A/N: Thank you for the feedback and constructive criticism :) This was supposed to go with the prologue that's why it's short but I'm still just learning my way around here, so it's a day late.
**Part One**
*15 Years Later*
Max arrived at Seattle International Airport at midnight. The flight from Greece had been long and she couldn't wait to reach the hotel and go to sleep. She would eat first of course, airplane food just did not suit her taste.
Inside the limousine and with the sight of towering buildings highlighting the night view of Seattle, Max's exhaustion gave way to recollection of memories she was desperately trying to avoid.
~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~
Light shining through the small oval window over Max's head woke her up. She dreaded this day just as much as she anticipated it. She knew how it would be but she just couldn't suppress the hope that maybe this time it would be different.
Max's bedroom door opened and revealed an elderly lady wearing a nursemaid's uniform. She had a small frame and an amourous face, with the years adding a few grey hair and some weight.
"Good morning Ms. Maxine." Gemma greeted Max as she had done every morning since the little girl arrived. She remembered the first day Mr. Lydecker brought her home. Max had been so tiny, so vulnerable and so very lonely. Several years later, her looks promised to be of beauty and her vulnerability was slowly being replaced by quiet strength, or as her uncle would say, cunning cynicism. But oh poor child, she was still as lonely.
"Good morning." Max said nonchalantly as she took her grapefruit juice.
Gemma settled the rest of Max's breakfast on her study table and ceremoniously changed the date on her calendar, NOVEMBER 11.
Gemma stood in the middle of the room, hoping not to confront the inevitable question which Max never failed to ask in all the years she'd known her.
Max finished her breakfast without a word. Relieved, the elderly woman cleared the table and finally headed for the door.
"Ummm...wait."
Gemma turned to look at a hesitant Max "Yes Ms. Maxine ?"
Max took a deep breath, reluctant because she already knew what the answer was, it had been the same answer for the past five years. « Is...are...is twenty six old enough to take care of someone ? »
"I believe so." She regretted saying this since it brought concealed disappointment on Max's face.
Max nodded, contemplating for a while, adultlike acceptance replaced childlike hope. Formally dismissing the elderly lady, she said,
"Thank you Gemma. Kindly send Fely up here please." Fely was the household cook.
"She won't be serving 'Poulet chez Cale' today ?" Gemma was confused, they always had baked chicken on
November 11. She never knew why or what the 'chez cale' meant but every year on this day, Max had always insisted on preparing the special dish.
"No, not today." [ Nor any other day, he'll never come ! ] The last of Max's hopes vanished and emptiness sinked in.
~~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~~
**Part One**
*15 Years Later*
Max arrived at Seattle International Airport at midnight. The flight from Greece had been long and she couldn't wait to reach the hotel and go to sleep. She would eat first of course, airplane food just did not suit her taste.
Inside the limousine and with the sight of towering buildings highlighting the night view of Seattle, Max's exhaustion gave way to recollection of memories she was desperately trying to avoid.
~~~~FLASHBACK~~~~
Light shining through the small oval window over Max's head woke her up. She dreaded this day just as much as she anticipated it. She knew how it would be but she just couldn't suppress the hope that maybe this time it would be different.
Max's bedroom door opened and revealed an elderly lady wearing a nursemaid's uniform. She had a small frame and an amourous face, with the years adding a few grey hair and some weight.
"Good morning Ms. Maxine." Gemma greeted Max as she had done every morning since the little girl arrived. She remembered the first day Mr. Lydecker brought her home. Max had been so tiny, so vulnerable and so very lonely. Several years later, her looks promised to be of beauty and her vulnerability was slowly being replaced by quiet strength, or as her uncle would say, cunning cynicism. But oh poor child, she was still as lonely.
"Good morning." Max said nonchalantly as she took her grapefruit juice.
Gemma settled the rest of Max's breakfast on her study table and ceremoniously changed the date on her calendar, NOVEMBER 11.
Gemma stood in the middle of the room, hoping not to confront the inevitable question which Max never failed to ask in all the years she'd known her.
Max finished her breakfast without a word. Relieved, the elderly woman cleared the table and finally headed for the door.
"Ummm...wait."
Gemma turned to look at a hesitant Max "Yes Ms. Maxine ?"
Max took a deep breath, reluctant because she already knew what the answer was, it had been the same answer for the past five years. « Is...are...is twenty six old enough to take care of someone ? »
"I believe so." She regretted saying this since it brought concealed disappointment on Max's face.
Max nodded, contemplating for a while, adultlike acceptance replaced childlike hope. Formally dismissing the elderly lady, she said,
"Thank you Gemma. Kindly send Fely up here please." Fely was the household cook.
"She won't be serving 'Poulet chez Cale' today ?" Gemma was confused, they always had baked chicken on
November 11. She never knew why or what the 'chez cale' meant but every year on this day, Max had always insisted on preparing the special dish.
"No, not today." [ Nor any other day, he'll never come ! ] The last of Max's hopes vanished and emptiness sinked in.
~~~~END OF FLASHBACK~~~~