《Falling Snow》


 Chapter 1

    "This is why your still here. You''re delusional! There is no such thing as monsters and magic!" A door slams, a small girl cowered in the corner of a large, white-walled room. Her jacket arms were tied behind her, leaving the small girl in a perpetual hug. She hated this leathery jacket, it hurt her skin, made it feel itchy.


    ¡°Now, baby girl.¡± The child jumped; she hadn¡¯t noticed anyone had come in. A man in a long white coat was sitting in front of her. She wiggled away from him, back pressed into the soft wall. ¡°Now, now sweetheart.¡± He whispered, reaching out to brush hair behind her cheek. The girl shied away from but the doctor only chuckled. ¡°Child,¡± he hummed, hand sliding down her arm slowly. ¡°You¡¯re going to be staying with us for a while now, let''s be friends, shall we?¡± He hummed softly, smiling slowly at the small female.


    Those 3 years changed the small girl. She quickly grew from a child to a woman, even if her body was still young. She wasn¡¯t changed in her beliefs in monsters, but she was changed in her belief in humans. She had no faith in humans, especially men of authority. She avoided men, every chance she got. In school, she was quiet and violent until she met a frail girl in middle school. A girl who couldn¡¯t stand up for herself, a girl who was bullied for her striking features, the only girl that didn''t she away when scars came to light during a 7rh grade pool trip.


    After that, the girls were inseparable. You never found the Arian without her guardian. Attached at the hip would be an understatement. Due to her living conditions the guardian often found herself towed off to the Arian''s home because, in reality, the small, damaged girl had a damaged home. Vanessa didn¡¯t have a family worth showing off. In the beginning perhaps, but once she¡¯d been released from the hospital, she¡¯d entered a broken family. Her mother overworked herself and her father was an abusive alcoholic.


    When holidays came into the picture, Vanessa was at once taken in by Eloise. The Arian showed her what a good family looked like, as well as she could. At least what a loving mother was. Her father was consumed by work, showing his daughter with gifts as his show of affection. Until the accident. When the girls were just starting high school, Vanessa had been practically living with Eloise unofficially. She spent far more time with the Arian than at her own residence. Her father, having a moment of clarity and her mother, having two days off in a row for the first time in 4 years, wanted to take her to dinner, ¡°make up for lost time¡± as they called it.


    Dinner had been miserable, they adults had fought the entire time, insulted the waitress and Vanessa was the one to leave the tip in the end, grateful to Eloise who had predicted a similar outcome and slipped her some money against her wishes. But on the highway heading home, tragedy struck.


    Wrong place, wrong time found the guardian in need of a savior.A hijacked plane went rogue, the piolet''s last attempt to save his passengers landed the plane on the highway. In his delirious, near-death state, he¡¯d done perfect, almost. All for the exception of the two cars who had been in the wrong place at just that exact moment. One shoved off the freeway by the nose of the plane and one crushed by the wing.


    Her car was the latter, and the guardian, torn by class and metal, broken boned and scared from seeing the mutilated and smashed bodies of her parents, passed out. She fell into a coma, the doctors declaring that trauma caused the action. And when she came to, she was no longer Vanessa Maria Levrone; she was now Vanessa Maria Charmain.


    Eloise¡¯s father had adopted her after discovering her lack of living kin. For him, it was a business move: by adopting the sole survivor of the epic plane crash, his value rose in society''s eyes. Vanessa was a charity case. Then, six months later, his fame skyrocketed. His daughters were kidnapped after a tryst at the mall and held for ransom.


    As far as the public¡¯s eyes went, it was due to the cooperation of Charmain industries and local police forces that saw the two daughters home. In truth, it was the work of the damaged guardian, unafraid of her own demise, and solely out to protect her princess from ruin. No one would touch the knight''s lady and Vanessa made sure of that. From assault to...unsavory torture, Vanessa took it all, and when their captors thought they¡¯d used the young woman up to her full capacity, they reach for the princess, but the knight was smarter.


    It was then she struck, battered, bloodied, and used, she incapacitated their captors, and got them away through unsavory means that lead in a broken arm full of glass. None the less, the knight rescued her princess, then laid low and victimized when the police arrived. Had she left an anonymous tip of their locations? Well, no one asked questions and she never volunteered the information. Why? Her princess was safe after all.


    But this brought on new trouble for the guards. In light of the capture, her father declared his daughters were too precious to be left on their own. After all, however, could two frail girls protect themselves from the dregs of humanity. So, a bodyguard was hired, then a second, and a third. Each coming and going within the span of six months, no longer.


    Why? Because the supposedly frail and simplistic daughters were anything but and took a great deal in the challenge presented to them. So began the game, who could run the guard off quicker. Their bag of tricks never seemed to end, and with the guards being under strict contract, they would face a Niagara Falls sized lawsuit, were they to tell tales of anything that happened behind the Chairman Estates¡¯ gates.


    Which brought the girls to their current record, many years later as their lives existed mostly on the estate, their ¡°father¡± declaring college too dangerous for the girls and declaring most of their classes be online, only allowing them to attend university under the eyes of a guard. They went to campus 4 times a week for 3 classes they both mostly shared.


    They had their own section of the estate that was connected to the main house by a breezeway. The main floor was where they lived. An apartment set up with their bedrooms on one side, next to each other, a kitchen, living room, and an office room for their classes. Upstairs was a fully outfitted gym. Every piece of equipment the girls had wished for, including a sauna room that sat over top of their sunroom on the main floor. This room was basically Vanessa¡¯s greenhouse room, her only real passion outside of jewel crafting.


    Currently, their record stood at three months, the newest guard unable to handle any of their antics, especially when the spider¡¯s got involved. This found both girls celebrating their victory together, in their own odd ways.


    Vanessa hung from the metal bar, sweat slithering down her back as she worked slowly, rep after rep. ¡°48...49...and...50.¡± She growled and kicked the foot stand into place, coming to rest on it for a moment, her arms extended into an L as she panted softly, reaching out for her water bottle hanging from the side of the large piece of equipment.


    ¡°You know, this newest stunt could have really gotten Mr. Estem hurt, Ness.¡± A calm voice called out making Vanessa groan in irritation.


    ¡°So what Maria.¡± Vanessa snapped back, peering at the head housekeeper through the steel bars of the pull-up machine. ¡°Isn¡¯t it the bodyguard''s job to put their life on the line for Eloise? If she can¡¯t handle a few spiders then what use is she?¡± She replied taking the towel that hung on one of the support bars and wiped the sweat off the handgrips.She dropped down from the foot stand and whipped off the leather before flipping it back up into place. The older woman padded forward, a new towel in hand as she whipped Vanessa¡¯s back. She hissed irritated.


    ¡°Calm down Ness, you know you¡¯ll feel sticky if I don¡¯t. All I¡¯m saying is that stunt you pulled could have caused her to fall down the stairs. Is that very nice? Now, where is my lady Eloise?¡± The grey-haired woman asked stepping around and holding out Vanessa¡¯s bottle to her. She rolled her eyes taking it and downing a few mouthfuls. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you already know that you old witch?¡± Vanessa snapped. And it was at that moment, just as she finished her statement that she heard the faintest whistle. She leaned to the left a fraction, her hand snapping up to catch the offending projectile, a slipper.


    ¡°Stop being rude to Gatha!¡± the clear, high voice snapped out. Vanessa turned her head just enough to see Eloise stepping out of the sauna room, a towel wrapped around her torso, her pale, fair skin glowing a bit in the rays of light the sunroof¡¯s window let fall in. ¡°She¡¯s just cranky because you''re right, Housekeeper. What can we do for your love?¡± the sweet, bell-like voice called as she came bouncing up, grabbing Vanessa¡¯s arm lovingly. Her thin, porcelain arms wrapped around Vanessa¡¯s right arm, holding the appendage to Eloise¡¯s chest.


    This was just how they were if they were out in the public eye more, they may have even been mistaken as lovers at some point. Well, truth was, they simply were as close as non-related sisters could get. They shared everything, including an undying love. ¡°Well, in light of this latest failure, your father is at a loss Lady El. So, he has decided, until he can find a suitable guard that you cannot slip, scare off or whatever else it is that you two cook up, your mother¡¯s guard will stand in place. He has made arrangements for someone to take over for Victor seeing as your mother is...how did he put it...easier to handle.¡±


    The way Gatha said the last made both girls snicker to each other. ¡°Now, he is currently on an errand, says two young woman half-clad is not something a man should see so freely and decided to take off something important.¡± Gatha hesitated before continuing. ¡°And well...because of your mother, he knows the truth, about you I mean Vanessa.¡± her tone grew a little quieter at this.


    Vanessa¡¯s eyes narrow as the nimble fingers around her arm tightened suddenly. ¡°Which parts, the part of my supposed psychosis, or-¡± her words were cut off by Gatha¡¯s soft sigh.


    ¡°Everything child. Lady Ranaya told him everything. Among the staff and family, he and I are the only ones who know.¡± She said, head low. Vanessa grit her teeth, the bottle taking the brunt of what her jaw couldn¡¯t exercise.


    ¡°Hey, that¡¯s okay though.¡± Eloise chimed in, leaning away slightly so she could look at Vanessa. They were basically the same height, Vanessa having the Arian by an inch or two. ¡°That just means that he won''t be as annoying right? Look, he obviously trusts you enough to leave us up here alone right! This could be a nice break! Look I know you don¡¯t get along with him, but we can try right, feel it out like you always say.¡±Vanessa stared into the sparkling blue eyes, her expression flat as she read the emotion reflected in the colored orbs.


    ¡°I suppose¡­¡± She muttered after a few moments. This gained a childlike squeal from Eloise as she jumped up and down. Vanessa¡¯s free hand shot out, bottle forgotten, and clattering to the ground as her hands gripped the escapist towel around Eloise¡¯s chest.


    ¡°You know better than that.¡± Vanessa scolded with a smirk as Eloise blushed and grabbed her towel. ¡°Thank you, Gatha, we¡¯ll be down in a few minutes!¡±


    And she was towing Vanessa off into the little changing area they had, equipped with a shower similar to the one you¡¯d find on a beach. Growing up together gave neither girl reserves toward their bodies, which was why they stripped so easily before each other, ducking under their respective faucet heads.


    ¡°Hey, this could be good Nessie, and come on Victor is super hot. I think having a buff hot guy that could easily pass as a mafia boss at our side could be perfect!¡± She gushed. Vanessa rolled her eyes.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    ¡°It¡¯s the beautiful ones that are the most messed up,¡± Vanessa growled, finger¡¯s trailing over the scar around her neck.


    ¡°Okay, but this isn¡¯t the hospital, this is home.¡± Eloise declared as Vanessa ducked under the faucet to rinse her hair. Hands were suddenly grasping her own and she was pulled into the cool embrace of Eloise. ¡°It¡¯s you and me, here and now Ness.¡± She whispered and leaned away, she held Vanessa¡¯s hands as she smiled childlike at the dark-haired guardian.


    ¡°So, cheer up! Victor has been with the family for years! You just don¡¯t like him because he challenges you.¡± She was smirking now as she ducked back under her own faucet. They stood less than a foot from each other anyway.


    ¡°There is that, but as I said, I don¡¯t trust attractive,¡± Vanessa said simply. They finished washing up and after a quick run through with their dryers, Vanessa made quick work of Eloise''s hair, braiding it into a crown with practiced hands as Eloise returned the favor by taming Vanessa¡¯s dark mane into a bun.


    Clad in colorful beach towels they girls took the carpeted steps quickly that lead into Vanessa¡¯s room. The girls were similar enough in size that Eloise could wear Vanessa¡¯s jeans if they were bootcut or boyfriend cut and since Vanessa was pretty much ripped, her normal size as big enough to compensate for Eloise¡¯s chest size, however, the woman still dressed to the 9s when they weren''t staying home. Both of their closets had a mixture of the girls¡¯ attire though, never knowing whose room they would be changing in.


    They appeared in the living room then, Eloise in a floral and ruffle blouse, pleated, thigh-length skirt, and heels, with Vanessa in polar opposite attire of black boot cut jeans, converse, and a band-t which she wore a black hoodie over. Eloise went for her purse as Vanessa looked around, contemplating getting something from the kitchen. It was then that a note on one of the support beams of the living room caught Vanessa¡¯s gaze. She walked to the bar as Eloise gathered up their belongings, stashing them in her purse.


    Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Eloise,


    In light of the new arrangement, made today, I have gone to collect something of importance and will be waiting out front when it is time for the gala. One of my men will accompany you to the dress fittings and bring you home. If you need to visit somewhere else, don¡¯t hesitate to ask. -V


    Vanessa looked up from the note as Eloise read it over her shoulder. ¡°Well look at that.¡± She hummed in an I told you so tone as Vanessa dropped the note into the waste bin in the kitchen. ¡°Told you he wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡± She grinned. Vanessa rolled her eyes making her way to the kitchen.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s get going then shall we?¡± Eloise asked Vanessa, who was pulling the pant¡¯s leg of her jeans up to adjust the strap for her calf knife, securing it a bit more comfortably.


    ¡°Do you have to take that? It¡¯s a dress fitting Nessie. Do you really wanna scare the poor ladies?¡± Eloise whined.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s the only one I¡¯m bringing this time, princess.¡± Vanessa quipped, her tone turning to sarcasm at the old nickname. Eloise huffed, but the girl knew an argument she couldn¡¯t win. Instead, she grabbed Vanessa¡¯s hand, dragging her out of the kitchen and toward the front door. And they were on their way, past the gardens, and past the main house to the round-a-bout driveway that sat in front of the mansion.


    There they watched as the driver of a black sedan stood, usual men in black outfit adorning his undescriptive, cookie-cutter silhouette as he held open the back door. Vanessa rolled her eyes slipping into the leather-clad seat, scooting over so Eloise could join her. Once they were settled, the door shut and the vehicle hummed to life. Vanessa snuggled into her hoodie, yawning and bringing her feet up to prop on the seats across from them. The partition separating driver and passenger was up when they entered and Vanessa was content with that.


    Eloise, on the other hand, sighed softly, a tone Vanessa immediately answered with a, ¡°Don¡¯t even think about bringing that up again.¡± She snapped, tensing with renewed tension.


    ¡°Ness, you know if you don¡¯t then¡­¡± Vanessa sat up abruptly, silver eyes boring into the startled orbs.


    ¡°El I¡¯ve told you last time, the answer is no.¡± She half growled; voice low even though their section of the vehicle was soundproofed.


    Eloise actually seemed to tear up at this, grabbing Vanessa¡¯s and. ¡°Ness, what happens if you get sick again. What happens if the substitute doesn¡¯t work anymore, or you don¡¯t have any when you need it-¡± Her words cut off as Vanessa jerked the girl into her arms, pressing her face into her shoulder.


    ¡°El, I¡¯m here, I¡¯m strong enough and I¡¯m fine. Stop worrying about it. I won¡¯t bring that hex onto you. You have a life to live.¡± She hummed softly into the girl''s ear. ¡°Now, dress shopping is your favorite thing to do, and you¡¯re finally getting your wish brat.¡± Vanessa huffed leaning away, her attempt at lightening the mood working on the air-headed girl.


    She was quickly buzzing about the styles and cuts of the dresses. To be fair, it was only the third time in their life that she¡¯d coerced Vanessa into a dress. Vanessa gazed out the window as Eloise gushed over the style she wanted to get. Vanessa¡¯s mind was elsewhere, contemplating her own curse, her bad blood. Well, it wasn¡¯t like it was something she could explain to the porcelain sweetheart.


    By the time their car came to a stop outside the shop, Vanessa had thought herself in ten different circles of possible conversation that she could and in the end wouldn¡¯t have, with Eloise. The door opened and Vanessa took in a breath, rousing to sit up as Eloise slipped out. Vanessa followed behind, adjusting her hoodie as Eloise grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Eloise exclaimed, grabbing Vanessa¡¯s hand.


    Then they were off, Eloise dragging Vanessa along at her usual, too quick pace and within a few steppes, Vanessa was jerking the girl up as she tripped, catching Eloise from falling. Eloise giggled a little and rolled her eyes and gripping her arm. Vanessa opened the glass door and ushered Eloise through then followed. This specific shop was one they frequented often. Her father trusted the tailor enough that so long as there was a guard outside, they could be in the building without a watchman.


    ¡°Bellissima!¡± Greeted a sweet Italian voice as the girls entered.


    ¡°Good afternoon Eric!¡± Eloise greeted back, peppy as usual. Vanessa was quiet as she stood behind Eloise.


    ¡°And to you to lady Nyx.¡± Eric greeted, taking Vanessa¡¯s hand, and kissing the back of it.


    Vanessa rolled her eyes, snatching her hand back.


    ¡°Well, as I¡¯m sure you expected, I have a few different things for both of you.it was my pleasure to find a dress to accentuate my lady Nyx. It was a rare challenge and an absolute treat to come up with concepts.¡± He added with a bow. Vanessa batted a hand at him dismissively, but Eloise was nearly bouncing with excitement.


    ¡°I loved the concepts you sent to me yesterday, I can¡¯t wait to see her in them! Especially the black and silver one.¡± She clapped, wiggling a little in place. Eric grinned and nodded, waving for them to follow along. The girls strode through the carpeted retail store, past display racks of suits, and past mirrors. Rolls of example fabrics and mirrored displays of dresses.


    Then past a doorway that leads into a wider room with both examples and finished products. Vanessa paid little attention to the fabric around her as clothing wasn¡¯t her thing. Instead, she was always watching the shadows, perhaps not as aggressively as she would in a crowded setting but well, as much as the Italian man¡¯s antics annoyed her, it was also rather endearing. She watched as he pushed a specific rack of garment bags and looked for her usual grass stain colored green chair. It was a Magis Proust armchair with a Victorian molding across the top and back that gave it a little swoop.


    Because they frequented this store so often, Vanessa knew the routine, Eloise would try on every dress, contemplate all of them, want opinions from all people involved before finally choosing the dress she¡¯d wear for the event. Vanessa snuggled down into the chair, ready for the multi-hour deal this would be when Eloise gave her a mischievous grin.


    ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t think so.¡± She hummed, grabbing her hand and pulling Vanessa back up. ¡°You¡¯re first, there¡¯s only two and I have a feeling you won¡¯t even need to try on the second one.¡± Vanessa hesitated, and Eloise rolled her eyes. ¡°And I know you won¡¯t go in unless I¡¯m in your sight so let''s go!¡± She said. With a light shove to Vanessa¡¯s back, she was sent stumbling into the changing room and Eloise pulled the door shut behind them. It was an oddly shaped room with two normal walls on either side and a 4-panel window across from the door. Vanessa frowned at her own expression, but before she was given the chance to comment, Eloise had ahold of her hoodie and t-shirt, trying to pull them both over Vanessa¡¯s head and ultimately failing.


    This sent both girls into laughter as Vanessa had to untangle herself from Eloise¡¯s attack. ¡°Alright, alright!¡± Vanessa replied, tossing the top garments onto the bench. She went to remove her jeans as Eloise went to the garment bag closest to the door. With practiced ease, she unzipped and relived the river of silk from its canvas confines.


    Vanessa stared at the dress, brows pulling together. She saw a lot of fabric and even more straps. ¡°El¡­¡± she muttered leaning away.


    ¡°Oh stop it, you¡¯ll look amazing, now come here.¡± Eloise grabbed her arm and pulled her forward then knelt, using gravity to bunch up the fabric for her. Vanessa sighed, snorting a little as she put a hand on the wall for balance.


    ¡°This is rich, the princess kneeling before her knight,¡± Vanessa muttered sarcastically. Eloise rolled her eyes.


    ¡°Well, seeing as the princess is no longer a frightened and frail 16-year-old, I think it¡¯s far past time for her to take care of her knight, hmm?¡± Vanessa rolled her eyes, taking the bunch of fabric handed to her, and shimmied up into the dress. Then they had to battle with the straps and Vanessa was very unamused. What was the icing on the cake though, was the fact it fit her perfectly? ¡°He¡¯s never taken my measurements,¡± Vanessa said, looking at Eloise wide-eyed.


    ¡°So? You know he¡¯s good.¡± Eloise countered, adjusting the bottom. ¡°He¡¯ll have to hem the front a little, I think. Come on, let¡¯s show him.¡± The bubbly, loud girl had settled for the moment, sounding more like a proud mother than a friend. Vanessa rolled her eyes, pulling Eloise up to stand. ¡°Then help me wobble outside.¡± She huffed playfully. Eloise grinned and picked up the back of the dress and the two made their way out of the room.


    ¡°Better than what I could have wished for.¡± The fabric artist cooed with a clap.


    ¡°Eric the pictures didn¡¯t do it justice. The black to grey ombre is perfect. And even the straps!¡± And she grabbed Vanessa¡¯s shoulder¡¯s spinning her so Eric could look at her back. Vanessa rolled her eyes and turned back around to face Eric who was holding his arms out with a smirk.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, you did well whatever,¡± Vanessa said rolling her eyes.


    ¡°I think the bottom needs to hem a bit though.¡± Eloise chimed in as Vanessa crossed her arms. Over her chest. Eric nodded and Vanessa stepped onto the round display that would put her about half a foot off the ground. Eric knelt as Eloise walked over to the rack. Vanessa watched as she opened each bag, but something was different this time. ¡°This one!¡± She exclaimed, picking up the bag. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the door open; I promise.¡± Eloise declared, running into the room. She pulled the door just enough so only Vanessa could see her and began stripping.


    But then Eric was working and tugging, and she had to worry about keeping the bust in place. But she could hear the sounds of Eloise and it didn¡¯t take long for the girls squeals to begin. She walked out of the room grinning ear to ear and Vanessa couldn¡¯t help but smile softly in response. Her gown was silk, and the same black to grey ombre of Vanessa¡¯s except reversed and only two straps over each shoulder, leaving the back open down to her short ribs where Vanessa¡¯s was down to nearly her hips.


    ¡°Alright, now, would you like to wear them home?¡± Eric asked, tilting his head. He snorted in amusement as Vanessa rolled her eyes at that. The girls took much less time to get undressed and Eric¡¯s two assistants got the dresses packed so they wouldn¡¯t wrinkle on the short trip home. The driver had been waiting outside the entire time the girls were changing. Eloise¡¯s father had a running tab with the store, so after some feeble flirtation attempts on Eric¡¯s side and laughter on Eloise¡¯s the girls were leaving the building, Vanessa carrying both bags over her shoulder and Eloise holding her free arm.


    ¡°This is going to be so fun! The people that are catering for this event are known for their fruit tarts!¡± She gave Vanessa a wide smile. ¡°Your favorite.¡± She hummed, wiggling her brows. Vanessa rolled her eyes but did smile a little. ¡°Isn¡¯t that an interesting tidbit?¡± She replied with a crinkle of her nose. They got to the car and Eloise opened the door which allowed Vanessa to drop the bags onto the car floor and slide in with Eloise following.