Even Without You

Chapter One

I've never really liked big houses. Not only because I could never afford to live in one but because it feels like such big spaces stops a family from wanting to be together.

I always shared a room with siblings and it made us closer despite all the messes of dirty clothes and long arguments of who's turn it is  to get up and turn off the lights before bed time.

When I was four, I lived in a two bedroom apartment with two families. Four people shared each room and there was only one bathroom.

Here I see the huge land with more than one house. The main home was lined with long tall windows and the door was over seven feet tall. To me, this house was built in the 1800 because it seemed haunted.

With only three people living in a nine bedroom, fifteen bathroom house, there is so much space, enough for a basketball team. Maybe more. I mean, such a big house to explore and yet not enough people to do so.

Rich people and their superficial ideas.

That, I'll never understand.

I had came to a stop and I didn't even notice there was a car behind me until it honked twice and then sped up until almost hitting the back wheels of my bike. I automatically sped up and moved to the side, almost hitting the red rose bush that surrounded the driveway. The car revved and drove past me until it was in the garage. I could hear the engine shut off.

I was reminded of what I couldn't have while I stood there.

I could never have this mansion, or the Corvette that was just horribly driven by me, or all the expensive cars that are most probably in all those other garages.

That is, unless I marry a billionaire.

When I finally knocked on the huge double doors, a man in his mid sixties opened with what I assume was an Armani suit.

I was fully prepared for a man in a uniform to open the door, the butler maybe, or even a maid. But I wasn't greeted with either, instead a man with whitening hair and kind smile opened the door. He asked me to come in without introducing himself or even asking my name.

Is that a usual thing for the people of this town or did the person who opened the front gate call in that I had arrived?

I don't know what's more confusing; that he would allow a stranger into his home without asking their name first or that he already knew who I was before we even saw each other.

The house was anything but modern, the lights hanged by a chandelier, and there was a long staircase ahead of me. It gave me very 'Gatsby' vibes and I felt like I suddenly needed a change of wardrobe just to step into this home. The walls were white with hints of gold and mostly covered with paintings or family pictures.

"No thank you," I said when he offered me something to drink and still set down a cup of gold liquid on the table right in front of me.

Champagne before happy hour? Is that a rich person thing?

"I'm glad you've decided to take me up on my offer. I'm sure many wouldn't love this opportunity but such a young beautiful woman like you knows how to appreciate such things. Tell me, how did you find this talent of yours?" He smiled at me and took a sip of his drink. I saw him take a breath a little too shaky and decided that he's probably a little older than I originally thought.

"Mr.Alexander, I actually have always loved cars, I've been working on them with my uncle since I was thirteen, so I'm very experienced. I assure you I am a hard worker. Do you mind if I take a look now?"

I was bent over a pink 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air as he continued to ask questions about my work. It was when he started asking questions about my family that I decided to turn the Q&A on him.