The call of love
Chapter 8
"Terry's birthday"
After the holidays, life went on for everybody. Candy wrote her friends in college with good news about her life. She told them everything she was doing and her reunion with Terry on New Year's Eve.
Candy's friends, Annie and Patty got her letters and they were overjoyed. Annie was the one who brought Candy's letters, she found Patty in her room looking at a magazine.
- Patty, I have news from Candy, said Annie
- Me too, said Patty
- How? I've got the letters
- Yes, but I was looking through this magazine; they were talking about Georgie Bateman
- Candy's boss?
- Yes. She's in New York for business and Candy is with her…
- Yes, that's what she said in her last letter, didn't she?
- Yes, but this time she's in the magazine, next to Georgie, Eleonor Baker and… Terry!
- Oh! Let me see that! Said Annie
She took the magazine from Patty's hands and looked at the picture that was saying;
"The famous designer, Georgie Bateman at the New Year's party at the Waldorf Astoria, with her daughter Georgie Jr who's her spitting image, Eleonor Baker, certainly negotiating a new wardrobe; next to Georgie Jr, Terrence Grandchester, son of the duke of Grandchester and Laurent Grey, grandson of the former governor of Australia…"
- The magazine is English, that's why there's so many details on them said Patty
- She's with Terry, Patty, that's a good news…said Annie smiling
- Yes, in her last letter, she was saying that she hadn't found him yet…
- Let's read the letters, she's certainly telling us what happened
- Ok…
Candy was telling them in details what had happened. Her two friends were very happy for her. At recess, they went to see the boys to show them the letter.
- She's in America with Grandchester, said Archie
- Her boss took her, remember? Said Annie
- Yes, said Stear, she's lucky, she partying with Eleonor Baker…the lucky she-devil!
Eliza was passing by with her group.
- Who's lucky? You're certainly talking about that stable girl…
- Her name is Candy, said Stear
- And for the moment, she's living the good life in New York said Archie
- New York? How could that starving slut be living the good life? You're talking nonsense…
- Everybody doesn't lie like you Eliza, said Annie
- But you can not believe us, but when it's printed black on white in a magazine, it's irrefutable, even for you, said Patty giving her the magazine
Eliza took the magazine, saw the picture, read the legend and became pale.
- What? The slut!
- Did you see her dress, said Annie, I don't think you've ever had a dress so beautiful…
- It's identical to Georgie Bateman's said Patty
- I know fashion said Archie, Georgie Bateman makes dresses for sale, but the models she wears, are only custom made for her and Candy "Georgie Jr", like they call her now, gets the same treatment as Georgie…she must love her a lot
- Oh shut up! Said Eliza going away
- And don't forget, she found Terry and now their free, engaged to be married and far away from your mean tricks said Annie
- Engaged to be married? Said Eliza turning around
- Yes…
- But the magazine doesn't say that…said Eliza become pale
- But Candy says so in her letter said Patty
- She's lying!
- No, Eliza that's your job…Candy doesn't lie, if she says she's engaged to Grandchester, you better believe it, it's the truth, said Archie
- NO! yelled Eliza
- Eliza, for God's sake, said Louise, he spit on you!
- Shut up Louise! Said Eliza going away
Her little group followed her.
- She's going to pay for this said Eliza angry
- But she didn't do anything, said one of her friends
- She's engaged to Terrence, my Terrence and she's living better than me said Eliza, that's enough!
- You can't do anything, she's on the other side of the Atlantic… said Louise
- I know, that's what's making me angry
The news of Candy's good fortune spread through the whole school, even the nuns heard about it. Neil and his friends also had a copy of the magazine.
- Neil, look at your "stable girl" she's pretty hot! Don't you think so? Said one of his friends
- Yeah said Neil smiling, you're right she's a beauty…
- But unfortunately you've burn all you bridges with her…
- What do you mean? Asked Neil
- Well, you said that your father wanted to adopt her, but you and your sister had transformed her into a maid…after that, the Andrew family adopted her, right?
- Yes…
- Oh Neil, if only you could predict that she was going to become a very beautiful young woman…you would've been nice to her, and maybe she would've been in love with you?
Neil didn't say a word. His friends were right, Candy was very beautiful and if he had been nicer to her, if he hadn't let his sister influence him…he had no personality…he cursed his sister and his mother. His father had told him that it was good to have Candy with them. His father had brought him a rosebud and he threw it away before it could become a wonderful rose. His cousins, were nice to her from the beginning. He'd seen her before Anthony, if he had been nice to her from the beginning, maybe she would've fallen in love with him instead of Anthony…Shit, shit, shit and three times shit!
The duke of Grandchester also saw the magazine.
"You found him Candy, don't ever let him go…like I let his mother go…"
His wife, on the other end, was not happy at all.
- Your son is with his mother! Are you going to get him back?
- No, I'm going to let him live his life…
- What? But…he's with her…
- She's his mother. At least she loves him…
- You mean that I didn't love him, don't you? You resent me for not loving your bastard child?
- Well it certainly didn't make the atmosphere in here viable for him. He'd rather be in boarding school, than live here and commute every day…
- You've wasted enough money in that damn college so they could keep him, despite of his impossible attitude…
- He wanted my attention, and I wasn't giving it to him…
- Oh, now you're playing the devoted father? How long did it take you?
- That's enough! He's my son, and I love him, even if I wasn't showing it… I'm leaving him in America with his mother, and that's final!
- You still love your actress don't you? That's why you took her son…so the arranged marriage and the heir to your title…that's all in the water?
- You can remain calm, your son is going to inherit the title, Terrence won't bother you anymore
- My son? You mean our son, don't you?
- You know what I mean…
The relationship with his wife was not going well at all. Ever since he'd met Candy, at that charity reception, he started to think about Eleonor…Candy reminded him of a young Eleonor…he loved her so much and he abandoned her to fulfill his duty…Oh he regretted that now! He wanted to know more on Candy, he hired a private investigator so he could investigate the young woman his son wanted to marry one day…Because for Terrence to swallow his pride, and ask him for an exceptional help for a young lady…it meant that his son was really in love with the young lady in question. He had met Candy, she was so full of life so warm… he was not surprised that his son had fallen in love with her.
Eleonor Baker was now one of Georgie's biggest customer she was on her "A" list. A lot of ladies followed Eleonor, and those who knew her dresses from England were glad to be able to buy them locally.
Eleonor went to see Georgie in her office. Candy was also there.
- Eleonor, said Georgie, what a nice surprise!
- Hello Miss Baker, said Candy
- Hello Georgie, hello Candy, said Eleonor, I came to talk business with you
- Ok, said Georgie
- Ok, the theatre where I work need new costumes…would you like to make them?
- Oh, said Georgie, what a good idea, but you must already have a tailor…
- Yes, but we're not really satisfied with his work, so the manager asked me if I knew another tailor…I thought about you
- That's really nice of you Eleonor. Thank you. Will you allow me to put my own touch on the models?
- Of course, Georgie, do what you want. I bought the models on paper, you can modify them…I'm sure it's going to be perfect…
- Ok, said Georgie, thank you very much for the deal
- And if it works out good, other theatres will follow…
- That would be great said Candy, thank you Miss Baker
- You're welcome. Candy I wanted to talk to you too. Walk with me to the door? Georgie have a nice day….
- Bye said Georgie, and thank you again
Eleonor hadn't told the world that she was Terry's mother. She was with Candy in the hallway.
- Ok, it's Terry's birthday soon… she started
- Oh…
- I know you'd want to make something special for him
- Yes, you've missed a lot of his birthdays…this is the occasion to make up for it
- Yes, thank you. But he would want to spend some time with you…
- Ok, we can compromise; I'm going to take him to your place and we'll surprise him, ok? So we're going to party together ok?
- Ok. It doesn't bother you?
- Of course not. You're his mother, it's a pleasure being with you and Terry
- Thank you Candy, I'll contact you with the details…
- Ok. Bye, Miss Baker.
- Bye Candy
Ever since their reunion on New Year's Eve, not a day went by without Candy and Terry saw each other. He went to get her at the office or she'll go and wait for him at the theatre.
Susanna Marlowe had her heart broken every time she saw them together. She remembered the day Terry came to look for work. She opened the door and she was almost frozen on the spot when she saw him, he was so handsome! She talked about it with Karen.
- Karen, there's a new guy who's looking for a job… I hope he gets hire…
- Why?
- Oh, Karen, he's so handsome and he's got the British accent….
- You've fallen under his spell in 30 seconds?
- Yes, he's absolutely gorgeous!
- Love at first sight…you think he shares your feelings?
- I hope so with all my heart
She was in seventh heaven when Terry was hired and she was so happy until New Year's Eve…
Candy arrived at the theatre at the end of the day on Terry's birthday. She met Susanna at the door.
- The rehearsals are closed to the public she told Candy coldly
- I know, said Candy, I came to pick up Terry
- He's rehearsing…
- So, I'm going to wait for him…
- No, come back later…
- He's expecting me to pick him up…
- You must've made a mistake on the time…but you can't wait for him…
Candy couldn't believe Susanna's nerve. Who was she, the theatre's guard dog? After the Eliza matter, Candy said to herself that nothing and no one would stop her from seeing Terry when she wanted to…
- There's no way I'm leaving without seeing Terry
- But I told you he was busy
- I told you I'm going to wait for him…
- But…
- Candy? Said Terry's voice, I'll be there in two minutes…
- Ok, said Candy
Susanna was ashamed. She wanted to stop them from seeing each other, she was in love with Terry, and she thought she was justified….
- I thought he was rehearsing…I…
- Of course Susanna, said Candy smiling
Terry arrived and kissed her on the cheek.
- How was your day? He asked
- Fine and yours?
- I missed you…
- You see me everyday…
- I still miss you. And what about you, did you miss me?
- Yes, of course, she said smiling
They left holding each other, without a look for Susanna who was devastated.
In Terry's car, Candy talked about Susanna.
- I think Susanna is in love with you…
- Susanna who?
- Terry! Be serious!
- I am serious, I don't see Susanna, I only see you…
- Oh Terry… she said softly, but she didn't want me to wait for you, she said you were rehearsing
- Oh…and that makes her in love with me?
- Terry, I felt the same hostility I felt with Eliza….
- But come on, she's not like Eliza…she's nice
- She could be worse…Eliza you expect her to do something…Susanna with her calm, we won't even see her coming… that's the worst case scenario of course…
- Freckles, stop thinking about that…
- Ok. We have more important things to talk about than a colleague who's in love with you…
- Freckles, I repeat, you're the only girl I see, ok. You're the only "candy" I see in the store…I love you
- I love you too. That's why I don't want us to be separated again because of a girl…
- Susanna is harmless…
- She's in love with you…for me that makes her dangerous… well…
She didn't like Susanna's attitude, she deliberately lied to her. But for the moment, it was Terry's birthday.
- We're going to your mother's by the way…she said to change the subject
- Why?
- I have a message to give from Georgie
- Oh…ok then
They arrived at Eleonor. It was dark.
- It doesn't seem that anybody is home said Terry
- Don't you have a key? I would like to leave her a note said Candy
- Ok…I wonder where the staff is…
Terry opened the door of his mother's house. The lights turned on and they heard:
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TERRY!"
Terry was so moved. He went and hug his mother.
- Thank you mum
He turned to Candy
- Thanks Freckles, he said hugging her
They spend a nice evening all three of them: Candy wanted to leave them
- Candy without you, Terry wouldn't have reconciled with me…You have every rights to be here, said Eleonor, thanks for everything, Candy
- You don't need to thank me, it was the least I could do…
- And you also talked to Terry's father…I don't know what you say to make that grumpy old man melt, but he told me to take good care of our son and he even sent a present for Terry she said giving him an envelope
Terry took the envelope and opened it; it was a cheque with a big amount.
- Oh…but that's too much, said Terry, I can't accept it…
- Why? Said his mother, you're his son, aren't you? You don't have to spend it; you can keep it in a bank account. Abundance of goods doesn't hurt…
- Yes, Terry, we could buy a house when we get married, said Candy
- A house, said Terry
- You're the son of the duke of Grandchester said Eleonor, you have the rights to part of his fortune, if you wanted to, you could inherit the title too…
- No thank you…said Terry laughing, ok. Freckles, you're an angel! You've succeed where I've tried in vain for years! Thanks for everything. Thank you mum for this birthday…maybe we've had others in the past, but this one I'm never going to forget for as long as I live
Terrence Grandchester had been deprived of his mother very young and all he got was his father's indifference, had just had the most beautiful birthday of his life with is mother and the woman he loved. He even felt a little warmth from his father through the cheque he had send him…he wished he had his presence, but it was his father's way to express his feelings for his son…
Candy had given Terry little porcelain statues of Romeo and Juliet in each other's arms, on stage and there was a little key that you turned and than it played the theme of Romeo and Juliet from Tchaikovsky.
- Oh Candy, my Juliet darling, thank you he said moved.
He took her in his arms and kissed her on the lips. His mother knew how much he liked to ride, so she gave him a white horse. But since she didn't have any stables, the horse was kept in a ranch and Terry could ride it when he wanted to.
- Thanks mum said Terry looking at the horses' picture, I missed riding…
- You're welcome baby said Eleonor
- Mum…
- What? You're my baby, are you not? Said Eleonor
- Come on big baby, said Candy, you don't like to be mothered by your mummy? Or maybe it's because I'm here?
- You're the woman I'm going to marry Freckles…You're the one who knows all my secrets… and I love you more than anything in the world…
Candy smiled, and hugged him. She was so happy… she remembered another time when she was that happy…with Anthony; she had just been adopted and then came the tragedy… With Terry, she was afraid something would happen again to rip the happiness away from her. But you have to be optimistic, she said to herself and everything is going to be fine.
