A Romantic's Curse
Chapter 1 - Cursed Life
Grandpa Andrews
Listen, Alyssa...
Alyssa Andrews
Hm? What's wrong, Gramps?
I began peeling an apple for him, the peel running through my fingers and creating a neat spiral on my lap.
It's been a week since my grandfather was admitted into a nursing home.
My mother thought it best after they found him on the floor of his apartment, completely passed out.
People believed him to be dead. His heart had stopped beating completely.
Suddenly however, he gasped and sprung back to life.
He began rambling on about how he was out of range and began cursing the ER nurses and doctors.
That was the final straw for my mother, who locked him up here and forbid me to come visit him.
Grandpa Andrews
Don't listen to what your mother says.
Grandpa Andrews
She doesn't know any better.
Alyssa Andrews
Don't worry, Gramps. I don't believe anything she tells me.
Apparently, he is prone to have full-blown hallucinations from time to time, and that is why he believes in-
Grandpa Andrews
Ghosts. They are no laughing matter, Alyssa.
Grandpa Andrews
Some are harmless, but others are dangerous.
Grandpa Andrews
Those who die with hate or emptiness in their heart become irrational when faced with spirituality.
I entertain him from time to time, and he believes that I'm "special" like him too.
Grandpa Andrews
You have a gift as well, Alyssa.
Grandpa Andrews
A gift to see the unseen.
Alyssa Andrews
I know. You've told me that I'm special ever since the first day I was born.
He suddenly grabbed my wrist, and my knife and the apple halted.
Grandpa Andrews
I don't have much time left.
Grandpa Andrews
Whatever you do, look after "The Harbouring Rose".
The Harbouring Rose? What's that?
Suddenly, my phone began to vibrate and a distasteful reminder of 'work' flashed up on my screen.
Right, I was only given a half-day off.
I got up and smiled at my grandfather.
Alyssa Andrews
I'll visit you tonight as well.
I froze at the door and turned my head back towards him in his bed.
Grandpa Andrews
Just... stay safe. And remember what I've told you, okay?
When I left, I jumped into my car and drove away.
However, I didn't see the shadow crawling into my grandfather's room via the window behind me...
My life is... well, its pretty mundane.
I work an office job from 9 to 5, and I have nothing exciting going on in my life.
I have no friends, my father is estranged and my mother likes to control me like I was her own personal doll.
I'm pretty much alone. However, there's something that I want that will change that.
Why is it so hard to find a decent guy nowadays?
I've never tried online dating, mainly because it's filled with weirdos who aren't looking for anything "serious" who want a girl to show off on their Instagram.
Bars are filled with dangers, such as guys spiking a girl's drink or following them back home.
It was suggested to go out with friends, but since I don't have any, that's also a no-go.
I'm quite lonely, and all I want in my life is a boyfriend.
He doesn't need to be super handsome, though that would be an added bonus, but he needs to be kind, generous, and loyal.
However, the percentage chance of a guy being like that who actually wants me to be his girlfriend is in the decimals.
Jokes aside, I don't need an epic romance that finishes off with a kiss by a beach with a sunset.
I just need someone who will make me feel like I'm not the only insane person on this planet.
Alyssa Andrews
I feel like I'm cursed...
Alyssa Andrews
Urgh, why can't I find a decent guy???
Misty Plume
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Chapter 2 - Cursed News
I continued to type away behind my work computer until I heard my phone ping at 5PM.
The work day is officially over.
I yawned, stretching my arms and every joint in my body before logging off and walking towards the elevator like everyone else.
Everyone here is just like me.
Their lives are routine, doing the same things over and over again.
I'd do anything to escape it.
Working on the same thing every day, repeating things over and over again until I can barely remember how to speak, it was torture.
Torture that I was paid to perform on myself.
After work, I stopped by a restaurant on the way home and got some fried chicken.
I spent a little more money than I normally do, but it was hardly going to put a dent in my bank account.
I eventually stopped in front of my small apartment building and sat on the step.
I took out my box of fried chicken and began eating away, taking everything off of those bones.
I didn't even leave a crumb behind. Everything was consumed by me.
It's moments like this that make me feel miserable.
I should be able to call someone to eat dinner with, even if it is only one a week.
Alyssa Andrews
Why has my life turned out like this...
It's too late to go back.
I've lost touch with all of the people I got along with in high school, and it would be weird if I contacted them now, out of the blue.
Most of them are already married and have kids.
Meanwhile, I'm single and alone at 22 years of age.
Suddenly, I got a phone call.
I don't normally get phone calls, so I felt a little strange picking it up.
Nurse
Hello, is this Alyssa Andrews?
Alyssa Andrews
Yes. Um, I'm sorry, who is this?
Nurse
I'm a nurse with Fontain Retirement Home. We've tried to contact you.
Alyssa Andrews
Oh, I'm sorry, I was at work...
Alyssa Andrews
What's the matter?
Nurse
It's your Grandfather...
Nurse
He has unfortunately passed away.
The chicken in my mouth tasted sour.
I swallowed it, the texture suddenly changing to match that of sand.
My whole life collapsed, and I felt like everything I ever thought was mine had been taken from me.
Alyssa Andrews
B-But that's impossible! I saw him today, he was-
Nurse
I understand that you are in shock, Miss Andrews.
Nurse
A sudden heart attack-
Alyssa Andrews
No, you don't understand, my grandfather is a healthy man!
Alyssa Andrews
How could he had died from a heart attack-
Nurse
I understand that you need time to process this.
Nurse
The nursing home's morgue is currently taking care of his body.
I looked down and suddenly noticed how my cheeks had become a little warmer, and my shirt had become stained with droplets.
I suddenly realised that I was crying. I hung up the phone and my head fell between my legs.
I saw my tears soak the pavement below me, and I forced myself to walk up to my flat.
I closed the door and fell back, my back touching the door.
I slowly dragged my back down until I fell against the floor and looked up at the roof.
Alyssa Andrews
I have nothing more that you can take.
Alyssa Andrews
My social life, the relationship with my parents, my job, and now my grandfather...
Alyssa Andrews
They're all dead now.
Misty Plume
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Chapter 3 - Cursed Funeral
I managed to convince my boss to give me a day off to attend my grandfather's funeral.
It was a small ceremony with only close family.
I was shocked to see that my mother had turned up.
Alyssa Andrews
You're... here.
She looked at me, arms crossed.
Jenny Andrews
Why wouldn't I be?
Jenny Andrews
He is my father, Alyssa. Don't make this all about you today, alright?
Jenny Andrews
Urgh, I'm going to miss my date at this rate.
Alyssa Andrews
You're here for the will reading.
Although he didn't look like it, my grandfather was rich. Very rich.
However, he always lived a humble life, which my mother hated.
Jenny Andrews
Honestly, Alyssa.
Jenny Andrews
You and your grandfather were honestly the same.
Jenny Andrews
Both delusional and you both believed to be above everyone else.
Jenny Andrews
Listen, young lady, mourning won't bring him back.
Jenny Andrews
Crying won't bring him back.
Jenny Andrews
He's dead now, and he won't be waking up. So just deal with it.
Jenny Andrews
Urgh, this whole ceremony is costing me a fortune...
How could one woman be so heartless?
And to her own father nonetheless!
As soon as the funeral began, my eyes drifted towards the picture hung up over the coffin.
It was a nice picture of him. He was smiling brightly, and I could see the small whisp of my hair peeking out from the bottom of the frame.
I have this picture on my phone. It was taken at the fishing port. I was five or six, and was sitting on my grandfather's lap with a huge salmon we had caught.
The ceremony was dull, it wasn't like my Grandfather at all.
After the ceremony, we were escorted next door for tea and coffee.
Austin Smith
Miss Andrews, Mrs Andrews.
I turned my head and a handsome man in his 30's walked towards us.
Austin Smith
Hello, I'm Austin Smith. I'm Alistair Andrews's lawyer.
Jenny Andrews
Oh, excellent. You're here.
Austin Smith
Yes. You are both people who have been named in the will.
Austin Smith
Please, follow me so that we may discuss this in a more private setting.
I frowned at my mother, who suddenly seemed much more happy ever since Mr Smith had mentioned a will.
Jenny Andrews
Oh, lead the way, Austin! I can call you Austin, can't I?
I lingered behind, my fists clenching in my pockets.
I might be terrible for thinking this, but I don't want her to get a single penny.
Not because I'd end up getting more, but because it's infuriating how she told me to stay away from my grandfather only for her to come crawling back to his funeral just for his will.
Alyssa Andrews
You disappoint me, Mother.
Misty Plume
Thank you for reading my book! Make sure to like if you've enjoyed the story and want more. Subscribe by tapping the heart button so you don't miss any updates. Doing that would mean a lot! Leave a comment especially! I love to read them~.
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