Chapter 3
Angelus groaned as the pounding on his door woke him. Sitting up he quickly shook himself awake. Padding to the door he flung it open and growled at the person on the other side. Blinking he tried to focus on the woman standing in front of him.
"What the hell do you want!," he growled out expecting the person to react.
"What I want Mr. Keane is the rent," she said easily.
"No, no I paid the whole lease up front," he said with a note of irritation lacing his voice.
"Yes Mr. Keane you did and you're lease was up two weeks ago. Either you pay at least this months rent and the late fee or I will be forced to start eviction proceedings," the woman explained rather patiently.
"Six months already. Fine what do I owe you?," he asked realizing he never really paid attention to the rent before now.
"$800 for this month plus the $35 late fee," she said holding her hand out expectantly.
"Well I don't have it on me. I'll have to swing by the bank and drop by your office," he huffed.
"I'll expect you before close of business at five," she said then turned on her heel and sauntered away.
"Where exactly is your office?," he called out.
"6th and Vermont," she answered without even looking back.
Groaning Angelus made his way to the bathroom and turned the tap on. Splashing the cool water on his face served to wake him up. Groaning he turned the shower on then disrobed. After showering and shaving he made his way out of his building and to his new car. He'd leased the new jag last month and was quite happy with the decision. Pulling up to his bank he hopped out and quickly grabbed his wallet out of his back pocket. Leafing through he quickly pulled out his ATM card and slid it into the machine. Punching in his numbers he was soon greeted with a non sufficient funds message. Angrily he made his way into the bank.
With his head hung low he made his way out of the bank and to his car and started the short journey to his mother's house. He had no money and he just couldn't fathom why. Although he hated to go crawling back to his mother he saw no other way. Making his way up the walk he groaned upon spotting his sister frolicking in the garden. Briskly he made his way through the front door relieved when his sister didn't spot him. His mother as usual was lounging in the sun room.
"My son you've returned," she stated flatly as she sat her book down.
"Yes mother I have. I've been thinking about your offer," he admitted.
"You have, have you?," she questioned.
"Yes does it still stand?," he asked.
"Yes I suppose so. You can stay here and help care for Dru," his mother offered.
"I need money mother. I'm dating Willow Rosenberg," he explained.
"Ah Miss Rosenberg, I did not think her to be your… ah type," she mused.
"Well out of them all I'd have to say she is the closest to it," he explained.
"Let's see… Dru has school Monday thru Friday from eight until two. She takes the buss so she doesn't get home until 2:35. As of late I've had to forgo many of my social gatherings. If you can watch her from the time she gets off of school until say seven that would be wonderful. You can have Saturdays, but Sunday afternoons you would need to care for her as well," his mother explained.
"And money mother?," he questioned.
"Of course you would be compensated for your time. I'll give you one of my visa cards to use," she offered.
"Wonderful mother," he gritted out.
Angelus had been adjusting as well as he could for his circumstances. His little sister was delighted that her big brother was there, but in all honesty he could not stand being around her. He hardly understood any of what she said. She was always chattering on about the moon and stars talking to her. His only solace were the days he spent fucking Darla until they were both utterly exhausted. He had just finished doing exactly that and was now on his way to pick up Willow for another date.
Willow dutifully took Angelus' offered arm letting him lead her to his car. Sitting down she quickly buckled her seat belt and waited for Angelus to get in on the other side. Willow really didn't understand Angelus' interest in her. They had little in common and she really could not see her being his type. Honestly she did not see where their relationship was heading. They hadn't even kissed yet. Willow was also secretly dating someone else, however she knew her parents would not approve of the relationship. Looking over at his date he could see something was on her mind, but he chose to pay no mind to it.
Finally the end of the date had come as they drove in silence towards Willow's house. Angelus figured he needed to turn the heat up a bit. They'd been on numerous dates and had yet to have the first kiss. Angelus figured it was time to venture into the next stage of their relationship. Besides the quiet ones were always the ones to surprise you in bed. Pulling in front of the house Angelus draped his arm over the back of her seat and saddled closer to her. Willow immediately became uncomfortable at the closeness.
"So did you have a good time?," he asked.
"Um I suppose so I mean the club was kind of loud," she admitted.
"Yes they usually are. Perhaps next time we'll go somewhere quieter," he offered.
"Um yes that would be nice," she said smiling nervously.
"I want to kiss you," he said as his mouth moved closer to hers.
When Willow said nothing he took that as his invitation. Leaning in closer his lips made contact with hers. Slowly he brought his hand from the back of the seat to cradle her head. Coaxing her to open her mouth he explored inside. Willow tensed at the initial contact. Finally she pulled away opening the door as she stumbled out of the car. "I have to go my parents are waiting," she lied as she all but ran up the walk to her front door.
Angelus silently cursed himself as he started the engine and made his way home. She was too virginal he should have let her make the first move. He hoped he hadn't ruined his chances with her. He'd give her a few days to calm down then he'd call and apologize. Feed her some lines then get on with the dating. Perhaps he would just usurp and go to her parents asking for her hand in marriage. She seemed like the type of girl that would do exactly as her parents bade. Smiling to himself he knew he had the perfect plan.
Willow ran straight to her room grabbing the phone on her way. Dialing the familiar number she waited while it rang.
"Hey baby," she said into the phone.
"Hey," the voice answered.
"He… he… he… kissed me," she confessed.
"What? You let him?," the voice asked.
"No I… it happened so suddenly… I didn't like it," she confessed.
"You need to break this off. Tell you're parents about us," the voice insisted.
"I know… it's just… they'll never approve," Willow insisted.
"I don't care about approval Willow I only care about you. About us. I want us to be together," the voice insisted.
"I'll tell them I don't want to be with Angelus. I promise," Willow wailed.
"And about us. I love you Willow, but I'm tired of hiding us," the voice nearly screamed.
"Okay okay I promise I'll tell them just give me time," Willow pleaded.
"Alright I love you. See you tomorrow," the voice said more lightly.
"I love you too goodnight," Willow said.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Drusilla came bouncing of the bus singing in her annoying voice. However she did not come off the bus alone. A small blonde girl came chasing after her. "Dru sweetie you left your bag," the girl said as she followed her. Dru paid her no mind as she skipped past Angelus and into the house.
"Here I'll take it," Angelus said holding out his hand.
"Hi I'm Buffy," the girl offered as she handed over the bag.
"Angelus are you in my sisters class?," he asked his interest peaked.
"Oh no I just moved here and I'm volunteering a few days a week," she explained.
"Well thanks for bringing my sister's bag," Angelus thanked.
"You're welcome well I have to go," she said as she bounded back to the bus.
Angelus watched as she ran back to the bus. She was a fine woman specimen. Buffy? He would have to do some looking up on her. Perhaps she would make the perfect wife he mused to himself. Making his way inside he found Dru with her hand buried in the cookie jar. "Unh unh unh," he said as he wagged his finger at her. Dru began to pout as she pulled her hand out of the cookie jar.
"Dru who is Buffy?," he asked her.
"She's pretty and nice," Dru chattered.
"Yes she is what do you know about her?," he pressed.
"Doctor's daughter," she said simply."Explain more and I'll give you a cookie," he bribed.
"Dr. Summer's little girl. She helps us with our tasks," Dru said then held her hand out expectantly for a cookie.
Angelus quickly grabbed a cookie and placed it in her hand. Dru munched happily on the cookie then snuck another since her brother was paying no mind. Angelus figured since she'd just moved here that was why he had missed her when looking for potential wives. And since she was doctor's daughter then that would make her the daughter of an upstanding member of the community. Angelus smiled to himself as he tried to figure out how he would find out more about her. He figured he would need to take a more active role in Dru's schooling.