Beauty & The Biker: A Dark Fairytale

by Glenna Maynard

  Chapter 4

  ISABELLA

  After a sleepless night of worrying about my father and thinking about the job I bargained for, I am having to deal with my sister, Ariala, turning up for once, and deciding that I should have called her last night. Like I could have reached her. It takes Papi nearly five attempts to get her to answer most days.

  She has been here a few hours and already chaos has ensued.

  The house is a mess; she has dragged her laundry in to get washed. Probably expecting me to do it for her like I always do. She can’t be bothered to care about anything besides her next good time.

  I used to get so mad and complain, but yelling at her does no good. She only cares about herself. Ariala is the single most self-centered person on the planet.

  “And you would have come rushing to be there right?” I scoff. She has some nerve. When Mama was at her worst Ariala took off. I was the one who was by our mother’s side making sure she was taken care of. I didn’t mind it but some help and support from Ari would have been nice. That’s okay though, she can make up for it now.

  “You don’t give a shit about me Isabella. You are such a spoiled little crybaby. Whenever you get your feelings hurt or something doesn’t go your way you go running to Papa, oh wait Papi, because you are still such a child. Grow up and get over yourself!”

  “Well don’t worry you are going to have to step up and play your part in this family for once, instead of running off with whatever loser buys you a beer. I took a job offer and after our father is settled he will need you to look after him.” She stills at that bit of information. Just as I thought, she doesn’t really care. She just wants to pretend she cares to make herself feel better.

  Elsabeth comes barging into the kitchen from her house next door. “Why didn’t you call me? You are so selfish, always wanting Papa all to yourself Isa.” she sneers, pointing her finger at me. She flips her long, dark hair over her shoulder and turns to Ariala. “And where have you been the past three days?”

  “Out.” Ariala rolls her eyes and goes to the fridge to plunder for food. Food that she never helps pay for.

  “I’m talking to you!” Elsabeth snaps her fingers in her direction.

  “Well this is great, but I need to pick Papi up in an hour. While you two have fun deciding who the biggest witch is, I am going to take a shower.” I leave them to tear each other’s heads off. If they are fighting each other it means they are off my back. I don’t know how to tell them—Papi included that I am moving to the Vandacamp Mansion.

  I still haven’t come to terms with it myself. “You’ll be living with me,” he said. Who does he think he is?

  A badass biker that gets what he wants. That’s who.

  When I get out of the shower Elsabeth has gone and Ariala is lying on the couch eating us out of house and home, watching craptastic reality TV.

  “Is Papa going to be okay, Isa?” She actually seems genuinely concerned for once.

  “I hope so. He is going to need you Ari. I won’t be here to pick up your slack.”

  “So you keep telling me. I’ll light a candle for him.” And there she is folks, my twat of a sister.

  I go into the kitchen and stick my hand in the cookie jar in search of gas money. Great, five bucks. Perfect. I smack my hand against the counter.

  “I’ll be back to drop Papi off then I am going into the store after, so you had better be here when I get back. He doesn’t need to be lifting or doing anything. You’ll need to be here to make sure he eats.”

  If she isn’t I don’t know what I’ll do when I get a hold of her.

  “Do you have a few dollars? I need to put gas in the car.”

  Saying nothing, she digs through her purse and reaches me a ten. She usually pretends to be broke.

  “What’s this job?”

  Thinking quickly, I come up with a lie. “I was going to wait for Papi, but I got a job as a live in nanny. The position fell into my lap at the hospital and I have to start immediately.”

  “Well that’s just great Isa. Do you ever think of anyone else other than yourself? I have a job too ya know.” Sure she does.

  “Okay Ariala, I am so sorry that I am growing up and doing something for myself. Excuse me for wanting a life other than waiting for you to get your act together so Papi doesn’t go into an early grave with the stress you bring in on him.”

  I don’t need this right now.

  “Whatever Isa, just go pick up Papa.”

  Slamming the door, I tune her out and drive to the hospital.

  I don’t know what to say to Papi about my moving out for a while. Turning up the radio, I try to block everything out and just drive.

  I decide it will be better if I don’t tell my Papi the truth of where I am going. He’d never allow it but he needs this from me.

  My father has made sure I have always been taken care of. It’s my time to do the same for him.

  My father made a deal with the devil and it is up to me to pay his dues.

  **

  “I need to go into work Isa. I’m not a child, I am a grown man. I don’t need to sit at home twiddling my thumbs.” Papi is so stubborn. The doctor told him to stay away from the bookstore for the next week.

  “I know you are worried about paying Tristian, Papi, but you don’t have to worry about him,” I tell him as I pull into our driveway.

  “What do you mean, what have you done Isa?” he wheezes, his cheeks reddened in anger.

  “Please, calm down, nothing bad. I made a business deal with him. I found a job out of town working as a live in nanny. I’ve been wanting to tell you about it but wasn’t sure how you would feel. But anyway, more importantly, he has agreed to let me make payments to him weekly no matter how long it takes,” I lie smoothly.

  “Mi hija, he is a dangerous man. You shouldn’t have done that. You will never be able to work that kind of debt off.”

  “I will be fine, as long as he is seeing some green he will let us be,” I try to assure him but fail miserably.

  His face is red and he looks ready to spit nails at me. “I won’t stand for it Isabella!” He shouts at me before slamming the door forcefully and going inside the house.

  I follow him inside seeing him going for his shotgun in the hall closet.

  “What are you doing?” Ariala shouts as he starts loading. “Has he lost his mind too?” She looks to me for an explanation for his outburst of anger. Our father has always been quiet and reserved. He rarely raises his voice and never a hand to any of us.

  I shake my head at her. “Papi, listen to me. I am an adult and free to make my own choices. I will do it with or without your blessing, but I would rather have it,” I plead.

  He looks so angry with me I can’t bear it. I knew he would be, but I didn’t expect it to hurt so badly. I’ve never disappointed him. I’ve always been his perfect girl.

  “Not if I kill him first,” he states menacingly.

  My heart drops to my feet out of fear of never seeing Tristian again. I should be more concerned with my father’s wellbeing, but I’m stuck on the enemy.

  “You need to calm down it isn’t good for you to be so upset. You can’t kill him, you won’t.”

  “Won’t I,” he challenges.

  “No, you won’t. Because I am asking you not to. Papi please, you know this isn’t the way Mama would want you to handle this. You told me you liked the Vandacamp family.”

  “Isa,” he warns but I can see that he is already softening and coming to terms with my decision. “There are things you don’t know and could never understand. I don’t like you getting near him.”

  “There is a good man somewhere inside him underneath his appearance,” I say defending a man I don’t even know, but I refuse to believe I am wrong about him. There is good in Tristian and I will find it. Ariala is silent and Papi is thinking hard. “Take care of him Ariala. I am going to see if Elsabeth can run me into town. The car is still low on gas, so only use it if you absolutely have t
o.” She nods with wide eyes and the urge to ask me so many questions but she won’t. We aren’t close in that way anymore. None of us are. Not since Mama, maybe even before when my grandmother died, I can’t remember those days though. I only remember the despair we all felt after Mama passed.

  Papi falls into his favorite chair with his head in his hands. “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.”

  I crouch in front of him taking his hands and lifting his face. “Please Papi, I am doing this because I love you and Mama would want me to do everything in my power to help our family. When she died I promised her I would look after all of you. Let me do this.”

  “You are so stubborn Isa, just like your grandma, Iris. You won’t change your mind will you?” He knows I won’t back down.

  “No Papi, I won’t.”

  “Well, tell me about this job,” he concedes accepting my decision finally, even if he don’t agree, he understands why.

  “This evening, I need to get into town.”

  He nods and Ariala offers to fix him lunch.

  I haven’t thought any further on my lie. I need to think of something good, before he sees through my web of deceit.

  When I go over to Elsabeth’s she is getting ready to leave. I wave, signaling for her attention. “Can you drop me at the store?”

  “Yeah, I am meeting Felix for lunch, and besides it’s on the way.”

  “Thanks sis.”

  She doesn’t even attempt to make conversation. She hasn’t even asked one question about our father’s health.

  Her silence tugs at my heart. We used to talk about everything. She would gush about Felix to Ari and me when she would come home from their dates. And we would lay in the bed and giggle when she would tell us about each new step they would take in their relationship.

  I decide I had better tell her that I am moving out for the time being so she can watch over Papi. I know I won’t be able to count on Ariala to do it. When I tell Elsa I made a deal with Tristian, feeding her the same bull I told Papi she freaks out on me.

  “Are you on drugs? Why else would you agree to something so stupid? He will take advantage of you. Isa he is dangerous. Felix warned Papa against the loan. He wouldn’t listen. Said the Vandacamps were a family friend. But Mama hadn’t spoken to them in years…since after…”

  I cut her off before she can finish. “You think I don’t know that. He won’t hurt me Elsa, you don’t know him.”

  “Oh and suddenly you do?” She shakes her head as she pulls up to the back of the store. “You are so clueless Isa.”

  “You know Papi can’t pay him. Do you and Felix have the money to pay?”

  She looks away from me, knowing I have to do this.

  “Whatever, but be careful. There are things...” She stops talking taking my hand, changing her mind about what she was going to say. “Never mind, not important. I’ll cook you a meal or something before you go. We can make it a family thing since Ari is home. If I get some extra money, I can try to help you pay the debt.” At least she is offering although I know it won’t happen. Felix don’t make that kind of money and they have a baby on the way.

  “Sounds good, I’d like that.”

  Elsabeth isn’t happy about my choice but at least she understands why I am doing it. Our father won’t be able to pay Tristian back, especially not in three days’ time.

  I say goodbye and open the store late. Not that it matters. I am afraid we will have to close the doors permanently before long and Tristian’s debt won’t even matter then, we’ll have nothing anyway.

  The hours spent at the store are quiet and slow. Time seems to be crawling at a snail’s pace. I have cleaned every inch of the building and gone over all the paperwork. My goal is to leave the store in the best shape I can. Elsabeth won’t step foot in here, she says it reminds her of Mama too much. Ariala basically says the same but they are going to have to suck it up. I’ve had to.

  The picture of Vandacamp mansion in the last edition of our monthly paper is staring at me from the counter top.

  I keep trying to imagine what it will be like to live in the Vandacamp place and I can’t picture it. I’ve only ever known the comfort and safety of home. What will living there with Tristian be like...do other people live there, or is it only going to be the two of us? I have so many questions and I doubt Tristian will answer any of them, even if I can muster the nerve to ask them.

  I am about to close up for the day and phone Felix to see if he can pick me up on his way home when a sight that is becoming all too familiar turns up at the door. Tristian.

  “Back so soon. You can’t seem to stay away can you?” I tease attempting to lighten the tension between us. He seems harder than he did when we parted last night. I didn’t think that was possible but his eyes seem darker than before.

  “You ready to go?” He runs his hand over his brain tattooed skull.

  “Go where?” I ask already knowing the answer. My stomach drops.

  “It’s time. Your father is home and resting. I will provide you with anything you’ll need don’t worry about bringing your own things. I take very good care of my employees.”

  An uneasy feeling settles into my bones, but I smile weakly. I have the oddest sensation that everything is about to change. Whether it is for the better or not, I am unsure. What I do know is I have no other choice and I find myself wanting to un-ink the man hiding behind the tattoos.

  “Can I make a call first?”

  “Make it quick.”

  I try Elsabeth to let her know my plans are now taking effect immediately but can’t reach her. I left her a voicemail telling her my employer had to leave town and needed me last minute and I will call when I get settled. If anything was up with our father she would call, wouldn’t she?

  Just like I called her. The thought crosses my mind but Tristian is tugging my arm and dragging me to his bike.

  Chapter 5

  ISABELLA

  It crosses my mind that I didn’t hug my father when I last saw him. Panic bubbles in my chest as my body sticks to the leather on Tristian’s back. I had forgotten how far into the woods his home lies. Our town isn’t large but the county is huge. There are miles upon miles of nothing but uninhabited woodland. The trees wind around us as the road curves, going from pavement, to gravel, eventually turning to dirt.

  I am officially in the middle of nowhere. After miles of nothing, we finally reach our destination. Vandacamp Castle, now known as a mansion, comes into view. My pulse quickens with anxiety. It stands larger than I remembered and no picture I have seen has done it justice. All the curtains are drawn shut. I feel as though the house is screaming ‘Keep Out.’ The cold feeling of being unwelcome sweeps over me.

  Tristian leaves me standing alone at the daunting front door, while he parks his motorcycle. Ominous, large, dark oak with a heavy brass knocker stands before me. I have this eerie feeling that someone or something is watching me from the other side of the door, waiting for me to enter. This place gives me the heebie jeebies.

  A shiver runs through my bones, which is the oddest sensation paired with the summer heat. Tristian is pushing the heavy door open and ordering me to come inside. My steps falter as I cross the threshold and I nearly topple the two of us to the floor, but I manage to only take myself down. My nerves outweigh my wit right now.

  “Not even here a minute and trying to jump my bones. I don’t fuck the help,” he says coldly leaving me in a heap on the cold stone floor. “Get up. I’ll give you the tour and show you to your room.”

  He continues thumping his heavy boots across the floor. Getting, up I knock the dust from my clothing. Didn’t he say his housekeeper retired a few weeks ago. This place appears to have not seen a good scrub in months, maybe years, I think to myself as I notice the cobwebs covering the chandelier hanging high above my head. This isn’t a home; it is a deteriorating medieval tomb.

  I walk along the worn, red rug that runs the length of the corridor Tristian disappeared down
. Portraits of whom I assume to be his family, line the hall. The paintings are gilded in large, exquisite, golden frames that should belong in a museum.

  I find Tristian waiting for me in the renovated kitchen; it looks newer than the rest of the rooms I have passed by. He shows me around the room quickly before taking me up narrow, winding, stone slab stairs. Lanterns light the way with the aid of a small window. This must be the interior of the tower.

  The restorations to the place through the years must have cost a fortune.

  The upstairs is cleaner and nicer than the lower level. The carpets are newer and the rooms appear untouched. He stops in the center of the hall. “This is the bathroom; it’s the only one upstairs. The warm water takes a few minutes to heat up, and the pressure is low, but it gets the job done.”

  I peer inside, becoming perked up at the sight of the black claw foot tub. I go to tell Tristian I love his bathtub but he has disappeared from my side.

  He is further down the hall standing outside of another door. This huge house is so quiet. I guess we are the only ones here. The article didn’t mention any other family. But I don’t detect anyone else as I pass by the closed doors.

  “This is your room. You are next to me. My room is off limits and you are never to go inside it. Understand.”

  How odd. But whatever. “Sure, whatever you say.” I can respect his need for privacy.

  “You won’t wear clothes like this any longer.” He jerks on my loose, blue frock dress. “Your new dress is on the bed. Change into it then meet me downstairs in the kitchen.” He doesn’t give me a chance to say anything, leaving me alone. His steps echo through the walls loudly.

  I look down at my clothes. I don’t see anything wrong with the way I dress.

  I feel out of place as I glance around the grand room.

  My suite is fit for a queen. It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen such a large bed before. I run my hand over the large knob post of the footboard. Sheer curtains hang from the ceiling, drawn back at the headboard. The comforter is a gorgeous shade of periwinkle blue. Everything in here looks royal. And way more expensive than anything I have ever owned.