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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 4:23:55 GMT -5
Maxwell stared into his cup of spiced hot chocolate, which had cooled sometime ago. "It isn't nearly as simple as your reason, but I suppose I owe you honesty." he paused for a moment, trying to decide how he was going to explain it so that she could understand.
"I've dated a few times in my life, but most of the women I deemed worthy were only interested in my wealth. Others were turned away from my work." he sighed wistfully, forcing down most of his anger, dislike and untoward emotions behind his Occlumency walls. "But, as I said before, there was almost a Mrs. Rosebane. Her name was Olivia, and I thought we were meant to be. I fell for her and her charms, and we even conceived a child together - Brayden."
"Let's just say that things didn't work out, and leave it at that. "
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 4:38:41 GMT -5
Alice felt terrible for him. Her crepe lay half-eaten, as she sipped the last of her tea. What a sad story. Mr. Rosebane delivered better than that. She hoped that he'd someday get the happy ending he deserved. Her eyes reflected her sadness as she looked at him. Hesitantly, she placed her hand on his wrist to offer him comfort.
"I'm so sorry. I hope you recieve the happy ending you deserve some day. I'm certain there's a woman for you out there somewhere. I've never been in love before, so I can't even imagine your suffering. I'm sure that you'll get the end you deserve," said Alice.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 4:44:44 GMT -5
It was a novel thing, finding comfort in speaking with her. There was something cleansing about letting out some of the issues he seldom - if ever - spoke of. He gazed in to her sincere, honest eyes and found peace. "Thank you, Alice." he replied, no longer feeling the need to be as formal. "I appreciate all that you've done today, and all that you will do in the future."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 4:52:49 GMT -5
Alice couldn't help but let a small smile appear on her lips. He really did seem to like and trust her. She couldn't help but feel warm and being appreciated by Mr. Rosebane.
"I hope I'll be able to prove myself satisfactory to you in the future as well," she said, "Shall we leave then, Mr. Rosebane, and head to my house? I think we're done here."
Her open eyes stared into his, and she couldn't help but feel weak at the way he seemed to read her. She womdered what it was he saw in her. She blushed slightly, and brushed back.a lock of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ears as she looked to the ground in slight embarrassment.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 4:59:51 GMT -5
"Indeed, we are." He agreed, smiling at her. He got up and reached for the small sack of galleons in his pocket. He placed it on the table. "I believe this should be more than enough. Let us be off. It is getting rather late."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 5:05:34 GMT -5
Alice nodded. She couldn't deny that she'd had a lovely time, though she felt guilty that Mr. Rosebane was paying for her again. Ah well, she'd pay him back by working doubly as hard, she thought.
"It is late, thank you for the meal," she said with a smile as they exited the coffee shop.
Alic watched in surprise as a couple stood in front of them while they waited for the limo. The man had his arm wrapped around the girl's waist and the two looked so serene with each other. They didn't need anyone else. Alice felt jealous, wishing she could have that. How lovely would it be to have someone to lean on? To never feel lonely again. She dreaded returning to her apartment tonight. She had gotten used to company.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 5:14:23 GMT -5
He smiled at her. "You are more than welcome. It has been a very enjoyable evening."
As they waited for the limo, he noticed her watching the couple that went past. He wondered what was on her mind, and why she looked so lonely. But for now, he wouldn't delve any further - he'd had enough personal discussion to last him for a long time to come. Tonight, he would sleep well. Whatever came tomorrow would come.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 5:25:03 GMT -5
The limo arrived, startling Alice out of her reverie. She smiled up at Mr. Rosebane, though some of her sadness lingered.
"Shall we be on our way then? My home is on Cooper Road, it's just off of Charing and you turn left onto Weagan Street to reach it. We should meet like this more often," she babbled to cheer herself up.
She walked to the limo door, and opened it.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 5:31:45 GMT -5
"Considering the agreement we've made, we most likely will." he said pleasantly, as he got in the limo. "Jenkins, did you hear all that?"
"Yes sir, Mr. Rosebane."
"Then take us there."
"Right away. We should be there in a little while."
"Very good."
He waited for Alice to get in. "By the way, I would like you to call me by my first name, since I am using yours. We're not strangers now, after all."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 5:39:26 GMT -5
Alice slid into the limousine, just as Mr. Rosebane asked her to address him by his first name. For some reason, the idea made her blush. She looked at Mr. Rosebane nervously as the limo began driving.
"Ah, I suppose that's true, Mr. Rosebane, no, I meant, M-Max-w-well," she stuttered out nervously. It felt odd to address him as such.
Just then, the limo swerved, and Alice fell towards Maxwell at the abrupt swerve.
"Sorry sir! A cab jumped out of the left hand-side," called his driver.
Alice however, couldn't say anything in her shock at being forced towards Maxwell. She was leaning directly against him!
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 5:48:29 GMT -5
Maxwell thought it was cute, the way she stammered his name. Such a sweet young woman, so shy and open at the same time...
His thoughts were cut short by the sudden swerve.
"Sorry sir! A cab jumped out of the left-hand side!" Jenkins shouted, aghast.
"Don't worry about it, Jenkins. It wasn't your fault." He looked to the girl leaning against him. "Are you hurt?"
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 5:54:58 GMT -5
Alice was incredibly embarassed at her new position. She was completely pressed against Mr. Rosebane-Maxwell. She new her cheeks were burning a bright red color. She was paralyzed in shock, until Mr.Rosebane-Maxwell- asked her if she was hurt,
"N-No, I'm fine," she said, moving off of him quickly. Twice in a day she'd ended up in his arms, despite it being innocent. Her embarassment made her start to stammer and her blush remained plastered on her face.
"I-I'm so so so-sorry, Mr.Roseba- M-Ma-Maxwell! I d-didn't mean to do th-that!" she stammered out, wishing she could just disappear.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 6:01:02 GMT -5
"Everything is fine, Alice. There is nothing to be sorry about." He said warmly. "That cab got in our way and diverted our course." He hadn't minded her in his arms - not in the least. But there was no need to embarrass her any further.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 6:07:36 GMT -5
Alice calmed down, but she knew her cheeks were still flushed. She really needed to watch herself better. She shifted herself fsrther away so if they did swerve, she wouldn't land in his arms.
"Ah, yes, sir. So, ah, when-" she scrambled for some kind of conversation topic, her mind blank. All she could keep thinking of was her humiliation.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 6:13:19 GMT -5
"Do you know how to play Wizard Chess?" Maxwell asked, seeing that they needed to speak about something to calm her down.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 6:16:13 GMT -5
"Yes, I learnt it from my father, he loved the game," said Alice, relieved that she had something else to think about, "I was never the best player. My father says it's because I listened too much to the pieces rather than the strategy."
She smiled fondly at the memory, before asking, "Do you play as well, Mr.Ro- I mean, M-Maxwell?"
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 6:22:50 GMT -5
"I do, though Brayden always defeats me." he chuckled in self-depreciation. "I'm not exactly a master when it comes to the game."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 6:35:48 GMT -5
"I guess that's something we have in common," she said with a smile, as they turned onto her street.
She felt slightly embarrassed for him to see her house. Garbage littered the roads, and a few strange men hovered under a street-lamp at the end of the street, most likely bartering drugs. Most of the buildings were vandalized. It wasn't like the area was entirely bad, the trees were well maintained, and the graffiti mostly artistic. The apartments on the street were tiny, four to six floors at most, and not in a state of dehabilitation. However, Mr. Ro- Maxwell was someone who came from wealth and respect, and this was certainly not so.
"That's my building," she said pointing to a somewhat run down building at the left. It was late at night, so the cracked exterior and garbage littering the outside wasn't visible. However, the front door looked like the paint had aged several years ago, and the knob was slightly askew. The drop box for packages had lost it's front door, most likely from theft. A sign on the door said, USE SIDE ENTRANCE.
Alice knew that it looked bad, but it was mostly just appearances. The plumbing in the building worked just fine, and the land-lady was nice. The neighbours, though not friendly, weren't of a bad sort either. For her budget, this place worked well.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 6:44:23 GMT -5
Maxwell took one look at the street, and realized just how different their lives were. His childhood had consisted of summer condos on the beach, his mansion, Hogwarts and only the finest places in the world. Never before had he seen such a poverty-stricken area. It didn't feel right, leaving Alice here in such a dangerous place.
But what could he do. This was her home, and he had no choice but to bring her back. Even so... "This place is very...different. How long have you lived here, if you don't mind my asking?"
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 6:54:22 GMT -5
"Ah, its been about nine months now, its not as bad as it looks, the land-lady's very kind," said Alice, remembering moving here. She'd had to stay at a neighbor's house right after her parent's death. Then she'd moved around in a few shelters until she found this place. It had been difficult, almost four months she'd been looking, until her budget had dropped considerably as her funds dropped.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 7:01:53 GMT -5
"Indeed. Well as long as your alright and the landlady is nice, I suppose this isn't so bad." he said, though still unsure. "I think the artwork is interesting to look at as well." he nodded toward a particularly artistic bit of graffiti. It was still a huge culture shock, to say the least. How could anyone - especially someone like Alice - live in this dump?
"So, which apartment is yours?"
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 7:07:30 GMT -5
"It's on the third floor. The one with the pink curtains, you might not see it since it's dark outside," said Alice, opening the door to the limosine. "Well, I guess I should be on my way, M-Maxwell."
She didn't want to leave. She liked being with people. Now she'd be alone in her apartment until tomorrow.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 7:13:00 GMT -5
Maxwell sighed. He had found himself enjoying their time together. But, he could tell that Alice didn't want him to follow her. "Alas, all good things must come to an end. I'll see you tomorrow, Alice." He leaned against the limo, determined not to leave until he was sure that she would be alright.
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 7:34:15 GMT -5
Alice hesitated for a minute. She didn't want to invite Maxwell up to her apartment, but she didn't want the night to end. However, eventually her rational side won out as she reminded herself of how messy the apartment was. She didn't want Maxwell to see her clothes and underwear lying around. So she put a smile on her face and looked up at him, though sadness evident in her eyes.
"Thank you for everything tonight, Maxwell," she paused at that, surprised at finally saying his name without a stutter, "I really had a good time. Thank you for everything today, lunch, and now. I couldn't ask for a better night. I don't have a Floo connection as such, but a simple owl or Patronus will work. I'll see you tomorrow perhaps at work."
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 7:39:48 GMT -5
"See you tomorrow." he agreed, stifling the sudden urge to yawn. "Sleep well - I'm sure you're going to need it."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 7:44:19 GMT -5
"Good night, Maxwell," she said, her lips curving into a smile at his name. It still felt strange to say.
With that she turned and headed to the front door. With a bit of jiggling of the knon it opened. She knew well that the sign on the door meant nothing. She waved back to Maxwell before heading upstairs to her apartment. She climbed the narrow stairs slowly, each step feeling like she was getting closer to doom. She stifled the urge to yawn as she reached her door.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 7:54:08 GMT -5
The lights turned on of their own accord.
"You really took up my time tonight. The boss isn't going to be pleased." Travis said coldly, locking the door with a quick spell. "We have much to discuss, Alice Boot."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 7:58:48 GMT -5
Alice jumped upon sighting the new arrival. What kind of new hell was this? The boss? Who did he work for? The debt collectors? Her parents associates? She quivered in fright.
"Who are you? Who do you work for?" she demanded, not liking that he'd positioned himself between her and the door.
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Post by kumainpink on Jul 23, 2012 8:03:26 GMT -5
"You remember Vladmir, right? He's one of the many your parents owed a huge debt to, and he's been more than patient. He sent me to inquire as to when you are going to start paying him, and why it's taken so long." He cracked his knuckles. "And if you don't give me a good enough answer, I'm going to have to rough you up a bit, sweetheart."
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Post by G. Novella on Jul 23, 2012 8:11:34 GMT -5
Alice couldn't help but remember Vladmir. She'd never met the man, but he never failed to send her a letter demanding his money every month. Last month she'd been short and hadn't sent it. Obviously his men had no idea the details of her debt. She owed the majority of money to Vladmir. The rest didn't care as much as Vladmir for the money. It wasn't anything big to them anyways.
"I've been sending him fifty galleons every month! That's more than half my salary, but it meets his amount!" said Alice angrily, but seeing the man's face, she couldn't help but feel fear flood in. "Look, I had to pay Jordan's money, but it's almost paid off, I'll get his money to him by the end of the month, please."
She looked at the man with big eyes, her pretty face pale as she stared at him.
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