Brandy in the Morning

"Dr. Diana! It's so nice to see you finally ba.. what is this? What happened to your beautiful face??", Hendrick, the Woodsworth's white haired and wrinkly butler, greeted Diana with a roller coaster of emotion seeing her home and noticing Diana's bruises and wounds.

"I am fine, Hendrick. Is mother home?", Diana asked as she clasped Hendrick's hands.

"She's still in bed, she went home very late last night. But, you can go to her. She's worried about you, my dear", Hendrick replied as she take Diana in.

The Woodsworth home is a 2 floors, 8-bedroom modern Victorian style home in shades of gray and cream. There were also floral designs and gold linings that enhanced the opulence of their home.

From velvet curtains, classic paintings and crystal chandeliers, to intricate wood carvings on the doors, a herringbone patterned fireplace and oriental rugs, the Woodsworth home is a masterpiece of exquisiteness and style.

However, there is one rule in terms of putting furniture in this house. No mirrors are allowed inside. Only Diana's room has mirrors.

Diana turned the knob and gently opened the heavy oakfire door of her mother's room. Despite the sun has been brightly shining outside, her mom's room is a bit dim because of the thick curtains hanging on the windows.

She drew the curtains a little bit to let the natural light come in, just enough to illuminate the room not hurting one's eyes. She approached the four-poster bed, and saw her mother sound asleep in her usual long sleeves and pyjamas. She noticed visible droplets of sweat on her mother's forehead.

"Mother..", she sat on the bed and laid her palm on her morher's arm as she wake her.

Being a light sleeper, her mother immediately opened her black eyes and said, "You look like you just rose from the dead".

"Nice to see you too, Mother", she said with a smile. "Bad dream?", she wiped the tiny droplets of sweat on her mother's forehead with her hands.

"They never go away.", Alva said as she sat upright and stared at Diana's face noticing her bruises and wounds. "Your trip, was it worth it?, she asked.

"I can't tell", Diana answered as she touched the bandage on her forehead.

Alva stood up and went to her bar cart to get a glass, ice and some brandy. Ever since Daniel died, Alva stopped drinking the usual tea with honey, and shifted to hard liquors.

"Brandy in the morning?", Diana asked as She positioned herself properly on the fluffy bed.

"Brandy is stronger than coffee", Alva said as she gulped on her favorite drink. "What about the ones who did that?", she asked.

"They were caught.. I was saved just in time by…s..someone", Diana said as she refused to tell her mother she was rescued by a wolf.

"What a shame.. we don't play damsels in distress Dee.", her mother said as she sat on a red settee. "Make yourself stronger then, you cannot be expecting someone to save you everytime", Alva said drinking all of the remaining brandy.

"Mother, do you believe in fortune telling?", Diana asked as she feel the warmth of the bed with her hand.

"I don't.", Alva said firmly.

"There's this lady, named Emilia, in the place I've been and she told me a lot of things.. like I'm going to be betrayed by someone who's a wolf in sheep's clothing? And that a big bad wolf is coming for me.. and.." Diana was still talking when she noticed her mother was staring blankly at her. "Mother?", she asked.

"Diana, those things are nonsense. It just feeds you fear and sometimes, false hopes. Deal with reality, and trust your instincts", Alva said as she scold her daughter.

Again, Diana thought that her mother is right. It gave her fear right after the session with Emilia.

"You told me before that I was attacked by a big bad wolf, and that Dad was killed by one", Diana said looking intently at her mother.

"It's just something I said. No big deal.", Alva replied as she rolled her eyes.

"I see, mother. Sorry", Diana said as she lowered down her head. But in her head, she craved for answers, who attacked them and killed her dad?

"About the wedding..", Alva continued..

"I don't think I want to talk about it", Diana said as she lay down on the soft bed.

"But you have to hear it", Alva stood to get more brandy. "There will be no marriage anytime soon. Do you know why exactly did I agreed to have you get married off to them, my precious daughter?" Alva said as she leaned on the windows.

"Hmm?", Diana leaned with her elbow as she stared as her mother in wonder.

"All because of a deal, and a good one. Our families were desperate about the continuity of exchange of one's special needs. I needed them as much as they needed me. Apart from the partnership, of course it has to be sealed with a more valuable agreement - a marriage. Sending you off comes with Alva Woodsworth's loyalty and integrity, same goes to them." Alva sipped from her glass and frowned at the strong taste of the liquor.

"But, the fact that they just let a rare opportunity go, it means we are nothing to them.", Alva continued as she clenched her teeth.

"Then what about the deal?", Diana asked curiously.

"I'll sort things out like I always do. I don't like being not on the top of the game.", Alva walked towards Diana and let her sit straight up.

"We should know our value, Dee. We only give one chance. No matter how much I needed them, they cannot just do what they want.", Alva said as she bend over to meet Diana's eyes touching her chin with thumb and index finger..

"They've been keeping in touch to pursue the marriage again. Yet, my decision is final. The deal is off", Alva said as she went towards the bathroom.

"For now, go to work. You need a distraction. Use the healing balm I made to cure your wounds and bruises. I don't want you looking weak", Alva said as she entered the bathroom.

"And Dee, don't cry. It's a waste of time.", she closed the door and left Diana staring at the wind.