Frog Tale Page 7

  Stella was so self-centered, she didn’t know how wonderful it was to have a true friend or love someone other than herself. Conceited, selfish and cruel all ruled her sister’s world as much as her emphasizes on her looks. How quickly all those things could be taken away.

  Standing, courage and rage built within her. Chloe walked over to her desk and pulled out the scissors. She’d had her fill of Stella’s attitude and decided it was time to teach her sister a lesson. Quietly, she walked over to her bedroom door and pulled the heavy oak open. She glanced down to her father’s office and still all remained quiet there.

  Perfect. Serves them all right. Sister dearest is about to reap what she has sewn.

  Stella’s room was next to hers and with a little luck she’d left the handle unlocked. With careful and quiet steps, Chloe made her way across the floor to her sister’s threshold. Sure enough the silver knob turned beneath her touch, and with stealth like grace opened her sister’s door, then entered the room in silence.

  Her sister slept with her back to the door and her long blonde hair hanging in a ponytail. The demonic bitch made this far too easy. Nearing the bed, she studied the long blonde hair. If she tried to cut it all at once, Stella might wake. However, if she made too many snips, the sound would disturb her sleeping sister. Stabbing her was always an option only she really didn’t want to kill her sister or go to jail, especially since she’d probably become grounded when she got out of prison by her parents.

  She decided if she could snip at the ponytail and cut the hair in a few simple chunks, life would be good. Well, not for Stella since she loved her hair almost more than life itself. Her hand trembled slightly as she lifted the scissors and quickly captured about a fifth of Stella’s hair between the duo blades and closed them together. The hair sliced away from the hair scrunchie and other strands, her sister remained undisturbed. Again she lifted the scissors, captured the same amount and snipped. Her sister tossed slightly and Chloe hid the weapon behind her back and waited.

  Stella rolled onto her stomach and Chloe knew she had to make this quick. She lifted the scissors two more times until nothing but a stub poked through the hair tie. A slow smile worked across her lips as she silently left the room and shut the door, leaving the long sheared locks all over the bed and floor.

  Guilt nudged her and she did feel a slight bit of remorse for what she did. Okay, so maybe cutting over twelve inches of hair off was extreme. Her sister had done something to her frog and earned the same amount of heartache that Chloe currently experienced. Stopping at her own bedroom door she glanced down the hall toward her father’s office. The light snoring still echoed faint and her heart tightened.

  He obviously didn’t care if I came home or not. Fine. Maybe he will care what I’ve done to his precious oldest child.

  Her body and soul ached as she stepped in her room and locked the door. Stella was no longer her sister maybe in name and by genetics but not in her heart and if for some strange reason, Georgina was behind the disappearance of her frog, she would punish her too. After putting her scissors back in her desk drawer, she faced the empty glass castle. Sorrow consumed her body and tears flooded down her cheeks in hot burning tracks. A big empty hole infiltrated her body where her heart had been and she slowly made her way to the bathroom to take out her contacts. The task would not be a simple one since she was still getting used to them and she couldn’t stop crying.

  Will I ever stop crying?

  Part of her wondered if she would heal from this loss. She didn’t really think so as she struggled with removing the plastic lens from her eyes.

  What have I done? Why did I leave him?

  The process of getting undressed and changing into her pajamas didn’t even faze her. She went through the emotions as every feeling in her body shut down and coldness overtook her with an assaulting shiver.

  She threw her body onto the bed and buried her face in her pillow. Life wasn’t going to be the same without her little froggy friend. She already longed for Luc and highly doubted she would ever recover.

  I’ll always love you Luc and never forget you.

  A sob broke against her pillow and instead of the words being a promise in memory; she knew she had just cursed her own soul.

  Luciano stared at the palace as the limousine slowed to a stop in front of his boyhood home and where he’d lived until his fateful trip to America. The gray clouds that hung above his head did nothing to comfort the ache in his heart. He had wanted to leave a note to Chloe but Albert had said it was best with nothing said, however when he had left the suit store and had seen the necklace in Cartier he knew he had to have the sparkling gold and diamond item.

  When he entered the store, Albert begged him not to buy such an expensive gift, but then nodded. It didn’t take a smart man to see the agony in Luciano’s eyes. Down to his soul he would miss Chloe for a very long time. He knew Albert had seen the pain. In truth, Luciano wouldn’t recover. He didn’t want to even think of the women who’d be calling, none would ever hold a candle to the young lady who would one day be a woman, holding his heart.

  The driver opened the door and he exited the car and continued to stare at the grand palace before him. He again thought of Chloe. How she would be captivated with the grander of the palace as well as the gardens around. Only she wasn’t here and wouldn’t be coming for a great many years. He and Albert had agreed, for her own good, she wouldn’t know who Luciano was―not for a very long time and when the timing was right.

  His steps carried him toward the front entrance and a strange empty sensation crossed his spine, sending a shiver across his back. The solid heavy oak doors opened and he entered his childhood home.

  “Welcome home Prince Luciano,” one of the butlers greeted.

  Quick steps echoed across the spotless tile of the foyer and his father came into sight. “Luciano!” he called and hurried toward his son. Strong arms hugged around him tight and he truly believed his father had missed him. Albert had said but Luciano hadn’t wanted to believe.

  Mario Mercury stepped back and eyed him then rested his attention on the long scar above Luciano’s brow. Horror marred his father’s expression and he stared Luciano in the eyes. “What happened to your face? Who left you with such an ugly scar?”

  “Ramona. Where is she? I want the witch’s head on a platter and I have no qualms to use one of our family swords to do the job myself.” He meant every word and anger grew inside him. “Where is Satan’s bitch?”

  His father shook his head. “Gone. Shortly after your disappearance, she fled without a trace. I think she might have had something to do with your mother’s murder.”

  All heartbeats ceased and he blinked at his father. “Come again?”

  “I hoped and thought Albert would have told you.” Agony worked itself across his father’s features. “Your mother was murdered a couple weeks after you disappeared. I would never have survived, but Albert Starling, the good man he is, was a great strength. He listened and was always a phone call away, helping me through the loss of you and your mother.”

  Why didn’t Albert tell me my mother died?

  The question, he would ask his friend another time. Movement captured his attention from the corner of his eye and his gaze rested on a brunette woman with blue eyes and full lips. He raked his gaze over her and placed her a few years younger than his father. However, there was something about the strange lady that sent his nerves on edge and instantly, he didn’t trust the woman.

  “Who is this Mario?” She asked his dad drawing close to his father’s side.

  His father wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist and smiled. “I’m sorry, I forgot, you haven’t met my son. He’s been away. Ella this is Luciano.” His father turned and an odd expression crossed his face. “Son, this is Ella, my new wife and your stepmother.”

  No, this is wrong, everything is wrong. This has to be a nightmare or a sick joke to punish me for not calling home.

  “I know this i
s a shock Luciano, but I hope in your time gone you haven’t forgot your manners.”

  He glanced to his father and shook his head. Every ounce of energy seized control over his emotions and he forced a weak smile and extended a hand. “It’s nice to meet you Ella.”

  She stepped away from his touch and smiled. “The pleasure is mine.” Sincerity lacked in her words. “I didn’t realize Mario had any living family.”

  Luciano narrowed his gaze on the woman and disliked her further. There was something incredibly odd about her and he couldn’t put his finger on exactly to what. He had no reason as to why he thought the idea, but whatever he couldn’t identify as being off with her, truly emanated wicked. He turned his attention to his father. “I was hoping to talk to you alone.”

  “Absolutely.” He turned to Ella. “If you’ll excuse me I have much to catch up on with my son.” His father turned back and wrapped an arm around Luciano’s shoulders. “First you might want to phone Albert and let him know you have arrived safe and sound. He was worried about your flight since the weather here has been stormy. He’ll be pleased to know you’ve made it home in one piece.”

  Home? This isn’t home. My mother is dead and I left my heart across the ocean with a young girl in Beverly Hills.

  Ache penetrated through him, shattering what was left of his torn heart and soul. He longed to talk to his mother about Chloe, knowing she’d adore her and now he found himself longing to talk to Chloe over the loss of his mom, but had made a promise not to speak or see her.

  Ramona had turned him into a frog and had called him nothing, only now, standing in his family’s castle did he truly know the meaning of the word. He felt nothing but emptiness and longing. His body numbed.

  I love you Chloe, I always will.

  Grief consumed her. Chloe listened as her father’s voice echoed into her ears. Her mental state left little for understanding and she couldn’t comprehend a word he spoke. Everything from her mind to her body and most of all her heart had shut down last night and had failed to restart. She mourned her friend and experienced the loss of love. Despite her sister Stella’s denial this morning, she knew there was no other explanation. Her sister had done something to her frog and she blatantly ignored her father’s rant since he seemed to have taken―surprise surprise―Stella’s side.

  “Chloe!” The loud boom of her father’s voice pulled her attention off the pile of blonde hair on the coffee table and onto him.

  She said nothing, but stared, waiting for him to continue.

  “What possessed you to cut Stella’s hair?”

  Why had the small amount of guilt last night she had felt after shearing the blonde locks vanished? She sat there feeling not the slightest bit of remorse. Under normal circumstances she would have, then again, under normal circumstances she would never have done something so outwardly mean to Stella―no matter how much she deserved what she had coming. Only now, normal and lucid were gone and apathetic had filled her veins.

  “Answer me Chloe!” he father again raised his voice. One would have thought he’d have clued into the fact that his yelling held no effect on her―nor did she care.

  She blinked and debated her words. “A demon from the seventh layer of hell? Oh, no, wait! The devil made me do it.”

  His expression revealed he didn’t find her comeback funny. Maybe not, but at this exact moment; she didn’t really care about her sister’s hair. She didn’t care about anything. Even inhaling and exhaling, the simple task of her lungs function was a hard task due to the invisible heavy weight sitting on her chest.

  “Chloe―”

  “No!” She snapped at her father for the first time in her life. He flinched slightly, not expecting her temper. No one ever did―but now times had changed. The loss of Luc had changed her.

  “I didn’t do anything that Stella didn’t deserve. She is ruthless, cruel and I hate the fact we share parents. I hate the fact she is part of this family and we have the same genetics in us. Obviously, all the evil yucky ones went to her and her cold hearted bitchiness.”

  “What a horrible thing to say.” Her dad shook his head.

  “Oh, but her verbal and physical abuse toward me day in and day out is acceptable?” When her father didn’t answer, she nodded. “Fine. I will deal with the fact she’s my sister and I will love her, but I certainly don’t have to like her or think her mean spirit is appropriate.”

  “You little bitch!” Stella rose off the seat of the sofa about to lunge at her. Part of Chloe wished her sister would just ‘bring it’ so she could punch her into the next decade.

  “Stella! Don’t call your sister a bitch.” Their father focused his attention on her sister and glanced at Chloe. “She has no right to bully you and say cruel things.”

  “Too bad it’s the nature of her tongue and you do little to stop it.” She sounded bitter. What a coincidence, she was very bitter. “Then again, I can tell you really don’t care about me as much as she and Georgina, since you didn’t even bother waiting up for me last night. I’m not one of your blonde bimbo daughters am I Daddy? Only the ugly duckling. Good thing I came home and didn’t fall victim to one of the evil predators mom always worries about, but she no doubt popped a sleeping pill and fell asleep since it wasn’t one of her blonde idiots out late.”

  Her father’s temper reflected in his eyes. “That isn’t fair.”

  She scowled trying to be emotionally moved by her father’s disposition, all his attitude did though was kick her anger up past the numbness. “Neither is your favoritism toward the bimbettes.”

  Her father parted his lips and lifted an arm about to wag a finger in her when the one of the maids walked in. “I’m sorry to interrupt sir, but a delivery arrived for Miss Starling.”

  “Oh! I love presents!” Stella squealed and bounced off the sofa. Her hair looked terrible but, knowing their mother, she would pay to give the vain little bitch hair extensions.

  The maid cast a leveled gaze. “Not for you.” Georgina stepped forward and the maid offered her a bland smile. “Or you.” She turned to Chloe who remained seated. “Special delivery, Miss Starling.”

  The maid passed her the small box and she blinked. She never got mail, not even a postcard. Once she got a credit card offer, but her father told her not until she got a job. Then went on about how there were merits to using cash and mumbled what idiot company would send a card offer to a child who couldn’t enter a legal, binding contract.

  With careful preciseness, she opened the box and removed a black velour square box. She lifted the lid, stared at the name of the upscale and prestigious jewelry store name, then glanced at the black satin. The most amazing necklace stared up at her.

  Chloe,

  Don’t sell yourself short. You can be anything…Remember to me you will always be more than a princess, but a queen.

  My love always and forever...

  Georgina squealed. “Those are real diamonds. That necklace is expensive.”

  She lifted her gaze to her sister then darted a quick glance to Stella, who glowered in rage. Turning back to Georgina, she smiled. “Why yes they are and yes the necklace is very costly, thick rope chains have a tendency to be such.” Her attention fell back on the tiara shaped pendent on the thick almost white gold chain. The necklace and pendent would have cost a small fortune.

  “I’m going to borrow that!” Stella snapped. “You owe me for cutting my hair.”

  Anger rose within her and she glared at her sister. “You touch this necklace and so help me Stella. You will lose a lot more than a few inches of hair.”

  “Stella! Chloe!” Her father yelled. “I've had enough of the fighting.”

  Her gaze narrowed on her father. “Then I suggest you lock the blonde terrors in a noise proof room.”

  “Stella, Georgina, leave me to speak with Chloe―alone.” Her father’s penetrating stare never wavered from her.

  “You're really going to get it now!” Georgina reveled as she and her evil coun
terpart walked out of the room. Chloe remained silent and held the note in her hand tight. Again, her gaze wandered to the expensive jewelry against black satin.

  “I think we need to talk.” Her father sat down next to her and she continued to stare at the necklace, just so she wouldn’t have to look at him.

  “I really don’t think there is anything to say.” Her voice was cold and the numbness she had experienced started to melt away. No not now, she didn’t want to give into weakness and do something stupid like cry.

  She cleared her throat and struggled for control of her emotions and more importantly, her voice. “Maybe you should go check on your other two daughters, in case one of them feels upset or heaven forbid poor self-absorbed Stella may now have a lower self esteem because she doesn’t have long blonde locks anymore. Whatever will she do?” She finally met her father’s concerned expression. “Allow me to answer that, Dad. She is going to milk it for all its worth and you and mom will rush out and buy her new clothes until the little demonic worm feels all happy inside.”

  “About Luc―”

  “I don’t want to hear your excuse or you defending Stella. My stomach is upset as it is.” Her chest tightened to the point it became painful.

  Her Dad’s heavy sigh filled the room and fiery tears gathered behind her eyes. She didn’t want to blink, in fear that tears may fall.

  “Can I see the necklace?”

  “Be my guest.” She tilted the box, not letting go of the expensive case and the treasure inside. “I meant what I said to Stella. If either she or Georgina touches this piece of jewelry, you will be one, if not two, offspring short.” Finally, she passed him the luxurious velour case and his gaze took in the fine detail.

  He lifted his attention to her and blinked. “Do you have any idea what something to this extravagance would cost?”

  “Lots?”

  Smiling, he nodded. “This is incredible.” His lips thinned. “The pendent suits you perfectly.” He passed the jewelry back and he glanced at the note. “What does the note say?”