ALGINET "ALLY" GRAHAM - THE ROOM

Alginet “Ally" Graham is an aspiring screenwriter who currently attends Full Sail University. She hopes one day to turn her stories into a feature film. She’s still on her journey and hopes readers will enjoy her first publication, it’s just the beginning. 

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THE ROOM

​Icy blue eyes followed as he straightened his tie and leaned forward, picking up his glass of scotch and taking a sip. The older woman with short blonde hair didn’t say anything for thirty-seven seconds.
 
            “What exactly are your plans for my daughter?” she asked.
            “Would you like the honest answer?” he asked, taking another sip.
 
He set his glass down and swung his left leg over his right.
 
            “Mrs. Eden, your daughter is in love with me,” he said.
            “She’s a naïve eighteen-year-old who thinks a grown man is interested in anything more than a “pretty young thing” as the young kids say. You’re interested in my daughter because when her father passed, six months ago, when you two first met, she became the sole heir to her fathers fortune. Hell, I put up with the man, murdered him and all he left me was that lousy house,” she said.
 
She took a sip of her drink before heaving a heavy sigh.
 
            “She speaks very highly of you. The second mother who didn’t judge her for how her mother died. The way I see it she only has us to trust so if you still want your due diligence I suggest you remain in her good graces. She’s far from stupid,” he said.
            “Mr. Valentine, do you even love her?” she asked.
 
            “Don’t start acting like a mother now,” he said, pausing as she frowned, “your daughter is an amazing creature and to be honest she’s a fresh of breath air. When I see her, all I can think about is who will try and take her from me. It drives me fucking crazy.”
 
He shook his head staring at the cloudy glass design of the round table.
 
            “It’s the Eden effect. Before you know it, Mr. Valentine, the money won’t matter, and unlike the rest of your blood sucking family, you grew up with my son and believe it or not, you’re not as callus at the other Valentines. I don’t believe this is a rouse anymore, you said it yourself, just the thought of her away from you drives you crazy, right?” she said.
 
She grinned.
 
            “Wouldn’t that be something, a Valentine actually loving an Eden woman, rather than selling her to the highest bidder or beating her to near death. Ana is the last woman of her family, thanks to your family and I made a promise to her father to keep her alive and uncorrupted, if you know what I mean, Avery. I brought you here because I did love her father. He knew exactly why we had met but, in the end, that man gave me everything and anything and I still took his life. The least I can do is look out for his daughter because I am an Eden woman first,” she said.
 
She set her glass down, almost tossing it, letting it slide a few inches on the table. She crossed her right leg over her left and both her arms rested on her knee as her fingers entwined with one another.
 
            “You and Ana have my blessing, my support and love. I may not have my husband or his fortune but I have my daughters love and six brothers who are more than willing to return to prison for me once again. Ana is to be cherished, if not loved and above all you lay a finger on her I will murder you next Valentine. Don’t fuck with what’s mine,” she said.
 
He nodded setting his glass down as well and uncrossing his legs. He leaned forward locking his eyes with hers.
 
            “You have my word. I want Ana. I’ve always wanted her and knew she’d be mine from a young age so hurting her is not an option, physically, mentally or emotionally,” he said.
            “And your family? Do they know you’re marrying Ana?” she asked.
            “Not yet. I wanted to speak to you first before I even proposed. Ryan thought it was a good idea to,” he said.
            “Of course, he did, he’s my son and her brother,” she said.
 
My mother sighed. Avery smiled and glanced at his watch.
           
            “I’ve said my piece, Valentine, and I’ll begin preparing for her wedding. Now if you’ll excuse me,” she said.
 
They stood, and she followed him through the room, passed the two queen beds, and up to the front door. He stopped looking around the room for a moment, then at my mother.
 
            “Can I ask you something?” he asked.
            “Sure,” she said.
            “Why here? Why did my father kill her mother in this room?” he asked.
 
She looked around stopping at the bed closest to the door, then looked back at him.
 
            “Because this is where the first Valentine killed an Eden. Ask your father why. You know your family loves traditions,” she said.
 
She opened the door and he stepped out rejoining the two men waiting for him.
 
            “I’ll expect you at the wedding?” Avery asked, looking back at her.
            “Of course, red riding hood was warned before entering the forest,” she said.
 
Her door slammed shut.