Curse of the Bouda

Bound

The door opened, and standing before her was Asani. His beaming smile seemed permanently cemented onto his face, and almost felt as if he smiled only for her.

"Harlow, it is so nice to see you again," Asani greeted.

Harlow hadn't expected Asani's casual reaction, he appeared unsurprised by her impromptu visit. As a mini panic attack surged inside of Harlow she struggled to find an appropriate response. Suddenly remembering it was Maura who had forced her into this precarious situation she turned to give her a glare to intercede. Maura, unbothered by Harlow's death stare, hurriedly ascended the steps to be by her side.

“Hi, Asani. Harlow’s mom cooked this great meal, and Harlow thought you would like to have a plate.”

To this, Maura elbowed Harlow, who practically shoved the plate into Asani’s face. He looked amusingly at the platter, taking it within his hands. His eyes then flickered upwards to gaze at Harlow. His warm dark-brown eyes entrapped her, but weren't they a darker shade in the store? As she pondered the color change, Harlow's thoughts were interrupted by Maura's sudden outburst.

“Goodness!” Maura exclaimed as she glanced at her wristwatch. “I have a call to make.”

Harlow gently shook her head. Not wanting Maura to leave her alone with Asani but she insisted on stepping away to make the obvious imaginary call. Unsure where to rest her eyes, her gaze soon fell onto Asani, who gave her an easy smile. She return his kind gesture with a crooked grin of her own. Harlow heard the car door opening and then closing, as Maura took a seat inside.

Asani sniffed the plate through the foil.

“Smells good,” he commented.

“Yeah, my mother loves to cook.”

He smirked, before stepping aside to invite her in. Though Harlow was a small-town girl, she was not naïve to the dangers of the world. Despite his alluring appeal, Asani was still a stranger, Deeming it reckless to enter his home; especially considering the lateness of the evening she didn't budge.

Asani frowned for a moment before perking up once more. “I promise to be on my best behavior. Besides, Maura is just outside.”

Harlow pondered his reasoning and decided there was no harm in accepting his invitation, considering she wasn't alone. Harlow glanced back at Maura. Who gave her a thumb-up. Harlow exhaled as she stepped inside. The house was in desperate need of repair. Heavy tarps covered most of the furniture, if she was not mistaken, they may have been the furnishings from the previous owners. The floorboards squeaked as she walked along. The ceiling had some water damage.

Asani took notice of her evaluation of his property. “Is it terminal?” He joked.

Harlow smiled and hurried to erase the concerned look on her face. “Nothing that a bit of sweat and hard work cannot fix,” she assured. "I could lend you a hand. I'm pretty good with a hammer."

"I could use an extra pair of hands, thanks."

"Hey, my hands are willing and able," Harlow replied.

Instantly she wanted to forehead smack herself for her odd choice of words. She gazed at him to gauge his reaction, his eyes darkened, causing her to shudder as she felt his intent. Suddenly, he averted his eyes.

“Sorry,” he said.

“For what?” She asked, but he did not elaborate, only smiled before heading to the kitchen. She followed him.

He flicked the switch illuminating the kitchen.

“Wow, this is how our kitchen used to look before we remodeled,” Harlow marveled. She strolled around the round-wooden table centered in the middle of the room.

“Really?”

“Yeah, you do know why they call this place Twin Manors, don’t you?”

He shook his head as he pulled out a chair for her to sit on. She accepted what was offered. He grabbed a knife and a fork from a drawer and tossed them onto the table. He removed the foil and breathed in the aroma of the meal. She giggled as his eyes closed, savoring the smell.

Asani’s eyes darted in her direction. He licked his lips in anticipation of eating the delicious meal. Harlow bit her lower lip upon seeing his tongue wetting his lips. Something about the way he stared at her stirred something sinful within her, as she felt the pleasureful high that her infatuation created.

He tilted his head, in a curious manner, with a sly smile displayed upon his lips; he stared pointedly at her as he brought the first bit to his mouth. Engulfing the fork, he held it in place before slowly pulling it away, his slow sensual action made Harlow envious of the dinnerware. Asani hummed with approval, complimenting her mother’s cooking every chance he got. He asked between mouthfuls about the manor's history. Harlow began the tale of their home's genesis.

In the 1940s, there were twin sisters born, Daphne and Mary Dupree. They were the daughters of a wealthy mining family; their generational roots could be traced to the town’s first settlers. But sadly, their family lineage ended upon their deaths in the late 1970s. The sisters were close and chose even in their adult years to live near to each other. Both married local men from town, who doted on their respective wives and built the matching manors.

A twinkle shined within Asani's eyes as Harlow continued to tell the story.

The sisters died after a series of tragedies. First, the family’s fortune suffered a tremendous hit when the great mine collapsed in 1964, causing ten men their lives, one being Mary's husband. In response, the sisters who were now in control of the production shut down the mining company in pursuit of safer means to earn money. They financed small businesses such as convenience stores and even Harlow’s grandfather’s hardware store, which was passed down to her father.

Yet, that wasn’t the end of their poor luck. Daphne’s husband contracted pneumonia, which eventually took his life. The sisters, now widowers, stayed in their respective homes. However, they would come together for frequent visits, until their untimely deaths from questionable causes, they died a day apart; Mary succeeded Daphne.

With the clank of Asani's fork being placed onto the now empty plate, Harlow wrapped up the story, "My father and mother bought Mary's home. Poetically they used the money earned from the hardware store, funded initially by the sisters."

During the telling of the story, Harlow had zoned out. When she was told the story as a child, Harlow always felt a kinship with the sisters. Now more than ever, since knowing the pain of love lost. After she ended her sappy story, she half expected Asani to scoff, much like how her ex would have done.

However, when their eyes connected, she only found consideration and thoughtfulness. Asani smiled that same heart-melting smile; and voiced, “It is a sad story, but the sisters always had each other. So, that was a bright spot in their lives at least.”

Harlow smiled and agreed.

Whatever nerves she had before the beginning of her sharing of the story were gone. She enjoyed their interactions. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. They both got up, Maura stood in the doorway, making some nonsensical mumbo-jumbo about needing to pick up Rodney, who suddenly needed a ride. Harlow didn’t believe a word of it but being how she felt more than comfortable with Asani, she chose not to argue. Asani agreed to escort Harlow home. To which, Maura beamed, suggesting it was exactly what she wanted to hear. Soon she was on her way. Harlow stood in the open doorway with Asani beside her, as she watched Maura drive off.

“Perhaps I should take you home now,” Asani suggested. Harlow was slightly surprised, she thought they would chat for a while longer, but he seemed dead set on getting her home.

Though she was disappointed, they stepped out into the chilly autumn night. She shivered as a gust of wind cut through the thin jacket she was wearing.

“One moment please,” Asani said. Before he popped back inside. He returned with a heavy brown-leather coat.

“No, I can’t,” Harlow objected. Not wanting to impose.

“You’re cold, please, let me do what I can.”

She sighed, giving him the permission needed for him to wrap the coat around her shoulders. His warm hand briefly stroked the column of her neck, as he flattened the collar. She was not sure if he did so on purpose, but it felt nice.

“Do you mind walking?” He asked.

"It might not be such a good idea to walk at night. Mr. Gilbert says there's a predator lurking around."

"A predator?" Asani questioned as stroked the back of his head. "Did he see it?"

"No, but he said he heard it cackling, but Maura thinks he just been drinking too much. Yet, maybe we shouldn't chance it."

To this, Asani smirked, "Don't worry I'll keep you safe."

Harlow tilted her head, for some reason, she believed him. So they began the two-mile hike to her home. She did most of the talking on their way home, as she told him more about their quaint town’s history. The best places to go, namely Moonlit Lake, where her parents took her when she was a child to fish and swim. Occasionally, she would look up to catch Asani gazing at her. As butterflies filled her stomach, she tried not to look at him too often.

They arrived at her home. She tried to tell herself ending their time together was a good thing. The more comfortable she became, the more likely she would say something off-putting, causing him to see her flaws. Besides, unbidden fantasies had begun to enter her mind. During moments of quietness as they walked, she thought about his firm lips pressed against her own, teasing her as she imagined he could. More troubling was the thought that she would permit his kiss, despite not fully knowing him, and regardless of the ominous vibe wafting from him every so often. Yet, the feeling didn’t frighten her. No, it enticed her.

Stepping onto the doorsteps, Harlow turned to see Asani casually leaning against the post of the porch. His eyes searched hers. For a moment, she thought he might make a move. Then, she recalled the pain of her divorce, and it was enough to tarnish her wish. Asani frowned, before confidently marching up the steps toward her. His eyes were ablaze with a determination that made her heart drum erratically. He stalked forward, closing the distance. Harlow stared into his eyes, it wasn't her imagination, they were black like a starless night's sky. Harlow opened her mouth to speak but shook her head. Admonishing herself for making such a big deal over his eye color. Inhaling, she could smell his familiar alluring scent, a spicy concoction of musk and sandalwood. Again, she felt the lightheadedness she had experienced early that day in the shop.

"Are you wearing cologne?"

Asani grimaced, as he took a step away from her.

"No, why?" His tone was sharp.

"Oh, It must be your natural fragrance. Don't get me wrong, you smell amazing."

Asani whispered a curse to him, before saying, “This is a mistake.”

"Mistake? What are you talking about?"

"I should go. I'm sorry for intruding."

Intruding?

Confusion struck Harlow as Asani continued back away. Yet, he didn't leave altogether as she took the cue he was waiting for to enter her home. She opened her mouth to argue, but just then the porch lights came on. Harlow turned to see the curtains shift open, her father's face peered through the gap. Not wishing to have her father overhear their conversation.

Harlow turned, away to go inside, she whispered, "Goodbye." Then rushed inside, not waiting to hear Asani's reply.

Her father hurried away from the window, pretending as if he hadn't spied on them at all. Harlow gave him a tight greeting, before

she gazed out the curtain, to see Asani had started his walk home.

“Looks like you two are getting along well,” She heard her father say.

Harlow turned to see him standing before her.

“I was only being nice and welcoming him to the neighborhood,” Harlow corrected.

Her father smirked, knowingly before he went upstairs to bed.

Harlow quickly returned to her post, she searched in the darkness of the landscape for Asani, but he was nowhere to be found. She stood dumbfounded, trying to imagine the time it would take for him to reach his home. She couldn't comprehend how he had managed to leave her sight so quickly. He would have had to run to do so. Yet, she dismissed the notion. He was peculiar, one minute it felt as if he was going to ravish her on-site, only to coldly dismiss her the next. Harlow vowed right then to limit her interactions with him. The cold realization that he had rejected her wounded her fragile ego, she wrapped her arms around herself, only to then realize she still had his coat. It would appear she would have to see him once more to return his jacket, but after that, she was done. Yet, something within her begged the differ, but she hushed that side of herself as she went upstairs to bed.