Married to the Alpha

Chapter One: Deal

|Maria|

"Maria,” my mom called as I entered our eighteenth-century farmhouse designed kitchen. The uneven walls were painted on off white; some market baskets were hanging on the wood beams, cabinets and open shelving and the terracotta brick flooring.

My mom, on her late fifties, wearing her favorite old purple jacket with a white shirt underneath, a below knee-length plain skirt, and an old pair of black boots is standing beside in our old chestnut wood table and chairs. Her expressive midnight blue eyes glint at the white artificial light coming from the not so high ceiling. Her brunette hair was disheveled and with a little grease of dirt on the left side of her jaw, a sign that she must have finished doing her thing in the kitchen.

“Give this to your Aunt Helen, would you?” she orders when I finally arrived in front of her. She then picks two things that were on the table, a white envelope and white handkerchief, and immediately handed it to me.

I stared at her for a while before I looked down at the things she gave to me. I noticed the familiar rose emblem stitched at the corner of the white handkerchief. I couldn’t help but wonder if it was stitched manually or not. I look back at my mom in confusion because of that.

“What’s this for?” I asked, showing the things she gave. She stared at me for a while before she swallowed hard and averted her eyes. I even noticed how her hand slightly trembled in the shadow of light. I looked back at her and somehow, took that move as a sign of something.

“No question. Just bring that to your Aunt Helen,” she said in dismiss. “She already knew what’s that for,” she continued, her last words was almost whispered.

I didn’t take off my eyes on her, watching every move she makes. But she only turned her back to me, avoiding my gaze. I exhaled and looked at the white envelope she handed. I flip it around and saw it was sealed with a rose emblem, same as to the handkerchief.  

The rose is encircled with curves of vines and a double-edged sword behind. I have seen it multiples times now, after being with my mom these past month. It was a crest of an old rich family here in our town. I look back at my mom again and caught her glances, but she instantly averted her gaze as if I didn’t catch her stealing glances at my direction. 

One thing that I could tell about my mom’s attitude, she likes to borrow some money from our neighbors, especially to my Aunt Helen. My mom handles the expenses in our home, the things that we needed in our school, everything. I know we were always short in money, but I don’t know how she finds ways and manages to pay for her debt.

I decided to leave the kitchen after a couple of minutes. I went to my room to find a jacket that I can wear, to protect me from the cold outside. After a few minutes of preparing, I find my way out of our house. Our farmhouse designed home wasn’t as big and modern as compared to other houses. But it is big enough for the family size we have. It stood almost near the forest and the last house you’ll see before getting to the next town. 

I walk a few more feet before I got out of our house’s premises. I quickly closed the waist-high fence door after I got out. And with that, I started walking at the corner of the muddy road, with almost bare of grass trying to survive after the cold winter.

The sun starts to set in front of me and hides from a distant mountain. The huge trees along my way make dims the path I'm walking through. There’s no lamp post or anything that can light the street, but nonetheless of the dark, I'm not scared of walking by myself.

I continued walking with my pace, going to the mansion where Aunt Helen is currently working. She's a dear friend of my mom that works at a mansion about a mile away from ours. She is a friend and relative to the point that she became our "go-to" person every time we run out of money. She’s been working under an old-rich family of the town, which I barely know about.

Ever since I’ve found out that someone is still living at that old English mansion, I tried asking my mother who currently owns it. She never gave me a definite answer. She only told me that the Lancasters still lived at the mansion.

I'm not nosy of a person, but that family remains a mystery for me.

I just came home last month from the metropolis, after I finished my studies. Our town, Red Brooke, there's not much about it. It doesn't have any university or even a community college, that's why I decided to move out to finish my studies, since my parents were okay about it. I was okay with going to any public institution since we’re not that well-off. I even wondered on how I got to study in private institution and how my parents managed to pay the expenses there. Later did I know that it was through the help of Aunt Helen. Now, I already have a degree in Psychology but I still haven't got my license.

Good thing that I still remember the way to the Lancaster’s mansion like an old memory. And maybe it refreshes whenever my mom tag me along every time she comes by to see Aunt Helen. Aunt Helen's smile popped into my head when I finally saw the tall gate of the mansion from the distance because of the lamp that hangs on each tall column.

I always thought that nobody lives in the mansion. Since whenever I end up near those gates, almost half-a-decade ago, and having a chance to see the huge mansion located at the center of the land, I've never noticed any sign of a living creature inside, like it stood there and was abandoned for a long time. The doors or even the windows were closed, or I never got the chance to see it opened even in the middle of the day.  

Haunted, that was the word that I once described of that mansion.

I mean, you can tell by the looks of it, some plants are already growing on its wall and it looks like it has been decades since the owner of that house had a chance to put some new paint on the walls. But the thought of that mansion being a haunted one was already out of my mind since the day I heard that Aunt Helen is working there. I realized that probably the owner isn’t living there anymore and Aunt Helen was given the task to take care of it.

The crest of the family is evident at the distance, and especially when I finally arrived at the front of the gigantic gate of the mansion. The crest was painted in gold, contrasting the black colored gate. The rose, the vines, and the crossed swords are detailed in wrought iron. It was divided into two and each half was etched at the gate’s door. I look up and the word ‘Lancaster’ that is written in a steel arc.

I had known that this old family name once owns the whole town. But after the war, it was distributed to each family who was affected by the war as a help.

I woke up from my trance after I heard the squeals of the metal bars. The gate started to open automatically in front of me. A few moments later, it was fully opened, showing me the paved and well-lighted pathway. I swallowed hard when I started to feel uneasy toward the place.

Ever since no one guard’s the entrance. It was like the Lancasters are confident enough that no one in our town would dare breaking off on their premises.

I looked at the mansion which seems to stand like a boastful king on the partially elevated area. On the rear part was the forest which makes the whole place odd to my sight. The mansion's lights from the outside affected the scenery, showing the details of the mansion, making it look like an ancestral or even a historical mansion.

Then, out of sudden, I felt a chill running down on my spine. I suddenly sensed that someone was intently looking at my direction. I roam my eyes around, to somehow see if there was a person that passed by or something behind me, but the only thing that I could hear was the familiar sounds made by the crickets.

Before I ran in horror, I immediately made my way to the mansion. My shadow dances at each lamp I passed. But I halted midway when my eyes settled to someone who was standing in the balcony of the second floor of the mansion. I blinked twice to adjust my sight and to know if I were really seeing things or not. But after a couple of blinks, the figure at the balcony suddenly disappeared!

My eyes widened in horror. Oh my gosh! What did I just saw?

I can feel how my heart pounds inside my chest because of the fright that is starting to creep within me. I even counted and recited the alphabet reversely to calm myself down! And when it did, I sighed deeply and disregarded the thought about the mansion being haunted in an instant. Maybe it was probably just the shadows made by the pine trees near the mansion or a silhouette of some animals that climb up at the balcony.

I continued walking toward the mansion and immediately saw the aged woman standing at the porch. Her hands are clasped together, and I noticed the smile plastered on her face as a sign of her warmly welcome like she was expecting me to come by at that exact time.

A couple of minutes later, I finally made my step on the brick pavement of the mansion’s wide front yard. The fountain in front serves as a rotunda, the bushes were well-trimmed and green, and some statues and lamp are scattered around. Now that the sun had set, and the moon shone above the night sky, the place looks more magnificent in night time.

After a few second, I made my way to the porch of the mansion and Aunt Helen immediately welcomes me.

"Welcome Maria," she greeted with a smile, her smiles never seem to wear off from her face.

I smiled back at her and said: "Good evening, Auntie, I'm here to give—"

Before I could even finish my sentence, she left me hanging and turned her back to me. She started walking toward the doors of the mansion. She pushed the doors open, as if it’s as heavy as a feather even though by hearing the sound of the hardwood swinging open, I know it was heavy. Amusement was written on my face when I took a glimpse of the interior of the mansion. 

"Come in, first," Aunt Helen said as she gestured her hand to me to get inside. I sluggishly walked toward her direction without breaking my contact in the mansion’s interior. But before I get to enter, I suddenly remembered why I was here and what I was intended to do.  

I quickly pulled out the handkerchief and the envelope inside my jacket and handed it to Aunt Helen. She stared at it for a few seconds, like she’s having second thoughts of accepting them. Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked at me.  

"Mom said that I must give this to you. She told me that—“

 She cut me off before I could even finish what I have to say.

"Is she certain about this?" her voice seems to depict a worry or fear as she asked me.

With my forehead creasing, I nodded as a reply. She let out a deep sigh as a response.

"I hope Marlene's doing the right thing," she murmured, not intending to let me hear what she was saying, as she accepted the things I was giving her.

I shrugged all the weary feelings and thoughts within me since I got in here. Now that I did what my mom had ordered, I think I should probably get going. My brother and sister are probably wondering where I am right now.

“Auntie, I should probably get going—“

"What? No! You can't go home!" she said and was already holding my wrist before I could bid my goodbye. My eyes settled on her and I could see some unknown emotions in her eyes for some reason. Is it fear? Horror? Her hands tightened on mine after a few seconds.

"What...do you mean?" I asked and tried to pull my hands from her.

She was probably surprised by what she did and let go of me and regain her composure. She even cleared her throat and redeems her poise.

"I–I mean, can't you stay any longer? How about joining me for dinner? I'm a good cook; you should probably taste some of my specialties," she bargained, convincing me to stay longer. She even tried to smile at me, but I noticed how she forced herself to do it.

I looked at her intently, studying her expression. Then she averted her eyes away from me which made my eyebrow shot up.

"I'm sorry Auntie but I need to decline your offer," I said, trying to figure her out.

Her face contorted in disappointed with my answer and looked back at me.

"Just for this night Maria, can't you give your beautiful aunt a simple favor?" she insisted on my stay and forced a smile again, cracking some joke, lighting up the sudden change of atmosphere.

I stared at her for a few seconds before I inhaled deeply.

There's probably nothing wrong with joining her for dinner just this night, right? Besides, she always helped us out at the time of our need. She was the one who probably helped my family to get me through college. And a dinner won’t hurt me, right?

But I couldn’t help but consider the owner of this house. Wouldn't it be disrespectful for the owner that a stranger would have a meal in his home?

Aunt Helen waves her hands in front of me trying to knock my thoughts off and eager to know my decision. Somehow, my gut is telling me that I should decline her offer, that I should go home before I regretted something. That makes me worry because sometimes, my hunches are telling me right.

But I wonder why I just found myself nodding at Aunt Helen’s request. I granted her plead of having dinner in this mansion, and that lifted up her mood. But really, I felt like something is going on or probably about to happen. I inhaled deeply and knock those thoughts out of my mind. Maybe I’m just overreacting or what.

I made my stepped inside the mansion, and the moment my muddy shoes stepped onto the polished marble floor, I instantly felt the heavy ambiance of the house. 

"You can wait for me in the living area while I prepare the dinner first, is that okay?" she happily asked. I nodded as an agreement then she went straight to a doorway a few meters away from us. I was left behind standing and gawking at the interiors of the house.

After a few seconds, I decided to find the living area of this big house. It was easy to find because it seems to be the highlight of the mansion. The first thing that caught my attention was the high glass window overlooking the silhouette of mountains and forest in the east with a glimpse of the brilliant moon above. I stopped walking when I noticed a carpet lying on the floor. I forced myself to take off my dirty shoes. I take a note into my mind that maybe before I go home, I should help Aunt Helen cleans the floor that was dirtied by my shoes.

I sat on a sofa that's facing the high-ceiling window. I smiled as I looked at the moon above. I don't know why but, seeing the moon always makes me calm.

I was enjoying my time looking at the moon when I suddenly remembered the silhouette on the second floor when I arrived here.  I was sure it was a man unless it was some kind of illusion or a shadow made by those pine trees or maybe I'm just seeing things. Well, probably not. That's the last thing I wanted to see in my whole life.

While waiting for Aunt Helen, I busied myself looking at the picture frames that were displayed at the tables. Pictures of three and four are all I can see. Maybe they’re the family that owns the house. To be honest, I never got the chance to see who the Lancasters are. They’re too private that even their family picture isn’t published in any papers or articles. This might be a rude action, but I know I wouldn’t even dare selling any information about them to the media.

My eyes stopped to a picture of two young children. Both of them are smiling, and both of their arms are on each other's shoulders. I stared at them for about a minute. Are they brothers? Or twins? I can't differentiate the two because they’re smiling. And most of their features are very much the same.

I put back the frame to its position before proceeding to next. I can't help but touch the furniture that looks so unique. A sculpted rose caught my attention, and it was late when I realized that most of the designs and furniture found inside were abstract of rose or a design of a rose. Is the owner of this house a woman and fond of roses? But from what I had seen from that balcony, it’s a figure of a man? Well, unless his wife is maybe fond of roses?

Well, I'm also fond of roses. I can't help but smile at my thoughts. If I could just live here and see all these things regularly, I know for sure that this will make me happy. Oh, but then it’s okay, I have a few collections of roses at our home. Roses in this town are too rare to see nowadays. I just don’t know the reason why. 

My eyes traveled around the living area until it stopped to a green banner on a pole. Out of curiosity, I walked towards where the pole is. When I get there I spread the banner and saw a golden crest of rose stitched in the middle. The design was the same as the emblem I found on the handkerchief, on the seal of the envelope and the crest of the gate. 

My forehead creased when I noticed something. A word was written above but I couldn’t understand what it is. It was written in a foreign or old language.

"Maria,"

I almost jump in shock when I heard a voice called my name behind me. I silently spat a curse to myself when I realize who owns that voice. Stupid Maria, why do you easily get agitated by these types of actions? Really?

I turned around to see Aunt Helen behind me. I was greeted by the ghost of smile plastered on her lips, like she’s forcing herself not to laugh by my reaction. Maybe she saw how I reacted when she called me. She knows very well that I easily get surprised.

"Dinner is ready," she said with smiles. "You can head to the dining first," she continued. I watch her turning her back to me, then took something on the table near us. When she faced me again, I saw the tray of food on her hand.  

"I'll be with you after I bring this upstairs." she gestured the second floor of the house. I look up above and only to see the dark hallways. I can't see anything beyond the reach of light.

So, she’s really not living here alone. And maybe, I'm not really seeing things when I got here. Maybe that person I saw at the open balcony of this mansion was the owner of this house.

I was about to ask her about what I saw before I got here when I caught her looking at me. She panicked when our gaze met and instantly looked away from me. I frowned because of that. She's seriously looking at me like she's studying me or something.

“I'll just bring this upstairs. He haven’t had his lunch earlier," she said hurriedly. I got to glimpse of how her hands gripped the tray. I took that as a sign that she's hiding something. And it has to something with the owner of this house.

I watched her made her way upstairs. Her footsteps echoed the hall because of the sudden silence. When she finally arrives on the second floor and lost in the shadows, I walked toward the sofa near me. I take my seat and looked at the wall in front of me.

He. So the person who’s currently staying in this mansion is a man. Then I remembered the picture of two gentlemen I saw a while ago. I wonder which of those two is currently staying here right now?

I heaved a deep sigh, I can't help but wonder about the mystery he brings to me? Why am I getting curious about his existence? Is he good or bad? But maybe he’s good since aunt Helen seems to be fine.

 After a few minutes of waiting, I saw aunt Helen emerged from the shadows. I stood up and walked toward the end of the stairs to wait for her. I glanced at the second floor hoping to see something significant but I failed.

 "Shall we?" the old woman asked when she finally stopped in front of me. I smiled at her and nodded. She heads out first before me. And for the last time, I glanced up at the second floor of the house before finally following Aunt Helen to the dining hall.

 We arrived at the dining together. My eyes were roaming around as I find my seat on the 16-seat dining table. I secretly admired the interiors of the hall and didn’t notice that Aunt Helen is already giving me a share of food. I looked at her and saw that I was the only one who has a plate in front of me. She then sat across me after attending me.

"Aren’t you going to eat, Auntie?" I asked but she just smiled at me like she always did when she didn’t want to answer my question. I looked at her for a moment before finally directed my attention to the food. Maybe she wanted me to taste one of her delicacies this time as she told me when she invited me to eat dinner here.

 I couldn’t help but praise Aunt Helen's cook after the flavor spreads inside my mouth. It's delicious that I can't help but have more. I just stopped when I'm finally full. I burp loudly that made me embarrassed in front of Aunt Helen. I pouted when I saw her chuckling.

"I really thought you live here alone, Auntie," I said out of nowhere. Her expression suddenly changes after hearing me. Her face became serious. I suddenly felt uneasy for some reason.

I simply looked at my surroundings. Even how beautiful this room is, I couldn’t help but feel something... different. This mansion emits an aura that is beyond me.

Maybe I should go, I already finished my dinner and maybe Aunt Helen is already satisfied with that.

I cleared my throat and stood up. I saw how Aunt Helen’s eyes widen in surprise by my sudden action.

"Maybe I should go—"

I wasn’t able to finish what I was to say when I heard a loud crash and noise upstairs. I jump in shock because of that. I looked at the ceiling as if I can pinpoint from my position where the noise came from. But again, another loud crash was heard and now I looked at Aunt Helen worriedly. I immediately noticed the panic in her eyes. Maybe something is happening upstairs that an immediate presence is needed.

"Auntie—" I was cut off again when another crash was heard above. This time, it's louder than before. It seems that the person above is throwing things on the wall; I could tell it when the crashing continues.

"Auntie, I think you should attend your boss immediately, and maybe I should go home too—"

"NO!" she stopped. I froze by her sudden announcement but immediately taken aback from what she said.

“W-What?" I asked, a bit worried. She seems to be taken aback by her sudden reaction. She blinks before she answered me. 

"Ah-I mean…" her eyes wandered as she panicked. Again.

“I shall accompany you after this, c-can you wait f-for a while? I need to attend Lucas first a-and also I need to inform him that you are going home. He knows you’re here," she said, and the last sentence was almost whispered.

I didn’t answer her for a few seconds, trying to figure something out. In the end, I just nodded at her. She immediately agreed and we walked out of the dining and went towards the hall. She left me there alone while she runs upstairs. I stayed in my place and look at the close door. I could just go home without having saying goodbye. But that's disrespectful thinking about how Auntie invited me and that the owner still welcomed me to enter his home.

 Lucas? I remembered Aunt Helen saying that name. I assume that's the name of the owner of the house.

 I looked up again. I still couldn't see anything upstairs because it's too dark. But then I was alarmed when I heard another crash. Whispers and growls were the only things I could hear from above. Now it made me curious about what's really happening up there?

Unconsciously, I walk near the stairs hoping that I could hear those whisperings. And a few minutes later, the murmurs became clear.

 "Calm down, Lucas... she isn’t going home," I heard Aunt Helen says, seem to consoling that Lucas. Should I help her?

 I was having second thoughts of what should I do when I heard another crash. I close my eyes and heave a deep sigh.

 "She's not leaving... Calm down," Aunt Helen said like it’s a promise. But I only heard a low growl as an answer.

 I heard another crash that's why without thinking; I rushed straight upstairs to give Aunt Helen a hand with her boss. Maybe I can help her calming her boss down.

But when I arrived on the second floor of the house, I immediately stop myself from running. I froze when I felt the heavy aura of the second floor. Fear crept into my body momentarily, but I immediately shook that away from my head.

 I walked toward where I heard the noise and the sound a while ago. But before I could even take a step further toward the darkness, I stopped when Aunt Helen comes out from the shadows. She was surprised when she saw me there, which made her runs toward my direction.

 "Dios Mio! What are you doing here Maria!" she almost shouted in shock.

“I-I thought I could give you a hand—“  she held my right hand and started to drag me downstairs before I could finish what I was to say.

 “Auntie—“ I tried to stop her but it seems she isn’t listening to me. When we arrived downstairs and immediately faces me, I could see the worry and fear written all over in her face.

 "You should have not gone upstairs!" she panicked. I stared at her, studying her actions and expressions. She’s fidgeting and clasped her hands together. She’s anxious and panicky. It means something, it means a secret. I look back to her, even though I wanted to ask questions about what is happening, I don’t have the right to do that. I am not in the right place to intervene.

 I let out a deep sigh. Maybe Aunt Helen can handle this. She's been working here for how many years, and maybe, this happens frequently. I couldn’t help but get worried about Auntie's situation. But in the end, I decided that maybe I should really go home. This is not my problem anymore. And, the night is getting deep.

 "Auntie, I should get back home already," I bid to her but her eyes widen in surprise for the second time.

 "W-What?! B-But you can't go home!" she said in a panic. Now it’s my turn to be surprised at what she said. Moments later when I realized something, I suddenly felt nervous especially when she grabbed my arm and held it tight.

 "W-What do y-you mean?" I asked nervously. She directed her eyes somewhere else instead of looking at me. I swallowed the lump that was starting to form in my throat.

 Maybe she’s just kidding. She knows very well that I need to get home. 

"Really, Auntie. Thank you for the dinner. And give my thanks to your boss that he welcomed me to his house. I really appreciate it. But as much as I wanted to stay here for long, I need to get home—"

"NO ONE IS GOING OUT IN THIS MANSION!!"

I literally jump in shock when a loud growl was heard almost in every corner of the house. I felt how the house vibrated like a small aftershock from an earthquake.

 My eyes went directly to the second floor of the house, hoping to see that guy who just roared. But I found no one. I look directly to Aunt Helen, fear is written all over her face. Even me, fear and horror start to creep within me from what just I heard.

 "What does h-he mean by that?" I asked Auntie for confirmation. I bit my lower lip when I stammered. I made a few steps back and tried to stop myself from being afraid, but to no avail, I failed. I can feel how my heart hammered inside my chest and how my hands start to tremble in fear.

  Aunt Helen took my other hand and held it. Her cold hands are also shaking.

 "Please forgive Lucas' behavior—“ I didn't let her finish her sentence. I shake my head and asked her again.

 "What does he mean by that, Auntie?!" I demand, almost shouting. I bit my lower lip when I felt a tear escaping my right eye. Aunt Helen saw it and her grip to my hand tightens.

 No. This isn’t happening. 

We heard again the crashing of things and we both look upstairs as it continues.

"Maria," Aunt Helen said, calling my attention.

I look directly at her and immediately notice the regret in her eyes. I swallowed hard. But what for? I tried to take my hands off her, and I did. I step back and immediately turned my back and walk away. I need to get out of here. I rushed toward the door but when I arrive in front of it and tried to open it, it was locked.

 I look at Aunt Helen with fear and horror.

 "W-What's the meaning of this!" I asked and started to cry.

 "There's a reason you must stay, Maria," she said, like it was the fact.

My eyes widen in surprise because of that. 

 "A-Auntie..."

 She let out a deep breath and cleared her throat. Her eyes started to water.

 "The deal can't be undone, Maria."

 Deal? What does she mean? And why do I have a bad feeling about this?

"W-What deal?" 

 She cleared her throat again before she continued what she has to say.

 "That you'll be the payment Maria, in all of your mother's debt to the Lancasters"

 My jaw drops to Aunt Helens' revelation.

 No... This can't be... This can't be happening...

Tell me... tell me I’m dreaming….