Heart of Stone

Sweet Sixteen

"Eloise Winter, you haven't met with Alexander yet?" Her father asked her incredulously.

"No, dad. I told you the night of the banquet that I wasn't interested in meeting with him." She responded.

Traitorous images of that night flashed through her mind as she said that. She had done more than meet with him, he just didn't know it. She wasn't about to tell her father that either.

"Edward! Your daughter just told you a strange man came onto her property and frightened her, and that's what you're worried about?" Eleanor, Eloise's mother, chastised her husband.

He sighed.

"You're right, I'm sorry, that's not how I meant it. But this is important too." He said.

"How do you even know that I haven't met with him?" Eloise asked.

"Caroline called me." He answered.

"She called you? Are you kidding me?" Eloise asked.

"Yes, she called me. She's concerned. She says you keep putting it off." He said.

Eloise scrubbed a hand down her face.

"Well, dad, as you can imagine I've been a little stressed out." She said, flinging her arms to the sides.

"Alright, alright. We're not trying to upset you." Eleanor said, stepping forward to hug her daughter.

Eleanor Winter was a woman in her late 40s with a calm and elegant presence. Her and her daughter shared a striking resemblance, with similar fair skin and long, wavy golden-brown hair that now had streaks of grey. Her eyes, filled with kindness, seemed like they could see straight down into the soul, but she exuded a deep love for her daughter.

Eloise reveled in this now, allowing her mother's hug to calm her. She knew she would always defend her against her father, even in moments when she maybe shouldn't have, but this was not one of those moments.

"Why don't go upstairs and make yourself comfortable for the night?" Eleanor suggested as she pulled back and gave her daughter a gentle smile.

Her compassionate demeanor always put those around her at ease, but Eloise knew this was a prelude to an argument with her father. She always tried to hide it from her, but Eloise always knew. The walls weren't thick enough to hide it once it escalated. That was part of the reason Eloise left. She got sick of the secret fights. They had become soul draining, and evidently nothing had changed.

Simply nodding, she exited the kitchen. It was a luxurious home, the kitchen boasting all white wooden cabinets, a large marble island and stainless-steel appliances. There were also large windows letting in natural light. Finding her way to the grand foyer, she climbed the striking double staircase with its ornate railings. She took in the spacious domed ceiling and the large window and chandelier. Even the rug covering the floor was exactly as she remembered it. She didn't visit often. The walls still featured the same framed artwork, and the space was still furnished with the same elegant tables and lamps.

She made her way down the hallway leading to her bedroom. There was a golden chandelier in the middle with a decorative table and porcelain lamp. A rug adorned the white marble flooring, offsetting the gold accents and paintings. The double doors leading to her bedroom were white with golden handles and frosted glass.

She put her hand on the cold knob and opened the door. It was exactly as she had left it. Her mother had never allowed it to be changed into anything else, just in case she'd wanted to come home or needed a place to stay for the night. It was luxurious, to say the least. It had a large bed with a white goose down comforter, pillows to match, and a vanity table complete with a mirror on one side that once held bottles of various beauty products on every inch of its surface. The walls were white with classic wooden panels and gold accents with dark wood floors.