Dangers of the Dark

Danagers of the Dark

Chapter 4: Breakfast Invitations

Dinner went about as Alex had suspected. His father sat at the head of the dining room table, and he was placed on the left, his mother across from him. After the hypocritical grace his father insisted they had, though the family had not set foot in any church for well over a year, his father started badgering him with questions.

“Did this boy go any further then you told your mother?” “Has anyone else tried this?” “Was there any inkling that he was going to do this?” “Why didn’t you tell us about this?” “Do you realize you could have been raped?” And so on and so forth. Frankly, after everything that had happen, he rather his parents just forget it and leave him alone. This unneeded concern was disturbing. His father’s endless questions were finally answered, and after much begging, pleading, and whining, his parents dismissed their irritated child from the table.

Alex sighed going up to his room, but was stopped by the jingling of the door bell. He again let off a sigh, and peaked through the peephole of the door, to see the distorted face of Josh. Alex unlatched the lock and deadbolt to open the door.

“Hey Josh,” replied Alex, a bit to over eager to have a distraction. “Come in, come in!” Josh came in. Alex then noticed that he was carrying a large stack of books and binders. Alex groaned realizing that this must be his homework.

“Good to see you too,” said Josh sarcastically at Alex’s sudden mood change.

“Thanks for bringing my stuff,” said Alex, relieving Josh of the burden, and placing it on the floor.

“Not a problem,” said Josh. “I am just glad you weren’t in school today. It was Hell. People are so pissed that Kyle got himself suspended. We no longer have a chance of a championship without him.” Alex groaned.

“So basically everyone hates me?” Alex questioned.

“Not everyone,” said Josh. “Just those who are in control of the school social hierarchy. To some you are a hero. I heard a rumor that the Gay-Straight Alliance wanted you to give a lecture to the school about Sexual Assault.” Alex nearly dropped to the floor in depression.

“Great so if I go back, my entire high school career is ended,” Alex sighed. Josh gave him a sympathetic look.

“Still it could be worse,” supplied Josh.

“How?” Alex asked, not seeing what Josh meant.

“He could have actually raped you,” said Josh. “You could still be under his tormented gaze at school. You could have...”

“I get the picture,” said Alex. “Man, for a teenager you sure don’t understand the aspects of melodrama.”

“I guess it is from hanging with an older crowd,” shrugged Josh.

“You mean Clara and Min?” asked Alex.

“And Sam,” he said. “I actually don’t see Clara that much. She is the type to know a lot a people, but only be friends with a few.”

“She seems to like me,” replied Alex. “And she is nice, but...”

“Look,” said Josh. “I know Clara isn’t the easiest person to deal with, but she is a good person and cares a lot about others. She has done many things in the past to piss me off, but I have always forgiven her. And, you don’t have to worry about her for awhile.”

“Why?” asked Alex.

“Sam asked me to deliver a message to her,” said Josh. “So I stopped by the bookshop on the way over, but Henry was closing up and said that Clara had decided to go out of town for a few weeks. He isn’t sure where exactly she is.”

“I just saw her this afternoon,” said Alex. “She mentioned to Min that she was going to a lake house in a few days.”

“Ah,” said Josh. “You met Min. She’s a regular Helen of Troy.” Josh chuckled at this.

“She has a presence that is hard not to get noticed,” I said.

“That she does,” laughed Josh. “She will never lack for companionship, that is for certain. At one point, I followed her like a puppy. But, that was in the past.” Josh shook his head, as if to remove the memories.

“Isn’t it a tad bit irresponsible for Clara to leave on a moment’s notice?” asked Alex.

“Probably,” said Josh. “But she does everything on a whim. She doesn’t have a real job. She manages the bookstore, but Henry runs it mostly, and her brother gave her a fancy meaningless title and job in his company. I think she is the Vice President of Antechamber Media, meaning she orders the magazines that her brother displays in the lobbies of his buildings.”

“Doesn’t she have school?” asked Alex.

“She was home-schooled up until the end of High School, and she takes a few classes at college, but more out of boredom then from a want of a better education, so she skips alot,” said Josh.

“And do her parents; mind that she doesn’t actually do anything?” asked Alex bewildered.

“They are both dead,” said Josh. “And her brother just wants her to be happy. I actually don’t know what she does all day.” Alex just sighed and shook his head.

“I guess it is just the ways of the rich,” he murmured. Josh laughed.

“Well,” said Josh, looking at the clock in the foyer. “I have to get home soon. I left a detailed list of all your assignments for the next couple of weeks. If anything changes I will tell you. Have a good day.” Josh gave him a pat on the shoulder and then made his way to the door.

“Bye,” said Alex as Josh closed the door. A few moments later, Alex heard the sound of a car backing up, and then silence. Alex, out of what seems to have become a habit, sighed as he glanced at the mountain of work.

“I don’t even think I can carry all this stuff to my room, let alone do it,” he said, bending over to retrieve his fallen books.

88888888

As Alex predicted, moving the work was a difficult task on its own. Out of what could only be dubbed sheer teen laziness, he decided to carry it all on one trip. After nearly falling down the stairs and being lectured by his mother about doing dangerous things to save time, his parents helped him move the mound of books to his room.

After everything had been safely secured on his desk, he flopped down on his bed. Out of the surprise of seeing Josh, he had forgotten to ask the boy more about the story. But, then it occurred to him, that Josh may not have even read the entire manuscript of the journal, or even know that it was more then one volume. The person to naturally ask was Clara, but she was both not present at the moment, and probably wouldn’t reveal any of the book’s secrets to him just yet.

He in his pondering state noticed something out of the corner of his eye. Glancing at it, he noticed that the rose he had put in the water that morning now had a companion. That confused Alex to no end. He was certain that their had only been one rose their when he went down to dinner, and noone but himself had been in his room since then. So where did the rose come from?

Alex was beginning to see that it couldn’t have been his parents, as he would have noticed them doing it. But who could it be? After the shock of two days ago, the thought of having a stranger in his room scared him. He was about to go down and tell his parents that mysterious flowers kept appearing in his room, but decided against it.

His parents’ overprotective nature would cause them to panic and worry. He could just see strange men all over the house changing the locks and installing a new state of the art security system. ‘Hey, they might even get a guard dog.’ thought Alex. He chuckled a little at the thought of his mother letting one of those mangy mutts loose in her clean house.

Though Alex didn’t alert his parents, he was no fool either. He checked the windows, all which were locked, both in his room and outside of it, and showed no sign of entry. Perhaps it was just his parents’. He might have just missed it. Maybe his mother’s bathroom break was extra long, or his father took a detour on the route to the master bedroom. He tended not to notice most of the details of his parents lives. With that naive, but comforting thought, he preceded on with his normal evening activities of reading and playing online, but an inkling in the back of his mind that he was constantly ignoring told him that something else had to do with these roses. Something more mysterious then any other aspect of his life, and possible much more deadly.

88888888

Because of the laxness of the day before, Alex was able to get out of bed before the screaming of his alarm clock. He frankly didn’t know why he was still setting it, as he had nothing to wake up for. He made his way to his bathroom for a long hot shower.

While the water was adjusting, he stripped of his pajamas and threw them on the floor. This habit was one of his mother’s biggest pet peeves. She could not understand why he just threw his clothes on the floor instead of in the hamper that was all of one foot away. He had no explanations for it either. It might have been laziness or that part of him that forces all teenagers to do things to irk his parents, but his clothes remained on the floor.

The water was just right, as he stepped under the gentle massaging spray. He let his mind drift as he freed his hair from the elastic band that normally held it in a high pony tail to wash it. The sweet scent of shampoo soon filled the air as he started on the task of cleaning himself.

Twenty minutes later, he was throughly clean and stepped out of the shower to dry himself. But he stopped as he looked at himself in the mirror.

He had left the door open, so all the steam had vanished, leaving the mirror clear and reflecting his image. He wasn’t a vain person and cared little about his appearance, and had never really studied himself.

His hair was down, and it fell to about mid-back, and the bangs framed his face. He didn’t know why he didn’t just cut it all off. His father had suggested it to him many a time, but he just never thought of doing it. His eyes shone out from his pale skin like amethysts. His face showed soft curves and a slight pinkish tint to the lips and cheeks, and not even a dusting of hair. His arms and torsos were lithe, showing both no fat or muscles. His body was nearly hairless, with just a bit under his arms and legs, and on his more private areas, and so pale that it could barely be seen. Added all of this to his height, he looked like a doll.

Just staring at his own image gave him mixed feelings of sorrow and anger. If he just had a larger chest and hips, he would look just like a girl. Even if he cut his hair off, their was no hiding the feminine look he had to his form. Did others think he was a girl? Alex sighed as he finished drying and getting dressed.

88888888

He made his way downstairs to the kitchen. Seeing the abandoned sparkling room showed him that his mother had indeed gone to work. On the gleaming counter was a letter and two crisp twenty dollar bills. Alex walked over to read the letter.

Alex,

I went to work today. The money is for your breakfast and lunch, give me the change when I get home. If you leave the house, take your cell phone. If you need anything call me on my work phone. I will be home on time tonight. And try to do some of your homework.

Love,

Mom

Alex winched remembering the pile of work on his desk, that he had blocked from his mind do to the sheer horror of it all. He pocketed the money and decided to go out to breakfast downtown. Maybe he could go say hi to Henry, as he remembered that Josh told him Clara was out of town this week.

Alex grabbed his jacket and phone on the way out the door, and walked on the sidewalk, deciding on the best place to eat at. While pondering that thought he didn’t notice a sleek black mustang following him, until the driver honked at him.

Alex heard it and grew frighten as the car came to a stop. His mind was having trouble dealing with both his desire to scream his head off and run away, so he remained frozen in place. The driver and passenger doors opened to show the men from yesterday, the wild red head Neil, and the spiky haired William, both still sporting the black leather jackets.

“Morning to ya laddy,” Neil, who was driving, said with a smirk. “Don’t you have school to be at? Or are you a rebel that doesn’t care about laws and rather be prowling the street?”

“Though it is none of you business,” Alex huffed out, still slightly frighten of the pair even though he indirectly knew them. “I have health reasons for why I am off.”

“Health reasons,” snickered Neil. “Are you pregnant or something?” He laughed heartily at his own joke, though William’s face remained stoic.

“Well,” said William, before Neil could say another word. “Since you are off, would you care to join us for breakfast? Any friend of Clara’s is a friend of mine.” Alex glared at him.

“My mother warned me never to go near strangers,” said Alex. Neil just laughed.

“That didn’t stop you yesterday, now did it?” said Neil.

“I heard you mentioning a friend of mine, and I wanted to see what you were saying about her,” Alex.

“Ah, so you know either the darling Min, or the wonderful Clara,” said Neil. “I assume the latter, for Willy here doesn’t know your name, and his obsession with Min drives him to know all of her acquaintances.”

“My business is know of yours,” Alex said, turning and stalking down the sidewalk. Neil just gave out a loud laugh again.

“You got spunk kid,” yelled Neil. “I will give you that.”

“Please wait,” called William. “I just wanted to talk to you!” Alex just turned again to glare at he forms from further away. Though he was several feet from them, he could see William’s eyes as clear as day. The crystal blues where reflecting a deep sorrow and longing that Alex knew could only be caused from lost love. Remembering his words of loving Min to Neil yesterday, Alex mentally kicked himself as he walked back to them.

“Fine, breakfast it is then,” he said half-heartedly, much to the amusement of Neil, and the relief of William.

88888888

Alex insisted on walking by himself into town, and promised he would meet them at the café he saw them at yesterday. By the time he arrived, they were seated at the same table, both drinking a cup of coffee.

“So finally showed up,” stated Neil. “Sit down, my boy. So, what happens to be your name?”

“Alex,” he replied shortly, as he took a seat in the third chair.

“Well Ally,” smirked Neil. “I am Neil, and the ever stoic slab is William, or Willy.”

“Hello,” said William, who was glaring at Neil for the same reason that Alex was, for calling them by stupid nicknames.

“So, how long of you know charming Clara?” asked Neil, curiosity creeping into his voice.

“A few days,” said Alex.

“More then long enough to form an opinion on a matter such as women,” laughed Neil. “So tell me, how do you think she would be in bed? I heard that those frumpy girls are wild in the sack, then again, I have never been desperate enough to test one out.” Alex didn’t dignify that question with an answer, mainly because he didn’t trust his voice to remain steady.

“So you are considering dating her?” asked William, interest in his voice.

“Why?” replied Alex sarcastically. “Run out of bait for the pretty fish? Or never had any to begin with.” Neil laughed.

“I like you kid,” said Neil. “Ain’t frighten of how I might just snap your neck for that little retort.” Neil glared at him sending shivers down his back. “But don’t press your luck.” Turning his attention back to William. “And yes, the thought has been on my mind lately.”

“What changed it?” asked Alex.

“Though it be none of your business,” said Neil, using Alex’s response from earlier. “I would like a girl that actually had something more to offer then her body.”

“She is highly intelligent,” responded William, excited at Neil’s interest. “And she can cook. She knows several languages, and...” Neil slapped a hand over William’s mouth.

“You have already sung her praises to me,” snapped Neil. “I know everything about this girl. And I want to tell you that if your plan was for me to get either Min or Clara on your side, it won’t work. Frankly Willy, I don’t care about how much your love life sucks. I enjoy seeing you suffer.” William was speechless, and Alex nearly so, but his rage at the man had reached its critical point.

“Do you live off sorrow and depression?” asked Alex. “Because I can see no other reason for the way you are acting.”

“Little boys shouldn’t speak about things they don’t know,” snapped Neil. “Willy is no saint. Neither am I for that matter. But unlike him, I accept that fact, along with many he pretends doesn’t exist.”

“And though I hate to disappoint you Neil,” sneered William. “I have a feeling that Min is close to forgiving me.”

“Until you mess up again,” said Neil. “Either you need to stop trying to woo her, or stop being stupid. I am tired of being a shoulder to cry on.”

“I don’t cry on your shoulder,” said William. “I asked for a slight favor.”

“By using your friends as pawns?” asked Alex, very upset with both of the males actions. “Your wanting this jerk to date Clara, all for the sake of your happiness? What about Min’s and Clara’s? Would either of them be happy with the outcomes? They aren’t dolls, they are people!” Alex in his rage rose from the chair and stalked off toward the bookshop. Neil and William watched his retreating form.

“Bit of a hot head, isn’t he?” said Neil once Alex had disappeared from sight.

“Yes,” said William. “Though it took awhile for him to get that angry. And he seems to have a good heart and loyalty, even though you could tell he didn’t like Clara that much.”

“Humans,” said Neil. “Always judging books by their covers.”

“Hopefully he enjoys reading then,” said William, before turning back to his coffee.

“I almost feel bad for him,” said Neil. “Not knowing the plots that he is in the center of. That dainty little girl seems to have a dangerous mind for one so sweet. That is what I am interested in.”

“You actually feel sorry for someone?” asked William, shocked at hearing those words coming from Neil.

“Almost,” smirked Neil. “But I think the little bugger deserves it, after claiming I had nothing to tempt a woman with.” Neil laughed as William rolled his eyes.

88888888

Alex was still furious at the two men, that he didn’t look were he was going as he stormed into the bookshop, nearly knocking over a patron that was talking to Henry. But the sudden impact was enough to make him regain his senses. Alex backed away from the person to apologize, but one glance at him was enough to deaden any words in his mouth.

The man, to put it simply, was gorgeous. He stood at over six feet, and was dressed in a very expensive three piece suit that showed off his impressive built. Glancing up, Alex could see his shoulder length black hair tied back in a elegant pony tail and his gleaming tan skin. His face was sharp, and was a prefect model for any statue. But the most impressive feature was his eyes, those glowing true gold eyes that were staring at Alex with amusement and curiosity. Their was no question who this man was. Nicholas Phillips, Clara’s older brother.

“This,” said Nicholas, in a deep and soothing voice. “Must be the Alex you and my darling sister were telling me about. A pleasure to finally meet you.” Nicholas held out his hand to Alex, but the blonde boy was too shocked to take it. All Alex could do was stare at the hand, then stare back at the man it belonged to.

“Yes it is sir,” said Henry, moving from behind the counter to better introduce the two. “Alex ,” said Henry. “This is the world renowned Nicholas Phillips. And sir, this is Alexander Wilson, a friend to both your sister and me.”

“Hi,” squeaked out Alex, when the ability to speak finally returned to him. Nicholas gave a light chuckle.

“Don’t worry,” Nicholas smiled at Alex. “I get this response more often then I like.”

“Sorry for bumping into you,” murmured Alex, who suddenly found the floor very interesting.

“My fault,” said Nicholas. “I saw you coming and should have moved. And no one was hurt in the process. Call it a conversation starter for strangers.” Nicholas and Henry both gave a small chuckle at that, and Alex gave a nervous laugh, finally looking at Nicholas’s finely chiseled features again.

“Mr. Phillips was dropping in to see how I was doing,” said Henry. Nicholas sighed and the smile on his face vanished.

“I was hoping to catch my darling sister,” He said. “But she has already gone to the lake house. I was planning on surprising her with a visit. I haven’t seen her in over a month. Now I will be gone for another two months without a chance of seeing her.” Alex nodded, not knowing what else to do.

“Don’t worry sir,” said Henry. “If you wish, I can call her and tell her you have dropped by for a visit.”

“I will call her later, Mr. Willis,” said Nicholas, smiling at the man. “No reason to ruin her fun with Minna. Those girls are too serious, they need to let loose once in awhile.” Henry nodded. Alex, who was still dumbfounded by meeting one of the richest men in the country, was surprised to hear the interruption of his growling stomach, reminding him that he had yet to eat anything.

“I am sorry,” he murmured, looking again to the floor, as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Nicholas laughed and came closer to him. Nicholas gently lifted his chin so that Alex was looking start into the molten gold eyes.

“No reason to ask forgiveness,” said Nicholas, in that wonderfully sultry tone. “It reminded me that I made breakfast reservations at ‘Danse de la Lune Rouge’(1), and even if I do own it, they get mad if I am late.” Nicholas let out at easy chuckle that the other two didn’t reciprocate. “So I must be off. Alex, if you have nothing else to do, would you care to join me for breakfast?” Alex’s jaw dropped open. Was he being asked out to breakfast, again, by a strange man!?

“Mm-m-mee-e?” stuttered Alex, still in shock.

“Yes, you,” answered Nicholas gently. “The reservation is for two, I was planning on taking Clara, but she has flown the coop. And I hate to eat alone, so will you?”

“I just have to check with my mom first,” said Alex, out of common sense, though the entire rest of him was screaming yes.

“If you just give me her number, I would be happy to call and explain it to her,” Nicholas said. Alex nodded and handed his phone over to Nicholas, after pushing the speed dialer for his mother’s work.

“May I speak to Mrs. Wilson please?” asked Nicholas. After a few seconds, Alex could hear the slight sound of his mother answering. “Mrs Wilson? Hello, this is Nicholas Phillips.” Alex winced, as he could hear quite clearly his mother’s surprise. He practically hit himself, remembering now that his mother worked for one of Nicholas’s companies. “I am sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you would be fine with me taking your son, Alex, out for a bit.” After another pause, Nicholas smiled and handed the phone to Alex.

“Hey Mom,” Alex said, his voice still not back to normal.

“Alex,” she said. “I am in too much shock to ask you how you even know Mr. Phillips, but you may go out with him. Just please for me, be on your best behavior.”

“Of course,” he said. “Bye Mom, I love you.”

“Bye sweetie,” she said. “Lot’s of love!” And then their was the sound of the dialer.

“Shall we be off?”asked Nicholas, offering his arm to Alex. “I just called my driver, and told him to come and pick us up.” Alex nodded and accepted his arm, not caring that it was normally a practice a man did for a woman. He knew that he couldn’t refuse this man anything.

88888888

The ride over to ‘Danse de la Lune Rouge,’ was in silence. Alex was still much too nervous and awed to speak, for three reasons. One, he had just been introduced to the man that owned nearly the entire town, and employed both of his parents. Two, said man was taking him to breakfast at the best restaurant in town. And three, they were riding in the man’s personal limo, complete with a chauffeur, mini bar, and television. Alex actually pinched himself to make certain it was all real.

Nicholas, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at eased. He made a few calls on his cell phone to business associates, the entire time smiling at Alex. After a twenty minute drive, they pulled in front of the restaurant.

‘Danse de la Lune Rouge’, looked more like a small mansion then a restaurant. It was a two stories red brick building, and the entire grounds covered ten acres. From what his parents had told him about it the few times they have been there, the bottom story and garden terrace was the regular restaurant, and the top was divided into separate rooms for private parties. The food was gourmet and fiendishly expensive. You had to have many connections to get a reservation, even a year in advance.

Nicholas’s chauffeur opened the doors for them. Nicholas got out first, and then he helped the blushing Alex out. The manger was standing outside the front door, smiling widely, waiting to greet them.

“Monsier Phillips,” the manager greeted with a heavy French accent, shaking Nicholas’s hands. “It is always a pleasure to see you here. And who is this?” He asked, turning to Alex. “I was under the impression your darling sister would be your guest today.”

“Change of plans,” said Nicholas, before a comment could be said edgewise. “This is Alexander Wilson.”

“A pleasure to have you Monsier Wilson,” said the manger, shaking Alex’s hand. Alex murmured a greeting he wasn’t sure was heard by the man. “Gentlemen, if you would follow me to your table.”

The manger escorted the both of them into the garden area that was somehow heated against the winter chill. Their was about fifteen tables, all filled with dinners idly eating their breakfast. All the men where in nice black or grey suits, and the women in tea dresses. Alex blushed realizing he stuck out like a sore thumb in his jeans and t-shirt. Everyone was looking at him, but he knew why no voiced any protest about him. He was on the arm of Nicholas Phillips, and no one questioned Nicholas Phillips’s actions.

Their table was apart from the others, and instead of being set on the terrace like the others, it was on a gazebo, that was surrounded by multicolored rose buses, that were planted so that rose covered vines curved up the five pillars. On the wooden table was an hand embroidered table cloth with roses and peacocks on it and two elegant place settings that included antique china plates and cups with matching silverware, teapot and coffee pot, along with two crystal goblets filled with water. Also The manger, who was now accompanied by an assistant that had appeared from nowhere, pulled out chairs for them.

“Will you be needing a menu?” asked the manger.

“No,” said Nicholas. “We will both have my usual.”

Nicholas’s usual turned out to be a three course breakfast. The first course was a baked apple stuffed with wild blackberries and served with Grand Marnier cream. The next course was Lithuanian potato pancakes served with a prune stuffed with apple and wrapped with a small piece of bacon. The last course was an egg yolk that was in the center of whipped egg whites that was served with poached salmon (2).

Two waiters stood off to the side the entire meal. When ever either of them needed something, one of them came and got it for them. Alex was still stunned over the outcome of the day, and added with his nervousness of being here with this man, he barely could manage a bit. He felt guilt as his waiter kept having to take nearly full plates of food away.

Alex remained as mannerly as humanly possible. Luckily his mother had taught him all about the different forks, spoons, and knives to use with food, or else the complex place setting would have been enough to drive him over the edge.

Nicholas, though, seemed greatly pleased with the meal. He made small talk with Alex, completely ignoring the waiters hovering nearby and the looks that were focused on them. The entire meal he had that enchanted smile concentrated on Alex. A smile that Alex couldn’t help but return.

After the last dish was cleared, Nicholas rose from his chair and put out his hand for Alex.

“Shall we be going?” asked Nicholas. Alex nodded and took his hand, not knowing where it would lead him, but knowing he didn’t care as long as it was with Nicholas.

88888888

Author's Note: Sorry for grammar, spelling, and lateness. I hope it is what I said it would be. Beta read by me alone, reason for first two apologizes.

1- Dance of the Red Moon in French. Thought it went along well with the story.

2- Part of the Menu at Flery Manor Bed and Breakfast in Oreagon.