The Night I Flew

Chapter 12

"Miss, is everything okay? Your father requests that you wear this gown for tonight."A maid that I hadn't seen before came into my room. I looked closely at the dress that she was holding up. That was my mother's dress. I knew that dress like the back of my hand. It was a floor-length skirt decorated with blue, pink, and purple flowers with no sleeves other than small ones that showed my shoulders. "leave it on my bed."I stated, not looking the maid in the eye.

"Yes miss. Your father also asks that I sit outside your room for your safety."She didn't wait for me to answer her and closed the door behind her. I felt defeated. Could he have known what I was planning? How had he been five steps ahead? I got dressed and hid the vile in my pocket just in case. I made my way down stairs, finding my father speaking with a boy about my age, who I assumed to be Ryker with a man and woman behind him. His mother and father.

I politely greeted them and mostly tuned out to everything they were saying, remembering to add in a few "huh"'s and "Oh"'s. I was mostly focused on finding an opportunity to poison my father without killing the others. Alex and his family were the only things keeping me from just drinking the damned thing. I remembered little Goldie's smile, Rosie's caring words, Reggie's little forms of affection, Holly's motherly love, and Alex's loving, caring touch.

Suddenly, the end of the night came around and we dismissed our guests. "You will be married in two weeks."My father said, finally snapping me out of my trance-like state. "What!? That is way too soon father!"I exclaimed as if it were going to happen. I at least wanted to seem like I wasn't going to kill him and marry a man I had known for years.

"Always so difficult just like your insufferable mother. You disrespectful child! Don't you see how beneficial this would be to us!? Stop being a brat and go to your room!" I stormed off to my room quickly, not wanting to test his anger. I didn't care if it wasn't going to happen. How dare he talk to me like that!? How dare he treat my life as if it were insignificant or unimportant compared to his own. 

I decided to look through some of Alex's letters to help calm me down, a habit I had obtained within the past two years. I picked one up from the previous year when his family thought they would lose their house due to heightened rent. 

 Dear Anastasia,

I fear my family may lose the house. I know I once told you that I wouldn't ask this of you unless it was absolutely necessary. I beg of you to lend us some money so we can at least get through until Reggie can find a suitable job. I'm so so sorry that I have to ask you this but I couldn't think of any other way to save my home. 

Love,

Alex

I remember reading that letter, only thinking of how awful it would be for them to lose their house. That welcoming place I had come to love would be gone forever if I didn't step in. With my letter I sent more than enough to cover a year's worth of rent just to be thorough. Alex had tried to give back the remaining money once  Reggie got a well-paying job but I made them keep it. 

I put the letter away and pulled out another from more recently. It was nothing special. It was only a letter saying how his family was doing well and how he wished to see me but it was just as special as the rest. Every once in a while he even sent pictures of his family as well. I had one family photo from before his father passed, one with me in it, some individual family members, and finally, a photo of me and Alex. He was hugging me from behind.

I cherished these pictures and their memories so dearly I could never imagine parting ways with them. It was hard to think that three years ago, I didn't have any idea who Alex was and he had no idea how important that girl from the rich family he worked for would be.

I often imagined a world where me and Alex were married with kids, my mother was alive and happy, Goldie played with our kids, Rosie was married, and Reggie was getting a great education. Then I also had to remind myself that this was just a fantasy. My mother is dead. Goldie would never play with our children. Alex and I couldn't get married right now. Rosie was having trouble finding love and Reggie couldn't afford a proper education.

I put the letters back in their proper place and picked up a quill and paper. I never in the last two years thought I would ever write what I was about to especially to Alex...

Dear,Alex

I'm Engaged. I will wait for you in the barn. Remember, I am yours and yours alone, no matter what.

Love, Ana

And just like that I was running out into the barn by my house, waiting to find the love of my life who was nowhere to be found...