Proving Her Wrong

Chapter 20

"Come on Ali, it's this way," Marc laughed excitedly as he pulled her through the forest. "You're going to love it, I promise."

"We're going to get in trouble, Marc," She whimpered as she looked around scared.

"No, we aren't," he said as he stopped rushing and slowed down so she could catch her breath. "They are both asleep and will stay asleep all night. I slipped some sleeping pills into their drinks before dinner. I promise they aren't going to find out."

"Marc!" She gasped then pouted, "You're going to get in so much trouble when they realize."

"They aren't going to," he shook his head. "Besides if it means protecting you, then it will be worth it."

"But you haven't healed from last time yet," she pouted. "You can't keep doing this, Marc."

He stopped and turned to face her, "I can and I will," he said sternly. "I know what I'm doing, Ali, just trust me. Now come on, it's just a little further up."

"How can you tell?" she whispered while tightening her grip on his hands. "It's so dark out here."

"But you like it, admit it," he chuckled.

"You know me too well," she smiled softly then gasped as they came to a stop in front of an abandoned mansion. "Oh Marc, it's beautiful!"

"I knew you would like it," he beamed. "I found it while running one night. "It's safe to go inside. Here," he handed her a flashlight out of his pocket and she squealed in excitement then jumped and hugged him tightly. "You're welcome, Beautiful. Come on, let me show you around."

"Can this be our special place, Marc?" she asked as they walked into the foyer. "Oh, it's so beautiful."

"If that's what you want," he smiled as he watched her explore. "I did some research, Abraham Wright built this for his wife Olivia as a wedding present back in the 1700s. It's ten bedrooms and it was built exactly how she wanted it. Story goes she told him her dream house on a date and he remembered then built it as a surprise. They were married for 50 some odd years before she died and he followed less than a year later."

"Of a broken heart?" She asked softly.

"That's what the family said," he nodded. "Want to hear an interesting twist?"

"How incredibly sad and beautiful at the same time," she whispered as she sat on the stairs. "What's the twist? It was an arranged marriage?"

"No," he shook his head, "Family rumor is they were step siblings and even though it couldn't be proven there are stories that have been passed down that his two best friends moved in shortly after the marriage and never moved out or married."

"Are you suggesting polyamory, Marc?" She gasped and he shrugged. She bit her lip and smiled, "To have that kind of love would be...beautiful," She whispered after some time. She sighed, "Too bad it's just rumors." She stood and started walking around, "Why doesn't the family still have this place?"

"They lost it during the war," he explained, "eventually everyone forgot about it. The people I talked to are some odd cousins and don't want the stress of trying to claim then repair it." He followed her up the stairs. "Do you believe in polyamory, Ali?"

"I think it's a beautiful idea," she admitted, "to receive that much love and have that much to give to others, it's a wonderful idea but love isn't real." She shook her head. "Look at our parents, all of them, that's enough proof that love isn't real. Love wouldn't hurt this much if it were real." She sighed, "Face it, Marc, they are going to split soon. Let's just spend as much time together as we can."

"No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you," Marc said pulling her into a hug. "We will always have this place and I'll always be there for you, no matter what. Promise me we won't lose each other."

She smiled and hugged him tighter, "No matter what happens, I'll always find my way back here, it's our secret place." She pressed her face into his chest and clung to him, "I'll never leave you, Marc."

"You promised, Beautiful," Marc said sadly and she looked up only to find she was alone in the house. "Don't do this to me now, Alina. You promised."

"Marc?" She called out confused as she spun around. "Marc?"

"Come back to me, Beautiful, please," he pleaded. Her heart broke at how sad he sounded. "Please Alina, please. Please open those pretty brown eyes, come back to me, don't break your promise to me. Come on, Alina, open those beautiful brown eyes, come back to us. Listen to my voice and come back to me, Beautiful."

She reached the top of the stairs and found herself in front of her favorite room of the house. She pushed open the door and smiled seeing Marc in front of the window seat. He turned to her and held his hand out. She rushed to him, intent on giving him a hug and was surrounded by a white blinding light.