The Forest Cottage

5

Misummer nights incident 

It was evening.  Laura a young short haired pretty woman with pixie like features was arranging the antique roman vase in the museum. She worked as a curator in this old museum in New york.  And lived alone with her best friend Meg a struggling fashion model as her neighbor. Her grandfather lived in a nearby town.  She sometimes visited him once a month. 

Her manager mr winterbone a long nose old man came to her and told her " its closing time already why you dont go home. " " Yes i was just leaving only. "

" You see that painting it has been brought by Clint a famous artist himself who paints too and is a photographer also. " He will be coming now to collect it so ate you staying or i hand it to him " mr winterbone asked.

Suddenly a man entered he was tall brown wavy hair and handsome. " He himself has come " mr winterbone said happily.  He introduced Laura to him. Laura found him quite nice overall.  " As she had broken up with her boyfriend because he was always broke.  This man looked pleasant in comparison to him. " Okay so you are the antique specialist here.  Mr winterbone had told me about you " Clint said. 

" Yes i have been working here for the last one year " Laura said with a bit of blush.  " If Meg sees, him she will surely date him. Maybe i should fix them together or what about me myself going out with him " Laura was thinking. " So will you wrap it in a box so i can leave because im in a bit of hurry " Clint told her.  Laura replied him " sure in a minute.  "

The painting was by some arist named seagull.  It was a, scene of a house on a hill top.  And below it was the sea and in the background all greenary and forest could be seen. It was painted in dull soothing colours.  " Really this is, so lovely.  Wish i had it hanging in my room only " Laura was wondering. 

Later after Clint had gone.  He had given her his card.  Laura looked at it. It was silver white in colour.  But below the back of the card he had scribbled something. If you are free then see you at tomorrow evening. We can check out a new Italian restaurant. 

Laura thought maybe it would be a nice time pass to see him. Who knows maybe he may become her good friend or boyfriend.

" Okay mr winterbone im going Laura said and went out.  The sky was dark outside and because of heavy traffic the air was full of smoke.  She was finding it very hard to find a cab.  After ten minutes of trying.  Ultimately she got one.  But after getting inside she found that she was had no change.  She asked the cabbie whether he had a, change.  " Sure miss i have it " he said with a smile.  He was young and nice looking.  Maybe he was doing this job as, a partime. 

After she reached her house she found that her apartment door was wide open. " Oh no what happened here. Did a thief break in " Laura said as her purse fell down. 

Note : Hi comment below and let me know how the story is..  and give suggestions if any as to what  i add..  ‍✈️

For a moment she was just standing there.  Then slowly she went inside and heaved a, sigh of relief when she saw that it was just Meg.  " Meg what are you doing here what happened " Laura asked.  " Nothing i thougt i saw some smoke coming from your kitchen window so with the additional key that you keep with me i got in.  By the way its okay.  I was mistaken the smoke is coming from a neighbor. Somethings burning there. "

Meg was, a, brunette pretty looling girl. Who was very much interested in becoming a model.  But was not getting the needed break. Whatever assignments she did. Her agency was not paying her on time and her debts were increasing. Instead of paying her they gave her the dresses which she wore on the ramp for some known designers.  As if i could wear this nonsense bling in day to day life she would, say. 

" Okay im making coffee you would like to have some " Laura asked.  " Sure why not and how was your day at the museum. Sometimes i feel like i should join the museum as a guide.  Its way cooler to work there.  My opinion and they pay on time " Meg said.

" Wait mr winterbone was, saying something about like theres no vacancy there.  So its just me him and the security. Dont worry just wait for some good assignment to come" Laura said.  Meg said its okay. 

" And yes, a costly antique painting of a scenary was bought today by a man named Clint. Hes supposedly an artist himself and wealthy too or something. He gave me his card and asked that tomorrow iwill go out with him. And hes good in looks too and naturewise also quite friendly " Laura said. 

" Thats nice.  Wait whats his last name ' Meg asked.  " Its Forest " Laura said looking at the card. " Forest..  where have i heard that name. Maybe in the newspaper i read it somewhere a, long time ago.  About some murder something i don't remember exactly " Meg said. Laura was shocked to hear this. 

There was silence.  After a moment Laura said " dont scare me you mean to say hes a murderer! " " Not him but about his family or in connection to it. Maybe later i will remember it forget it lets have the coffee.  So you meeting him tomorrow " Meg asked. " Yes i think so " Laura replied. 

They had coffee.  There was, a knock on the door.  The postman had come with a, magazine parcel which Laura always used to subscribe to. 

Meg started to go. " Okay goodnight then.  Tomorrow afternoon i have a dress fitting appointment. In night i will see you " she said and went. Laura opened the magazine and was, surprised to see Clint on its cover.  He was wearing a light blue suit and his hair was, all gelled up. " He looks like a model here " Laura said.  " Wait till Meg sees this. "

And started to go to Meg to show her. But then decided she will show her tomorrow.

There was silence.  After a moment Laura said " dont scare me you mean to say hes a murderer! " " Not him but about his family or in connection to it. Maybe later i will remember it forget it lets have the coffee.  So you meeting him tomorrow " Meg asked. " Yes i think so " Laura replied. 

They had coffee.  There was, a knock on the door.  The postman had come with a, magazine parcel which Laura always used to subscribe to. 

Meg started to go. " Okay goodnight then.  Tomorrow afternoon i have a dress fitting appointment. In night i will see you " she said and went. Laura opened the magazine and was, surprised to see Clint on its cover.  He was wearing a light blue suit and his hair was, all gelled up. " He looks like a model here " Laura said.  " Wait till Meg sees this. "

And started to go to Meg to show her. But then decided she will show her tomorrow.

The next day. Laura went to the museum. It was heavily crowded today. A new antique scuplture from europe had arrived today. Mr winterbone came to her and told her that " come with me Laura iwill show you the new scuplture that has come today. You will just love it. "

Laura followed him. Really it was lovely. It was cream in colour. Of a curly haired man wearing ancient clothes with a pail of water in his hand and he was giving it to a lamb to drink. " I love it " Laura said. 

" Who made it " Laura, asked. "Some old famous sculpturist " Mr winterbone said. " And yes Clint called here today in the morning here asking whether you have come for work or not " mr winterbone said. " Very odd that is, never mind " Laura said and went to attend the people who had gathered there. 

The day went by quickly. She hurried home as she had to get ready for her date too. She arrived to her house and was choosing what to wear after having a cup of tea. " Which one i wear the dark blue beaded long dress or the short black one " she was thinking. " I think i will go with the black one. 

She paired it with a small pearl chain. At 7 30 her door bell rang. It was Clint wearing a, black jacket suit. " Im ready lets go. You too in black. We both are in the same colour " Laura laughed and they went in his silver grey car. 

The restaurant was very good. With a, mini fountain in the centre and the walls were light blight with grey velvet chairs and a, chandelier on top. A waiter came and handed them the menus. He spoke in Italian. But Clint talked to him in the samr language. The names of food there were so difficult that wheb she had the menu in her hand. Laura was not able to choose. So Clint himself choosed for both of them. A gardensalad and cheese chicken croissant or whatever it was. Laura had not eaten this before. 

During their dinner. " This restaurants good. I will sure like to visit here again " Laura, said as, she ate. " You know now its sounds cliche but tell me about yourself " Clint said. Laura told about herself and Clint said that they had a, mansion in a bit far off area where he goes and stays from time to time. Away from the noise of the city. "

They drank some wine afterwards.  " So would you like to visit our family mansion in Eastwood. It will do you a, good too away from the citys hustle bustle.  Meet my mother.  She would like some company. She gets quite lonely there " Clint said. 

" The idea sounds appealing but what about my work here at the museum and wouldn't it look a little odd if i come and stay with you there " Laura, asked. " Ofcourse not. Why would it be odd.  You can come in with me as a friend or my girl friend. Would you like to be my girlfriend " he asked. " And as far as work is concerned we really need someone very reliable there to manage the estate.  Which i think you can do it " Clint told her.

Laura felt confused and slightly shy.  She replied him " why not. " Clint smiled and got up and helped her get inside her coat as, it was getting shivery outside. When he smiled his eyes crinkled up. " Laura you looking beautiful in this dress.  I can't wait till you meet my mother.  What about next week we go then to my mansion " he said. 

" Let me decide " Laura said and they both walked out of the restaurant.  " He seems appealing but kind of fixated on his mother " Laura was thinking. 

In night Laura told Meg about her date and how Clint invited her to visit his mansion. " It all sounds hurried to be.  You can go and stay with him. But be careful you still dont know him very much.  And his mother seems to me a, weird sort what with him being so much fixated around her. And i still dont completely remember what i had read about that family in the newspaper " Meg said to Laura on the phone. Something about the guy seems off and  too good to be true. Remember i saw him when you went him on a, date " Meg continued. 

" You are just being scandolous now.  Hes, a nice man.  And you can come and visit us there on weekends " Laura suggested to her. 

Laura found herself packing her stuff the next day in a suitcase. She had decided to go.  What could happen. Little did she knew she was walking in a gothic horror novel scenario.

It would do her a change of scenery too. She laughed when she remembered mr winterbones reaction to her leaving the job and going with Clint.  " Are you marrying him,  love at first sight is it " he asked. " Its too early to say anything on that " Laura told him. 

Clint came with his car after two days in the afternoon and helped her with her bag. And they drove away from the city. Into the forests.

They drank some wine afterwards.  " So would you like to visit our family mansion in Eastwood. It will do you a, good too away from the citys hustle bustle.  Meet my mother.  She would like some company. She gets quite lonely there " Clint said. 

" The idea sounds appealing but what about my work here at the museum and wouldn't it look a little odd if i come and stay with you there " Laura, asked. " Ofcourse not. Why would it be odd.  You can come in with me as a friend or my girl friend. Would you like to be my girlfriend " he asked. " And as far as work is concerned we really need someone very reliable there to manage the estate.  Which i think you can do it " Clint told her.

Laura felt confused and slightly shy.  She replied him " why not. " Clint smiled and got up and helped her get inside her coat as, it was getting shivery outside. When he smiled his eyes crinkled up. " Laura you looking beautiful in this dress.  I can't wait till you meet my mother.  What about next week we go then to my mansion " he said. 

" Let me decide " Laura said and they both walked out of the restaurant.  " He seems appealing but kind of fixated on his mother " Laura was thinking. 

In night Laura told Meg about her date and how Clint invited her to visit his mansion. " It all sounds hurried to be.  You can go and stay with him. But be careful you still dont know him very much.  And his mother seems to me a, weird sort what with him being so much fixated around her. And i still dont completely remember what i had read about that family in the newspaper " Meg said to Laura on the phone. Something about the guy seems off and  too good to be true. Remember i saw him when you went him on a, date " Meg continued. 

" You are just being scandolous now.  Hes, a nice man.  And you can come and visit us there on weekends " Laura suggested to her. 

Laura found herself packing her stuff the next day in a suitcase. She had decided to go.  What could happen. Little did she knew she was walking in a gothic horror novel scenario.

It would do her a change of scenery too. She laughed when she remembered mr winterbones reaction to her leaving the job and going with Clint.  " Are you marrying him,  love at first sight is it " he asked. " Its too early to say anything on that " Laura told him. 

Clint came with his car after two days in the afternoon and helped her with her bag. And they drove away from the city. Into the forests.

Rural country side started.  And the citys buildings gave into cottages. Clint was driving the car.  And Laura, was napping. 

After two hours of driving.  They reached Clints mansion. It was big and sprawled on a big space.  A huge iron gate entrance and rose bushes and oak trees surrounding it.  It was, of two floors and besides the wall to floor windows a balcony overlooked the forests on its right side. A cool chilly mountain air was blowing.  And the pathway was, covered up in tiny dew drops. 

" Its looking like it might rain. See the clouds overhead " Laura said to Clint while getting out of his car.  " Really its lovely. Its all so picturusque " Laura said.  " I am glad you liking it and looking forward to stay here " Clint said. 

A butler came out and said " miss we were all looking forward to ur visit.  Welcome to manor blue mont. " " Ed keep the luggage inside Lauras guestroom " Clint said. 

After entering inside it was marvelous inside.  A big lamp was on the ceiling and heavy curtains and a fireplace in a, corner.  Some lovely paintings were on the wall,  Laura observed.  

A woman in a tight bun ,beady eyes and wearing a midnight blue dress entered.  " " Meet my mother " Clint introduced.  Clints mother Mrs Chiller looked at Laura and said " so you are the girl my son was talking about  " with a cold expression. There was something quite chilly about her Laura thought 

The moon was up in the sky.  Laura was sleeping in her guestroom.  There was a, dressing table beside her bed.  She got up and went to the balcony. Overlooking the forests.  It was very cold outside.  As she was wearing a thin nightgown the coolness was feeling nice against her skin. 

Laura looked at the  forests.  They were dark against the sky which had some few stars in it. She heard someone walking outside her room. Sound of footsteps. And then mild three knocks on her door.  " Whose there " she asked. She slowly opened the door and saw that no one was there. Then who it was knocking.

Laura was bit afraid.  She tried to sleep back and sleep came fast to her.  In the morning she saw the time on the alarm clock it was 11 30. She got up and went out and saw outside the balcony. The forests were looking so lovely all wet because of the rain.  

After getting ready she went down. Clint was, already sitting at the breakfast table. His mother was sitting beside him. " You are up we thought you might like to sleep some more " she asked. 

" Its okay i slept well " Laura said and joined them. They had butter toast and tea. Then Clint said " let me show you around our estate and office. Maybe you would like to go around the neighborhood too, it's mostly forests but we could take a, hike there " he said. 

" Sure i will get ready " Laura said and went upstairs. She heard his mother say while going up that " this girl are you sure about her managing our estate as an assistant Clint " to her son.

Laura went with Clint on a, tour of the mansion. It was quite big with white pillars, and carvings on the ceilings. There were some antique vases and a bunch of red roses in them.  Outside in the garden a fountain was there and a bench to sit on and marvel the magnolias and daisies growing all around.

A cool breeze was blowing. " As, you can see Laura you will forget all about the city here " Clint said.  " Sure i would " replied Laura.  

The butler came in the garden and said " miss Laura a phone call came for you from a miss Meg from Newyork. She said that she will visit you this weekend.  "

" That would be nice. We allcan go hiking together too " Laura said gleefully to Clint but was a bit surprised to see a hint of grey pallor come over his face.  " Why is he displeased " Laura wondered. Clint showed her around the office too and introduced her to Joey the stable hand and John his secretary who now worked as his business and property advisor. Joey was a very young lad with innocent eyes and a sunny disposition which Laura got attracted to immediately.

Its nice to meet you miss Laura. You are very beautiful " Joey said.  Laura almost laughed. A scornful Clint instantly said " Joey nowadays you have become very careless.  Last time the horses were not properly fed.  Next time i see this happening you are out of here.  "

A frightened Joey said " he will be careful " and walked away quickly from there.  " Clint is too strict with him and i think he was jealous too " Laura thought.

The next day Meg arrived!  " Im so happy to see you " Laura said.  " Ofcourse i had to see how things are here.  And yes this mansion and forests surrounding it are dreamy like a postcard type " Meg said.  She was introduced to Clints mother.  " So still you have not got your big break as they call it " Mrs Chiller said.  Laura did not like this statement of her but as it was so typical of her. Laura said " i am sure she will get it soon. Come with me Meg i will show you your room.  "