William Jarvis - Sky Valley 03 - Mayhem at the Mansion

by William Jarvis

  “Sorry, honey, the dead can’t really help the living.” Annabeth said. “Now go back where you belong. You have a puzzle to answer.” She pushed Emmy and she felt herself spiraling. She felt so dizzy, she had no idea where she was going. She tried to scream but no sound came out.

  And then she woke up. Once again, she woke up in a pool of sweat with a huge feeling of dread. What did that dream mean? What were Ruby and Annabeth trying to say?

  Who can she trust? Who should she be careful with?

  She took a deep breath. She did not know. She really did not know.

  CHAPTER 13

  GROCERY SHOPPING

  “So,” Frank said as they pushed their carts around the grocery, “we need more cartons of milk, a couple of eggs, apples, mangoes, blueberries, strawberries, some spices, zucchini, cauliflower, flour, baking soda and—“

  “And some more butter and cream.” Emmy said. Their carts were almost full of a lot of fruits, vegetables, and other baking ingredients already. Emmy didn’t really know what Frank had in mind. Maybe, another party was coming up and if there was, Emmy wanted Frank to know that she won’t be cooking anymore—not after what happened at the party.

  “Frank, I hope you don’t mind me asking,” Emmy said, “but…what are all these ingredients for? I mean, are you having another party or something? Uhm, well, I just want to say that I don’t think I should be cooking—“

  He laughed. “Relax.” He said. “I’m not having any parties right at the moment.”

  Just then, Mara and some of her friends passed by, giving Emmy dagger looks. Emmy took a deep breath then turned her attention back to Frank. “See? I guess that’s a sign.”

  He smiled. “I know it’s been tough but you got to hang on.” He said. “And, I’m not going to ask you to cook for a party but I’m going to ask you to put up your online business again. I’m going to ask you to do that because I don’t want you to say goodbye to your passion just like that. And if you’re scared, don’t worry because I’ll be around to help you out.” He held one of her hands. “I promise, okay?”

  She took a deep breath. “Frank—“

  “Hey, Mara!” Frank called out. “Wait!”

  “What?” Mara said, holding a brand new knife that she was about to buy.

  “If I help Emmy out with her online business, would you try the cupcakes?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Oh come on,” Frank said. “I saw how you ate those macarons that she made. Just pretend I made them, okay? And like I said, I’ll be with her. If she does anything crazy, I’d be there to stop it.”

  Mara rolled her eyes. “Fine,” she said. “But only because of you, okay? And I need a special dedication.”

  He laughed. “Anything you want, madame.”

  “Okay. Let me know when the business will be open again!”

  “We will!” Frank said and they watched Mara walk away with her friends. “See?” he said. “That wasn’t too bad.”

  Emmy took a deep breath. “I don’t know about that.”

  “Come on,” Frank said. “That’s Mara right there. Can’t you see that as a big thing?”

  “I know, but—“

  “I’ll be with you, okay? I’ll be around.”

  Emmy took a deep breath then nodded her head. “Okay.” She said. “I really don’t know why you’re trying to help me but…thanks, Frank.”

  “Anytime, love. Anytime.” He said. “Now, let’s get going and take a rest at my house. Grocery shopping can be deadly.”

  They both laughed.

  CHAPTER 14

  THE STALKER

  Frank asked Emmy to stay in the kitchen first as he’d just be getting something upstairs. They also decided that they’d make Frank’s kitchen as a headquarters of Emmy’s online business for the moment so Emmy won’t feel too scared and she’d feel like it’s the start of a new era.

  Emmy drank some water and walked around the kitchen for a bit when she found what seemed like an opened letter sitting on the table. She knew that it wasn’t right for her to touch or read it because it wasn’t hers but she also could not deny that her curiosity was now getting the best of her.

  She looked around to see if Frank was already coming back and when she realized that the coast was still clear, she took the letter from the table and read.

  I don’t even know what you’re trying to do, Frank, or if you’re actually doing this because you want to prove a point. Well, let me tell you now: there are no points that need to be proven. I miss you and you should come home soon.

  Serena

  “Serena?” Emmy repeated. “Who is Serena?”

  “So…you’ve met Serena.” Frank said.

  Emmy dropped the letter on the floor and felt like she was a person who was caught stealing. “Frank!” She said. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”

  “Curiosity kills the cat, as they say.” He said.

  “I’m sorry.”

  He shook his head. “It’s okay.” He said. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Serena…well, she’s not a very safe person to be around with. I guess that’s the exact reason why I didn’t tell you about her before. I guess, I just wanted to forget that she actually exists, that she’s alive because you know…she kind of ruins everyone’s lives and I don’t want you to deal with that.”

  “She…ruins everyone’s lives?”

  “She’s a stalker. She’s been stalking me ever since I was in Paris. I tried to be friends with her but she doesn’t get it. She thinks she’s close to me and that she’s my wife! It’s insane, actually.” He explained. “Come with me upstairs, I’ll show you something.”

  Frank led Emmy to his room, opened one of his many drawers, and took out a black box. He opened the box and Emmy saw a couple of letters inside.

  “Those are all from Serena.” He said. “She’s been writing me since the days when I was still in college, saying how much she loved me, and that she’s envisioning days of us having kids…She even said that her mother would treat me like her own child, too. It’s scary but I tried to make amends, be friends with her and see where it goes. I mean, if she would understand that I only want to be friends and that’s that, but somehow, it drove things worse. She never stops writing!”

  “That’s awful.” She said. “Why don’t you tell the police?”

  He shrugged. “What good would that be?” He said. “Besides…I also feel for her, you know? I mean, everyone already sees her as the bad guy and I don’t want her to feel hurt even more. She’s fine, actually. She’s a smart woman. She’s just…confused and she lets her heart control her too much.”

  “Wow.” She said.

  “Why?”

  She shrugged then took a deep breath. “I don’t know a lot of people who would react the same way you do. Others would probably want her to be imprisoned already.”

  “Well,” he said. “We all do what we have to do. She’ll get better. She’ll get by.”

  She smiled.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “What do you mean nothing?”

  “You’re a good guy, Frank.” She said. “You’re a really good guy.”

  He leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “Now, does that still make me a good guy?”

  She laughed. She really didn’t know how to feel about that but she just let it happen. But deep in her heart of hearts, she knew that she was still confused. She was actually scared of opening her phone because Dan might have a couple of messages there. She didn’t know what to do with herself some days.

  “Okay, don’t answer.” He said. “Now, let’s get going. We have a lot of baking to do.”

  CHAPTER 15

  BACK TO BUSINESS

  “This is a nice page that you have.” Frank told Emmy as she showed him the homepage of her online business. “It really should not be dead for so long. Trust me, in a few minutes, I could be done with this.” />
  She laughed. “Thanks.” She said. “I made that with Audrina.” She went on. “She’s a great friend.”

  “Is she the girl who’s currently in Guatemala?”

  “I don’t think I also told you about that.”

  “Now I feel like such a stalker.” He said. “Again, Em, you know how news travels fast.”

  “Yeah, well…” she took a deep breath as she mixed lemon juice with her butter cream mixture. She was going to make some of her famous lemon cupcakes. They always helped her get a good start. “I wonder what else people are saying about her.”

  “Well…not all good things, you can expect.” He said. “But don’t worry, I don’t really believe them.”

  “I wonder what makes it so easy for you not to believe them.”

  “It’s simple,” he said as he looked her in the eyes, “it’s because I have you. How else can I believe other people when I got you?”

  “You know…sometimes, I feel like you’re such a romantic but that you’ve told those lines to other girls, too.”

  “Oh trust me, I haven’t.” He smiled. “So…are you making lemon cupcakes?”

  “Yes,” she said. “They’re my favorites, actually. They always remind me of my mother. And I guess, they’re unique. Some people feel that lemon is too tangy or too citrusy but I like how it blends with the cream and the butter. You’d love it, trust me.”

  “I know I will.” He said. “So, what’s the very first thing you learned to cook?” He asked as Emmy placed the cupcakes in the oven.

  “Hmm…” Emmy said, wiping her hands on a paper towel. “I believe it was this seafood spaghetti. I was six, we were at Beaches and Coffee and my mom decided that it would be fun if I learned how to cook. So, I tried to help her cook the pasta and those seafood but let’s just say I’m not really a good cook as much as I’m a good baker.” She laughed and he did, too. She went on. “Eventually, I learned how to make lemon meringue pie, lemon cupcakes, banana bread, and apple pies. My dad loves apple pies and he often baked some for my mom.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “Yeah,” she said. “They loved each other a lot.” She went on, “But that’s over. My mom’s long been gone.” She took a deep breath. “Frank, do you like…believe that sometimes, the dreams we dream of are telling us something?”

  “Well, I believe I’ve found my dream in you—“

  “Stop.” She quipped. “I’m serious. I mean…do you have dreams that just you know, you feel like they’re more than just dreams? That you should actually listen to what you’re being told.”

  “Why? What have you been dreaming about?”

  She took a deep breath. “I’ve just been having recurring dreams about Ruby and Annabeth. I know it’s silly but they’re telling me to be careful. They said that I should be careful about the people around me and somehow, I don’t know how to feel about that. I mean, I wish they could just tell me what it is that I need to know.”

  “But Emmy, they’re dead. They really can’t tell you anything, can they?”

  “But their words seem so real!”

  “Yeah,” he said, “but they’re dead. And you’re alive. I know that sometimes, you want to look for hope in the weirdest of places. Everyone does that. I can’t even blame you for doing so because you’ve obviously been through so much. Sometimes, we may feel like dreams are more than just dreams but you can’t really rely on those things, you know? But you know what I believe in? I believe that you’re capable of living in this world and not just in your dreams. In fact,” he showed her the homepage of her online business on the laptop, “I think you’re ready again because we’re live!”

  “Oh my god!” She said, “Like, right now?”

  “Right now, yes.” He said. “I even sent invites on social networking sites already and Mara actually has her orders now!”

  “You’re kidding me!”

  “Apparently, I’m not.” He grinned. “She wants one Apple Pecan Pie, a box of lemon cupcakes, and a loaf of banana bread. I told her we’re working on it.”

  “Oh my god!” She said. “She seriously has the hots for you!”

  He laughed. “No, I think she’s in love with your cupcakes but she’s too scared to say so.”

  She playfully shoved him. “Shut up.” She said.

  “So…let’s get to work?”

  She smiled. “Yes, sir!” She grinned. She knew that it felt wrong to feel happy right away. It felt wrong to think that things are finally going to be okay, but deep down, she hoped and prayed that finally, things will be okay again. It’s no longer the time to think about dark dreams—it’s time to face reality. And right now, this is her reality. Now, she could finally bake again and do what she loves best. She has Frank's support and although she's still confused with all her dreams, at least now, she had a chance to live in the moment again.

  “You okay?”

  “I am.” She smiled. “Thanks, Frank.”

  He smiled back. “Don’t mention it.”

  CHAPTER 16

  HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW HIM?

  "That was fun." Frank told Emmy as he brought her home that evening. He also told her that he'd be taking care of the deliveries and that he'd work on marketing the business even more. They were standing outside Emmy’s house, just at the porch, the wind blowing on their faces.

  Emmy couldn't really believe that this was happening. It's like overnight, her life has changed in more ways than one. She couldn't believe that people wanted to try her products again and that they were willing to give her another chance. Sure, it was mainly because of Frank, but at least, they were willing to give her a try. She felt confident—maybe not too much, but somehow, she had hope.

  Hope was a funny thing, though. In the past, whenever she hoped that things would finally go right, it’s like life had this way of twisting things around and making them worse. But she did not want to think about that right now. She wanted to savor the moment and remind herself that she deserves this, and that everything’s going to be okay. At least, that’s what she’s hoping for.

  “You okay?” Frank asked Emmy. “I mean, we tasted those pastries, they were pretty good. And…you seemed happy earlier. What happened?”

  “Nothing,” Emmy said. “It’s just…I just couldn’t believe how people are actually giving me a chance. I mean, there were those orders from Mara, and I saw that others also pitched in their orders and wow, it’s just…it’s all overwhelming.”

  He rubbed her shoulders gently. “I know it’s overwhelming but you got this.” He said. “See? Everyone deserves another chance.”

  She smiled lightly. “Thanks.”

  “No worries.” He said and kissed her on the forehead. “So…I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, sure.” She said. “Lots of orders to do and some to deliver.”

  He laughed. “Right.” He said. “I’ll bring Mara her orders early.”

  “That’s great.” She said. “Frank, I really have no idea how I could repay you—“

  “You know you you don’t have to.” He said and took a deep breath. “So…” he went on, “I really should get going now.”

  “Alright. See you.”

  “See you.” Emmy watched Frank get inside his car and drive away. She then took a deep breath and went inside the house where she was surprised to see Daniel sitting down on the living room couch, flanked by some of the roses that she received the other day. “Jesus Christ,” Emmy muttered. “Daniel.” She said. “What in the world are you doing here?”

  “Sorry, Miss Emmy, I let him in.” Anja said.

  “It’s my fault, Em.” Daniel said as he stood up from the couch. “Don’t be mad at her.”

  “Anja, just do what you have to do.” Emmy said.

  “I’m sorry.” Anja muttered once more and walked away.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “Can we talk?”

  She took a deep breath. “Dan, if this is about that call…” She sighed. “I’
m sorry.” She went on. “I know it’s confusing and I’m confused and I shouldn’t have done that but…I really didn’t know what I had in mind and—“

  He took her hands in his. “I love you.” He said. “I’ve always loved you and you know I always will. Why do you keep on running away?”

  “Can you even hear yourself right now?” She asked.

  “And can you hear yourself?” He said. “You know I love you and you know you love me too, so why in the world are you doing this? You don’t like Frank.”

  “And who are you to say that?” She said, seething with anger. She wanted to be angry with him because he’s telling a lie, but deep down, she knows that he’s right and she did not want to admit it. “You don’t know Frank, Dan. He’s been helping me out. He opened up my online business again. He’s getting me some clients. He’s been there for me the way you should have been. I’ve been having all these bad dreams involving Annabeth and Ruby and no one’s there to listen to me but Frank—“

  “Oh, don’t be insane.” Daniel said. “You know I’ve been here for you all along. You know I’ll do whatever you ask of me but you don’t want to acknowledge that fact because you’re so scared of admitting to yourself that you love me and that you’re still in love with me. You’re content with just pretending that you’re okay with your life and that you like the person you pretend to like because you’re so scared of swimming even deeper! You’re a coward, Em. That’s what you are.”

  “Shut up.” She said, the tears rushing out of her eyes. “You don’t know how I feel so don’t pretend that you do! Frank’s a nice guy—“

  “How well do you know him, really?”

  “Enough to know that he’s a nice guy and that he’s got my back.”

  “Really? Because I think he’s got you fooled.”

  She laughed, even though it was evident that she was in a lot of pain. “Why would you even say that? What is it with you? You’re always saying that you love me and that you’re going to do everything for me, but you don’t even prove it—at least not right now! Frank even sent me all those roses, you know? He—“