, so you have security details as well?"
"Yes, there are some guards inside, along with a team of maids," he confirmed, and I couldn't help but marvel at the realization of living in such an elaborate setting.
Intrigued, I pressed further, "How many maids do you have?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure; only my mother keeps track of that," he replied with a slight chuckle, steering the car through the gates of his mansion. The moment we passed the threshold, I was enveloped by an ethereal quality to the air that filled my lungs, a crisp freshness that was starkly different from the outside world. The weather was perfectly temperate; not too hot, nor too cold. I was captivated by the lush greenery that surrounded the estate, a stark contrast to the concrete jungle I was used to.
David parked the car in an expansive garage before stepping out, and with gentle care, he lifted Alessia from her resting place, cradling her as he turned toward the entrance of the mansion, while I stood there, transfixed by the grandeur that enveloped me. My eyes roamed freely, each detail of the exterior tantalizing my senses, leaving me utterly speechless. I was just a girl from a modest background thrust into a world of unimaginable wealth, and as I quaffed in the sight around me, I felt an overwhelming rush of awe wash over me.
The air crackled with whispers, and I suddenly became aware of a conversation drifting toward me like a phantom. A small group of young women, clad in crisp uniforms that bespoke their roles as maids, exchanged gossip in hushed tones.
"Who is that girl in David's arms? Pinky is inside. Oh, the real drama is about to unfold," one remarked, her voice a fluttering whisper that carried the weight of intrigue.
"Look at that one; it seems like she's never stepped foot in a mansion," another chimed in, her tone laced with disdain. Oh, how easily people pass judgment, I thought, feeling a flush of indignation rise within me.
Motivated by a growing sense of urgency, I hurried after David, my feet racing across the polished marble floor of the grand foyer. Upon reaching the imposing double doors, however, a wave of disappointment crashed over me; I could no longer catch a glimpse of him through the hustle and bustle that characterized the bustling household. My heart sank as I turned to the guards stationed nearby, their stoic expressions unyielding.
"Excuse me," I said, my voice slightly tremulous, "I'm looking for David. Which way did he go?"
One of the guards chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"Poor thing, she's lost in a mansion that probably feels like a castle to her. Must've grown up in the village. What's your name?"
Yet, before I could respond, another guard stepped forward, seizing my hand with an unexpected grip.
"Allow me to escort you to Mr. David. Do you understand?" His tone was curt, but a sense of foreboding washed over me. I quickly pulled my hand away
"Leave her alone! You're being truly annoying. If ever given the chance, I would set you all straight in your roles!"
A sudden air of stillness enveloped us, the guards standing as if frozen, like statuses awaiting an opera's overture. My instincts compelled me to turn around, seeking the source of their sudden reverence, and I was met with a sight that took me by surprise—a young girl, radiant and regal, a delicate crown perched atop her head. She glided toward me with an air of confidence that belied her years. "Are you Mandy?" she asked, her voice bright and musical.
"Yes," I replied hesitantly, my mind racing from confusion to curiosity.
"I am Ariel, Dad's princess," she proclaimed with an innocent pride. "Come with me to my room! By the way, I saw my dad in his bedroom, and he asked me to find you."
"Thank you, princess, but...these people have been bullying me," I confessed, glancing back at the guards still standing at attention.
"Which ones?" Ariel inquired, her gaze narrowing with youthful determination.
"That one with red hair, and the other one," I pointed out, my heart racing at the thought of being at the mercy of such unkindness.
With a fierce look, Princess Ariel turned to the guards and declared, "If you ever treat anyone like that again, I will lodge a complaint with my dad or my grandpa, Mr. Maynard. You could get fired! My father's house is a place where kindness reigns; everyone deserves respect. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, princess," they muttered in unison, looking abashed beneath her scrutiny.
"Good! Mandy, come follow me! Do you want us to be friends?" she asked, her voice filled with childlike enthusiasm that was hard to resist.
I felt a flicker of a smile form in response, though my heart still bore the weight of anxiety concerning Alessia. I paused, a tender urgency in my tone,
"Can I see my aunt, Alessia? If she's okay, then we'll play together."
"My dad and the maids are taking good care of her, but if you'd like, we can go see her together," Ariel replied with an encouraging nod.
"Sure, princess," I sighed with relief.
"No, call me Ariel. Friends don't call each other princesses," she corrected with a serious cuteness that made my heart warm.
"Fair enough, daddy's girl," I teased lightly, the weight of the situation momentarily lifting.
**Mrs Katie**
"Ma'am, I just can't digest this. I feel so depressed; I wish I could just vanish from this world!" Pinky's voice trembled with raw emotion. "I saw David carrying another girl in his arms. He went to his room with her. Ma'am, my heart is shattered into a million pieces."
"Relax," I replied, surprised by the depths of her drama. "It's just a girl. Let me talk to him. I haven't seen David myself." My mind reeled as I processed her frantic confession.
With my heart racing, I retrieved my fan and a glass of wine—both my comfort items—and made my way down the lavish corridors of the mansion, each step echoing with uncertainty. As I passed through the ornate hallways, adorned with gilded frames and sumptuous décor, a peculiar scene unfolded before my eyes. I spotted my granddaughter with that strange girl.
"Who is she?" I inquired, my brow furrowing.
"A new friend," the girl replied, a look of defiance flashing momentarily.
"That's a conversation for later. Where is your father?" I pressed, my tone a mixture of authority and protectiveness.
"In his room," she answered simply.
"Perfect," I said, stepping forward, filled with a sense of purpose.
**Sienna**
"But ma'am, we can't sell you this house. Someone's already paid for it. Why do you want to live near the Maynard mansion? There are so many other places…"
I cut in sharply, "Why I wish to reside near that family is none of your business. What I want is this little mansion right next to Maynard's. The person who bought it should reclaim their money, and I'll pay a little extra too. Otherwise, let fate deal with them; this house shall be mine! So, Mr. Gilbert, consider carefully: shall I resort to more... drastic measures, or will the buyer collect their trifling funds and vacate the premises?"
To be continued...