BLOODSUCKER

trois

The house was a mess. Dishes that had not been washed in day, washing was overflowing out of the basket signalling washing hasn't been done in weeks and to top it off not a single parent was home. Maeve couldn't exactly remember the last conversation she had with her father. She knows it was last week and she knows they were arguing but she couldn't remember why this time. Her mother made habit to not be home whilst her father was as they couldn't sit in the same room as each other for long that a minute as they'd erupt into a fit of rage.

As Maeve thought things couldn't get any worse, she realised that the water bill had not been paid and therefore resulting in the house having no water. 'Happy Birthday Maeve!' She spoke quietly to here self as she walked through her home that was practically falling apart.

A series of bangs could be heard coming from the front of the property that distracted her from her for on anger at her parents. Maeve pulled open the door to reveal a tall man standing in a suit. It was hot outside already and it was only 9am, she knew this man was sweating.

'Are you Maeve Larson?' He spoke sternly, making Maeve shudder despite the warmth outside.

'Depends who's asking?' Maeve spoke confidently.

'Miss Larson, your presence has been requested. Please grab your things and come along.' The man at the door spoke with no emotion.

Panic set into Maeve's body. Had something happened to her parents? 'Is my family hurt?' She asked the man as she locked her front door, only grabbing her broken outdated phone as she was so sure she would be returning home.

'All your questions will be answered in due course Miss Larson.' He spoke as he escorted Maeve to the car.

*~*~*~*~*

Maeve fidgeted with her hands as she sat in the back seat of a fancy SUV whilst a stranger was driving her around in the back. He wasn't very talkative and he didn't answer any of her questions, Maeve didn't like that.

She was anxious and fed up. Today was her birthday for crying out loud, her parents weren't home to wish her a happy birthday, she had no friends to celebrate with and she had a shift at the bar tonight that she had to attend as she was in desperately in need to of the money.

Maeves mind cast back to last night, her thoughts lingered on the interaction she had with this Charles guy last night at work. Her mind was thinking about all the nice things he said and then advice he had provided her. Charles gave Maeve a mysterious feeling, the feeling made her want to find out more about him. But he was just a stranger in the bar, what was the chances of Maeve ever seeing him again? Besides, this Charles guy is getting married today, he's starting a new chapter of his life. Maeve needed to stop romanising this stranger.

Finally the car came to a stop. Maeve glanced out of the window to her left and saw a house, no, a mansion to be exact. She stepped out the car and the air felt different, she knew she wasn't in France anymore. The man that turned up at her door over an hour ago was escorting Maeve into this mansion.

As soon as Maeve's feet were into this home, she noticed a woman standing in the middle of the room. She had a wide smile and she looked excited to see Maeve, no one was ever excited to see Maeve. When Maeve thought of a rich woman, her mind visualised this woman.

'Maeve Larson, it's so nice to finally meet you!' This woman spoke as she pulled Maeve into a hug. The woman smelt rich as well. 'I'm Pascale.'

'I'm confused?' Maeve scratched the back of her head. 'Are my parents okay?' Maeve's main focus was her parents and their wellbeing.

'Let's head to my office and we can discuss some things.' Pascale spoke to Maeve, her voice intrigued young Maeve. Once in an office that was bigger than Maeve's whole house, Pascale began to speak. 'Tell me what you know about your parents relationship with me?'

Confusion spread across Maeve's face. How could her parents of known this woman, this woman was wealthy, her parents were poor, there is no way that had ever crossed paths! 'I apologise but you must be mistaken. My parents couldn't possibly have known you. I would have known.' Maeve remained polite.

'Your parents and I did a lot of business together in the late 90s. My husband and I were considering merging Leclerc Limited with Larson Limited because of how much we got on with your parents. Your father had some good business ideas back in the day. I invested a lot of money into your family business. Your parents got greedy and began stealing from my family, despite how we stopped your parents from loosing everything. Your family owed me 1.5 million euros in stock but they couldn't come up with kind of money. I said we could let it go as long as when you turned 20, you would move to Monaco and marry my son. Happy birthday by the way!' Pascale informed Maeve. From the facial expression on Maeve's face, she was in utter shock with this revelation.

Maeve thought before she spoke, something she didn't rarely do. 'Are my parents okay?' Maeve spoke softly

'Yes, as far as I am aware your parents are fine.' Pascale spoke with a smile.

'This is my home now?' Maeve looked around at the high ceiling of this room she was sat in.

'Correct!' She smiles. 'Leo will show you to your room and we will see you at 2pm for the ceremony.'

Maeve followed Leo, the stranger from earlier this morning, to the top floor of the mansion. This room had everything Maeve could have imagine, a tv, a makeup desk, an en-suite and a massive bed. Maeve was in paradise. Until she realised she was about to marry a stranger. He could be a serial killer for all Maeve knew. The unfamiliar situation made Maeve's chest feel tight. She sat on the edge of the bed and called her mum, it rang several times before going to voicemail.

'Mama it's me Maeve, do you want to give me a call and explain to me why I have just been shipped to Monaco and I am suddenly expected to marry a Leclerc? Why have you never told me the truth about yours a papas past! Can you please call me and explain exactly what you signed me up to because in a couple of hours I am getting married. I can't believe this, just call.' Maeve spoke frustratedly before chucking the broken phone into her bed.

Her family did this to her. They signed her life away. There actions had consequences. None of this was Maeve's fault, Maeve could not have known this would happen, or did she?