Loki woke up to the sensation of his orgasm thrumming through his body.
"Holy shit!" He panted. "Why can't I have more dreams like that?" Loki was grateful in that moment that there was an entire floor separating him from the Starks. He was pretty certain he'd been moaning in his sleep and God help him if Emily had heard it; or Daniel for that matter.
It was early, about 5:00 a.m. Loki smiled at his accomplishment of waking early without an alarm. Rising early is a part of life in the Bed and Breakfast business. He got up, made himself a cup of coffee and listened to the morning news, all while sporting a very large smile on his face. When he heard the floor creak upstairs he pulled out the pots and pans and began making breakfast. One by one the Starks came down the stairs.
"Good morning everyone." Loki said. Mr. Stark groaned as he stretched and cracked his back. The bed was comfortable but he was getting old and was not looking forward to the long drive back home.
"What's for breakfast today?" Emily asked.
"Just pancakes, bacon, and eggs," Loki said.
"That's plenty. You're guests are going to be fat when they leave here," Pepper said.
"I wanted to feed all of you properly before the long drive,"
"I'm going to miss this place. The bathtubs alone make me want to stay here forever," Pepper said.
"Well, I want all of you to visit me again. Maybe Thanksgiving or Christmas? We could make it a tradition," Loki said.
"We'd like that," Mr. Stark said. "You know Loki, if you decide one day that this isn't for you, your old room is still available,"
"Thank you for saying so, but even if this business venture ends up an utter failure I think moving back in with you would not be necessary. I'll still have plenty of cushion to support myself,"
"It's not about money Loki," Emily said.
"I know, but I'm a man now and I need to stand on my two feet in all aspects of my life,"
"You'll do just fine," Mr. Stark gripped Loki's shoulder in a show of support.
After breakfast the Starks packed up their things and loaded back into the car. Though their departure saddened him, he also felt uplifted with the knowledge that his home would soon be filled with new people from all walks of life. Looking to the future was an uplifting activity.
XxXxXxXxXx
Loki filed into the pew next to a row of strangers. Loki kept an amused smile on his face, clutching his catholic rosary as he read the program for the only church in town, which was Lutheran. Everyone in the church looked at him with curiosity. The people in town had all heard about the handsome wealthy young man that had purchased the Maywood Estate.
Reverend McDowell was a short stocky ginger man whose eyes were too close together and whose nose was too big for his small face. However, despite his lack of outward beauty Loki felt immediately drawn to his inner beauty, for he had that in abundance.
"Today….we are going to talk about forgiveness." Reverend McDowell began. The church was small and hot as the people fanned themselves with their programs. Loki listened and thought about the man that killed his parents. He wondered if he ever could, ever would forgive. It was a dead weight crushing his chest that he wanted to let go. His fantasies of revenge were always at least a little satisfying. Loki had imagined the things he would do to the murderer. He could practically smell the blood and hear the flesh being crushed as the man was slowly pressed to death between two boards and the weight of hundreds of heavy rocks as they were added one by one.
Suddenly everyone was standing around him so he stood too. He followed along and sang a hymn. At one point the Reverend encouraged everyone to reach out and shake hands with someone they did not know. Loki was swarmed immediately. Quick greetings were made as Loki gave his name to several people who introduced themselves. They all smiled a little too broadly as they looked him up and down. When the service ended Loki lingered behind to speak with the reverend alone.
"Well hello there," The reverend said.
"Loki Laufeyson. I'm new in town," Loki shook the man's hand.
"So I heard. What brings you to our little town?"
"A business venture. I'm going to turn the Maywood Estate into a bed and breakfast. I was wondering if you'd post these flyers on your bulletin board for the church. I need to hire a housemaid, and a gardener. In fact, I wouldn't mind hiring the entire local football team to clean up the grounds of the manor,"
"I've seen those fields. You have your work cut out for you,"
"Yes, well I am forced to admit it is more than I can handle by myself. Are there any young ladies in town you would recommend to hire for the cleaning position?"
"I know a couple that would be grateful for the pay. They're dependable good girls that will work hard and show up on time,"
"That is wonderful. Please give them my number and have them contact me for an interview,"
"I will. So will I be seeing your face here at church on a regular basis?"
"Well, I am catholic, but the nearest church is 45 minutes away and this place would appear to be the social hub of the community. I'll have to think on it," Loki said. Really he wouldn't care about this little detail, but his mother was a devout catholic, and for her he keeps the faith.
"Well if you decide to become a member of our church, we welcome you,"
"Thank you Reverend. May I ask you something?"
"Yes of course,"
"Your sermon today, about forgiveness, have you ever been wronged?"
"Of course, but I suspect you are referring to something of great magnitude,"
"My parents were murdered 5 years ago. It was just before the start of my senior year of high school. They were shoved in front of an oncoming subway train and were killed instantly. To this day I still do not know why,"
"My condolences. That is a horrific thing to endure, but also all the more reason to heed my sermon,"
"There are things that I would do….unchristian things, if given the opportunity," He said.
"And would those things make you feel better?"
"Yes. Revenge feels good, and I want him to suffer,"
"Because you have suffered,"
"Yes,"
"Has carrying around this anger and hatred made you feel better? Made you feel good?" The Reverend asked.
"No," Loki choked back tears.
"Then let it go. Not for their sake, but for yours. For the preservation of your soul, let it go," He said.
"I don't think I can," Loki felt a tear roll down his cheek and wiped it away.
"Maybe not yet; but you are here for a reason and that time is coming soon for you. Forgive yourself for inflicting this punishment upon your heart. You will be ready when the time comes to offer that forgiveness to another," He said.
"Thank you Reverend."
XxXxXxXxXx
Victoria Albright squinted at the house as she approached it. It was beautiful on the outside, she had to admit but she still didn't like having to drive for hours to reach this place in the country when a grand hotel in the city had all the luxuries she liked. She wouldn't complain to her friends about this, however. They are the ones that wanted to come here to 'cheer' her up.
"Momma, I'm hungry." Joseph squeaked like a little mouse.
"Shut up! Must you whine constantly?"
Victoria sneered at the boy. She was well practiced in faking affection for him when she was around her friends. Her late husband had wanted to adopt when their attempts to conceive failed. That was a little over a year ago. Her husband died only 6 months after the adoption and she was saddled with Joseph. She'd only agreed to take in the boy because all of her friends had children and she was on the outs socially. Now she's a single mother. What powerful wealthy man wants to marry a single mother in her early 40's?
Four cars pulled up into the drive way and a tall beautiful young man stood at the ready to receive them. Victoria frowned as her friend's children went running into the house squealing with delight. Her son followed them, copying their example. She took his hand and tugged it hard to let him know her displeasure.
Getting checked in was chaotic as it appeared that the handsome young man was the only person available to help them with their luggage. With seven adults and five children, most of them had to carry their own things a flight of tall stairs. Once again Victoria questioned the appeal of a humble Bed & Breakfast hotel. The children all pointed at all the interesting paintings, stuffed animals, and pretty wall paper. All except Victoria's son Joseph who was meek and quiet, trying to be invisible.
"Here you are madam." Loki handed her the key.
"How quaint." She eyed the heavy wrought iron key. Her friends all appeared to love this detail about this place but to her she felt it was one more example of how this place was lacking.
"And here is the other key to your son's room. Both of your rooms are connected through the bathroom, which you will share. If you have need of anything let me know. I hope you enjoy your stay," Loki said cordially.
"Thank you," She said curtly. She closed the door to her room and began to unpack her bags as Joseph stood fidgeting and bored.
"Momma can we eat soon?" Victoria walked over and slapped him.
"Filthy little beggar. We'll eat when I say it is time and not before." She went back to unpacking their things as Joseph stifled his cry to keep silent. She'd trained him well. A knock at the door distracted her. It was her friends.
"Isn't this place amazing! And we have it all to ourselves." Linda said.
"Oh, Vicki your room is gorgeous. Look at this beautiful lavender theme." June said.
"All the rooms are different colors. Mine is orange, which sounds hideous but it is very tastefully done." Linda says.
"I can't wait to tell our friends at the country club about this little gem. I've already taken a couple dozen pictures with my phone." Mary said.
"I think my niece should consider this place for her wedding. It's intimate, remote, and will cost far less than any of the venues in the city. She could have the reception downstairs and the honeymoon right here." June said.
"What about the church?" Linda asked.
"There is a church in town. We can check it out and see if it is large enough." June said.
"Or the ceremony can be held outside if it is nice enough." Mary added.
"What about the rest of the guests though? Where will they stay once the party is over? This place isn't large enough to house all of them." Victoria pointed out.
"Oh yeah, well… there is that large chain hotel ten miles up the freeway." June said.
"That might work. Hey, let's take the children out back and the explore gardens. I think I saw a creek back there." Mary said.
"Where are your husbands?" Victoria asked.
"Oh, they are all in the library and they don't want to leave." Linda said. "It's filled floor to ceiling with dead animal heads and fur rugs." The women giggled.
XxXxXxXx
Joseph sobbed when the lights went out in his giant scary red room. Momma never lets him cuddle with her. He misses daddy. His new daddy had been very nice before he died. He should have pressed the numbers on the phone just like policeman at his daycare had taught him to do when bad things happen. He should have known daddy was sick when he lied down on the floor to sleep. Momma doesn't love him, not like daddy did.
"Haha haha." A child's giggle came in the dark.
"Tommy is that you?" Joseph sat up in bed, scared that monsters were going to get him. "You guys are going to get me in trouble. My mommy will be mad at me!"
"Stay in bed Joseph." A frightened woman's voice instructed. A light came from around the seams of the mirror on the wall and it swung open, revealing a bright green meadow filled with purple flows and the most beautiful horsey Joseph had ever seen. Joseph climbed out of his giant bed and walked to the opening.
"Pretty flowers!" Joseph smiled.
"Hello!" A little boy jumped up in front of Joseph. The boy was pure white, except for his eyes which were red. "Come play with us."
"No Joseph! Stay away from the mirror!" The disembodied voice warned again.
"I better not. My mommy will get mad at me." Joseph's little five year old voice trembled.
"GET BACK IN BED!" The ghostly female voice yelled. The albino boy growled at Joseph then, bearing teeth that looked like animal fangs. His boney white hand reached out to grab Joseph and the hand print seared an imprint onto Joseph's wrist. Joseph screamed.
"What are you doing?" Victoria clicked on the light and yelled at Joseph.
"Mommy! There was a scary boy in the wall and he tried to eat me!" Joseph ran and hugged Victoria's legs for comfort.
"You woke me up you little liar! Get back in bed or I'll beat you!" She snarled at him.
"No Mommy please!" Victoria backhanded him and the boy crawled away back into bed pulling the covers over his head. Victoria shut the door to the bathroom and went back to her room.
"Little brat. Ruined a perfectly good dream. I was in a meadow with flowers and a horse you selfish little shit."
XxXxXxXx
Loki smiled as he cooked up chocolate chip pancakes for the kids and served up smoke salmon, cream cheese and bagels for the adults. Orange juice and coffee was abundant and he poached up a dozen eggs for good measure as well, serving them with hollandaise sauce.
"You're a good cook kid." Mr. Cohen complimented him as he stuffed another forkful of eggs into his face.
"Thank you. I taught myself while at college. I even worked at a diner for a few months to learn some of my skills."
"It shows. The food is delectable and you have impeccable taste. This place is beautifully decorated. I must have instagramed at least a hundred photos to my friends yesterday." Linda Cohen said.
"Yes, and I thank you for that. I already have more reservations on the books because of that." Loki was pleased at how well his first night as a host went. He liked these people for the most part, except for that Victoria woman. She's cold as ice to everyone except her friends.
Joseph reached across the table to get more orange juice and knocked over his mother's coffee. The hot liquid spilled all over the table cloth and burned the poor boy's hand.
"I'm sorry Momma!" The boy yelled in terror.
"It's alright little man, I can clean that-" Loki started.
"You filthy little beast!" Victoria growled. She jumped to her feet and grabbed little Joseph and wrapped her hands around his throat shaking him violently. For a split second everyone was too stunned to move as the woman began choking the life out of the innocent child.
"Victoria! Victoria let go!" June screamed in horror, but Victoria would not listen. The other adults around her swarmed her to make her stop but he ran out of the dining room and then the front door heading straight for the road. The others gave chase.
"Fucking little monster! I hate you! You burdensome little bastard!" She continued to punch, slap, scratch, and abuse the boy as her friends pulled her off him. The commotion of her madness was so distracting no one saw the car approaching.
Jimmy Warner came round the curve in the road admiring the purple wildflowers in the pasture across from the Maywood Estate. His fully restored candy apple red Mustang was his pride and joy. So distracted was he by the bounty of nature that he did not notice the woman that ran directly in front of his car.