The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 42: The perks of having an ex-lover

Meanwhile, life throws its surprises. And this time it was connected with Millie, my grandmother, or more precisely with her former lover.

Remember that young man with whom she had a romance for several years, and then they suddenly didn't get along? But let's start from the beginning.

So, that morning I was awakened by a loud discussion, which reached me from the kitchen on the ground floor. It was like they were having a full-blown debate down there or something.

Dragging myself out of bed, I stumbled down the stairs, still half-asleep, and found myself smack dab in the middle of a bustling kitchen scene. There they were, my family, chatting away like there was no tomorrow - a total chaos. 

"My dear, I'm buying an apartment in Miami!" Grandma Millie was clearly very happy.

"Um..." I fell silent halfway through. "And who will give you another loan? You're already drowning in them, and your only income is your pension."

"It's not a loan, I'll buy it with my own money."

I barely held back from laughing. Thriftiness was clearly not a trait she could boast about. Indeed, her penchant for extravagant purchases and impulsive decisions painted a picture far removed from the portrait of a thrifty individual. Yet, despite the humor of the situation, I managed to maintain a facade of polite interest, unwilling to burst her bubble of excitement with the harsh reality of financial responsibility.

"You won the lottery?"

"Not exactly."

"Did someone accidentally transfer a large sum of money to you?"

"Even better, Liandra!" She was positively glowing with happiness. "My former lover left me a portion of his savings!"

My jaw dropped as I processed the news, my mind struggling to comprehend what I had just heard. I blinked in disbelief, feeling a surge of shock coursing through me. These days, I have fewer admirers in my youth than Grandma Millie does in her age.

"Which lover exactly, Grandma?"

"Of course, the last one. We ended our relationship but remained on good terms."

My thoughts raced, unable to grasp the reality of the situation. It was like a bolt out of the blue, leaving me reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. That's how it goes sometimes – while you're working hard to build your future, someone else just happens to get lucky.

***

While my family was busy preparing all the necessary documents, I found myself with another concern - I had an interview scheduled for me on our local channel "Ravenwood Today." It's highly unlikely that anyone outside of town would watch this broadcast, and all residents of Ravenwood practically know each other. And although there's no point in becoming a celebrity where everyone knows you by face, it's still nice to get your five minutes of well-deserved fame on TV.

The studio was located in a very old building, half of which was occupied by some government organization where psychologists dealt with juvenile delinquents - not the safest neighbours. But the rent was relatively low there, and the owner of "Ravenwood Today," Mr. Biggins, was too stingy to change the situation or ensure the safety of his employees. According to another version, this local media mogul simply owed a considerable amount to the bank, which he borrowed to pay a bribe to a judge because his son, young fool Joe, often liked to drive drunk until one fine day it caught the attention of the police.

I woke up at 5 am because the interview was scheduled for exactly 8 am, and I also needed to make it to the makeup artist for my makeup and to the stylist for presentable attire. Strangely enough, this time it was much easier to wake up than at 7 o'clock to avoid being late for classes.

With my clothes meticulously curated to reflect both elegance and style, I stood poised and confident, ready to make a lasting impression with my presence and  charisma. Let it start.

The host of the morning program, Sandra Biggins, was the daughter-in-law of the aforementioned studio owner and the wife of that Joe, who had already managed to get into trouble with the law in his youth. As it often happens in small towns, I had known Sandra since early school years - she attended my previous school and was only a few years older than me. Honestly, she was a problematic child both in academics and behaviour, so her only chance to secure a good life was to tie herself to some wealthy family. And that's exactly what she did.

The studio lights bathe the set in a warm glow as Sandra's inviting smile welcomes me. I sat across from her in a luxurious armchair.

"Welcome back to 'Ravenwood Today'," she says, her voice expressing amusement. "Today, we have a special guest, the incredibly talented photographer Liandra. Liandra, it's a pleasure to have you here."

I offer a grateful smile, my heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you for having me, Sandra. It's an honor to be on your show." Adjusting my posture, I prepare to delve into the depths of my passion.

Sandra's next question cuts through the air like a razor. "So, Liandra, let's start with your journey into photography. What inspired you to pursue this art form?" Her eyes gleam with genuine interest, urging me to share my story.

As I recount my journey, memories flood my mind like a torrential downpour. "Well, Sandra, I've always been drawn to the power of capturing moments in time. Photography allows me to freeze emotions, stories, and beauty in a single frame. It's a way for me to express myself and connect with others."

Sandra listens intently, nodding in understanding as I speak. "That's fascinating. Your work truly does evoke a sense of emotion and storytelling. Can you tell us about a project or photograph that holds a special significance to you?"

In this very moment, something that was not planned happened. Out of nowhere, the lights in the studio flickered and went out. The interviewer muttered something under his breath, and the crew members scrambled to check the equipment. Meanwhile, I sat there, feeling a knot forming in my stomach. Was this going to ruin my chance at a successful interview? Or was it just a temporary setback?

"Oh, a minor hiccup in the electricity," a cameraman said.

I shuddered. It couldn't be that simple. Someone intended to disturb me one more time. Was it a power outage? A technical malfunction? Or something more sinister? I couldn't shake off the feeling that this was no accident. It felt deliberate, calculated, like someone was playing a prank on us.  As the seconds ticked by, the tension in the room grew palpable.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the lights flickered back on, and the electricity hummed back to life. The interviewer apologized for the interruption, but I could tell he was just as perplexed as I was.

We were going to resume our interview and in that very moment I received a message on my smartphone from hidden number:

I'm waiting for your right decision. And the longer you think, the more often I'll try to ruin your future.