It was getting late, and Mary was siting in the front seat of a Mercedes Benze, her brother napping peacefully in the back. Next to her in the passenger seat sat Daniel Rothford who drove down the busy streets of London with eerie quietness. Mary couldn't relax, her muscles fidgeting every second. She was trying to calm her nerves, but her mind kept wondering. . . . Today when she had come to pick Jaime up from class she found Daniel Rothford there picking up his sister.
The moment Rothford noticed Mary the smile on his face had vanished. His expression emitted shock so prominently that little Amelia began waving her hand in front of him.
"Aw shit," Mary muttered. She wasn't thinking about monitoring her words in front of Jaime, or even what Rachel would say. The only thing Mary thought about was running far far away from this place.
"Mary," Rachel whispered disapprovingly. Jaime l hadn't noticed Mary's remark thank god but began to play with the free strands of her braid.
Daniel Rothford stared at Mary his expression changing between shock, anger, and glee. Honestly Mary couldn't tell, all that she thought about was how she could possibly get away before anything disastrous happened. Mary tightened her grip on Jaime giving Rothford a knowing glare.
"Danny! Danny! What wrong," Amelia said. Little Amelia was dangling her brother's thick curls in her pink fingers dragging his attention back to her. Rothford's gaze on Mary faultered as he seemed to remember that Amelia was there as well. Keeping an uneasy glance on Mary, Rothford put Amelia down on her feet, grabbing her hand as they walked up to Mary and Rachel.
"Nothing is wrong Amy. I just saw something. . . different," Rothford said. He gave Mary a knowing glance before turning to Rachel with a graceful smile.
Graceful? Could she use that word with guys? Or was it elegant? Mar inspected the stranger in front of her. His tie was undone as usual, but instead of the normal threatening tension surrounding him, Mary found this Daniel Rothford to be upbeat and polite.
Rothford went to give Rachel a peck on the cheek, making her blush furiously. Mary could have groaned. What did these girls see in him? Rothford creepily kept eye contact with Mary jumbling her insides like jello. Rothford was like a beast gazing upon his prey, watching it shrivel up in fear. Yep that's what Mary was comparing herself to, a hunted down deer. Rothford was going to sink his teeth into Mary until all the life from her would fade and disappear. Perfect.
Mary's eyes drifted away, a frown developing on her face. Of all the places that she had to see him, why here?
"Um Rachel," Mary said diverting her attention away from Rothford. "I'm heading out now. Thank You-"
"Ah Ms. Rachel," Rothford interrupted immediately taking Rachel's attention. Mary wanted to murder him already. "Thank you for caring for little Amelia. I again am in your debt," Daniel said. Rachel went on about not needing thanks which gave Mary only a few seocnds to think a good game plan
One: she would fake an emergency. Nope she sucked at lying. Two: Just run. No, Rothford would only use that against her. Three:. . . . . . she could become sick?
Suddenly Mary heard Rachel laugh at something Rothford said and Mary took a deep breath. She'd better just leave.
"It was no problem Daniel. I remember when you were one of our students, such a rebellious one you were," Rachel said. Mary tried to back away but felt Rachel reach out for her jacket immediately. Dammit, she thought glancing around for a possible escape. She had had enough of Rothford in school, she didn't need this now.
"I'm glad Amelia is a bit more well mannered then your were, Rachel continued, keeping a light but authoritative grip on Mary's jacket. Mary couldn't look at Rothford, but she could feel his eyes upon her as he spoke.
"Well Amelia is an angel in her own right," Rothford said. Mary held back a dignified snort. Seriously, this guy was another person around adults.
"Well I don't believe you've met Mary, Jaime's older sister," Rachel said in a feigned tone. No! This was not helping! Mary glowered at Rachel refusing to make a move of greeting. Rachel ignored her attitude though, giving her small wink before continuing. "I believe you too are in the same year in school right?" Rothford gave Mary a wide gentlemanly smile bringing out his left hand to shake. She stared at it apprehensively. This was bullshit. . .
"No I don't believe we have. Mary is it," Rothford said pleasantly. Mary glared at him making no move to shake his hand. After a couple awkward moments Rothford laughed withdrawing his hand. "I'm Daniel Rothford of the Rothford Association."
"Are you now," Mary said in feigned interest. Rothford's smile faltered a bit at her sarcasm but it was quick enough that Rachel didn't notice. Mary's attention turned to Amelia who was staring at Mary as if captivated by something exotic. Mary's heart warmed up at the sight of the little girl. She was always a sucker for little kids, no matter how annoying their older brothers were. Ignoring Rothford, Mary waved her free hand at the little girl.
"Hello, there. I'm Mary, Jaime's older sister. How are you Amelia?" Amelia grinned at Mary pointing at her little finger enthusiastically.
"You talk funny," Amelia giggled. Mary grinned. It was true that her brother was developing a British accent spending more of his years here than in the US.
"Thank you. I like my accent too," Mary said.
"Amy I told you my big sis could talk cool. You didn't believe me," Jaime whined. Mary patted him on the head and gave Rothford another dirty look before turning to Rachel. He look mighty amused beaming those obnoxiously white teeth at her like she was the greatest thing he ever saw.
"Well I have to go Rach, Aunt Diana wants us back soon," Mary said. She gave Rothford a brief bye as she turned away. Her legs practically skipped along the exit, her soul begging to get away from the awkwardness. Abruptly Rothford followed Mary and lightly, but firmly gripped her shoulder, little Amelia following behind.
"How about I give you and Jaime a ride home?" Rothford said sparkles literally flowing around his fake smile. Mary gawked at him in shock, nearly dropping tured Jaime in her arms.
"Um, no it's fine," Mary replied slowly. 'What are you doing?' Mary mouth ed eyeing his hand warningly. Rothford didn't relent though reaching over and grabbing Jaime from her arms without warning.
"Hey what are-"
"I'll be taking them home Ms. Rachel. Have a good night," Rothford called rushing out the door in a beat. "Come along Amy." Mary froze for a second, her mind battling with itself on what to do next. Her head switched from Rachel, who stood stunned staring at her, and the door to the preschool. What was he doing? Letting out an aggravated noise Mary grabbed Amelia's hand rushing her out the door to follow Rochford and Jaime.
"Just what the hell do you think your doing!"
Mary was running up Rothford's silver Mercedes Benze just as Rothford placed her brother softly in the back seat. Rothford ignored her walking around the car to grab his sister and tucking her in with Jaime in the back.
"Hello!? Are you deaf!? I'm taking Jaime back you dolt. I don't have time to deal with your damn games," Mary said placing her hands on her hips. She loved doing that in moments of stress. It always made her feel like wonder woman, like she could deal with anything. Like a giant pain in the ass.
"We need to talk," Rothford said in a low tone. He shut the door briskly turning to face Mary with a scowl. It was then that Mary really noticed how big Daniel Rothford was, his height spouting a good 6 feet. Much more intimidating than her 5'5 stature.
"Hell no," Mary spat pushing him away. Before Mary could reach for the car door handle, Rothford grabbed her arm. They were face to face then and Mary shook off his arm. No way was she going to let him bully do what he wanted. No way in hell.
"What the hell was that at school today?!" Rothford said.
"You tell me. I was just giving it to you straight asshole," Mary growled.
"Do you have any idea who I am? I could crush you with all the things you called me," Rothford said. Mary snorted rolling her eyes at him. Rothford noticed this and frowned. "What?!"
"You are such a baby. All you do is whine and throw things. God, Jaime is more well behaved then you are," Mary shouted pointing at the car. "Seriously, I should get Zoe to sue you for what you did to her-"
"This wouldn't have happened to you if you kept to your own business," Rothford said leaning over Mary gloatingly. Mary glowered at him and took a step closer, her anger fuming in her like a hot air balloon.
"My business? You wanna play that game? What possible business could you have in throwing eggs and tormenting a girl who you don't even know and is ten times smaller than you? Is that how you get off?"
Mary took another step, her bravery blocking off logic or even reason. She was unstoppable, no thoughts other than putting Rothford down were in her head.
"You really are low class aren't you," Rothford said giving Mary a pitying look. Mary's face flamed, why that little. . .
"Is that your best comeback?"
"Yes. And here," Rothford said reaching under in his jacket. He pulled out a black expensive looking checkbook, scribbling something in as Mary watched. He gave Mary a fake smile pulling out the written check for Mary to see. "Here is a check for five thousand pounds. If you bow down to me and apologize, I'll lift the red mark and give you this check." Rothford laid out the check for her to take.
Mary's breath came to a halt as she looked at the check. There it was, a five thousand pound check written there in her name in elegant handwriting. There lay enough money to pay this month's rent and help Aunt Diana with expenses. She could pay for college tuition; she could do anything with that money.
Rothford laughed. "See all you poor people are the same. You hesitate at the sign of money. I bet you would do anything for this check. How about this." Rothford reached out and tucked a free strand for Mary's hair behind her ear. "I'll even let you hang out with me for a few extra thousand. That's all you are good for anyways, grunt work."
Mary felt the blood pump and surge aggressively in her head, a thumping noise sounding in her ears. It was thumping, and thumping and thumping. Her anger was its own sound, echoing throughout her being. So she was a poor girl was she?
Mary grabbed the check, and before she even paused to think, her fingers ripped the check into pieces. Her smile widened into credible politeness before the shreds of the check even reached the cold street floor.
"Let me tell you something you brat," Mary seethed through her gritted teeth. "You can never buy me. No matter what you do, I am never for sell. I do what I want and I'm not going to let a lazy spoiled idiot like you try and change that. Is that really how you get friends? You try and buy them off?" Mary was yelling full out now, her throat aching in the effort. Never had her rage been this much exerted before.
Rothford looked absolutely baffled backing away slightly as Mary yelled on with her insults and accusations.
"Keep your money. I don't want any of it. And stay away from me and my friends. I'm leaving now," Mary said. She pushed Rothford away going toward her brother's side of the car, desperate to get away.
"Oh really? And what about what you did to me, you damn rat," Rothford said. His arms were shaking with rage, his face beat red. Mary ignored him pulling open the car door. I didn't budge.
"Open the door," Mary said making a face at him.
"We're not done!"
"Oh we are so done. I don't want to be anywhere near you. Now open the door!" Rothford marched over to Mary and Mary held up her fists ready for a fight, her temper still boiling with rage.
"You dare hit me! Who do you think you are American!" Rothford pushed Mary smacking his fist agsint the car, caging her there. Mary glanced in teh car, nervous about Jaime. Would this guy try to get to her brother? She kept silent hoping her rashness would fade. Mary closed her eyes breathing in heavily. . .
"I can crush you. I can make your life a living nightmare Mary Elson." Mary's eyes snapped open. When was this guy going to give up?
"Who do you think you are? I regret nothing, go ahead and do whatever you want. I don't care anymore. Throw as many eggs, pencil, bowls of water, whatever. I'll give it back to you in tenfold," Mary rasped pointing at Rothford's chest aggressively. Rothford backed away staring at Mary as if she were insane.
"No one has ever talked to me like that. . . ."
"Anyways," Mary announced waving off at him. "Back off I'm taking Jaime back on my own." Rothford just stood there for a long while staring at Mary. Gawking was the better word for it really. Mary cursed quietly turning her back at Rothford struggling to tear the door a new one. Mary didn't want to wake Jaime or Amelia, how was she going to get them. . .
"I'm taking you home," Rothford said quietly. Mary flinched stopping her efforts.
"No. I don't want to owe you anything. I'm sick of your games-"
"This isn't a bloody game," Rothford said. Mary looked at him questionably, suddenly confused. Rothford noticed her staring at him and galnced away pointing toward the passenger door. "Just. . . Get in," he said scratching his head absently.
"No," she said. Rothford let out an irritated sound.
"Why you. . . Look if you don't get in teh damn car I'll make sure your friend is next tomorrow at lunch," Rothford threatened. Mary hesitated at her next insult, suddenly remembering Zoe. She measured Rothford who had opened the door and was waiting for her with a pointed look.
"I don't trust you. . . "
"I 'm not asking for trust. I have to get Amelia home and she is fond of Jaime, so I want to get him home. This isn't about you," Rothford said irritably. Mary groaned getting in the car with a huff of annoyance. Rothford slammed the door reaching back in the driver's seat a few moments later. Mary turned to look at Jaime, and seeing that he was still soundly asleep, Mary faced the car window silently.
"What's your address?" Rothford asked surging onto the next street. Mary hesitated, nervous suddenly about letting this guy know her address. Remembering though that Mary had to get home quick, she spouted her address without sparing Rothford another peek.
"Where do I turn from here?" Rothford asked.
Mary's head sleepily snapped up at the question. She stared out the window. They were only a few streets away from her aunt's apartment now.
"Take the next right, and then keep going straight."
"This is where you live?" Rothford asked in a shocked tone.
Too tired to deal with him, Mary just shrugged impatiently, waiting for the moment she could run away from this awkwardness.
Mary and Rothford hadn't said a word throughout the entire ride to her apartment, both of them silently agreeing not to wake up Jaime and Amelia. It was about ten minutes until Rothford stopped in front of her Aunt's apartment. At the sight Mary automatically moved out of the car, basically running to get Jaime.
Jaime didn't arouse at all when Mary lifted him into her arms, his little blonde hair blowing as the cold wind howled outside. Tucking Jaime tightly Mary went back to the front to grab her bag, only to find Rothford behind her holding it out.
Mary stopped in her tracks giving Rothford a wary look. He wasn't carrying the same smirk he had in school, nor was he angry. . . No he appeared more resigned than Mary had ever seen before.
When Mary hadn't moved Rothford waved the bag in her face, acting as if she were mentally struck in the head. Wordlessly Mary seized her backpack whisking away without giving Daniel Rothford another glance.
No more would she waste her time with a guy like that. . . .