Chapter One - In Which the Mansion Gains Occupants
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young single adult living at home is in want of some damn privacy!
The door to the bathroom banged open, rebounding off of the wall. From my position in front of the mirror, I turned my head to glare at the intruder. My second youngest sister, Kitty, was not phased in the slightest.
"Kitty, really?" I griped, at least grateful I had a towel wrapped around my post-shower body. My hair was still dripping water on my shoulders and the opened door let in an unwelcome gust of cool air.
"What?" she snapped, moving around me to rummage through a drawer. She was only fifteen, in the prime stages of "the world revolves around me" syndrome. My nostrils flared. It was way too early in the morning for this! I hadn't even had my coffee yet.
"Out!" I exclaimed, pointing at the door. Kitty didn't budge, still looking for something in the drawer. I tried taking a deep breath, but that did nothing for my annoyance. "Kitty, I mean it!"
"Blah blah, I'm almost done." She found what she was looking for, a hair tie. She then proceeded to grab a brush and fix her hair into a side braid (all the rage since The Hunger Games, you know). I watched her expertly thread her fingers through her light brown hair, but with each movement my temper flared.
"Ugh!" I growled, grabbing my hair dryer and brush and storming out of the bathroom. I stomped down the hall to the bedroom I shared with Jane and slammed the door.
"What in the world are you doing?" inquired Jane, sitting up in bed. I glanced at her sleepy face and tousled golden hair, immediately feeling terrible for making so much noise. I dropped my hair dryer on my bed.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" I asked, even though the answer was obvious. Jane, however, sat up and ran slim fingers through her hair.
"No, no, you're fine," she lied. I rolled my eyes, because we both knew she was lying. She smiled and got out of bed, stretching her arms toward the ceiling. "Who barged into the bathroom this time?"
"Kitty," I told her, pulling on clothes. A pair of nice jeans, comfortable but lacy (ha, as if anyone would ever even see it!) bra, and cute flowing blouse. I began to dry my hair with the towel. "I can't even get a minute alone in the bathroom without being rudely disturbed!"
Jane smiled understandingly, even though my tone was childish and whiny. I took a few more breaths and felt my heart rate slowing. I ran the brush through my hair and gave Jane another apologetic look.
"I really am sorry for waking you up," I said. Jane waved my apology away, sitting down on her now neatly made bed. I held up the hair dryer. "Mind if I do this real quick?"
Of course Jane didn't mind, or was too kind to say otherwise, and in minutes my hair was dry and falling around my face in warm curls. I glanced at the time on my phone and felt a rush. I was running late, of course. Darting around our room, I gathered my bag, laptop, jacket, scarf, and quickly donned a pair of earrings.
"I'll see you tonight," I said to Jane, who nodded drowsily and wished me a good day. I shut our bedroom door and headed down to the kitchen, hoping we had coffee brewing. Just outside the door to the kitchen, I heard my parents' voices.
I halted, trying to be as still as possible. My mother's voice was raised, which wasn't really surprising, but what was surprising was the fact that she was talking about Netherfield Mansion, a vacant, million dollar home on the hill. The owners had lost the house when the recession hit and it had been empty for three years.
"-simply must stop by! The renter is a young business man from New York! I heard he's a millionaire. Well, he must be if he's renting Netherfield!"
My father's voice, deep and rumbling, cut off my mother's. "Dear, I'm not going to go barging up to this mansion and-"
"He would be a perfect husband for Jane! Or any of the girls, really." My mother persisted, conveniently forgetting that three of her daughters had yet to graduate high school. Her voice was getting higher by the second, which was a sign that she was running out of breath. I rolled my eyes, but waited to hear what my father said.
"You want Jane to marry this stranger just because he's a millionaire? What if he's ugly or secretly a serial killer?"
"Richard, don't joke! I'm serious!"
I decided now was a great time to interrupt the conversation, so I made my way into the kitchen, setting my things on the counter and heading to the cupboard to grab a coffee mug. "Morning, dad, mom," I said, shooting Dad a smile. He winked back, straightening the newspaper in front of him.
"Lizzie, dear, leaving so early?" Mom asked, bustling over in her pink flowered robe. Her hair was still in curlers, but she'd done her makeup. I poured coffee into the mug and went to the fridge to add creamer.
"Yep, I have to get to work early today so I can go to that lecture this afternoon." I worked part time at a graphic design firm, mainly as the secretary, but recently my manager had been giving me more responsibilities, including some actual designing. I was still finishing up my degree at the university, though, which kept me rather busy.
"Darling, I think you are going to run yourself ragged. Look at those bags under your eyes," Mom protested, her hands on her hips. I frowned; I hadn't thought my under-eye bags were that noticeable. "And you haven't been on a date in months!"
"Mom, I've been a bit busy," I replied, twisting the lid on my coffee mug. I set it on the counter while I slid into my coat and wrapped my scarf around my neck. I grabbed my bag and coffee, then leaned down and kissed Dad on the cheek.
"Have fun at work," he said, still reading his paper. I walked around Mom to leave, but she apparently wasn't done with our conversation.
"Lizzie, you'll never get married if you don't date!" she said, following me down the hall. I sighed, but kept walking.
"Mom, I'm twenty two. I have all the time in the world to find a husband." My voice was monotone and I'd said these words numerous times to her. Under my breath, I mumbled, "If I even want a husband."
"What was that?" my mother snapped, gripping my arm. "Are you interested in girls?"
I glanced up at her and her face was thoughtful. She probably wouldn't mind if I was a lesbian as long as I adopted some adorable grandchildren for her. I almost wanted to keep going, but I really needed to get to work.
"No, I like men," I told her, rolling my eyes. "I just don't have time for one right now!"
"But-"
"Mom! I am going to be late!" I finally said. I gave her a quick, one-armed hug to lessen the sting of my outburst, and then darted towards the door. "I'll see you tonight!"
"Lizzie! Over here!"
I glanced around the bustling cafe and finally spotted Carly, my best friend, waving at me from a table by a window. Her long, braided black hair was wound around her head and tied with a sparkling orange scarf. How could I have missed that? I gripped my bag and hurried over to meet her.
"Oh my god, Carly, I am so glad you could meet up today!" I gave her a tight hug and we both sat down in the booth. "It's sort of been a day from hell, if you know what I mean."
Carly laughed and pointed to a glass by by elbow. "I ordered you an iced coffee. I thought you might need the caffeine."
"Thank you!" I grabbed the glass and took a huge swig. "I had the pickiest client today, you would not believe."
"I probably would," she replied, giving me another smile. Carly worked in graphic designing as well, so she knew what difficult clients were like. I nodded, laughing.
"Yeah, you're right," I said. The waitress showed up and we placed our orders. As soon as the waitress was out of earshot, Carly leaned in with a twinkle in her eyes and a conspiratorial look on her face.
"Lizzie, have you heard about Netherfield?" she asked, excitement vibrant in her voice. I groaned and slouched into my seat.
"Oh, not you, too!" I moaned, brushing some stray hair from my face. "It's all my mom wanted to talk about this morning. Well, that and guilting me for not being married."
"It's kind of exciting though!" Carly persisted. Her brown skin glowed in the light coming in from the window and she took a sip of her drink. "I heard that the renter moved in yesterday! A millionaire bachelor from Manhattan!"
"Ok, can we tone it down a little?" I begged, massaging my temples. "What does that have to do with us at all?"
"Well, we might see him around town," Carly said, but I gave her a pointed look and she pursed her lips. "Ok, fine, we probably won't ever meet this mysterious guy. But a girl can dream, right?"
"Carly, don't be stupid. You'd never marry just for money," I said, giving her one of my I-know-you-better-than-that glares. Carly rolled her eyes so hard I thought she might give herself a headache.
"Fine, fine. You're right, as always," she mumbled, but then her lips turned up into a smile again. "But I wouldn't mind falling in love with a rich guy!"
"Oh, shut up," I laughed. "We're too busy for relationships."
"Speak for yourself!" Carly said. "I'm not single by choice. There just aren't any hot guys around here."
I snorted again, but thankfully Carly gave up the subject as our waiter delivered our lunch. I practically inhaled my turkey avocado sandwich, having forgotten to grab something for breakfast this morning. Too much excitement over this Netherfield mystery man.
I was just shoving the last bite into my mouth when Carly's phone dinged, announcing a text message. She pulled it out of her purse and looked at the small screen. Then she coughed on her soup.
"Liz, look!" She thrust the phone into my line of site and my eyes focused on a text from one of those promotional, six digit numbers.
All the King's Men is performing at Club Chaos tonight! Band starts at 9 PM
I felt Carly's excitement seep into my own body. I glanced up at her wide grin and even wider eyes.
"Lizzie, we have to go!" she practically shouted, drawing a few curious looks from tables surrounding us. She was right, we had to see this band. We had both been fans since high school, but had never had the chance to see them live. This was exciting! But it was also a Thursday night.
"Well," I hesitated, thinking of how exhausted I would most likely be tomorrow. I didn't have class, but I would have work. I shook my head. I was being ridiculous. We were young, resilient people! I could bounce back from one night out! It's not like I would be drinking or anything, I was simply going to listen to the band.
"I know what you are thinking, "Carly said, forcing my attention back to her. "And I don't care, we're going, even if I have to drag you!"
I laughed, and waved my hands in the air, trying to wave away the idea of her dragging me anywhere. "No dragging necessary! Of course we have to go. And Jane will want to, too."
"Then it's settled!" Carly exclaimed, bouncing in her seat. For a moment, the years melted away and we were fifteen again. We had been positively obsessed with this group. Think One Direction groupies, only multiply them by ten, and you would have us at that age. I cringed just remembering.
"I'll come pick you guys up at eight! We can make sure and get a table right by the stage!" Carly was already tapping away at her phone, probably sharing the news with other friends. I glanced at my phone out of habit. Shit, I was running late again. Story of my freaking life!
"Sounds perfect! But I have to go, so I'll see you tonight, OK?" I gathered my things, yanked my coat back on, and stood up. Carly waved me good bye as I rushed through the cafe. If I was late for my lecture at the university, my professor would have my head.
As I hopped in my old, but reliable, car and cranked the heater on full blast to dispel the chilly October air, I couldn't help the smile on my face. After a long, hard week, I really was looking forward to some fun with Carly and Jane. Nothing would ruin tonight for me. Nothing!