Arcana

Five

When I woke up, Mom was already gone from the house. I leaped out of bed.

It's... show time.

I took a quick shower dancing out. I hung a towel on my neck and brushed my teeth. I chew a mint chewing gum and ran off to my mom dressing room.

"I know you told me not to dress in front of a mirror because it's only a woman who does that but I can't help it now, Mom," I said to myself and laughed.

Soon I was creaming and styling my hair with a gel. I look at the mirror and smiled. The clothes I wore was a black jacket and denim trouser with a white striped head warmer to crown it all.

I went out of the house and began walking down the road. It had snowed last night and snow was all over the road. I saw Ms. Nessie, an old neighbour and upon how I tried to hide my face, she saw me and called

"Todd son can you help get this off my door steps?" she requested.

Oh no! It's going to ruin my clothes and waste my time; but at the same time I couldn't refuse her.

"Yes ma." I found myself saying. I collected the shovel from her and began shoveling away the snow.

"Bless you son, bless you!" She said as I did and forced on a smile.

Once I was through, I refused the twenty-five pence and quickened my step. I looked at the address again. There were only a few cabs on the road now and I suddenly looked at back and stared in horror. By the right side opposite, I saw crowds of girls running at me, waving their hands.

"No, no, no!" I exclaimed and began waving my hands to flag down a taxi but none stopped. I began to run now.

"Todd!" I heard behind me.

I continued to wave my hands as I ran and a cab finally stopped by me. It was an Indian cabbie and while he talked with an unclear accent, I rushed into the cab.

"Get me out of here!" I panicked locking the door.

"Wheereu arre ya groing?" he asked.

I didn't understand what he said but said," Out of here; to Putin Golden Estate..." I looked at the address. "Number 206."

Just before the girls reached the cab, he swung the car around and zoomed off. I leaned on the seat and heaved a sigh of relief.

As we approached Mr. Monsell Edgecombe's house, I began to feel nervous. I hadn't stood in front of rich people before. I've also heard a lot of bad things about them. Of how they were corrupt, greedy and wicked.

"Wre arre herye," the indian cabbie said and I looked out. I got out of the cab after paying him and a gate was before me. A black magnificent one. I moved towards it and pressed the gate bell.

The screen there switched on and I heard a voice say," Who's that?"

"Um... It's actually Todd Thomas. I have an appointment," I replied staring at the screen.

"May I see your pass?" the voice asked.

I fished out the ticket I was given by Mr. Edgecombe and showed the screen.

The gate slid open and I walked in. There was a path that led to the house which was surrounded by well kempt grasses.

The house was a gigantic building with high arched windows and velvet draped frames. It was painted with cream and edged with wine-red and before it was a little balcony with marbles steps before it.

I walked up the stairs and seeing ni doorbell, I wanted to knock when the door opened. I moved back suprised and thinking it was a kind of setup and it closed. I moved forward again and it opened.

Gosh, this is automatic!

I walked in and my gaze met a mean looking man with maid beside him. The maid came to me and led me away.

We passed a rococo hall and an anteroom before arriving at the dining room. The maid bowed and left

It was a short haired woman that was there with the blonde.

"I have an appointment with Mr. Edgecombe...," I was saying.

"Have a seat," the woman said in a friendly way and as I sat, she turned to the blonde and she whispered,"But Sandra do you think a human can be as this handsome?"

The blonde chuckled." Maybe. I don't really know."

The woman turned back to me. " I'm Mrs Grace Monsell and the Morgan you saved his my daughter. It's an honour to have a human like you in this life," she said.

For a moment, I didn't know what to say. "I'm honoured...to be honoured," I finally came up with.

"You really got the looks. What about your parents?" She asked.

I was planning to recite what I had always rehearsed to say when I was asked this question when I heard Mr. Edgecombe voice," Is he here already?"

He was descending the stairs in a casual manner and I stood up to see him.

"Welcome young man," he said extending his hand for a shake. I stared at his hand for a while. The thought of shaking the CEO of Putin Global excited my nerves.

"Thank you sir," I said accepting his hand.

Then we sat. Empty plates was already on the table.

"Morgan!" Mr. Edgecombe called out. "Morgan, come down here."

There was no reply.

"Morgan, we've got a guest!" he called out again and ordered the nearest maid to call her.

Various black-clad servants bustled about the room and began carrying in trays of food and ewers of water. They finished this soon and I heard Mr. Edgecombe say," Morgan? Is that really you?"

I turned to the stairs and saw her.