The Shadows

The Duke

London, England

"Wake up cuz!" Maggie said while she shook my shoulder.

"Did you know that Adele will have a performance later and my mom got me tickets?"

I just looked at her sleepily, "Yey! Okay, time for me to go back to sleep Maggie," I told her as I closed my eyes.

"You have to come with me! It will be so much fun!" Maggie insisted.

"Sorry, Maggie I can't! Thanks for the offer though," Am I the only one who flew from Washington D.C. to London, England? Are they not tired at all?

After Maggie left, I had the room to myself. I would sleep for as long as I could! When I was awake it felt like I was walking in daze. Each day I was reminded that I was going to die because of my overbearing cousin's fault.

"You should have joined Maggie. Maybe it's the last time you'll ever going to see a concert," said the stalker Gabe

With closed eyes, I said, "Can you spell privacy? How about respect?" I said with emphasis on the last words, "Or should I tell you to scram!"

What made this moron think that I would consider marrying him? I am not out of my mind!

"Fine, then die!" he said coldly. I was not shocked. I expected worse from this guy. Vile, cruel, rude. It was a never-ending list of negatives.

"Thanks! You can get out now!" I hoped he heard it.

After he left, my sleepy mode had changed to irritation. I did not want to stay here anymore, I picked up my phone and called Maggie. I would rather be with Adele than this guy!

I was wearing a little black dress. A requirement for all the girls as my favorite magazine said. A black Gucci pumps and a sling bag, courtesy of my favorite Aunt in the whole wide world. I just ponytailed my hair, my dew drops earrings and Guy Laroche wristwatch.

"Wow cuz you're wearing lip gloss, can't get over high school?" it was Maggie, who else?

Gabe and Jared were waiting outside of our room. What are these two doing here? I looked at Maggie, I was about to ask her when she said, "Don't look at me it's their rules now, we are like prisoners you know,"

"Let's go!" she said to the boys in an annoying Maggie-like tone.

We were riding in a Rolls Royce, no kidding! I felt like a queen. My dad saw a video on YouTube about this car. He said someone placed a coin on top of the engine of the car while it was on and the coin stood firm. That was how efficient this car was. I could not hide my admiration. Oh, how I missed my dad! I have not answered his emails yet, maybe later.

The concert was actually a very formal candlelit dinner. I hope my dress was enough. I saw a lady passing by wearing a gorgeous gown. While dinner was being served. Adele was singing her famous songs that Maggie and I liked. We were seated like an arc. Gabe on my left, Maggie was on my right and Jared on Maggie's right side, two girls in the middle. I just admired Adele while she sang beautifully.

'Never mind I'll find someone like you, I wish nothing but the best for you too, don't forget me, I beg, I remember what you said....'

Adele could sing on forever; I did not care if this was the last song I would ever hear in my life. I sound very dramatic, I know. I saw in my peripheral vision that Gabe stood up, I tried to ignore him but it was difficult. I looked up to him.

"What?" I asked. Please don't ruin the night!

"The duke is here," Gabe said, while he looked in the direction of someone. I turned to my right; Maggie was staring too. So, I looked in the same direction as they did.

They were all dressed in white, seven of them. They looked familiar, all white? I squeezed my brain and recalled where I saw them. Yup! Abuela's burial in Madrid.

"Do they always wear white?" I asked no one in particular.

"No, we don't," someone said to me. I glanced back at them. There was a girl, maybe fifteen or so, she was looking in our direction and she smiled at me.

"The duke will see you later at midnight," said that voice again.

Maggie and I looked at each other. I guess she heard it too.

"What was that?" Maggie asked.

"Time to go!" announced Jared as he stood up.

"We can't just leave! The concert is not over yet," protested Maggie.

"We can, let's go!" Jared said. He held Maggie's chair and pulled it back to force her to stand. Maggie stood up and glared at him. I followed them and ignored Gabe at my side. I didn't even bother to glance at him. I walked towards the exit without looking back.

"Wear pants," Gabe said to me as I entered my room. I rolled my eyes at him and closed my door. I decided to wear my black jeggings. A white off-shoulder top with a cardigan and my ballet flats.

Gabe and Jared were waiting at the lobby when I came out of the elevator. Where's Maggie? I looked around and saw her with Uncle Tony. The two of them walked towards me.

"The girls are riding with me," announced my uncle.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Gabe tried to appeal.

"Let's go!" my uncle replied. He ignored Gabe.

The Rolls Royce halted in front of a high gate. It was painted in silver and black. The gate opened and I saw a manor! I said to myself I will Google the hierarchy of England's nobility later. This place was huge.

We left the hotel around ten thirty this evening, it was an hour drive. I hope they didn't find it rude that we were thirty minutes early. All of us emerged out of the car, the boys from the Ferrari. The huge door opened and the butler came out.

"Good evening!" the man said "This way please," he ushered us in.

The inside of the manor was very old fashioned, very polished and clean.

"The duke is in the library if you could wait here, please," the man said politely.

We were waiting in a hallway; I did not want to steal glances at my companions so I just looked around. I was not a fan of paintings but I thought I saw a Picasso piece when we passed by. Well, if you have a manor this big you should have priceless collections too.

The man reappeared and said, "He's ready for you now," then he opened the huge door.

My eyes widened when I saw the huge space filled with books. This is awesome! 

I was distracted by the man at the huge office table. I was staring not because he was handsome, but because of his pointed ears. Is he an elf?

His hair was as white as that girl from Game of Thrones I forgot her name. I just saw her from an advertisement. I noticed his skin looked very smooth. His nose was pointy. I think his eyes were in a beautiful shade of violet. I focused on his thin lips when he started to speak.

"Greetings Anthony!" he said with a very musical voice. Hmm... maybe that was the reason why they could speak to our minds, they were magical beings.

"Good evening, Faust," my uncle replied.

"I never thought that we would meet in circumstances like this," Faust continued.

"Yes, me too." Uncle Tony sounded embarrassed.

"These are the girls in question?" he asked while he stood up, then he walked to our direction. He stopped in front of us.

"I need to speak with the two of them alone," Faust requested with a kind tone. Immediately the door opened and Uncle and the two boys went out.

He shifted directly to Maggie, "What made you think that you can blabber about us just like that young lady?"

"I was just mad at Jared for breaking it off that easily," Maggie answered and looked down.

"Breaking what exactly dear?" came the duke’s follow-up question.

"Our relationship," Maggie said in a whisper.

"A relationship? And how long is this so-called relationship if I may ask?" Faust continued.

"Uhm I..." Maggie looked at me. I was waiting for her answer too, "Like a... day,"

"A day?" Faust sounded amused, "I thought younglings these days think better," he shook his head and turned to me, "this is your cousin, Emerald I presume?" Faust regarded me.

I was taken aback by his towering height. I could not tell who was taller, Gabe or him.

"How are you my dear?" he held out his hand to me. So, I extended my left hand in return. Then he kissed it! Okay, that was weird!

"I'm okay Sir," it went out of my mouth. I just felt that he was someone to be respected. He let my hand go.

"Well, being acquainted with the two of you here is my decision: Margaret should be married to Jared, a vampire. So, you can live with him forever, like what you wanted from the start. And the main reason we are all here, wasting precious time. Emerald can live her wonderful life with her books and beloved family." Faust declared like he was a court judge.

"You two can go out now, I hope we meet again in better circumstances, daughter of Celine," he said as he looked at me.

I wanted to ask him how he knew my mom. But we walked out before Faust changed his decision.

When we got back to our hotel it was already past one in the morning. I was filled with relief; I went inside my room and fell down to my bed. I removed my flats and checked my phone. My inbox was now flooded with emails from my dad. I got so excited; I removed my cardigan and typed a reply. I thought about my mom. I was wondering how she and Faust knew each other?

"Emerald I'm sorry for what I said earlier today," I yelped, it was Gabe. This guy is crazy!

"What is with you? Don't you know how to knock?" I yelled at him.

"We are trained this way," he explained.

"Were you trained to forget being human? How about manners? You can't do this to me all the time!" I reasoned out to him.

"I want to apologize," he whispered.

"Apology accepted, will you please leave now?" I said to him, I just want him out of my room and if possible, out of my life!

"I can't!" he answered.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because I can't stop thinking about you, even in my dreams all I see is you," Gabe said, he sounded very desperate. Okay, another weird guy!

I did not know how to respond to his declaration, "Gabe listen, I think you're just being carried away by all of the things that are happening now. Trust me, I'm not the right person for you, there are tons of beautiful girls out there."

"This is what scared me, you don't want me," he answered 

In all honesty, I answered him, "I really don't know what to say, Gabe,"

"I'm not poor, I can provide beautiful things for you. I can do everything for you!" Gabe continued.

"Hey, it's not like that," I explained to him, "I'm happy with my life right now. And I don't want to be involved with anyone,"

He took a deep breath, "Fine, good night!" Then he left.

I can't believe that just happened! I saw my unfinished email to my dad. And decided that I would reply tomorrow. Gabe's declaration was unexpected. I think their training includes behavior modifications and such. Maybe he needs help? Whoa! The guy just made a declaration of affection to me and I was judging him? Maybe I needed help too? Why was everything so messed up!

I changed into my pajamas and brushed my teeth; I turned off the bathroom lights and went to bed. Two more weeks and everyone could just go on with their lives.

The following day Uncle Tony allowed Maggie and me to enjoy London. We took the famous red double-decker bus to pass London Bridge. Took pictures of Big Ben and admired the Parliament building from afar. We wanted to see the Queen or even a glimpse of the Royal Family. However, it seemed that they were not in Buckingham Palace.

We went shopping to cheer ourselves up. Well, Maggie did, I just looked. I kept on converting all items to Philippine Peso; Maggie said that I was ridiculous. Even if she was the one spending her father’s money for clothes she did not need.

When we got back to the hotel, I felt very tired, I landed on my bed with outdoor clothes on, boots and all. I closed my eyes and tried to relax. I felt my phone vibrate. There was a text from Uncle Tony.

YOUR TICKETS ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE, GET READY, WE LEAVE AT DUSK.

I looked at the bedside table. I stood up and checked the tickets for our next destination. It showed Dublin, Ireland!

I wanted to see the country after I saw the movie Leap Year.

I wanted to start packing immediately. I suddenly realized something and stopped. All my excitement, gone. We would go to another founder or elder. I had been to these beautiful places and did not enjoy it fully. I fished my iPod nano and looked for the song Boyz II Men Oh Well, then I started to pack.