AN: Hi everyone! Hope your interest has been peaked. I'm working very hard to make this a wonderful story. It's a long ride but I hope you enjoy. Thanks to my beta twilightTTS for all of your support! Check out her original work on her page. She rocks!

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EPOV Chapter 2

I wipe the sweat off my forehead with my old handkerchief. The piece of fabric belonged to my grandfather, and it's honestly so old I'll have to get rid of it soon enough. It's silly of me to want to hold onto a piece of fabric for this long. It's been twenty years since he passed, but his handkerchief is always with me on stressful days. To say today is a stressful day, it's an understatement.

It's a waiting game at this point.

I vaguely remember when my grandpa passed, I was only eight and even though the people from our village tried to be there for my grandpa and I, losing him was heartbreaking. He was my only family. My mom passed away giving birth to me, and I never knew my father.

I never cared or wanted to, after finding out he raped my mother.

I can't imagine what she went through. I can't believe she kept me, and on top of that gave her life for me.

When my grandfather passed I felt so lost and alone, but thankfully the priest in town took me under his wing. Father Carlisle has always been a man that has fought for the injustices in our village, and has looked after me since my grandpa passed. He was kind enough to talk to the owner of the biggest ranch in the state, and I was hired as a farm boy. I've been working here since then, and somehow managed to get my studies done during the time. I often sneaked out, since I knew the owner would probably fire me if he knew about it.

Looking back, I realize how lucky my grandfather and I were. Yes, we were poor and it was very hard to lose him, but I look at Anthony Masen suffering through his final days and I pity him. He had no family. No one that cared for him. He was a cruel man, so I can't blame the people at the farm for feeling relieved. But either way, no one deserves to die alone.

I see the familiar black SUV pulling up on the long driveway leading up to the big house; this stressful day is turning into a dreadful day.

I remember as a teenager first seeing Ms. Marie. She was so different than the people from the ranch. She was always dressed like the perfect housewife, and her chestnut colored hair was always pulled into some sort of bun. We at the farm knew her looking like a housewife wasn't by coincidence. She was someone's wife, and her affair with Anthony Masen was something we all kept secret. We knew the boss would probably kill whoever dared speak of their arrangement. We all tried to stay out of their way anyway. Funny, it was like they were made for each other. He was cruel, and took advantage of his position in power to mistreat those who worked at the farm. He knew we were all poor and in need of a job, so he exploited us all. Ms. Marie is a conceited bitch. She walked around the place like she was queen bee. She talked to us like we had leprosy, and she always seemed to have the most outrageous requests, as if she purposely looked for things to make our life harder and strip us of our dignity. Nonetheless, we all performed our duties and stayed fully out of their way.

I head towards the SUV as she expects for someone to always open the door for her and assist her with her things.

As I approach the expensive car, I take a deep breath because I'm really hating this day.

"Welcome Ms. Marie." I say as I open the door and extend my hand to help her get out of the car.

"Is he dead yet?" she asks is a bored tone. I always knew she never cared about him, but again, the pity I feel for the man surprises me.

"Um, no. He has asked for Father Carlisle, though." I respond feeling completely uncomfortable. We never liked the guy, but it seems that she's waiting for him to die. Correction: wanting him to die.

"Good. Well, I'm tired from my trip. Take my things to my room and have one of the servants draw me a bath. And have another one take me a refreshment to the garden." She barks orders as she starts heading for the main door.

"Right away, ma'am." I restrained myself from rolling my eyes.

I carry her luggage and head towards the big house. This place is so… dreadful. It looks like a mansion and so out of place from the little houses that surround the property. As I walked into the main sitting area, I see Tanya coming from the kitchen and she's just the person I needed to see.

"Tanya, Ms. Marie is here." I say I head towards the wing where the bedrooms are located. I hear Tanya trail behind me and I know she's listening for instructions.

"Ugh, I can't stand that woman. We already have enough stress around here. She walks around here like she owns the place. I bet she's here to finish him off." She tells me as she catches up.

I pierce my stare at her and wonder how she has no filter. She would get in so much trouble if the boss heard her; or worse, Ms. Marie.

"Tanya, don't talk like that." I roll my eyes and continue my journey to the room. "Ms. Marie requested some refreshments at the garden, and for someone to draw her a bath. Hurry before you get into any trouble. Oh, and let one of the girls know I brought her things up to her room so they can help her unpack." I finish as I drop off her luggage and leave the room quickly. Just as I'm about to head out of the house, Tanya reaches out for my arm.

"Edward. Mr. Masen is asking for you. He ordered for you to go to him. I'll take care of the bitc…" she pauses as she she notices my glare. "Ms. Marie. Hurry, before he gets angry." She frowns. "It's so weird, how he keeps asking for you. I highly doubt is his conscious." I shake my head at her.

"Thanks. And hey, don't let her get to you." I pressed my lips from smiling at her. She's so impulsive sometimes, but she has a good heart.

"I'll see you at dinner then." She says as she walks towards the kitchen.

She is right. I'm not any different than any other employee, and he has his manager and administrator, so it's weird that he keeps asking for me. I shake my head as I head towards his room.

I reach the door and knock. I hear a grunt and reach for the doorknob, taking a deep breath.

I open the door and I noticed him on his bed. He's breathing hard, and I can tell he is barely holding on. I clear my throat to let him know I'm there and he opens his eyes. His green gaze locks into mine and he takes a deep breath.

"Edward. Where is Father Carlisle?" He starts coughing and I reach for the water pitcher.

"He should be arriving soon. We called for him when you asked us too." I respond, trying not to make eye contact. Even in his deathbed he's intimidating. I hand him a glass of water and he takes it eagerly.

"Ms. Marie is also here." I say quickly, wanting to leave as soon as possible, and still confused as to why he keeps calling for me.

"I need you to call my lawyer and get him here as soon as possible" he says. Completely ignoring my announcement. As usual.

"Will do, Sir. Anything else I can do?" I ask.

"No, that's all. I don't want to be disturbed until either Father Carlisle or my lawyer is here." He closes his eyes as he finishes.

"Yes, Sir." I respond, heading for the door as I take his silence as a dismissal.

"Edward." He speaks out. I turn around and we lock eyes. "Stay close. You're the only one I trust." My eyebrows gravitate towards one another in a frown. I nod and exit his bedroom. I close the door behind me and take a second to collect my thoughts. I'm the only one he trusts? Me?!

He really is dying.

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