Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and the characters in them don't belong to me. All other characters and names are a figment of my imagination and any resemblance they might have to real life people or companies are purely coincidental.
By Lady Fenix
March 3rd 1977 Greenwich
I knew from the very day I met Marcus that he came from a far more privileged background than mine. It was not just the way he dressed and spoke but in his manners as well. I have to confess though, I never truly realized just how well off his family was until he took me to meet them for the first time and we came upon the spectacular iron wrought gates with the tipped golden leaves that signaled the beginning of the Holden estate.
As Marcus, drove us down the gracefully curved driveway with the green lawns, flowering trees and perfectly groomed hedges, I felt like we were entering a magic kingdom and Marcus, my prince, was taking me towards his castle…..
Rei stepped out of the elegant silver Mercedes to the entrance courtyard of Holden's estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. She looked up at the three story stone and stucco house and found herself disagreeing with her mother. In her opinion the building didn't resemble a castle and aside from the fountain in the middle of the courtyard and broad pale stone steps bracketed by cut-leaf Japanese maples that led to the wide entrance doors, she did not sense anything magical about it. It was indeed large however. Even though the French windows indicated only three stories, the height was enough to resemble that of a four story building with the wide tower-like dark tiled roofs. She supposed the magnitude of the place could have been impressive to someone like her mother.
Having stayed up most of last night reading her mother's diary, Rei thought she was getting a pretty good idea of just what kind of woman her mother had been. The diary had certainly contained enough description of both Sakura's past and present to give Rei food for thought during the four hour drive from midtown Manhattan to the outer edges of Greenwich. Martin had been too busy going through his papers to be much of a conversationalist and while the driver, Emmett, had cast several discreet looks towards her, he had been as silent as stone the whole way. This has given Rei plenty of time to think about her mother, her father and even her grandfather.
It seemed Sakura had led a very sheltered life as she grew up. Rei's grandfather didn't seem to have allowed her much freedom outside of the Cherry Hill temple. Having lost his wife at childbirth and forced to raise his daughter alone, he became too protective of the girl. It led her wanting to escape and to test her wings in the excitement of a large city like New York, the very moment she came of age.
Rei couldn't help but wonder if her grandfather had understood his mistake and was therefore more lenient when it came to Rei's upbringing. The description her mother had given of the strict father certainly couldn't be applied to the old man that Rei had grown up with. Most of the time in their relationship, she had felt more as if she was the adult and he the child. How many times had she told him to stop flirting with her friends when they came over to study with her? And how many times had she had to prevent him from carrying out his harebrained schemes to attract more visitors to the temple? When hadn't she had to nag, threaten, cajole and bribe him before he consented to take his medicine and herbal brews? Was that perhaps his way of making up for his past mistakes? By preparing Rei and making her more independent and self reliant so she would not make the mistake her mother did?
"Well here we are. Holden Manor." Marcus told her and stepped out beside Rei. Through the shaded lenses, Rei cast a glance towards him but he was too busy watching the building to notice. If the pride in his voice hadn't revealed his feelings, there was certainly no mistaking the emotion in his eyes when he stared at his home.
"You grew up here?" She asked more out of politeness than real interest. She already knew the answer from reading her mother's diary.
"Yes, Madame had this house rebuilt in the early fifties. It got burned down in a fire and instead of redoing it the way it was, she wanted something new. James Arlington designed the house and Franco, your grandfather that is, presided over the building. Actually that was how Madame and he got together." Marcus told her with a smile.
Rei noticed that he hadn't mention the fact that Madame couldn't have been happier to see the old place burned to the ground. She knew that the estate hadn't always been named Holden Manor. Initially it had been in the ownership of the Hamiltons, an old prestigious family that could link all the way back to the Mayflower. Madame, like all of the members of her family, had been under the Hamiltons employment before she married her first husband, Edward Hamilton, whom also happened to be the eldest son. Sakura hadn't known all the details but she had however gotten the impression that it hadn't been a marriage of love nor had Madame's relationship been any warmer with the rest of the Hamiltons. In fact bad blood seemed to have flowed there which was why Madame had ordered a whole new building to be built over the ashes of the old one.
Efficient, defiant and vindictive the method fit very well with the woman Rei was starting to picture as Madame Holden.
"Come let's go inside. Emmett will take care of your things." Martin suggested and led Rei towards the mansion.
At the mention of her things, Rei had to conceal the slight wince she felt. She hadn't wanted to bring her stuff with her in the first place. The last things she wanted was to spend a night in what was viewed as the official home of the Holdens. But Martin had insisted that she packed a bag for the whole weekend. Somehow he had designated himself as her guide/driver for the next few days and she suspected the only way she would be able to leave the place was to plow him over bodily. The man did have an awful lot of patience and it was damn annoying, especially when they were of opposite opinions.
The wide mahogany door with stained glass opened the moment they neared it and an elderly man in an immaculate black suit and white collar, greeted them. He was tall and very, very thin looking and held himself completely erect when he greeted them.
"Good morning, master Martin. Miss Rei." He nodded his slightly in acknowledgement to Rei.
"Bentley." Martin greeted and handed him his coat and portfolio. "Bentley's the majoron here." He explained to Rei as they entered the opened spaced three-story stairhall. Rose and gold colors reflected from the stained glass windows on the ceiling and mixed with the pale colors of the limestone floor. Rei could see butterfly staircases with what looked like hand carved banisters, curve gently to the second floor landing. Bell-like sounds chimed from the crystals on the giant size chandelier above them, created by the cool breeze that flowed through the opened windows.
"Would you like to have breakfast before joining the others in the Sun Room?" Bentley inquired. "I do believe Maria and the others have not cleared the table yet."
"Rei?" Martin gave Rei a questioning look.
Rei shook her head. The giant breakfast she took this morning was still sitting like a rock in her stomach. She was unused to eating that much food in the morning but the culinary skills at Ceasar's was excellent and she hadn't been able to refuse it. It was like eating one of Mako's dishes.
"In that case maybe we should take you to the study and meet Madame." Martin suggested.
Bentley cleared his throat discreetly. "I'm afraid that won't be possible. Madame has not yet arrived."
Martin frowned. "That's strange. I'd assumed she would be here by now. I got the feeling she was very keen on us all getting here before three o'clock."
"It is not my business to ask questions." Bentley told him with a straight face, his tone clearly saying that it shouldn't be Martin's either. Rei suspected that the old guy probably knew the whole reason but he wouldn't reveal it even if you tried to use a crowbar to pry it out.
As they stood there in the hall with the sunray spilling through the stained glass, Rei felt like a window was opening in the back of her mind. Through it she could see a younger version of Bentley dressed in the same immaculate black uniform and wearing the same wooden expression and shuttered eyes. The hair was thicker and darker in color and the face less gaunt and wore fewer lines. Unlike now however, the stone face had been graced with a tiny smile as they looked down on her.
Come to think about it, her mother had mentioned a certain butler which she had been very fond of. A very loyal but fair man, in her diary; a man who was very fond of children and had very nimble fingers that could slip candies into the pocket of a certain girl's dress without anyone seeing it.
Rei's vision blurred and she was once again moved back to the present. Her eyes met the piercing black ones of the butler's. Whatever he saw in her eyes and whatever he thought, Rei could only imagine. There was no recognition or acknowledgement on his side that would lead her to believe he still held any feelings for that little girl.
Something told her that she wouldn't be getting any sort of reaction from him until she had met Madame. Bentley was that kind of loyal servant.
She had to admit that she was a bit amused by it. She hadn't realized there was still this kind of servant-master relationship left in this world. She was pretty sure even Nate who commanded loyalty from his employees wouldn't be able to receive this kind of treatment. Then again this thing felt more like it belonged in the regency era.
The three of them trailed down the hallway further into the house. Rei pretended to be studying the place while she keenly listened to Martin and Bentley's conversation.
"Has everybody else arrived then?" Martin asked.
"Everybody but Miss Charmaine and Master Jay. Miss Mina has been held up and will arrive tomorrow instead. Most of the family members are gathered in the Sun Room."
"Jay's not back yet from England?"
"We are expecting him at any minute." Bentley informed him.
"Good, I can't wait to hear how the meeting went." Martin said with satisfaction. Turning back to Rei he smiled down at her and said, "Well since Madame is not here yet, why don't I introduce you to the rest of the family instead?" He suggested and led her down a bright hallway with arched French windows along one side.
"I can't wait." Rei mumbled under her breath recalling the last meeting she had with "family" members. When she received a questioning look from Martin though, she quickly smiled and nodded her head.
Bentley opened the wide double pale doors to the Sun Room for them closing it discreetly behind them.
The moment Rei entered the room she could understand its name. Sunlight flooded in to the room through the large windows that covered one side of the wall, bathing everything in pale golden hues. The wallpapers were of pale pastel colored flowers and the furniture the kind that reminded Rei of old Victorian homes. Even the people in there reminded her of that time.
There were in total six people in the room: two men and four women. The women were sitting on the settees in pairs forming an L facing the two men who were lounging against the wall on each side of the large fireplace. All were dressed in dark clothes and all six turned to face the door as Rei and Martin entered; in silence. Whatever conversation they might have been having stopped the moment the doors had opened.
"Well this is a pleasant surprise to find all of you gathered in here at the same time." Martin said brightly, "Everyone, this is Rei."
The silence that hung in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife.
Unfazed by the lack of cooperation from his family, Martin put a hand on Rei's back and gently urged her forward. "Come Rei. Let me introduce you to my brother first." He stopped in front of the man who was standing closest to them. "This is my older brother Terrence. Terrence, this is Rei."
The man didn't look the least of bit like Martin. He had two white wings alongside his temples ascending the dark colors of hair. Where Martin was leaner in the face, Terrence had much stronger features. His jaw was wider, his eyes heavier and the brows were more pronounced. He was also slightly shorter and stockier in build.
He looked down at Rei with emotionless blue eyes.
Since good manners prompted, Rei extended her hand to him. "Sir."
While his handshake was firm, it was also brief. Nor did she get more in reply to her greeting than a grunt.
She got his message loud and clear. She was not welcome here. Unlike Martin, Terrence obviously didn't think much about the family connection. Had she not read her mother's diary and thus some pre-information of the members Rei would probably have been surprised at his behavior but the fact that her mother had gotten the same kind of treatment when she was first introduced to Terrence, helped to soften the edge. Apparently Terrence and her father had not been that close and Terrence had a tendency to transfer his dislike over to everyone else in Marcus' company.
Rei didn't get the chance to pay Terrence more attention since Martin was already too busy pushing her to the next member, which happened to be a regal looking woman with rich dark curly tresses. Martin introduced her as Marcia, Terrence's wife.
If Terrence's handshake had been brief, the one she got from the woman couldn't even be termed as one. Their hands barely touched before the woman dropped it again. She didn't bother to look at Rei either. Rei was starting to suspect that it must have been their charming personalities that had brought Terrence and Marcia together. Though how they could have stood each other for over twenty five years was something beyond Rei's comprehension.
The next was an elderly small woman with silver hair neatly pulled back in a thick bun. She wore enough strands of pearls around her neck to make Rei wonder if the fragile looking bones would break under the strain. She was shocked when Martin introduced her as Louisa Derrington, her great aunt and Madame's younger sister. The woman kept both hands steadily on the top of her cane and something told Rei to not bother extending her hand in greeting. Rei couldn't help but to wonder how Madame would look like if the younger sister was in this shape. From what her mother said in the diary, Louisa is supposed to be at least eleven years her sister's junior.
Next came the woman sitting by Louisa's right, whom Marcus introduced as Patricia or Trish for short. She was Louisa's eldest daughter. Unlike her mother Trish's hair was a rich copper tone and held back by a simple golden clasp at the nape of her neck. Her black dress was simple and she wore no other jewels on her aside from the gold band on her finger. She greeted Rei with a brief handshake and a nod of the head. The first acknowledgement Rei received since she entered the room. Her eyes were downcast the whole time though as if fearing to meet Rei's eyes. Rei didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused by it. Was she afraid of her somehow? What did she expect she would do? Attack her?
If Trish had seemed timid, the same could certainly not be said of the last woman. Her eyes, the color of rich coffee, stared at Rei's with cool distaste before turning her face away as if she the mere sight offended her. Rei wondered if she was supposed to take offense at that. It wasn't as if the whole thing was an honor for her. Hell she was only doing it for Martin's sake. The woman was named Tory Holden. She was the widow of Glenn Holden, the only son of Madame's older brother Fred.
And last they came to a full circle with the young man lounging lazily with an elbow resting against the marble mantelpiece. He was introduced as Frederic, Tory's son. Aside from the cool quality in his blue eyes, Rei couldn't see much resemblance between mother and son. At least he had more manners than his mother or any of the others in the room by being the only one who actually gave Rei a normal handshake.
"Martin. Could you come with me for a sec? I need to have a word with you in private." Terrence said the moment his brother finished with the last introduction.
Martin gave him a plaintive look. "Can't it wait 'til later?"
Terrence cast a brief glance towards Rei and then said evenly. "No it can't." Then without another word he headed towards the door and indicated with his head for his younger brother to follow.
"I'm sorry, my dear." Martin cast Rei an apologetic look.
Though she would have liked nothing better than to stomp on Terrence's foot with the heel of her shoes, Rei was instead forced to keep a tight reign on her temper and plaster a smile her face. Giving her uncle - there was no use in trying to deny the relationship when the man was really looking after her like one - a reassuring squeeze with her hand, she said. "You go ahead. I'll be fine."
She wondered if this was going to turn into a habit. Every time Martin is to show her around, one of his family members would stop him. She wasn't welcome here. They have made that plain enough already. Was it necessary for them to show her that again and again? She wasn't a blind idiot.
"Have Trish show you around the place. And I'll see you at dinner if not before." Martin told her and gave her quick peck on the cheek before leaving to follow his brother with hurried steps.
The moment the door closed behind him Louisa gave a loud snort. "Ordering people around. Who does he think he is? Trish, you will do no such thing, you hear? I need help getting ready for the dinner. These silly servants don't know how to attend a lady."
"Yes mother." Trish murmured quietly. She cast Rei an apologetic look before she dropped her eyes down on her clasped hands again.
The bear with the sore-tooth and the ice queen. The she-dragon and the timid mouse. The snotty bitch and the bored rich son, Rei mused. And I'm actually related to these people.
"So you came all the way from Tokyo, hmm?" Marcia said and twirled the silver spoon around her cup with precise controlled movement.
"Yes." She kept the reply simple and short, sensing there was more to it than just a simple inquiry.
"That's quite a long trip." Marcia observed. She lifted the spoon clicked once against the side of the cup before setting it down on the coaster.
"You would be amazed at how fast a trip can take on an airplane." Rei told her dryly. Especially, she added in her mind, when one was flying one of Maxfield's Jets.
Marcia's dark eyes narrowed.
"Don't be rude, child. Or don't they teach you manners in that little corner of the world of yours?" Tory told her tartly.
Turning her head in the woman's direction, Rei quirked her brow slightly. "Oh they teach us manners alright. Far more than in some places I would say." She replied calmly.
"Are you calling us rude, girl?" Louisa demanded and thudded her cane against the floor with force to emphasize her feelings. The thick rug muffled most of the sound.
"I wouldn't presume to say anything like that, mam." Rei told her though the way she angled her head and thrust her chin upwards clearly said she did.
No matter how she had promised herself to behave, Rei could see that this was fast turning into the same situation as she had with Tanya two days ago. The best thing she knew would be to retreat and avoid a quarrel but the problem was when it came to people asking for a fight, she never did know how to back down from them.
"If our manners offend you so much then why come in the first place?" Tory demanded and set down her teacup with enough force to make the china rattle.
"I never said that." Rei corrected her evenly.
"No but you hinted as much." Frederic pointed out mildly without taking his eyes off from studying his fingernails; a gesture that clearly spoke of his boredom.
Rei cast him an annoyed look. So he was going to join the gang too. "I only replied in the same manner I was given. If you read more to it than that then that's your problem."
"You want to know what our problem is?" Tory demanded and rose from the seat angrily. "You! You are our problem. You don't belong here. This is a family situation. One that is strictly reserved for the close members of the family and you are not part of it."
"Tory, please let's not go that far. Rei is after all Marcus' – " Trish began but her mother cut her off with. "Be quiet, Trish." Louisa hissed something else under her breath but whatever she said, Rei did not manage to catch it as Marcia chose to address her at the same moment.
"So tell me… Rei." She said the name as it she was something very foreign and hard to pronounce for her and therefore a bother. "Why are you here?"
Rei met her inquiring dark eyes steadily. "I'm here just like the rest of you. To pay my respect to my father."
One dark wing arched up. "Oh really? And why would you do that considering that you have never considered him your father for the past sixteen years or so?"
Rei opened her mouth to correct her but before she even managed to utter a sound, Marcia barreled on.
"Don't bother to deny it. I know for a fact that that is exactly how you feel. Marcus told me. You never called him father. You didn't address him at all and you barely talked to him. And you refused to live with him. Tell me is that the way a daughter should have treated her father?"
Rei was speechless. The burning anger that she was feeling was threatening to choke her. How dared the woman question her relationship with her father? And was this actually what her father had claimed? That she was the one who had disowned him? Is this why everyone was treating her like something the cat dragged in?
Before her anger managed to take hold of her completely something flickered in Marcia's eyes that caught Rei's attention and made her reassess the situation. Her instinct told her that the woman's attitude towards her wasn't as much for her father's benefit as her own. The woman seemed to really dislike Rei. Was this her way of trying to make Rei look bad? What she actually setting a trap for her? The whole thought seemed ridiculous to Rei and yet her instincts were telling her exactly that and they had yet to guide her wrong.
Feelings as if she was walking blindfolded over a room filled with pitfalls, Rei chose her words carefully. "It is true that in many people's eyes our relationship can be termed as distant." Actually the two of them were more like strangers than father and daughter. But that was not something Rei was about to go into with these people. So instead she said with lifted chin. "Nevertheless he is still my father."
"Oh, of course. Now that the man is dead and it's convenient to call him that." Marcia gave her an indulgent smile.
Anger came to life once again like a torch being lit in the darkness and her eyes flashed at the insinuation but before she could give the woman a piece of her mind a new voice joined the conversation.
"Really, Marcia that was uncalled for."
Five faces turned to the door where the newcomer had arrived. Through the red haze in her vision, Rei saw the tall lean frame of Jaycen Arlington filling the threshold. His suit was slung over his arm and he held a black briefcase in the hand while he leaned casually against the doorframe. The collar of his white shirt had been loosened and the tie was sticking out from front pocket of his pants. The blonde hair was unruly, a result of either having dragged his hand through his hair a lot of times or driving with the window open. He looked exactly like a man who had come back from a long trip.
"This is after all Rei's first time back in the house after so many years. The least we can do is to show some hospitality." Jay continued as if not noticing the silence that had fallen in the room and sauntered in. Setting aside his jacket and briefcase on the deep cushioned chair, he leaned closer and gave Louisa a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, darling. You are looking well." He told her with a smile.
To Rei's utter surprise she actually saw a blush creep up the elderly woman's cheeks. The blush along with the twinkling blue eyes took off years from her face.
"Scamp. Have you decided to finally show your sorry behind around here?" Louisa grunted and tried to smack at him with her cane. Anybody with eyes could see it was a half hearted effort that he could easily evade.
"If I had known you were waiting for me, I would have asked the pilot to fly faster." Jay winked at her.
Marcia threw him a dark look. She hadn't forgiven him for the interruption.
Tory folded her arms and sniffed disdainfully.
He ignored both of them and turned his attention to Trish. "Hey there, gorgeous. Still watching over Louisa here, huh? How am I going to whisk her away and ask her to marry me if you're always guarding her like this?"
Louisa snorted. "You leave her be. She doesn't need any sweet talking from a rascal like you. Don't you go corrupting her."
Jay threw her a quick smile but there was something in his eyes, something that flickered and was gone in a few seconds that told Rei he might have had an ulterior motive for wanting Trish to be away from Louisa's side. Could it be that he felt sorry for the daughter? Somehow the thought was a bit difficult to comprehend for Rei. It was hard for her picture the same angry and narrow minded man she had met two days ago with this sensitive and helpful one she was seeing now.
"Where are Martin and Terrence?" Jay asked and sat down on the arm rest by Louisa's side, his right hand draped lazily over the older woman's frail shoulders.
"Why haven't Bentley already reported to you about that?" Frederic sneered from the wall.
Jay cast him a fleeting look much like someone looking at a small annoying fly. "I didn't meet Bentley on my way in. Susannah told me the family was gathered here. Besides we all know the only person Bentley reports to around here is Madame."
"Oh do we?" Came the challenging reply.
The two men stared at each other. Rei didn't know what to say about the newest arrival in this charming gathering but she was certainly glad that she wasn't the only one who didn't seem to get along with everyone here. From what she could see, Marcia, Tory and Frederic at least weren't overly fond of Jay. Marcia's was probably because of what he did earlier but something told Rei Tory's and Frederic's dislike of the man went deeper than just annoyance.
Briefly she wondered how Jaycen Arlington was connected to the family. Martin only introduced the man to her but he never said anything about him being related and yet from the way Louisa and Trish treated him, they certainly considered him as part of the family.
Her skin prickled with awareness and turning her attention towards the source, Rei found a pair of clear blue eyes studying her. As their eyes met, his lips pulled back slightly in smile and he nodded his head slightly towards her in acknowledgment.
Mystified at the warm greeting, well warm if she compared to what she had received from the others here, Rei wondered what exactly the man was up to. Was this his way of apologizing to her for his earlier behavior towards her at Martin's office?
Whatever it was Rei never got the chance to find out because at that time the door opened once more. Hoping that it was Martin who had come back Rei turned towards the door. Over the ten feet of space violet eyes met violet eyes and a jolt went through her body like an electric shock.
Everybody in the room came in to life the moment the woman entered, but Rei barely noticed what they were doing or saying since she was far too preoccupied studying what could only be the infamous Madame Holden - her paternal grandmother.
Madame was certainly tall for a woman of her age. Even in practical flat shoes, she looked to be at least five feet seven – most of the elderly women Rei knew never went beyond five feet four. Just like her sister, Madame's hair had completely gone silver, but whereas the younger one had pulled back hers in a severe bun, Madame had chosen to let it fall loosely down to her shoulders, framing a heart shaped face. Unlike Louisa, Madame seemed to have aged with grace, aside form the visible lines against the side of her eyes and around her throat there were barely any wrinkles on her face at all or at least they were tiny enough not to be noticed from afar. The sharpness in her large eyes also revealed an alert mind that was far younger than her body. Like the rest of the clan, Madame's choice of clothes was simple and elegant. A white cross on a delicate silver chain rested against her chest, it was starkly contrasted against black fabrics of her dress.
Her lips were thin and they turned even thinner when she let her eyes roam around the room without stopping specifically at anyone. Rei felt her gaze and stiffened unconsciously in expectation. But the gaze flew over her like she didn't exist.
"I see that you have all gathered. That's good. Now spare the chit chat. We'll talk more this evening after dinner. You and you. Come with me." She indicated with her eyes first Jay and then Frederic. "I want to know just what happened in London."
Without sparing them another glance she turned and left the room like a general dismissing her troops. Both men followed her like well trained soldiers, each making a good job of ignoring the other's presence while walking side by side.
Rei struggled with a sense of disappointment and anger. Given the reception she had gotten from the Holden members, she knew she shouldn't have expected much, and yet somehow the cool dismissal stung. The woman hadn't even looked at her aside from that brief eye contact when she entered. To her, it was as if Rei didn't even exist.
If that's the way she feels, then why did she bother to fetch me from Japan?
From where she sat, Louisa coughed lightly. "Trish, help me up. I think I'll go take a nap before its time to get ready for dinner." She told her daughter and held up one arm for the woman to assist her.
"Well, wasn't that interesting." Tory said with satisfaction and threw Rei a gloating smile the moment mother and daughter had left the room.
"Yes obviously someone had thought far too highly of herself. It would have been much better if you had just stayed where you were." Marcia observed with a dry voice, voicing Rei's inner thoughts before she glided out of the room.
"You know if I were you, I might seriously think about asking Bentley to send something up to the room instead of going down to eat dinner with the rest of the family. Trust me, honey even old Martin won't be giving you much support now that Madame has given her verdict." Tory told her sweetly from the threshold before closing the door after herself.
Rei figured it was a good thing the woman had disappeared that quickly or she would probably have been likely to punch her. She had thought that Tanya had been the most obnoxious and hateful woman she had ever had the displeasure of meeting but after today she realized the top position was quickly filling up with people.
Just what the hell were these people's problems? Were they always this rude or was it just some kind of a special treatment for her? And why? What has she ever done to any of them to deserve this? She didn't even know them. Or was it because of her father? Were they doing it for his sake?
The thought of them carrying on the silent battle that she'd been having with her father for years now, made her even angrier. Just what right did they have to judge her? They knew nothing of their relationship. Granted she might not have been the world's greatest daughter but then again he wouldn't have won any prize either.
Who else but him would ask his secretary to pick up birthday and Christmas gifts for his daughter? Who else but he would send his assistance to celebrate his daughter's birthdays because he was caught up in "important" meetings? Where was he when she was sick and needed someone to take care of her? Where was he when she woke up from a nightmare and needed comfort? Where was he when she got singled out at school by the other girls because of her strange abilities? What about the first time she got her heart broken?
She could add so many things but what was the point? The man was dead and she would never get the chance to find out the answers to her questions. Because she could feel the familiar hollow feeling grow within her at the thought about her father and it only agitated her, Rei forcefully pushed aside all thoughts about her father.
To cool herself, Rei decided to take a walk outside. The fresh air and the serenity outside beckoned her and she figured the chances of her meeting up with unwanted persona – which in this case would be everyone in this household – would be minimum. She couldn't leave, as much as she and everyone else for that matter wanted to, she was not able to leave until after the funeral. The moment she had left Japan her fate was sealed and she was forced to see this to the very end. Despite everything, he was still her father and like she told Marcia, it was her duty as a daughter to be at the funeral.
As she walked along the well mowed lawn close to where the terrace ended and the garden began, the cell-phone in her purse started to ring and vibrate at the same time. Because she recognized the music, having programmed it to ring especially for that person, Rei wore a smile that transferred directly to her voice when she answered. "Hey snail, finally decided to call me back now huh?"
"I'm soooooo sorry, Rei. It became later than I expected. I didn't want to risk waking you up, since I knew you would be leaving for your trip." Mako told her with a sheepish voice.
Rei rolled her eyes heavenwards. From the sound of Mako's voice, she could almost imagine her wearing a slight blush to go with that dreamy look that was no doubt painted on her eyes. What the hell where they? Animals? They've been married for four years now and their daughter nearly as old too. Shouldn't they be tired of each other by now? It's just sex. While enjoyable it's hardly that addictive.
When she told her childhood friend that, she got a snort in reply. "That's what you think. You just haven't found the right one yet. Believe when that happens you'll know the difference."
Rei mentally shook her head. There she went again. Mako was a firm believer that each person was just a half of a whole being and once you found that second half of you, you would be complete. To Mako that person was Nathan and Rei had to admit that they did complete each other very well. Two lost souls roaming the earth searching until they found home in each other. But that was just in their case.
"Well enough said about me. What about you? How did it go?"
"Remember that schooltrip we took to Okinawa back in high school?" Rei told her dryly. "Let's just say I would rather take that one again than be here."
"Ouch. That bad, huh?" Mako's voice was all sympathetic at hearing her referral to what they had dubbed amongst themselves the trip to Hell. In Rei's case it had gotten so bad that she came back with her left arm in a sling. She had refused to take a trip anywhere outside of Tokyo for years after that.
"What happened?"
Rei sighed and sat down on one of the many marble benches that were strewn out along the garden and started telling her friend all about the welcoming committee that greeted her. Like a true friend, Mako was outraged on Rei's behalf. She spent next few minutes after Rei finished, ranting and raving on the other end and giving a good and vivid description of what she would like to do to teach them some manners, especially Tory. The mental image of seeing Mako hang that snotty bitch upside down over a burning pyre, had Rei grinning.
"Of course we could always ask Ami to come up with more sophisticated methods of torture." Mako added as an afterthought.
"I doubt we need to go that far." Rei told her wryly. Ami for all her harmless look and peaceful attitude did have a frightening fascination towards knifelike objects ranging from scalpels to ancient ritual daggers.
"Ok. But still don't let them get to you too much, hon. They're probably just jealous of you. I doubt they would have dared to behave the same way had the old lady been around."
Jealous? Why would they be jealous of her? No, once again Mako was galloping on her wild horses. Rei didn't choose to dig further into that department. "I doubt that it would have made any difference. Mako, she didn't even acknowledge my presence when she saw me. She just completely ignored me."
Rei hadn't meant to mention the last part but somehow the words came tumbling out on their own and with them came also the hollow feeling in her chest and the stinging in her eyes.
There was a brief silence on the other end and then Mako said gently. "Would you like me to come and get you? I can be there in two hours max."
Because the offer was sincere, completely daring – since the drive would normally take at least four hours - and so like Mako, Rei couldn't help but to laugh as she felt her spirit lift.
"Thanks but no. I might cash in that offer in the future though."
"Anytime, honey. Don't push yourself. If you feel like you can't stand their offensive presence later tonight then just call and the rescue team will come."
"You have no idea how much that means to me, Mako. To hear those words." Rei told her sincerely, a wistful look on her eyes. "I'll use them as my source of strength as I endure this place. But I can't leave. I have to see this through."
"I know." Mako said simply understanding her in a way that only those sharing a strong bond of friendship could. "Just remember, no matter how bad they treat you, you'll always have people who love you outside of that place."
Leaning backwards, Rei studied the sky, a content smile dancing across her full lips. "I know." Mako was right. She shouldn't let them get to her. After all they meant nothing to her. Her real family was out there waiting for her. She had her grandfather and Ami waiting back home in Tokyo and she had Mako, Nathan and Grace just four hours away. And those were the people that counted. Not the bunch of snotty people in that mansion behind her whom had spent the last sixteen years of her life ignoring her.
"So tell me how's my goddaughter doing? Any new antics?" Rei asked deciding to change the subject to something far brighter and closer to her heart.
She got a loud snort in reply. "I tell you she's turning into a monster. You know she just painted our walls with red lipstick? I have no idea how she managed to filch my lipstick but the whole hallway, dining room and music room is filled with happy suns. I'm just glad she didn't manage to reach the entertainment room before I got hold of her. I can just imagine the explosion Nate will have if he discovered his beloved stereo systems wearing makeup. Not that she would get the brunt of it. Oh no I'm the one who will be listening to his moaning for the next few weeks then."
Rei's shoulder shook as she laughed at the girl's inventiveness. Actually she wouldn't have minded to see Nathan's face turn red as he contained his anger in front of his daughter. If anyone was a sucker for those doe eyes, it was Nathan. He was already spoiling her rotten.
From the main house, Jay watched the Asian woman sitting on the bench by the garden laugh in delight, her face lightning up and a complete abandonment surrounding her as she talked on the cell-phone.
Studying her from afar, he had to admit Marcus' daughter looked quite lovely. He hadn't noticed that the first time he saw her, partly because he had been too angry thinking she was another one of those scams trying to make a quick buck and partly due to the fact that her eyes had always been afire with anger. But as she sat there in her white dress with her long hair spreading out like a raven cloak down her back, her face warm and alight, surrounded by the very colors of spring, she did make quite a picture. She looked like a woman who was clearly enjoying the surrounding nature as well as the company. He wondered who it was that she was talking to. It must be someone close to put that kind of expression on her face.
Jay felt a tug of envy as he watched her. He wouldn't have minded a dash of fresh air and the company of a friend himself. It certainly beat where he was at the moment.
As if on queue, the stern voice of Madame's drifted from the background and cut through Jay's musings like a rapier. "Jay, are you finished with your daydreams yet to focus on the problem at hand?"
Taking his time, Jay turned from the window where he had spent the last five minutes lounging while the rest of the room hatched on the problem at hand and looked at Madame. He could feel all other eyes trained on him and he could sense the smug look Frederic was casting his way but he chose to ignore him and the rest as well as he met the matriarch's eyes steadily.
"I told you before my take on the whole situation, mam." He told her calmly not even surprised that the look that used to terrify him as a child no longer held the same power over him. He didn't know whether it was because he had gotten used to that look or because of the path he had chosen to take which would lead him to be her opponent. One could feel admiration and respect for an adversary but not fear.
Madame's lips turned into a thin line as she studied him, a reaction created either by his reply or his attitude; either way the bottom line was it didn't please her.
"Well I expect you to get some results. I want to know how in the hell Tridell could once again snatch a large contract like that from right under our nose. My contacts in England told me everything was settled and all that was left was a formal meeting before they signed the papers. Tridell wasn't even among those approached by the Brits."
Jay shrugged. "The project was hardly a secret. Tridell must have worked through channels of their own, to acquire a meeting. It's a bit unethical in the business but hardly unheard of."
"Well I want to know who their contact is over there and how they managed to yet again to be one step ahead of us and whether or not there is a leak among us." The last was said with a hard slap against the smooth mahogany surface making several eyes twitch in reaction. They were all used to this kind of forceful commands by now to control their bodies from jumping.
"If there truly is a leak among us, I want that leak plugged. Understood?" It was a rhetorical question.
"Darien is working on that." Jay informed her. "Hopefully he might have some information for us tomorrow."
Madame nodded her head in approval. "That boy has a good head between those shoulders and he should ferret out any information in London fast enough."
From the corner of his eyes, Jay saw Frederic's lips tighten in dislike and he felt almost like letting the smugness show on his face.
While only a year younger than Jay and Darien, the difference in skills between them and Frederic was always been apparent even as children. The fact that it won the appreciation on Madame's part never did sit well with younger man. To him it was bad enough that he had to compete with the Jay, whom in his eyes had no right to even be involved in the family business but the fact that an outsider like Darien Shields, also managed to capture the matriarch's eyes and worse advanced faster than him in the company, was a pure insult. He had made that known plenty of times; to both of them, though wisely never in Madame's presence.
"Martin, have you managed to find out more background on that company, like I told you to?"
"Only as far as Grant Maxfield being one of the key-figures." Martin made a face.
"Grant Maxfield doesn't have the resources to build Tridell that fast. He must have others backing him up."
"If he has his old man backing him, he could. Adam Maxfield is considered one of the most powerful men in this country." James pointed out mildly from his seat, opposite Madame. It was the first thing he had said since they entered the room.
Since he preferred the role of an observer in these kinds of meetings and only spoke when there was something of importance, all attention was keenly focused on Jay's grandfather.
An elderly man nearing eighty, James Arlington was the epitome of a British Gentleman, though his family had long since lost the title go to with it.
"Aye, but Adam Maxfield doesn't deal in construction business. His area of expertise is in high tech. Besides he is known for his harshness when it comes to his sons endeavoring on businesses outside of his own empire. He threw his elder son out when the boy refused to join his business." Madame snapped.
Snowy white hair crowning a classical handsome face, enhanced the rich blueness of his eyes as they met the flashing eyes opposite him with a mild interest. Any other man would have been offended at rudeness but James only took it in his stride. "That is true. But a man can change with the years. Maybe the estrangement between him and the older son had made him realize the errors of his ways. The boy did prove him wrong. Besides from what I recall on the brief encounters I've had with Adam, he always did favor Grant. It is worth checking out."
There was a long silence as Madame seemed to mull over his words then she snapped. "Frederic, look in on that."
"Yes, mam." The man in question replied with an unreadable face. "If I may say so, I think its worth checking out other sources as well. I could - "
"We've already established that and no just concentrate on ferreting out whether or not Maxus has any connection to Tridell and use the rest of your time to gather up a press conference. No doubt this shit has already hit the media by now. I want damage control."
"Yes, mam." Frederic replied with a sullen tone. It was obvious he didn't like being told to do his job.
If the old lady noticed she chose to ignore it, instead she focused her attention on the others. "Like I said, I want to know as much as I can about this Tridell company as you can dig up. All the key personnel, all their current building projects as well as their upcoming and prospective ones. I want them all. Once or twice can be a coincidence but they've taken on our turf too many times now to be anything but that. If Holden Inc is what they're after then they have a hard battle coming ahead. Martin, keep on following the money trace. Jay, don't loose any more projects. So get to work."
Like a general who had dismissed her soldiers they all left the study, all except for Terrence who was held back by his mother. The rest of them all went in their different stages of emotions. Frederic was stalking out his long strides easily carrying him away from the rest of them in moments. For once Jay shared his feelings. Madame's reprimand of him loosing another project really galled him but unlike Frederic, he had a better control of his emotions; feelings that he could easily vent with a few good laps in the pool.
Martin on the other hand went about as usual. Nothing in his manners or expressions revealed any sort of resentment or frustration for that matter. Then again he might not be affected in either way. He was a man who took things in strides be it in business or personal crises, the only one Jay had ever seen being able to ruffle him any way had been Tanya.
"Jay, you going back to the House?" James asked as he headed for the right towards the doors that led to the terrace.
"Yes."
"Then I'll join you, for a short bit. I would like to take a walk along the garden before dinner. Exercise will do these old joints wonders." James told him and easily fell into steps with him.
Being able to read people was a skill Jay learned a long a time ago and while some were more difficult to read than others, like his grandfather, he thought he knew the old man well enough now to understand his intention to speak in private.
He waited until they reached the end of the terrace, far enough from eyes and ears to pick up what they said – Marcus' daughter was nowhere in sight - before he spoke up. "So what did you want to talk to me about, Gramps?"
"Don't let what Maxine said get to you. She was agitated and when she is like that she has a tendency to lash out at people. She did not mean that you did a bad job." He was referring to Madame by her real name. Of everyone she knew, he was the only one who was allowed to do that.
Jay looked at his grandfather from the corner of his eyes. He knew he shouldn't have been surprised at how well the older man knew him but it still amazed him.
"I'm not angry at her. I'm angry at myself. I should have been more prepared. I should have seen it coming."
The thought of the obnoxious trio that exited the meeting room right when he and Darien were to enter, still made his blood boil. The smirk on their face, should have warned him that something was a foot but he had taken it as arrogance on their part. There could be no way anyone would be able to match their offer and their price, not without loosing money. They had done a lot of work and research to make sure they gave the best price and conditions by scouring their network and acquiring the most suitable people for the project given the budget. Aside from the design the most time and effort had been put into acquiring the contractors for this project. And yet somehow Tridell had managed to snatch the project from right underneath their nose.
"There's no way you could have known that without having your own moles in that company." James told him and clapped in him gently on the shoulder.
Jay turned to look at him. "So you do believe there is a leak among us."
James nodded his head. "I might not be involved in the business anymore but I still have enough knowledge about it to make my guesses."
The reminder of James' so called retirement of Holden Inc, sent another surge of anger through Jay. "There's no reason why you shouldn't be involved." He disagreed and shifted the jacket in his arms. It was a gesture born out of aggravation rather than necessity. "You helped to build it."
James studied his grandson, his keen eyes taking in the hard profile, the blue flames in his eyes and the slight stiffness in his shoulder and sighed. "Son, we've had this talk before. The company might have been partly mine once but it no longer is. I made that choice ten years ago when I sold my shares to Maxine."
Jay stopped turned to face his grandfather. "It's still a part of you. You can't deny it or else you wouldn't still care so much about what's happening to it."
James shook his head. "The company I helped to build, no longer exists. From the day it changed its name into Holden Inc it took on another route. From being steered by the combined dreams of mine, Fred's and Maxine's, it became her dreams. She polished into the star it is today. The caring I have towards the company today results from the two of you not from any old sentiments on my part. It is because I know how much it means to the two of you and I want to help you through this crisis."
"You're wrong. The company became a success because of the combined dreams of all of you. It's true that Madame made the company grow but times are changing. Her dreams are no longer enough to keep this ship afloat as the competition keeps on tightening. If she wasn't so set in her ways she would realize by now that yours and Marcus' ideas might fit the company's image better." Jay argued, the frustration he felt lacing his voice.
While he understood his grandson's dilemma, James also understood his love's point of view and worst of all he sympathized with both.
Jay was young and daring, his mind filled with ideas and plans on how to expand the company and bring it from the state of non-growth that is had been in for the past few years. James had been young too and understood the need to show the world its worth. Some people claimed that being born with a golden spoon in one's mouth was something to be envied but what they didn't realize was that it brought along other problems such as proving to oneself and others that one did have skills too.
And yet with age came also wisdom. To have put that much time, effort and passion into building an empire, James could understand that Maxine was not that eager to loose it all on daring ventures such as changing the company's state of mission. Nor did she give up her dreams that easily. To a patriot like Maxine, helping countries to build their landmarks was the most important part even though they rarely generated much revenue.
The difference in opinions had led to several heated exchange between Jay and Maxine recently and he suspected would lead more in the future until they finally settled it. Both were extremely stubborn.
One thing was sure however, he was not going to let either of them drag him into this.
"If you truly believe that then I wish you luck, son. However," He added and put a hand that was surprisingly strong on the young man's shoulder. "before you venture any further think carefully of your motives. Are you doing it because you truly care about the company and you believe in yourself or are you doing it because you still hold the notion that you need to fight back my claim on the company? If it's because of the latter then I can tell you right now to stop."
"And why is that? The company belongs as much to you as it does to her." Jay pointed out stubbornly.
"I sold it." James told him gravely.
"Because you needed the money to bail out dad. She shouldn't have taken advantage of that. Once you managed to put your economy back in order she should have offered to sell your shares back to you."
James grabbed Jay's other shoulder his blue eyes intent. "That's enough. I won't have you speaking that way about her. Do you hear me?" He warned. "You have a lot to be grateful, both you and your sister. Maxine has been more than generous with the both of you and I won't have you talking in that disrespectful tone to her or by God I will give you a sound beating no matter how old you are."
The threat didn't bother Jay. While he only topped his grandfather with a few inches in height, he outweighted him with at least twenty pounds. But the heat was something else though. The old man rarely showed any temper even when Jay had been a troubled teenager who came to live with him. But on those rare occasions that he did, that was when Jay knew he had gone too far and should back off.
Satisfied that he had gotten his point through, James' features softened. "Now go get yourself cleaned up and rested. I'll see you at dinner."
Knowing that he wouldn't get any further with his grandfather Jay nodded his head in acquisition and resumed his walk towards the main guesthouse, leaving the old man to enjoy his stroll on the wide grounds of Holden Manor.
If the old man thought the matter was settled however, he was in for a big disappointment. Jay was not about to give up that easily.
James could deny it all he wanted but Jay knew him better. For a man who loved as dearly as he did, James Arlington never forgot or let go that easily. Especially not something that he had helped to build with his own hands. No the reason he didn't want to claim the company back was because he put another person's feelings ahead of his own. Because he knew how much Holden Inc meant to Madame and he loved her too much to ever want to hurt her like that. So instead he was the one who hurt, by taking on the role of a silent observer even though Jay knew how much he wanted to be part of it all.
I'm sorry, Madame. I know I owe you a lot. But I owe Gramps more and if I have to choose between the two of you, well there's not much choice in that.
Though he had to admit he did regret having to start making his move at a time like this. The death of Marcus was a serious blow to Madame but Jay could not afford to sit back and watch any longer. The loss of the project in London only proved that it was time to act. Whether Madame liked it or not, Holden Inc was heading for a storm and Jay intended to see to it that they emerged from that storm stronger than ever.
Dinner at the Holden family seemed to be an endeavor held in silence. Aside from the casual clicking sound of silverware against fine china as the members ate, there was hardly any sound at all. The solemnity in room reminded Rei of a funeral. The fact that everyone, aside from her, was dressed in black only emphasized that feeling for her. It was enough to chase away any appetite that she might have had.
Twirling the silver spoon on the bowl of soup in front of her, Rei cast a studious glance around the table.
She was seated at one end of the table with the old harridan Louisa facing her. She might have changed for dinner but her mood was just as foul. In fact she spent most of the time complaining about the food making a pest out herself with the poor servants. The soup was too cold, heat it up. It was too warm, cool it down. The vegetable was too hard, how did they expect her to chew on that without breaking her teeth? The food had too much oil in it her doctor specifically told her to stay away from oily things. It was not good for her cholesterol. In the end her sister had tired of her complaints and told her to either shut up and eat or leave the table. The harsh words had stung, one could see it in the flash of her eyes but she got a comforting squeeze to take away hurt from her table partner, Jay who was seated between her and her daughter.
Trish was pale and silent and seemed to shrink even as Madame snapped. Rei felt sorry for the woman. She seemed not only whipped by her mother but from what she could see not many had high thoughts of her, including her to children.
Rei moved her eyes further down the table where the twins, Louise and Dean were seated next to each other and sandwiched between their mother and Frederic. They were the same age as Rei but acted at least five years younger. At least Rei felt old when she was around them. Before dinner the two of them had quarreled like teenagers calling each other names that people in their age didn't use anymore. At least that was before Madame had shown up. Then they had both quieted down and turned into robots.
As if sensing her eyes on them, both looked up and glanced at her. Louise's green eyes were guarded and slightly challenging as if marking her territory. Dean's on the other hand was cocky and a slight smile danced across his lips. Rei looked away and forced herself to hold on to the spoon instead of making a gagging gesture. Great, she had caught the eyes of a hormone driven boy. That is just what she needed. The very fact that he was second cousin of hers made her skin crawl as he felt his eyes roam over her.
Help came from an unexpected place when she felt a warm hand gently touch her hand. Rei looked up to her left and met the sympathetic blue eyes of James Arlington's. Seated at the short end facing Madame, he looked very much like a patriarch with his silvery mane of hair, well cropped mustache and dark evening suit.
Without a word, James shifted his eyes towards the end of the table. There was a commanding look in them that impressed Rei and even more so when she actually could feel Dean's eyes lift from hers. When first introduced to James Arlington just before dinner, Rei had been cautious of him, finding his warm attitude and friendly manners quite suspicious after the tenth degree the rest of the household had given her. Some of her questions had been answered when he had asked her to be his dinner partner and led her to the very end of the table farthest away from where Madame was sitting. No doubt the old woman couldn't stand to have Rei too close to her and asked him to do a favor for her.
If Rei had harbored any doubts about how her father's mother felt about her, the seating arrangement certainly made it clear to her. Flanked by her son's on each side with her daughter in law and niece in law coming up next and Frederic and Terrence's two children taking up the line it was like a seating arrangement that showed the family tree and Rei was obviously the cut off branch.
In truth Rei hadn't minded the seating arrangement. Even with Louisa's complaints she'd rather sit in the company of the people at this end rather than the other. Especially when she realized that there actually might be a true friendly face around.
Looking up at the gentleman that had come to her rescue, Rei gave him her first warm smile since she entered the house. She had to admit at first she was taken off guard and then against her will charmed by the wink she received in reply.
There was a slight commotion to Rei's right.
"Reggie, eat up your food." Marcia told her son sternly and brought the plate that the boy had pushed aside back in front of him.
"But I do not want to eat, Mama. The food does not taste like anything." The boy complained.
"Hush and eat it up." Marcia reprimanded and began cutting up his food. Her movements were slightly jerky, no doubt from the pressure of having all eyes around the table on them.
Reggie shook his head stubbornly. "I want to have pizza. You said I could have pizza when I finished my homework on Monday. That was three days ago. I don't want to eat this tasteless food anymore."
"Sweetie, we'll have it another night okay? Be a good boy now and finish your food. It's good for you."
"No, you've been saying that for the past nights. I want pizza now!"
"Pizza wouldn't taste so bad actually compared to this sop." Louisa observed and stabbed at the meat in front of her.
"But what about your cholesterol, mother?" Charmaine, Louisa's younger daughter pointed out dryly from Rei's right. A woman with vibrant red hair that looked positively dyed, Charmaine was the absolute opposite of her sister. Where Trish seemed to be a mouse afraid of her own shadow, Charmaine was vibrant and vivacious. While dressed in traditional black, her dress was anything but conventional with a neckline that showed off a large amount of cleavage and enough gold decked around her to resemble a Christmas tree.
It seemed all hell has broken loose with Reggie's resistance movement. The silence broke and people started conversing. Marcia, Terrence and Reggie were having a battle of will over Reggie's choice of meal, while Tory gave encouraging cheers from the sidelines. Louisa, Charmaine and Jay were discussing Louisa's diet. Dean and Frederic were talking cars. Dean was giving Frederic an account over his thrilling ride with his friend's new sports car. His twin was talking clothes and beauty tip with Terrence's older daughter Alicia across the table. Martin and Trish were the only one who were silent and kept on eating their dinner though they kept stealing glances at the matriarch by the end of the table. The woman in question kept eating her dinner as if she was oblivious to her whole surrounding.
"Why aren't you eating my dear?" James inquired softly, keeping his voice low.
Rei glanced up at the man. "It seems I don't have much of an appetite tonight."
"You aren't feeling well?" Concern laced his voice.
Not wanting to worry him, Rei quickly came up with an excuse. "Oh no, it's not that. I guess I'm just more used to the Eastern kitchen that's all."
It was only after she had said the last word that she realized just how loud she had spoken. As her luck would have it the conversations around the table had just managed to die out a moment before due to Terrence's loss of temper at his son's defiance.
Rei slowly turned her face and just as she suspected all eyes except for young Reggie's were fixed on her. The boy in question was too busy hiccupping to notice anything. His dark eyes were slowly watering and pooling as tears gathered and even as he fought valiantly the first escaped him and then another.
As he began to cry, the attention was once again diverted from Rei. Marcia tried to hush the boy while the others looked on with a mixture of sympathy, resignation and annoyance. The sound Reggie was making grew the more his mother tried to hush the boy and it didn't help matters when the father tried to help. His effort only frightened him even more and the boy's volume increased until it started to hurt the ears.
"Enough, boy!" Madame's voice cut through the noise like knife, silencing the boy but not stopping the tears. "Marcia, take him upstairs and fix him up." Madame told her daughter in law with a disgusted tone. "If he doesn't want to eat the food that is served on this table then let him starve. That'll make him think twice the next time and perhaps be more grateful of what he has."
Marcia's lips tightened at the harsh command and instinctively clutched her son closer to her. One look from the old woman though had her lowering her eyes murmuring, "Yes, Madame."
She led her son out of the dining room.
"Now," Madame continued. "if there's anyone else here that has something to say about the food then they're welcome to leave the table. Nobody is forcing you to stay." She pointedly looked at her sister. The woman in question grumbled a sullen response but stayed where she was.
When those violet eyes turned to her, Rei felt her whole body tensing in response. Anger surged through her like molten lava. Rei shook away the warning hand that James has put on her and slowly set aside the napkin on the table and rose to her feet. She felt all eyes trained on her but the only one she acknowledged was the one who had issued the challenge to her, as she met them stare for stare.
The rest of the people here might jump at her beck and call but the old woman was about to find out that Rei wasn't about to fall in line. Like Madame has so clearly made it obvious since Rei's arrival here, she was not one of them.
"If you would excuse me, I find I've lost my appetite." Rei broke the eye contact and turned to the table in general. "It must be the time difference and all. Gentlemen," she inclined her head towards James. "Ladies." She added in a less friendly tone as her eyes met Tory's.
Then with a last defiant glance at her grandmother, she turned and left the room, feeling strangely enough like she had won the first round.
The clock on her night stand told her it was nearing midnight. Yet Rei found herself unable to sleep. She tossed and turned a few more times, trying to find a comforting position but it was impossible. The bed was way too soft. It felt like no matter which way she tossed or turned she would end up in the middle of the bed. She knew it was just a figment of her imagination, but she felt like she was being swallowed up by the mattress, as she sunk further and further while the soft sides crawled up to bury her.
Frustrated, Rei threw off the covers and rose from the bed. She pulled aside the heavy curtains and was momentarily struck speechless by the sight. Situated at the back of the great mansion, she had view of the stone terrace, the wide steps leading down to the garden and the spectacular ground that stretched what seemed like for miles, bathed in the moonlight. Her eyes were drawn to the small lake where the reflections of the moonlight and stars danced. The tranquility pulled at her.
Acting on impulse, Rei changed from her night clothes and threw on a pair of hacked off jeans and a sweater. Treading lightly on worn sneakers, Rei snuck through house. Soft light bathed the long hallways, the kind of dim light that gave enough to make it unnecessary to fumble in the dark and not hurt the eyes. The house was quiet as she moved along, but she could see lamplights shining from different rooms telling her that several others were feeling restless. Still she was happy she didn't stumble on to anybody as she moved down the stairs and exited through one of the French doors at the back. It was bad enough that she felt like a thief in the night without having to be actually mistaken for one too.
The night air was cool and caressed her like soothing balm. It smelled crisp and fresh enough to make her inhale deeply in enjoyment. With light steps, Rei trotted towards the lake, cutting across the well managed lawn. She wasn't much of jogger, having always preferred marshal arts as her choice of exercise, but she did enjoy a good run now and then when the mood struck her. And tonight, the exercise added a sense of freedom to her that she quite enjoyed.
Stopping at the very edge of the lakeside, Rei rested a hand against a thick trunk of oak and surveyed her surrounding.
The lake wasn't large. It was probably one mile to the other end. There wasn't much of a beach either. Tall grass and moss grew close to the edge, tall thick oak trees spread out along the lakeside with a neat measured span that spoke of careful planting rather than the work of nature itself. The sound of washing waves as it splashed against the sides, along with the song of cricket made Rei sigh in peace. Now this was what she called the beauty of nature. Not the well manicured lawn or the planted rose bushes and flowers, or the well kept hedges. This lake, with the tall grasses, the stones, the reflecting moon on the water surface and the star filled sky accompanied by the songs of the cricket. This was true beauty.
"Quite a night, isn't it?" A voice suddenly said breaking the tranquility of the night and making her climb straight into the air. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you. I thought you would notice me any time now." Jay told her sheepishly once her feet were firmly planted on the ground once more.
He was sitting on the grass with his back leaning against the tree to her right. Dressed in dark clothes he melted enough into the background for Rei to have missed him. A six pack was lying next to him and from the empty bottles lying facedown, Rei could see he had been there for a while.
"Drowning your sorrows?" Rei inquired with an arched brow, ignoring his reference to him scaring her.
Jay smiled wryly. "If it was my intention to get drunk, Heineken is hardly what I would choose. Not effective enough. No I just wanted some fresh air and decided to enjoy the evening and the beauty here with a cool drink. Want one?"
Rei hesitated. Her initial suspicions of anything nice coming from any member of this household warred with her basic need for something to drink. The two chocolate bars she had eaten in her room to substitute for the dinner she had left behind, was making itself known. In the end her needs won over her suspicion and she moved closer to take the beer he offered and took a swig. Beer might not be her chosen beverage, being more of a wine person but the coolness against her warm throat was certainly enjoyable.
Sensing his gaze on her, Rei said grudgingly. "Thanks."
His lips quirked slightly. "No problem."
Leaning against the tree facing him, with one leg bent and the sole resting against the rough wooden surface, Rei quietly studied the bottle in her hand. "I don't mean just of the beer but for earlier as well."
"You mean with the grilling?" Jay raised a brow sardonically. "No problem. Besides I figured one funeral for the family is enough. If they had gone any longer you might have been likely to kill them."
Rei's eyes went blank. "What do you mean by that?"
Seeing her face, Jay cleared his throat. "Sorry, bad joke. I didn't mean to bring up some bad memories for you."
"You don't know anything about my feelings for my father." She told him evenly and pulled herself upright. Having had to deal with one too many accusations and presumptions of her relationship with her father today, Rei was feeling fed up with it. Suddenly finding the place not as appealing anymore, Rei said. "If you'll excuse me I think I'll retire for the night. Good night Mr. Arlington."
"Wait."
She ignored him and continued walking, but she had barely taken three steps before he halted her with a hand on her upper arm. Startled at the speed he had shown, Rei kept herself still as she looked up at him.
"I'm sorry about what I just said. I didn't mean to sound insensitive and pry into your relationship with your father." He gave a sheepish grin but his eyes remained apologetic. "I don't why but it seems whenever I'm with you, you seem to bring out the worse in me."
Rei studied him for a while. His face did look genuinely sincere but she knew a good actor could pull that and something told her Jaycen Arlington was a very good actor. The question was why was he doing it? Maybe she was cynical like her friends sometimes accused her of being, but Rei just didn't believe a man could change his attitude from hostile to friendly as quickly as Jay Arlington unless he had an ulterior motive; men always did. Very well, she would play things his way for now. "Well that makes both of us. I don't often go around picking fights with people either no matter what you have seen."
Recognizing her signal of truce, Jay grinned down at her.
Rei's pulse jumped, much to her surprise and annoyance. After all she was twenty three years old and there was no reason for her to react like a silly high-school girl just because of a Colgate smile.
"Well we did start of on a bad note. How about we start afresh? I'll start by apologizing for nearly running you over with my car."
"I suppose I'll have to apologize for hitting your car." She told him grudgingly.
"You mean trying to vandalize it?" He corrected.
Her eyes narrowed in disagreement but seeing the laughter in his eyes, she found herself unable to resist his charm and felt an answering smile tug at the corner of her lips.
"Let me guess, you love that car?"
"She's my wife. Of course I love Vette."
Rei lifted her brows in incredulous disbelief. "You actually have a name for your car?"
Not the least of bit ashamed, Jay shrugged. "We all have our little quirks."
"Obviously." Rei commented and tried to put on a straight face. She couldn't wait to tell Mako about this. It seems Nathan wasn't the only boy who lived out his fantasies with his cars.
"So what do you say? Truce?" Jay suggested.
Rei looked down at the hand he was offering her. Strong capable hand and long elegant fingers. She could imagine it wielding a hammer as easily as a pencil and strangely enough both images fit well. An offer of truce from a man who her instincts clearly told her was after something.
Rei reached out and took his hand.
Heat seemed to leap up like a flame the moment their hands touched, startling them both. One moment the cool night breeze blew against them and the next they both felt like they had been licked by flames as warmth spread throughout their body.
Intrigued by the unexpected attraction he felt, Jay decided to test the water by leaning closer. He was more than a little satisfied when he heard she small catch in her throat before she quickly pulled her hand from his grasp and took a step backward.
"It's getting late. I had better go back before I find myself locked out."
No, the attraction wasn't just one sided and somehow the knowledge of that pleased him somehow.
"Sleep well." He told her as she started to walk past.
She gave him a suspicious look that had him laughing inside. He didn't know why but seeing her disconcerted made him feel even more pleased. She grumbled something in response and headed back towards the mansion.
Jay couldn't help it, he let out a laugh. He must be insane. But he was actually starting to like that prickly attitude of hers.
He watched her move with determined strides back to the main house, Jay mused at the sudden turn of events. He had to admit this had not been part of his plans even though he knew Darien had believed it was. The question was what did he do now?
From the second floor of the main house another man was watching the raven haired girl move towards the building. His eyes unlike Jay's though were burning dark with obvious dislike. Unconsciously his hand tightened on the whiskey snifter in his hand.
"Enjoying the view are we?" A voice said from behind with a sneer, grating on his nerves.
Letting the maroon velvet drapes fall once more over the window, Terrence gave his wife a disgruntled look.
"Shouldn't you be acquiring your prescribed ten hours beauty sleep, wife? We wouldn't want you to look bad in front of the reporters tomorrow." He sneered and let his eyes sweep over her in an insulting manner.
She was dressed in a dark blue silk peignoir, her body still exquisite lovely despite having given birth to two children. He supposed with enough money anything can be corrected and lifted. He wasn't surprised to find himself not the least of bit attracted to her even in that scanting dress to which he was sure she had chosen to wear for his sake.
A twisted smile danced on his lips. At first sight one would believe that Marcia Holden was a woman of great beauty and intelligence. But after being married to her for thirty years he knew her well enough now to know that everything was just an illusion. Beauty was something that had been bought with money and intelligence only went so far. When he had been younger he had been lured by that beauty and by that sexy body. He had followed her around like a puppy and given her anything she'd wanted. But he was older now and a lot wiser. What he wanted she would never be able to give him anymore nor did he want it even if it was offered to him.
"How can I sleep when you keep on prowling around here like an animal in a cage?" Marcia demanded and rose from the bed.
The moment she reached him, Terrence left and headed for the minibar. He saw her mouth tighten in displeasure and felt a sense of satisfaction. He was even happier when she chose to remain by the window instead of following him.
As he poured himself another four fingers of whiskey, Terrence eyed his wife from the corner of his eyes. He saw her lift the drapes and scan the grounds. He knew the moment her eyes spotted Rei because those dark eyes turned as hard as granite. She threw back the drapes over the window and whirled around to face him.
"So that's what's been keeping your attention. Enjoying what you saw? Did it bring back some fond memories for you?" She demanded with a loud voice.
Terrence set down his snifter on the table with enough force to crack the glass and it certainly made Marcia flinch. Striding over to her with three quick steps, Terrence grabbed hold of her arm and hissed. "Keep your voice down, woman or do you want to alert Madame about our situation?"
"I doubt that there's anything she doesn't know around here." Marcia retorted but nevertheless she did lower her voice.
"Whether she knows or not, you and I have an agreement. As long as we are in her presence we act like we are a married couple. Or you can find yourself a good lawyer."
All the blood in her face drained out. "You wouldn't dare!" She hissed. "You need me. As long as I'm married to you, you will get the chance to inherit part of the company shares. Without me you get nothing. That was the deal with Madame."
"Aye that's true." But not for long. Not if his plans came through. By then his inheritance won't mean anything anymore and he would not need any of them. At the moment though Marcia was right, he still needed her. Not as much as she thought but she could be of some use to him.
He let go of her arm and was pleased to see her rub herself there to ease the pain though he was careful of not letting it show. "If you must know," he told his wife with a grave voice. "I was wondering what Jay was up to. The two of them were standing by the lake for quite some while talking. They seemed to be getting along very well."
Marcia gave him startled glance before hurrying to the window. With her back to him she didn't see the displeasure in Terrence's face at not being taken for his word. Pulling aside the drapes she let her eyes sweep over the ground, squinting against the darkness and true to his words, she saw the blonde haired tall figure walk with easy steps towards the guesthouse.
"You think he's going to make a move on her?"
"We always suspected he wouldn't be satisfied with just working for the company. Not when his grandfather used to be one of the owners." Terrence told her and took a lazy swipe of his drink. "It was just a matter of time before he moved in on higher sites after he got promoted to head architect."
"But what would it accomplish to befriend that girl?"
Terrence received a thoughtful expression on his face. "Maybe he knows something we don't."
Marcia waited. Dread spread over her body like the cold fingers of Death.
"He and Marcus became quite close during the last few months."
Marcia shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. No he couldn't be suggesting that. There was no way Marcus would do that. No way at all he would betray her like that.
Rei strode back inside the house, fuming inside. The target of her anger was the arrogant blond man that she had just left behind, but the source was mainly herself or more to the point her reaction to him. Being hit on by a man was not something new to her. From the moment she hit puberty she had received a lot of attention from the male sex. No what she couldn't understand was why she had become flustered instead of bitch-slapping him to high heaven which was what she normally would have done. She had actually babbled for pity's sake! She hadn't done that since she was ten years old.
Good thing for him, he hadn't laughed at her. If he had so much as cracked a smile, Rei swore she would have killed him right on the spot.
Rei let out a mental scream. It was all the Holdens' fault. How was she supposed to be able to keep up her normal indifferent composure towards ardent men when she was both mentally and physically exhausted after half a day of butting head to head with the entire Holden clan?
And just where the hell was she?
Rei stopped in her tracks and looked around her surrounding. The long hallway looked different from the others she had passed earlier on her way out. Instead of wallpapers, the walls had been plastered with wooden surface with carved panels. No painting or tapestries decorated the walls only lamps which had been left unlit. The only source of light came from the moon, which seeped through the large windows. The smell of flower hung in the air and dashes of orchids could be seen here and there gracing crystal vases, that shone eerily in the darkness.
Looking down one end of the hallway and then the other, Rei was still not able to jaunt any recollection of having ever passed this way before.
Great. This was just great. She was lost. More proof that the Holdens were not good for her state of mind. She never got lost.
Well there was no way to it but to return the same way she had came from. The house couldn't be so big that she wasn't able to stumble back into familiar surroundings sooner or later. Now she only had to pray that she didn't stumble into anyone in the meantime.
Rei turned and was about to move away when she heard the faint sound of music drifting down the hallway towards her. Cooking her head slightly she strained her ears to listen but the sound was so faint she couldn't pick up on the notes except that it seemed to come from a piano.
Curiosity pricking at her, Rei headed for the direction where the music came from.
She wondered who the person was who was playing the piano and with such passion. She didn't recognize the music but she was enough of a music lover to acknowledge a beautiful piece when she heard it. The notes were, classical, slightly romantic and hauntingly sorrowful.
The music stopped abruptly and silence hung heavily in the air.
Standing in the middle of the hallway with stinging eyes, Rei swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat. She hadn't expected to be so moved. It was a beautiful piece and made even more so because of the skill of the player. So engrossed was the player in the task that it felt like the music was an expression of that person's feelings.
As much as she hated to admit it, Rei was humbled to realize that there was in fact someone in the Holden family who far exceeded her in skills as a pianist. A person who had more passion than her.
AN: Hm I wonder who that person could be. ^-^ All the Holden members have been introduced so take your pick.
Well here's the update. I know I'm a bit late but hey I did manage to finish it before it turned september. ^-^ The chapter also became longer than I first anticipated and the problem with writing long chapter is it takes forever to revise it. Thank God I have a great beta who does that for me or this chapter would most probably be posted near Xmas. CC2, thanks for the help and especially for helping me keep Rei, Rei-like. =)
My thanks to everyone. To those of you who read this story and especially those who have left me your reviews. Your thoughts and opinion means a lot to me and helps me to improve this story as well as my writing.
So when is the next chapter coming out? Most probably no sooner than a month. Lately people have been kicking my lazy ass and telling me to stop neglecting Destinies. I came to realize that it has in fact been half year since that story has been updated, (where does the time go?) and my conscience is telling me its time to give it some attention again. Then again I don't decide what story to write my muse does, and she has a worse temperament than Rei. So who knows. I will however be adding a character index soon on this story to help lessen the confusion. Well til next time.
Cya!
Ps. Wyse, if you're reading this and Zoi-boy is not distracting you too much, then you should probably recognize my inspiration source for Ami's interest. ;)