THE HEIRESS (Sample)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Aidan sat on the porch with his feet on the porch step, his arm on his knee while the other absentmindedly fingered the locket he wore around his neck.

Robert approached him from behind coming out of the house, squinted at the horizon where the sun was gradually sinking, exhaled the fresh air from the nearby moors to clear his lungs and sat down beside Aidan.

“How is she?’ Aidan asked, still staring at the horizon.

“Asleep.” Robert replied.

“The damn doctor didn’t come today.”

“He was probably busy or something.”

“He was paid to do his job and that he must do!” Aidan stated.

“He might come tomorrow.” Robert calmly said noticing Aidan’s grave tone and mood.

“He had better!”

He glanced at the locket Aidan was fingering. “A locket, eh?”

“Yup!” said Aidan.

“A memento?”

“Yea.”

“From a wife or lover?”

Aidan stopped fingering the locket. “...was never married and I don’t intend to.” he paused and said, his forehead creased in fury. “It was from my mother.”

“Oh!” Robert exclaimed.

Aidan looked down at the locket. “As much as I despise my mother, I wonder why I can’t do away with this.”

“Internal bond, I guess?” Robert suggested.

“Nah...” Aidan shook his head. “I grew up with this locket since I was a child, it seems a part of me now.”

“...And the scar? Did you get that from a fight?”

Aidan reached beneath his hair at the nape of his neck till his fingers brushed a rough surface. ”I don’t know the history of the scar...but I think that bitch I called my mother, did it to me!”

Robert winced. “You must really hate your mother!”

“If she were here...” Aidan curved his fingers as if trying to grip something invisible. “I will choke the very life out of her.” He bent his knuckles so hard till they snapped.

Robert nodded thoughtfully. “I will simply warn ladies that swoon at your looks to beware of you.” He stated.

“I am unfeeling towards them.” He drawled. “If you wanna live long boy, stay away from the lot.”

“I think not! You are only blinded by your hatred for them.” After a brief silence ensued between them, He stood up and stretched. “It’s a cool evening. C’mon, let’s go to the creek for a swim, that’s exactly what we need right now.” He descended the steps and stopped when he noticed Aidan still sat mobile. “C’mon Aidan!” he beckoned.

Aidan hesitated while Robert placed his hands on his hip and gave him a suspicious look. “If you can’t swim, you could as well tell me so then I will take the privilege of teaching you how to, it's pretty simple.” He proudly raised his chin, not knowing when Aidan came down the steps and swatted the back of his head.

“I have been swimming before you were born.” He stated an indignant playful manner.

Robert laughed. “Let’s see about that. I will race you to the creek I bet you’re not as fleet as I am.” He turned and fled.

Aidan shook his head, smiling as he sauntered after Robert. "C'mon, im too old for this!" When Robert increased the gap between them, he laughed and fled after him.