Eighty Days

This is my first submission; there are several others on the shelf that aren’t quite ready yet. This story could have gone in several directions, I chose the clean world for the first time out, the reader can fill in his/her own lurid details.

The standard disclaimers apply.

Eighty DAYS

THE BACKGROUND

I’m Jason Edward an eighteen year old geek, musician, athlete, who is an introvert and socially insecure. My secret love is Fiona; she’s both my Venus and my Muse, although I’d never tell her that, as she would probably mock me forever after. She’s tall and athletic, auburn hair with green eyes and fine features; she’s highly intelligent, talented, competitive and absolutely lovely. We’re neighbors and seniors at the same prep school.

My story begins about ten and a half years ago. It was early June when my family (mom, dad and me) moved into a newly developed 220 acre gated community, with 73 building lots, in Central Florida. We were the third family to move in, the developer had built a modern version of an English Manor House and there was a newly occupied house two lots down from ours. A girl came over shortly after we arrived and introduced herself as Fiona MacDonell; she lived in the nearby house with her mother, father and older brother. Fiona and I were kind of thrown together from the start; her brother was 4 years older and wasn’t going the hang around two seven year old’s. As it turned out we were a couple from then on. Through the years we received; French and Spanish language lessons from our au pairs, music, swimming, sailing, rowing, tennis, golf, Taekwondo lessons, went to the same summer day camps and attended the same private school; anything to keep two active youngsters out of trouble, and it gave our au pairs a chance for a breather. Whenever we were out in a new setting we were often mistaken for twins as there was only 5 weeks difference in our ages. However, our parents were quite different: professionally legal services vs. health care, politically Republican vs. Democrat, economically one has business alliances with Disney, the other has business alliances with Universal, religiously Catholic vs. Protestant, ethnically Scottish vs. American mixed breed, first generation American vs. my family went back over a hundred years. There were similarities; obviously neighbors, senior members of the community homeowners association, and both families were members of the same country club. The glue that held this casual friendship together was Fiona and me.

THE BOMB

Ten and a half years later, it’s the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Fiona and I secretly got married this morning. We called our respective parents and asked if we could meet with them at about seven that evening. It was a vague request that left them wondering. At seven we called again and asked them to meet us at the Manor House in our development, we assured them that we were OK and all of their questions would be answered. We wanted to face both sets of parents at the same time; showing no preference to either family and to making sure that they got the same story. We greeted them at the front door 15 minutes later.

“Welcome to our new home.” I said as I opened the door and ushered them into the foyer. Needless to say they were stunned, speechless and confused by all of this. Then Fiona’s mother noticed the platinum and diamond rings on Fiona’s hand.

“Children, what have you two been up to?” she demanded. We now had four frantic parents to deal with.

I stepped forward and said “First of all, technically we are young adults. As we have already told you, this is our new home and Fiona and I got married this morning, not as we had planned but we had our reasons. If you would accompany us into the living room; we will tell you our story and answer your questions.”

Once everyone was seated in the U shaped sofa arrangement around a coffee table and had refreshments I stated “This is a long and complicated story please hold back your questions until the end.”

OUR STORY

In September, shortly after my eighteenth birthday, I was running errands for my grandmother. One of the errands was to buy her some lottery numbers. I hadn’t bought lottery numbers before and inadvertently purchased ten numbers for the wrong game. I realized my mistake too late and ended up having to buy ten more numbers for her requested game. Gram got her numbers; I chucked mine into my glove box as I chastised myself for being so stupid.

Day 1 It was the second Thursday of the month; that morning when I was logging onto my computer, I noticed, there was a news alert about a winning lottery ticket that had been sold in the next county over, I recognized the storefront from the picture and resolved to checkout my ticket when I got down to my car. Later when I checked the ticket, OMG it had the winning numbers. This was the beginning, when a whole new world was opened to me. What to do? Two things struck me, tell no one and get legal assistance. I can keep my mouth shut but legal assistance would have to wait. I couldn’t skip school, which was out of the question; perhaps I could get an appointment for after school. I was noticeably distracted through my morning classes, Fiona asked if I was alright. My explanation was that I was thinking about a new project. During lunch break; I called father’s attorney, as it happened he was in the reception area when I called for an appointment and overheard my call. We had met before, we were in the same foursome at a charity golf tournament earlier in the year, and he remembered me; he overrode the receptionist and granted me an appointment that afternoon.

AT 4:15 I showed up for the appointment still in my school blazer and tie. The receptionist gave me a sour look but the attorney greeted me warmly and invited me into his office. We exchanged pleasantries; then I explained why I was there.

“Have you signed the back of the ticket?” he asked as he offered a pen.

After signing it, he asked how I acquired it and may he look at it. I explained my mistake at the store and passed the ticket to him.

After examining the ticket and checking his computer, he said “Protect this ticket well, it could well be worth as much as $250 to $300 million dollars after taxes. May we be of service to you?”

I told him that I didn’t have a clue as to what I was supposed to do, what’s why I was here. He made a photo copy of the ticket and told me that the fewer people that knew about the ticket, the better. He said that they would have to make inquiries to certify that the ticket was valid, a formality. He continued that he would assign an established lawyer as a team leader and an accountant. He took my contact information and said that he would text me on Monday or Tuesday. We shook hands and I left.

Dinner that night was with Mom and the housekeeper, Dad was working, so I didn’t mention the ticket.

Fiona and I hung out most of that weekend, the school dynamics didn’t promote a dating scene, about half of the students were internationals and lived on campus in dorms; the remaining day students commuted from the surrounding counties. We did the mall, met up with some school friends, practiced for the Winter Music Concert and did the ever-present homework. This was pretty much our usual weekend activities. Fiona stopped asking about what was bothering me after I asked her to stop. I told her that I was in an unusual situation and was unsure of myself and needed time to think it over.

Monday I received a text asking if I could return to the lawyer’s office on Tuesday at 4PM. DUH! Of course.

Tuesday afternoon I met with my project leader a Mr. David Compton, mid 30’s, and my accountant a Mr. Swartz, much older. They had prepared a will for me naming my parents as beneficiaries, just in case. Then they were prepared to set things up to change my ‘official’ residence to a distant county to protect my privacy; also to set up new bank accounts and to create a holding company. Understanding my situation, they arraigned for my out of pocket expenses to be minimal; also their services would be billed based on an hourly rate. Their services and expenses would be paid after I received my winnings. They also were preparing to consult a financial adviser and to hire a personal assistant for me, someone to take care of my business needs, do research and run errands for me while I’m at school. They would be sending me daily reports by email and I would have to come in occasionally to sign paperwork.

The weeks went on, an investment strategy was proposed; two properties that I was interest in were researched, as well as renting office space. I had my assistant, Linda Esposito, a sharp middle aged woman; who had answers for all of my questions and for some that I didn’t ask. Fiona and I spent the evenings and weekends together, as usual.

Time was beginning to become an issue; I withdrew from the school’s Cross Country Team. The two after school activities that I continued were the Golf Team and the Chamber Orchestra.

Three weeks after the drawing, on a Friday, I scheduled a day off from school and accompanied my lawyer to the Lottery Commission in Tallahassee to redeem the ticket. Everything was in order, so here weren’t any problems and the winnings were to be deposited in my account.

The following Friday, Fiona as well as other people continued to comment on my behavior, I passed it off as dealing with personal issues that I was working out. Fiona pressed harder than anyone; it was a week before her eighteenth birthday, I still hadn’t confided with any friends or family about my winnings.

“Fiona, something has happened, and my whole life has changed but I can’t share it with anyone, yet.”

“Jason, are you gay or something like that?”

“Thankfully not, but this may concern both of us. No questions now, please, this is a heads up; next week is your birthday, you’ll be eighteen. A couple of days after that I’m going to ask you if you would be interested to consider spending the rest of your life with me. It won’t be a proposal, more like a feeler, just something to think about.”

Fiona gave me an inscrutable look and whispered “Like get married at some point… OK.”

The following Monday, the funds had been deposited and were available. It triggered a flurry of activity; invoices to be paid, securities to be purchased, properties and a car to buy and an interior designer to hire.

It was another busy week at school, plus time with Fiona. The purchase of a new three bedroom house located in a development between home and school, it was convenient for me and an ideal place for Linda to work out of, also, I got delivery on a new Mercedes-Benz SLK-350 under my company’s name ‘Blue Horizons 95’.

That Saturday Fiona pulled me aside at her birthday party and asked if I was going to ask her the question.

“Not now, there are too many people around us; Monday after classes, before concert rehearsal. I promise.”

“K” she answered skeptically.

Sunday, she had family obligations; we had to settle for a phone call that evening.

Monday afternoon we were sitting outside of the rehearsal hall.

“OK, let’s hear it,” she started.

“It’s as simple as this; Are you open to the idea of a possible marriage to me or is it completely out of the question, an absolute ‘NO!’?”

“I have too many questions I need answers for. It’s not a ‘NO!’.”

“Thank you. You’re the only girl I’ve really got to know and I sincerely believe that we could make it work. We both realize that you can change your mind and say no up until the last moment.”

“Ya I know, but when are you going to explain yourself?”

“OK, you absolutely can’t share this with anyone, I haven’t even told my parents yet. I’m planning on waiting until Christmas to tell them.”

“So get on with it, what’s this big secret?”

“Fiona, I’ve won over $250 million dollars. I have my own company, lawyers, accountants, an investment team, a personal assistant, a three bedroom house nearby and a super cool Mercedes-Benz SLK-350.”

“What? How? When?”

“About six weeks ago, Gram asked me to pick up her lottery numbers for her. I messed up, bought numbers for the wrong game. I had to go back and get the number for the game that she wanted. I gave Gram the ticket she asked for and kept the other, it was the big winner. My life has been in a whirlwind ever since.”

“We’ve got rehearsal now; can we continue this conversation tonight?”

“Not tonight, I’ve got a load of emails to respond to as well as homework.” I showed her the email inbox on my phone. “How about tomorrow after school? There really isn’t a rush, you know.”

“OK, you’ve really got me thinking; so long as this isn’t some kind of prank.”

“Fiona, I think you know me better that that.”

That night Linda sent me an email that the offer on the 17,000 sq. ft. Manor House, sitting in the middle of ten lakefront acres, up the street from my parents house, which had been up for sale for over a year, was accepted and that we had access.

I responded that I would like to have a personal tour of the property tomorrow afternoon, if possible.

Tuesday, Linda texted me, while I was at school, that she and the realtor would be at the Manor House this afternoon; park your car in the garage.

After school, “Hey, wanta follow me half way home we can park at my new house and change cars so that I can show you a real surprise.”

“Jason, you’re so full of surprises. I’m only going along for the ride, no commitment, you know,” she laughed.

We parked at House One, switched to the Mercedes SLK and continued on.

I drove back to the community that we had lived in for the past ten years; through the highway gate to the end of the entrance road, made a left and a right into the Manors House’s drive and into a garage.

“Welcome to my new life or it could be our new life. Get out of the car you’re about to meet my assistant.”

Linda approached the car. “Mr. Edwards.”

I rolled my eyes, “It’s still Jason, Linda. Fiona, my assistant Linda Esposito; Linda, this is a very special friend of mine Miss Fiona MacDonell.”

The house tour went well; Linda mentioned that we needed to get the interior designer/decorator in here as soon as possible, we have an on option on the furniture remaining in the house and if the inspections go well and the title is clear; we could close in two to three weeks. Fiona took it all in, the situation was surreal

.

On the way back to House One Fiona asked, “Jason, how can you ask me about marriage when we have never been intimate? I know, we did kiss that once years ago, that was an experiment, there weren’t any feelings in it.”

“We hold hands when we walk through the mall, which means a lot to me. I figure there’s lots of time between now and ‘if’ to develop that kind of intimacy.”

She looked at her watch, “Get me back to my car, I’m late and Momma’s going to be asking questions. Can we go to the Mercedes House tomorrow after rehearsal?”

“As you wish, princess. Linda will probably be there.”

“Don’t you dare call me Buttercup cause I’ll beat you to a pulp.”

“That would put a damper on my offer.”

“You betcha bub,” trying her best to sound like John Wayne.

Wednesday after school, we arrived at the Mercedes House; I liked the sound of that, much better than House One. Linda had to leave early, family problems.

“This is so creepy; we’ve never been so alone together in an empty house… Jason, hold me.”

Fiona was right it was creepy; the house was clean, well presented, and so quiet that it was eerie. The house was partially furnished; two desks, a table and a few chairs in the living room, four stools and a Keurig at the kitchen island, and two recliners, a sofa, a coffee table and a television in the master bedroom, the other two bedrooms were empty. I was holding Fiona; I could sense her body against mine. Nirvana! “Fiona” She looked up at me. I kissed her gently on the lips. “I’ve loved you for years and was ever afraid to say anything.”

“It’s about time; I’d almost given up on you.” She returned the kiss, pressing harder.

The ice was broken, barriers were falling; this was a giant leap in our relationship. My head was spinning; what had started out as a hypothetical situation was gelling into a real situation.

Thursday began Fall Break, six days off from school. Yeah, no school; we had reports and papers to be written as well as readings to do. We stopped at the Mercedes House early the next day; Linda was there, she had a ton of questions for me. “Linda, before we get into that, I have made an executive decision; I need a vice-president and adviser in my company and Ms. MacDonell is my first and only choice for the position, if that’s alright with you, Ms. MacDonell.” Fiona was completely taken aback by the proposal, but nodded in agreement.

Linda said that she would make the arrangements and have the paperwork the next day. Then we moved on to the business at hand. Fiona and I slipped back to a master bedroom/lounge for a little ‘us’ time. We left the door open and snuggled into a large recliner, Linda called back questions occasionally. Finally, we had to work on our school projects.

Friday, Linda had the paperwork for Fiona’s new position. It was agreed that Linda would assist both Fiona and me, since her work load was relatively light. We discussed the days business, got some ‘us’ time, then I had a dental appointment to go to.

Saturday and Sunday we were either at Fiona’s house or mine doing school work and discussing ‘what ifs’; we also managed to get to the Mercedes House for some ‘us’ time on both days.

Monday morning Fiona called me early, said that she had errands to run and would meet me at the Mercedes House as soon as she could. Linda greeted me with “Where’s Fiona?” I told her that she would arrive later. Linda told me to get comfortable, we had to talk. I was about to panic when she said “Relax, this is about me getting background information on Fiona.” I told her how we grew up together and how we were a team, a platonic relationship up until last week. I also told her how I felt about Fiona and how unsure I was about asking about a permanent relationship for the fear of rejection. Linda reassured me that I had unreasonable fears and she was fairly certain that Fiona felt the same for me. Fiona showed up later with lunch for all of us, so we had an eat-in meeting.

On Tuesday morning, we discussed the hiring a housekeeper and a property manager. Later, Fiona and I were discussing a possible engagement at Christmas, June wedding, summer in Europe, an extra year at home, continuing our studies locally and then the tough one, getting accepted to the same college; Linda listened in but didn’t make any comments.

Tuesday afternoon we discussed our plan to marry, with my lawyer. He went over the plusses and minuses, as he saw them; and advised us that he was personally against it, wait a few years. Linda on the other hand accepted the ideas we had proposed and went so far as to suggest meeting with a marriage councilor for pre-marriage counseling. We agreed that would be a reasonable thing to do, Linda would set up the appointments for us.

Things picked up their pace; school, the houses, hiring interviews, investments and a decorator. We started to receive shipments of gold coins and needed a secure place to store them. Fiona and I rented a security box at a local bank, while Linda looked into having a jeweler’s safe installed in the Manor House. Also, we were having meetings with the decorator; selecting colors, styles, fabrics, furniture, and all of the details in decorating the two houses. Thank God for Fiona’s and Linda’s help. Since the interior of the Manor House was in usable condition only minor work would be done in the winter and spring; all major work would be postponed until next summer while we were away. Also, furniture, linens, kitchen ware, and household supplies needed to be purchased.