A Castle of Opportunity - FREE

Chapter 2 - What am I doing?

The owner stood up and looked down at me, so I stood up too. He started walking toward the back of the house and I followed. Every once in a while, he turned around to see if I was still following and I got a glimpse of his bright blue eyes. When we reached a dark blue stained wood door, he turned to me and said, “I can trust you.” I didn’t know if it was a question or a statement, but I nodded yes. He opened the door to a room void of lounging furniture, but instead an old exam table. It was black leather and had some definite use over the years. My stomach flipped. He stepped in like he wanted me to follow and I did, but at this point I was scared. What kind of work involved a medical bed? I had butterflies before, but these were more like moths.

He must’ve seen my face because he promptly spoke up, “The table is for me. I need routine medication, and I am running out. I used to get my medicine here, you see.” He took a step towards me. “That’s what I need your help with. Acquiring me more medicine and helping me keep a better schedule and reserve..”

“I’m not trained in anything like a nurse..”

He touched my arm and a shiver went through me. “I will train you.”

“Okay.”

And there I was, blindly agreeing again. It didn’t feel unnatural either. Not like I was being controlled or in a daze, it felt right, just weird. Still definitely weird.

He held out his arm like an old time movie, and I put my hand on the loop of his arm and let him walk me into a different sitting room, or I guess it would be the library. I sat down on a red velvet chair with brown wood outlining the curved edges. I pretty much just looked around at the expansive amount of books until he started talking again.

“I know you saw the people who used to come here. They no longer come. I am sure you have noticed that too. I have seen you from the third story window, but it seems you have never saw me.” He paused, possibly waiting for a response, but I was still too nervous and stunned to speak much. “I was not very responsible with what they gave me. I need some one to help me.”

The pause he gave this time I knew required a response. “What did they give you?”

“They gave me blood. I need it to survive. I have lived here many years and now I am living pretty much without, which causes me pain and many other negative symptoms.”

For some reason, I didn’t think this was weird at all. “Can’t you go to a blood bank to get your transfusions?”

“It’s complicated, but you will learn in time.” He made eye contact with me that gave me butterflies. “This job also come with a room. You do not have to take it, but I would like you to stay tonight. I would like you to explore the house, as much as you want. I know you want to do so. And I know it will be late by the time you are done. There is a room made up for you on the second level of the house.”

“..I would like to look around the house., I suppose. It’s so beautiful.” I didn’t mention the similarities from my dreams.

“Then it is settled. Don’t walk in the dark. I will show you to the room you can stay in tonight. If you choose to take the job, you have a choice of all the rooms. Keep that in mind when you look around, although, I think I chose one tonight that you might like best.”

I stood up and followed him out of the room. We didn’t walk arm in arm again, but he walked much slower so that I was quite close to him, besides when we walked up the stairs and I followed him up, the only time I was able to look at his physique without the chance of him noticing. He was skinny, but fit. He wore black pants and a button up black shirt. He tucked it in, enhancing his waist. He was the most attractive person I have met, but there wasn’t many people to meet in this small town. But I thought he looked better than anyone I had seen on television also.

We walked up to another closed door, but this one was a red colored wood, and definitely original. The hallway was lined with damask wallpaper, which had become my favorite when researching houses made in this time frame back when I was obsessed in highschool. When he opened the door in a wide, dramatic motion I almost gasped. The room was huge. It didn’t even look proportional to the house. It looked like a bedroom from The Haunting. The bed was huge, a four poster with long curtains hanging around it, tied at the posts with twisted chords. There was a large chandelier, and wide intricate windows I had never seen. I’d never seen the back of the house before. The walls were a deep burgundy wallpaper. The entire room looked like a dream, a princess’ room. It looked more extravagant than the rest of the house. I wondered what his room must look like before quickly putting it out of my mind. It seemed inappropriate.

“This is the room you can stay in tonight.” He turned to make eye contact with me. “I cleaned it myself.”

All I could manage was, “okay” looking up at him.

“Very well then, I will be in my room or the library. My room is located on the third floor, it is the last room on the right. If you need me, that is.” He then shut the door.

I walked over to the bed and sat down. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Thirty minutes ago I knew nothing of the man inside. I didn’t know what the inside of this house looked like, but imagined for years. Yesterday I was simply intrigued and now I’m inside being asked to stay overnight. And this man, this man. I don’t even know what to say about this man. After he explained the med bed, I trusted him completely. And he’s been WATCHING me. Well, I guess not watching me, but seeing me, because I’ve been watching his house. I Laid down on my back. The bed was very comfortable despite what I’d imagine an old bed to be. I appreciated the old architecture and style, but I’d definitely update some things, like mattresses, but this was doing the trick. I felt like falling asleep already.

I had to almost force myself up. I explored the house after that. Each room was different than the last. All of them were decorated to the nines. Some of them were kept very old looking like mine, and some of them seemed like they had been updated in the 50s and 80’s. While walking I tried to think about how big of a situation this was, but it really didn’t seem like it. I was shocked, but also amazed. I was seeing things I’d imagined for years. Everything happened so fast, but in all ways, I wanted it. By the time I had looked in the rooms and huge bathrooms (one with a claw foot tub that might’ve made the idea of staying a bit more attractive), it was indeed late. He was right. I headed back upstairs to sleep.

I closed the door behind me and turned the lock. I felt like I trusted him, but I really didn’t know him at all. I realized I was still in my dress, and it made me curious about what might be in those drawers. There was a large armoire and an intricate dresser with a mirror that seemed magical on top. I looked in the dresser. It was filled with clothes, and they all looked clean. I suppose he had said he cleaned it. It definitely wasn’t stuffed with clothes, and all of the pajamas had lace-y parts on them, they looked old but fresh at the same time. I pulled out something black and silky, careful not to make a mess of the other clothes he must’ve folded for me. It was a long nightgown. It had spaghetti straps and reached the floor and there was black lace sewn around the top. It was gorgeous. Peering into the drawer, I saw what looked like the same nightgown, so I pulled it out. He probably didn’t know my size, although I’m not sure where he’d get these vintage looking nightgowns around here anyways. If they were already in here, who’s were they? I pulled it out and it was pretty much identical but much shorter. This one would come just below my butt. I pulled out another item. It was dark blue and also silky, but not the same fabric. It was what essentially was a large long sleeve button up shirt. It had lace on the collar too. It was also pretty short. I decided on the long one. Watching myself in mirror, I pulled it on. It was a bit tighter on my thighs and butt than I would’ve thought. I actually looked really sexy. I felt like a widow the day after her husbands funeral that she 100% murdered and didn’t get caught. I just needed a Glass of wine and one of those feathered robes. I giggled to myself and turned around, still staring at myself in the mirror. I really did look good. I’d never really worn anything like this, and I wouldn’t have bought it either. It was gorgeous, and it made me feel gorgeous too. I sat down on the bed and swung my legs up and crossed them, posing for nobody.

Realizing I hadn’t ate, I decided I would sneak into the kitchen and try to find a snack. This made me nervous, but I was sure he’d be asleep by now. And I’m sure he wouldn’t miss a few crackers or something. I slunk down the stairs, holding my nightgown up in order not to trip. The wide staircase made me feel like a princess, or a spy. I felt my way across the sitting room, the dining room, and into what I assumed was the kitchen. I could see the granite countertops glimmering in a small amount of light.

“Hungry?” His voice came before I saw him, and I almost tripped over my own feet.

“I apologize, I did not mean to scare you.” He took a step towards the lit candle on the counter so I could see him better.

Slightly out of breath I muttered, “Oh.. you’re fine.. I wasn’t expecting you to be awake.”

“I really don’t sleep much. I have been snacking on some fruit, do you want some?”

I stepped toward him and the candle. He reached over and lit another one.

“Yeah, that sounds nice. Thank you.”

“Are you afraid of the dark? At night, I like the moonlight. There is a light switch over there.” He pointed behind me.

“It’s okay.” I walked the rest of the way toward him, and put a hand on the island he was leaning on. I could see him smile in the dark. I took a strawberry and took a small bite off of it, instantly realizing how hungry I actually was. I must’ve been too excited to really care before. There was music playing from the room off the kitchen, I wondered what was in there. I ate a few more berries before feeling awkward and asking him if he possibly had a box of crackers I could take upstairs just in case. I didn’t want to eat all of his snack. He turned and walked over to the cabinet and got down two boxes of club crackers. “These were for you anyways. Tomorrow, if you do decide to stay, I will have dinner made.”

“For me?” He handed them over.

“It is what you were eating when you were drawing my house.” I looked up at him and blushed.

“You have a good memory.” I took the boxes in my arms, preparing to walk back upstairs and satisfy my hunger. “Thank you for the food, Mr…” I didn’t even know his name. Oh god, I don’t even know his name!

“I was wondering when you were going to ask. You see, I always deal with the same people. I have not had to introduce myself in awhile. I realized it almost as soon as I left you upstairs. My name is Nicolai Theodore Renwick, and you may call me whatever you want, miss Brenna Wallace.” He gave an informal bow. I felt so incredibly awkward. Here I was about to take a job with a man who’s name I did not even know. What is going on with me? Is it the magic of the house like I used to believe it had when I was seven?

“Whatever I want? Do you like your first or middle name better? Or should I call you sir since I would be working for you?” I about asked like twelve more questions, I felt so bad.

He grinned, “I am not opposed to sir, but I don’t want you to call me that because you work for me. Call me Theo for now.” He had a look in his eyes that was hard to hold, especially with the way he looked in the candlelight. Also, why else would I call him sir then?

“Okay, Theo, I’ll see you in the morning?” I looked back up at him and he nodded. I then got up the stairs as quickly as possible without it being noticeably loud and closed the door behind me.

I didn’t even know his name. And wait, how did he know mine?