“Wake up! Aidan!” my brother screamed for me to get up. I must have dozed off in tiredness, for a fraction of minutes. I buried my face in the pillow, suffocating my disappointment of the day ahead. I didn’t bother for breakfast as I was in no mood for it and because my parents invited The rich freak to share the morning meal. I gave some excuse of not being well and it worked with my parents. A shining limo awaited us outside; my parents were beaming with pride! And I was nauseated by their joy. “You are going to love the place! You’ll feel home in no time” yeah right! I thought, ‘feel at home’, right now I just wanted to ‘be home’. I had left Caleb and Mike an S.O.S, hoping they would get it.
He ordered the chauffeur to stop in front of the impeccable, elaborate designed gate. We proceeded towards the humongous estate of the campus, where the students appeared like dots. Everyone passing us by greeted him; they treated him like a celebrity. However, I should have been flattered being in his company, I wasn’t impressed the least. We made our way towards the gothic structure sitting elegantly in the middle of the campus. “Mr. Tassell, how are you this fine morning? And who may I ask is your new companion?” “A very good morning to you Professor Rossi, I’m fine, this here is Aidan Callaghan, fresh talent I’ve scoured for Professor Newman. We both exchanged pleasantries and continued on our way.
His touring and introduction of each structure was like drone, a distant buzzing in my ears, finally, we met Professor Newman, a stocky, and dwarf like in stature, who was deeply drowned in his valuable collection. While Daniel was explaining the nature of our meeting, I took the liberty of surveying the old room; clothed in all kinds of books strewn everywhere, with the aroma of leather hanging in the air. In a dark corner, on an old Victorian sculptured shelf, I noticed a thick bound book, which read if not mistaken, ‘The Legend and Fact that is Raven Falls’. I reached for it and was suddenly snapped by the professor who wasn’t very welcoming. Daniel just smiled and coaxed me to be pleasing towards him. After some cold pleasantries, we left. “Don’t mind him; he’s just too obsessed with his books”. I didn’t reply, just walked with an invisible leash going wherever he was leading me.
Later he invited me to one of his huge leisure cottages. It was really amazing!. A real eye teaser!. What I’d give to live this way!. He gave me another grand tour of the little heavenly place and all the time I was in awe of the decorum, the furniture, the history of it all. He lastly, guided me to the grand and most beautiful room in the cottage, ‘The Reading Room’ it was christened. I gawked like a little boy lost in the candy store, buried in the most desirable delectable web, spoilt for choices, enveloped in priceless, valuable knowledge known to man. “You can come here anytime you like”, he said handing me a can of coke. I secretly wiped my drool and tried to ease my excitement, although, I could feel it was too late. Daniel was quick to see through any of my hidden emotions. “this is a really nice place you’ve got here”. “yeah, one of my many gifts from my grandparents”. “wow! I always get a sweater from mine”. We both smiled at that one.
After some uneasy moments, Daniel suggested, “it’ll save you the trouble Aidan, if you come and stay here, it’s closer to the campus” I stared at him wide-eyed. “oh that’s okay, I don’t mind the traveling and besides you’ve done a lot and my family really appreciates it”. He casually took a sip and then came over and sat down near where I was seated. “Do ‘You’ appreciate it, are ‘You’ happy?”. His expensive cologne teased my nostrils and his ice green eyes were studying my every facial detail. It was getting hard to breathe with him sitting close and staring at me. I was freaking out for an excuse, what the hell was he playing at, anyway!. “uh… yeah, I’m okay. Wow! Look at the time I’d better be going, thanks for showing me around and everything” I prayed he didn’t see through my nervousness. I stood up to leave when he implored,” wait, what’s so important that you have to leave and besides you didn’t answer my question”. I stalled for a reply. “I promised a friend of mine I’d be there for his important project, you know to support him.” He brooded “that doesn’t answer my question” he stood so close to me that I could hear his heartbeat!. “I…’m go..o..od, thanks” I wasn’t sure that was the answer he was looking for but, hoped he’d let go of it. He seized me up and down like I was a specimen in a lab, that needed investigation. Great! I thought he’s not going to let me get off easily this time. “Okay”. Phew! Finally!. “There’s readout at The Rembrandt Bookstore, in the evening, I’ll pick you up at 7”. Shit! the bastard just won’t let me live!.
