Second Chances:HOPE & FAITH

Just The Beginning

Hope awoke as usual. Waited for her breakfast to be brought to her. She actually ate more than fruit today. After breakfast, she had started to write in her journal for the 1st time. She was confused at what to write at first but soon just wrote what she had been through in the past and how she came to make it here. She was just about finish when she heard a sudden knock on the floor. It was too early for lunch and the maid never came by this soon after breakfast. She calmly asked her visitors to come in and so they did. She was shocked to see her handsome kidnapper standing next to her acquaintance Lucas. She was trying to remain calm but her body shivered at the sight of Aidan. He looked like he was having trouble remaining composed himself. She bit her lip and put her journal under her pillow. He smiled at her and walked a bit closer to her bed. He was pleased to see her writing in the journal he had gifted her. He was hoping she enjoyed it and found comfort in writing each day.

" Well I would love to see you make googly eyes at each other all day but Aidan has something to say," Lucas said sarcastically. She smiled and giggled softly. Aidan looked bothered by this but liked the way she sounded when she laughed.

"I will be going out of town for a while and I will let you roam free for a set time of course," Aidan spoke.

"So I can go out but I can't go home," she said back.

"Of course not, You must stay here and will be looked after by Lucas," he said. Hope took a deep breath in and exhaled it out. She didn't have much of a choice but thought it was better than staying in this room day in and day out.

"Okay, anything else?" she asked.

"You shall continue to write to me and I will respond accordingly," Aidan declared.

"Got it," she said. Hope stood up and went over to the two men. "Tha..nk ..you," she said confusingly. She reached out to hug him and then quickly stepped back. Aidan had just enough time to graze her back before she moved away from the quick hug. "Have a safe trip," she said sheepishly. Lucas laughed and the two gentlemen walked out of her bedroom. Hope was confused but delighted at this new arrangement. She was rather sad she would not see Aidan for what he made seem like a lifetime. Aidan went back to his office and finished the preparations for his trip. By nightfall, Aidan and his men were ready to go. This was the first time Hope was allowed downstairs. She stood by the driveway and waited for the men to depart. Aidan came up behind her and was closing the space between them. He placed his hand on his hair and gently brought it to his nose. He took an inhaled the amazing scent and walked from her side and into the black SUV parked in front of them. He took a moment to look into her eyes before instructing the driver to go. Hope's face was left stunned. She couldn't describe the feeling she now had. She missed him as if she had not seen him in years. Her heart ached and she wanted to start crying. Lucas quickly came with a cup of tea and lead Hope to the foyer.

"I would give you a tour but this place is humongous," Lucas explained. He motioned for Hope to follow him to the sitting area. They both took a seat "I'll break it down as best I can," He said. "1st floor we have the foyer, two living rooms, a study, the kitchen, formal dining room, laundry, and the maid's rooms. On the second floor, we have rooms for guests in the west wing, a game room, a library, Aidan's office on the east wing. On the third floor, we have more bedrooms on the west wing. My bedroom is located there. The master bedroom is on the east wing and that is where Aidan sleeps. Your floor is technically part of the attic. Your room use to be a sewing room. It was the best view of all the mansions. The actual attic is on the other side but no one goes there. There are the main elevator and a servant's elevator. We have a garden room a few feet away from the house along with an actual garden that leads to the forest from the east. The garage is on the opposite side. You just follow the path and boom you have cars galore." As soon as he was done they both let out a breath of relief.

"Wow that's a lot of space," Hope said. "Why so many rooms?" Hope asked.

"Aidan trusts a lot of people and has a big family," Lucas replied.

"Where is his family, do they not stay here," she said gently.

"Not anymore," Lucas said as he took a sip of his tea. Hope looked concerned but figured it was none of her business to question any further.

"What do you want today with the rest of your yard time," He joked.

"You read my letter," She gasped. Hope began to slap Lucas gently in the chest.

"No no, I didn't I swear. Aidan just didn't understand what you meant and I explained it to him, "He explained. Hope suddenly let her arms drop and said: " I just want to go to sleep."

  The next morning Hope woke up and went straight to take a shower. She hurried into the closet and put on a pair of leggings and a light hoodie. She didn't know if she should go downstairs on her own or wait for Lucas to come to get her. Before she could ponder any further Lucas knocked at her door.

"Let's go have some breakfast," he said. Hope quickly ran to his side and they both walked to the elevator. They went all the way to the first floor and headed to the dining room. They both sat next to each other. Lucas at the top of the table and Hope to his right. The maids brought over a variety of food. As soon as they were finished they headed over to the garden. They were soon met by two beautiful women. One tall and perky. Her name was Sarah. She had blonde hair and blue eyes. The other one was a bit on the shorter side and had red hair and green eyes. Her name was Ruby.

"Good day Miss Hope," Ruby said.

"We were both very excited to meet you," Sarah said soon after.

"Hey," Hope replied. They both glanced at each other and then back at Hope.

"We hope to be very good friends soon," Sarah said cheerfully. Hope gained enough courage to smile back.

"Do you guys live here?" Hope asked them.

"We use to but this place is pretty much a ghost town nowadays," Ruby responded. Hope looked confused.

"So many rooms but yet no one really lived here. Lucas made it seem like Aidan was surrounded by so many people yet he really wasn't. He must really be lonely," she thought. Hope walked over to the flowers and started to caress them. She would bend down and sniff her favorites. She was smiling from ear to ear. This was the beginning of many more beautiful and joyful days for Hope. She would become a part of this world and learn to her role in it very soon.