Tomorrow in your life
Chapter 5
"The chateau of flowers"
The trip to the Grandchester's villa or chateau (castle), as it was the case, was long and pleasant. They were talking of this and that and were listening to music and discussing about the song and the artist. They finally arrived at the villa. The gate was opened by a remote that Terry had in the glove compartment. He parked the car in front of the chateau and they walked toward the entrance. There were flowers everywhere, it was very beautiful. A butler opened the door.
- Hello, Master Terrence.
- Hello Miller, said Terry, this is Candice White Andrew. Miss Andrew is my guest. Is my family gone?
- Hello Miss Andrew, welcome to the chateau of flowers said Miller. About your family
- Can you ask the maid to get a guest room ready? You can take Miss Andrew's luggage… said Terry giving him the keys of the car.
- Yes but, Master Terrence… said Miller
- TERRY, TERRY! Shouted a voice
- But…who…? Asked Terry
- That's what I was trying to tell you, Sir. Your parents are gone, but your brother and your sisters…
- TERRY! Said two young girls running to him and hugging him on at the time
Terry hugged him kindly in his arms.
- Rose Anna, Anna Rose! What a nice surprise! I thought you were in Hawaii…
- Yes, we know! Said Rose Anna
- We changed our mind at the last minute said Anna Rose
The twin sisters; Rose Anna and Anna Rose, were identical. They both had black hair with streaks of blond highlights and blue eyes. They were very pretty. Candy was looking at them smiling.
- Girls, I have someone with me. This is Candice White Andrew… she's American. Candy this is Rose Anna and Anna Rose
- Pleased to meet you said the twins
- Pleased to meet you said Candy smiling
- From the Andrews of Chicago? Asked Rose Anna who was always interested in that kind of details
- Euh… yes said Candy
- Wow! Said Rose Anna
- Is….started Terry
- Hello said a young man's voice, Terrence… who is this delicious creature?
- Candice White Andrew said Anna Rose
- From the Andrews of Chicago?
- Yes said Rose Anna
- Richard Grandchester junior he said kissing Candy's hand, pleased to meet you Miss Andrew
- Pleased to meet you said Candy smiling and you can call me Candy
He kept Candy's hand a little longer in his. Terry seemed a little upset.
- Freckles, I'm going to take you to the guest room said Terry
- Ok…
They walked towards the stairs.
- I feel like making a u-turn said Terry
- Come on Romeo, it could be fun… Chateau of flowers? It's a pretty name, it suit it well
- Junior is going to be on you like a second skin…
- I can manage don't worry about me
- But I'm going to keep my eye on him
- Your sisters are charming
- I know, they don't feel threatened by me, like Junior…
They arrived in front of the door of the guest room. The room was big canopy bed. There was a desk with a chair with a computer.
- It's very nice said Candy
- Cook is making sandwiches and tea. I'll come and get you in 10 minutes.
- Yes, that's enough for me to freshen up she said
A few minutes later, they were all having tea in one of the Chateau's leaving rooms.
- Terrence said Junior, How is Elizabeth?
- We broke up, said Terry
- Oh… is Candy her replacement?
- She's a good friend said Terry, she didn't go see her family so I invited her…
- There's an N'sync concert said Anna Rose, it's tomorrow night, you want to come with us Candy? And you too Terry of course…
- Thanks, what do you say Candy, said Terry
- With pleasure said Candy
- We're going shopping in the centre of London, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus… you want to come with us? Asked Rose Anna to Candy, it could be fun
- Euh said Candy looking at Terry
- You can go, Freckles. But you have to be strong, they're unstoppable…
- You're not coming? Asked Candy
Terry looked at her, he saw her begging eyes. He didn't want to leave her alone with his sisters, but… shopping… he hated that! He will be with Candy, this time, it couldn't be that bad…
- Ok, said Terry, I'm coming with you. But we're taking the driver…
The twins and Junior were speechless. When they were going to get their stuff in their bedrooms, Anna Rose told Candy;
- Terry broke up with Elizabeth; you're his future girlfriend?
- Why are you asking that? Said Candy
- Because he agreed to come shopping with us… that's something he hates above all, said Rose Anna
- Oh… said Candy
- He must like you a lot, said Anna Rose
- We're just friends, said Candy
- That are falling in love…, said Rose Anna
- Junior likes you too, said Anna Rose
- That's all we need, another subject of trouble between these two! Said Anna Rose
Candy didn't really understand what the twins were saying. She took her purse and her cell phone.
They took the Rolls Royce with the driver. The backseat was big; the twins with Candy and Terry were sitting there. At the last minute, Junior joined them. He had to sit at the front with the driver. Terry at the back with the girls was telling them jokes and they were laughing. Junior only heard bits and pieces and was a little frustrated. He thought about Candy, her emerald green eyes. She was very beautiful, the freckles on her face… how did Terry called her? Oh yeah, Freckles, figures! He thought she was attractive, but he knew he was wasting his time; all you had to do is see the way they were looking at each other… Terrence…if she wasn't his girlfriend, she will be soon. But he could try just to get on his brother's nerves; at least he'll have his attention.
The shopping went well. The twins were surprised to see Terry so patient and happy while they were shopping. It's crazy what the presence of one person can do! They always did all the big department stores; Harods, Selfridges, Alders, BHS not to mention all the boutiques. Candy bought some souvenirs for Miss Pony, Sister Maria and her little friends. She also thought about Annie, Patty and Tanisha. She wanted to buy a present for Terry.
- Rose Anna, can you take Terry somewhere, I want to buy him something…
- Ok, no problem said Rose Anna
She took Terry away pretending she wanted his advice on something. Candy and Anna Rose went to get something for Terry. She asked for it to be gift rapped. She'll give it to him in good time.
Terry on his side, was with Rose Anna and he told her:
- I'm going to buy something for Candy….
He bought a present for Candy and asked for it to be gift-rapped.
"Those two are made for each other, they have the same idea at the same time! Thought Rose Anna"
Junior, to get on Terry's nerves, was behind Candy all day. They went at McDonald's to eat.
- This is for you Candy, said Anna Rose, we eat American food!
When they got out, they met Lizzie, Ethan and some of their friends.
- Hi Ethan, said Anna Rose with a smile
Lizzie looked at Candy and Terry with disdain. Candy and Terry didn't say anything and got out to go to the car, followed by Rose Anna. Junior and Anna Rose talked with Lizzie and Ethan for a little while.
- He's with her? Asked Lizzie to Junior
- No, they are just friends, but not for long
- Damn it! Said Lizzie
- What happened? I thought you had him in the palm of tour hand…
- Blondie arrived…
- I see, you tried to get rid of her and it backfired?
- You understand me so fast…
- I like Blondie…
- Not you too! Can you have her?
- And get killed by my brother? I've never seen him like that. He came shopping with us for her
- He hates shopping with a passion… he protected her at school too
- I can only get on his nerves by being interested in her…
- That's better than nothing, if she succumbs….
- Dream on Lizzie! Did you see the way they look at each other? Ok, I have to go…
Anna Rose was already in the car with the others. Junior arrived last. Terry was talking to Anna Rose.
- I hope the crush you have on Ethan is temporary
- Why?
- He's not a good guy said Terry
Anna Rose didn't answer. She liked Ethan. Candy was looking at her and looked at Terry. Should they tell her what had happened?
- You want to tell her, Freckles?
- Euh… to tell you the truth, you know the story better than me, I don't remember anything
- Ok…
Terry told them what had happened at the Valentine's Day party. The twins were horrified. Junior had an indifferent expression. But inside himself, he was saying;
"My God Lizzie, what a fool you were! Terry is never going to let her out of his sight!"
- That's why you broke up with Lizzie? Asked Rose Anna
- Yes, I couldn't stay with a girl that is so mean
- And dangerous said Rose Anna, poor Candy, I'm sorry.
- Thanks. I don't remember anything said Candy
Anna Rose was hurt by what Ethan did. Drugs?
- But I remember being really sad that a person could go this far to hurt me, just because I danced with Terry
She looked at Terry and he looked at her. You could feel the chemistry they had together. Junior looked at them and envied Terry.
" Friendship? Those two are very much in love with each other! Said Junior to himself"
When they arrived at the Chateau, another surprise was waiting for them. Terry's grandmother had arrived. She had received a phone call from her son, begging her to go look after the kids at the Chateau.
- Grandma! Said the twins kissing her
- They sent you to look after us, said Junior
- Well, hello to you too, Junior, said the Grandma
- Oh, I'm sorry Grandma, hello said Junior kissing her
- Grandma said Terry kissing her too
- Who is this charming young girl?
- Candice White Andrew said Terry, she's my guest. We go to the same school. She's American.
- Of the Andrews from Chicago? Asked the Grandma
- Yes, Ma'am. Pleased to meet you, said Candy
- Call me Grandma like everybody said the old lady
- Ok, Grandma, said Candy smiling
In Candy's bedroom, Terry was talking to her.
- I'm sorry, Freckles
- For what? She asked surprised
- Well, I thought I was going to find the Chateau empty
- Now we have company…
- And Grandma to play the police
- Two weeks…we're going to have fun, you'll see…
- It doesn't bother you?
- On the contrary, I like family atmosphere.
- Even with Junior?
- Try not to kill each other… is that why you're in boarding school?
- The tension between him and my step mom…
- But your sisters?
- They're great. I don't have a problem with them. Be careful with Junior
- Don't worry about me, and you're here to protect me, Romeo… by the way I have something for you…
- You take the words right out of my mouth! I have something for you…
They exchanged their gifts. Terry opened his; it was a personal organiser with a lot of games incorporated.
- If you feel like smoking, you can play this little game
- Thanks, Freckles he said smiling
She opened her present and discovered a emerald bracelet
- Oh my God, Terry! This is too expensive….
- It's the same colour as your eyes. When I saw it, I thought about you…
- Thanks! She said jumping to his neck, it's very beautiful
- It's funny that we bought each other presents…
- We're n'sync!
- Yeah…
Terry wanted to talk, but Junior who knocked on the door interrupted them.
- Can I come in? He said coming in
He knew he interrupted an intimate moment between them, he did it on purpose.
- You're already in said Terry dryly
- Candy said Junior, ignoring his brother; you want to play Monopoly with us? Grandma is asking it you want to join us
Candy hesitated a little. She didn't want to interrupt her conversation with Terry, but she couldn't disappoint the grandmother either. Terry understood what she was thinking and said;
- Of course, she's going to join us, let's go Freckles
Candy was sorry to have been interrupted… but she smiled and they went together in the leaving room to play Monopoly. Candy was used to the American Monopoly with dollars, she caught up quickly with the British version in pounds.
The next night, they went to the N'sync concert and they had a lot of fun. They met Lizzie and Ethan and their friends again. Anna Rose ignored Ethan who understood that Terry and Candy must have told her what had happened at the Valentine Day's dance. He cursed his cousin to have dragged him in her manipulations.
Candy was standing next to Terry when she heard a voice calling her.
- Candy, Candy? It is you!
She turned around and saw a young man looking and smiling at her.
- Tom? Said Candy running to jump at his neck.
He hugged her and turned with her in his arms. They were both laughing. Terry and the others were looking at them surprised. Terry had a twinge in his heart, he was jealous. Who was this young man? Why did Candy hug him? They seemed to know each other intimately.
- What are you doing here? Asked Candy
- I'm in Oxford for a year, what about you?
- I'm in boarding school, St.Paul Academy
- Boarding school? And you're at an N'sync concert? He joked
- It's the Easter vacations, silly! Said Candy smiling. I spending them at a friend's
- Friend or boyfriend?
- I said "friend"! Tom stop teasing me! Come here, I'm going to introduce you…
They went near Terry and the others
- Terry, everybody, this is Tom. Tom, this is Terry his brother and sisters and their friends…
- Pleased to meet you said Terry
- Hi, said the others
- Hi said Tom smiling
She walked away with Tom and continued talking.
- Wow! To find you here in London… said Tom, give me your cell phone number or should I say "mobile phone" like the British… we have to see each other before I go back to Oxford. I'm going to call you tomorrow, so we can arrange it, ok?
- Ok, here it is. I'll wait for your phone call tomorrow… she said giving him the phone number
- Thanks. Ok, I have to get back to my group. Bye Candy see you tomorrow…
- See you tomorrow…
While, Candy was talking to Tom, Lizzie saw Terry's jealous look.
- You know who it is? They look pretty close…
- Shut up Lizzie! Said Terry
- It's probably one her friends from Chicago said Anna Rose, then whispering in Terry's ear, it's you she wants, I'm sure of it…
Candy arrived and they went back home. They decided to watch a movie before going to bed. They watched, "While you were sleeping" with Sandra Bullock. Candy felt very sad. It was the last movie she had seen with Anthony. Tears started to come down her cheeks.
" Anthony, I missed you so much! " She whispered
The lights in the room were off, there was only the light from the big TV, but Terry heard Candy's whispering and turned around and saw the tears.
"She still loves Anthony!" He said to himself.
He didn't know that Candy was crazy in love with him. He decided not to make his big declaration of love. She was still thinking about Anthony, he was probably was going to get blown off…
In her bed, Candy continued to cry Anthony. Why was life so cruel? Why did Anthony had to die so young? Before he could finish school, work and marry the girl of his dreams? She took her laptop and started to write a e-mail to Annie, Patty and all her friends. She also wrote one to Romeo
Dear Romeo,
Long time no read! I've missed you! I'm sorry for my big silence, but I had to get over my emotions, physically and morally. Tonight, I felt sad because "While you were sleeping" was the last movie I watched with Anthony. I know that you heard me and saw my tears. I just wanted to clarify that it was the movie that brought me back to the cruel reality of Anthony's death. Life goes on.
Sincerely yours,
Freckles
But she didn't send the e-mail to Terry. She saved it in a file.