Goodnight, Socialite

V: The Benefactor

*Alexander's POV*

I walked home-- no, ran home that night with a fear instilled in my me; one which i had never known before. Could it really be possible? Could Danielle still be... Here? There was no way. Danielle was long gone, and soon enough, this would all be over. Had it not been for the slight inconvenience, i would still have that inheritance within my grasp. Now, thanks to Danielle, i'll have to pursue it through very... Old fashioned and quite embarrassing means.
Getting home that night was a quite a journey in and of itself, so when i did finally manage to get there, i was all but dead. Well, i would have been if my 'friend' William wasn't waiting for me. He wants this money just as much as i do, but i don't know what i'll tell him now.
As i enter the home with a small throbbing headache, it escalates when William shouts to me from the living area,
"Well, look what the cat dragged in! Oh, and uh, sorry to hear about your little girlfriend, mate. Quite a shame."
My eyes shift uncomfortably around the room as i nod. When i do so, William makes a strange sort of pouty face at me and closes the distance between us with a very awkward hug. There is a long silence... I'm hoping maybe he has forgotten about the money for the moment and he'll let me finish this alone, but soon enough he breaks the silence by saying,
"You realize now what has to be done, then, don't you?"
I pull him off of me and reassure him.
"Not yet. I am set to speak with the Ainsworth's tomorrow to see if i can get some... Compensation for my pains. If it works, you'll have your money,"
I say poking his chest, but then immediately curse myself mentally for the action, shaking my head slightly.
"... And my conscience will still be in tact."
Will puts his hands up and looks off in another direction, a silent sign that he will let me handle this for now.
"Alright, Alex. Do you what you have to do to sleep at night."
I figure the conversation is over, so i start for my bedroom. Sleep was exactly what i needed after all of this craziness. Maybe that's why i thought i heard Dani's voice out in the street tonight. I'm not haunted, just delusional.
When i have crossed the threshold into my room, a hand grips my shoulder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I suppose the conversation isn't over.
"Remember though Alexander: if you can't do the job right, we're doing this my way. Morals or no."
He finishes his sentence with a hint of ferocity and after his words hang in the air long enough to suffocate me, his hand is gone and he has disappeared down the hall.
~
It was 9:37 when i arrived at the Ainsworth manor once more. Looking up at the house sent a chill down my spine. I'm sure the town woke up in mourning today at the loss of Abel Anisworth's fair daughter. Now, the manor is like a large tombstone, with people passing occasionally on the street to pay their respects. The funeral was to be held in a couple of days so there was plenty of time for respects then, but there was something about Danielle that made this bigger than just an unfortunate case. She loved people, and in return they loved her. Real love was such a taboo thing around here, so much so that when someone like Danielle was out in the world, she spread it as much as she could. That poor girl. I wish i could have been able to tell her the truth about life: Love doesn't solve anything. People will still be retched and wicked to you, but the only difference is your guard will be down to such trickery... Well, i guess in the end, i did teach her that after all. This thought brings a tiny pang of guilt to my chest and i have to regain my breath, like something had knocked the wind out me.
The large doors to the manor let out a loud eery noise, much like they did last night, except this time i knew what waited for me between these walls. Upon entering, everywhere i looked their were policemen and doctors and the occasional righteous figure; a priest or two. There was one in particular that i see every Sunday at the noon services. Father Statius. He notices me from across the room and sprints over to me before i reach the grand staircase.
"Alexander."
He calls out to me. For a man of his years, he can still run better than most. Poor father must have been as distraught as any Ainsworth by then. He was going to be the chaplain for our wedding ceremony, but now he has obviously been relieved of his duties.
"Father, how are you?"
I bow slightly and kiss his ring, giving him a warm smile.
"Me? The better question is how are you, my boy? Danielle... I'm so sorry. She was quite the young lady. I just can't wrap my head around all this."
I have to start playing the grieving fiancée again. With a smile still plastered on my face, i add a hint of sadness to my eyes and pat father's hand.
"Yes, she was-- the best thing God had ever given me. I'm more baffled then anyone, and to be the one that found her..."
I start to tear up a little bit. Father Statius pulls me into a warm embrace. He pats my back gently as i sob a little int his robes. I hope i don't have to keep this act up for long, i think to myself.
"Now, now. She's in the Father's hands, we have nothing to fear. Pray for Him to send you strength, my son."
He pulls me from his chest, my eyes all puffy and red now and my nose leaking slightly. I must've looked like a mess.
"Ask for his guidance through this trying time. Peace be with you."
"And with you, father."
With this, we shake hands and i escape quickly up the stairs, off to the study where i would find Maggie Ainsworth, collect my money and be on my way.

Upon entering the study, i did find the great Benefactor, mrs. Ainsworth, poised in the large chair on the opposite side of the desk. As she gazed through the large windows into the fresh autumn scene outside, i studied her for signs of mourning... Or disappointment. She appeared as though she was in an beautiful portrait; the kind that shop keepers hang in their stores as conversation pieces, throwing comments at their customers such as "what a gloomy beauty, don't you think?", and "i've always wondered what this piece meant to the artist. He must have been a tortured soul."
I cleared my throat announcing my entrance to her as i removed my hat.
"Lady Ainsworth,"
I said giving a slight tilt of my head which she returned.
"How are you today?"
She took one more long look out the window and sighed, still not ready to look away.
"I feel as if a part of myself has died, Alexander. I just wonder: was it me? Could i have been a better mother? I suppose so."
She pushed the chair away from the window slightly and looked over at me. In her eyes, i finally read what she was feeling: regret. She continued:
"Danielle and i never did have the best relationship. In her... I saw what i could have been. And now..."
She trailed off. No tears or gasps, only a vacant aura fogging the room. I can't lose her, not yet. I need this deal to come through. After a moment of silence, i take a seat opposite her and begin to offer my condolences.
"Maggie,"
She looks to me, snapped out of her daze by a sudden hint of familiarity. She had once called me the son she never had, but i doubted the truth of it.
"Danielle was... My everything. Though i could never know the grief of a mother, i share your pain, believe me i do."
Now, while you've got her attention, sell it. To convince Mrs. Ainsworth of my grieving, i give a sniffle or two and occasionally bring a hand to my mouth as if holding in a whimper. She is instantly hooked and comes over to the chair next to me, taking my hand and cradling it in her own.
"You see, Mrs. Ainsworth, Dani and i had plans to travel after marriage; sort of a honeymoon, but this trip would be to help a small village in India."
It was all fabricated, of course, but i had to think of something, and that something had to be big.
"Yes, the village is impoverished and riddled with disease, but you know Danielle; always ready to help, no matter the cost. I come to you today because i hope to fulfill her wish,"
Here comes the hard part. No matter how sad or grief stricken she is, i know Maggie: she's a hard old bat. Getting this money won't be easy.
"And the only way i can do this is to gain a portion of her inheritance."
Her hand tightens around mine, and her lips form a straight line. She still maintains a silence. Thinking quickly, i put my hands around hers and sniffle once more, shutting my eyes forcefully as if ready to sob like an infant.
"Maggie... I must be honest with you. When Danielle came to me with her charity idea, i completely shot her down. --How could i possibly let the love of my life put her health at risk for the sake of others?! I said i wouldn't allow it, and- and she... She was heartbroken. I think, that may be one of the reasons she--"
I cut off there and really did begin to sob, right into Mrs. Ainsworth's shoulder which came as a surprise to her. Not really knowing how to respond, she patted my back awkwardly, trying to ease my pain. I could tell what she meant when she said she wasn't the best mother. I was able to hold back my sniffles and tears long enough to get out my last argument.
"Please, Maggie. I can't let her death be in vain. I have to do this... For her."
At my last words, she heaved a sigh, and began to cry with me. Got her. Through her own muffled sobs, she took my face in her hands and looked at me with red, puffy eyes that probably matched my own.
"Alexander, i would love to help you, but Mr. Ainsworth has frozen Danielle's inheritance indefinitely. He says it is his last farewell to her. I've tried to convince him to do something with that money- even a charitable idea like Danielle's, but to no avail. I'm sorry... I truly am."
She began to blubber like a child once again, landing her straight into my lap. I patted her back and hushed her as i turned her words over in my mind and accepted the fact that i wouldn't be 'saving villagers in India' any time soon.
You leave me no choice: Plan B.