Once Upon A Time
Chapter 3
"A surprising decision"
Once upon a time, William Albert Andrew became the head of the Andrew family, after his father's death. Georges Johnson, his father's right hand man gave him all the papers and a letter addressed specifically to him in his father's handwriting. Out of all the responsibilities he had to take, the one in the letter his father left for him, was the most important to him…
My Dearest Son,
Now that I'm gone, you're the head of the family and I'm sure you're going to do a fine job, since I taught you everything I know. I'm writing you this letter to inform you of something I did and the consequences it brought. I had an affair with a young girl, who wanted to become a nun. I know I was wrong, leading her on like that… And I'm not making any excuses for my behaviour. She found herself pregnant and I didn't want to hear it. When I finally realised I had an offspring out there, I tried to make amends with her mother, but she wouldn't hear it! "Her", yes, it's a girl and she looks so much like our dearly departed Rosemary. Her name is Candice Maria White. Since I was the only one who knew about it, I didn't put her in the original will. In the envelope you'll find an addendum to my will leaving her her part of our fortune. She's entitled to it, it's her birthright. If I hadn't been such a fool, I would've married her mother and raise my little girl. It would've been nice to have another little girl in the mansion, but what's done is done. Her mother is going to resist you untill the end. But take care of my little Candice and help her every time you have the chance. When she's old enough tell her the truth and whether she wants to or not, give her what I left for her. She can dispose of it if she wishes, but just give it to her. I also left a trust fund for Maria, her mother and I've pre-paid for some work with a construction company for the orphanage her and her mother take care of, as well as an unlimited monthly payments for the little orphans. I've change the name on the deed of the "Rockside Castle" into Maria's name so she won't have to worry about rent money. Just give her all the documents and tell her she can do whatever she wants with them.
I wish you good luck in running the family business and the family in general.
Goodbye son.
Your father,
William H. Andrew
Ever since he had read that letter, he had tried talking to Maria about moving in the castle his father had left for her without any success. But with Candy growing up and opening up to him, he was glad he could protect his little sister.
Since she was going to come on Monday for her job, he got Rosemary's room ready for Candy in case she had to spend the night. His Aunt Elroy was looking at him unhappy, when she went to see him in his office.
- What are you doing William?
- Getting Rosemary's room ready for my sister?
- Are you sure about this? Maybe that woman was lying…
- She was about to become a nun, Aunt Elroy…she was telling the truth, her daughter looks like Rosemary…
- Are you sure about that?
- Yes, she's my sister… She doesn't know the truth, I hired her as my personal assistant here at the castle…be nice to her!
- I'm not promising you anything! How could your father be so careless? Sleeping with a future nun, only to dump her when she gets pregnant! He should've married her!
- You would've agreed? Said William stunned.
- Well, that would've been better than having a hidden bastard child in town!
- Aunt Elroy, please don't call her that. She's the sweetest kid ever… and she's family…At least wait until you meet her… she's going to be at the pool party on Saturday.
- Fine, But don't ask too much of me…
- She's your niece…
- I'll be the judge of that!
Aunt Elroy left William's office. This last one couldn't wait to spend time with his sister.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy and Terry arrived in front of her house.
- This is it, thanks for walking me home…
- You're very welcome.
- My mother doesn't like me to socialise with the rich kids…
- So I can't call you on the phone?
- I'm afraid not…
- Can I see you at the diner tomorrow?
- I kind of quit my job, said Candy.
- Oh… why?
- Because I got another one…
- Oh… where?
- At the Andrew Castle…
- Really?
- William gave me a job, I'm starting on Monday…
- Oh…
- William invited me to the pool party on Saturday, I'll come with my friend Annie.
Terry felt bad when she mentioned William, who gave her a job at the castle and invited her to the pool party, after telling his nephews that Candy was off limits… then they were hugging… No, she wouldn't be so friendly with him if she were William's girlfriend…
- All right then, I will see you on Saturday, said Terry trying to smile, bye.
- Bye English, she said smiling.
Terry left and Candy looked at him go, unaware of Terry's hesitations. Terry wanted to believe that the warning was addressed to the members of the Andrew family only, but if Candy was his girlfriend, she was indeed off limits to him…
Candy went to her room, her mother and grandmother hadn't come back from the Pony home yet, and she called Annie and she talked about Terry for hours, explaining every single feelings she felt when she was near him…
- Oh my God! Said Annie, this time you're really in love!
- I know …I never thought I'd feel this way! Now I understand what our love novels are talking about, it's not that far fetched!
- I told you so!
The two girls continued their conversation until dinner time.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Terry went back to the castle. Eliza was waiting for him.
- Terry! Where the hell have you been?
- I went for a walk in town, said Terry.
- Alone? Said Eliza.
- Like a big boy, said Terry.
- Why didn't you call me? I would've come with you!
- I wanted to see if I can find my way and come back.
- You walked? Said Eliza surprised.
- Yeah… then I took the bus…
- You took the bus?! How savage of you!
Terry looked at her and shook his head.
- I didn't think the son of a duke would be riding the bus…, she continued.
- Well the son of the duke is learning a lot of things during this summer of punishment, said Terry a little irritated.
William arrived with the other boys.
- Terrence, Eliza, said William, since you're all here now, I would like to tell you that I invited Candy, the waitress on Saturday to the pool party…
- What? Said Eliza upset, why on earth would you do that?
- Because I want her to have fun in the pool, said William, I want you to be nice to her and polite. She's going to be working here starting Monday.
- What? As a maid? Said Eliza.
- Why would he turn his protégée to a maid? Said Neil.
William gave Neil the look.
- She's going to be my personal assistant, said William.
- Emphasis on "personal" said Neil ironically.
- And I expect all of you to treat her with respect, continued William, you can go freshen up before dinner.
William continued his way. The teens were looking at each other.
- She's going to be working here? Said Archie.
- Yep! Said Alistair, his personal assistant.
- That's convenient! Said Neil.
- The little tramp! She convinced him to give her a job, the next thing you know she's going to move in…, said Eliza.
They heard Aunt Elroy talking to a maid.
- Netta, she said, is the Rosemary Room ready?
- Yes, madam, I just need to bring fresh towels.
- Don't forget, they have to be pink like the room, with roses on them.
- Very well madam.
Anthony who had remained silent approached Aunt Elroy.
- Great Aunt, he said, why is my mother's room getting cleaned?
- Your Uncle William wants it to be his protégée's room from now on.
- WHAT? Said all the teens.
- This is too much! Said Eliza, Aunt Rosemary's room for that tramp?
- Eliza, said Aunt Elroy, would you please restrain yourself in talking about our guests in those insulting words…
- You're protecting his mistress? Aunt Elroy!
- Eliza! I am not going to repeat myself. Now excuse me, I have to go and freshen up before dinner. You should do the same and don't be late!
Aunt Elroy went upstairs to get ready for dinner. The teens were looking at each other and Terry didn't say a word. They all went to their bedroom speculating about Candy's relationship with William.
Dinner happened as usual and nobody talked about Candy… Even if everybody was burning to ask William hundreds of questions. But the master of the mansion had spoken and that was it.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Meanwhile, Candy's mother and grandmother were getting the table ready; they were talking.
- Maria, said her mother, you have to let her get used to them. Think about it, she needs to know the truth. She looks like his sister Rosemary who's also the mother of his nephew… what if that nephew realises that and he wants her, since they say boys like girls who look like their mothers…
- Mom... please…
- You know I'm right! The Andrews are a very big family, she might fall in love with a member of their family…
- You're right, that would be a mortal sin. Fine… but I don't like it!
- Well I didn't like you sleeping with the richest man in town but you did it anyway. Now you have to live with the consequences!
Maria didn't answer. Candy came out of her room to help out in the kitchen.
- Mom! Nana! Hello! Why didn't you call me?
- Hello little one, said her grandmother.
- Hi baby, said Maria.
- Mom, William invited me at the castle on Saturday for a pool party.
Maria looked at her mother who nodded.
- That's great, said Maria you can spend the weekend there and spend some time with William and his family…
Candy was flabbergasted! She usually had to beg her mother for stuff, especially when it concerned William Andrew.
- Did I miss something? Said Candy.
- I think it would be good for you to get used to the castle so you won't be too lost when you start your work on Monday…
- You really mean it mom?
- Yes….
Candy jumped to her neck!
- Oh Thank you ! Thank you so much mommy! I love you!
- I love you too. Don't worry about William, I'll call him and talk to him
- Thank you so much.
- Just be cautious, I don't want you to be those rich boys' toy! That's my condition. You don't go out with the rich boys!
Candy looked at her mother. What about Terry? Her mother was softening up, she'd better not upset her.
- That's fine mom, she said, I'll be there to work, not to go out with boys!
- Fine!
They had dinner in a happy atmosphere and Maria felt good to have made her daughter happy for once. Ever since her daughter was starting to get interested in boys, she was worried she would fall for a rich kid who would use her for sex…and only sex…
After dinner and after washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen with her mother and daughter, Maria was in her room calling William.
- Maria? How are you?
- I'm fine. What about you?
- I'm fine, what can I do for you?
- Candy told me she's invited to your place on Saturday.
- Yes…please don't stop her from coming…
- I won't on the contrary; I'm allowing her to spend the whole week end…
- What?
- She could spend the night, get familiar with the premises come back on Sunday night and Monday morning she's going to be ready for work…
- Thank you. Would you allow me to take her shopping in Chicago on Sunday after church? I'll tell her it's company policy…
- All right, don't spoil her…
- You're daughter is so humble, I don't think anything can spoil her! She's a very good girl… You raised her well.
- Thank you. About your nephews?
- I specifically told them she was off limits without telling them why…
- I hope they listen.
- They always listen to me…
- I'm trusting you with her, don't disappoint me…
- I won't. I will protect her with my life…Thank you Maria.
- If anything happens with one of your nephews, just tell them the truth!
- I won't let anything happen to her, I promise.
- She confides in you… I hope she'll tell you if she has any feelings for any of your nephews.
- I'm going to take care of her…
William didn't want to tell Maria, that Candy might be interested in the only boy who was not his nephew.
- Very well, said Maria. Good night.
- Good night Maria, said William.
He hung up the phone with a big smile on his face. He had Rosemary's room arranged for Candy like he knew she was going to spend the week end.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy was in her room telling Annie they were going to spend the night.
- Spend the night? You mean I'm going to spend the night in the Andrew castle in the same house as my dandy? If I play my cards right I should be making out with him by the end of Saturday.
- What if he has a girlfriend?
- Don't say that!
- I'm just saying, you have to be prepared
- I just want one kiss from my dandy and I will be happy for life!
- Just one?
- Yes, since he would never marry a local girl, just one kiss! That's all I ask.
- Ok…
- What about your "English"?
- What about my "English"?
- Don't you want to kiss him?
- Of course I do… but…
- Candy don't think, if he wants you, go for it! He was waiting for you outside he digs you!
- But all those feelings are scaring me. He's going to go back to England when Summer is over.
- The more reason to take advantage of your time together…if this is a Summer fling…go all the way!
- Annie! I'll go all the way only if I'm in love and married.
- From what you're telling me, you've fallen pretty hard for the English boy! Married? You're kidding right? He might go back to England and you're never going to see him again… you might talk on the phone…
- No, my mother doesn't want boys calling me, especially not them rich kids!
- So all you'll have to do it in secret... during the the time you might spend with him at the castle?
- Annie, stop saying that like that… the bible says everything you'll do during the night will be revealed in broad day light…
- Candy, it's the summer vacations, would you stop citing the bible? You've never felt like that before, and I'm sure you will never feel that way again! Don't waste your chance…
- You're right; I might never feel like this again. This is our last summer before we go to college and adulthood…
- I can't wait for this week end to live my dream?
- Your dream is to kiss the dandy?
- Yes…
- That's really your dream?
- No, I want to marry him…
- There you go! Make it happen…
- He would never marry me!
- Why not? You're a girl
- A local girl
- Annie you have to aim high, don't set boundaries on yourself. Tell yourself, anything is possible!
- All right! Said Annie, I will… the dandy is just a guy like all the guys… I can have him!
- That's the spirit!
The two girls continued talking and laughing. When they were done, Candy was on her bed thinking about Terry. She couldn't stop thinking about him, that's all she talked about with Annie.
" Oh my God, what is happening to me?! I love him… yes, that's love! There's no other explanation! Because I can't get him out of my head!"
I just can't get you out of my head
Boy your lovin is all I think about
I just can't get you out of my head
Boy it's more than I dare to think about…
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
oOoOoOoOoOo
In his room Terry was thinking about Candy and William…
"He probably doesn't want anybody to play with his protégée… that's why he doesn't want his nephews to go after her, but I was in the room too, so it concerns me too…but I can't stop thinking about her and the time with her on the bus was so fun…but why do I feel like I'm on a forbidden territory…because you are! Mr. Andrew specifically said to stay away from his protégée! I'm his guest, so I might as well listen to him…but I can't stop thinking about her and I feel so happy when I think about her! Oh girl, what have you done to me?!"
Girl, look what you've done to me,
Me, and my whole world,
Girl, you brought the sun to me,
With your smile, you did it girl,
I'm telling you girl, something unknown to me,
Makes you what you are,
and what you are is all I could ask for me,
and its good to feel that way girl.
Thank you girl, for making the morning brighter
girl for making the night time nicer
girl for making a better world for me.
Once upon a time, a boy and a girl couldn't stop thinking about each other…