FULL NOVELXO Chapter CHAPTER FIFTY
ANNIE SPENT THE NIGHT at Alastair’s home in the Hampton’s, the South Fork of Long Island. The garden in the backyard was so lush and beautiful that she thought she could live in it; there were so many flowers, some that she didn’t even recognize. It was a paradise as she had always loved flowers. It was a perfect place to sit and meditate or to read an e-book. The site was quite a mansion, so the vampire had lots of money. The place had expensive chandeliers; the furniture was beautiful, solid, and costly. Giant 3D televisions hung on most walls with the most extended and elegant black leather sectional sofa she had ever seen, large enough to comfortably accommodate a dozen people. Alastair said that the couch had been built to his specifications. Why he had such a thing when he rarely had company was beyond her.
Annie left his bedroom and made her way to the kitchen and his glass door refrigerator, and there she consumed two bags of fresh blood that had been delivered yesterday morning. She had sex for the first time in a long time; they destroyed the bed. The vampire was in his bedroom attempting to put the expensive thing back together, but it was useless. They had crushed it; he dropped a large section of it as he realized it was a lost cause. Alastair took his cell he called for a new bed. He had been quite fond of it and didn’t like seeing it like that.
Alastair found Annie in the kitchen and kissed her neck; he was happy when she didn’t pull away. “You destroyed my bed.”
“I ruined your bed? You’re the one that was doing all the thrusting.”
He smiled proudly as only a man could. “Yes, well, you kicked me through the wall, so I guess we’re even. How long had it been?”
“A person doesn’t think about sex when you can barely breathe. Dying takes more effort than living, I can tell you that.” She sat at the island in the kitchen and strummed her old fingers. “Why is everything so expensive in here? Who are you trying to impress? This place is big enough for a dozen people or more.”
“I don’t know. I have money, so why not spend it?”
She could smell the aroma of the garden, even from the kitchen. It was so pleasant that she got lost in its fragrance. “Why don’t you give some of that to charity?”
“I do. I wrote a check for several million last week, but I think there might be more charities than I have money, and once you get on the list, you never get off.”
Annie thought he was a bit of a strange bird, but she supposed that if you examined people closely, there was usually a lot of pretending and posturing in general. “Alastair, what would you like to do today?”
He sat down beside her and thought. “I’d prefer to do whatever you want to do. We can stroll through Central Park if you like? We could see how many different animals we can find in the forest? I know that might sound strange, but it’s a hobby just to see how many I can find.”
“I have a better idea. Why don’t we bring some toys to the hospital and see if we can’t cheer up some sick kids?”
“That’s an excellent idea, and afterward, we can talk to the administrator and see if they need some new scanners. I could donate whatever they need.” Alastair danced over to the fridge and drank a bag of blood. His pupils widened at the rich taste of it.
“If we become a couple, I’ll help you eliminate some of that excessive money.”
“Can I person have too much money?”
“If someone has a billion dollars in the bank, that’s not doing anyone any good when others are starving for lack of food and shelter, then yes, I think a person can have too much money. How did you make all your money?”
“Real estate mostly, and then gold and silver. Stocks and bonds. When you live for centuries, you can see things evolving, and when you get in early, you can make a fortune. I bought a ton of gold in 1930, I believe. I think it was around $20 an ounce if I remember correctly.”
The doorbell rang, and as he checked his Rolex, he smiled as if he was up to something, trying to look innocent but unable to manage it. “Annie, would you be so kind as to get that?”
“That’s if I can find the door. This place is so big you could land a small plane here.” She made her way to the front door, where four Mexicans in sombreros played guitars and sang to her. “Annie, won’t you please stay with me? Get your suitcases; we’ll build a life together. If you don’t like it, you can always run away. Together!”
Annie laughed. “Run away together? All right, all right, that’s enough.” One of the so-called boys, who all looked to be in their sixties, handed her chocolates and a large bouquet of flowers.
Alastair blurred behind her. “I’m not much of a songwriter Annie, but you get the idea. Move in with me for a month; you can always run away.”
She looked at Alastair and the four Mexicans; they had been told that they would get a sizable tip if she agreed. Therefore the anticipation on the faces of the Mexicans was as animated as Alastair’s, perhaps even more so. Their pleading eyes were quite expressive. They felt like grabbing her and shaking her head YES. Annie was enjoying the attention. She had waited for a time before she gave an answer, watching as all the Mexicans continued to nod a little like bobbleheads. “We can try it for a week and see what happens. I suppose I’ve nothing else to do.”
Cheers went up from everyone.