Fiction

The Prayer Book

Chapter 1

By P.M.I Charlotte.

 

 

Chapter 1.

 

Maria.

I sat at my grandma's favorite desk in her study and stared out of the window, letting the tears out, so that all the grief I felt inside, in regard to her death, could ease. Grief was an emotion that I didn't manage well, yet it was one that was inevitable for every human.

My eyes flicked to Grandma's photos and I couldn't help but let a small smile play on my lips as I recalled fun moments I once had with her. Her desk looked clean, just the way she had always liked it, when she was alive and I inwardly commended Sarah's efforts, in spite of grandma's passing away. Sarah was my grandma's housekeeper. A very cheerful lady, who I have come to love, over the years. I picked a book from the desk and found it was the recently published book, from grandma's favorite author, J. Simmons. I enjoyed the author's books. Inspirational Christian novels that told wonderful stories. I hadn't read the book yet and would have loved to, but now wasn't the right time.

Now, I was grieving the loss of my grandmother. A knock came on the door and I instantly turned my head in time to find Sarah looming over the door, hesitantly. She had been watching me cry since five days back that my grandmother died at Princess Charlotte's Hospital and couldn't bear it any further. I gave the woman a wan smile.

"Miss, your father has sent for you. He says I should tell you that it's time to read your grandmother's will," Sarah weakly said.
I nodded my head and placed a smile on my lips as I dropped the book. 

Then I followed Sarah out to meet the others. When I arrived, I found everyone already seated, except for my elder brother Adrian, who had still not arrived, although he was expected. He worked as a free-lance book cover designer and illustrator and his works were in high demand. No one could blame him for being tardy. My other elder brothers, Charles, who was the first and married with one kid and Jeremiah, who was second as well as married, sat with their wives all facing grandma's solicitor. All my cousins, aunts and uncles were around, their ears perched up to listen to the solicitor.

I found a space beside my mother and sat. She squeezed my hand affectionately, knowing that I had suffered the grief the most, being present at the last moments of grandma's death. As I sat to listen to the solicitor, who was saying all the preambles, Sarah came to whisper in my ear that a gentle man was at the door and was present to attend the hearing of the will. I turned to Sarah, questioningly, before I rose up to go and attend to the situation.

When I arrived the door, I found someone at the door, who I had seen at the cemetery, earlier, during the funeral. Damian Hutchinson, CEO of Hut publications was staring down at me, his ever handsome face expressionless. 

"Hello." I greeted, quietly.

"Hello, Maria. Her granddaughter that she always talked about. I am pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I am Damian Hutchinson," Damian said, smiling at me, his hand extended in a handshake. I took the hand and smiled a little.

"Yes, Mr Hutchinson. I know who you are?"

"Please, call me Damian." He smiled. I stared at him and cleared my throat. 

"Right. Damian. What are you doing at my grandmother's will hearing?" I cut straight to the point.
I was still in a very dour mood and the last thing I needed was anyone to bring smiles and jokes to ease my aching heart. Grandma was gone, for God's sake and this man was here, blinding me with his handsome looks. Cropped, Dark brown hair, brown eyes that glinted in the rays that filtered to his eyes. I shook my head angrily. This was no time to be sweet.

He extended a letter and I collected it. "I received this, three days ago from Judith's solicitor, asking me to attend the hearing," Damian said.

I stared at him surprised, before I lowered my eyes to the letter. When I opened it, the words were in stark prints before my eyes. I couldn't contest with that. 

"How did you know my grandmother?" I asked as I folded the letter and returned it to him.

He smiled weakly and responded in a low voice. "Judith was very dear to us."

When I waited for him to continue and he remained silent, watching me, I asked further. "I get that. My grandma was dear to everyone, but how?" I tightly asked him. 

He shook his head as he replied, "I am sorry, I am not at liberty to say." Those were all he said. I heard heavy foot falls and soon my dad's brown chocolate skin appeared from behind me. 

"Oh, Mr Hutchinson. You made it. Welcome, welcome. Sorry I couldn't thank you at the cemetery for attending the funeral. I was still sad."

My dad greeted as he opened the door wider for Damian to enter. Damian gave me a look, which I couldn't place and walked in, smiling to my dad. 

"It's no trouble, Mr Moses. Judith would highly be missed by all of us," Damian said, quietly.

"I hope your schedule wasn't affected by all these. It's just that my mum really spoke highly of you and your family, when she was alive," Dad sadly said. I turned eyes to my dad at those words. Apparently, even my dad knew the relationship between grandma and Damian Hutchinson and I did not.

"What relationship did grandma have with his family, dad?" I asked curiously." My dad fell silent in slight embarrassment and turned to me. He shrugged.

"I don't know, pumpkin bun." I turned to Damian at my dad's pet name for me, embarrassed and saw no emotion in his eyes. "I just know that she had a high regard for them, isn't it, Mr Hutchinson?" Dad directed at Damian.

"Please, just Damian would be fine." Damian smiled.

Then my mum rushed in, her fair skin catching the sun and greeted Damian warmly, before she informed us to hurry into the drawing room because the solicitor had started reading the will. Silently, I followed the rest to the drawing room, where we all attentively listened. 

After everything had been read, a few minutes later, the solicitor called a few of us and handed us a letter each. Even Damian was handed one. Quietly, each of us sat and read the letter we had been given. Mine was dated six months back.

"My Marie,

By the time you would be receiving this, I might have gone on to meet our Creator. I am sorry that we didn't have longer time to spend, before I left you. But it was all for the best. And I enjoyed all I had with you, from the first time I saw you in your mother's arms, as a wee one. I have left everything I had for everyone I loved. My priced possessions. And it saddens me that I cannot see your faces when these are all handed to you. But I know you would all be happy. 

For you my Marie, I have left something that I know would be of great benefit to you. It would bring to you the peace, which I know it was designed to bring. 

In my library, inside the top right drawer of my writing desk, there is a book, titled 'The Prayer Book,' written by our favorite author, J. Simmons. It was an exclusive. It is a daily devotional which contains bible readings for 365 days of the year. It is a book which you are to begin reading from the moment you open this letter and you are to ensure that it is finished on the 365th day. Now my darling, this book is a gift, which you would be sharing with another darling of mine. And I would desire?No, it is my greatest wish that you both share and discuss notes, which you would generate from this readings. You must do this together or the task wouldn't be accomplished. A mandatory task. Now I know Marie that you do not like to share, but I want you and this person, to share this. Please do this for me as a last wish from me. 

I know that your divorce from Harold was a devastation to you. One which had been a huge blow to all of us. I included, because I had hoped the marriage was forever. But Harold has moved on now. And I would expect the same from you, Maria. So please, the magic that this book would bring. The healing and all the perks that would come with it. Do not turn it down. Embrace it all with an open mind. 

I love you very Much Marie. I have always loved you. Remember, your grandma wants the best for you. Enjoy your gift, my baby. Kisses forever. 

I love you.

Grandma Judith."

Tears leaked down my eyes and I looked around to catch if anyone had seen that. Only for my eyes to fall onto those of Damian. Our eyes held for seconds, and I didn't know what I saw there. Pity? Curiousity? Concern? But I didn't wait to find out. In a flash, I brushed away my tears and ran off in the direction of Grandma's Library. I heard my mum ask my dad to follow me, but I was grateful that no one did. 

Inside the neat library, I allowed my eyes caress the array of books, which I knew my grandma had acquired over the years. More tears trailed down my eyes as I went in further and walked to her desk. I sat on her seat and smelled her famous signature perfume, Bergamot and vanilla. I cried some more. Never again was I to see the beautiful, dark chocolate face of my grandma. Never again was I to hear her soothing words, whenever I was in sorrow.

I recalled how she had held me strong when I returned to London, after Harold had packed up and left me, only to send me divorce papers, three months later to our address back then in Houston, in the United States. Those days had been bone crushing for me.

A divorce, where Harold had taken everything, even the house we had lived in. I found out during the divorce, that he had sold the house and I hadn't been prepared for the surprise. Sadly after the divorce, I had packed up and left Houston to return to England. Abandoning my job as a chef, even though they had been willing to sponsor my continuous stay in the United States, after Harold had divorced me. 

Unemployed and broken, it was in my grandma's arms that I had broken down and reeled in my sorrows.

Grandma had been there for me. She had held me during the cold, sad nights. She had allowed me to live with her, and had given me enough money to retrain for a 3 months crash course in business and entrepreneur. And subsequently to open my own small restaurant. In addition, enough blunt to have my own place. Now, she was gone. 

The door opened and I looked up to find Sarah, followed by Damian, walk into the Library. 

"Oh, sorry to bother you, Miss. Your father asked me to lead Mr Hutchinson to the Library." Sarah let on. I stared from Sarah to the handsome, fair skinned man beside her, all garbed in a dark suit. It was a handsome look on him. I shook my head at the distraction and turned back to Sarah.

"Sarah, It's fine, if dad had said so. Don't worry, I would handle it from here." I assured her. She nodded her head and rushed out. After the door closed, I turned to Damian.

"Was there a reason you needed to be here?" I pressed. He turned a gaze to me and tilted his head. 

"Your grandmother left something here for me, which I am here to collect." Damian sighed. I looked at him. Then shrugging, I gestured my hand, palm up, for him to search away. Give it to grandma to love everyone, even non family members.

Quietly, Damian walked towards me, standing so close. My breath hitched. So close I could smell his scent. Citrus and earth. It was almost making me swoon. I lifted my eyes abruptly to his as he lowered himself beside me. 

"What are you doing, Mr Hutchinson?" I asked, tersely. My irritation was clear as I glared at him. He stared at me, quietly and a small smile tugged his lips. Gosh, he was handsome! 

"There is a book on the top drawer of this side of the desk, which Judith had asked me to collect. A book which she asked me to share with someone." Damian explained. I looked at him with horror. What was he saying? Could he be talking of the same?No!

"The Prayer book?" I asked, horrified. Damian looked at me, expressionlessly. I looked away, nervously, not wanting to believe his declaration. I turned my eyes to him, wanting to confirm his words. 

"Let me see the letter." I requested.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Trust issues, eh?" He asked me, amused. I glared at him. What did he mean by 'trust issues?' Sure who would trust a stranger walking into their family to say they had stakes in their grandma's will. 

Sighing he said, "Without reading the letter addressed to me from your grandmother, you would have to just trust me." He declared. I frowned. This wasn't possible. My grandma. My rules. I folded my arms. 

"I don't think so, Mr Hutchinson?"

"Damian." 

"Damian." I breathed. "Please, I need to see it." I pleaded.

He chuckled. His eyes fell tenderly on me and for a second, I liked it. Our eyes held longer. Unfortunately it broke, because my elder brother, Charles, walked into the Library in that moment. 

"Hey, Pumpkin Bun, Dad says I should ask if you were able to help Damian find the book he was in search of?" 

I lifted my eyes to Charles in that moment, embarrassed at his calling me dad's pet name for me, in front of a total stranger. Also I was embarrassed because apparently, Damian had been speaking the truth, earlier. I shifted my gaze to him and wondered if he saw my fluster. 

"She has being helpful, Charles. We just had a little delay in finding the exact location." Damian flashed a knowing smile to me, as our eyes caught. 

"Alright, D. Just come on over so we can talk. Adrian and Grace have arrived, pumpkin Bun." Charles announced. Damian nodded his head and Charles left. My immediate elder brother was around with his wife. Oh I was so close to Adrian and Grace. We were like pals. The library was quiet, except for our breathing and the clock, as we silently stared after Charles. Damian broke the silence first.

"Pumpkin bun?" He teased, reaching my eyes with his, as he stared at me. My face grew extremely heated with embarrassment as I stared at him. I read nothing in his look as he said those words. But I didn't want to even try to read anything. 

"How did you get to be so close to my brother?" I asked. 

"Brothers." He corrected. I stared at him in surprise. He saw the look in my face. "Adrian works with our publishing house most times. I am still trying to land him as one of our staff, but he is refusing to work for Hut Publications." Damian smiled. Yeah I was aware that Adrian enjoyed his flexible hours as a freelancer and he had a lucrative business, working for top shots. But I had no idea that he was even this sorted by Hut Publications.

"Charles and Jeremiah, I have known since our days in Oxford." Damian let on.
I watched him there, still squatting on his haunches and wondered if he wasn't exhausted staying in that position.

Feeling sorry for being awful, I shifted and reached for the drawer handle. Quietly, I opened the drawer and saw the glossy cover of the book staring back at me. I lifted it out of the drawer and we both gazed at it. Sure enough, inside the book, she wrote our names. 

'For Maria Moses and Damian Hutchinson.' I flushed, knowing how wrong I had been earlier. But a little issue bothered me now. How were we to share the book? I turned to Damian with the question.

"Err?naturally, I would say ladies first. Then again, since it's your grandmother, I would say, you should have a go, first." Damian suggested. 

"But what about the studying and discussing it together?" I asked him, nervously. He rose to his feet and walked over to the window. His back was to me as he gazed out the window. Oh I was so impatient to have the book. And frankly, I needed to feel all the magic my grandma had hoped I would experience in the book. But with the sharing thing, I was dissuaded from proceeding. Then again, it had been her last wish. 

"Perhaps we can each share the book. We read it and write out notes?" I started. Damian turned around to listen, quietly. Having his full attention, I flustered. He lifted an eyebrow at me, obviously urging me to go on. When I didn't continue, he sighed. 

"If we are going to do your grandmother's last wishes, we have to be more relaxed with one another." Damian suggested. I stared at him thoughtfully. In my heart, I was agreeing with his words. So making a decision in my heart, I went on. 

"Perhaps we can meet at a spot at the end of the day and share notes. Discuss what we have each found. Then the other person takes it for the next day." I added, waiting for him to respond as I saw him watching me, thoughtfully. 

"If I may add?"

I frowned at him. Was he having issues with my suggestion? Not like he had been forthcoming with any, moments ago, I thought. 

"We are both busy people. I run a business and you run one." I wondered how he knew that I ran a business. Had he ever eaten at my restaurant? 

"I do not have that much time to have lunches and sit out anywhere. Tons of work. However, since we both live at Berkeley Square, perhaps, we can visit each other at the end of each day and discuss this. In that case, we wouldn't be so public and the tabloids wouldn't be abuzz with nonsense about us." Damian suggested. I stared at him in shock. What did this man think of himself? Sure he was a well-known figure. But that didn't warrant for him reminding me of it. Who did he think he was? Telling me how he didn't need to be public and all that and people saying blah blah about us? I folded my hands across my chest.

"And you think I would want to be seen publicly with you" I asked, unable to hide my irritation. Damian watched me coolly. Again with his expressionless stare. 

"Is my suggestion agreeable with you, or do we need to amend it further? Or?" 

"Or what?" I asked, guardedly. 

"Perhaps, you are scared of being alone with me?" Damian trailed off. I looked at him with horror. What?! I looked at him angrily. Of course I wasn't scared. How dare he?!

"I am not scared to be in a room alone with you, Damian." I admitted, confidently. A smile played on his lips as amusement danced in his eyes that were on me. 

"If that is your final answer, Miss Maria Moses, then I suggest we begin tomorrow. First, let's exchange phone numbers."