Secret Of The Crest (11 page)

   ‘There is no good way to say this so I’ll just say it. The night of the attack on the inn, the night I ran out and had my grandmother looking for me crazily, that very night I too was made ghoul.’

   Gregor caught his breath as he turned his eyes away to keep Rebecca from seeing his pain and his shame. Rebecca on the other hand put her arms around his waist from behind him and tightly hugged him and spoke consolingly.

   ‘Don’t stop, I want to know everything about you.’

   ‘My grandmother found me in some bushes the next day. I had been scratched and drained. She brought me back and nourished me back to health. She accepted what I was to become. She said she could not bear to lose me too!’ There was a long period of awkward silence.

   Gregor felt his world about to crumble again as he saw Rebecca get up off the bed and turn her back to him while putting her clothes back on. He wished so very hard that he wasn’t what he was but he knew he could do nothing about it. He said nothing more he just sat there helplessly falling apart inside, knowing he would never find love again because of what he was. Rebecca picked up his shirt from the floor, turned towards him and said in a very serious voice.

   ‘Do you realize that I fell in love with you while you were wearing this shirt? Did I mention that I have been hurt in a previous relationship so bad, that I promised myself I would never get into another one again?’

   Gregor looked at her expecting the worst.        

   ‘Do you know that I love you just the way you are and I want to be with you no matter what you are?’ Then she smiled at him.

   Gregor finally smiled.  He was madly in love with her and was finally being given the chance to tell her.

   ‘I was so afraid that you would reject me. Almost sure that you wouldn’t want to even hear me after I had told you the truth and yet I had to risk even the fewest moments with you in order to fulfil my purpose.’

   ‘And what purpose might that be?’

   ‘Rebecca, can I ask you a question?’

   ‘Shoot, love!’

   ‘Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me? Through whatever life throws our way? Would you honor me by becoming my soul mate?’

   Rebecca tightened her grip as much as her little hands could around his and answered.

   ‘I would love to be your everything as long as we both exist!’

   Gregor pulled her over to his night stand and opened the top drawer. He took out a very old little box and inside was a beautiful 24kt gold ring with a ruby in the center of it. It was embellished with the family crest initial “D” all around it. It was a family heirloom.

   ‘It is an old but delicate ring and has been in our family for generations. I will be the happiest man alive knowing that you are wearing it’ Gregor said as he placed it on Rebecca’s finger and then kissed it. Then he kissed her.

   ‘This ring is a symbol of my love for you, of our binding, of my past with our future life together.’

   Rebecca looked down at the ring and considered herself so fortunate. She not only found love at last but she was going to be family with one of her best friends. They became lost in their passionate kiss.

   ‘Love, when are you going to tell Cassandra that she is your sister?’

   ‘I think that due to the situation, I should tell her as soon as possible although, I don’t know as to how she will handle it.’

   ‘We can tell her together if you’d like’ said Rebecca.

   ‘Let’s tell her about our engagement first and see where it goes from there.’

   ‘Yes, I agree’ She answered.

Chapter Five

   It had become dark out and it was almost time for dinner. Everyone was preparing to dine. Cassandra, who had been reviewing the day’s photos, noticed that time had passed quickly and yet, Rebecca had not come in at all since they returned. Then it occurred to her that perhaps she had stayed with Sarah and Sam for a game of cards. That was usual for them and did it quite often in Fobbing.

   Cassandra got dressed and as she slipped into her shoes Rebecca walked into the room.

   ‘Hello love! Sorry I’m late but I was involved in a couple of things. I’ll dress quickly and be out in no time!’ she said.

   Cassandra sat on the bed and finished cleaning her camera parts. She kept thinking to herself “
I can’t believe everything that happened today. And why aren’t I scared out of my wits?
” As she continued asking herself about the day’s surprises, out came Rebecca dressed in a gorgeous black dress. One bare shoulder and a lovely string of beads on the other adorned the dress with finesse. Rebecca had set her hair in a loose bun with shimmering beads placed throughout her hairdo.

   ‘Becca, you look stunning, what’s the occasion?’ asked Cassandra. 

   ‘I don’t need to dress for any occasion or for anyone for that matter but to be honest, there is a reason that in a short time I will let you in on. Be patient, love. You do know I like Gregor, right?’

   ‘I’ve known that since the first time I saw you drooling over him just a few minutes after we met him’ Cassandra reminded.

   ‘Well then, good! Because I did get a little jealous that spectacular role of his fiancé!’

   ‘Ah, yes! Wasn’t I great? I haven’t lost it yet! My acting can still persuade the audience. Not that Gregor isn’t a very handsome man but for some reason I can’t picture him for me. So, you can put your guard down, Becca. Besides I think you two make a perfect match! I need to find someone less serious and not so protective. Someone who can be goofy at times.’

   ‘Now, that that’s out of the way let’s get dinner!’ said Rebecca.

   As the girls walked through the reception hall, they came across Mrs. Marina. Rebecca tried not to be nervous.

   ‘Girls, you both look beautiful tonight! Come, I have prepared a meal you never will forget!’ She led them into the dining room and grabbed Rebecca by the arm stalling her while letting Cassandra walk ahead of her to their table. She looked at her with affection.

   ‘Welcome to the family my dear, and congratulations! My grandson has made the best choice. You both have my blessing. Now go, surprise the others!’

  Cassandra was at the table already and turned to Rebecca.

   ‘Wow, a candle lit dinner. It must be some festive occasion or else they don’t want us to notice what we will be eating!’ She laughed at her own remark. ‘No but really, why candlelight? Do you think Sarah and Sam have their anniversary and we have forgotten it?’

   ‘I don’t think so, love. Let’s just sit down and enjoy ourselves. I’m sure we will know soon enough’ Rebecca answered.

   The table had been arranged at Gregor’s orders. It was very elegantly embellished with beautiful wild flowers fixed into a center piece, two table chandeliers that held lovely cream candles and in the corner of the room there was an old gramophone that surprisingly played an old seventy eight album of a soft classic masterpiece.

   The girls sat down and noticed that there were name tags on the table. Sam was placed next to Gregor then Sarah and Cassandra then Rebecca who closed the circle sitting next to Gregor.  Cassandra was inquiring about everything silently but she just had to ask Rebecca.

   ‘Do you think anyone knows what the formalities are all about?’

   Sarah walked up to the table before an answer was attempted.

   ‘Well, look at this! I’m not dressed for something this formal! Rebecca you look great! Not to mention the table settings. What is the occasion?’ she asked.

   ‘We don’t know but I think that our guest of honor likes his dinners a little more formal than we do’ answered Cassandra.  Rebecca smiling as she nodded agreeably.

   ‘Well, I’m not letting this pic go; I brought my pocket camera so smile you two.’ The two friends smiled and the picture was shot.

   ‘Come sit down, Sarah. I’ll take a picture of Cassie and you now’ said Rebecca.

   ‘Not a chance, dear sister! I’m not dressed appropriately for it, I’ll ruin the photo!’  Sarah sat down next to Rebecca.

   Sorry, love, but you’re not sitting next to me tonight. They have arranged for you to sit across from me over there next to your buddy’ said Rebecca.

   ‘Okay, seating arrangements too! I’m impressed! Maybe I should go change into something better.’

   ‘Too late!’ said a voice behind her. It was Sam holding a bottle of English scotch that he had brought with him from home.

   ‘Sam, what are you doing?’ Sarah asked.

   ‘I figured that after all we’ve been through today and survived, we should celebrate the fact that we are still alive with a glass good old English scotch! Who can tell me I was wrong to think of this?’ Sam asked smugly. Rebecca hurried to answer.

   ‘I totally agree, we should be thankful for today’s outcome! Pour me a glass, love!’ she said raising her glass.

   Make that two!’ added Cassandra. ‘I was almost slaughtered twice today! What are the odds of being safe within the presence of ghouls twice in one day?’

   ‘Well dear, would you like to join us with England’s finest?’ Sam asked.

   ‘I’m in! Let’s celebrate!’

   Sam poured the scotch and as they raised their glasses to toast, Gregor walked into the room formally dressed in a sheik suit that bared his family crest. Handsome, was to little a word to describe how he looked, thought Rebecca.

   ‘Before you toast, would you care to pour me one?’ he asked.

   Sam put down his own glass to pour one more for Gregor.

   ‘My pleasure!’ He gave the glass to him.

   ‘Good evening to you all.’ said Gregor and was immediately responded to. Sam lifted his glass once more.

   ‘A toast, to old friends, new friends and surviving everything that the forest revealed today!’

   ‘Here, here!’ The rest spoke out loudly.

   ‘May I also make a toast?’ Gregor asked.

   ‘Of course, we’re all listening!’ answered Sarah.

   ‘I’d like to toast to courage and loyalty that all of you demonstrated quite well in the worst of circumstances today and to new friendships!’ They all cheered and bumped their glasses.

   They seated themselves and went on talking about the day’s experiences. Soon enough dinner was served.  A traditional Greek dinner which consisted of roasted rack of lamb with roasted baby lemon potatoes and Greek salad with garlic sauce and goat’s cheese. A red wine was also served with the meal and to top it all off Mrs. Marina brought in her famous pastry baklava to sweeten up her tenants. Everyone of them was filled with guilt after the large dinner went down.

   Cassandra had waited patiently but now she was ready to get an answer.

   ‘Could we at last talk about what happened out here today? Are we really going to meet with them again?’

   ‘Before I answer that, there is something I would like to let you all in on. Fanis, come bring it!’ Gregor said.

   Fanis brought a bottle of chilled champagne, popped it open and served them all including Mrs. Marina who had joined them at that moment. Gregor pulled Rebecca close to him and put his arm around her as he lifted his glass in the air. Everyone’s eyes bulged out of their heads.

   ‘Your most beautiful friend Rebecca and I have decided that we would like to share the rest of our lives together. We believe we are a match and that is why I have asked her to marry me. She has accepted and we want you all to be a part of our new life together and our celebration. To new relationships, new friends and family and most of all, to my very beautiful bride to be! May you never be disappointed by me!’ They all lifted their glasses and toasted, as they were left in awe.

   ‘Congratulations!” said Sam.

   ‘My goodness, I don’t believe my baby sister is engaged!’ Sarah said and kissing both of them congratulated them as well. Mrs. Marina gave her wishes as she put a lovely pendant that she took out of her pocket around Rebecca’s neck. It was a lovely empty locket that was engraved with the family crest.

   ‘I wish you nothing but happiness my dear’ she said with a sincere voice and a held back tear in her eye.

   Cassandra took her turn congratulating the couple. She hugged Rebecca tight and told her how perfect they were for each other. She was a good friend and Rebecca appreciated her words.  Cassandra then turned to hug Gregor and as she did she pulled back shocked by a sudden vision of him that flashed before her. She congratulated him and smiled so as not to ruin the moment but, for the life of her, she couldn’t understand what had just happened. In her vision, Gregor was older and she became concerned. She asked Rebecca.