Miss Margie's Mansion

Chapter Three: Mysterious Man

What on earth were you talking about in the hallway,and to whom did the other voice belong to? I wanted to ask my questions right away,but I felt it would not be wise. After all,I wasn't even supposed to be in that hallway in the first place. So instead of showing any recognition,I just smiled and shook his hand.
"It's nice to meet you. How did you come to live with my aunt?" I asked
"I'm Pembrooke's nephew,and I occasionally help out with cleaning the mansion. How do you like it here so far?" He asked me inquiring
"Oh it's alright,it's really big and not what I'm used to. I used to share an apartment with my mother,so this is a change." I answered
"It's a nice place here. Maybe I could show you around sometime...?" He gave me a charming smile as he introduced his offer.
Is he flirting with me? Really? We've only been talking for less than five minutes for goodness sake! I thought while responding " Sure,that would be lovely. What time?"
"I'm here all the time,so how about after dinner?" He asked
"Sounds good to me,i'll be here all the time as well." I said,finalising the decision.
The whole time,my aunt Margie was watching us with a mischievous grin." Well it looks like you two hit it off pretty well doesn't it...that is good because Charles will be showing you the ropes of this place." She said.
After that,our food came. Some kind of spaghetti covered in white sauce. I grimaced thinking, i'll take this opportunity to lose a couple pounds,because there is no way on earth I am eating this. There wasn't much conversation,mostly just awkward staring. Not that I minded, I didn't have much to say anyway,and plus I wanted to be left alone to my thoughts. Aunt Margie and Charlie started talking about a leak in the pipes in the basement and a few other topics that didn't interest me at all. I was stuck thinking about Charlie,and what he was talking about in the hallway. Was there something going on in this place that I didn't know about? Was it bad? I guess I could just ask him when he takes me around...

After dinner,Charlie escorted me around the mansion,showing me everything from the beautiful architecture to the small garden they had in the back yard. He beamed proudly as he talked about how he finally got his tomatoes to grow just right,although I don't understand why it was such an accomplishment.
Although as I looked closer at the garden we were in,it did seem a lot healthier than any other garden I had seen. I leaned down to look at a particularly green leaf on his tomato plant,when suddenly a small face appeared behind it. I squealed and jumped back,tripping on a tree root in the process,making me land on my bottom. "Charlie did you see that? There was a little face behind that leaf!" I squeaked at him,frightened. He only laughed.
"It's just your imagination,how could there be such a thing as tiny people? Your being ridiculous,now there is no need to be scared little lady." He chuckled.
Sounds like something else you said,Charlie. I thought
"Oh alright it probably was just my imagination..." I laughed awkwardly,not wanting to give my secret away just yet. I had a weird feeling about him.

He lead me through the forest and we talked about random things while we walked,like our favorite colors and whatnot. I couldn't stop staring at him,for some strange reason I was just attracted to him. His wiry,muscular build moved quickly,and it was hard for me to keep up. His eyes captivated me with how deep and blue they were. My eyes were just an ordinary green. He seemed to like to keep his hair short,because it was cropped closely to his head. He seemed to feel my eyes on him as he walked in front of me,because he looked over his shoulder and flirted,"See something you like?"
"Um--uh,no I just thought I saw a bug on your shoulder,uh and on your,uh, lower back." My face became beet red as I tried to stutter out an excuse for my staring. He looked puzzled at me for a moment before smiling.
"I think I would have felt it if a bug had landed on me,sugar."
I just looked at the ground,trying to hide my blush. He just chuckled some more and started to lead me back home.
" So what brought you to this place anyway?" I asked him
"Well,I'm in the same position you are in, only my parents died a long time ago,so my uncle Pembrooke told me to come live with him. Also since Miss Margie never had any children,she made me her heir,because she took me as her son when I first came here. So yeah,that's why I'm here." He answered directly.
"How old are you? Do you ever go into town? Do you have a car?" I pestered him with questions
"My,doesn't someone love questions. To answer that,I'm eighteen, I do all the time,and I go with my blue truck. How about you? How old are you?" He replied.
"I'm sixteen,and I can't drive at all." I answered sheepishly,trying my best not to ask any more questions than necessary. He looked at me with a funny expression.
"You little missy aren't missing out on much,I have to run errand after errand. Also,you look a bit above your age." He replied,staring at me up and down. I blushed again,wondering why he liked to stare. Oh,now he's turned you into a confused lovey dovey ball of mush. Now snap out of it Amanda! I collected my composure and wits once more as we reached the door of my room. He leaned his body against the frame of the door and gave me a lazy smile. I almost melted again. He bent forward,making me uncomfortable,yet strangely,he had this pull that made me want to lean into him as well...
"I had a fun time tonight,Amanda." He murmured to me. This was happening way to soon
Stop! Stop this madness this instant! My conscience screamed at me. He leaned in even more and he closed his eyes...
"Charlie,so uh,is there anyone else living here besides Aunt Margie,Pembrooke,and us?" I asked quickly,hoping to distract him.
His eyes flew open and he took a step back.
"No,it's just us four. Why do you ask?" He answered with a tone of disappointment.
"No reason,I was just wondering...well anyway,goodnight! Thanks for showing me around!" I said quickly before stepping into my room and slamming the door. I also locked it,just in case.

Charlie lied to me.

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Hey guys, if you made it this far in the story,tell me what you think in the comments,vote if you want me to continue. I'm sorry my chapters are kinda short,I just always end them that way. Also,constructive criticism is welcome,so if you want to say something,say it.
Yours truly,
Lafontis