BEWITCHING
LOVE
ALFA
CENTAURY
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CHAPTER
1
HOUSE OF DREAMS
Waverley Borough
Surrey, England
A car coming up the street, took her out of her reverie. She squinted closer and realized it was a male person. A smile spread over her face because she knows that the wheels were turning in the right direction. But this wasn't any other guy. It was the one who was meant to be here.
** He looks just like you, love. Now I have to make sure she is going to come. But knowing how inquisitive and hard headed she is, that shouldn't be a problem.**
A chuckle rang throughout the room. Suddenly a knock is heard and the door opens revealing the figure of a man, well into his years. He closes the door and walks directly to the windowsill, positioning himself right next to her. A sweet sad smile spreads in the man's face and he puts a vase with a dozen of the most beautiful white and pink roses, on top of the window seat.
"Happy Birthday, Miss Lorelai. I know that you are not among us anymore, but I know that your spirit is still here, waiting for the day it will all end. Have a little more patience, the wait is almost over." He said looking straight to the place where she is standing, tears coursing through her face.
**Oh Phillip, I know. Thank you.**
She moves to hug him and to give him a kiss.
The man feels arms going around him and a small kiss was deposited upon his right cheek. Then, it was all over. A cold wind sweeps through and a chill runs up and down his spine. He looks outside to the fading afternoon sun. He whispers a small prayer and then moves out of the room. His eyes stumble upon a picture taken when she was about 15.
"Take care Miss Lorelai. Your mission is going to be over soon, but lots of things are meant to happen before you are allowed to go. Be very careful, because the task is not going to be easy."
He puts the picture back to where it belongs and silently goes out of the room and closes the door.
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He stopped his car. He opens his door, walking towards the gates and pushing a grey button on a steel box on the right side of them. The box made a sound and he stated his name and business. He went back to his car and waited.
He had finally arrived to the house. A halo of mystery surrounded this house, but that didn't deter him form his intentios to purchase it. At first he was a little apprehensive, but then his curious nature took over and he had to buy it. When he signed the papers, a strange feeling invaded his body. He felt as if something was clicking into place inside him, but it wasn't enough. He needed something else.
Or someone else. A voice sounded inside his mind.
The creaking of the opening doors brought him back to the present. He puts his car on motion and he starts going to the main house. To something magical and mysterious.
A few minutes later, he shuts down the engine and steps out of the car. He removes his sunglasses and looks around. He is really starting to appreciate the true extent of the property and the beauty of all of it. The house itself was majestic. It was an Elizabethan 15th Century manor house that still possessed that regal aspect of an old distinguished building, proud witness of many historic and not so historic acts.
Even if the house was daunting, imposing and somewhat cold, the disposition of the house, the gardens, and the balconies gave off a sense of warmth and familiarity. It was everything he ever wanted. Having a big estate and making it his home. Unlike, what his father used to call a home.
For him, this house possessed some sort of a spell that appealed to him. He sometimes felt like he was part of the house, and that house was a part of him. Why? He didn't know. But what he did know is that he is the owner of the house. Even if the transaction wasn't complete, it was going to be his house. Whatever the cost is.
**It's everything I ever dreamed of**.
The house had extensive terraces filled with flowering rose buds. It was a little cold in spite of the fact that they were in the middle of August. He has always loved the British countryside in this time of the year.
The gardens were beautifully groomed and well kept. The house stood in all its greatness in front of him.
He was still looking around, when he felt a presence besides him. It was the estate valet, Joseph. He was an old man, probably in his late fifties, early sixties. Blond and skinny. He was dressed in the normal valet uniform. White dress shit, striped jacket, pressed dark grey trousers and shined-till-I-can-see-my-face-in-them black shoes.
"Master DuGrey, Welcome. Please, let me take your keys. We were waiting for your arrival much earlier. My name is Joseph and I'm in charge of the placement and caring of the cars inside the property. After we finish unloading your suitcases, another valet will come to take away your car."
"Thank you very much. I had to make several stops along the way because of the rain. It only let up a couple of hours ago. And I still had to wait more than one hour to be able to drive through the roads." He said with a smile, going around his car and opening the trunk.
"If you don't mind, I would like to ask you a couple of things. First, don't call me Master DuGrey. It sounds like I'm too much of a stuck up not to acknowledge our equality. You can call me Tristan. And can I ask where will my car be taken to?"
Joseph was, for a lack of a better word, gobsmacked. Here he was, thinking that this was going to be like the old times. He was the Master of the house, and he, a lowly servant, who wasn't supposed to even address the Master without his permission, let alone, feel that he should be considered as an equal by the Master.
"Your automobile will be taken to a parking lot inside the property. And to answer your second question, it will be hard but I will try to address you as you please, Master….. I 'm sorry. I mean Tristan. You will have to forgive me, because as you Americans say, Old habits die hard."
"Hey, at least you are willing to try." He said clapping the good man on the shoulder, earning him a sincere smile.
"So, could you help me with my bags?" Tristan said, starting to unload his bags with the help of Joseph.
"Of course. In a few minutes, one of the in-house valets will come out to take your luggage to the house immediately, sire. I mean, Tristan. You must please excuse me. I do not feel comfortable calling you by your given name." Joseph told him, while Tristan was closing the trunk with a thud.
Another valet came along to take Tristan's car to the parking lot.
"If you do not mind my asking sir, did you buy the house, or you will spend a short amount of time on the property?" He asked him with an apprehensive tone that didn't go unnoticed by Tristan, but he mistook it for nervousness.
"Let me tell you my good man that I will be the owner of the estate as soon as the transaction is completed. It should be done in a couple of months, because they are waiting for a signature of one of the previous owners or their offspring. My company is still trying to look for them."
"Oh, I understand now." Joseph said releasing a breath he didn't acknowledge he was holding. "Now, if you'll excuse I have to leave you all by yourself to explore the many beautiful things this estate has to offer. In a few minutes, the butler or the housekeeper will be joining you. Oh, here he is now." He said looking over Tristan shoulder at the person coming straight at them.
"Good Afternoon, Master." The man said stopping before Tristan and doing a little bow. A few moments later, he stood up.
"And you are…?" He asked to the man offering his hand to shake. The man just stood there, without moving, for a couple of minutes, and then he reacted, taking the proffered hand and giving it a strong shake.
"John Ashcroft, at your service, Master."
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Bradley International Airport
Hartford, Connecticut
A flight attendant stood at the front part, reminding then to get ready for the imminent landing of the plane in Hartford. Later on, other flight attendants were in charge of going through each one of the aisles assisting whoever needed it to get ready for landing.
40 minutes later, they landed safely in the airport and then, the passengers started to leave the plane. Since the first class passengers were the ones who unloaded first, they started going in an orderly line, down the stairs and into the awaiting arms of friends, family and in some cases, boyfriends.
Among them, a beautiful brunette girl was walking towards the gate. She wanted to get this done as soon as possible, the whole process of getting off the airport and going to her house to take a long hot bath and a cup of wine, that is.
Two hours later, she was opening the door of a taxi, while the driver got off and started unloading her bags.
She went to press the bell, but was stopped when a small lady opened the door. At first she was stunned to find someone at the door, but after a few minutes, a shriek was heard throughout the house. The lady launched herself at the girl, and with hugs, kisses and more shrieking, the neighbors knew she was back.
Rory was back.
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A/N 2
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Thanks
Alfa