Chapter 2: II: The Door
Summer's approaching and yet, it's raining outside. I watched the rain pour outside the window as raindrops play a dejected melody. It matched my mood today. I received a dreadful call from my mother during break time, saying that grandma had passed away. I felt debauched for not being able to bid her goodbye. I felt bad for not having the courage to talk to her or even see her on her death bed.
My grandmother is the only person I leaned on, a shoulder to cry on. Whenever mother and I contended, I ran to her. Now she's gone. "What a heart-rending day", I sighed. I look at the raindrops race on the window, addling myself just so I wouldn't cry. Life is like raindrops. When it hits the rail, it perished.
The group of raindrops that were racing down is a representation of life and death, not knowing what awaits in the end. My grandmother hits the end of the line. Her mission was over, and she left.
I held my tears back. I chewed on my bottom lip.
I didn't want to cry in school.
"Ms. Wilbur? Are you listening?", it instantly made me wipe the tears away from my cheeks. I failed. I'm crying silently before I even knew it.
"I am", I said. I glanced at Mr. Baron's green eyes. His eyebrows scrunched.
"You seem diverted, you don't look well. Are you sure you are fine?", Mr. Baron asked. The class glanced at me when Mr. Baron asked. Should I tell him?
"I'm afraid I'm not, my beloved grandmother passed away", I looked down.
"We're so sorry for your lost", one of my classmates said along with Mr. Baron. Saying their sympathies and condolences to me.
"You may take a leave for a week, I'll make an excuse letter for you. Please send my condolence to your family", Mr. Baron smiled at me sadly.
I stood up, bowing. "Thank you Mr. Baron", I said. He nodded. When I exited Ramith University, I ran to the nearest alley and cried there. I'm five kilometers away from where my grandmother lived. I sacrificed leaving Chauncey for education. I lived in a dorm close to my school.
I work as a part-time writer in a company named Sea of Stories Company, a well-known company for writers. I'm an independent type of person, I never ask my mother to pay the tuition or the miscellaneous fees. I used the money I earned from the company to pay for everything. I have my own office there in which I ranked third, as a student writer. I applied online at the age of thirteen and pursue my career on the next level. That day, I visited my grandmother's funeral but I didn't stay at Chauncey for a week. I attended her first and last ceremony. I went back to Reudon after that.
***
Three years passed, and I'm about to graduate from Ramith University. I made it without my mother's help. She's not the mother of all mothers. Mother and I, Eliza and I don't talk like mother and daughter. I don't open up to her much. Since my father, Garen, and my mother, Eliza Jane divorced... My family went downhill. I learned from my grandmother who taught me the values and etiquette of being a woman. She taught me to be independent. I was the only child in the family. I inherited my grandmother's house and half of her wealth. She divided it. Mother's not happy about it, she loved my grandmother. I saw their bond as mother and daughter. I sometimes wished I am grandmother's daughter. My mother never treated me the same way as before when she parted ways with my dad.
My parents divorced at the age of thirty, parting their ways. Father remarried. The mother stayed single. She always got angry with me for looking like my father. I always ran to my grandmother after that. My co-workers in SOSC (Sea of Stories Company) asked me why I don't resign and start my career as a professional writer since my grandmother gave me half of her wealth. I told her being a writer is not about money, it's about enjoying what you're doing, writing, and loving your working environment.
Since that day everything changed.
It's not my fault if they misinterpret what I'm trying to say.
I'm not working to satisfy myself with money.
I'm working to satisfy my readers and my passion in the field of writing.
After a long day, I went home. My co-workers spent their day gossiping about me. I acted like I didn't care. Pretending I didn't hear what they were gossiping about. When the ugly truth is I already knew what problems they have with me.
When grandmother, Jevani passed away. I became distant. Not trusting anyone anymore. She will be the first and last person I'll trust.
It's not my fault if I'm distant, I don't like talking to people that much. Also, I ranked 2nd this week which is a huge blessing to me. The manager congratulated me in advance, Mr. Smith said my novel 'A Mother's Love', hit the spot this year. I dedicated the story to my grandmother who passed away.
Mr. Smith also said that there's a possibility that I'm going to advance in Arpra next month if I finish my upcoming novel named "The Door". The door I saw in my grandmother's basement when I was a kid. Arpra is the first rank of writers in Sea of Stories Company.
"Insecure bitches", I scoffed.
Throwing my shoulder bag on the couch, I flopped down next to it. Releasing a sigh of distress, I ran my slim fingers through this burgundy wavy hair of mine. If I have the chance to leave the company, I would. But no, it's a company full of inspiring, professional and talented writers. Famous writers who inspired me in writing more.
It's the only company in Reudon City, Auburn that offered me a set of big opportunities. It's the main reason I hesitated to leave even if the working environment started to get toxic.
I worked hard and earned a lot of money at the age of fifteen. Promoted to 3rd after two years of working. It's not legal to set foot in the company as a thirteen. I met the CEO of the company who seemed to never grow old. He told me to work online and come over on Saturday to my office to verify the publication. I agreed, it made it easier since my schedule at university was all tangled up. It helped me organize in no time. I switched to an apartment after three years on, the third floor. Mr. Dawn assigned me in being a student writer at my age to help me keep studying, he's the CEO. I'm thankful for that since I don't want to lean on my mother and even if my grandmother gave me her wealth, I want to remain independent.
***
I graduated from Ramith University at the age of 22, I officially worked in SOSC. I took in all the negativity I received from my co-workers. It's not the reason to give up. I can't leave just because they're bringing me down. I'll make sure I'm not going to mind their crab mentality. As long as writers full of streaks exist in this company, I'll forever be motivated.
SOSC has Mr. Jensen Raulen, the man who wrote 'Seven Seas of Despair'. He's a journalist at the same time novelist, and the genre of his stories is best-selling. This year, it ranked up fast. While me? I stayed in the 2nd sector named Berpra. I would like to practice my skills more before stepping to the first rank. I would like to work hard for it.
But if you ask me what rank I loved working with? It's Derpra, they're the nicest people I knew! They're the fourth sector of writing. I've been there and there were lots of friendly workers in the fourth rank. SOSC has four sectors. 1st was Arpra, 2nd was Berpra, 3rd was Corpra and 4th was Derpra.
I'm happy because I ranked second, and was honored to be a part of the Berpra team. The novels we created inspired a lot of dramas in Philton's filming industry. Philton was the country I live in. I couldn't ignore the fact that girls in Berpra treat me ill, it's not my fault if Mike and Chester tried to get close to me. What's wrong with it? They're just being friendly.
I'm aiming for Arpra this year, ready to step in. Mike told me about it. He explained that Arpra is filled with quiet authors, solemn and passionate. The team will talk to you in a couple of minutes but after that, they will get back to work. Quite boring but at least, it's the highest. I wanted to be a best-selling author like Mr. Jensen.
Also, Mr. Bargenson who wrote 'Amyra's Ribbon', ranked after Mr. Jensen's 'The scent of Maria'. Mr. Bargenson's forty. Yet, his intelligence remained sharp. It's amazing how created lots of books. 456 non-fiction books, three books every year. 228 non-fiction and 228 romance. He's a total definition of amazing!
Springer ran in my direction. It jumped on my lap and snuggled against my stomach, purring.
I love cats, they're relaxing.
Don't get me wrong, I love dogs too. I had a trauma because of a dog years ago. Maybe the dogs hate me, it's not like a vamp or something. I laughed at the thought.
Cats are amusing and sometimes annoying because they have their world. On the bright side of owning a cat, I love what they do. Though they are sometimes annoying, cats are a lovable and adorable creature that calms a nerve in a couple of seconds just like dogs do when they wiggle their tail.
"You know, Berpra and Corpra are the most annoying rank I encountered in SOSC. I want to leave but when I remember what I'm aiming for, I endure what I get through every day. It's always been the girls. Rowena and Mystia are so mean to me, they hurt me emotionally and mentally. Writers are supposed to inspire each other not bring down each other! Gosh! Their words cut deeper than a knife. If they keep doing that, their evil deeds will result in bad karma in their writing career", I ranted as if my cat understand what I'm bragging about.
It just meowed and licked my hand.
Springer purred, it rubbed its head against my stomach up to my face. I giggled.
"You always know how to soothe me huh baby? You're the best Springer boo", I kissed its face and head.
Back in seventh grade, I adopted her and took her with me. It's a white car with mesmerizing ocean eyes, soft fur, a pink nose, and pink paws. It's when I took it to the vets, they said they couldn't figure out its gender. I told them it's impossible because that's their job to know and they know in just one look.
"I wonder what your gender is, Springer", I said. "I don't know if you're a boy or a girl", I kissed its head again. Springer meowed and licked my hand. I smiled. "Mmm..it seems like you're hiding very well", I laughed and boop its nose.
Springer purred and meowed, rubbing its head against my chin. It's kissing me, its cold nose rubbed against my chin again after looking at me. This cat's very sweet. I found it wounded next to Mrs. Witman's mailbox. Mrs. Witman died due to pneumonia.
I assumed Springer used to be her cat. No one tried to adopt Springer so I took it with me. Of course, I asked the permission of Mrs. Witman's children. They're apathetic, poor Springer.
Sometimes, I've come to wonder if they were her children. Mrs. Witman loved animals. She always looked after them. I saw her feeding stray dogs and cats before on my home from high school.
"Alright Springer, get off now. Thanks for relaxing mommy. I need to have a hot shower", I kissed its head after ruffling its fur. It got off my lap and ran to the kitchen, probably staring at the locked drawer again. I wonder why? That drawer's broken, I tried opening it before.
The television kept broadcasting the news. Ah, yes. Tonight will see the blood-red moon. Maybe that's causing my cat to be more active tonight?
It's weird because they said animals have a couple of senses that humans don't have
I'm intrigued.
I wanted to break the drawer but I'm afraid there's something dangerous inside of it. Who knows? Maybe it's fragile and valuable. Perhaps something expensive, ancient? Something dangerous? What's if it's a bomb?! This has to stop, I'm overthinking. I'll leave it be.
Summer's approaching again. The season grandmother died. I'm obliged to visit my grandmother's house since it's mine now. I inherited half of her properties including the big mansion located next to Philton Sea.
I used to go there every summer, to take a vacation. It's relaxing there. But now? It's nothing but sadness and memories when I go there.
'What if I go there tonight? Since tomorrow is my day off? Maybe it will help me get things off my mind?'
Smiling, I happily sang while washing my hair. Singing random anime shows and a mixture of songs, mostly inventing lyrics. I'm having a concert inside the bathroom. Everyone does that and it's fun.
After a long drive, I finally arrived at my grandmother's mansion. It's a five-kilometer drive but it was worth it. The fresh breeze of the night welcomed me the moment I stepped out of the car. I shivered. Here I am, in front of my late grandmother's treasure. None of my relatives knew how my grandmother became this rich. She's an independent woman, not leaning on to grandfather who remarried after their divorce. Same fate as my mothers which I wish to not happen to me.
The tall gates of the mansion stood in front of me firmly, as if they were knights protecting the quarters of a Queen.
The gates have a lavish design. It's painted in red and gold, just the way grandmother liked it. From the top of the mansion was a clear view of the starry, stunning night sky. I had my eyes on the night sky for a moment before deciding to enter. Pulling out the keys, I rummaged to see the key that has a rose pendant attached to the handle. Unfortunately, I couldn't find it.
Oh good heavens!
Don't tell me I left it at home!
I facepalmed.
Cursing silently, I think positively. Maybe it's in the car. To my dismay, I approached my car and searched every compartment. I kept shivering every time the wind hit my direction, who wouldn't shiver if the wind is coming from the ocean? I looked everywhere but the key isn't there. I was about to shout when the gates squeaked. It's opening by itself!
The loud, screeching sound of the gates opening caught my attention. The wind brushed my whole system in an eerie but at the same time, a very comforting manner. It assuages my raging heart, full of doubts, curiosity, and distress. For a moment, I thought of entering. But then again, I hesitated.
The gates stopped screeching. It was open wide, showing the enormous mansion. It's beautiful, painted in white with cream linings, red curtains were visible in each window. The drapes covered the stunning interior of my beloved grandmother's mansion.
The moon on the left side of the mansion showed its gratifying charm, diminishing the worries I had inside me. I began to step forward, I move as if the wind was helping me to move in a facile manner. My heart beats fast with the waves of the ocean, harping with the trees which created an enthralling strain.
Thinking twice, I backed away from the gates. It thrilled me. I'm slightly scared. Everyone knows what kind of scenarios happened in horror movies. My body's been wanting to enter the mansion but my brain refused to do so.
My hands trembled as scary thoughts invaded my mind. I silently cursed. I proceeded to take the long-drawn-out brick path leading to the stairs of the mansion's entrance. By the looks of my grandmother's mansion, I sensed this feeling that there's a lot of history happening in it. She used to tell me that our ancestors inhabited this land, dating from the 1600s to the 1900s. Lost in thoughts, I realized that I was already at the front door.
Glancing at the car, I want to go back there but my goal is to relax in this mansion and find out what's behind the door I saw when I was little. Curiosity pushed me to shove fear away. Pulling out my hairpin, I carefully pick-locked the doorknob. It clicked when I hit the right spot. The door opened slightly. I pulled out my phone and activated the flashlight.
It coruscated the prodigious and luxurious foyer, making me recognize the beauty of the entranceway. All types of furniture were covered in a white blanket. The lavish design of the staircase left me open-mouthed. The railings were designed in a decorative pattern and painted in gold, I saw how swirls matched the rose accessory in every intersection of the baluster.
They surely put a lot of money to build this mansion. I continued to roam the light around the area. The big portraits on the walls were covered in white cloth, I badly want to pull them down but I'm afraid I'll pull them the wrong way and destroy them. Looking up, I shone the flashlight on the ceiling. A beautiful chandelier covered in dust hung above me. As I continued to explore the mansion, I couldn't help but admire how detailed things are inside this mansion.
I didn't notice it until now.
I first found the door when I was seven.
I was busy playing with my dolls in the first living room of my grandmother's mansion when all of a sudden, the noise of an enchanting sound of violin caught my attention. The mansion has three living rooms, the first one was for the nobles, the second was for VIPs and the third was for the family. Mother and grandmother were in the kitchen at the time, busy baking together. That's their main bonding.
I have tried it before by helping them but I'm too clumsy so I stopped before I ruin the whole kitchen.
As a child, I couldn't help but follow the pleasant sound of the music. I put my dolls down on the floor before proceeding to follow the enchanting music of the violin as it was being played by a virtuoso. The sound of my doll shoes clack against the wooden floor of the living room, led me to an extensive carpeted hallway that leads to the most forbidden area in my grandmother's house.
The ruffled hem of my dress brushed against my knees as I ran for the music, it was getting closer and closer the more I follow its direction. There's a smile on my lips, full of excitement. I ended up standing in front of a white door with red tape next to the full-plated knob. My grandmother loved to put codes in the house using electrical tapes. Mother got it all but unfortunately, I didn't.
Stubborn as I am back then, I twisted the doorknob. I opened the door lightly, peaking marginally from behind the door only to see a dark corridor leading down. Gulping, I opened the door more and carefully made my way down the long stairs. As I made my way down, the sound of the pleasing melody of the violin grew louder and louder. Light from the corner illuminated the strong, long pillars of the basement. The violin's melody matched my footsteps as if it were dancing with me.
I sighed in relief when I saw the light that was coming from a door, a few meters from where I stood.
And so it happened, I ran towards the door and saw a boy in the age of somewhat thirteen to fifteen. His wavy ash blonde hair brushed his forehead as he solemnly played.
His eyes were closed, causing me to appreciate his thick brown eyelashes. His attractive thick eyebrows contoured his high-bridge nose. I have never seen anyone look like this.
He's more beautiful than a celebrity, he has a slimmed face that matched his sharp jawline perfectly. The bow of his thin pouty lips curved as he smiles, and I found myself captivated by his excellent features.
When he stopped playing, the young man opened his eyes. Slowly and gently. As he opened them, his arms lowered. His light honey eyes gazed at me. I couldn't move. "Hi", I said. I'm stupefied by his unbelievable charm.
The young boy smiled at me and replied, "Greetings". His voice was gentle, it's as if I can trust it. "What brought you here?", He asked. I smiled, finally able to breathe properly.
"I heard your violin, I followed it. And it brought me here", I said innocently. Fiddling with fingers and lightly swaying side to side. The young man chuckled, putting his forefinger in front of his lips. Well mannered.
"Oh, I guess Paganini attracted you in going down here", he said in an accent far away from ours. Ours was modern, he's like he came from a different time. It's when I noticed his attire.
He's wearing a white cravat. An aquamarine gem sat in the middle of it. His white dress shirt matched his beige suit, making him look wealthy. "Yes, can you teach me how to play violin too?", I asked happily.
I fidgeted with the skirt of my dress.
"Levan", he said with a smile. I didn't understand what he said. The young boy gestured his hand, motioning me to approach him. I gladly took a step forward, I paused at the sound of a worried muffling voice coming from upstairs. The young man looked up, he was also staring in the direction I'm looking at.
"May I ask, what's your name?", He asked.
When I was about to say my name, the door upstairs opened and the loud thumps of footsteps echoed in the dark basement. It made me glance at the stairs. I saw mom, her eyes were worried and so was my grandmother.
"I'll be back-", I glance from where the young man sat. I'm shocked. When I saw the door that is wide open earlier, is completely sealed as if it was not open earlier. Mother embraced me in a tight hug, crying on my shoulder. There were cops behind grandmother.
I was confused for a moment until my mother told me I went missing for two days. I looked up to my grandmother, baffled. She has her hands pressed against the decorative door. She then said something in a different language. Mother shifted my sight to her.
Missing for two days?
I was here a couple of minutes ago. How did that happen?
"Mom, there was a boy...there...! Behind that door!", I said happily. Mother glanced up at grandmother.
"I'm sorry Eliza", Grandmother apologized to my mother. Mother was furious. Anger was carved under her deep brown eyes. Grandmother placed her hand on top of my head, gently patting it. "You met a good friend sweetheart. Never go here again, understood?", She asked nicely.
"Yes, grandmother", to that we all head upstairs along with the cops. That's my last visit to that basement due to what happened.
Here I am again, in front of the door where it all began. It was locked. I had a hard time opening it. But it opened randomly when I was reading the text from my mother, saying she want to come over to my house later with my father to talk about something serious.
I stuffed my phone back inside my pocket. Pushing the door, I gulped as the same scenario played in my head. The memories of the seven-year-old me flashed. I wonder how is he doing now? I guess he has a family of his own now.
I shone the flashlight as I walked down deeper into the basement. I'm careful not to trip because I know how big of a cluts I am.
The temperature changed as soon as I set foot on the damp, cold floor. It's cold, I hugged myself. The scent of the old furniture and the sweet musky smell of books welcomed me as I roam around the basement.
A lot of things changed in this basement. There were lots of furniture and pictures laying around the floor. I tried to reminisce where the door stood. It got a lot harder for me to find the door since everything was covered in a blanket. It felt like I'm walking in a maze. I took a deep breath, following every corner, tracing where the door stood.
If only the violin starts to play again, I might find my way to that door easily. I continued to trail my fingers on the wall. It's too dark, I squealed in terror when a spider fell on my hand. It caused me to jump, yelling in fear. The phobia saga continued.
Unwary, I accidentally hit something with my back causing it to fall. Glancing behind me, I saw a big family portrait laying down on the dusty floor.
Stupid spooder (spider)
I bent down on one knee, picking it up. It was a family portrait of people I do not know. Perhaps one of my ancestors? This painting looked different as if it's bought at auction. The family painting was so fine, dainty. Everyone has a smile on their faces. The frame's intricate, designed and carved exquisitely. As my eyes adored the family portrait, I flashed the phone close to it. Four men were wearing different kinds of suits behind what I assumed were their parents.
The woman seated in front wore a pink gown matched with white hand gloves. She's beautiful. Next to her was a man with green eyes, pale skin like hers, and light brown hair and was wearing a red suit that reminded me of Mozart's portrait in the museum.
Behind them were four men that don't look like them. Only one inherited the woman's eye color and hair color, the woman owned blonde hair and gold-like eyes. The beautiful gentleman was wearing a beige coat, it's different from the three other men standing next to him.
It almost seemed like they have color coding in the family. Why? Because the next three men standing behind to which I assumed their parents were wearing green, blue, and purple suits. They looked like those people who lived 300 years ago. The rest of them has black hair, for the man wearing blue, the man wearing green has light brown hair like the father and lastly the man that has snowy hair who's wearing a purple suit. Three men have dark golden eyes, far from the man in the beige coat's eyes.
A loud thump from behind made me drop the portrait. My hands trembled at the sight, it was the door. The door that wasn't there before. Standing up, I approached it. I gripped my phone tightly. The door, how can it appear when it wasn't there earlier? Everything's blocked by the furniture...
I scrutinized the full plated door knob before deciding to twist it open. To my surprise, it opened. Pushing the door, I slightly peeked behind it to see if someone was there.
It's daylight from the other side. Was it already morning? The stairs led upwards to an old wooden balustrade. Before, grandma used to open this door with a big key. The key has a rose carving in it. But now, it's open...enticing me to enter it.
I felt excited for a moment. The moment I set my foot on the first slab of the stairs, my phone in a deafening sound. I felt dizzy as if the earth is spinning violently. There's this feeling of nausea, my knees quivered.
I wobbled side to side, holding on to the wall. "I...", I tried to speak. Clutching my chest, I began to feel drowsy and breathless. "Help", my phone rang louder and louder.
My face was about to meet the floor when a strong pair of arms caught me. I didn't have any strength to look up and thank the person who caught me. I felt comfortable in his arms, safety. I want to hear what he's saying but it's starting to get inaudible. He gently lifts my chin to look at him but my sight's blurry. My heart pounded loudly, and I feel like passing out. To that, everything went black.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone