Chapter 3

Written by Tita Calderón

Translated by Fay

While the Rolls Royce was approaching Lakewood, one of its three passengers was feeling a little cramping in his stomach. Certainly having spent several days without seeing her had that impact on him. He was well aware he had missed her in a way he had never missed anyone else.

Those long talks he had shared with her were impossible to be replaced, especially since only with her could he talk about any topic without it being taboo. It was true that George was a great friend, and his conversations were interesting, but it wasn't the same as talking with Candy. Archie was also very entertaining, but it wasn't the same as talking with Candy...It was different with her, so different as when he compared night to day.

Even the house seemed desolate without her, and even Chicago too. He could be in a meeting or in a restaurant surrounded by hundreds of people but he felt lonely and miserable.

Everything seemed so sad to him since Aunt Elroy decided to take Candy to Lakewood. He would have liked not to let her go with his aunt but a glimpse of sanity had allowed him to do that. The following day the news of their marriage spread like the wind over all of Chicago. The gossip went off and a great expectation arose in view of the imminent marriage of one of the most coveted bachelors in Chicago and the United States who belonged to one of the most powerful families, both socially and financially.

Even some of his business partners decided to ask him straight about it, and he answered sharply:

-"That's true."

To face the Council of the Ardlays was not so easy but he had taken his decision and nobody would make him change his mind. Not even Candy herself. That became very clear when they tried to make him give up that idea. He remained firm.

Undoubtedly, living alone during these years not only helped him acquire experience in life, but also forge his character. A character worthy of a leader.

But a leader has also his Achilles heel and his own was certainly Candy. He needed to talk with her about that decision which would unite their lives forever. Moreover, he had wanted that ever since that morning, but everything had become complicated. Now he hoped to have a little more time to do it calmly.

He looked through the window without paying attention to the conversation between George and Archie. The reflection of the glass allowed him to see his nephew's face. And he smiled as he recalled the moment when he had told him he would marry Candy.

...

Archie had returned from a trip to Los Angeles two days after Candy had left for Lakewood. He was very much surprised that Candy had gone with Great Aunt Elroy, especially as he knew that they didn't like to be close to each other.

-"Sit down, Archie," Albert asked him when he entered his study.

Archie had a million things to tell him but the most important was to know about Candy.

-"Dorothy told me that Candy has gone to Lakewood with Great Aunt Elroy."

-"That's precisely what I wanted to talk to you about," said Albert quietly.

-"I can't believe Great Aunt has taken her. Do they get along so well?"

Archie laughed just by imagining them. It was like trying to mix water with oil.

Albert looked at Archie for a moment and smiled at his words. He was right. Poor Candy...Or, he would rather say, poor Aunt Elroy; knowing Candy's character, surely she would give her a few more grey hairs.

He took a breath and folded his hands together. He didn't want to beat around the bush; the best thing was to go straight to the point.

-"Archie...I'm going to marry Candy."

-"What?"

Archie was sure he hadn't heard clearly.

-"I'm going to marry Candy," he repeated, watching his reaction.

Archie's eyes opened wide. He was puzzled for a few moments. He had never thought of that possibility.

-"I didn't know you were engaged," he said doubtfully, trying to hide how impressed he was by that news and trying also to remember if there was any clue in the past revealing that they were in love with each other.

Albert didn't know what to answer.

-"Well, actually we haven't been engaged for a long time," he said, not willing to say that they had never been engaged.

-"And don't you think you should wait a little longer? I mean, so that you would know each other better," remarked Archie.

-"I believe we know each other better than you think. We have shared many things."

He had never shared so much with anyone as he had with her.

-"Well, if that is so, then I'm glad for you. I know you'll be very happy."

-"Thank you."

Albert was sure about that...too sure and that frightened him...How could he be sure about something so sudden...?

...

The ride to Lakewood had been long, endless, exasperating. He almost couldn't believe it when he finally spotted the imposing entrance and in the background, guarded by huge trees, the great mansion.

Whenever he came to that place, his soul felt free; there was nothing like feeling close to nature at its best.

He looked at each detail that surrounded him with great enthusiasm. His eyes roamed over the large extensions of land until they reached the main entrance and the line of people in front of it. All the servants of the household were waiting for him.

He shook his head slightly in resignation when he realized that Aunt Elroy's formalities never ceased to surprise him. She had trained the servitude very well. They looked like soldiers preparing for the general's morning review. He watched them from afar, and he felt something similar to disappointment when he couldn't see Candy among the people who were expecting him.

Without giving up, he searched between the trees, and sharpened his sight trying to spot her, but he saw nothing.

The house seemed larger as they were approaching. He looked up to the third floor and then he distinguished something golden which made him breathe again. Some curls flowing lightly in the breeze confirmed that Candy was waiting for him. He smiled satisfied with that discovery.

He got off the car and after giving a slight smile to the people who were expecting him, he looked up, unable to avoid it. Those green eyes hadn't let him sleep all those days. And when he saw them again his heart began to beat loudly in response.

He politely greeted everyone; he knew the name of each and every one of them and some of their families. This kind of thing made all the servants greatly appreciate him.

Aunt Elroy, taking advantage of her nephew's distraction, turned to look for Candy. Not seeing her, she surreptitiously approached the first maid she found so she would ask her to go and search for her. But the moment she was getting close to the maid's ear to give the order, Candy appeared in the doorway, as if she had been there all along.

Candy had come down as fast as she could. She arrived out of breath at the main entrance. The butterflies in her stomach had taken over her whole body and mind. She didn't think anymore; she only acted instinctively. And her instinct urged her to run towards Albert.

When she reached him, the butterflies suddenly solidified, standing still, just like her senses. The contact with the blue eyes she had missed so much took her breath away and clouded her mind.

She blinked and ascertained that not even the blue of the sky was so clear as the blue of those eyes.

Albert gave her a smile that made her understand that he had missed her too. It was the smile she knew; a warm smile that made her whole body relax, something that made her forget the entire world.

Albert automatically fixed his eyes on her, forgetting what he was talking about.

-"Hello, Candy," he greeted her gently. "How are you?"

-"Eh...hello..."

She hesitated, not knowing why she couldn't say a word all of a sudden.

-"I'm...fine...I think..."

Since her eyes had met his, everything was definitely fine.

Albert looked at her carefully and he was taken aback. Her pigtails had disappeared and her golden curls were held by a ribbon. Could that subtle change possibly make her look more beautiful, more womanly? Her usual clothes had been replaced by others, more close-fitting, that let him see that she was no longer a child, but a woman with very defined curves. He swallowed hard. He needed a glass of water.

Ever since he had met her on that hill, Candy had awakened in him a strong protective feeling that was deeply rooted in his soul and grew every time he didn't see her. But now that feeling was changing into something else that stunned him. He looked away, trying to regain control of the situation. It was neither the moment nor the place for him to lose his composure.

He took a slow breath and focused again his eyes on her. He wanted to hold her in his arms and show her how much he had missed her. He took a step towards her, determined, but suddenly he felt vulnerable when he saw more closely her emerald eyes shining under her eyelashes. He caught her by the shoulders and felt her trembling slightly. He had scared her. It wasn't what he wanted. He approached her white forehead to place a chaste kiss.

Aunt Elroy hadn't missed a single detail from that first encounter. She noticed how her nephew's expression changed as he saw her; she could swear that his face softened. And certainly the smile Archie gave Candy didn't go unnoticed either by the old lady. That girl must have something that made her nephews be so kind to her.

-"Congratulations, Candy," said Archie as soon as he saw her.

That greeting made the two of them separate and seem somewhat uncomfortable. Candy turned her eyes to Archie distrustfully.

-"Albert told me the great news."

-"The news?" she stammered, bewildered.

-"You're getting married!"

-"Eh..." she faltered. "Thank you...but..."

-"Let's go inside," said Aunt Elroy.

Things were getting complicated, especially if Albert took that engagement for granted.

Candy threw a confused glance at Albert and he answered her with an apologetic smile.

Elroy Ardlay kept looking at them sideways and could discover a hidden emotion in them, something she couldn't define exactly. She didn't miss any detail either of how Albert led Candy to the living room, still hugging her shoulders lightly, a gesture very rare in him and at the same time very familiar between them.

That closeness revealed something to her which until that moment she hadn't realized. She looked away for an instant. That something was felt in the air. She raised an eyebrow while meditating.

-"How have you been these days?" asked Albert as they entered the living room.

Listening to his voice again, so close to her, was like music to her ears. How much she had missed that deep voice.

-"Fine."

She had another answer in mind: desperate, desolate, but she couldn't say that in front of everybody. Great Aunt's lessons had served to something, right?

-"Have you behaved yourself with Aunt?"

-"Yes."

No doubt the one who had behaved like a tyrant was Great Aunt herself. But now nothing mattered anymore since he had returned.

-"I'm glad. It's time for the two of you to get along well."

As if that was possible, Candy thought.

She couldn't wait to be alone with Albert. She had heard the timbre of his voice as if she were one of the mice in the Pied Piper of Hamelin. That voice made her feel alive. Surely it was because she had missed him so much.

They finished their lunch in the middle of a pleasant conversation.

-"All of Chicago does nothing but talk of your wedding," said Archie almost at the end of it.

-"They haven't stopped talking about that," added Albert with a smile.

Candy had barely said a word about it. She still didn't take that marriage for granted. What worried her most was how relaxed Albert was when dealing with that subject. She had thought he would evade it, but he spoke of it quietly, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

In the afternoon, when it finally seemed they were going to be left alone, the bell rang and the Brightons were announced. How untimely...

Albert was very comfortable talking to the visitors, sunk in one of the armchairs that allowed him to see through the large window. From time to time his eyes rested on the only blonde woman in the room. He saw she was distracted and restless. He knew her very well. He watched her as she kept playing with her fingers. And he could see the slight blush that appeared occasionally, especially when her eyes met his.

Mrs. Brighton turned her eyes from time to time to both of them. No doubt they were a beautiful couple...That way of looking at them revealed to her that there was a very deep feeling between them. She turned her gaze towards Archie and Annie. Archie was a very handsome boy too, but his charm and elegance were overshadowed by his uncle's. William Ardlay would definitely overshadow any man. He had a magnetism that attracted all eyes. And that voice could make anybody fall at his feet. Candy was so lucky...She surreptitiously let out a sigh of resignation. The fact that she was married hadn't taken away her eyesight and good taste, and any woman who had eyes to see couldn't help blinking with the president of the Ardlay enterprises so close to her. She had to admit that even she wondered what it could feel like to be in his arms. She'd better look at Madam Elroy to drive sinful thoughts away.

Candy participated very little in the conversation, especially because she didn't want to blunder as usual. And with Albert there, so close, the last thing she wanted was to behave badly. Whenever her eyes met his, she felt nervous...But since when did his presence cause that to her...? She definitely needed to have that talk with him as soon as possible... but when?

Annie and her mother decided to accept Madam Elroy's invitation to dinner for a change. Candy would have liked to put a broom behind the door so that they would leave.

She sighed in a resigned manner when she saw it was very late to have a talk with Albert, especially since George asked to see him for a few minutes. She took it for granted that she couldn't talk with him that night.

She looked at them sadly as they entered the library. He would never go out of there.

Candy went to her room and started pacing to and fro like a caged animal.

An idea had begun to set in her mind. Maybe she could sneak into Albert's room and wait for him to go up to sleep. But what if Great Aunt Elroy discovered her? She didn't even want to think of the scandal. For that reason things were as they were...

She was lost in her thoughts when suddenly a soft knock on the door made her heart stop.

Albert, was the only thing that came to her mind.

She abruptly opened the door and she couldn't hide the disappointment she felt when she saw the butler.

-"Miss Candy, Sir Ardlay wants you to go down to the library for a moment, if you have not gone to bed yet."

-"Of course; I'm going down right now."

Candy went flying. At last she could talk to him. God had listened to her prayers. Surely he wanted to see her there to prevent Great Aunt Elroy from making a scandal...It didn't matter where; what mattered was that finally they could clarify things once and for all.

She practically dodged the butler as she was running. It was fortunate that Great Aunt was not around.

She knocked on the door and a deep voice behind the wooden door asked her to come in.

Her smile widened before she opened the door but it vanished instantly when she found out that he was not alone; George was with him, and Great Aunt Elroy too.

-"Please come in, Candy," said Albert in a tone very different than that in which he usually spoke to her, as he made a gesture for her to take the closest seat to the desk.

Candy swallowed hard. She knew that something very important was going to happen.

-"Candy, I have the papers ready for you to sign."

-"What papers?"

Candy couldn't conceal her confusion.

-"The papers that annul your adoption," answered Albert, looking straight into her eyes.

Candy felt she couldn't breathe. It wasn't the fact that she would stop being an Ardlay; it was that as soon as she signed those papers, she and Albert would stop having a document that united them. It was something similar to a divorce. Surely that was how couples felt when they separated, she thought.

She remained speechless, hurt by the fact that Albert had done that without talking with her first. Maybe things were better this way.

She would sign those papers and leave that house that same night. She had just made her decision.

Without saying anything, she stood up and took the pen which was close to Albert.

-"Where do I have to sign?" she said in an impersonal tone, speaking to George who was standing motionless beside Albert.

That rudeness didn't go unnoticed by Albert. He looked at her steadily. Her face was tense and she was biting her lip. He couldn't understand that reaction of hers.

Candy signed quickly where George indicated her, and when she finished she extended the papers towards him.

-"Is that all?" she asked him, deliberately ignoring Albert.

George, somewhat intimidated by her excessive attention, looked at Albert trying to get his approval.

Albert nodded slightly.

-"Yes, Miss Candy, that is all."

Candy fixed her eyes on Albert for a few moments. Then she turned again to George.

-"May I leave?"

Albert saw Candy's indifference. There was no doubt she was angry.

-"Yes, Candy. Thank you," he managed to say, trying to understand her.

-"Thank you for everything you have done for me."

Her voice was almost trembling.

She turned around before Albert could discover that she was on the verge of tears.

-"Candy," he called her, having barely recovered from that sudden gratitude.

She stopped, holding the door knob, without turning to look at him, and waiting for him to speak.

-"This is only temporary, Candy. You know that, don't you?"

Candy said nothing; she just nodded and left the library.

She clenched her fists until she reached her room, while she kept repeating in her mind:

I'm not going to cry. I mustn't cry.

But when she entered her room and closed the door, tears overflowed her eyes. She turned the key; she didn't want anybody to come in. She turned and supported herself on the door; she couldn't stand anymore.

She heard footsteps approaching; she had better move away from the door. She walked towards the bed and practically threw herself on it. She covered her head to muffle the weeping that came out like a torrent.

The maid knocked on the door several times in order to help her change, but silence was the only answer she got.

Candy cried and cried, and even when it seemed to her that she had no more tears, she kept crying more and more. She had a feeling of abandonment and loneliness that squeezed her heart.

She didn't belong any longer to the only family who had given her a home, and now she was nothing to the only man who had given her affection in her most bitter hours. What was the point of staying there?

The mansion became almost completely silent as the night progressed.

It was the ideal time to leave. She packed her suitcase in the semidarkness; she didn't want anyone to notice her. She just took her treasures and a couple of dresses she had bought with her salary. She would leave the rest there, intact.

She put her coat on, took the suitcase and just like she used to do in the old times, she opened the balcony door very carefully, in order not to make any noise. She evaluated all her options and saw that the best one was the tree in front of her. She calculated the distance she had to jump, counted to three and threw herself towards it.

She stood still for a while, hoping that the sound of the leaves colliding with each other wouldn't wake up anyone. She couldn't be too careful.

She descended a little more and when she had less than three meters to reach the ground, the sleeve of her coat was caught in a branch she hadn't seen.

She struggled to get it loose without making much noise, but it was too entangled in the branch. With all the strength of her hand she pulled it hard and at the last moment the fabric was torn, causing her to lose her balance. Without knowing how, she started falling on her back, with nothing to hold on to.

During those seconds her fall lasted, she could see her whole life passing through her mind in an instant, and Albert was in the most part of it. Only Albert...She would never again look into his eyes, she thought with sadness. Now she just had to wait for the blow of all her weight against the ground, but instead of that, two arms received her with agility, preventing her head from being fully stamped on the rough surface.

She opened her eyes, completely astonished, not only because of the scare, but also because she hadn't fallen as she expected. And she met a pair of blue eyes that were looking at her with a mixture of anger, anguish and terror...

-"Albert!" was the only thing she could stammer...

To be continue…


Author's Notes:

Thanks to Fay for the translation of this chapter.