Charles [Short Story]

Chapter 3

"No, please.. Stella please don’t leave." Charles was trashing and screaming . He woke me up, I climbed on top of him shaking him.

"I am here Charles, I'm right here." I leaned down kissing his lips "Please wake up Charles. I am right here."

"Stella, please. I love you.. I have loved you since the first time I held you in my arms. Please I beg of you don’t leave me." he had a firm tight grip on my thighs I could feel the skin starting to swell.

"Charles!" I yelled as I shook him harder. "Please Charles wake up." his eyes fluttered open. He grabbed my face kissing me passionately. I can feel the tears on his face.

"I'm here Charles. Right here." I said trying to calm him.

He looked at me, than looking at my legs where he gripped them, they were already bruising.

"Stella, I'm sorr… I will leave you alone." before I knew what happened he was gone.

What the f**k just happened. I got out of bed heading to the closet to get dressed. I walked out of the room looking for Charles. I went into the only room with  a light coming from it. I walked in to see Charles standing naked in front of the fire place. I walked over placing my hand on his back than wrapping my arms around him. I placed kisses to his back before he turned to face me.

"I don’t know how you will be able to love me if I hurt you." he said looking down at my thighs.

"You didn’t mean to hurt me Charles, you were having a nightmare." I reached up to cup his cheek. "My sweet Charles what were you dreaming of?"

"You." he said placing his hand over mine and rubbing his cheek into my hand. "I lost you."

"Shhh, it will be okay." I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Please give me a chance Stella." he said as he kissed the top of my head.

"Did you really mean what you said?" I asked looking down, holding him tighter. "That you loved me." I felt his whole body tense.

"Yes Stella. I have loved you for the last 18 years. I loved you the second you were placed in my arms. I didn’t want to give you back to your father. I wanted to take you here."

"Why didn’t you take me here instead?" I asked

"I wanted you to love me like a partner not a father. I feared if I raised you, you wouldn’t love me like I loved you." he said with a deep sigh.

"I understand Charles. I am grateful you didn’t take me away from my father when I was younger. I am happy I was able to know him." I kissed his chest, I looked up to see him smiling down at me, he leaned down and placed a soft kiss. I wasn’t ready to admit it out loud but I was already falling in love with him. I cant explain why exactly. He makes me feel safe, loved, warm. But I could feel the darkness.

"What do you want to do today Princess?" He asked pulling me closer. I laid my head on his shoulder drawing little circles in his chest hair.

"Can we go to a book store? I would love to fill that shelf." I said softly

"Yes, come on lets go get dressed." he said with a swift smack on my butt cheek. I ran off to the bedroom with Charles chasing after me. Wild squeals and giggles filled the air. He caught me around the waist spinning me in the air. He walked us into the closet sat me down and started looking through the clothing he hanging up on my side.

"I would like you to wear this today." he said as he handed me tight blue jeans, a black v neck t shirt and a pair of white vans. "This as well. For later."

I held up the red lace panties and strapless red lace bra. I knew I was going to be uncomfortable all day.  I went to the washroom, dressed and pulled my hair into a loose bun. Charles walked in smiling.

"You look perfect Princess. Ready?" He asked.

"Yes, you don’t look half bad yourself." I said taking his hand.

We walked down the hall to the staircase, outside the main doors was a car waiting for us, the driver opened the door and Charles helped me inside.

Once we were seated I looked him asking "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes." he said as he took a deep breath.

"Well it is more like two questions." I said looking down at my hands

"What is the first one?" he said grabbing my hand and giving it a little squeeze.

"Where are we?" I asked. I cant figure out what part of the US we are in and it's driving me a little crazy.

"We are in Worcester, England. Well a little outside of the city. In the home I have owned for 420  years." he said looking at me trying to gauge my reaction.

"What are you?" I asked as I  pulled my hand away slowly. I already knew he was something other than human when he bit me, I was fairly sure what he was but I am to scared to think its real.

"Vampire." he said trying to move closer. I moved further away, as close to the window as possible. He looked at me with soft eyes. "Please don’t fear me."

"How could I not?" I said with fear lacing my voice. "Your not human, you stole me, seduced me, and feed from me. Explain how I should feel." A low growl came from him as he moved closer to me.

"Don’t speak to me that way Stella. I can be kind, I can also be cruel and you'll do your best to remember that." he snarled. We didn’t say anything to each other after that, I was staring out the window as I tried to ignore the feeling of his eyes scanning me. Soon the car came to a stop. I made my way out to see a stunning old book store.

"Finally a place I can be at peace." I whispered to myself.

"Come." he said trying to take my hand but I pulled away and crossed my arms making my way through the door he held open for me.

"Pick anything you'd like, I am going to get coffee." he said with a small smile.

I watched him walk off down the street. I didn’t even think to look for a book I slipped out and ran. I kept running until I saw a small tavern. I slipped inside and went to the back hoping to hide here until it was nightfall than I could move again. I sat down in the darkest corner. It was quite, very few patrons where here. I began to relax sliding down into the booth until I heard him yelling her name.

"He wont find you in here." I said to myself

"Stella!" I heard as the door swung open. I slid under the table and moved to the darkest corner. "I know you’re here my sweet Stella." he said with a small growl. Than I saw his legs come under the table as he sat down. A soft knock came from the table "I will always find you. You might as well come out nicely." I made no movements, I didn’t want to come out, I wanted to run away. "Please Stella, come out. The floor is fifthly."

I slid out from under the table and turned to walk out of the tavern, Before I take one step his hand was wrapped around my arm pulling me towards his lap. Once I was sitting he snaked his arm around my waist leaning in saying "Why do you insist on running?"

"You scare me." I said not looking up. I didn’t want to upset him.

"I told you, I wouldn’t hurt you." he said as he pushed his face into the side of my neck taking a deep breath. "Now, would you like to go back and get some books? Or would you like to go home?"

"Book store please." I might as well get something to entertain myself with since I gave him a year to win my love.

"Good, come." he said as he sat my on my feet and taking my hand leading me out to the street towards the store. Once we made it there I walked in taking a deep breath, you could smell the aged paper and the dried binding glue. It was heavenly. I started browsing the shelves until I found a Mark Twine collection, he has always been a favorite of mine. I grabbed the 3 books and started browsing more. I didn’t go to the counter until my arms were full of Edger Allen Poe, Jane Austin and so many more incredible authors.

The man looked delighted and started ringing them up, placing them in a paper bag he gave me a big smile saying "I hope to see you again!"

"You'll be seeing more me, you have a lovely store and so many lovely books to pick from. Thank you." I said with a  smile, I picked up my bag and walked out to the car with Charles following me. I got in and slide to the window as far as I could go.

"Are you happy?" he asked

"Yes." is all I said back. We rode in silence the rest of the way back. Once we arrived I didn’t wait I opened the door jumped out and ran to the room I shared with Charles, making it there I closed and locked the door behind me. I walked over the sofa placing my bag of books down. Turning to start a fire I heard a soft knock at the door.

"Stella?" he said gently. "Are you okay?"

"Go away." I said as I started the fire. I walked to the closet and changed into something more comfortable. I unpacked my books placing them in the bookshelf next to the sofa. I kept Jane Austin out, I curled under a blanket and began reading. I was half way through my book when I heard another soft knock at the door. I put my book down in frustration and started walking towards the door. I swung it open with the intention of yelling at Charles to leave me be but instead it was a small older women holding a tray of food and a pitcher of something.

"May I come in Mistress?" she asked sweetly.

"Oh, yes of course." I said with a smile. She walked in and I shut the door behind her, she sat the tray down on the table along with the pitcher.

"It's some cheese, dried meat, fruit, bread and pastries. The lord thought you'd be hungry Mistress. He also asked for some honey mead to be sent with it.  Is there anything else I can get for you?" she asked turning to face me.

"Can I ask you something ma'am?" I said moving closer to the table.

"Please Mistress call me Lilly and yes you can ask me anything." she said

"Is Charles a good man?" I feared this question as soon as I asked it.

"Oh Yes Mistress he is. The master has always been good. My family has worked for him for generations." she said with a smile.

"So you know his secret than? Doesn’t that scare you?" I asked picking at the cheese.

"No Mistress, he doesn’t harm the house hold or anyone in the town. He is a kind man. But lonely, well up until you finally came home to us." she said

"Hm, thank you Lilly." I said with a smile.

"Your welcome Mistress, if you need anything else please ring the bell or come find one of us. We will always be here to help you." she said with a smile moving to open the door, she was half way out when she turned and said "Mistress, He is a loving man, who just wants you be happy." than she was out of the door. I rushed over and locked it again. I wasn’t ready to be in the same room as him again. Not without thinking things over first. I brought the tray and mead over to the sofa with me where I spent the rest of my night reading and eating until I fell into a peaceful sleep.

I woke to find the light shining through the stain glass window making the prettiest shadows around the room. I got up from the sofa, placing my book on the shelf and walked towards the washroom. I started the shower and got undressed. Stepping into the warm water felt amazing. I needed to wash the fear away from yesterdays events. I wonder where Charles was and what he was doing. Once I was finished, I got dressed and headed downstairs to find the kitchen. I was about to walk In when I heard someone talking to Charles.

"Sir, you must whisk it so it does not break." the man said. "I can cook this for the mistress, I do not mind Sir."

"No Peter, I need to make things right with her and I know how much she enjoys food. Please help me." he said. I peeked my head around the corner to see Charles trying to whisk something on the over, I walked in around to where he was standing. I looked up to see Peter smiling at me and moving back a little bit.

"What are you making?" I asked his softly. I startled him and he dropped the pan on the floor. He placed his hand on the back of his head and groaned. "I am sorry Stella, I've ruined this just as I ruin everything." I placed my hand on his shoulder, pushing him to face me.

"It’s okay, you haven't ruined anything, it's the thought that matters." I said placing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Can I help you clean this up?"

"No Princess, just go sit there and I will start again, if your hungry and don’t mind waiting." he had a small hopeful smile as he asked.

"I am starving and I don’t mind waiting." I said with an encouraging smile. I made my way over to the bar stool and watched. Peter looked at me giving me a wink and a big smile.

"How about you make the bread sir, I will start on the sauce again." he said to Charles.

"Okay Peter, thank you." Charles said as he turned towards me he started by adding flour to the wood countertop, he made a little hole adding eggs, oil and some water. He mixed it with his hands, his hands were strong, but soft, clean nails and no scares. I smiled up at him, watching him work was nice and he looked to peaceful. I took a deep breath, smelling the fresh herbs peter added to the butter. Once Charles was finished he took over with cooking the sauce and he started working on some eggs, and bacon.

"It smells wonderful Charles." I said with a smile.

"It is almost finished, I hope you like it. I made something special for you." he said looking a little concerned. He finished cooking, adding everything to a plate setting it in front of me with a hot cup of tea. I took my first bite and it was so good, the sauce was creamy but rich.

"Charles, this is perfect. Thank you so much." putting my final bite in and chewing.

"Here Princess. I made these just for you." he said smiling and pushing a small plate towards me.

"What is it?" I asked looking down at a flaky filled pastry.

"It's something my mother would make for me when I was a child. I thought you would like it." he said with a hopeful look in his eyes. I smiled before picking it up and taking a bite. Flavor exploded in my mouth, it tasted of strawberries, mint and vanilla. I let out a small moan, Charles smiled from ear to ear and his eyes lit up. "Do you like it?"

"Charles, I love it. I would love for you to teach me one day? Until than I am going to enjoy the ones you've made for me." I said

"I would be happy to teach you love." he smiled and started helping Peter clean the dishes up.

I got up to help after I finished and Charles caught my hand.

"No, I have this. Please relax. I would like to take a walk with you after if that is okay?" he asked.

"I would like that." I replied as I reached up to remove some flour from his face. I wondered off to our room, I went in to grab a change of clothing. I turned around and jumped dropping everything on the floor. There was a very large man standing in front of me with a nasty toothy smile.

"Sorry about that lass." he said never losing the smile. "You smell good and I am hungry." he started moving towards me, I turned to run but he was to fast. He pulled my head to the side and sank his fangs into me. I let out a loud pained scream.

"Please let me go!" I yelled.

I heard the door fly open and a loud roar. The man who had me was thrown across the room and Charles scooped me up.

"I've got you Princess." he said handing me to another man.

"Lilly! Harlow! The mistress needs you now!" the man yelled as he brought me into another room laying me down on a bed. "Don’t close your eyes Mistress." I could hear someone screaming in and than I saw Lilly run in and than everything went black.

I woke up and it was dark, the only light I could see in the room was from the fireplace. I looked over to find Charles standing there watching the flames dance. I moved to sit up feeling the pain in my neck shoot through my body making me wince. I got out of bed and started walking towards Charles. He must have heard me because when I looked up he was facing me with a scared look on his face. I walked over and wrapped my arms around his waist breathing him in, this was my safe place.