Inner Witch

Chapter 4: Deal?

Tamaras POV

Present

One week has passed since the meeting with Mister Johnson. I have been ignoring my grandmother's letter that is now in one of my drawers. I guess I am anxious about the content. I do not know what the old lady wanted to write about, nothing good for sure. I put on sports clothes and went for a run in the park. It was early in the morning, so the cold weather made me forget about everything and the exercise helped me to clear my mind.

I do not know how much time passed, but suddenly I saw a familiar face a couple of meters in front of me. It was John, standing tall in his suit and lying in his car. I stopped in front of him, curious about this coincidence, though there is never a coincidence when it comes to him or Annie.

-Hey. - He said without sounding annoyed. That is a first.

-Hey…

-I was looking for you.

-How did you know I was here?

- Your roommate is very chatty. - he smiled.

Damn you Penelope, she is a nice girl but she always talks too much about people's lives.

- It is not her fault, I can be very charming and convincing. - He said, probably sensing my annoyance with her.

-She surely caused an impact on you since you are defending her. And you do not even know her.

He stayed quiet for a couple of minutes. I analyzed him while he realized what he was saying. He seemed calm for the first time, relaxed even.

-Lets have some breakfast, my treat. - he finally said and I gave him a questioning look. - I want to talk to you about something, it is important, more like business.

-Oh, hmmm… sure. - I accepted, not really believing what he said.

We arrived at a nice coffee place, and had breakfast in silence. John seemed relaxed, for the first time in years he was not frowning and making a bitchy face at me. I could see his baby face and realize why a lot of girls fall for him. Even now, a lot of women turn to look at him and blush when he smiles from time to time.

If I thought that this was a nice moment and maybe just maybe we could have a brother and sister moment, I was so wrong. After breakfast, he just exhaled loudly and started talking.

-You know, Annie and I have been thinking about something… - I stayed quiet and he continued- We thought that maybe the country house that our grandma left you may be a pain in the ass for you. You know, with all the history and the vineyard. I do not think that is what you want. So, in order to take that burden off of your shoulders, and save you some time while you sell it or whatever, we wanted to buy it.

Well, there was the catch of this supposedly nice breakfast invitation. I gave him a soft smile that apparently encouraged him to keep talking.

- Obviously, we would make a good offer for that place and, since the papers have not been signed, it would be easier too.- If only he knew, I thought to myself. - We were thinking of offering you this amount of money.- He wrote a number on a piece of paper and passed it to me.

I read it and tried not to laugh at his offer, but it was an insult if he thought that I would accept this. The amount was not even half of the property's value. Did he think that I was stupid or something?

-Can I think about it? - I asked innocently - I honestly have not thought anything about the country house. I would probably sell it but I don't really know.

I saw how his face turned dark and his baby face was gone.

- What do you have to think about? - he asked seriously.

-Well, I do not know, there are some memories there and you know… I am still confused about it. I do not want to think about it right now. - I said honestly. That house holds some nice memories of when I visited the old lady and I have not given it a good thought about what to do with the property.

-Do not think too much. We have given you a good offer and it may not be available for long.

-Sure.

-I will call you in a couple of weeks, so we can set a date to sign the papers. - He said, assuming that I would accept his offer.

He stood up, left some money on the table and left without another word. Well, there was the John I knew, I thought to myself while he walked out of the place.

When I arrived at my apartment, Penelope was in the living room watching a movie.

-Hey! Tammy! - She always receives me with a bubbly greeting.

- Hey Penny, did someone come asking for me?- I asked while getting some water.

- Yeah! A really good looking guy came, he said he was your brother, you never told me you had a brother and you two really looked alike. - I almost spat my water at her words. Did we? I mean we are siblings, half siblings, but I do not think that we look alike. I took almost everything from my mother's side, or at least that was what she said. -Was there a problem? He asked about you and I told him where to find you.

I compose myself while I walk to the couch deciding to spend time with her.

-Yes, everything is alright, but do me a favor and never talk to him about me again.

I looked into her eyes and she was shocked by my words.

-Oh… sure, sorry… I just… I never have. I mean, he said that he was your brother and he seemed nice and I never thought that there would be a problem. - She was agitated and shifted from side to side in her seat, looking at her hands and avoiding eye contact with me. I smiled. I consider her a good person, but too chatty sometimes. We are not friends since I do not let her into my life, but she always tries to include me in her plans. I really appreciate it.

-Calm down Penny, there is no problem, you did not know, but my family situation is kind of a mess…

I sat down closer to her and gave her a reassuring smile.

-Sorry, it will not happen again. - she said, smiling again.

We kept watching whatever she was already watching on the TV and had some quality time all afternoon.

Maybe later will be the time to read that letter and decide what to do with the country house and vineyard, or maybe not, and I will avoid it for another week.