The Next Morning
Velori left instructions that he be allowed to enter any part of the house when Ben came to deliver, including her living quarters.
This house was one of the estates given to her by her father, Ralf Sorenson, as a birthday gift. However, she knew it was really a bribe for grandchildren. A heavy sigh slipped past her lips. She'd come back to the States on a whim, really. Drawn to the familiar, perhaps? She wasn't sure. Her dad had passed earlier this year and she'd lost herself in Egypt and Ireland. Anywhere and anything but home. But when she got a call from her lawyer last week, telling her that the probate from his will had ended earlier than expected, she felt like she was responsible for checking on things. Normally, with so many assets, probate can last years. It never crossed their minds to share ownership of anything, and since all properties and business allocations were still in her father's name, the courts would have to single everything out and handle all debt.
The Sorenson family was well-known but small. She had one aunt on her father's side, and no one knew where she was currently. So, all business and property were left to Velori. They owned Sorenson Mediums, which was recognized for their sports and off-terrain vehicles, and several large estates. All were the main reason for her return to the States, but once she arrived, she was reassured over and over again that she needn't worry. All Sorenson claims were being well managed, and her lawyer had everything under control.
Velori had been adopted by the Sorensons after they couldn't conceive a child of their own. It took them years to find her and they traveled the world looking. They knew immediately when they came across her in Australia. She was more mature looking for her age of thirteen and older than they'd wanted but it was in her eyes, her mother had always said. As if she'd put a spell on them. They couldn't leave without her, and they instantly felt a profound connection to her.
Her favorite place was the small library, which held a secret door to her living quarters. Hiding behind the family portrait was a passage to two more rooms and a bathroom. One room was smaller and had a queen size bed. Hanging on the wall opposite her bed was a forty-two-inch flat screen and sitting below that, was one of the more popular gaming consoles. If she wasn't on a dig, she was on a game. Whether that be on her TV or the computer.
In the other room was the exit to the library, the bathroom, and her office. Which was barren, other than her desk, office chair, and a small picture hanging above the computer. It was of her mother when she was younger. She too had died but at the time Velori was barely out of school. Leaving her alone with her dad, who had taught her to lose herself in the dig.
In the washroom sat a huge garden tub, a small sitting shower, and a cream Marble top sink. She had everything she wanted right here in this little hole in the wall. Literally. Only two other people knew of this place. Anne the head housekeeper and Ben.
Her nerves grew taut at the thought of him. She thought they would finally go to the next level of their 'friendship'. So, she brought him here, to her sanctuary. She rarely had a romantic interest in people. In fact, she felt hardly anything for anyone, but she had known him for years and had hoped her feelings towards him were more than they actually were. She was thankful at the same time she was angry when he denied her efforts. She was drawn to him in ways that had no explanation but when she offered herself to him, she immediately regretted it. A feeling of wrongness settled over her at the time and she internally begged him to say no. However, being rejected, even when wanted, still brought on a river of frustration and anger. Even thinking about it now was steaming her blood again.
She let out a frustrated sigh. If she was going to enjoy her sleep that night, Ben would have to be the last thing on her mind. So, she shrugged him out of it and went into the bathroom to start up her bath.
After pouring in her scented oils and bubble bath she turned to the sink to take down her hair and do a pre-emptive facewash. She'd grabbed a washcloth to dry her face and as she looked into the mirror, she was struck by a vision of what seemed to be herself with curly hair crouching in the back of a cave as rocks slammed down around her.
Grabbing the counter, she fell to her knees and tried to catch her breath as she was hit with a wave of nausea. She scurried to the toilet to let out her dinner. She hugged the porcelain until she felt its cold exterior sink into her skin, bringing relief. Taking in slow breaths, she pushed herself up and went slowly back to the mirror.
All she saw was her reflection and goose flesh all over her body. She had broken into a sweat and her chest was pounding.
What was that? She thought. She shook her head roughly and took in a deep breath. Nothing's going to ruin this night for me. Not Ben and not some crazy hallucination.
She stood straight again and walked back over to the tub, removed her robe, and slid into the steamy water. She allowed the warmth to help her disappear into thoughts of nothingness. Even if, she couldn't stop the occasional thought of long curly black hair and dark caves that squirmed their way in.
Eventually her muscles had relaxed, and comfort filled her bones. She laid in the tub long enough to become pruney before leaving it and crawling into bed. She drifted off to sleep under bamboo sheets and a familiar comforter, but when she woke in her bed the next morning, she wasn't alone, Ben was lying beside her.