Two

1859 Milky Way Drive is an isolated acre of woods with a three story, dark blue and brown paneled Victorian gothic styled house coming into view. It had this dark and ominous gleam to it in the dark of the morning light. It was also the place Julian Sweet seemed to live as his hazel brown eyes cut around the three of us. He shrugged, smirking once we all held his gaze.

“You mean to tell us that you live here?” I inquire, eyeing the oak, ivy, and willow trees scattered about. I was mesmerized and confused. I didn’t think any of those trees grew down south, but I was allowed to be wrong.

Julian nods. “I do live in the house my father built. It creaks, groans, and you won’t find a central heat and unit.”

A chill wracked my body at the mere thought. I had grown up without central heat and unit in the fiery depths of Florian. “Of course.”

Victoria parts her lips. “It’s such a beautiful house. Is it just you…if your father is missing?”

Julian sighed. “I might look youthful, but I am of age. Though, I do live with my stoic, sometimes grumpy grandmother. Her name is Betty.”

“Short for Elizabeth?” I’m curious as Julian snorts, shaking his head.

“Nope. Just Betty—her mother didn’t want her to be an Elizabeth or anything short of said name.” Julian softly mumbles, maintaining affection for the elderly woman. “She’s ninety three, unafraid to hurt your feelings. Be prepared to cry when you meet her.”

“She sounds charming.” George sarcastically remarks causing Julian to chuckle.

“Oh, she is. Who do you think you spoke to on the phone? I volunteered to come get you, but she insisted to let you fend for yourself.” Julian explains becoming sheepish as curiosity grew within.

“How did you know where to find us?” I inquire, just as he chooses to clam up, shaking his head.

“I figured you three had to be somewhere close from where George had called.” Julian answered, becoming stoic as once the limo finished pulling up to the front of the house. He slid out of the limo from the other side, seeming to want to already ditch us.

I’m the second one to exit the limo with Tori and George following my lead. Inching closer, the Sweet house is much bigger in person than farther away—when you first glimpse it. “What all do you keep in a house so big?”

“You have the bedrooms, bathrooms, attic, basement, game room, dining room, kitchens, the rather large library and the two living rooms. It’s actually called; the Sweet Hall nor is it actually a Victorian house—just appears as such.” Julian sheepishly explains as my side brushes against him.

“Did you say large library?” Victoria chokes out as something eager rises to life in my sister. Her eyes widen with enthusiasm. Her and I both enjoyed a good book.

“Yep with all the books you can read.” Julian says, shooting us both a wink. He holds out his hand towards the house before leading us up to the front door.

There’s something oddly familiar about the Sweet Hall. I narrow my navy green eyes while Tori and George trail after Julian who stop to make sure we’re all following. There’s something twisted and sinister brewing in the pit of my stomach—I don’t care for the disturbing, gross feeling. “This place is not haunted, right?”

Julian chuckles, inserting a key into the lock of the door before throwing the dark brown oval door wide open. He shakes his head. “Why would my family home be haunted?”

I keep the smart remark that flashes to life in my mind to myself. I don’t want him to think we’re ungrateful for his help. “Just asking.”

Julian casts his hazel brown eyes to me, seizing me up as he sighs. He pinches the bridge of his nose. “You have your reasons why you’re asking, but I won’t press you.”

I’m already suspicious of Julian Sweet. Nothing would change my mind about the young man as Victoria clears her throat. I slowly enter the home of the Sweet family, casting my eyes to the sleek marble floors with red carpet running along it. In front of us, there’s a dark brown dining table with a set of roses in a gray and white patterned vase. “Luxurious.”

“My Grandmother spent forever decorating this place. It’s been her baby since she…” Julian shuddered, trailing off once he realized he was about to give us too much information. He points to a set of white marbled stairs with black dots and gold railing. “I’ll show you where you sleep—this place is a place you’ll actually get lost.”

The slam of a door echoing nearby following the clearing of a throat, accompanied by an elderly woman’s voice called out. “Julian, is that you?”

A hunched over woman with short, white hair, wrinkles and pearl green eyes stepped into view. She was in a gray pencil skirt with a pale green top and a dark green cardigan. She smiled at her grandson, pulling him into a brief hug before releasing him.

“Yes, Grandma, I have returned.” Julian said while she turned a sour glance to the three of us.

I lift my hand in the air to wave at the elderly woman, more or less skeptical. “I’m Melanie Reardon. My sister is Victoria and my brother is George.”

Betty Sweet frowned, cutting a glare to her grandson. “How could you invite those abominations into my home?”

“Dad would have wanted to help his family.” Julian speaks just as Betty snorts.

“They’re not even blood relatives.” Betty snarls, disgusted by the three of us.

I cut my navy green eyes to my body—was I too fat or too ugly? Did I have something on me? I had brushed off the dirt from the concrete gifted to me by Officer Brooks.

“Grandma, I’m adopted.” Julian softly informs the woman who shakes her head.

“Still—” Betty opens her mouth to speak when her grandson cuts her off.

“Still, nothing, Grandma. They are my guests and they are in need of my help—now more than ever.” Julian explains, doing his best to reason with the seemingly bitter old woman.

Betty shoots us once last glare. “Fine, fine, fine.”

“Thank you, Grandma.” Julian muses, gently smiling at the woman who turns to wander off. He calls to her before she can leave our view. “I’ll have dinner ready at six. The purple room is where we’ll dine tonight.”

“The purple room?” Victoria is more intrigued by the mention of a purple colored room then I am.

“Technically, it’s the dining room. I just chose to nickname it the Purple Room since the decor is something to be admired.” Julian tells her, nodding towards the stairs. He leads the way, motioning for us to follow.

I’m quiet, because I’m not sure what to say as we follow his lead. I notice there’s a wing for the bedrooms on the second floor; coated in gray. “Are all the bedrooms on the same wing?”

“Corridor, Mel, and yes, they are except for Grandma. She’s on the right hand side corridor with turquoise running rampant. She’s a colorful woman.” Julian has his hands buried in the depths of his pants pockets.

I soak in the information as he stops in front of a lavender door with a gold plaque that reads ‘VICTORIA’ in all capital letters. My mouth opens then closes as Julian smiles, turning to face us once he grips the gold doorknob. “What in the world?”

“My father had these prepped in case the day came that you had to come stay with us until you got back on your feet. First things first—first born. The bedrooms are built the same in different colors and there are plenty of choices in your wardrobes to choose from.” Julian beams, opening the bedroom door, ushering Victoria to enter.

Victoria’s mouth drops when she walks through with excitement flourishing in her heart. “Wow. This is gorgeous—every shade of purple.”

“Vic, I advise you to shower, change your clothes, familiarize yourself with your bedroom. I’ll pop in around seven to pick you for dinner.” Julian informs my sister, shutting the door to her bedroom; leaving George and I with the ever-smirking male.

Julian strode over to the teal green door across from the lavender door. He points to the gold plaque with ‘GEORGE’ written in all capital letters. He twists the gold doorknob, gesturing for my brother to enter; telling him what he just told Victoria. Soon after, he leads me to the end of the corridor—on the right side; same as Victoria’s, pointing at a cherry red door with a silver plaque with my name written in all capital letters on it. “This is your bedroom, Mel.”

I fold my arms to my chest, cutting my eyes from the red door to a navy blue right across from it with the same matching silver plaque and doorknob. “Who is across from me?”

Julian gnaws on his bottom lip, full on smirking before he grips my shoulders. His hazel brown eyes search mine as there’s something unspoken swimming in his eyes. “You were always my father’s favorite.”

Those words sent a chill coursing down my spine. I had no idea what those words meant as I scoffed, trying to shake off his grip. I frown once his hands remained glued to my shoulders; soft, warm, and a little bit electric. “I barely knew my Uncle Matthew.”

Julian removed his hands from my shoulders before caressing my cheek. His touch seemed alarmingly familiar as my jaw became clenched. “You knew him well enough to be his favorite. All in due time, you’ll understand what I mean.”

I can’t listen to Julian Sweet anymore or endure the warmth from his touch. I swat away his hand, shooting him a direct glare. “I’ll be freshening up for dinner.”

“You do that, Mel.” Julian lightly chuckled, wiggling a dark brown eyebrow before venturing off down the hall. He cast his eyes over his shoulder once more to me before I stepped into the overbearing bedroom of cherry red, black, and silver.

I about choked on my own breath from how painful the color was. I flip on an overhead light switch, feeling how surreal it all was. I was in the entrance with a red sofa, a fireplace and a flat screen TV hanging above the wall. I eyed the set of silver double doors that led into the bedroom causing me to roll my eyes. I felt a panic attack stir since the pressure was all too much to take in. I step around the sofa, entering the bedroom, catching sight of an outfit of silver and red laid out on the bed with a note attached.

“If you don’t wear this, you’ll only further curse yourself.” I picked up the note, reading it aloud as my eyebrows pulled together in confusion. I shake my head since nobody signed it. I’m left to frown at the shoulder less, sleeveless, heart shaped, glittery silver dress that fell mid-thigh. I eyed the red leather, go-go boots beside the dress on the floor.

Did somebody think I was a hooker or Taylor Swift? I couldn’t pull off such an ensemble like the blonde bombshell could. I’m about to go in search of another outfit in the brown wardrobe which won’t budge to let me fish for something less revealing. I groan, slamming a hand down on top of the wardrobe, seething at how much pain I caused my hand. I had been given no choice, about to silently question where the undergarments were when I noticed a strapless, red bra with a matching set of panties laid near the dress.

I feel less like a woman—more like a piece of meat who should keep herself covered up. I wasn’t the type to expose myself or my body since men only ever wanted one thing. I wasn’t an attraction to be ogled at, thank you very much. I pick up a vibrant red towel, causing me to wince upon entering the luxurious bathroom with a light gray bathtub of marble separated from the sleek, black shower. I twist my lips as another note is sitting on the gray and white marble sink in front of a long mirror. “Take a steamy bath; save the shower for bedtime, Sweetheart.”

My face flushed as I headed for the shower, once again ignoring the note. I breathed a sigh of relief when I was able to slip into the shower, mixing—warm and cold to get a perfect blend. I eye the strawberry and lavender shampoo, conditioner and body wash as confusion seeps into my pores. Was I the only one of my siblings being bullied at the Sweet Hall?

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