He had learned that nothing was free and curiosity had its price. He was here to pay for it.
After Nicholas finds out the secret of a dangerous woman, Mrs. Helene, he is pulled into constant danger. A unlikely twist of fate brings him to 4 other un...
Hi, Everyone!!!!! This is a story by me (obviously). It's called Beautiful Things and it really just explores the lives of 5 teenagers. The first character you will meet is Nicholas and he is a really significant part of the story. You will learn why. Also, I love this song, that's what I like by Bruno Mars. Thank you for reading and Enjoy!!!!!
(Just a thing that describes me at the moment.) Um...Hope you like it.
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Bordeaux, Late Afternoon
The brightly-lit café looked innocent enough. But Nicholas Prestine knew of the secrets hidden behind the beautiful porch and happy tables scattered throughout perfectly maintained grass. He knew them and wasn't scared to say them out loud. A cubby woman, Mrs. Helene, shuffled around, perfecting roses and straightening cushions. She caught sight of him and at once her rosy smile was replaced with a terrifying glower.
"Come," she said spitefully, her voice full of distaste. Nicholas wandered in, hating himself for feeling so vulnerable, so weak. After all, he was noble son, a sixteen-year-old with unimaginable power. Yet, everyone has a monster and Mrs. Helene was his. It was his fault. He should have never been that curious, never should have wandered too deep into the adults' world of trickery, loathing and hate. He had learned that nothing was free and curiosity had its price. He was here to pay for it.
Mrs. Helene stalked over to Nicholas, roughly grabbing his arm, her manicured nails digging sharply into his skin. Nicholas tried to pull away but she had an iron grip, strong and sturdy like steel. She led him into a basement, too dark for his liking. Water leaked from the mold-covered ceiling, the only place in the café that wasn't painted to hide darkness.
"What do you know?" she angrily whispered as if the walls had ears.
"Everything," he said loudly. Nicholas straightened. Who was she, to challenge a son of noble blood like him? "Everything, all your dirty secrets, your ruthless games, I know everything." He said it to her face, not at all taking notice of her vicious glare. He smirked at her, feeling all his purpose, his power coming rushing back to him. "I know...what are you going to do about it?" He taunted, "Before you make a move, remember the person who has the power to knock you away."
Nicholas turned on his heel and walked out of the café, leaving Mrs. Helene dumbstruck and furious. As he walked out, he saw the name of the café glittering brightly. Mme Hélène Lieu saint. Mrs. Helene's holy place. Nicholas pitted the café, for the 'holy place' had been turned into a birthplace of sin. ________________________________________________________________________________
The dark empty street crackled with unease and rejection as Nicholas walked down, his steps slow and haunted. "What have I done?," he murmured quietly to himself. If finding out Mrs. Helene's secret wasn't bad enough, flaunting it was even worse. Not to mention the fact that Mrs. Helene wasn't exactly the kind of person you played games with. You could try but she would always win. Preoccupied, Nicholas accidently turned into a wrong street. He stood there silently, examining the drab houses, dirty waterway and stench of ignorance. The solemn street contrasted perfectly with his happy and beautiful neighborhood full of towering mansions and golden walkways lined with blossoming flowers, even in the winter. It made him sick, to think that some people lived in this poverty.
A girl sat on the doorstep of one of the houses, swinging her feet cheerfully while sucking on a rainbow lollipop. Even though she looked about his age, her eyes gave the impression of someone who had not yet learnt the hardships of life. A picture of pure innocence. Nicholas flinched. He was this once, carefree and arrogant of everyone. She looked up and caught sight of Nicholas. The girl smiled, showing pearly perfect teeth. "Hello," she stood and strode over to where Nicholas stood.
"Hello," he replied hesitantly.
"I'm Angel," she held out a graceful hand for him to shake. Nicholas took it and studied her. She did not seem to be from this place. No. Her posture, the way that she was presented, showed wealth and status. Angel had glossed copper-colored hair and calm grey eyes, fair skin without any blemish.
"What are you doing here?" Nicholas asked warily, gesturing to their surroundings. Angel's smile faded.
"I don't know. Mum left me here saying that she'd be back soon. It's been an hour and..." Angel stumbled over her words. "She isn't back yet."
Nicholas sighed, having heard this story far too many times. He regarded Angel with pity. Some parents just don't want their children. This world is cruel and family bonds only go so far. Angel's eyes widened, sensing what Nicholas was thinking.
"Don't even think about it," her smiley nature had faded, evaporating into the night. "Mum would never do that to me."
Nicholas gave her a sad smile, and turned away, walking towards the shining heavens of the road he had come from.
"Hey. Could you at least take me back to my motel," she said, a strange plea to her voice. Nicholas shrugged. What was the worst that could happen?
"What your name anyway?" she said after a couple minutes of silence.
"Nicholas, Nicholas Prestine."
"Oh, so you're Nicholas."
Nicholas turned towards her, pleasantly surprised. "You know me?"
Angel rolled her eyes, "Of course I know you. You're Lord Trunswick's son. First thing I got told when I stepped in Bordeaux."
They descended into silence again.
"Which motel are you staying at?"
"Hôtel princesse."
Nicholas whipped his head towards her in surprise. "What!?"
"Hôtel princesse."
The atmosphere suddenly sparked with electricity and Nicholas shivered. Then suddenly, the clouds rumbled and slowly, it began to rain. At sight, the sprinkling looked barely enough to scare an ant but Nicholas knew. This innocent little rain would soon turn into an intense downpour. He pulled Angel into the safety of a nearby building, tightly grasping her wrist as the rain continued to fall.
"You can't stay there," he hissed angrily.
"What? Why?" Angel asked.
Nicholas' eyes started to water and not just because of the rain.
"You have no idea...that..." he seemed almost scared by now, his voice a low, weak whisper. He leaned over to her ear.
"A mother, a father and two daughters...murdered on their visit to Hôtel princesse."
Angel's eyes widened, her bottom lip trembling. "But why?"
Nicholas's expression was grave, almost like the thunderstorm itself. "You don't understand, do you? This world is full of adults and people do anything to earn power. They think power makes you special, makes you better than anybody else. The hotel manager killed the family because she wanted their house, their money, their power. She has it now and that's what hurts the most."
The sky cleared and they continued the rest of their walk in silence.
That's the end of the first chapter. Hope you liked it and thank you again for reading it. Please comment and vote and tell me what I could improve on. Some constructive criticism would be helpful!
