Raising My Neighbor

By Hartckely

File Size: 578 KB

Print Length: 121 pages

Publication Date: December 26, 2016

Language: English

• Language: English
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Release date: Dec 28, 2016
• ISBN: 9781492710059

Book preview

Sometimes we make decisions that result to consequences. Sometimes circumstances leave us no choice but to give up someone whom we treasure the most. But that should not stop us from seeking whatever it is that will make us truly happy. Each of us deserves to find happiness. I believe in second chances and in chasing after one's dreams...and most of all, I believe in happy endings.

This book is dedicated to every individual who never gives up on searching for true happiness; to each man and woman who is willing to fight for love despite all the trials that get in the way.

Enjoy reading!

Hartckely™

Strictly Business!

Last night shouldn’t have happened. We have to keep in mind that I am your guardian and you are my ward; that I am your boss and you are my staff. It should be that way from now on. 

Upon hearing his words, Tanya turned around and walked towards him. "From what I recall, I've been trying to make you realize that that's how things should be. I never offered myself to you. Nevertheless, I would keep that in mind. But I expect you to refrain from making advances towards me as well." With that she left the room.

Prologue

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The young girl sat silently on the chair, staring at the two coffins in front of her. Her mind seemed to drift to the unknown. She still could not believe that both her parents were gone. She was now alone, with nobody to turn to except her old aunt.

Mommy, Daddy, why did you both have to go and leave me? She asked in grief, her tears failed to fall but her heart ached with longing for her parents.

Andrew and Julia Preston were on their way to work that fateful morning when their car was hit by a speeding trailer truck that went out of control. They were both rushed to the hospital by people who witnessed the accident, but unfortunately the couple were both declared dead on arrival although the doctors did what they could in order to save them. The injuries they sustained were so severe that it led to their death.

Among the witnesses to the scene was their ten-year old daughter Tanya, who was in shock after seeing how her parents' car was crushed by a sixteen-wheeler truck that was carrying tons of cargo during that time. It was a head on collision and the impact was so strong that not only her parents died; the 18-year-old truck driver and his companion were killed on the spot as well.

Tanya? Why don't you go and get some sleep, honey? Leila Preston urged her niece. The child hadn't eaten anything and aside from that, she had been awake for more than twenty-four hours already, refusing to leave her parents' side.

I'm not sleepy. The girl replied in a barely audible voice.

How about something to eat? Do you want me to get some cookies for you?

I'm not hungry.

Oh honey, you should eat and get some rest or you'll get sick.

I don't care; I want my mommy and daddy! Tanya exclaimed then burst into tears.

Leila's heart went out to her. Her niece became an orphan at a very young age and what worried Leila even more was the fact that she herself was suffering from a heart ailment which might take her life anytime soon.

Not long after her parents' funeral, Tanya withdrew herself from the world. The school principal informed Leila that her niece was often seen by her classmates sitting at a bench in the school yard near the walkway for long hours instead of attending her classes. Eventually, she stopped going to school and kept herself locked inside her room most of the time. Tanya's behavior worried Leila that she decided to sell her house and move to another state where they could have a fresh start. She hoped that with a new environment, Tanya would be able to adjust herself and recover from the trauma that she experienced because of the tragedy.

It's been two days since Aidan Campbell went to France to visit his mother in Vaucresson. He'd been trying to convince her to go back to the United States and live with him in his Colorado residence but the elder woman refused his offer; instead, she insisted that she preferred to stay in her spacious house which she and her husband Jude – Aidan's father – acquired when they decided to settle in France for good. Five years ago, the couple decided to look for a prospective location where they could put up a branch of their family business. And when they found one, they decided to try life outside U.S.

Don’t worry about me, Aidan, I'm perfectly fine. And besides, I love it here. You can come over for regular visits though. You may bring your girl friend with you if you want. Martha Campbell said, winking at her son.

Mom, you know very well that I don’t have anyone to bring over."

Why? I think it's time for you to find someone whom you will marry.

I'm fine with the way things are. He replied, recalling those times when he slept with different women whom he would take with him to his Paris apartment shortly after he arrived from his visits to his mother. Most of these women were models; some were siblings of friends whom he met while hanging out with his peers.

You're not getting any younger, Aidan.

Mother, I'm only twenty-two years old.

I would like to have a grandchild soon. He didn’t answer. He didn’t want responsibility.

Chapter 1

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Chicago, Illinois. One year later...

His new neighbors just moved in: a woman, probably in her mid-sixties and her niece. Aidan noticed the young girl right away. She was sitting on a bench at their porch with a book on her hand. Her dark hair was loosely hanging over her bare shoulders, which were exposed by the floral sundress that she was wearing. She seemed to be engrossed with the book that she was reading.

She's a beauty despite her young age. How old was she? Thirteen? Fourteen? Her young body promised a full ripe figure when she matured into a woman and not even he could ignore that fact. She would definitely break many boys' hearts when she grew up.

As if sensing that someone was watching her, the girl lifted her head and glanced at his direction. He smiled at her but she seemed to be hesitant to smile back at him so he decided to walk towards her.

Hi. My name is Aidan. I live just across the street. What's your name?

Tanya. The girl answered shyly.

Nice to meet you, Tanya. How old are you?

I'm eleven. Tanya replied timidly.

Aidan smiled. I'm twenty-three...What's that you're reading? He asked, pointing at the book lying on the girl's lap.

Oh, this? It's about migratory birds.

Ah, you're fond of birds?

Not really. I just happen to find this interesting. She explained.

I see...Listen, if you need anything, just give me a yell, okay? He said and Tanya nodded in response.

I'll see you around, Tanya. Have a great day. He winked, turned around and headed back toward his house.

Leila Preston saw the young man approach her niece. She was about to go out but when she saw him talking to Tanya and the young girl talking back, she paused and watched as the two engaged in a casual conversation. She was careful not to let Tanya know that she was there, for her niece would surely turn to her the moment she sensed that she was around and would leave the poor visitor without excusing herself.

She was worried about Tanya. Since the tragic event, the young girl was shattered; she became evasive to everyone except her aunt. She stopped going to school, refused to play with her friends and preferred to stay inside her room all day.

That's the reason why Leila decided to move to another place to give Tanya a chance to heal, hoping that a new surrounding would help in the girl's emotional and psychological recovery.

Who's that handsome young man, sweetie? She asked as she joined her on the porch.

Since the tragedy, Tanya became aloof to young boys; after discovering that the truck driver who hit her parents' car happened to be a boy only a few years older than her.

Oh, he said he's our neighbor, Aunt Leila. He introduced himself as Aidan. He told me he lived just across the street.  He said that if we happened to need anything, all we have to do is yell and he'll come over.  Tanya explained; her face devoid of expression.

Oh, really? Well, that's nice of him. It's a good thing to know we can turn to somebody for help, dearie; considering the fact that we are both girls. Leila silently commented, referring to the time when her niece would have to run for help because of her.

She noticed that Tanya conversed with Aidan as if they'd known each other for a long time. That was a good sign, since normally, Tanya would run to her whenever a member of the opposite sex would approach her for whatever reason.

I guess so, Aunt Leila.

Now, you go ahead and continue reading that book of yours while I prepare our dinner. Maybe we can give some of the apple pie I'm baking to our new neighbor ... what did you say his name was?

He said it’s Aidan, Aunt Leila.