"London calling to the faraway towns..."
"All right. I get it. You're happy to be here. I'm happy too. Please. Stop singing that song."
"Now that war is declared and battle come down. London calling to the underworld."
"Lumi. Please."
"Come out of the cupboard all you boys and girls." Lumi continued and then caught Victor's cold stare and stopped.
"Now that war is declared and battle come down. London calling to the underworld."
"Lumi. Please."
"Come out of the cupboard all you boys and girls." Lumi continued and then caught Victor's cold stare and stopped.
Three minutes later.
"I'm lonely in London, London is lovely so..." Lumi sang giving Victor a sideway glance. His lips twitched while he tried to hide a smile. "I'm lonely in London... London is lovely so...." Lumi sang again. And repeated three times.
"Lumi."
"Lumi."
"You said I had to stop singing that song. Idid."
"It's not that. Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Lonely in London?"
"Ah..." Lumi blushed. She looked up at Victor and he was smiling. "Shut up. That's the only part of the song I remember. Fine." She tracked another song on her mind and taking a deep breath, began to sing again. "I'll be better on my own." she sang on purpose. Victor laughed. "Now I miss the sun, but as long as I'm with you. Just another rainy day in..." Lumi breathed. "London..."
"It's not that. Are you?"
"Am I what?"
"Lonely in London?"
"Ah..." Lumi blushed. She looked up at Victor and he was smiling. "Shut up. That's the only part of the song I remember. Fine." She tracked another song on her mind and taking a deep breath, began to sing again. "I'll be better on my own." she sang on purpose. Victor laughed. "Now I miss the sun, but as long as I'm with you. Just another rainy day in..." Lumi breathed. "London..."
"Are you kidding me? You can't know these many songs about London. I don't know that many. And I'm from London."
"You're from Wiltshire. Far away. You can sing any song about Wiltshire." As they walked to baggage claim, Lumi waited another five seconds and turning her head to the other side changed her tone and kept walking. She had researched all songs that had London in their lyrics and memorized them. It was only just beginning. "I woke up today in London as the plane was touching down. And all I could think about was Monday... Maybe I'd be back around..."
Victor was wondering if she was doing this to annoy him on purpose. She had been singing London Calling again and again since she had awoke whilst they were still airborne. And now, there she was singing again. People gave little low laughs as they passed by them. Lumi wasn't caring about being too loud so just kept walking and singing. Truth was, she wasn't really bothering him. But it seemed to make her happy to annoy him. So... he let her. But now she was singing and dancing. And she was repeating London... on purpose? Who danced and sang in the middle of the airport among people you didn't know?
"How come every time you come around, my London, London bridge, wanna go down, like. London, London, London, wanna go down, like. London, London, London, be going down, like..."
"Who sings that?"
"Fergie."
"And... you're dancing... Don't get me wrong, I love to see you dance. But right now, our baggage have passed in front of us twice while you were... shaking your bootie. That man over there seems very interested in you." he said pointing to a man that was avidly staring at her through his lenses. The man was over sixty years old. That made her stop. "Men are such pigs... That is just disgusting. I could be his granddaughter."
"I bet he'd like to be your granddaddy." Victor laughed and sucked air through his teeth seconds later, after Lumi elbowed him in the stomach.
Se leaned to pick up her case and felt the old man's eyes on her butt. Okay, she was uncomfortable. She turned slowly to see if he was still staring and met his eyes straight on. She was very uncomfortable. Victor had piled all of their luggage on the trolley and was pushing it away. She ran and passed her arm through his, thinking that maybe she should let the dirty old man know she wasn't alone.
"Ah, now you want to stay close, huh?"
"Shut up. Are we getting a cab or what?"
"Or what. I think Horace must be waiting for us."
"Horace? What kind of name is Horace?"
"He's my father's butler."
"You have a butler?!" Lumi immediately pictured a butler named Sebastian. He was tall, sexy and handsomely young, strong... She hoped this Horace was even better. It was possible, wasn't it? For butlers to be young and handsome?
"There he is." Victor said pointing to a man wearing a dark gray suit that stood by the airport door. The man was over six feet tall and had black wavy hair. He seemed deeply annoyed at something or someone, though by his rigid posture, maybe it was just his way. But one thing was right, he wasn't handsome at all. He had a large nose and very thick brows. His mouth was tightly shut and he stared straight ahead at nothing in particular.
"Master." Horace said with a short nod. His voice was the complete opposite of his appearance and he seemed disgusted at the idea of calling Victor master. "How was the flight?"
"Long." Victor said letting Horace take over the trolley. But Lumi was still shocked with the abnormality of the man's nose and brows. She had seen some pretty big ones before, but these were a pair made in...
"Lumi?" Victor snapped his fingers so she could snap out.
"Huh? Oh, right. Thanks." Horace had offered a hand to help enter the car but she had been staring at him. "Are we going to see Anne now?"
"His grace expects you for tea." Horace said from the wheel. He was already driving the BMW out of the parking lot. "You both."
"I thought I was going to see Anne."
"Me too." Victor said scowling to Horace's reflex on the rearview mirror.
"Your father expects you this afternoon for tea."
"And I'm telling you that we are due in London this evening. I agreed to meet my father tomorrow afternoon."
"I'm very sorry... master. But my orders are clear to bring you back today." Horace said and kept on driving. Victor sighed loudly and turned to Lumi.
"I'm sorry. If you want to meet Anne today, we'll leave this car and I'll find a way to take you to London."
"I... no. It's fine. That means that we'll only be going to London on Thursday?"
"I think it's safer to say Friday. Actually I was hoping to invite Anne to stay until Sunday with us. You know where I'm from, but I don't think you really do. Does Salisbury say anything to you?"
"Salisbury? No. Why?"
"Hmm. You've never read a Sherlock Holmes at least?"
"Not really."
"Does Stonehenge say anything to you?"
"Stonehenge? Isn't it in Scotland?" right after Lumi asked Horace started to mumble something low obviously annoyed.
"Is there anything wrong, Horace?" Lumi looked from Horace to Victor. What was going on, she wondered. Victor seemed to be getting angry.
"No. Of course not, sir."
"Stonehenge is located in Salisbury Plains. It's in Wiltshire. I thought that maybe Anne would like to see it."
"She would. Really would. Maybe you could invite her and tell her how to come."
"Or we could send a trustworthy driver to pick her up." Victor said looking back to Horace.
"Whatever the master desires."
"I desire to go to London."
Horace was silent.
***
I was staring at the elevator ceiling as it moved upwards. The morning passed in front of my eyes as I tried to understand why I was feeling so miserable. It had been a wonderful morning. After breakfast, Eli had left for his appointments and I had spent a few minutes googling the places I wanted to visit and good places to shop. The weather was quite pleasant, 53ºF as the lobby clerk had informed me earlier. I packed my bag carefully with an umbrella, camera and maps; put on my white converse and set out with a light coat hanging on my strap. My yellow bag swung by my side as I walked and I remembered the time I almost lost it in a supermarket. Noah. He had never sent any messages.
I crossed streets and doing my best not to take a cab, I rode busses and discovered London's beauty on my own. I loved it. I really did. The people, the things, the monuments. It was all magical to me. I took more pictures than most would, but the light was just amazing. I could already see how I would frame and put on my wall back home.
I entered a little store called Marie Antoinette that was love at first sight. The white Victorian entrance, with big french doors enchanted me more than the beautiful things on display. A little sign read "We have Eyeko" and my heart ached a little for not having Lumi with me. We both had a weakness for make up. We probably would never use all that we had, but whatever it was, it was never enough. Well, that, and earrings. And shoes. And bags. I caught myself smiling to my reflex on the mirror. Most would call me shallow and shopaholic. Maybe I was. But I did love to collect beautiful things. I reached up to touch my third earring on my right ear and wished Lumi was there.
When the elevator stopped on my floor, I walked out slowly and turned in my room direction. Eli wouldn't be back till 5.p.m. and then, he would probably too tired to do anything else than eat and sleep. This trip was demanding a lot from him. There were shadows under his eyes this morning; which meant he hadn't slept well. He was worried about the conference. I knew why. It was his debut as a doctor. Major thing. And I was proud, after all he had been my professor and I had marvelled at his ideas. Where had that feeling gone? I mean, before, I was worried about not being able to keep myself from falling for him and now I was terrified at the thought of having him fall and not being able correspond and breaking his heart. I liked him very much. I cared for him very much. Very much. But whenever he looked into my eyes and I saw how... lost they got, I felt miserably desperate to feel the same. Maybe, I thought as I put my shopbags and coat over the bed and sat by their side to take off my shoes, I was just pressuring myself so much that the only one to blame was myself. I lied down and stretched out. It had been a wonderful morning... I had spent money I was saving for other things, but was terribly happy about my acquisitions. Maybe this feeling that something was missing was just me, lonely in London after all. And an idea hit me. I got up and leaving a trail of the clothes I was taking off, I entered the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Cheered by the realization that I was missing Eli's company, I started to get myself ready for a little visit.
***
The London School of Economics was enormous. In every meaning. Its grandeur took my breath away. And very much aware that I had never been there before, I realized I had no idea where to go. Better. I deeply believed that, sometimes, getting lost, was the best way to help you find yourself. A little light shone briefly in my head remembering something Delilah had said to me before, but I got distracted as I walked towards the main building.
After a few minutes walking around I finally stopped a woman that seemed in her mid twenties. Her long blond hair was flying in the wind but it didn't seem to bother her. She pointed in the direction I was already going and continued to go on her way as she shifted papers she seemed so drawn to. I pushed the coat tighter around my body and fought the wind. The weather had grown chillier during the afternoon and a drizzle was starting to soak my hair. I was regretting the dress I had chosen, a light black cotton dress that clung nicely in the bodice and stopped a little above my knees. But the tall boots were doing their job.
The Conference Room plaque was on my left and comforted at the idea of warmth, I entered without knocking. A heated argument was in full swing as I opened the large door. Eli was seated at the conference table, his head was down as his hands were busy cleaning his glasses. He seemed lost in thought and obviously tired of what was going on. A brunette was in front of him gesturing madly as her voice echoed through the whole room. Her hair was like silk and moved as she moved her arms, shining in the lights. I had to fight an urge to walk to the table and defend Eli, but as he put his glasses back on, he raised his left hand. I'd seen him do that before. During class once, an argument had started and after several minutes trying to get the class back, he had lost his temper and risen his left hand. It had been odly effective. The brunette, however, seemed to be annoyed at the gesture and slapped it away. She was about to lean forward, obviously unaware that there was someone else watching them and kiss him, when the door opened behind me and three people walked in chatting loudly. Eli looked up and his eyes met mine. The brunette straightened herself slowly and caught my stare. She looked back to Eli and understanding the situation, stepped down from the stage and walked in my direction.
My blood had warmed up considerably. The brunette had been about to kiss Eli and now seemed to want to discuss the matter with me. I took off my coat and never caught the surprised stare from Eli as the brunette stopped in front of me. She was nearly as tall as me thanks to my high heeled boots. She put a hand on her waist and looked at me from head to toe, as if measuring me.
"Well, he had not told me he had a girlfriend now." she said in a husky voice with a Irish accent. If I weren't so distracted by sheer annoyance I'd have admired her accent. I loved the Irish.
"Well, he does. May I ask who are you?"
"You may. It's Eileen McCarthy."
"Eileen... Dr. McCarthy?"
"Oh yes. You please me. You have heard of my work, then?"
"Yes. Of course. Eli has spoken of your work in class."
"In c... You are his student?" she asked turning to him. As he stared in the other direction, she let her head fall back and laughed. "You surprise me, Walker." she said walking back to him. I picked up the coat and bag I had set over one of the chairs in the audience and followed her. I had to admit the woman was gorgeous. Her little waist barely moved as she walked, leaving the shake to her hips. Her high heels shaped up her legs and the tight forest green sweater marked the curves of her body. And... I was annoyed by her all over again.
"Eileen, I think you've made very clear what your opinion is." Eli said with a serious voice. He never glanced in my direction. "I happen to agree as I was going to let you know before you started to let the thunders roll. I will speak to the comittee and we'll reach an agreement. I do hope, however, that you don't sabotage the whole event if the comittee decides against it."
"Of course not. You know very well that I've worked as hard as you to make this happen."
"I do. So please, go home and be here tomorrow night for the event. I'll text you the minute I get an answer from the comittee."
"Fine." she said, let out a sigh and turned to a chair close-by. Put on her coat, picked up her bag and gathering a few sheets that were spread over the table, winked in my direction and left. The three men that had walked in, very much entertained by the show they had just watched, followed her out the door.
Eli rose from behind the table and jumped down from the stage. He reached his hand to my hair and with a lighter expression, kissed me.
"I'm sorry about that." he said in a low voice.
"It's okay, I think."
"She's always like that. Eileen was my senior when I studied here. We're working together to make this conference happen but she forgets herself sometimes." He said and let his gaze wander the room. "And yes, we used to date back then. That's why she..."
"Nearly jumped on you."
"Yeah." he said with a smile. "You were jealous. I liked it."
"I was." I said smiling back. I had been annoyed by her, but somehow, I was also thankful. I knew how I felt now. My heart was swelling with the most wonderful warm feeling. I caught his sweater and pulled him closer. "So, are you done?"
"Done..?" he asked trying to focus as his body glued to mine. "Ah.. here?"
"Yes. Here."
"I... think I am. I just have to... Ah..."
"Hmm?"
"I don't know. It's not important. Let me just get my coat and we'll..."
"Go. Yes." Pure feminine satisfaction was making me wonderfully sure. He walked up the steps and gathered his things under one arm. He came back, grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the cold.
***
"This is where you lived when you were younger?"
"Yes." Victor answered as he looked at Lumi glued to the window.
"Wow. This... I can't even describe it." Victor smiled at that. But as the car made the turn and stopped in front of stairs that led to the main door, his smiled died. The shadow of his father by the window on the second floor brought many images to his mind. All the times he had been brought home his father had waited like that for him. When he had been suspended for a fight in school, when his mother had left, when Kit's mother had passed. Always distant and cold. Distracted, he reached for Lumi's hand and held it tight. Lumi looked down to their hands and then up to him. She was going to demand for him to let it go but she saw his face. His misery was stamped all over his face. He was looking up to the second floor but she couldn't see what he was looking at. Horace opened his door and, never letting go of her hand, they climbed up the steps.
"Lumi..."
"What?"
"I have no idea why he called me here. But whatever it is, I just want to say that I'm very grateful that you're here with me." he said with a quick glance to her. With a sad smile he continued. "And I'm very sorry for anything that might upset you. My father's very unpredictable."
"It's okay. I can handle it." she said, and tightened the grip.
The house was a dream. All classic lines and magnificent works of art adorned the walls over the fabric that covered them. Jewel colors warmed the rooms as she walked through them. A fireplace was lit on one of the rooms and she felt its warm as they reached the main stairs of the house. They parted in the mid floor and went left and right, to the wings of the house. It looked like a little castle. She had never been to a place quite like this in her whole life. As she stared in every direction, Victor pulled her to the right wing and when they reached the second floor, entered the last door on the corridor.
Another fireplace was lit and this time with the turf smell, she caught the tart cigar smoke and wood. The marble floor gleamed green and the books that covered the walls were arranged perfectly as if painted there. Standing in front of the window a man dressed with a dark brown blazer and matching trousers looked at them solemnly. He had a cane with an adorned hog's head on the handle that supported the weight of his left arm. He leaned on it as he walked in their direction. Lumi had no idea of what to say. She had seen Victor, Kit and even Horace mentioning Mr. Allen as his Grace, but she never knew if they were kidding. Did you adress a baron as His Grace? She didn't call her own father "sir", she didn't want to call Victor's His Grace. As father and son stared into each other's eyes silently, Lumi decided she'd better say something when Mr. Allen changed his eyes on her direction.
"And you might be my rude son's girlfriend."
"I'm a girl and I'm his friend. But that's all."
"I see." He said rising his brow back to Victor. "What sort of stories have you been telling people about me? This girl seethes despair for me."
"She's just reacting to your coldness. As everyone else, father. This is Lumi. She's my friend." He gestured in Lumi's direction. And gesturing backwards he said, "And this is my father. Arthur Allen, Lumi."
"Enchanted." Arthur said offering his hand. Lumi grabbed it and shook it. Startled, Arthur rose his brows to Victor that was laughing at the scene. Lumi that hadn't understoon what was the fuss all about. Let go of Victor's hand and crossed them in front of her body.
"Yeah. Enchanted too." she said briskly. Madly in love, Victor put his arm over her shoulders and turned to his father. "I'm going to settle her in and I'll come back so we can start to discuss whatever matter you have in mind." And without waiting for an answer, pulled Lumi out of the room. On the corridor as they walked to the left wing, Lumi let out a sigh of relief.
"Why are you two so cold towards each other?"
"I have no idea anymore. I suppose we grew in that direction and never came back. But I liked that you stood up for me."
"I... Hmm."
Victor stopped in front of the fourth door and waiting for her to catch up, he opened the door. The room was decorated in green, white and gold. Both tall windows were open and the curtains blew in the frisk wind that came in. The four poster bed was against the farthest wall to the right and faced the other wall that had two doors. As they walked in, Lumi's mouth that had dropped, was getting dry. One of the doors opened to a marble bathroom that had a four claw bathtub and a skylight. The next opened to a closet that had a little light blue bench to sit in the middle of the room. Her suitcase already sat neatly over it. And by its side, sat her coat and purse. She had seen bedrooms like this million times before. In movies, magazines, books. But as she touched the silk wallpaper, her head seemed too confused to form a word. Her lips moved but no sound came out. She went back to the room and let her body drop over the bed. She wanted to jump on the bed and dance. And shout. And sing. All at once. Victor leaned on the wall by the door and watched her mesmerized eyes.
"Like it?"
"Like it? LIKE IT? You ARE royalty! You son of a bitch! I LOVE IT! Can I stay here forever?"
"Would you live here with my father and Horace?"
"And you." she answered simply. As she caught herself, her face now hot and red, she sat up. "I mean..."
"I know what you meant." he said trying to hide his true feelings. He's frighten her otherwise. He knew it.
"Why did you leave this place? It's a dream."
"Ah... it's more simple than you think. A cage, even a beautiful one, is still a cage."
"Ah..." she laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Green and gold entwined in beautiful frescos. "Yeah... I know what you mean. I always thought that I'd never survive on my own. I depended on my mother very much. I have a younger brother, you know?" Lumi said almost to herself as she continued to look up. "I couldn't wait to leave the house though. Even knowing I couldn't live on my own. I needed my space. My mother and I get along fine. Most days. But she never really understood who I really was. Who I became. She wanted me to live my life as she did hers. And we're not alike at all. My house felt like a cage sometimes too."
"Yes. But mine never felt like anything else. When I look at this place... I remember the times I ran through these corridors and how Kit and I used to play on the rooms. But whenever I think of them, I also remember my father or George, Horace's father, or my mother, or Meredith, scolding us."
"Ah, every parent does that."
"No... It wasn't really like that. It was as if... we were never acting the way we were supposed to. As if we were something. Not children. Do you know what I mean?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer. There wasn't one, he knew it. "Angelique was the only one that let us actually play. My warmest memories are from kitchen and the grounds." he said finally. "Well, I have to talk to my father. You make yourself at home. I'll come by later or Horace'll come to ask you down for tea in an hour."
"Okay." Lumi answered sitting up. "Victor?"
"Hmm?" he answered before closing the door behind him.
"Everything will be fine. Don't worry, okay?"
"Okay." and shut the door.
"His grace expects you for tea." Horace said from the wheel. He was already driving the BMW out of the parking lot. "You both."
"I thought I was going to see Anne."
"Me too." Victor said scowling to Horace's reflex on the rearview mirror.
"Your father expects you this afternoon for tea."
"And I'm telling you that we are due in London this evening. I agreed to meet my father tomorrow afternoon."
"I'm very sorry... master. But my orders are clear to bring you back today." Horace said and kept on driving. Victor sighed loudly and turned to Lumi.
"I'm sorry. If you want to meet Anne today, we'll leave this car and I'll find a way to take you to London."
"I... no. It's fine. That means that we'll only be going to London on Thursday?"
"I think it's safer to say Friday. Actually I was hoping to invite Anne to stay until Sunday with us. You know where I'm from, but I don't think you really do. Does Salisbury say anything to you?"
"Salisbury? No. Why?"
"Hmm. You've never read a Sherlock Holmes at least?"
"Not really."
"Does Stonehenge say anything to you?"
"Stonehenge? Isn't it in Scotland?" right after Lumi asked Horace started to mumble something low obviously annoyed.
"Is there anything wrong, Horace?" Lumi looked from Horace to Victor. What was going on, she wondered. Victor seemed to be getting angry.
"No. Of course not, sir."
"Stonehenge is located in Salisbury Plains. It's in Wiltshire. I thought that maybe Anne would like to see it."
"She would. Really would. Maybe you could invite her and tell her how to come."
"Or we could send a trustworthy driver to pick her up." Victor said looking back to Horace.
"Whatever the master desires."
"I desire to go to London."
Horace was silent.
***
I was staring at the elevator ceiling as it moved upwards. The morning passed in front of my eyes as I tried to understand why I was feeling so miserable. It had been a wonderful morning. After breakfast, Eli had left for his appointments and I had spent a few minutes googling the places I wanted to visit and good places to shop. The weather was quite pleasant, 53ºF as the lobby clerk had informed me earlier. I packed my bag carefully with an umbrella, camera and maps; put on my white converse and set out with a light coat hanging on my strap. My yellow bag swung by my side as I walked and I remembered the time I almost lost it in a supermarket. Noah. He had never sent any messages.
I crossed streets and doing my best not to take a cab, I rode busses and discovered London's beauty on my own. I loved it. I really did. The people, the things, the monuments. It was all magical to me. I took more pictures than most would, but the light was just amazing. I could already see how I would frame and put on my wall back home.
I entered a little store called Marie Antoinette that was love at first sight. The white Victorian entrance, with big french doors enchanted me more than the beautiful things on display. A little sign read "We have Eyeko" and my heart ached a little for not having Lumi with me. We both had a weakness for make up. We probably would never use all that we had, but whatever it was, it was never enough. Well, that, and earrings. And shoes. And bags. I caught myself smiling to my reflex on the mirror. Most would call me shallow and shopaholic. Maybe I was. But I did love to collect beautiful things. I reached up to touch my third earring on my right ear and wished Lumi was there.
When the elevator stopped on my floor, I walked out slowly and turned in my room direction. Eli wouldn't be back till 5.p.m. and then, he would probably too tired to do anything else than eat and sleep. This trip was demanding a lot from him. There were shadows under his eyes this morning; which meant he hadn't slept well. He was worried about the conference. I knew why. It was his debut as a doctor. Major thing. And I was proud, after all he had been my professor and I had marvelled at his ideas. Where had that feeling gone? I mean, before, I was worried about not being able to keep myself from falling for him and now I was terrified at the thought of having him fall and not being able correspond and breaking his heart. I liked him very much. I cared for him very much. Very much. But whenever he looked into my eyes and I saw how... lost they got, I felt miserably desperate to feel the same. Maybe, I thought as I put my shopbags and coat over the bed and sat by their side to take off my shoes, I was just pressuring myself so much that the only one to blame was myself. I lied down and stretched out. It had been a wonderful morning... I had spent money I was saving for other things, but was terribly happy about my acquisitions. Maybe this feeling that something was missing was just me, lonely in London after all. And an idea hit me. I got up and leaving a trail of the clothes I was taking off, I entered the bathroom and turned on the hot water. Cheered by the realization that I was missing Eli's company, I started to get myself ready for a little visit.
***
The London School of Economics was enormous. In every meaning. Its grandeur took my breath away. And very much aware that I had never been there before, I realized I had no idea where to go. Better. I deeply believed that, sometimes, getting lost, was the best way to help you find yourself. A little light shone briefly in my head remembering something Delilah had said to me before, but I got distracted as I walked towards the main building.
After a few minutes walking around I finally stopped a woman that seemed in her mid twenties. Her long blond hair was flying in the wind but it didn't seem to bother her. She pointed in the direction I was already going and continued to go on her way as she shifted papers she seemed so drawn to. I pushed the coat tighter around my body and fought the wind. The weather had grown chillier during the afternoon and a drizzle was starting to soak my hair. I was regretting the dress I had chosen, a light black cotton dress that clung nicely in the bodice and stopped a little above my knees. But the tall boots were doing their job.
The Conference Room plaque was on my left and comforted at the idea of warmth, I entered without knocking. A heated argument was in full swing as I opened the large door. Eli was seated at the conference table, his head was down as his hands were busy cleaning his glasses. He seemed lost in thought and obviously tired of what was going on. A brunette was in front of him gesturing madly as her voice echoed through the whole room. Her hair was like silk and moved as she moved her arms, shining in the lights. I had to fight an urge to walk to the table and defend Eli, but as he put his glasses back on, he raised his left hand. I'd seen him do that before. During class once, an argument had started and after several minutes trying to get the class back, he had lost his temper and risen his left hand. It had been odly effective. The brunette, however, seemed to be annoyed at the gesture and slapped it away. She was about to lean forward, obviously unaware that there was someone else watching them and kiss him, when the door opened behind me and three people walked in chatting loudly. Eli looked up and his eyes met mine. The brunette straightened herself slowly and caught my stare. She looked back to Eli and understanding the situation, stepped down from the stage and walked in my direction.
My blood had warmed up considerably. The brunette had been about to kiss Eli and now seemed to want to discuss the matter with me. I took off my coat and never caught the surprised stare from Eli as the brunette stopped in front of me. She was nearly as tall as me thanks to my high heeled boots. She put a hand on her waist and looked at me from head to toe, as if measuring me.
"Well, he had not told me he had a girlfriend now." she said in a husky voice with a Irish accent. If I weren't so distracted by sheer annoyance I'd have admired her accent. I loved the Irish.
"Well, he does. May I ask who are you?"
"You may. It's Eileen McCarthy."
"Eileen... Dr. McCarthy?"
"Oh yes. You please me. You have heard of my work, then?"
"Yes. Of course. Eli has spoken of your work in class."
"In c... You are his student?" she asked turning to him. As he stared in the other direction, she let her head fall back and laughed. "You surprise me, Walker." she said walking back to him. I picked up the coat and bag I had set over one of the chairs in the audience and followed her. I had to admit the woman was gorgeous. Her little waist barely moved as she walked, leaving the shake to her hips. Her high heels shaped up her legs and the tight forest green sweater marked the curves of her body. And... I was annoyed by her all over again.
"Eileen, I think you've made very clear what your opinion is." Eli said with a serious voice. He never glanced in my direction. "I happen to agree as I was going to let you know before you started to let the thunders roll. I will speak to the comittee and we'll reach an agreement. I do hope, however, that you don't sabotage the whole event if the comittee decides against it."
"Of course not. You know very well that I've worked as hard as you to make this happen."
"I do. So please, go home and be here tomorrow night for the event. I'll text you the minute I get an answer from the comittee."
"Fine." she said, let out a sigh and turned to a chair close-by. Put on her coat, picked up her bag and gathering a few sheets that were spread over the table, winked in my direction and left. The three men that had walked in, very much entertained by the show they had just watched, followed her out the door.
Eli rose from behind the table and jumped down from the stage. He reached his hand to my hair and with a lighter expression, kissed me.
"I'm sorry about that." he said in a low voice.
"It's okay, I think."
"She's always like that. Eileen was my senior when I studied here. We're working together to make this conference happen but she forgets herself sometimes." He said and let his gaze wander the room. "And yes, we used to date back then. That's why she..."
"Nearly jumped on you."
"Yeah." he said with a smile. "You were jealous. I liked it."
"I was." I said smiling back. I had been annoyed by her, but somehow, I was also thankful. I knew how I felt now. My heart was swelling with the most wonderful warm feeling. I caught his sweater and pulled him closer. "So, are you done?"
"Done..?" he asked trying to focus as his body glued to mine. "Ah.. here?"
"Yes. Here."
"I... think I am. I just have to... Ah..."
"Hmm?"
"I don't know. It's not important. Let me just get my coat and we'll..."
"Go. Yes." Pure feminine satisfaction was making me wonderfully sure. He walked up the steps and gathered his things under one arm. He came back, grabbed my hand and pulled me out into the cold.
***
"This is where you lived when you were younger?"
"Yes." Victor answered as he looked at Lumi glued to the window.
"Wow. This... I can't even describe it." Victor smiled at that. But as the car made the turn and stopped in front of stairs that led to the main door, his smiled died. The shadow of his father by the window on the second floor brought many images to his mind. All the times he had been brought home his father had waited like that for him. When he had been suspended for a fight in school, when his mother had left, when Kit's mother had passed. Always distant and cold. Distracted, he reached for Lumi's hand and held it tight. Lumi looked down to their hands and then up to him. She was going to demand for him to let it go but she saw his face. His misery was stamped all over his face. He was looking up to the second floor but she couldn't see what he was looking at. Horace opened his door and, never letting go of her hand, they climbed up the steps.
"Lumi..."
"What?"
"I have no idea why he called me here. But whatever it is, I just want to say that I'm very grateful that you're here with me." he said with a quick glance to her. With a sad smile he continued. "And I'm very sorry for anything that might upset you. My father's very unpredictable."
"It's okay. I can handle it." she said, and tightened the grip.
The house was a dream. All classic lines and magnificent works of art adorned the walls over the fabric that covered them. Jewel colors warmed the rooms as she walked through them. A fireplace was lit on one of the rooms and she felt its warm as they reached the main stairs of the house. They parted in the mid floor and went left and right, to the wings of the house. It looked like a little castle. She had never been to a place quite like this in her whole life. As she stared in every direction, Victor pulled her to the right wing and when they reached the second floor, entered the last door on the corridor.
Another fireplace was lit and this time with the turf smell, she caught the tart cigar smoke and wood. The marble floor gleamed green and the books that covered the walls were arranged perfectly as if painted there. Standing in front of the window a man dressed with a dark brown blazer and matching trousers looked at them solemnly. He had a cane with an adorned hog's head on the handle that supported the weight of his left arm. He leaned on it as he walked in their direction. Lumi had no idea of what to say. She had seen Victor, Kit and even Horace mentioning Mr. Allen as his Grace, but she never knew if they were kidding. Did you adress a baron as His Grace? She didn't call her own father "sir", she didn't want to call Victor's His Grace. As father and son stared into each other's eyes silently, Lumi decided she'd better say something when Mr. Allen changed his eyes on her direction.
"And you might be my rude son's girlfriend."
"I'm a girl and I'm his friend. But that's all."
"I see." He said rising his brow back to Victor. "What sort of stories have you been telling people about me? This girl seethes despair for me."
"She's just reacting to your coldness. As everyone else, father. This is Lumi. She's my friend." He gestured in Lumi's direction. And gesturing backwards he said, "And this is my father. Arthur Allen, Lumi."
"Enchanted." Arthur said offering his hand. Lumi grabbed it and shook it. Startled, Arthur rose his brows to Victor that was laughing at the scene. Lumi that hadn't understoon what was the fuss all about. Let go of Victor's hand and crossed them in front of her body.
"Yeah. Enchanted too." she said briskly. Madly in love, Victor put his arm over her shoulders and turned to his father. "I'm going to settle her in and I'll come back so we can start to discuss whatever matter you have in mind." And without waiting for an answer, pulled Lumi out of the room. On the corridor as they walked to the left wing, Lumi let out a sigh of relief.
"Why are you two so cold towards each other?"
"I have no idea anymore. I suppose we grew in that direction and never came back. But I liked that you stood up for me."
"I... Hmm."
Victor stopped in front of the fourth door and waiting for her to catch up, he opened the door. The room was decorated in green, white and gold. Both tall windows were open and the curtains blew in the frisk wind that came in. The four poster bed was against the farthest wall to the right and faced the other wall that had two doors. As they walked in, Lumi's mouth that had dropped, was getting dry. One of the doors opened to a marble bathroom that had a four claw bathtub and a skylight. The next opened to a closet that had a little light blue bench to sit in the middle of the room. Her suitcase already sat neatly over it. And by its side, sat her coat and purse. She had seen bedrooms like this million times before. In movies, magazines, books. But as she touched the silk wallpaper, her head seemed too confused to form a word. Her lips moved but no sound came out. She went back to the room and let her body drop over the bed. She wanted to jump on the bed and dance. And shout. And sing. All at once. Victor leaned on the wall by the door and watched her mesmerized eyes.
"Like it?"
"Like it? LIKE IT? You ARE royalty! You son of a bitch! I LOVE IT! Can I stay here forever?"
"Would you live here with my father and Horace?"
"And you." she answered simply. As she caught herself, her face now hot and red, she sat up. "I mean..."
"I know what you meant." he said trying to hide his true feelings. He's frighten her otherwise. He knew it.
"Why did you leave this place? It's a dream."
"Ah... it's more simple than you think. A cage, even a beautiful one, is still a cage."
"Ah..." she laid back on the bed and looked at the ceiling. Green and gold entwined in beautiful frescos. "Yeah... I know what you mean. I always thought that I'd never survive on my own. I depended on my mother very much. I have a younger brother, you know?" Lumi said almost to herself as she continued to look up. "I couldn't wait to leave the house though. Even knowing I couldn't live on my own. I needed my space. My mother and I get along fine. Most days. But she never really understood who I really was. Who I became. She wanted me to live my life as she did hers. And we're not alike at all. My house felt like a cage sometimes too."
"Yes. But mine never felt like anything else. When I look at this place... I remember the times I ran through these corridors and how Kit and I used to play on the rooms. But whenever I think of them, I also remember my father or George, Horace's father, or my mother, or Meredith, scolding us."
"Ah, every parent does that."
"No... It wasn't really like that. It was as if... we were never acting the way we were supposed to. As if we were something. Not children. Do you know what I mean?" he asked, but didn't wait for an answer. There wasn't one, he knew it. "Angelique was the only one that let us actually play. My warmest memories are from kitchen and the grounds." he said finally. "Well, I have to talk to my father. You make yourself at home. I'll come by later or Horace'll come to ask you down for tea in an hour."
"Okay." Lumi answered sitting up. "Victor?"
"Hmm?" he answered before closing the door behind him.
"Everything will be fine. Don't worry, okay?"
"Okay." and shut the door.
