"Young Miss--I mean...Vina." He bowed again.
"She has a butler! Granny has a butler...Our freaking grandma is loaded!" I could practically see the dollar signs in Jordan's eyes when he squealed this.
He didn't hesitate once the front door was opened. He literally went ballistic as he absorbed every aspect of the luxurious house. Not that I wasn't amazed too, but I needed to keep my level of maturity intact.
There was an infinity pool outside and a deck area with a beautiful view of the forest. The house had a total of six bedrooms, eight full baths, and two partial baths. There was a dining room that had a stunning crystal chandelier, a living area with foreign artefacts, a library with a billion books and a media room complete with its own movie projector, which completely won over Jordan's heart.
"I don't think he's leaving this room," I smirked at mom.
Jordan rolled around the carpet and began making carpet angels.
"You grew up here and you left? Were you crazy, Mom?" Jordan said.
"This was a small town and I wanted to get out and explore my opportunities. People around here...they inherit their fortune. I wanted to work for it." Mom said between clenched teeth, but it was only me who heard her.
"Vina, get over here!" Gran yelled from another room.
"I'm coming!" Mom shot back, again sounding upset. "June, can you please make sure your siblings situate themselves in their rooms before they forget? Go ask Lucas where he put your things. He most likely assigned your rooms. If you have questions, he can help you."
"You can count on me." I smiled.
"Thanks, sweetheart."
Deep down I knew mom cared for Gran. If she didn't we wouldn't be here in the first place. I think they needed some time to bond again.
By evening, everyone had unpacked and ogled every stunning room, except for mom of course. Gran thought it would be funny to place mom's luggage in her old room. The room she grew up in still had posters and pictures during mom's youth. Rock bands, trophies, detailed sketches of wolves on her wall. I never knew mom drew so well.
Mom has always been exceptionally smart. I can see that she was just the same as a child.
She's also very strong.
Our dad died in a car accident when Joey was only three months old. It surprises me now that mom didn't lift a finger to call Gran for her help, considering how much we needed it during that time. Mom struggled financially raising three kids on her own. She is prideful and doesn't accept charity--as she calls it. She doesn't ask for help and she never complained about her hardship--not in front of us, that is.
Every day, as a kid I wait for her to at least give me some of the weight she carried on her shoulders, but she never has. When I became a teenager, I expected her to depend on me a little. She eventually gave me some responsibilities around the house that she thought I could handle.
I flipped my phone and saw a message from my commander.
"Sorry to disturb you from your vacation leave but we need you for a special assignment. Your presence will be expected tomorrow night at 24:00."
I heaved a sigh. To think that I would be able to finally have time for my family. damn.
"The sky is really beautiful out here." Joey said that made me flip my phone to its idle mode and shoved it back in my pocket.
We stood on the balcony in the bedroom where he chose and drink a cup of hot chocolate brewed by Lucas.
"You can't find stars like these in the city." We looked behind us and saw Mom walk into the room. She hugged us from behind and bumped our heads together. "My babies, make sure you don't stay out here long. There are mosquitoes here and there are plenty more during the rainy season."
"Okay." Joey and I said in unison.
"By the way Mom, if you're staying here, I might go back to New York. Work-related," I said. It's not that I don't want to stay here but seeing mom and Gran needed to catch some things between them, I think she could also handle Joey.
"Yeah, leave Joey to me. Beside," she said and sat down beside me. "You want that position right? You need to try your best and you will have what you want just be careful"
I smiled at her and she kissed my head.
"I'm going to attempt to rip your brother out of that room. Wish me luck, Good night girls and be sure to lock your windows," she told us after.
"Night mom." We each gave her a hug and kiss before she left.
"Don't you think the moon is really big?"
Joey pointed at it.
I looked up and was astonished by the size. Now that I noticed it, it was more than I would have imagined. It was so large that I could practically see every detail of its ginormous surface.
"It's really bright too," I said.
"There will be an eclipse in three days."
We both gasp at the person limping into the room. Gran sits down on one of the empty chairs.
"Gran, are you trying to scare us with that story of yours again?" Joey said not amused this time.
"It's the truth!" She repeats again, this time louder.
"So is that beast going to come to this house?" I try to sound as serious as possible and Joey seemed to anticipate Gran's answer.
"Yes." There was a little hype to her voice. "The last time they came here was when I was sixteen. In fact, it was on this very balcony I met them. I remember it like it was yesterday."
"Them? You mean the Were-animals, Grandma?" Joey asked.
I swear Joey already loves granny's stories. Well I used to love it until mom cut ties with her when I was almost eleven.
"Hmm. I could say yes and I could say no, Joey. More like those who come here are scouts."
"Scouts?"
"Yes. They are those who look for a potential female," Granny replied. "So back to my story. It was midnight when the moon was eclipsed by the sun. My mother and father were sound asleep in the master's bedroom on the opposite side of the house. I had decided to lay awake hoping to catch a glimpse of the beasts. As the legends say, they go house to house searching for participants."
"Participants? Like a game?"
"Who knows? Those creatures are secretive and beautiful. I saw one of them…a very magnificent creature."
Granny's eyes sparkled wide against the moonlight.
Joey and I stared at each other smiling because Gran sounded completely crazy. I fear maybe she was starting to get dementia and was demonstrating signs of becoming delusional.
"What did he look like Gran?" Joey asked. The best way to talk to someone with a memory problem was to go with their story. That's what my mom said--she's a nurse.
"Majestic. Large. Fur the color of midnight and he stood proud and domineering. Eyes, bright like glowing topaz."
"Are you sure you didn't see a wild bear?" Joey stuttered. "Those things can kill people."
"A bear couldn't jump the way I saw that thing jump. It was graceful. It looked like a wolf." Gran gleamed.
"Wolves live up here?"I asked. "Did you know a lot of people are killed by rabid dog bites?!"
"Oh hush, stop acting like a big baby." Gran hit my leg lightly with her cane.
I winced, but it didn't actually hurt. "That tear-shaped birthmark below to your left eye, it looks good on you," she added and wink to me.
The door of the room swung open.
"Tell me you did not just abuse my daughter with your cane!" Mom marched in walking straight to Granny.
"I'm not telling you that I did not," Gran grunted.
"June, you should go back to your room and both of you should get ready for bed. Don't give me a hard time like your brother."
Joey grabbed my arm just as I was about to leave. "Mom, can June sleep here with me for one night?"
"Why?"
"I'm scared of the wolves."
Mom shot a hard glance at Granny. "What have you been telling them?"
"I just told them about the wolf. The eclipse is coming, so I wanted to let them know about the beast so that if they see them from their window they don't get scared." Gran's dry wrinkled face contorted to a devious smile.
Mom glances at Joey who's now standing as far away from the window.
"Looks like it worked!" Mom says sarcastically.
Gran pats my back, "I can see it didn't work on this tough chick!" She nudged me on my arm. "That reminds me, I should set the flag up-haven't used that thing in over fifty years!" She said excitedly. "Don't worry June, there are a lot of young girls in this town, I doubt you'll be taken. However, having my genes, you are a high-end flesh he won't want to miss out on." She winked.
"Flesh!" Joey cried. "Mom...I changed my mind, I want to sleep in your room."
Mom groaned. "Look what you have done now." She hissed at Gran.
"I've done nothing I ain't proud of," she exited with a dry laugh.
"It's late and it's been a long day.
Tomorrow will be another long day. I plan to see how much the town has changed since I was last here. And also, June, you need to book the ticket back to New York tomorrow."
"She'll be going back?" Granny asked, confused.
"Yep, Gran. I need to go back to work. Adults like me should work," I answered.
"Let's go, Mom," Mom took Gran's hand.
"But-"
"We'll think about tomorrow, Mom," Mom cut off Granny's word and they left my room.
Once in my room, I closed the door and opened my window. The windows were screened so I didn't need to worry about the bugs, nor did I care about Gran's silly story. I loved the forest. I've always loved the outdoors, thanks to my dad.
A few miles away was another house. I could see their window lights on. I doubt anyone would see me strip in front of my window unless they crossed private property. I was left with only my undergarments until I wrapped myself with a soft warm cotton robe. What I loved the most about this house was that each room had a bathroom and each one was equipped with a gorgeous bathtub.
I went inside, taking my favorite vanilla bean shower gel and soaked in the warm water. I didn't get the chance to relax longer because it was kind of late and I didn't want to fall asleep in the tub.
When I got out, I changed into shorts and an off shoulder T-shirt. I slipped into bed and sighed comfortably at the soft mattress.
This felt like heaven.
From the corner of my eye, I saw the curtains flutter from the wind. I had forgotten to close it. I stared out at the window and smirked. Gran's silly story wrapped around my thoughts.
All I saw out there was a bunch of trees. The sky looked clear, not a cloud to be seen and a slightly full moon on the base of the horizon. Stars littered all over the sky and two parallel lights gleamed straight at me—-
Wait, what!
I blink my eyes a couple times and I still see them.
"Get a grip," I told myself.
Gran's craziness must be rubbing off on me. Trying not to panic, I slowly walk up to my window and peer out into the forest. I see the two lights again, but as soon as I close my window they move different directions and one lands on my windowsill.
It was a stinking firefly. That's what I was freaked out about.
I felt like an idiot.