ALANNAH Chapter Two

The interior of the house is even more beautiful than the exterior. “This is beautiful!” She shrieked almost screaming with beams in her eyes. “This is the waiting room, it’s where visitors stays when coming to visit while they’re waiting for whoever will attend to them” Nanny McPhee was explaining. “A waiting room? Wow. It’s beautiful” Alannah said, admiring the Spacious waiting room with an inviting white light and the most beautiful chandelier she’s ever seen! If this is just the waiting room, how will the other room look like? Alannah was still wondering before Connor’s voice interrupted.

“Let’s go” Connor said, “We really don’t have the time for a tour right now, I am famished and I have a virtual meeting to attend very soon, Nanny McPhee” Connor continued. “Alright, I’ll go ask the maids to set the table, run your bath and of course, prepare a room for beautiful Alannah here” Nanny McPhee said Smiling and Ushering them in.

The Living room was even more huge and extremely beautiful than the waiting room. She’d always thought her Uncle’s house was beautiful, but, this is magnificent! She’s never seen a house as huge and as beautiful as this. This is a castle! It’s no longer a house, Alannah thought. Who in the world is this guy? He’s not only handsome, Connor is also really rich! Richer than her uncle! Is he into drugs? No way. She was still thinking when she heard.

“Welcome Miss, I’ll be the one attending to you, I’m Lisa, nice meeting you” Turning, she saw a young lady, almost the same age as her, smiling and extending her hand for an handshake. “Oh, I’m Alannah, you can call me Ana though, Nice meeting you too” Alannah shook her hand.

“Okay, follow me, Miss” Lisa said, leading Alannah up the stairs to her room. Alannah, following her closely while admiring everything she came across. Lisa and Nanny McPhee weren’t the only help around the house. There were more people around the house and while following Lisa to her room, she’d counted like Ten female helps who were either cleaning or moving about. She was very sure there were more. Lisa came to an halt in front of a room, brought out some keys that dangled beautifully.

“Here’s your room Miss Alannah”’Lisa said, leading Alannah inside the room. “Wow” Alannah gasped, looking around the well furnished and beautifully decorated room they had assigned to her.

“Your bath is ready” Lisa announced, walking out of the bathroom. “There is the Closet and if you need me, you can hit the bell beside the bed, over there” Lisa continued, pointing to the bell by the bedside. “Okay, Thank You” Alannah Said. Walking to the bathroom. This is luxurious, She’d never imagined that she’d get to have this much luxury, even though her uncle is rich, he never did this much for her.

She had a very warm bath and for the first time in a very long time, Alannah felt comfortable, not really Safe, but she was comfortable. She didn’t feel safe because she knows her uncle. He’d do anything to get her back to the drug business, he’d search the nooks and crannies of the world to make sure he finds her, and when he does, she knew her Uncle wouldn’t just have her back, he would punish her in the most unbearable way. She finds herself shivering just as the thought of her uncle finding her filled her mind.

“Knock knock” there was a slight knock on the door.

“Come in, it’s unlocked” She answered while drying her hair. She turned to look who it is. It was Connor. “Hi, Connor” She said. “Hi” he replied, scanning the room and also stealing slight glances at her. She was on only her bathrobe.

“I hope you’re comfortable?” He said. “Yes, I am comfortable and the room is beautiful too. I like it” Alannah said. “Okay, good, you should rest and you’ll be informed when dinner is ready” Connor continued. “Thank You” Alannah said, embarrassed. She had thought it’d be Lisa, Hence, the reason she wasn’t concerned about herself in her short and almost revealing bathrobe. But, then, it turned out to be Connor and he was in already so there was little she could do to cover up. “See you in the dining hall” Connor said. Walking out and closing the door behind him.

She has nothing to wear, she thought. Even before she opened the closet. Walking towards the closet, she opened it and was surprised to see the closet full of clothes. She was trying some on and they seemed to be the perfect size for her. “How did they know?” Alannah thought. “Rich People” She said, shaking her head. Scanning the closet for an outfit, she decided to go with a black Singlet and a jean short. “It’s comfortable” She thought to herself while dressing up.

“Knock knock” another tap on the door. “Dinner is ready” followed a voice she recognized as Lisa’s. “Coming” She said back, walking towards the door. Lisa was waiting outside for her. She got out and they both walked to the dining hall together. The aroma of the delicious meals filling her nose before even getting to the hall caused her stomach to grumble loudly. “Sorry” She said to Lisa. “I’m just really hungry” She continued. “No Problem Miss, I completely understand” Lisa laughed. “Stop the Miss and just call me Ana” Alannah said.

They got to the dining hall and it looked like they were having a feast. So much food! She thought. Walking to the table, she was already Salivating. There were many options to go for, she and her stomach were really happy. As they all got ready to eat. Nanny McPhee decided to start a conversation.

“So, Alannah, What’s your story? I mean, this is the first time Mr. Connor would willingly allow a guest in the house. You must’ve done something for him to like you so much, huh? What do you do and who are your parents?” Nanny McPhee went on. The question had caused Alannah to be really uncomfortable but she managed to answer a few, “My name is Alannah Campbell, I’m an orphan, actually, my uncle raised me” She answered.

“Oh honey, I’m so sorry to hear that” Nanny McPhee apologized.

“So, who’s your Uncle and where is he? Anyone we might know?” Nanny McPhee probes further, but, was cut off by Connor. “Give her a break, Nan, She’s a guest, make her feel comfortable first before going into details” Connor cuts in. Alannah looked over and mouthed a “Thank You” the question was already making her really uncomfortable and she was grateful to Connor for bringing an end to her Misery. Nanny McPhee didn’t argue. The rest of the dinner was taken in silence.

Walking up the stairs, she was feeling really tired, she’d planned to go tuck herself in her new welcoming bed when she heard Connor call. “Alannah!”. She turned to see Connor walking towards her. “Why has he stopped her? What does he want” She was thinking. “I was thinking we could have a conversation later, tomorrow maybe? Tell me more about you, all I need to know.” Connor said.

“Oh” Alannah managed to say.

“It’s totally fine if you do not want to share, I understand, you take your time” He continued.

“No, it’s fine, I can share, tomorrow then” she said, smiling.

“Okay, tomorrow it is. Have a good rest” Connor replied.

“You too.” She said, turning to continue her walk to her room.