Oops! My Disguise Worked Too Well!

Trying To Sneak Back In

Ara

—

I was hoping that I was out long enough to avoid anything fishy that was going on back at home. We didn’t usually have many people over to our house. Grandfather usually liked to keep our home more private.

I called an Uber and they dropped me off a few houses down. Just in case, better safe than sorry. I climbed to wall and walked to my escape tree. Of course it was easier to get down than it is to get up, but I have had quite a bit of practice as of late.

When I got back into my room I found Liz waiting for me. Great, that means Grandfather knew that I had snuck out again. Not that he knew what I was doing, otherwise my car would be missing by now.

Liz sighed and shook her head at me, “you know your grandfather was very worried about you Alexis. You can’t just take off without telling anyone.”

“If I told anyone than there would be no way I would be leaving this house. Not when Grandfather has so many rules to follow,” I said to her. “My life is more than just being told what to do and then being married off and then being told what to do by some snobby husband that Grandfather picks out for me.

“He just wants to make sure you are safe. At least next time leave a note for for me so that I can assure him you are fine, or send help if you get into trouble,” she told me.

Liz was almost like a second mom to me after I came to live here. She would tuck me into bed and bandage my knee what I would fall and scrape it. I know that she cared about me.

I went over to her and gave her a hug. I can promise you that I will text you if I ever need any help. It was the best I could do for her.

“I’ll go let your grandfather know that you are home safe,” she said to me. “I’ll also let him know that you are sleeping.”

“Thank you LIz,” at least that saves me from the lecture tonight. Although I knew it would be coming tomorrow. Hopefully he will be called away for some business meeting.

“Wait Liz,” she turned around. “Who did Grandfather have over today? He doesn’t usually have business associates over.”

“They were John Thorn’s grandsons. Mr. Thorn and your grandfather had some business and was out of the country so he sent his grandsons to bring some paperwork for your grandfather to sign.” Liz said.

—

Jackson

—

I was in the room assigned to me and getting some work done. I still have no idea why it was so important to send both Ryan and me here. I know that he is friends with our grandfather, but to have both of us come out here. It seemed like a complete waste of time, and I really hated wasting my time.

I had only gone through a couple of emails when I heard a knock on the door. I ignored it and hoped they would just go away. But they kept knocking.

It had better not be Ryan just because he is bored. I opened the door and wasn’t surprised at all to find Ryan standing outside my room.

“Ryan,” I said flatly. “Don’t you have some work to catch up on?”

“Nah, Grandfather said he was taking care of everything, remember?” Ryan said.

That was why I found Ryan so annoying, he never took anything seriously and if he could sluff off work, he would find a way to do so. All of that was one thing, but the fact that he has to disturb me is what makes me want to fire him, but I can’t since he is family.. and Grandfather gave him stocks in the company.

“Do you mind if I come in?” He said while walking past me into my room. “It’s too early to go to sleep and I have no one to talk to. I don’t understand why it was so important that we come to Mr. Cooper’s house, there is literally nothing entertaining around here. There’s not even a television in my room.”

I closed the door behind him. It seemed that he couldn’t take the hint that I didn’t feel like talking to him either.

“So, I was thinking, what do you think Mr. Cooper’s granddaughter is like?” He asked me. “She must be really sad looking for us to never hear about her before.”

“Mr. Cooper has been out of the spotlight for many years now. No one really hears much news of him besides a few business deals here and there.” I said to him. “And honestly I couldn’t care less about her. It is none of my concern.”

I never enjoyed getting into other people’s personal affairs. I didn’t have the time nor the inclination to make personal relationships. Ryan on the other hand preferred it over business meetings.

“Even though it does suck being stuck here, it will be interesting to see what’s wrong with her,” said Ryan. “All the daughters of important families are always out in the social circles. Even the one’s that are very plain are still presented to try and find a wealthy husband for them.”

“I didn’t realize you were looking for a wife,” I replied back to him.

“Oh no, I’m not, but you have to know these things to know who to avoid. Like the Richardsons tried to have me over to formally meet their daughter, but I had seen her at some previous social gatherings, and they were making a point of introducing her to all the single men there, who had good family backgrounds.” Said Ryan. “They may be wealthy and have some connections, but their daughter is one of the most.. you know.. unfortunate looking women I have ever seen. There is no way I’ll be meeting her.”

I din’t really care about the Richardson’s daughter at all. The head of their family was very shrewd in business but also did very underhanded things. He was not someone I would do business with.

“You had better keep on your guard too. You are one of the most sought after men for all of these families single daughters.” Ryan said, like he was giving me the best advice in the world.

“Thanks for the tip, I make sure to avoid them all,” I said., like it was something that I hadn’t already been doing.

If one of us were to be the sacrifice for the Coopers, it was going to be Ryan, I did not have the time for a wife. Some needy woman that just wants to take up my time, and get whiny for attention. I already had Ryan for that role, and couldn’t get rid of him.

—

William Thorn

—

Alexis just had to sneak out tonight of all nights. Everything was going so smoothly. Liz had come to tell me the she was back home safe, that she had already gone to bed. I’m not sure if that were true, but I’m going to go ahead and leave her alone tonight so that hopefully she is less rebellious tomorrow morning.

It would be better if I could get her married to one of the Thorn boys before she went to college, that way they could keep an eye on her as well.. and if not at least engaged.