THE BROKEN HEARTS

Chapter 10: "A very merry Christmas"

On Christmas Eve, Annie was in the kitchen taking care of the diner with the housekeeper who was helping her out before she leaves to celebrate with her family.

In the living room, the big Christmas tree was well decorated and there was a manger underneath and presents. Annie was wearing a red dress, one of the colours of Christmas. The duke of Grandchester had arrived with his arms full of presents, he put under the tree.

- Well father, said Terry, I hope one of those present is for me too and not only for mum...

The duke blushed a little and he smiled. Eleonor arrived a few minutes after the duke with lots of presents in her arms too. She was also wearing Christmas colours, red and green.

- Hello mum! Said Terry, happy Christmas!

- Merry Christmas baby, merry Christmas, Annie

There was a ring at the door and Charlie Sanders arrived with presents in his arms.

- Charlie! Said Annie smiling, what a nice surprise! Merry Christmas!

- Merry Christmas princess, said Charlie hugging her.

The Christmas Eve diner was delicious. After the meal, everybody was sitting around the fireplace, telling Christmas stories and singing Christmas carols. Eleonor was really nice with the duke that evening. It was the holiday season after all. They exchanged gifts, but they didn't open them, since it was December 24th...

oOoOoOoOoOo

Charlie was with Terry in his office to speak alone;

- So how is the cohabitation going with the princess?

- It's going very well... we get along great.

- And when are you taking it to the next level?

- What next level?

- Come on buddy... you're not going to tell me that you're actually not doing anything with her?

- I'm a gentleman...

- Who doth protest too much...

- Charlie! She's Candy's sister!

- Yes, you said that already... and she's also a girl! You're lucky to be living with her. You can take advantage of the situation... you intent to assist her until she meets a man who wants to marry her...?

- Her ex-fiancé of a dandy came to get her back...

- Really? And how did that make you feel?

- He kissed her... I wanted to die...

- Oh...

- Yes... he treated her like crap! She can't get back together with him!

- What if she loves him?

- The dandy told her he was with her only because Candy had asked him to!!! I would've gladly put my fist on his face!

- And why didn't you do it?

- Because she's not my girlfriend..., she's a fried, that's all.

- So you didn't say anything?

- Well...

- Yes?

- I showed her how upset I was when we got back here...

- By doing what?

- I... I... kissed her!

- Really?

- Yes... only to show her that I could make her believe that I love her like the dandy did! She didn't even kiss me back! Said Terry a little upset.

- And did she kiss the dandy back?

- I don't know! Looked like it...

- So you were trying to make a point?

- Yes...

- Or you wanted her to compare your kissed?

- Yes... what? No!

Charlie burst out laughing, he was mocking his friend.

- You're making me say nonsense! Said Terry.

- Nonsense? Really? What I see is a jealous guy because the ex-fiancé of his "roommate" came back to get back together with her by kissing her... you do the same thing... but she didn't kiss you back... and it made you angry.! You're in love!

- If I was in love with her, I would've beaten up the dandy...

- The fact that you might be more mature doesn't cross your mind? Fighting was kind of childish, don't you think so?

- You want to make me thing that I didn't fight with the dandy, because I'm more mature?


- Didn't you feel like beating him up? And you didn't ... why?

- I told you why, because she's not my girlfriend...

- Terry...

- All right! I was thinking about the reception for the premiere, the first time I was on stage with my mother... I didn't want to ruin it with a fight, which would've stolen the scene of the premiere! Otherwise, I would've beaten him up like back in school!

- So, I'm right, you're more mature and you're thinking and you opted for the wiser decision; you were jealous and you kissed the princess by forcing her...which probably didn't make you win any points with her...

- I offered her flowers to apologise...

- What about the dandy?

- He also sent her flowers...

- If you want to get her, you have to be one step ahead of the dandy buddy...

- But I don't want to...

Charlie raised his eyebrows...

- So you wouldn't have problems if I start hitting on the princess? Said Charlie

- You ate women for breakfast! Leave her alone! She deserves better...

- The dandy doesn't deserve her, I don't' deserve her... You, deserver her?

- She's Candy's sister, I have to look after her...

There was a knock on the door. Eleonor came in.

- Are you coming guys? Come and join us in the living room. You'll have time to talk another time...

- We're coming mum, said Terry walking to the door.

- Saved by the bell! Said Charlie smiling.

Charlie left to go party with his other friends. Eleonor also left and she took the duke with her who was ecstatic. Annie and Terry were alone and they were telling stories in front of the chimney...

- Well, said Terry, it's still early; you want to respond to the dandy's invitation?

- Not really..., said Annie

- Are you sure? Don't mind me. It doesn't bother me if you go...

"He really wants me to go see Archie? He doesn't want to be alone with me for Christmas Eve?" thought Annie sadly.

- You really want me to go...? She asked.

- I can come with you if you want...

- Oh, all right...

- I have another invitation...

- Oh, all right...
What was she thinking? That Terry was going to spend Christmas Eve with her alone? He had bigger fish to fry. Probably a third rate actress who was waiting for him for a little tryst in the sheets!

- Let's go then, if it doesn't bother you and if you have another invitation!

Terry was hurt. He wanted her to refuse... So they went to the Andrew Manor, the family was still in New York.

Archie came to open the door and he smiled when he saw Annie. He was very happy. He barely looked at Terry.

- Merry Christmas! Said Archie, Annie, I'm so happy to see you.

- Merry Christmas Archie, said Annie forcing a smile.

Annie was thinking that Terry would leave right away, but she was surprised to see that he got in with her. Patricia, who was in the living room with the family, was glad to see her friend.

- Annie! Merry Christmas! Said Patricia coming to kiss her.

- Merry Christmas Patty! Said Annie hugging her back.

- Terry! Said Patty, merry Christmas!

- Happy Christmas Patricia, said Terry smiling.

- Annie, come with me, said Archie, I'm going to give you your present...

- Oh, all right, said Annie following him.

Terry and Patty were looking at them while they exchanged their gifts. Terry didn't even know she had a present for Archie! Patty was looking at him.

- Why did you bring her here? She asked.

- The dandy invited her...

- Oh... and she asked you to bring her here?

- She's a friend, I wanted to make her happy.

- So why do you feel like killing Archibald?

- I don't want to kill...

- Terry...

- I have another invitation...

- A date?

- To which I don't feel like going to...

- You'd rather stay with Annie. Then why are you throwing her in Archibald's arms?

- I'm not throwing... I...

He stopped talking. It was like he was doing everything so that Annie would spend time with Archie, but only after she had told him that she wasn't interested in Archie anymore...

- Terry, said Patricia, I might be meddling in your business...

- As a matter of fact...

- But, if you want Annie... you should tell her...

- What are you talking about Patty? She's Candy's sister. Archie already hurt her and humiliated her...

- And you're protecting her by throwing her into his arms? Oh right! That makes sense! Said Patty ironically.

- Where's Albert? Said Terry to change conversation.

- In his office..., said Patricia

Eliza, who was upstairs in her bedroom arrived and she was glad to see Terry.

- Terrence! Merry Christmas! She said jumping to his neck! You came to see me! How nice of you!!! Come and get the present I bought for you...

Terry followed Eliza, leaving Patricia, who walked towards the office. Albert was there and she got in. He looking out the window and he turned around to look at her. She walked into his arms and he hugged her closing his eyes.

- Are you ok? Asked Patricia.

- I miss her, he said.

- I miss her too...

- Thank you for being here, he said.

- In your arms, you mean? It's divine!

They burst out laughing. Albert looked for her lips and they exchanged a long passionate kiss...

- Terry and Annie are here, said Patricia when they stopped.

- Really?

- Archibald invited Annie...

- And Terry came along...?

- They're playing cat and mouse...

- What do you mean?

- You'll see..., said Patricia pulling Albert's head towards her.

They kissed fierily. They were not in a hurry to see the others.