Unknown Passions: Fan Fiction
Artificial Flowers Chapter 3
14 Years Ago:
Book Cafe
"I was never able to live here." he admitted ignoring the coffee set in front of him, looking at the person sitting across from him.
"Thanks for insulting the town I grew up in." Theresa defended.
"It's too small. Nothing to do. Everyone knows your name kinda vibe."
Deciding his point made sense a silence fell over the two as the steam rose up from the mugs. Finally Theresa unknowingly mumbled, "Farthest I've ever been is Bermuda."
Catching her words, his interest was enticed, "Ever gonna go back?"
"Not if I have a say." the coffee burned her throat after the words were spoken. It didn't matter though, she was num to the feeling.
"Bermuda's a nice place..."
"It is," she interjected hoping that he wouldn't ask the question she believed would follow his statement.
"Why?" the question was asked after a brief moment of silence.
"Too much history."
"Pain." he retorted
"If that's what you want to call it."
"So I assume you were there with someone."
"You assume correctly." she answered feeling he was fishing for information.
"Care to give a name?"
Theresa looked up from her coffee, only to find the blue eyes of Fox Crane awaiting her. Carefully thinking about her answer she finally responded, "Someone I choose not to reveal the identity of."
"So you want a guessing game?"
"No."
"Neither do I." he paused, clearly pondering something. "Next time your on vacation I recommend Ireland. It's a nice place." he then gathered his jacket, leaving the brunette to her now semi warm coffee.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wisps of blonde hair scattered across the room, due to the fact there was far too much to be done, or at least in her mind.
"Charity, slow down." Miguel finally called out slightly laughing.
Continuing on she finally replied, "I can't."
"Yes, it's possible. All you have to do is force your legs to come towards me and stop."
"I'm sorry, but this box goes in this room and we packed the wrong way, so half the stuff in one box goes on the opposite side of the house than the other half. Not to mention I'm choosing the movers next time." the ramblings finally ceased as she sighed.
"Sorry, but it was the company's choice. Like the house was company's choice."
"More like the Crane's." she mummered.
"What'd you say?"
"When will it be ours?" she covered up her previous statement, while he pulled her into a strong embrace.
"In about 20 years."
"How many days is that?" she spoke leaning in to his chest.
"Don't make me do math."
"I'm sorry."
"You should be." he chuckled.
Changing the subject completely Charity then asked, "Do you think Nick is going to change here?"
"I hope so," he was now all to aware of the family problems. "I think Harmony was because of one girl or something, he'll change."
"But he was mad about having to go to private school." she pointed out.
"Look, he'll adjust. He's smart, and let's not jinx it, okay?" he cupped his hands, holding her face towards his.
"Okay." she smiled, still somewhat unsure of how her son would adjust.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So when is Luke getting here?" Kate squealed.
"You said around 8."
"Thanks so much Mandie. I owe you one."
"Look all I'm doing is if your parents call, say your over at my house. That's it."
"Sometimes I wish I had parents that didn't care, like everyone else. But no, I have to have a Father whose a politician, and one of us has to be perfect." she complained while checking her hair and makeup.
"No you don't." Mandie replied while pretending to be entranced with Teen People article.
"So what are you doing tonight?" she decided to change the topic of conversation.
"I think my Mom's coming, so I'm actually staying in. What do you think she'd say if some drunk guy, that I don't even know the name of dropped off her daughter at 4 AM?" Kate began to laugh at the image.
"You talk big, but I've only seen you high once before."
"True, but you never know what can happen." the blonde pointed out.
Mentally envisioning the scene again, Kate then said, "You're Mom would take that better than mine though."
"At least I'll get more sleep tonight."
"I know what you mean, I've been on auto pilot for last two days. Only way I'm awake now is the three cups of coffee I had this morning." Kate responded.
Just then the brunette turned around, only to see her friend sprawled out on the bed, then asking the timeless question, "How do I look?"
"Amazing." Mandie commented just as the doorbell rang. "and punctional." she added on.
"Thank you so much." she hugged her friend before heading out the door.
And then there was one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Streaks of a bright yellow flew in one direction, as the fast paced ball machine spit out countless Penn 1s.
The engine, almost deafening according to her, was on full blaze. But it never truly mattered, considering there were only two reasons for playing the game she loved in the first place. One, it's fun hit a ball as hard as possible when you've had a bad day. Number two, it was always a natural thing for her.
Just as she slammed a ball cross court she heard a familiar tune ringing in her ears. Taking a break, Mandie strutted her way over to the white bench where her cell phone was located.
"Hey Heather." she answered almost certain she knew who was calling her.
"I prefer the term Mom." a cheerful voice answered on the other end.
The surprise in her voice was evident as she replied, "Mom?"
"Yes, I do exist. I just called to say I'm going to the parents meeting at your school, so it seems I'll get home later than expected."
Ignoring the previous comment Mandie questioned, "How did you get this number?"
"After calling the house for the past 5 minutes, and with no success, I looked up your cell phone number." she paused to take a breath, "Where were you anyway?"
"I decided to practice some tennis." she responded flatly.
Theresa momentarily chocked. 'She is her Father in every aspect of the word.'
"That's great. I'll see you at 10. I love you honey."
"Love you too Mom." they each clapped their phones together around the same time, each going back to their own activities. Each unaware of what was to come.
For good, for bad, for happy, for sad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Who do you run to when everyone is gone?'
He was never a major person in expressing emotions. For years thousands of dollars were spent on over analyzing therapists.
Who would have ever assumed it only took one person.
'I told her everything.'
He got her devotion in return. Admiration. Love.
All temporary. All for a few months.
After she left, so much happened. It didn't all involve his shut down either.
Julian and Ivy, the pair he now refused to call his parents, each celebrated. Julian maybe a bit too much considering he had a heart attack a week later.
Ivy rejoiced.
Alistar said good rittens. Anyone who was unable to outlive their own parent was unworthy of a company. Much like the Ethan Jr. situation.
With Ethan, Ethan Martian, and then Julian gone that left the empire to one person after the death of the one that refused to die. Him. Nicholas Foxworty. The most under qualified candidate a few years earlier. He was once his Father's son. The disappointment. The womanizer. The one always asking for loans.
'I'm no longer the man I once was.'
He was now the essence of Alistar. Cruel. Ruthless. A businessman.
With only one flaw.
'Emotions are for the weak.'
