No Confessions

Ch13

Mina cried herself to sleep that night. Her heart and her mind were in a furious turmoil. Her heart wanted Lucy but her mind told her to stay loyal to Jonthan. No matter if he was a ass or not. Yet Mina's heart yearned for Lucy. Mina had thought of getting up, calling a carriage and directing the carriage to the Westenra estate. She had thought about going into the building, getting greeted by Catherine and making her way up the stairs to Lucy's bedchamber. Mina thought about spending yet another night with Lucy, professing her feelings.
    She knew she couldn't. The world was a strange place. Romantic friendships were common. Lucy had mentioned them before, under her breath, numerous times.
    Thinking about it, Mina's mind touched on the thought of if Lucy would like to be in a romantic friendship with her. Mina dismissed the thought, but it came back with time. Mina's dreams were plagued with thoughts of romance, of love and of Lucy. It was a sleepless night for lovesick Mina Murray.
    The next morning, Mina went back to Alexander.
    "Mina? Whatever is the matter?" Alexander said, awoken by frantic knocks. "What hour is it?"
    "Four." Mina uttered before briskly walking in as Alexander moved. "Thank you."
    "Mina, what troubles you? You seem to be in a terrible rush. Has something happened? With Lucy?" Alexander questioned, clearly concerned. Rushing after Mina, he saw tears fall from Mina's cheeks, hitting the floor. "Mina? Mina, please tell me what's wrong!"
    "I'm setting rules." Mina said without waiver. Although she was crying, her voice remained steady. Before Alexander could question, Mina started pacing, reciting her rules. "One. No confessions. Two. Lucy mustn't learn the truth. Three. You," Mina whipped around and strode over to Alexander. "You are to say nothing to no one."
Alexander nodded vigorously, frightened of this side of Mina. "R–right."
"Four." Mina continued. Alexander couldn't help but wonder how many rules Mina had set. "Jonathan is to never learn the true reason I'm calling off the engagement." Mina stopped pacing, looking at Alexander.
"Is there anything else?" Alexander asked, strangely timid.
"Two rules for me, two rules for you." Mina stated. Her eyes seemed to pierce straight through Alexander, sending a chill down his spine. "No confessions. Lucy mustn't learn of my feelings. Lucy also mustn't know why I'm breaking up with Jonathan. Keep it from her at all costs." Alexander, once again, nodded with slight intimidation. "Alexander, you must say nothing to no one. Lucy is extravagantly popular. If this conversation is between people other than you and me, Lucy will find out. Jonathan must also be kept in the dark. He will come to you after I tell him the news. You cannot tell him why."
"Yes Mina." Alexander said without hesitation. "When are you going to tell him?"
Mina hummed before simply saying, "By the by."
Alexander's features dropped in worry. "Today?" Mina nodded. "You can't be serious!"
"Utterly and completely."

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    "Jonathan." Mina gasped, panting from her rush to get to him.
    "Mina, my dear! How are you? What are you doing here?" Jonathan asked, with joy in his voice. Mina had just about ran to the building where Jonathan worked. "Is something the matter?"
    Mina took some moments to catch her breath. When she left Alexander's, she ran out to call a carriage. When a carriage pulled up, she directed it to Jonathan's work. Upon arrival, she ran into the building, asking anyone and everyone for directions to Jonathan. Mina was not a person for running. "I'm calling off the engagement. We're done."
    The entire office was staring at her and Jonathan. A crowd had even formed in the hallway. "What? What on earth do you mean 'we're done'? What the bloody hell happened? I haven't done anything against you!"
    Mina snapped. "That's what! You swear too often, you never support me, you're selfish, you're manipulative, you–you're a terrible fiance." Mina spits. "Luce was right. You are horrible." Mina added under her breath.
    "Mina! Mina, come back! Mina, are you even listening? Mina!" Jonathan yelled after her, but Mina was already too far to care. She could hear, she just didn't care.
    "Ass." She muttered under breath as left, pushing open the door.

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    "Done." Mina stated, dropping herself down into a chair.
    "Done what?" Alexander asked, coming back into the room with tea. Mina looked at him, eyes telling more words than a voice box ever could. "Oh." Mina hummed. "Do you regret it?"
Mina shook her immediately. "No. Not at all. He should have seen this."
Alexander nodded. "At least you see what a dick he is now."
"A total dick!" Mina laughed. The sparkle in her eye returned, making Alexander smile softly. "He was horrid! How am I so blind? Tell me Alexander!"
"I suppose love makes one blind." Alexander hummed. "Just quoting poetry. Don't take my word on it."
"Yes but, that blind?" Mina asked lightly. "Really. I can't believe I was that stupid to see him for what he is. It's quite sad." Mina smiled to herself. "I should go. You must be dreadfully tired of me."
Alexander immediately went to protest but held back. "If you so wish."
"Then I shall. I must tell Lucy the news before Jonathan does, after all. Thank you, Alexander. I owe a great deal to you." Mina said with an almost curt bow.
"You owe me nothing."