C2 Home is where memories are

She thought it was a beautiful place, and the amber of the dying sun gave it a perfect light, but she did not tell Rafa, whose face reflected the disgust he felt at returning to that place.

She also saw among the trees a curious white gate, which seemed to delimit a more private space.

" A swimming pool of course," she thought happily.

The car followed the turns in the road and turned left. Just in front of a gigantic fountain where two cherubs were pouring water from their large cracks into a huge marble basin. Behind it were three stone steps, guarded by two lions with open jaws, leading to a huge black gate, where a gargoyle held a heavy bronze knocker in its teeth.

" We've arrived," Rafa mumbled and got out, slamming the car door shut,

Alice, gaping, admired the magnificence of the door, still sitting in the car. He rang the doorbell, a rough voice answered from the other side.

! Hello! - he shouted in an impolite tone.

Rafa kept silent for a minute that felt like an eternity, leaning his forehead against the wall, his eyes closed.

" What do you want? " asked the voice, annoyed.

Ignoring the great discourtesy with which he was treated, Rafa squeezed his eyelids, as if it hurt him to pronounce the words, and said, very slowly.

" I am Rafael Cáceres. "

The door opened immediately.

He came back for Alice, helping her out of the car with a friendly gesture.

" The suitcases," she murmured as she watched him walk towards the steps.

" Someone will take care of that, honey, come on," he held out his hand.

Alice went upstairs, looking around the lavish construction, every detail carved with great care, every feature of the house oozed excellence and power. For Rafa, the entrance to the place was the opposite. There was no joy or fascination, only the memories of his childhood that came in painful waves, almost none of them happy, especially the day he left.

She looked at him in surprise, she did not understand how anyone could hate such beauty. Her beloved never spoke to her about his childhood. He only mumbled that his father died before he was born, that he had lost his mother, when he was little, and his grandfather had sent him to boarding school.

For sure the house reminded her of them and that brought him suffering, but it was so beautiful that she would be pleased to stay and live there, even if she was giving up the view of the city.

The door closed behind him with a clang that chilled Rafa's soul. Every muscle in his body urged him to flee, but he did not. He put his hand on Alice's waist and pulled her closer to him with a jealous gesture. He looked everywhere, furiously, like one who expects a sudden attack.

"Calm down now "Alice whispered to him.

A thin and disproportionately tall gentleman emerged from a distant doorway, approaching them with hurried steps that echoed in the huge hall.

" Good afternoon," he greeted, extending his hand to Rafa, who glared at him.

"Mr. Cáceres, I have heard a lot about you from your late grandfather." he said with his hand still outstretched.

Alice, wide-eyed, grimaced at Rafa, who eventually took the servant's hand.

"I am so sorry for your loss." Rafa quickly withdrew his hand." He was, without a doubt, an extraordinary man, we will miss him very much. "continued the man, Alice watched him carefully, he was too pale and thin.

"Maybe he is sick - she thought

Rafa searched his face for some sign of the mourning he was expressing, however, he only found a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

"As you know, arrangements must be made regarding your grandfather's will and property. "the clerk said again.

" And you are...? " asked Rafa.

"Forgive my lack of politeness, sir. " he said bowing to him." I am Gustav, I have been the butler of the house for ten years. I think Mr. Cáceres hired me right after you left...".

Alice didn't understand much, but she felt a certain tension in the words they exchanged. The butler was smiling and Rafa was looking at him as if he saw a mortal enemy. It seemed as if the whole situation was going to explode in a very nasty fight from one moment to the next. She took his arm, trying to calm his spirits, but he escaped from her and standing in front of the butler said:

" Let's proceed, I don't like to waste my time. I want to settle this as soon as possible. "

Alice gave him a kick, and fed up with bad manners intervened in the conversation by extending her hand to the butler.

" What a magnificent house. I congratulate you, you keep it very well maintained, I can see how much effort you put into it. "

Gustav turned to her.

" What a beautiful lady! " he said taking her hand and kissing it the old fashioned way. Rafa could hardly contain his hatred.

" You are right, it is a magnificent house. You will appreciate it even more when you get to know its interior." He bowed again, inviting her to discover the rest of the mansion.

Alice forgot Rafa, in love with every corner of that house. She looked at the wood-paneled walls, the marble stairs that stretched down the center of the hall and the magnificence of the halls that seemed to open on either side of them.

He stood frozen in the doorway, breathing hard. Like the frightened child he once was. Hesitating to take the first step.

Gustav urged him to walk with a crooked smile and a whisper that caused him deep fear.

" You're home at last, sir - Come in"