Negotiations - Ch 4 - ...And the Truth.

    The day before Bianca and Mitchell’s wedding, the entire Whitemore household was in an uproar and anyone would have thought that Bianca was preparing herself for war rather than her wedding day.
Elissa bustled about herself trying to get every scrap of dirty laundry she could find to have everything of Bianca’s washed and ready for so that she could pack for her honeymoon.
Going into the downstairs washroom where the washing machine was, Elissa walked in on Donavin as he was getting out of the shower.
In her rush to get everything done, she hadn’t heard the shower running and for a moment she stood in her worst nightmare.
“By the Watchers’ grace!” She quickly stepped away from Donavin and looked anywhere else but at his naked body, she clumsily fumbled for the door handle, as soon as she felt the door handle release she dashed out of the room. Donavins’ laughter echoing behind her as she slammed the door shut and abandoned the laundry for the time being.

  As evening approached, Elissa became brave enough to go back downstairs after keeping herself upstairs and out of Donavins sight all day.
Bianca had asked her about her favourite jumper and Elissa knew that if any of the laundry was going to be dry in time for Bianca to pack, she would have to get it done that night.
Carefully she peeked downstairs from the landing making sure that no one was around, then as quietly and as quickly as she dared she made her way downstairs, intent on making a beeline for the washroom and locking the door behind her when she got in there.
To her annoyance and shock, Donavin had been making his way upstairs as she had reached the bottom of the stairs.
Grabbing her as she went to turn to go into the dining room, his gaze eagerly trailed over her and he made a haunting laughter type growl of approval at her, he smiled wickedly as she tried to pull away.
“Oh come now, don’t play coy with me my cunning seductress, we both you’ve been dying to do what you did earlier today ever since you got back, not to mention your vain attempts to keep me at bay.”
“Let me go!” Elissa spoke through gritted teeth as she tried to twist of out Donavins’ grip but he held onto her lower arms tightly.
He pulled Elissa towards him, she resisted with everything she had trying to pull back from him, but her feet kept slipping slightly on the polished floorboards. “Oh, you have such a delicious fierceness about you, if only I had known this fact two years ago...” He laughed again as if it was a game and pulled her closer to causing Elissa to let out a gasp from pain as his fingers digged into her skin.
Donavin forcefully pulled her against him so her feet slipped out from under her and made her half fall against him; her blood ran cold and she felt a sickening feeling rise in her throat as he took the advantage to kiss her.
Elissa let out a muffled shriek as he pressed his rough, liquor sticky lips forcefully against hers, Elissas’ heart thudded in her ears like a bass drum; in a split second reaction she brought her heel down on his toes and managed to push him away from her with a gasped outcry.

    In his own angry outburst to Elissa hurting him, Donavin shoved Elissa against the corner across from the stairs; she cringed as he went to advance on her again.
He was stopped by the front door being flung open suddenly.
Though her mind raced like a runaway horse, Elissa was relieved that Donavins attentions were turned from mauling her, to Isaac who had come racing in the front door to her aid.
Isaac had pushed Donavin away from her and up against the railing of the stairs; Donavin had pushed him back and swung a punch that, to Elissas’ relief, had missed Isaac completely.
“This is none of your concern Isaac; it’s between Elissa and me.” Donavin in spoke low menacing tone, he had narrowed his gaze on Isaac and his knuckles were white as he held up his hands in fists ready to strike out again at Isaac.
Isaac shook his head and held his own fists up, the shake of his head in reply had slightly rustling his neatly combed hair out of place and the green of his eyes seemed to glisten brilliantly behind his glasses.
Elissa stayed frozen in her spot worried that if she moved she would draw attention to herself.
“From what I saw it looks like Elissa would like to put a great distance of sorts between you and her.”
He dodged another clumsily swung punch from Donavin and swiftly reacted by punching him square in the side of his jaw that made a heavy THUD of a sound.
“You’re supposed to be supporting me, dumb bastard.” Donavin snapped as he held the side of his face Isaac had hit, his upper lip was curled into a slight snarl and he stalked off to the office, giving Elissa a hatful glance as he slammed the door shut.

*********

 

    By the time Isaac recomposed himself from the aggressive encounter with Donavin Elissa had disappeared.
He had almost dismissed going outside since he didn’t see her, but the slight movement of black against the purple bushes made him smile slightly and go out the front to find Elissa sitting down on the lower edge of the front porches garden.
He sat down on a rock and looked at her, a stiff breeze welcomed in the darkness of the night and she shivered slightly making him very much want to take off his coat and wrap it around her slender shoulders and then bury his face in her soft, violet scented hair.
But instead, he sat and did nothing seeing from her body language that the last thing she wanted right now was anyone touching her.
“Thank you.” She said softly after a little while, she didn’t look up from the ground, but the sincerity of her gratitude was written all over her.
“You’re very welcome, I’m glad I decided to come back early for your sisters’ wedding.”
Isaac had done everything he needed to with his meeting so he could get back as fast as he could. Being away from Elissa had struck a nerve; he had barely been able to sleep or concentrate properly on his work. He’d never felt the way he was feeling for anyone and knew that getting back to Elissa was the only thing that would make him feel whole again.
As he had gotten out of the taxi and saw Donavin putting his unwanted attentions forcefully on Elissa while ignoring her reactions to push him off her, Isaacs’ temper flew into an almost uncontrollable rage as he had ran up the pathway of the house.
“Isaac...?”
Elissas’ question brought him back from his thoughts.
“Sorry, what did you say again?”
“I said; you know that Donavin won’t pay you now, he’ll know you’ve sided with me and be on the attack. What am I going to do?” She continued to stare at the ground.
Isaac had two answers in his head, but he knew that his first one; which involved him sweeping her up into his arms and showing her what a loving embrace filled with heart-stopping, passionate kisses was like, was possibly not the answer she was looking for at that moment in time.
He gave her his second answer, as much as it pained him.
“I’ve already got a few things in motion, I know you’re worried, but try not to be. By next Monday you’ll understand, please believe me.”
“I do.” Her quick answer to him surprised him slightly, but again he knew she was sincere.
They sat out in the darkness until Bianca came looking for Elissa to ask about her jumper.

********

 

     Saturday afternoon was picture perfect for Bianca and Mitchells’ wedding and all traces of the night before seemed to have disappeared.

The rain held off and the skies opened up to a greyish blue just before the ceremony began.

With a bit of clever moving around, Elissa had managed to sell the swings so that there was plenty of room for the chairs, archway and all of the trimming Bianca had asked for.

With the final kiss, everyone threw rose coloured heart confetti over them while cheering.

 

     “Oh you look so beautiful.” Elissa hugged Bianca tightly and received a hug just as tightly in return.

There was at least an hour of congratulations and another of half an hour worth of toasts from the various guests before the garden lights came on in a dim warm glow that made the backyard seem to be turned into a suburban fairy-tale setting.

 



    Elissas’ cake had turned out perfect. She had decided to keep it simple with raspberry sponge covered in the tradition white marzipan icing to hold the layers together. Almost half of the cake eaten before anyone even sat down to the actual dinner.

Everyone complimented Elissa and she just smiled and nodded in thanks not wanting to take any attention away from his sisters’ day.

 



  The was dancing, laughing and general light hearted silliness that went well into the evening and little by little the guests all left with ‘good luck’ wishes and last moment photos of the bride and groom, Elissa was sure she was never going to see properly again from all of the camera and phone flashes.

 

     Finally the evening came to a proper closing point, Elissa sat talking with Isaac on the lawn while Bianca continuously snapped photos of everyone, everything and her and Mitchell before they went to bed and missed something before everything was taken down in the morning.

Finally Isaac had to leave to be back at Riverview for another meeting in the morning and everyone else wandered sleepily up to their rooms with happy, tipsy goodnights and giggles to match the bubbly mood.

 

     Sighing as she wriggled out of her dress, Elissa hummed to herself as she lazily put on her pyjamas then hung up the dress, put away her shoes and pulled out her hair pins rustling her hair to loosen it to its tumbling curls about her shoulders.

“Ah the forbidden fruit can be so beautiful.”

Elissa turned to see Donavin sitting on the edge of her bed, she doubled over realizing he must have been sitting there motionless all the while she had gotten undressed and waited to startle her.

“Get out of here Donavin.” She loudly whispered at him, there was no possibly way she was going to ruin her sister’s wedding night; Isaac was long gone by now and Tabitha took sleeping pills for her insomnia.

She half doubled over trying to cover herself even though the sickening feeling in her stomach let her know that it was useless since he had seen everything by now anyway.

“Why should I? In a few days this house will be ours,” He ran a hand over the covers of her bed smiling at her, the wickedness in his eyes gave away everything he was thinking. “Oh, such fun we’re going to have... and even if you don; have fun at first...”

 

     Elissa tripped over backwards as Donavin suddenly got off the bed and within two steps had reached her.

In her shock of what was happening all her brain let her do was curl up and protectively put her arms about herself, Donavin lifted her chin up with a jerk so that she had to look at him. His skin was as clammy and icy as it had always been, he smiled at her.

“I know that I’ll at least have some.”

He went to kiss her, Elissa shrunk away from him making a small cry of protest.

“No...”

A small annoyed growl came from Donavin before he stopped and smiled at her again, his eyes looking over her curled up figure.

“Yes, how right you are... no point in having you spoilt before I’m ready to have you.” He stood up, straightened his suit then walked out of her room.

Moments after the door had closed; Elissa was up on her feet and at the door flicking the lock on it.

Fear gripped her so much that she sat by the door shaking until sleep made her nod slightly and she gingerly crawled into bed, though she was more tired than she had ever felt, Elissa lay watching the door, if she did fall asleep she would wake moments later and look about her room again before letting herself slowly lay back down.

 

     Everyone woke late the next morning, Elissa grabbed Tabitha and Bianca after breakfast sitting them down in the lounge room with her and told them what had happened between her and Donavin over the past few days.

“I’m not leaving you with that creep, even if I have to sacrifice my honeymoon.” Bianca sat forward leaning her head in her hands, a frown creasing her perfectly smooth forehead.

Tabitha shook her head and sat with a solemn but thoughtful look on her face.

“No no, you and Mitchell go on your honeymoon, I have an idea and everything has to look normal until I’m ready to make my move.”

Both girls now furrowed their brows at their aunt whose gaze went off into the depths of the rug for a moment before she looked at Elissa.

“Tomorrow everything will become clear, but Bianca you must go on your honeymoon and Elissa, you must do as I say, do both of you understand?” Her voice was stern and very serious.

Both Elissa and Bianca nodded.

“Come on Beetle, you can help me finish packing.” Bianca took Elissas’ hand and they went upstairs while Tabitha sat in the lounge room and became deep in thought.

 

********

  

     The next morning was Monday, Isaac had stayed overnight at one of Tabithas’ friends’ houses, like she had arranged for him to do on the Sunday evening.

At exactly nine o’clock he had gone to the town hall and asked to see the acting governor for the towns courts, a meeting had been set up and was finished by ten thirty.



 

********



 

    Elissa had obeyed Tabitha and gone to the town hall at ten fifteen and waited as instructed to.

She didn’t know what she was waiting for exactly, but when she saw Isaac come out at then thirty, she couldn’t help but give him a shocked smile as he came straight over to her. His body language suggested he wanted to sweep her up in his arms to hug her, but he restrained himself.

“I, you said you were going to Riverview for another meeting, what’s going on?” Elissa took one of his hands in hers as Isaac smiled his brilliant smile at her.

“I did have a meeting yes, but it wasn’t in Riverview, it was here, with the governor. It’s over Elissa...”

Shaking her head, Elissa wasn’t quite sure she understood what Isaac was talking about. “What’s over... what did you do?”

He gave a small laugh throwing hi head back before putting his hands about her waist and gently drew her close to him, she let him.

“Your fathers’ will, I contested for you and... well, you won.”

Elissa gave a shocked sigh and for a moment didn’t know where to look in her surprised state, she felt like she had to catch her breath and her heart began to beat faster as the reality of what Isaac had said sunk in.

“So, I’m...”

“Yes, you’re free... free from your fathers’ binding words, stupid contracts and mot of all, free from Donavin.”

Elissa hugged Isaac laughing slightly.

She went to step back as she suddenly realised that she may have overstepped her boundaries of closeness, but Isaac pulled her back to him and kissed her.

For a second Elissa wasn’t sure how to react; but her body subconsciously seemed to do her thinking for her.

She relaxed into Isaacs’ arms kissing him right back. One of his hands slipped further about her waist and gently pulled her even closer to him so her body was pressed to his; his other hand gently caressed the back of her head, as if he was afraid she might pull away.

 

    A slow clap began from behind Isaac that cause them to break from the kiss, Elissa shrunk behind him as she saw Donavin leaning up against the town halls statue of the town’s first governor.

“Awe, aren’t you two just the cutest thing ever...” His tone was sarcastic and he looked right at Elissa as he spoke making her feel only an inch tall.

“There’s nothing you can do any more Donavin,” Isaac started to say.

“Don’t get all superior towards me, I could have your reputation ruined in days if I wanted to, it would just take a paragraph and the wrong journalist.”

Donavin used his shoulder to push off the statue and casually walked towards Isaac and Elissa, his gaze still holding Elissa like a wolf stalking its prey.

A slight smile came to his lips. “Besides, I’m sure the governor is a full blooded man just like every other man I’ve ever known, it’ll just take the right price under the influence of some good quality strength liquor, and he’ll be under my thumb like an squirming ant.”

Isaac gave a small scoffing laughter and shook his head.

"Now there you are very, very wrong my friend.” His tone was low and Elissa felt her throat and mouth become very dry.

 

There was a creaking of doors behind them and Elissa turned to see her aunt walk out, she was wearing an expensive looking pant that she had never seen before, and there was look of superiority on her face as she approached them, then stopped a few feet away as if she was waiting for something.

“Oh, so now the old hag has to come and stick her nose into everything as usual.” Donavin sneered at Tabitha.

Elissa felt something was about to happen, like you knew that a fire cracker was going to go off but the fuse looked like it had gone out when it actually hadn’t.

“None of you can do anything, all of the cards are in my hands, I’ve made it that way, and so if you want to try to pull something, you can’t.”

Donavin got right up in Isaacs’ face as he spoke, his face grew red and his eyes flashed dangerously as he looked at each of them.

“Oh, I think you’ll find you’re very wrong...” Tabitha began.

“Oh shut up you stupid old cow!” Donavin cut her off and Tabitha gave a sigh shaking her head.

“You know that offer of liquor and money would have gone down much better with me than calling me nasty schoolyard names, Mr Hatch.”

Donavins’ face went white as Tabitha spoke and he realised what she actually was.

He stumbled back slightly as a small laugh came from Tabitha and Isaac, Elissa felt her stomach doing back flips as she watched Donavins’ face go through a range of expressions and his eyes widened in disbelief.

“I’ll see you two back at home later; I have some papers to shred.” Tabitha turned away and went back inside the town hall and Isaac took Elissa by one of her hands and led her quickly away from where Donavin was still standing motionless in shock.

 

Three Months Later...

 

     Everyone was still sleepy as it was still five o’clock in the morning and the air was slightly humid for the late spring weather. Tabitha yawned as she stretched; Elissa had to push hard on the door of the old garden shed to get it open, finally with a final heave of her shoulder, it opened with a loud squeak of its old rusted hinges.

“I don’t think it’s right to be up at this hour in my state.’ Bianca chided Elissa, she was now two months pregnant and with the rate her baby bump had appeared, everyone was sure she was having twins.

“Well, if someone had of asked me to do this before now...” Elissa smiled glancing at Tabitha who smiled back and tisked her.

“I couldn’t show you this before now and you all know it. Now stop being children and get on with it, the sooner you see this, the sooner we can have coffee.”

Isaac had offered to help, but Elissa had insisted she do it herself since Tabitha had suddenly revealed to her, Isaac, Mitchell and Bianca the night before that she had a family secret to reveal, now that Donavin had gone and made himself as scarce as hens teeth, there was no threat from him.

The shed held nothing, but Elissa was surprised to see a ladder that went down underneath and smiled glancing back at her aunt who nodded her onwards, her eyes showing she knew exactly what Elissa was going to find.

 

    Under the shed was a special door that Elissa had to force open as well that opened up into another room revealing what her father had been doing.

He hadn’t been smuggling the relics to other people, he’d been making sure that they got back home safely.

Precious gems of all cuts, relic vases, a chest full of ancient coins from across the globe, ingots of precious metals stamped with over a century old seals making them priceless; all of it sealed safely away underneath the families simple garden shed.

 

     On the other side of the room were dozens of bottles all stacked neatly, covered in varying layers thick dust showing different stages of when they had been added to the ever growing collection.

The most precious possession was at the centre though; was the famous ‘Violet Egg’ from the Faberge Egg collection. No one in the world knew who had bought it over half a century ago nor had any clue where it was either.

And there it sat, glistening in the dim light of the room amongst relics, gems and priceless nectars.

 

    “Oh my Watcher!” Elissa and Bianca exclaimed together hugging each other excitedly, Tabitha sat down in one of the plush chairs and calmly watched the two girls and Isaac as he also came into the room and just looked about in stunned silence taking in everything he was seeing.

“So... is of this is...”

“This is the Whitmore family fortune.” Tabitha explained looking about the room; a slight smile came to her lips and eyes. “The girl’s father gave me strict instructions never to reveal this room if the family became threatened by greed.” Elissa and Bianca looked at Tabitha in stunned silence.

“That wasn’t anywhere in the Will...” Isaac mused to himself.

“I know, that was done on purpose... I have a feeling that that their father may have been coerced or blackmailed by Donavin into writing the will that was read after his death, hence the precautions he gave only to me.” Tabitha nodded firmly and stood up brushing the dust off her clothes.

“So, you girls can now do as you please with your fortune... Now that you know it’s here, you can divide up whatever you like.”

Elissa looked at Bianca who smiled knowingly at her.

“It stays here, except the coins, ancient coins can sell for thousands, and that’s just one, but the rest...” Elissa couldn’t help but smile broadly so her cheeks began to hurt again. “It stays.”

“After all...’ Bianca patted her belly smiling. “We’ve decided to stay here as a proper family unit, so the fortune can stay as well. Now, my feet are swelling, who wants to help me back up that silly ladder?”

Elissa laughed and helped Bianca back up the ladder, Isaac and Tabitha followed behind, making sure that everything was closed and locked behind them as they went.

For now, the shed would stay  just that, an old, with nothing important but cobwebs inside it garden shed.

 

********



 

    A month later when the weather was warmer, Elissa let Isaac lead her to the theatre after a beautiful dinner at the most expensive restaurant in town.

She laughed making him turn and look at her as he kept walking.

‘What’s so funny?” He gently squeezed her hand.

“Nothing, I’m just happy that we finally got to do this properly.”

Elissa felt warmed by his smile as they walked down the street hand in hand.

“Well, this is just the start... how about a proper wedding this time?”

Isaac smirked at Elissas’ open mouthed shocked expression as he handed over their tickets and they went into the Theatre to watch a concert that was being performed by the regions local orchestra and was being conducted by Mitchell.

 

- la Fin -

(2/02/2014 edited)