Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Caspian

"Maria!" I pick the middle-aged woman up and spin her around making her giggle like a twenty-year-old. Maria has been with my grandfather longer than I've been with him. She and my grandmother, Ruth, were best friends.

"Cas! You came home!"

"I got Grandfather's note." I wink at her, knowing she understands how me and my grandfather play around with one another. She gives me a lopsided smile and ushers me inside noticing my bag.

"Oh, you're staying! That will make him so happy. He's finishing dinner with Mae."

"Mae?" The only reason I ask is to see if Maria will tell me anything about the woman before I meet her officially. Does Maria like her? Has she been good to everyone or just my grandfather? All things I want and need to know.

"His new companion. She's a doll, just a doll. And your grandfather loves her. She's so sweet and gentle and kind…"

She just keeps going on and on about this woman giving me the answers I was seeking. Now, I'm very ready to meet her, especially after she's gotten Maria's approval. I put my arm around her shoulders and let her lead me into the dining room. When we get into the room, I immediately spot my grandfather who stands as I come in the room but as for the middle-aged companion, she's nowhere to be seen.

Instead in her place is… her daughter?

"Caspian, my boy, come! Come eat with us!"

"I ate before I left, Gramps. But there's always room for dessert and I would love to share that with you and… whoever this beautiful woman is?"

No use beating around the bush. If she's eighteen, I would like to get to know her better. Maybe find out what kind of companion my grandfather has hired through the daughter.

My grandfather chuckles and holds his hand out like he is presenting me with the jewels of the kingdom. The hair on the back of my neck goes up and old instincts take over as I scent trouble.

"Caspian, meet Mae. My new companion."

The girl stands and comes forward with her hand outstretched. There is a moment of stunned silence before I start laughing. "Good one, Gramps. Now, where is the real companion."

"I'm Mae, well, Maple but everyone calls me Mae."

I laugh again but this time there is an edge to it. "Where's your real companion, Gramps?"

No way is this the woman old enough to be anyone's companion.

"She's… twelve."

Maria gasps at my words and my grandfather's face turns stormy as the woman standing in front of me puts her hand down and takes a step back from me.

"Boy, I taught you better manners than this."

Well, son of a bitch!

"How old are you?"

"She's nineteen and knows CPR and how to use the paddles if need be."

"Perhaps, I should go and let the two of you catch up with one another …alone."

My grandfather's eyes turn warm, and he melts for this woman. "Nonsense! You mustn't leave before you've had dessert, dear."

Or you are dessert!

What is she doing with my grandfather? Is she trying to ingratiate herself with him in hopes of being put in the will? Is she looking to marry him and make him her sugar daddy? If she marries him, she won't have to worry about being in the will, she will get it all. But why my grandfather? Because he's old and she thinks he will be easily manipulated? That pisses me off!

I don't know who this woman is pretending to be but she's not taking advantage of my grandfather like that. By the end of the night, I will know everything about her, every deep dark secret, every evil intention, every thought this woman has will be mine.

"Now, dear, are you ready for dessert?" I watch as my grandfather frowns at his companion. "You didn't eat very much. Was it not good?"

"No! It was excellent as always. I just… I snacked."

I watch as she lies to my grandfather. Why lie?

"Dessert would be good, thank you?"

I take a seat very close to…Mae. I make her nervous. Only a guilty person would be so nervous and lie about everything. Has she poisoned Gramps' food? Is that why she is eating so little and lying to him about snacking before?

I don't know what‘s going on here, but I intend to find out just what this she-demon is up to and what she wants with my grandfather. Then I plan to use that to my own advantage!