Chapter 2: Cranky

(Velia)

I move rapidly to lock the door heaving hard from fright, fearing that I have been caught.

'Oh no, I didn't mean to knock my cane over.'

"We heard the thump somewhere up here right?" I heard a low squeaky voice ask, it's the curly top brown-haired man.

"Must be a rat knocking out things." I heard his deep, smooth voice, the thick spiky dark hair man.

'Yes, it was a rat, a big rat, not I, not I.' I told them in my head as I held the knob with my dear own life pressing my body against the door as well.

"Then it must be one hell of a rat Leon." the curly top man said.

"Let's go before we disturb the rats even more," Leon mentions. I held my breath until I heard the footsteps die down. Unlocking the door, I crawl out of the small room and crawl up towards the stairs of the bars and look down at the two men. Luckily the top stairs give me a good view of the living room.

"Virgin Ghost, that's a bit lumpy of you Oliver. This is an old manor so rats and other varmints can live in here. I should know, I worked with animals." Leon said a bit dryly. I peeked through the thin brown bars gaps to get a better look.

Leon is a tall man, with thick dark brown short hair, but what is odd is how he has it brushed out somewhat spiked out, but it looks soft to the touch. His face is a light complexion, but with a tad of sunburn and a clean shave, but I can see stubs growing out. He has strong cheekbones and a strong jawline with his hair covering his forehead. His temples are a bit dip in, causing them to look darker eyes than the normal, but since I saw earlier he has transparent eyes, very light gray eyes. He looks very handsome.

Oliver is a thicker man and a bit shorter curly brown hair, with dark chocolate eyes and I can see he's missing a tooth in the front. I can see his hands are thick as well he looks like a cheerful man since his eyes always sparkle. He looks very cute.

"We should just sleep, we had a long drive, and if anything, I will protect you from the virgin ghost," he said to Oliver in a jokingly matter causing Oliver to roll his eyes at him.

"Right-O, I feel safer already." Oliver sneers at him as he flops down on the couch.

"You should." Leon forces a smile, as I couldn't help, but giggle at their words, but something seems to catch me.

'Restore? What does that mean?'

I tilted my head, feeling very curious about this, wanting to learn more, but suddenly Leon lifts his gaze in my direction. I squeak jumping back only to hit my hip against the small table leg. I cry out in a muffled tone as I turned to rub my hip crawling back to the first door on my right. Upon entering, I locked the door and turn to see my small room. Only one small bed right in the wall, facing the small window, that is covered with a blue plain curtain. I crawl up to my bed and place my old sheets over me, as I cuddle into my hard mattress trying to get warmth. I took out my picture of Heather that was under my pillow and look at it. She's smiling brightly while she has arms around me. I look like a frightened kitten next to her. With my wild thick black curly hair sticking out everywhere.

"Keep this when you miss me Velia it's a picture of us two and I'm glad I was able to take one with my daughter. My time is running short, but I promise you won't be alone for long." Her words echoed in me, causing a tear to roll down my cheek.

'I hope the wood will help them keep warm, tonight I'll hold on, is not the first time I sleep in the cold. Even though they are scary people, they shouldn't feel cold. I did good right Mama?'

I close my eyes, but I couldn't fall asleep, I was scared, scared that they could discover me in here and throw the idiot away from her only home in this world.

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I don't understand lots of things in life, but I understand one thing, family is the most important thing in this world. That's what Mama taught me. No matter how you are, a family should be there for each other, even for an idiot as such me. Mama told me that I'm special and not an idiot, I'm just slow to understand things, but with patience, I can adapt. Mama told me once that I can love greatly, but sometimes love hurts. I don't understand that, but when Mama died and God took her to heaven, my heart hurt a lot. I miss her so much.

I sat on the floor eating my half-stale bread as I watch Oliver and Leon on the large stage in the back of the manor. It's been three days since they arrived and it was interesting to watch them. They move things in the Mama old room and set up where Leon will be more comfortable. I didn't know he would be staying here with me. That made me anxious.

I sat on the second floor, behind a broken wall which I can get a perfect view on the first floor. I licked my lips to see the two men inspecting the flooring.

"We can go back to the village to look for new flooring," Oliver suggested.

Leon crosses his slightly thick arms. He wears a normal red tight shirt rolled up showing his bare arms. I can see his arms are thick, but in a good way. I expected my own arm and they look like sticks compare to his.

Why is his thick and mine is thin? I eat what Mama taught me what to eat.

"There should be shops that sell them. Also, when are you returning back home?" Leon asks Oliver, with a raised brow. Oliver looks at him since he's bending down inspecting the floor.

"That would be nifty, but you need help as well, I can't live my cousin all alone with the virgin ghost." He tells him. I grab my glass of water and drank half of it.

"Again with that, just go with your wife, thanks for helping me set up my room, but I'm fine," Leon said with a tight tone. I frowned, not understanding why he's mad, but I didn't like it at all.

Maybe he's hungry? They didn't eat anything since last night or this morning. Ah, Heather told me that men get cranky if they don't eat.

With that in mind, I stood up and grabbed my cane, and headed towards my secret tunnel that leads to the manor. I went down the old stain stairs and reached the bottom, near the door and I press a loose brick, making a small opening. I squeeze myself in, trying to make less noise, and began to walk down the damp tunnel, hearing some rats scampering somewhere. I leaned against the wall for support, since I couldn't see anything. About a few more walks, I move my hand to fill four small lumps on the wall. I smiled and press it against a wall, making it open.

I walk right into the living room, coming out next to the fireplace. I headed to my right, towards the big old kitchen that has nothing but an old refrigerator and a small stove next to it.

I opened the old yellow refrigerator, but frown in disappointment from the lack of food.

I forgot to buy food. I move away and place my hands on the cane for support. Without a second thought, I went back upstairs to get my old cloak to head out and the food shop.

'I brought food, sorry for coming late.'

The winter winds were too cold for me that I had to take refuge in the trees to protect myself. Upon entering the manor, I stop, when I heard more voices in the living room. I hide the bag under the old sink cabinet that is located in front of the refrigerator and softly sneak to hide behind the wall. Peaking over, I see two new men. A tall man with no hair, but chubby cheek and a young man with light black hair, that is cut short but has a long face and a big nose. Both have brown eyes and light complications as well.

'Who are they?'

"About half a year it will take to restore everything. The fire damage, mostly everything in the theatre." The bold man says, watching him scratch his big white beard. I bite my lower lip, watching Leon nod at him.

"Money isn't an issue, I can assure you that. I want everything restored as well for this manor; I want to renovate it as well."

"Are you planning on living here?" The young man asks him.

"Living here? Why does that concern you?" He said as Oliver, opens the door, holding two large bags, and whistle out. The young man looks offended by Leon's reply.

'Don't be offended, Leon hasn't eaten, but after he eats my food, he'll have a happy heart. Mama used to tell me when the stomach is full, you'll have a happy heart.'

"I brought dinner. Want to join us?" He asks the two men.

"Thanks for your kind gesture, but my wife is waiting for me." The bald man said. Oliver nods at him as he looks at the young man.

"No thanks, I have lots to do. As we accord, we'll begin working in two days, since we are still finishing a project back in the hotel of the village. I'm surprised this place has an owner, you did hear about the virgin ghost right?" The young man said while looking around as though he's scared to even be here. I watch Leon shrug his shoulders.

"I have, but I don't believe it, nice to meet you, Bill and Omar. Have a good day."

'God bless as well, you forgot to say that Leon.' I added in my head.

I watch the men leave and Leon grabs the bags that Oliver left on the floor since Oliver went to escort them out. I frowned, feeling my heartbeat with a twinge of hurt.

I was going to cook, Heather taught me how to cook. I'm sorry for coming late. I frowned, turned back around to grab my bag, and headed for the back room to head to the shed. I think I did well in sneaking out since I didn't get spotted.

I got up very early to make lunch. I hope you too will love it.

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I place my freshly cook food on top of a small tabletop that is near the fireplace, I think one of the guys brought it yesterday when I was food shopping. It's a small stand, made out of wood. Then I fixed two bowls next to the old pot.

I smiled gently at the display. Hot soup for their soul and rice for their bodies. I smooth my wrinkly dirty white dress when I heard footsteps coming down the steps. I get on my knees to crawl towards the back of the couch.

"Well, I'm off," Oliver said. I turned to see him holding a small black bag in his hand while Leon helps him adjust his coat.

"Since you live close by, it wouldn't be a long journey. Let mother know what I'm doing fine and I'll go visit in a few weeks." Leon says. Oliver nods at him as he shakes his body to adjust himself.

'So he's not going to eat my food. Please don't leave, not just yet. I promise I washed my hands.'

I pleaded as I took hold of my lower dirty dress.

"Will do, I'll try to get back soon as well, you left me with your farm since I'm second in command since you don't have a telephone yet, just use the hotel down in the village, it's the only working phone," Oliver adds. Leon nods as they step out. Leon leans against the door, watching his cousin leave.

"Remember Leon try to smile more and be kinder to your co-workers and since the house is quiet, don't let your guard down, spirits attack when you're alone," Oliver advises as I sneak a peek through the window watching him get inside of the automobile. Leon just waves and turns to close the door while I watch Oliver drive away. My heart began to beat hard.

I hid when I heard his footsteps. I wrap my arms around my legs, wanting to cry.

Oliver will get crabby as well because he didn't eat. I don't want that. I wanted to cry when I heard Leon's footsteps stop.

"Did Oliver leave this here?" he asks himself. I lower my legs down and squat down to take a peek around the arm of the couch to see Leon expecting the lunch I made. Two pots, rice, and soup.

'Eat it please, so you won't get cranky then you'll have a very good day.'

I felt my heart filled with hope as I watch him shrug and get the bowl I left and serve himself. I silently giggle, feeling so happy that he's testing my soup. After he sipped it with the spoon he froze for a second. My heart stops for a brief second at the strange look he gave it.

'Does it taste bad?' I followed Mama's instructions, even though it was hard to understand them at first. I panic.

"This tastes just like Aunt Heather cooking." He murmurs to himself as he lifts his gaze to see her portrait that hangs over the fireplace.

"I know Oliver doesn't know you to cook like you." He spoke to the painting as he served himself mixing the rice with the soup.

I lay my cheek against the cold floor, watching Leon sit on the old red couch and begin to eat. I smiled gently as I ball my hand and place it near my mouth.

'See, your Aunt will be so proud. Now you don't have to starve. I'll take good care of you Leon, just promise me you will take good care of her house so she won't be so sad in heaven.'

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