“Where are we going,” I asked a little annoyed and excited at the secrecy.
“Surprise,” he answered, climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.
It took us several minutes to reach our destination. I just recognized where we were heading when Adam pulled into the driveway of his house. So, that was where we were going.
I looked at him with a disbelieving gaze. The car rolled slowly along the driveway through the leafless alley. The grounds were of enormous dimensions. In all directions, there was park and even more park. After rolling for a minute, Adam stopped the car and cut the engine in front of the house. He got out and walked around the car to open my door again.
My face still felt frozen in a disbelieving mask when I got out of the soft leather seat.
Adam held out his hand, but I didn’t take it.
I followed him towards the front door which opened when we reached the stairs. A middle aged man in a black suit held it open for us.
“Welcome home, Master Adam,” the man greeted him politely and bowed. “My lady.”
“Good afternoon, Geoffrey,” Adam said in a friendly tone. He pulled me to his side by the hand and turned to speak to the man in black again. “May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Claire.”
I smiled at the man politely and lifted a hand to form a shy wave. “Hi.”
My voice sounded very strange—absurdly unrealistic—in the impressive entrance hall. My eyes were wandering up and down fascinatingly decorated walls and high ceilings. On the first floor a wide balcony was carried by four massive columns. A broad marble staircase swung its way down on the right side of the balcony to face the big wooden front door. The space to the left and to the right led to two big doors. The dark wood was decorated with delicate carvings.
The left wing of the left door was half open and the sun was throwing a long shadow in our direction. It was the shadow of a slender woman. I could only recognize her shape against the light.
“Mom,” Adam said with a smile on his lips.
He pulled me towards the woman.
“You could have warned me,” I murmured under my breath and nudged his ribs with my elbow.
He turned to face me. “Why?”
“Because we are standing in the middle of the White House.” It sounded more like a question.
Adam chuckled quietly and towed me along beside him. I could see the woman more clearly now that we were closer. Her reddish brown hair was pulled into a ponytail with light curls falling down to her shoulders. Her face was polite and friendly looking, but impossible to read. She was in her forties. A few wrinkles at the corner of her eyes gave away her age. I wondered if she had been expecting us. The skirt of the deep blue cotton dress she wore waved slowly around her knees as she took a step forward to kiss Adam on the cheek.
“Hello son,” Mrs. Gallager welcomed Adam warmly. “And this is—” Her glance shifted to my face and she read my expression with big brown eyes. Her lips curved into a polite smile.
“—Claire,” I answered quickly and held out my hand. “Claire Gabriel.”
She took it and nodded at Adam in acknowledgement. Geoffrey shuffled his feet behind us.
“Welcome to our home,” Mrs. Gallager said, her smile a bit warmer than before. “Adam’s already told us some things about you.”
“Only the good things, I hope.” The nervous feeling in my stomach started to transform into hysterical nausea. Why hadn’t he told me he was going to introduce me to his parents? Did he know I wouldn’t have agreed? And why the hell hadn’t he told me about the palace he was living in? I had caught a glimpse of it the day I had driven him home, but there had been no way I could have guessed the dimensions of the mansion. He—or his parents—had to be incredibly rich to own a place like this.
“Mainly that today is your birthday. Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Gallager.”
“Please, call me Jenna.”
“Fine then, Jenna.” We smiled at each other, and it felt like the ice had broken.
Jenna led the way towards a large living room. Dark parquet sparkled in the sunlight which fell through huge, white framed windows. Heavy wooden furniture stood against white walls, the contrast making it seem even more impressive.
“Please, have a seat.” Jenna said in her warm voice, showing me to a creme colored brocade sofa.
I sat down carefully. Adam sat down next to me, taking my hand in his. In his faded jeans and gray hooded sweater he looked just as out of place as I felt. My clothes were better, though.
Jenna sat down opposite me. She leaned back in the armchair and folded her hands in her lap. They were decorated with gleaming golden rings and clear crystal jewels. I could guess they were something more than polished glass.
“The tea, my lady.” Geoffrey set a tray onto the round wooden table and put down one cup for each of us plus two additional. “Master Christian has just arrived with Master Benedict.”
Jenna nodded while Geoffrey served the tea.
It was only a few seconds later when a tall brown haired man with a kind face appeared in the door with a boy of my age one step behind him. Both had the same boyish twinkle in their eyes I loved so much about Adam’s. But there was something more in the man’s eyes. They were fixed on me for a few seconds, wearing an expression of acknowledgement and recognition.
I couldn’t force myself to look away when I heard Adam exhale with a noise similar to a sigh. Had he noticed the man stare? What emotions had he felt? Could he feel my tension too? Before I could find an answer to my questions, he got to his feet, pulling me up with him.
“Claire, this is my Dad, Chris.”
The man strode over to the table and held out his hand to me. I shook it and smiled awkwardly.
“And this is Ben, my little brother.”
The boy was everything but little. He was a few inches taller than Adam and had a similarly muscular body, from what I could see through the tight black turtleneck he was wearing. His expression was rather unfriendly.
“Nice to meet you.” I said, unsure how to react to the hostility in Ben’s glare.
Chris smiled at me reassuringly. The strange gaze of recognition had vanished from his face completely, and there was nothing but pure kindness left.
“So you are the beauty Adam has been talking about all the time.” He nudged Adam’s shoulder with his fist lightly. His older son made an embarrassed face and kept holding my hand so tightly it seemed to me he was trying to squeeze a lemon.
“Why don’t we sit down and have some tea?” Chris suggested and sat down next to his wife, kissing her lightly on the cheek to greet her.
Adam pulled me back to the sofa with his tight grip.
Ben sat down on Adam’s other side, sneering at me. The tea was served and Geoffrey withdrew from the room.
“Adam told me it’s your birthday,” Chris started. I nodded once and looked down, feeling Ben’s gaze on my face. “So, we got you a present.” He handed me a nicely wrapped parcel.
“Er—thanks.” I didn’t know what else to say. The present was heavy in my hands. The wrapping paper was gleaming in a mixture of green and blue. I hadn’t expected to meet Adam’s parents that soon. I hadn’t expected them to know that it was my birthday—and more than that—I hadn’t expected them to give me a present. I was utterly distressed and I hoped Adam could feel how unbalanced the situation felt for me. I felt like Cinderella being introduced to the prince’s parents. And to make it worse—being presented with some crown jewels at the first occasion. Embarrassing. Wrong.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Jenna inquired with an expectant look in her eyes.
I looked at Adam for help. He nodded encouragingly.
“Go ahead, it won’t bite.” Chris joked. He flashed me such a winning smile I couldn’t help but smile back and move my fingers to open the present.
When I shoved aside the wrappings, the leather binding of an old book appeared underneat
h it. I turned it in my hands in astonishment and read the engraved title on its spine.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream, William Shakespeare,” I murmured. My hands glided over the uneven surface of the soft brown leather, marvelling. I turned the book over and over again and finally flipped through the yellowing pages.
“It’s an antiquity. I got it in London a week ago.” Chris told me.
“Thank you so much.” I instantly loved the book and the person who had given it to me. “This is amazing.”
“Never mind,” Chris answered with his lips curling into an even more friendly smile. “Adam told me you love books, and this is a classic, something you can read over and over again.”
“You should see her room. It’s overflowing with books.” Adam winked at me. Ben snorted quietly. I looked at him and earned a disapproving look.
Adam stiffened for a second and put his arm around my shoulder to pull me closer towards him. I wished I could feel what he did. I wished I knew why Ben didn’t like me. I remembered Adam telling me that Ben wouldn’t like me, but he had never told me why.
Geoffrey reappeared in the door, a tray with a big cake on it in his hands. He put it down in the middle of the table and handed me a piece of the delicious looking chocolate cake on a fragile looking china plate. “Happy birthday, Miss Gabriel.”
I couldn’t believe it. I was sitting in this awesome house—or castle—having tea with my boyfriend’s parents like I had been part of the family for ages. I suddenly felt oddly at home with Chris and Jenna, and especially Adam, around me. The only dark cloud in my sky of happiness was Ben, who was still looking at me from the corner of his eye, his gaze suspicious and cold. I shoved down another bite of cake, deciding to ignore Adam’s younger brother—for today at least.
Time flew by and the sun started to set behind the trees in the park-like garden around the Gallagers’ house.
Jenna and Chris asked me about school, about my sister and my work at the library. They were extraordinarily polite and friendly. I couldn’t help but like them. Adam squeezed my hand several times when he felt my strong emotions. He even kissed my cheek once, like he couldn’t express his contentment with my feelings any better. Finally he got to his feet.
“It’s time to let the dog in,” he announced and left the room.
“Antonio is in the garden.” Chris answered my questioning look. Only a few seconds later Adam returned with the dog at his heels.
Antonio trotted straight over to me and sat down at my feet, his eyes fixed on mine for a second.
“Hello friend,” I stroked his head several times.
“Adam was right, he really likes her.” It was the first time Ben spoke. His voice was rough and melodious.
I looked up at him, shocked. His face was a bit warmer now. I recognized similarities between him and Adam. His eyes had the same shape, though they were more blue than green. His hair was light brown, but seemed as untamed as Adam’s. His arms were strong and his shoulders broad like Adam’s and Chris’, though they were a little hunched at the moment. Still, Adam was the only one with dark hair.
Antonio already lay by my feet when Adam held his hand out to help me up. “Want to see the rest of my home?” He asked me with a boyish grin on his lips.
I had to give him that much—he had gotten me curious. I clutched my present carefully in my right hand and put the left into Adam’s waiting one. He pulled me to my feet so hard that I fell right into his arms, which cradled me to his chest for a second. He shook with laughter and I heard Jenna’s musical laugh and Chris’ chuckle.
“Give her a sightseeing tour, and don’t leave out anything, Adam.” Jenna called behind us jokingly as Adam led the way back towards the entrance hall.
When I looked up to the balcony I was overwhelmed again. Adam took my hand and slowly led me up the stairs.
I marvelled at the smooth surface of the white marble handrail. Hands must have glided up and down that white stone for over a hundred years or more.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, still astonished by all the grandeur.
“Didn’t tell you what?” He asked in return.
“That you are a prince and live in a castle. And that your parents are exorbitantly rich.” I snorted as I took in the size of the entrance hall from a few steps higher up.
“I didn’t find it important,” he said dryly.
“I mean, this is amazing.”
He looked at me, his expression accusing and bleak. “I didn’t think you were the kind of girl that is easily impressed by material goods.”
I picked up his mood and laughed. “Hey,” I brushed my hand across his cheek. “I’m not impressed. I’m shocked.” Adam’s eyes questioned my sanity, but I kept talking. “I’m more than shocked. I can’t understand why you didn’t tell me. It’s not your fault you were born the son of rich people. The house is—” I searched for words, “—well, amazing.”
Adam’s face fell.
“What now? Are you disappointed with me because I like it?”
“No…”
“What then?”
“Usually I don’t tell anybody who doesn’t already know. I want to be seen as a normal guy. I knew some people who wanted me for my money rather than my personality…”
“And now you think I’m the same.” I interrupted.
“Not really. I just don’t want to lose the girl I love to my parents’ money.”
“You should really show her the advantages of picking you before the money, then.” I teased and curled myself into his arms.
He smiled a disarming smile and pulled me closer.
“I’m already forgetting about the marble under my feet…” I murmured into his shoulder.
His hands smoothed away my hair from my neck and his lips pressed against my skin. I forced myself to breathe in and out slowly.
“You’re good—1:0 for you versus the money.” I managed to sigh the words before he pulled my face up for a long kiss.
“So, am I going to see the rest of this repellent building?”
Adam chuckled and towed me further upstairs onto the balcony and along the hallway.
He showed me the library. It was unmistakably filled with rarities from all eras that had been placed on heavy dark wooden shelves. Three dark green armchairs were standing at the far end of the room in front of the window, and opened books were lying on them. Heavy curtains were blocking most of the incoming light. It was too dark in here for my taste, but I liked the idea of tons of books.
We walked past four big—smaller than the ones on the first floor, but still big—doors. The hallway was lighted by big curved windows on both ends. The floor was covered by a strip of soft red carpet that left the view of a patterned marble floor on the sides.
“And here, behind that ancient door, is my room.” He hesitated with his hand on the handle and turned back to me. “Please, promise me not to be shocked again.” He winked at me and opened the door. Then he took a step backwards to let me in first.
His room was every bit as terrific as the rest of the house, even though the style was slightly different. It was as big as Sophie’s living room, with big windows on one side and a door that led to a balcony on the other side. The floor was old and made of dark wood. An enormous wrought iron bed was standing against the wall to the right. It was covered with simple red cotton beddings. The walls were painted in a cream color that matched the window frames. Curtains in a similar, but darker shade hung down to the floor beside the windows.
I walked over to the old davenport desk that stood between two of the big windows. It was covered with detailed ornate carvings. I recognized some flower-like shapes that wound around the edges and down along the legs.
“I don’t think I could live here. I would never find my way outside again.”
Adam laughed at me. “You get used to it.”
But to be honest—I liked his room. It was lighter than the rest of the house, not so pompous. Except for the ancient davenpo
rt desk and the heavy wooden doors that led to the closet it was a bit like him. It had style, it was beautiful, and I felt like I belonged here, like I did with him.
“You know what? I like it here.”
Adam was beside me, his hand playing with my hair. “I know.” He said the words musingly. “I feel it.”
I had to get used to it. I didn’t like how it still took me by surprise when he talked about what he perceived from the people around him, especially when he knew what I felt. The odd feeling of transparency knocked on the door again. It reminded me of what he had said about his brother. That he wouldn’t like me.
“What’s Ben’s problem with me?” I asked and sat down on the bed.
“I’m not exactly sure.” he answered with a crease in his forehead. “I’m positive that it’s got more to do with me than with you.”
“Why didn’t he talk to me then?”
“Hm—”
“You are the expert on other people’s feelings here.” I reminded him, half joking, half annoyed.
“I know, I know,” he defended. “I received his feelings when he first saw you.”
“And?”
“And it felt like he felt kind of attracted to you.”
“Oh.” I chewed my thumbnail and mused on what he’d said for a minute. “Why the hostility then?” It just didn’t fit.
“From what I could perceive, he must have been disappointed that he hadn’t met you before me …whatever. I won’t let him get a chance now.” His face was determined as he sat down beside me and twined his fingers with mine.
“I must admit that Ben really is good looking,” I traced his features with my free hand. “But nothing compared to you.”
I couldn’t believe that I actually saw Adam blush. It made me feel like for once I could see through him, too. And I instantly knew what he would perceive on the emotional frequency. I tried to calm down and breath evenly. Why couldn’t I be rational with him around me?
We let ourselves fall back onto the bed and I nestled into his arms.
“Tell me something about your family,” I said. “What do they do?”
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