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“You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.”
― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
It was a cloudy and hazy day, the sun was hiding behind the clouds, giving a dark look to the city, even if it was 4:30 p.m. on an August afternoon.
Many people were present in the backyard of St. Louis Cathedral which is located in the French area of New Orleans, Louisiana. Well-dressed, elegant people, men wearing their top hats, bowler hats, overpriced ties, and bows, long, short and long coats, women with huge hats, corsets, and feathered scarves, gloves of delicate fabric and their faces well made up; a dark carriage carried by a brown horse stopped in front of the sidewalk facing the fence of the cathedral. A dark-skinned man, with straight tousled hair, gets off the carriage hurriedly carrying a hat box with one hand and a cane with the other.
- Hey, be more careful back there, these things are expensive! - said the carriage driver as he felt the carriage shake.
A stout, short man by the name of Pickwick Hoblings stood in the crowd at the cathedral and looked over to where the carriage was. With a smile on his face approached the man who was hurrying along with the hatbox. “Randall Crump, my friend! Long time no see, mate. They've been waiting for you, a good husband can't be without his hat," said Pickwick standing in front of Randall, they seemed to be very good friends, old friends.
"Sir. Pickwick, I am very sorry for the delay, I would have arrived earlier, but I had some difficulties on the way. Tell me, where is Sir. Hightower?” Randall asked.
“He is on the other side of the church, let me take you to him. Say, you're looking very smart today Randall, there's nothing to stop you from seeing Constance, isn't it?" said Pickwick, putting his hand on Randall's back.
“Oh! Stop saying such ridiculous things, I always try to look as presentable as possible. Besides it's Constance's wedding, I could never try to ruin the best moment for her and her respectable husband.” Randall replied indignantly.
“I wouldn't say that special, I understand this is her fifth marriage. She always ends up a widow, no one knows how she has such bad luck with her men, I might even say it's slightly suspicious, it's not like I know that much. But what I do know is that you are not invited to her wedding.” Pickwick was a very dedicated investigator, as he was the one who was under the investigation of the famous New Orleans axeman, but he had become obsessed with one specific case, the mystery of Gracey Manor. ”Look on the bright side, if this one dies too, you might be next groom.” He said in a mocking tone.
“How dare you say such a thing? You must be out of your mind if you think I will marry her, all her men have been respectable men of great wealth. Besides, marriage is not about love, it's about family arrangements, about convenience," Randall said grumbling, because at that time it was what was normally believed about marriage, especially when it came to upper-class people, Randall had been a very educated and open person all his life, but because of his social class, he was forced to opt for the closed ideas that society had in order to be accepted.
“Until death do us part, right" Pickwick replied.
“AGH!" Randall squeezed his eyes tightly shut, "HIGHTOWER! Pardon me for being so rude, Sir Pickwick, but I must deliver this hat to Master Hightower before it's time for the ceremony starts” Randall rushed off, knocking Pickwick off his feet, then Pickwick turns as well. “Randall! It's the other way!!” Randall runs back the other way “Come on, I'll take you to him!” exclaims Pickwick.
Pickwick and Randall walked all along the edge of the outside of the cathedral; Randall was swallowing saliva as he got closer and closer to the chapel where Hightower, George Hightower, was getting ready. He knew well that this man was to marry Constance Hatchaway, a wealthy and powerful man from a family of businessmen. Hightower had just opened his 'Hollywood Tower Hotel', a chain of hotels in California that had opened its doors to rich families. George Hightower had not been the first in his family to open one, his great uncle, Harrison Hightower II had opened his hotel in New York last century, the famous "Hightower Hotel".
“Well Randall, so much for the tour,” Randall said as he stopped in front of a chapel, a white door, and a small dark mirror on top of the wooden trim; Randall gave three light knocks on the door. “What are you doing?” Pickwick whispers.
Hightower opens the door, annoyance is visible from afar on his face. “Half an hour! You're half an hour late, hatter! That's the last time I let this Constance woman recommend cheap bargains.” He exclaimed angrily.
“My sincerest apologies, Sir. Hightower, I could have arrived earlier, but I had a rather large complication on the way. Has Constance told you about my business? She's been one of the most popular customers in my business, you see....”
“ Well, I don't care about that!” Hightower snatches the hat box out of Randall's hands and, after placing it on a small table, turns to look at him. “What's the matter, did you lose something? Get lost, I don't want to see you in front of my face anymore," Hightower slams the door in Randall's face.
“I understand... Excuse me." Randall shrugs and turns around to walk back to his chariot. “Come on buddy, this isn't the end of the world, how about I buy you a drink at the Blue Bayou when this is all over? It's a promise” Pickwick puts a hand on Randall's left shoulder, trying to cheer him up.
“Thank you, Sir. Pickwick, I'm all right, it's not necessary. A sick man like me can't expose himself to alcohol anyway but thank you very much again. Enjoy the wedding.” Randall speaks as he walks away from Pickwick slowly.
Pickwick grimaces as he watches him walk ”You really never know with this walking flag of distress, oh, the beautiful old New Orleans.” Pickwick says to himself as he pulls out his cigar.
*
The harmonious music of the cathedral orchestra's organ let its sweet melody flow as the wedding march played, the paintings of Christ with his apostles and angels decorating the ceiling, from which hung beautiful gold and diamond chandeliers. On the altar were three statues sculpted as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, with a crucifix in the center. Everything was beautifully adorned with white, yellow, and pink roses and peonies. In front of the altar stood Hightower with folded hands, while the father was holding his bible with a sincere and sweet smile.
The guests rose to their feet just as the cathedral door could be heard opening. A female figure in a huge, beautiful wedding gown began to walk on the center carpet. Who else could it be but Constance? Hightower looked at her smugly as she approached the altar. Once she reaches the altar, the father stands in front of them, the music stops and the guests sit quietly.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered in the presence of the Lord to witness the union of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage were established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this way of life with his presence and the first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and the church, and holy scripture recommends that it be honored among all people. In this union, Sir Hightower and Constance Hatchaway now become one." As the priest spoke, Hightower turned to look at Constance, but she was still staring straight ahead, without a soul in her eyes. “If any of you can show why you cannot marry in this house of God, let him speak now, or forever hold his peace.” The father's words could be heard outside the cathedral windows, it was what Randall could be hearing as he climbed into his carriage, looking blue at the view, he puts on his top hat and sits inside the carriage.
Minutes later, everyone is at the entrance of the cathedral, throwing rice at Constance and Hightower as they leave the church, newlyweds, it was a beautiful day for the couple. In the middle of the street a beautiful white carriage was waiting for them, which had two beautiful horses tied to it, which had "just married" written on it. - "I can't wait to live with you in your huge house, gorgeous," said Hightower as he got into the carriage with Constance.
*
That same evening, Constance and Hightower's marriage celebration was to be held in their grand mansion, a white house with Greco-Renaissance architecture combined with a touch of Second Empire; a dome, four huge pillars at the main entrance, full of ornaments and flowers. Servants were seen attending to guests arriving in carriages and carriages, parked outside the main courtyard which was enormous. Inside the ballroom of the mansion the guests were enjoying the party, they were showing off their costumes and dresses as they danced to the rhythm of the waltz that was being played on the organ, which was at the other end of the ballroom, where a male figure, wearing a dark cloak and a top hat, was playing it, playing different pieces of music.
People were laughing and having fun, drinking, and eating slices of the wedding cake. Even Pickwick was drunkenly hanging from one of the chandeliers, holding onto one of the candle holders with his umbrella. Amidst all the laughter and dancing, one of the dancing guests trips over a round object, as soon as he falls to the floor, he notices it is wet, so he looks over to find out what it was that made him slip, but instead of an expression of anger or confusion, there was a look of terror, like that of a child seeing an insect. Only instead of an insect, what he had stumbled upon was nothing more than Hightower's decapitated head, with his swollen eyes filled with veins that no longer managed to flow blood.
Everyone panics, many people fall down to the floor. Many desperately tried to open the door. it was difficult to hear between the screams and cry of the people, the fun that was once there had become a nightmare from which you can not escape. Constance escapes from the scene of the crime with her bloody axe in her hands, running through the corridors of the mansion in a strange way, as if something had hurt her or made her dizzy, her face looked pale, but evil was what was in her look. She stops to go up the stairs leading to the attic, but as she goes up, Randall is there, all his clothes and skin wet.
“Constance, I…” He stands motionless. Her wedding dress ruined by the blood of her now deceased groom, her face is one of terror as if something had shocked her, so she runs into Randall's arms, and just as their bodies cross, Randall's gaze is somewhat melancholy, but at the same time satisfied, at that, they fall to the floor, bodies without a soul to count on.
The ballroom floor, filled with the bodies that were once laughing and living together, a room with eight walls in which the corpse of a plumb man lay lifeless in the center of the floor, all of that taken into account, a scrawny elderly, white-haired, but well-dressed man exits, closing both main doors of that white luxurious mansion.
Chapter 01 - Memento Mori
Nueva Orleans, Louisiana - 1901
Inside a small building, about the size of the living room of a large house, the floor, walls and ceiling were made of old wood. Inside that store there were several shelves with books full of dust, jars, and symbols that only certain researchers could recognize, Voodoo, Hoodo objects, among others, because that was not something to be afraid of, they really did not represent anything bad, only the ignorance of the subject is who could be afraid of them.
In the center of the place was a young romani woman, no more than 26 years old, named Leota, Madame Leota, the only name that would correspond to the advertisements around her.
“Madame Leota
Knows and sees all!
Spirits and phantoms
will answer her call!
—---------------------------
Medium and Fortuneteller.”
That was what their advertisements said, which could be found in the street everywhere, as well as inside their shop; Leota was sitting on a dark wooden chair. In front of her there was a round and medium size table, which had a crystal sphere in the center, four candles in each corner of the table, and an old hardcover book, which had "mantr" written on it. At the other end of the center was a middle-aged man, sitting in a chair, smaller than Leota's, because that was the chair that was used to be given to the clients, the man looked frustrated; Leota extended her left hand, approaching him, she suddenly shook it, making a box of tarot cards appear.
“Do not fear the unknown, but the known. Tarot cards allow me to see through the afterlife to communicate with the spirits who have left us in the mortal realm, as well as those who have never visited it. But first, you have to tell me what my service can offer you?“ Said the Madame holding a fixed gaze with the man.
“Madame, you have to help me, please, these voices, these faces that I have..." The man said in a regretful way as if he was being blamed for a crime.
“Silence! I feel the presence of someone else accompanying us in this room” exclaimed Leota in a loud voice as she closed her eyes, grasping the man's hand tightly. “Spirits from regions beyond, through the deities of our ancestors, communicate with me, who is it that has dared to search the world of the living, the reality of the mortal?” The man stared in terror at Leota as she spoke. The candles begin to flicker and the lights fade, leaving the place darker. “I see a man.” Leota spoke with a blank stare in the air. “Bruno.” Leota turns her gaze to the man.
“You had a brother named Bruno, didn't you?” Leota asks. “Yes, yes! My little brother Bruno. He passed away last autumn," says the man in an anguished manner, "Stop. You feel guilt, thoughts that drown you in something you can't control, but he is here with us, trying to communicate from the beyond, and being so, his soul will not rest until yours does. Therefore, I will lend my body to be an inhabitant of his." Leota slightly disengages from her seat, lifting her chest into the air and raising her head, she sits back down and looks into the individual's eyes.
“Leone, Leone. Brother.” Leota says to the man with a melancholy and tender look, taking the gentleman's face.
“Bruno! Brunito! My brother, forgive me, forgive me for everything I did, tell me what I have to do to compensate you for everything I have done.” The man sobbed as he spoke, it was difficult to understand him between the moans he made as he sighed. “Leone, don't look anymore at what you have done, for that has already been marked in your life, nothing will be able to bring me back to the body, but my soul will always be with you loving you, taking care of you, and protecting you. Do not blame yourself anymore, for this was only part of my destiny, do not call yourself a murderer, for this was my decision." Leota let herself fall into her chair as if she had been thrown, closing her eyes as if she was not aware of what was happening around her. The man looked at her, his face was priceless, and his eyes looked like those of a newborn discovering the world.
“Leota wakes up.” Bruno," said the man with his voice cut off. “Bruno has left my body, but he didn't want to leave us, no, not before giving you his message, the message that will make his soul rest to enter the realm of the dead. Can you feel it?” Leota under the cloth of her table opens a small cage, letting out a black raven, which moved so stealthily that it did not cause even the slightest noise. The raven climbs onto Leone's chair, and with its beak, grazes his pants, pulling out his wallet. “I CAN FEEL IT! I CAN FEEL BRUNO! HE'S HERE!” Leone lets out a couple of tears, opens his mouth in excitement and gets up to give the Madame a hug, broken down in tears. “You are a miracle from God, Madame. Bruno is here.”
“Spirits of regions beyond, we are grateful to the beyond, give us the sign for the welfare and peace of this gentleman.” Leota with her leg touches the table twice. “The spirits have left us, declaring today's session over.” Leota closes her book and covers her crystal sphere. “That will be five dollars.” Leota holds out her hand for the gentleman to pay her. “Five dollars!? This is robbery, you didn't even use the cards! Are you out of your mind?” Edgar exclaims with a frown. “Five more for handling the tarot for her luck," Leota comments to him in a peaceful manner. “I'll give him three dollars and I'll leave it at that. I'm not easily sold, good day Madame!" the man rises from his seat in an offended manner, leaving the money on the table and walking out the door. “Hurry back! May the wisdom of the spirits be with you!“ Leota watches the man leave with a smile.
The raven comes out from under the tablecloth, holding Leone's wallet in its beak, dropping it into Leota's hand, and standing over her left shoulder. “Excellent work, Lenore. You're mommy's good boy.” Lenore, that was the name Leota had given her pet crow, the crow she used to scam customers out of their profits.
*
That same morning, in the French quarter of New Orleans, on Decatur Street, an elegant carriage, doors decorated with gold trim, windows tinted and clean, the front and rear of the carriage bore the Gracey family crest painted in metallic silver paint. The coachman stops the horses leading the carriage in front of the "Du Monde Mail Order" café. The coachman gets out and opens the cab door. Two legs are seen descending the steps of the carriage, the legs of a well-dressed man in gabardine pants and shiny black shoes. Once he finishes descending, two men approach him to greet him, a stout mustachioed man of short stature and his thin, tall, but equally mustachioed brother, both wore round glasses and dressed formally, what else was to be expected, for they were the Fenner brothers, the best qualified real estate agents in all of Louisiana; both greeted him with excitement as if he were a royalty figure.
“You must be the Fenner brothers, it is such an honor to meet you after all this time, it is a pleasure to do business with you. They tell me you are excellent at your job.” The man bows halfway to greet them, taking off a top hat he was wearing.
“Please, sir, the honor is all ours to do business with someone of your caliber. Welcome to Louisiana.” Henry Fenner, the stalwart brother, shakes his hand as he greets the man. That same man. A charismatic man with a tender, warm gaze, 180 cm tall, skin whiter than snow, dark hair, and an elongated but delicate face, his eyelashes made his bright greenish blue eyes stand out, his dark brown hair wavy and long down to his neck. He wore an impeccable white shirt, followed by a green vest and a long black cotton jacket. His name was Sir Edward William Gracey.
“Please, just call me Gracey.”
“Sir. Gracey, please join us for a cup of tea, we have a thousand ideas for you," says Henry Fenner, putting his hand on Gracey's back as he walks with him to the café.
“Getting a residence on the same level as you is very complicated, you have to be very cautious and determined to acquire one. For that you need experts.” Harvey Fenner explains to him. “And for your luck, here we are. Mhh Mhh Mhh” Henry interrupts, letting out a little chuckle.
Once they are seated inside the café, Henry and Gracey are talking seriously about the purchase, while Harvey is asking a waitress for his order, but when he finishes, he speaks to Gracey. “I imagine the whole trip must have worn you out, traveling for so many days on a cruise ship, but you have nothing to worry about, the good thing is that you will soon be able to rest in your new home before you finish saying "Home". So, Sir Gracey. While we're over here, why don't you tell us what exactly it is that you dream of?”
“Ever since I was a kid I had always thought of honoring my family name, my father passed away when I was little. Thankfully, I will be able to inherit my father's fortune. He told me to get away from New York, to never go back there, no matter what, but to hold my family names up high with pride. So I decided to come to the place where souls are free, where music and spirit heal the body and mind." Gracey says each word as if he is describing a beautiful dream that had him out of this world.
“You never know what could happen in one of them, even a trip could change your life, give you an unexpected twist, even....” He turns to his left, looking at a painting that had caught his eye, a painting which had painted a white mansion house with 19th-century architecture, with people smiling and living together, the house full of flowers and exotic animals. Gracey points to the painting with his finger and a smile, continuing his talk. “But a mansion like that, let me tell you, gentlemen, the house is what represents the man, but where exactly are we going with this? Is it the structure that makes the person valuable? Or is it the history of the house that gives it value?”
Harvey doesn't know what to answer, so he looks at him with an indiscreet smile.”Forgive me, sir, but I didn't understand anything you said.”
Gracey gets up from her seat and walks towards the painting slowly until he holds the painting in his hands: "This house, I don't know what it is about it, but it makes me feel warm when I see it, the joy, the sincerity it represents, this is what my father would have wanted. A house as old as that one becomes, with time, something alive. It begins to hold on to things… holding on to life when they shouldn't be. A place where souls come and go.” Gracey stands admiring the painting of the house, you might even say he was flirting with a damsel. “I want this one.”
“If I may intervene, Sir Gracey, that house belonged to a former pirate captain, Captain Gore. No one has lived there for over a hundred years, no one has dared to enter. If you like, I could show you a list of more modern and available houses that could convey the same to you. One of those has a swimming pool included” Harvey gets up from his seat, going after Gracey. “Then I'll be the first person to do it. I'm buying it," Gracey turns to Harvey with a determined look on his face. “I forbid myself to sell this property to you without you being able to justify a fixed reason for the purchase. This home is not so easy to sell, you have much more value than that!” Firmly Harvey stands in front of Gracey, marking his word.
“Well, that's a shame, gentlemen. I'm thinking of something that would change your mind.” A man carrying a briefcase enters the door of the café, wearing a green coat and a purple vest. Gilbert, it was one of the personal servants who had accompanied Gracey the entire trip. Gilbert places the briefcase on the table, and upon opening it, finds the inside filled with money, $5,000 dollars. Both Fenner brothers had to hold their glasses up high, not believing what they were seeing; Harvey immediately turns to Gracey with a huge grin that reached from ear to ear.
“It seems to me that this has been an excellent purchase Sir Gracey, I am very sure that you will love living in this place, not all people can afford a luxury like yours, this mansion consists of 37 rooms, a very spacious penthouse, and a beautiful view. Would you like to come to our office to sign the papers?”
*
Hours after signing the purchase papers, Harvey Fenner found himself and Gracey in front of a huge gate, old and rusty, its bars had sharp points and both gates had a "G" molded with gold on the front; but far from that gate an old and abandoned mansion could be seen in the distance, its shape was barely noticeable. Broken windows, fallen paint, a dome with part of the roof destroyed, a windbreak in the shape of a sailboat, four huge pillars at the main entrance, covered by weeds and plants that had taken over the place, it was in such a bad state that it looked more like a dump than a home.
“I must thank you, Mr. Fenner, believe me I will take good care of this jewel of a place," said Gracey without taking his eyes off that mansion, which was already his property. “I owe my thanks to you for the purchase. Mr. Gracey. As you will see, this house is a kind of local treasure, people are intimidated to talk about this place.”
“Is that true? What's the reason for that? Is there something this place is holding out on me?” Gracey asks.
“The house you're looking at in front of you, sir, used to belong to a pirate captain from the time of the Battle of New Orleans. Captain Gore. Jean Laffite was the one who helped build this beauty, but sadly one day Gore died, as did his wife. No one knows how they died, some say he murdered his wife in that same mansion and then he ´off´ himself, others say he drowned at sea on one of his last expeditions, no one knows exactly what happened that time, but what they do know is that his remains were buried in that mansion.” Gracey had been amazed at such a story that Fenner had told him, for such things were not as common as one would think.
“A captain always sinks with his ship. I just hope he doesn't mind me going to sleep at his house. Will the ghost of a pirate come in the night and steal all my money?¨ Gracey jokes, trying to make the mood a little lighter.
¨...¨
Harvey turns his head towards Gracey with both eyebrows raised, at which he lets out a loud chuckle. ¨Oh, Mr. Gracey, you're a very nice boy, keep that personality. Take the keys to the mansion, enjoy it very much, it was nice doing business with you, see you soon!¨ Harvey grabs Gracey's hand and shakes it hard. ¨Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!¨Harvey walks off to his carriage laughing at what Gracey had said.
Once Gracey is alone, he takes the keys and eagerly slips one into the lock on the gate, opening it for the first time in almost 100 years. “tu as une magnifique maison, Captain Gore.” he says in a loud voice as if there were a person in front of him, rather, the captain. Gracey takes his first steps into the courtyard at the entrance to the mansion's courtyard, a huge yard with a couple of dead gardens, which were separated by a tiny pond, which had an unfinished bridge, and a dirt path leading from the gate to the front of the mansion. Gracey walks over the dead flowers of the garden, feeling a joy that could not be described, but shown by his body language, he felt peace and tranquility, every plant that brushed against his body, the croaking of the frogs, the chirping of the crickets, the air that gently blew over his face, all that made him feel one thing, he was home.
The creaking of the front door of the mansion as it opened was as loud as the cry of a little child, which made cockroaches and beetles run away, hiding in every corner of the rotten wood; Gracey enters through the door, finding himself in a dark room, the wood creaked untouched, the wallpaper was rotten and deteriorated. You could really see how the years had taken their toll on that beautiful house. Still, it didn't seem to affect Gracey, as he was still smiling to be in such a place, but that didn't stop him from coughing a couple of times as he prowled around the front room. In front of him was a dusty fireplace, with cobwebs everywhere and dust from the coal and wood that was once used back in the day. Above the fireplace was a painting with a gold frame, which was covered by a black blanket.
Gracey approaches the painting curiously and pulls back the blanket, revealing a portrait of a tall, strong, red-haired man with a clean-shaven beard, wearing an 18th century Oxford blue uniform, with a brown belt at his hip, which held a heavy cutlass sword. That man, the man portrayed in the painting Gracey so admired, was none other than Captain Bartholomew Gore. That was not all, next to the captain stood a slender woman with black hair and dark skin, who wore a huge purple dress and precious jewelry. Not much information was known about who this woman was, but they both held hands. He assumed it was the captain's wife. “ An honor to meet you, Captain.” Gracey whispers between his lips at the sight of the painting.
*clip-clop* *clip-clop*
The gallop of a horse is heard from far away until it stops. Gracey comes out of the mansion to check who that visitor was.
“Master Gracey!” An elderly woman's voice could be heard coming out of a dark carriage, which was standing in the courtyard at the entrance of the mansion. Gracey smiles, he recognized that voice more than well, it was Boris'; the maid who had served the Gracey family for more than 30 years, she was the one who had educated him during his childhood, who fed him, and who tucked him in every night before going to sleep. She was like another mother to him. “Master Gracey!” Boris says in a loud voice.
“Boris! ha! ha!” Gracey exclaims with joy and excitement at the sight of her.
Boris gets out of the carriage and runs happily and excitedly to Gracey, so he trots over to her to take her hand. As hardworking and dedicated as Boris was, her 52 years prevented him from making many sudden movements. -”Oh," Boris exclaims with a sigh as she embraces Gracey. “She's beautiful!”
“As I promised my father, this house will honor the Gracey family name," he turns to the mansion once again with a proud smile on his face.
“Well, Master. It's time for you to go relax at the hotel and get some sleep, after all, it was a long trip. Gilbert and I will take care of fixing up the mansion," Boris pats Gracey affectionately as she releases him. “But won't they want help hiring architects?” Gracey asks.
“Of course not! Before we left for the trip, we contacted the architects Mr. Davis and Mr. Coats, and we agreed that they would work on repairing and remodeling the mansion of your choice. The only thing you would have to do would be to supervise the work they are doing and the plans you have. I think I have your card here somewhere," Boris explains to Gracey excitedly as she reaches into her apron for a business card.
Gracey grabs Boris by the shoulders and exclaims happily, "This is why I love you, Boris! I don't know what I'd do without you, you've always done so much for me in life.” Boris blushes with sorrow and lets out a laugh of pleasure.
“Go on, now go, you're late for the hotel reservation. The architects will be here until tomorrow.”
“Excellent, Boris. A thousand thanks again. Are you sure you don't want me to book a room for you?” Gracey stops to ask before getting into the carriage.
“You're a real piece of bread. We'll stay here and sleep in the mansion, you don't worry, we'll be fine, see you tomorrow, Master Gracey.” While Boris is talking to Gracey, Gilbert gets out of the carriage, putting down his luggage, leaving his master's intact, and the moment Boris finishes talking, he opens the carriage door, Boris takes out a top hat that was inside, placed on one of the seats and puts it on Gracey's head.
“See you tomorrow, Boris, Gilbert.” Gracey bids farewell to his servants by shaking their hands and climbs into the carriage with enthusiasm; the coachman begins to whip the horse, to start walking. Once on the road, Gracey looks out of one of the windows. “Don't start without me!” Gracey exclaims as he walks away. “So as you without us!” Boris responds in a loud voice, putting her hands to his mouth, echoing.
“I feel you're spoiling that spoiled brat too much," Gilbert says quietly as he loads the luggage. “Gilbert, don't talk like that about the master! You don't talk like that! Where's your chivalry?” Boris slaps Gilbert's hand.
“What? I'm just telling you the truth. We are old and wrinkled, we won't last much longer on this earth. Soon death will catch up with us, and once we're gone, that boy will be left alone, unattended. Of course, if he doesn't get us a replacement, which he probably won't know how he holds on to things too tightly. This mansion will only spoil him.” Gilbert states confidently as he walks towards the mansion carrying all the luggage he had transported.
*
The hours had already passed, it was morning again, and the weather was damp and lightly misty. The same carriage that had taken Gracey was back towards the mansion, the architects Mr. Coats and Mr. Davis were waiting for him in front of the house, very well dressed and attentive, with some blank plans in their hands and work equipment on a table that was on the ground. Boris and Gilbert stood beside them.
“Very good morning, Sir William Gracey. I am Mr. Davis and this fine gentleman is Mr. Coats.” Davis introduces himself and Mr. Coats, just as Gracey steps out of the carriage to greet them. “How do you do, Mr. Gracey” Mr. Coats greets with pleasure, shaking Gracey's hand.
“Boris told me about you and your service, and I hope to count on that. My admiration for working men is unquestionable, and you seem to be good at it.” Were those words they heard from Gracey for the first time.
“Of course, we are, Mr. Gracey Who else do you hire if not us?” jokes Mr. Davis, trying to sound convincing to Gracey. At that Coats puts some plans on the table, showing room layouts and ideas. “Believe me, Mr. Gracey, we know this house inside out, as you can see here, we have worked on sketches of interior designs and decorations for every room in this mansion, you see, the parlor is the best room in the house and here would contain all the finest and most precious furniture and ornaments. This is where you can retire to after dinner. Usually located on the second floor in larger homes like this mansion, the parlor will ideally have high ceilings, a bay window, paintings and flowers.” Coats explains to Gracey as he points out each section on the floor plan.
“The kitchen, we can not forget the kitchen, a very important piece to have dining room, which is often also eaten and sometimes. Fresh food will be stored in this pantry here and a storage room will be used to keep them dry and fresh, although the same would serve for cleaning equipment. The sink will run by having necessary water, so food preparation would not be a mess, such as scaling or cleaning fish, or preparing vegetables” Mr. Davis continues the explanation by dropping another blueprint on the table and expanding.
“Uhh, gentlemen, could you explain to me what this is here?” Gracey points to a drawing of a pipe that leads to a stairway to a subway from the kitchen. “Ohh, Mr. Gracey, what a good eye you have, that's a trap for intruders, which will make your mansion safe and secure.” Mr. Davis winks at Gracey as he excitedly explains the plans he had for the house. “No, no, no. I'm sorry to tell you this, gentlemen. But I don't want a house with hidden traps, I couldn't live in peace with my own home. I want something that reminds me of home, the reason my father let me be.” Gracey steps away from the table and starts walking around, thinking about what to say as he disagrees with them. “Something that screams the name "GRACEY!"” exclaims Mr. Coats.
“ EXACTLY! In fact, in honor of my father, I want this house to be similar to the home I grew up in, Gracey Manor.” Having said this, Gracey visualizes the exterior of the mansion from his mind, leaving him daydreaming.
“And so it shall be, sir! We'll take care of that no problem. Tomorrow we'll have your new plans ready.” Mr. Coats picks up the plans from the table and rolls them back up for safekeeping. At that, Gracey stops and turns to them with a bright idea in her head. “Do you think they would mind if I did my part in this project? I mean, make my own plans so you gentlemen can get an idea of what I want to have, after all, I owe all this to my father.” he asks enthusiastically.
*
Later that morning, on the other side of New Orleans, Madame Leota was walking among the people in the French market, a place where the Spanish and French colonizers used to exchange things, bringing and taking things from all over the world, until it became a public market, where you can find things from African, European or Caribbean culture; While Leota was walking through the crowd of buyers and sellers loudly promoting their products, a wealthy and well-dressed man stops in front of her "Good morning, lady" says the gentleman as he takes Leota's hand to kiss it, she removes her hand, interrupting the man's action, so he just stares at her. Leota bows, holding up her skirt, responding with a "Good morning to you, sir." and keeps walking. Suddenly she feels a hand on the back of her left shoulder, she turns and sees the same man, touching her while smiling in a creepy way, she felt her skin bristle.
“Come on, beautiful, you're not from around here, are you? You're a romani immigrant and that makes you poor, let me give you money if you give me your little body, doll." the man was clearly drunk this second time Leota had seen him, no matter how well he was dressed, his breath smelled of wine and his skin was sweating, his eyes cold and gone.
“I ask you to let me go right now," Leota orders the man, staring at him with a cold and serious look in her eyes.
“ What's the matter, beautiful, don't you want to…” Leota takes one of her heels and hits the man on the head when he doesn't comply with her orders. “AAAAUGH!!!” screams the man as he falls to the ground, opening a hole in his head from the wound, from which blood began to pour out. Everyone turned to see such a spectacle, so she began to loot the guy, taking his wallet and watch.
“Hey, give that back, you filthy whore!” shouts the guy as he gets up from the floor.
Leota runs off running through the crowd, pushing and dodging people. At that moment she falls to the ground, dropping all the things she had in her hands, colliding with a vendor who was carrying a box of kitchen knives, the man manages to get to where Leota was, she was cornered, she tries to get up, but her ankle was hurt.
“Romani immigrants are good for nothing but stealing, lying and witchcraft. I can't wait to finally get rid of one.” The callous man walks towards Leota. She grabs one of the knives from the floor and uses it to threaten, but he knocks it away with his foot. He bends down to grab her from somewhere and lift her up, he wanted to annihilate her at once, but due to the time they were in there was no one who dared to defend her. At that moment Leota starts to analyze the guy, every part of him, from the wrinkles on his hand to the expression he had.
“Is your name… Richard, isn't it? You are the youngest of four siblings, your mother died when she was gambled in a game your father was playing. But don't you think it's strange that I can feel her soul with us? She…” Leota begins to read her life in a loud voice, just as she did in her shop, until a man's hand comes out of the crowd, stopping the drunken bully, the hand was thin and fine, but strong enough to stop the guy just by pushing his chest.
“STOP THERE!” shouts the man with the hand. That man, was Edward Gracey, who was in the marketplace just after visiting the mansion. “And who are you, wimp?” asked the drunken man.
“I am Master Gracey, son of Sir. George Gracey. I have come all the way from New York to New Orleans to seek the kind of life that any man of mental stability could desire. Not men like you showing a bad example to this society. Just look at what you caused. Is this any way to treat a damsel? You, sir, are a disgrace to me. No one should be judged by their race, ethnicity, or place of origin.” Gracey gets down on his knees to help Leota up, but Leota gently slaps him and gets up on her own to leave.
“Hey little man, if you think that attitude is going to get you anywhere in this society, you are wrong. You should behave like someone of your class, no one wants a bootlicker.” The drunken man leaves the place, as people stop being interested in what is going on and go back to minding their own business.
By the French market exit, Leota is walking home, until Gracey from afar catches her eye. “Excuse me, madame!” Leota turns at the sound of his voice. “Get away from me! I don't know your intentions and I don't know you, I could manage on my own!” Leota shouts angrily at Gracey, she felt humiliated for having been helped by him. Gracey manages to approach her, giving her a bag with vegetables inside, which he was carrying.
“I'm sorry I scared you, take this, I thought you could use some food. I mean, you were at the market for a reason and I thought you might have been looking for food to prepare.” Gracey explains as he hands her the bag of groceries.
“Thank you, I was going to buy matches and candles for my store, but I think I appreciate this...."
”…”
“Well, it was nice to meet you, 'Master´ Gravey.”
“Just a moment, before you go. May I ask what your name is, madame?”“Why would you want to know that?”
“Are you Leota?”
“How did you know that?” Leota looks intrigued.
“The name is written on the ribbon of the sash that holds your hair.”
“In that case, that's correct. My name is Madame Leota. Have a nice day, sir.” After saying goodbye, Gracey looks at Leota carefully, thinking deeply until she reacts. “Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you once again, but are you the great Madame Leota? I'm sorry if I'm confusing you with someone else thanks to this huge coincidence, but I found this advertisement on the streets of the city. “ Gracey pulls a crumpled paper ad for Memento Mori out of his bag.
“Why do you ask, are you interested?” Leota looks interestedly at Gracey, trying to act like she really doesn't care, even though she knew he could become another easy customer.
“Actually yes, I am interested in your services. As you will see, the reason I've come to New Orleans because my father passed away a few months ago and I've been left empty with unanswered questions. But more than anything I would like to know if I could communicate with him one more time. I can pay you! Anything!” Gracey insists.
“…”
“Come with me, I'll show you the way.” Leota takes the ad he was holding and begins to guide him to where his business is located.
*
Inside a lonely and empty alley, a key opens a door, the door to an unknown dimension, or rather to a business, but not just any business, it was one which bore the name "Memento Mori". Leota sits Gracey in the chair opposite her that was in front of the table, which had a round object under a scarlet blanket. Leota uncovers it, revealing a crystal sphere.
“Now, I need you to relax, let your mind open until you detach from your physical body and become one with the spirit world. Then I will be able to see through your soul so that I can call the loved one you wish to be contacted” Leota lights each of the candles on the table before beginning the séance. “Please, Mr. Gracey, I need you to close your eyes and bring your hand to me.”
Gracey obeys Leota, he leans back in his chair, he looks a little nervous but enthusiastic. He closes his eyes, and stretches his arm towards Leota, opening his hand. Leota takes his hand gently, and rubs the pad of her index finger over the lines of his palm, causing Gracey to let out a tiny laugh. “I'm sorry, it's just that this is all new to me.” Gracey says apologetically. Leota continues.
“Edward William Gracey is his full name. Born in Westchester, New York, the son of the late George and Abigail Gracey. He has two siblings, April Gracey and Augustus Gracey, but from his past years in the family, it seems that his sister is the only one who shines by bearing the family name... Poor soul of his... “ Leota seems to start to feel anguish, she has never felt this kind of sense, the candles on the table start to shake, the jars to wobble on the shelves. Leota begins to hyperventilate, so she tries to follow.
“Spirits of the underworld, give us your entrance to see over your realm. Snakes and spiders, rat's blood; calling the spirits, wherever you are, rap on the table, it's time... to…” The table starts to wobble, Leota is sweating, with doubts to continue with the ritual, she feels a huge presence, this had never happened before, the objects on the shelves start to fall, broken jars.
Leota suddenly lets go of Gracey's hand. “Who the hell are you?” Leota asks with dread. “W-What does Madame mean? You just met me a while ago, I'm Edward William. Gra” Leota gets up from her chair and starts gathering up all the things on the floor. “No, no, no. This is not right, you should not be here, with all due respect to you and your family, but I must ask you to leave.” Leota says to Gracey in a direct way. “Wow, what happened here?” Gracey looks at all the mess Leota was cleaning up.
“Didn't you hear anything?” Leota asks.
“N-no... Is everything okay? Do you need help cleaning up?” Gracey gets up from his seat to bend down and help Leota. She looks at Gracey with intrigue, she really doesn't believe he didn't hear anything. What was so special about this man? Was he some kind of demon? Maybe he had some kind of curse, but what Leota felt inside him was undeniable, it seemed like his soul no longer belonged to the plane of his existence. There was no answer to what had happened.
“All right, thank you very much. I can handle this…” The madame answers.
“...”
“Mr. Gracey... I'm sorry for everything that happened.” Leota continues talking, thinking to say goodbye to him to forget everything that happened.
“it's all right, really. After all, the past is what shapes a person, isn't it?” Gracey gets up, shakes out his vest and starts to sort things off the table.
“I think it is..."
“Let me tell you, madame, I must admit you have a lot of interesting things stored here. It is admirable, I have traveled all over the world and the seven seas, but this is really something that impresses me.” Gracey takes a couple of cards from a pack that were all over the table, those cards were the tarot, seeing that he had them in his hand, Leota gets up quickly and snatches them from his hand.
“Don't touch that!” Leota exclaims.
“These cards are very delicate, they know the past, present and future better than anyone else... you have to know how to use them, even if they are the ones who decide for you.” Leota explains to Gracey, while she arranged the cards inside the box.
“Well, so do you think it would be a problem if we used some with me? If you don't mind, of course.” Gracey asks.
“Look, sir, I'm really sorry to bother you, but I really think we should get this over with. The exit is that way, it was nice meeting you.” Leota rushes Gracey, trying to get him to leave.
“But madame, I haven't paid you yet!” Gracey insists.
“Fine, that'll be five dollars.” Leota responds curtly
Gracey reaches into his vest looking for his wallet, he feels strange not finding his wallet, he tempts his clothes all over but doesn't seem to have it with him.
“Madame... (chuckle)... I can't seem to find my wallet, but... umm....” Gracey hears a cawing sound behind him, so he turns and finds Lenore, Leota's pet crow, who is holding Gracey's wallet in their beak. Gracey jumps in fright at the sight of him, but then takes a deep breath and bursts out laughing.
“Oh, Madame, you never told me you had a pet crow.” Gracey walks up to the crow and puts his finger out trying to make endearments "How are you little crow?”
“His name is Lenore, he is my assistant and companion.” Leota answers seriously.
“See! on yon drear and rigid bier low lies thy love, Lenore! Edgar Allan Poe, I love that poem, what a beautiful name for such a majestic animal. In my home, our library was well-stocked with special first editions, I only read ghost stories, of course. I loved the supernatural, I even came to believe it was all real, but my father let me know that everything in the afterlife was pure fiction. ghosts, portraits that change because of someone's actions, dead people coming back to life, pure fantasy”
“But Mr. Gracey, I assure you that the paranormal exists, the spirits are among us, they feel us from another reality.”
“Of course, you say that because you are a medium, you are an expert in reading people. Although... part of me still believes in all that, it's not for nothing that I wanted to use your services. After my father died, Boris, the maid in my house, used to say that you could still hear his voice in the corridors, haunting every wall of the mansion, letting us know that he was still here…”
“He is probably trapped from our world, the world of mortals, lurking in a limbo from which there was no way out, having things to do in the territory of the living.” Leota responds by interrupting. Gracey is deep in thought, his eyes begin to crack a little, he turns to look at Leota, smiling at her, pretending that talking about his father didn't affect him. Gracey stiffens and sighs deeply, wiping her eyes with her hand politely.
“Madame, you have truly given me hope to believe again in what I disillusioned in the past. Madame Leota, please let me get to know you a little more.”
“Why would you want that? Our session has already ended today.”
“This is no longer about the session, you are the most fascinating person I have met for years, how about I take you out to dinner tonight? I'd pay for everything, it's an invitation.”
Why would Gracey be offering such an invitation? What were the man's motives? Why her? Those were the questions Madame had in her head.
“I'm sorry, I don't really like to eat in restaurants, thank you.”
“As you wish, a gentleman would never force a woman to do what she doesn't want to do. If you change your mind, I'll be dining at the Diamons Horseshoe Restaurant at…” He paused to read his wristwatch. “Eight o'clock tonight, they recommended that place.” Gracey smiles.
“I've heard reviews just like it.”
Gracey picks up his coat, and his hat, putting both on as he walks towards the entrance, he stops in front of the door and turns to look at Leota, waving his hat in farewell. “Until life brings us together, Madame, it was nice meeting you.” Gracey turns and walks off the premises.
Leota locks the front door and she watches the new man walk until he gets lost among the people on the street. *oof* Leota sighs exhaustedly as she pulls down the curtains above the door, blocking the view outside. Leota walks to her desk and sits down, dropping her body onto the chair. who was that man? The things she felt inside her soul were something inhuman. She closes her eyes trying not to think of anything.
*caw*
*caw*
“Lenore, not now. Give me a moment to rest, I fed you a couple of hours ago.” Leota responds annoyed without opening her eyes.
*caw* *caw*
“What, you didn't like the man who just visited us? Yeah, you can't trust people you just met. I would never want to see him again in my life," Leota replies to Lenore.
*Groan*.
Lenore hops onto the table in front of Leota and walks over to the chair and jumps onto her legs, where she drops Gracey's purse. “But what did you put in…” Leota opens her eyes as she feels the impact of the purse on the fabric of her skirt. She looks at the wallet Gracey had forgotten to pick up. “His wallet…” Leota takes the wallet in her hands and looks at it deeply with her eyes, thinking about everything that happened a few minutes ago while she was in session with him, something she couldn't ignore even trying. Lenore snuggles between Leota's thighs, looking at her happily, wanting to be caressed.
“We can't risk keeping this specific wallet, not this person's wallet.” Leota tucks the wallet between one of the pockets of her dress. Lenore is annoyed with the decision Leota had made, so she decides to leave, flying to her cage to lock herself in.
“As much as I want to, I want to deny and forget everything that happened, but at the same time I need answers. I need to know why I couldn't feel her soul, but I could read his past” Leota turns to look at Lenore. “He said it was going to be at eight o'clock tonight, right?” Leota gets up from the chair, heading towards the room she used as a bedroom, ignoring all the mess in the store caused by the unexplainable supernatural force; She had already made up her mind, she was going to go with Gracey for dinner, so she felt anguish and fear, so it was not casual in her But who could blame her? Something Leota had not noticed as she left, were the cards Gracey had taken, the only ones that were flipped over among all the cards neatly arranged on the tables. Such cards were: "The Hanged Man", "The Lovers" and lastly "Death".
*
The night had already arrived, the sky was clear and the Jazz music could be heard in the air, booming between the windows of each one of the restaurants, especially the biggest and most luxurious of them all, people were lining up outside the place, waiting for the tables to be vacated, while those who had reservations arrived directly to their tables; “The Diamond Horseshoe", a place where wealthy people used to go for dinner and meetings, had two floors and a stage where musical groups and bands played Jazz.
In front of the entrance of the restaurant, Leota is walking towards the place, she was not dressed in any special way, she was wearing the same clothes she worked with, showing who she was. She advances towards the front door confidently, but as she touches one of the door handles she stops. “I'm really not sure what I'm about to do.” Leota thought, but after all she was already there, there was no point in turning around and going back. She was there for a reason; Leota pushed open the door to the restaurant, once she entered the place, she started passing by the wealthy people who were waiting for a table to sit down. In spite of the ignorant prejudiced looks of the people observing Leota because of her social level, she ignored the tension that surrounded her, they were talking behind her back, whispering things that were not even true, she stops in front of the counter, where a waiter was writing down things in a notebook.
“Excuse me, good afternoon.” Leota says hello, trying to get the waiter's attention.
“Sorry, we aren't hiring people. Would you like to come back another day?” The waiter answers politely.
“I am looking for someone, his name is Edward Gracey.”
“ …”
“Edward Gracey, you say?” The waiter looks at Leota, raising his eyes without raising his head.
“That's right. I'm talking about him.” Leota answers firmly.
“Ah... yes... He said he would be expecting someone, but I didn't expect it to be... you. I beg your pardon, madame, come with me, I will show you to your table with Mr. Gracey.”
The waiter takes one of the menu cards from the counter and walks towards the main dining room, Leota follows him quietly, ignoring everything that had happened, she felt strange being in such a luxurious place like that. They go up to the second floor, so the clerk slowly stops in front of a round table, where a man is sitting with his back turned.
“Mr. Gracey, your company has arrived.” The waiter notifies Gracey, speaking to him nearby. Gracey turns to see Leota from her seat and stands up, pushing the waiter aside.
“Ah, Leota. There you are, and just in time. The show's about to start.” Gracey greets her by taking her left hand, kissing it delicately with manners. “Come on! Have a seat.” The waiter approaches the table, pulling a chair so Leota can sit down, and once she is seated, he arranges the chair close to the table.
“Gentlemen, please give the madame a menu. Shouldn't this be a first-class restaurant?” Gracey imposes his voice, of course, he was joking, but waiters still took their job very seriously, especially when they were in front of such an important figure as Master Gracey.
“I'm very sorry, sir.” Replied the waiter as he handed Leota a menu card. “Your menu, madame.”
“I have heard very good reviews of this restaurant. I've also heard that they serve excellent roasted Dragon Oysters here.” says Gracey.
“I can really tell you're not from Louisiana, aren't you?” Leota lets out a small, disguised laugh as she looks at him. “They're called Drago's Roasted Oysters.”
“My bad, I grew up in an environment where my meals came already planned on a daily basis, I didn't have much choice. I was always a chicken person. Do you like chicken, Leota? I love it.”
“Yes. But I prefer seafood, although I almost never eat it, I usually eat vegetables.”
“Well, they say that people who hardly eat meat have a cleaner soul.”
"No one says that." Leota lets loose laughing at Gracey, so he followed Leota's humor, answering her laughter with a smile.
"HA! You're right, I just made that up, I really don't have much to say for now." Saying this, Leota lowers her gaze from Gracey, so her smile turns to seriousness.
Leota watched the whole view of the huge restaurant they were dining in from the second floor, it was beautiful; many tables with white tablecloths, candles, and candelabras lighting the place, but the stage, ohh, the stage, lit in a warm yellow all around, with a scarlet curtain hanging from the ceiling, wooden floor and golden border with ornaments of angels and flowers, it was something majestic and imposing. The curtain rises, showing a musical group with huge instruments, they had trombones, saxophones, harps, trumpets, a huge shiny piano, and the most modern instrument of the time, a drum set; they started to play such a beautiful and peaceful melody that filled the place with harmony, making a beautiful atmosphere. Such music was Jazz. Leota was watching the show from her seat, her expression was something new to Gracey, her eyes were filled with sparkles, it seemed as if all the flames of the candles were united in her pupils, there was no smile on her face, but it didn't hide the delight she felt in the moment. It was almost the same as watching a newborn baby discovering the world. Whatever it was, she was fascinated and mesmerized by what she was seeing, but on the other hand, she felt a melancholy part within the soul.
“Are you all right, Madame?” Gracey asks, grabbing her shoulder.
Leota's mind goes back to her head, she turns to look at Gracey without knowing what he had said to her. “What?” Leota asked, it sounded like she had just woken up. “I asked if you were all right, madame.” Gracey repeats.
“Oh yes, of course. I'm sorry, it's just... I don't... I don't know, this is all new to me. This is the first time I've been inside one of these places, it's almost like I'm in a dream right now.” Leota sighs.
“You've never been in a place like this before?” Gracey asks.
“it is easy to ask that question for people like you, but unfortunately my social class does not allow me to do many things that are considered normal for others. That's why I have to continue to support myself with what I can from the people who visit my business on the street. I can't complain about the money I get, but sometimes I think it would be nice to be treated with respect by the people who come and see me”
“Leota... I'm really sorry that you have to live that day after day, I can't imagine how horrible it must be, Leota, please let me help you as much as possible.”
“Yes... it is a sad thing. But at the same time, I avoid going to places where I have to live with people. This is the first restaurant I've ever been to, it's not like everyone can afford such luxuries every day. I still don't understand why you saved me the other day at the store.
“Well, that has an easy answer. I see no difference between people, male, female, skin color, nationality, whatever, I want to live in a world where human supports human, not destroys human. And I seek to find that life here.”
“Good luck with that... You know, I've never dared to tell anyone this before, but I was never able to get my own education from my parents, I can't even remember what they looked like, the hardest thing is to recover a baby's memories.”
“Why didn't you tell anyone before?”
“I had no one to trust in.”
“...”
“Many say I inherited powers from my mother's side, she was a witch, my father was a voodoo priest, their worlds did not connect with each other, his beliefs were very different from my mother's occult thoughts, but their love for each other was never different, so they had me. My mother was executed on a trip to Salem by priests and doctors, so she inherited her spell book to me. And my father... well, upon discovering my powers he considered me a blessing, but the others considered me a monster, a demon, but thanks to me...my father couldn't be there to stop them. I don't remember any powers leaving my body, but so far I remember being treated like a monster, at least that's how they see me.”
“I only see one more person, a person who needs to be understood, someone with the same human rights that I have. With powers or without powers, Leota, I only see you, I see a woman, I see a friend, the only monsters are those who can't see what I see, and that's just enough not to let themselves fall into one's hands. I look at myself in you.” Leota looks at Gracey attentively, not believing the words that had just come out of his mouth, no one had ever referred to her that way, it was not known if the look on her face was one of tenderness, confusion or impression, but as far as she knew, she no longer felt alone at that moment. Gracey was not like the rest of the wealthy population of New Orleans.
“Oh, how wonderful! They're going to play my favorite song!” Gracey says with excitement and joy, pointing to the stage.
“I'm glad you're enjoying tonight, Mr. Gracey.” Leota says to Gracey.
“Please just call me Gracey, you don't have to refer to me as "Sir" or “Mr” all the time, you are my friend.”
“Well, Gracey, you can still refer to me as Leota.” Leota settles her seat next to his, as the musical melody echoed throughout the restaurant, Leota looks at Gracey, as he harmonized with the music that reached his heart. Absolutely everything about this was new to Leota, including the feeling she was developing at that moment. It was a whole new world for Leota.
*
The night was already at its darkest, while the moon was at its brightest. People were leaving that restaurant, after such a fantastic dinner. At that moment Leota and Gracey were leaving the entrance of the restaurant together, they were holding each other's arms. Leota stumbles a little, so he holds her tight so she doesn't fall.
“Are you all right, Leota?” Gracey asks with concern.
“Yes, I just don't think I've ever had so much wine in one night.” Leota leans on Gracey to keep walking
.
“My carriage approaches, old Fred will take you safely home for the night, madame.” Gracey says to Leota as she sees his carriage coming down the street towards him. Leota stops with a quizzical look on her face, she begins to touch her own dress searching hysterically everywhere, but finds nothing.
“Is everything all right?” Gracey asks. But Leota covers her face in frustration.
“Nooo!" exclaims Leota. “I've lost my house keys! now how am I going to get in? My raven is going to starve to death tonight!” Leota says loudly as she leans against Gracey to cry. The two of them start looking all over the street floor for the keys, but finding nothing they get up, full of mud and dirt.
“Oh no, look at your dirty coat.” Leota says as if she wanted to cry when she sees Gracey covered in dirt. Leota, being drunk, rubs the sleeve of her dress across Gracey's coat, smearing more dirt on it.
“Oh no, look, more dirt is smeared, your dress is dirty.” Gracey points to Leota's dress, so they just laugh loudly at the situation, until they end up falling over each other, still, their laughter continued.
“What if you spend tonight in my hotel?” Gracey asks, almost unable to speak.
“Nothing would be more perfect.” Leota replies Leota holding on to Gracey.
“Your carriage has arrived, Master Gra...!” Fred stops the carriage in front of the restaurant, but is shocked to see the state his master was in.
*
Hours later, they find themselves inside Gracey's luxurious room, he was staying at the 5 star hotel. Leota comes out of the bathroom of the room, she looked still wet from the shower, but her hair and body was surrounded by towels from the same hotel. She notices some large papers on a table. Some blueprints, they looked like room interiors with very specific explanations.
“Gracey, what is this?” Leota asks Gracey, who was just finishing getting ready for bed, so he approaches her to explain better.
“Oh, this? It's just some plans I've been making to show the architects who are repairing the mansion what I just bought.”
“Wow, I'm really dying to know how this is going to turn out. Which way is your new mansion?”
“Deep in the swamp away from the French area of New Orleans, a place away from the city, where nature surrounds the wonderful mansion. Right where you come across a majestic iron gate as you venture through the skin of mother nature.”
“Are you talking about...?”
“Gore manor…” Gracey answers. At that Leota feels a hunch that something wasn't right, just hearing Gracey's answer. She knew exactly which mansion Gracey was talking about.
“But that mansion is falling apart, no one has been there since the battle of New Orleans, how come you plan to restore this thing?” Leota asks somewhat hysterically, so Gracey thinks she was joking, but decides to answer formally anyway.
“Well, I plan to do something that makes me feel at home, but at the same time... there's something I'd like to have, but I don't know what it is..." Gracey continues explaining, to the point of scratching her forehead as she thinks about what the mansion needs. Leota looks at the plans carefully, so she grabs one of the papers, shows him and sits on the chair in front of the table, pointing with her finger on the paper.
“This place looks perfect to assemble a bookcase, so it would look good a desk in front and a couple of seats, the rest of this wall could be used to hang certain pictures to decorate the room... “ As she continues explaining, Gracey continues at the same time, saying exactly the same words, they sounded so coordinated that it seemed that they had practiced it professionally. “but you could also place marble busts of the best writers... that the world…” They both stop as they listen to each other, so Leota finishes. “...has ever known.”
“Leota...that sounds...perfect.” Gracey says impressed by what had just happened.
“Well, I... I just thought that would look good there, maybe it's just the effects of the alcohol still in my body.
“You have an extraordinary head, Leota I... I don't know what to say.” Gracey takes Leota by the hands, making her stand up from the chair and looks at her firmly. “Leota, I can't deny that you are the best individual I've ever met in this whole world. Please join me tomorrow morning at my mansion, you would give them excellent ideas.” Leota looks at him intently, not knowing what to answer Gracey's question; Leota starts breathing heavily and without thinking, she answers.
“Yes.”
Gracey looks with pride and tenderness into Leota's eyes, he finally knew what he wanted to do with his mansion, there was no doubt in his eyes.
“You have no idea how happy I feel right now with you, Leota.” Gracey smiles in the most sincere way possible. “Tomorrow early in the morning I'm going to take you to see my mansion.”
“So what are we waiting for? We don't have to waste our time.” Leota hugs Gracey and the two of them walk to the bed, and even knowing well that there were two separate ones, they only share one, in which the two of them are going to wake up together.
*
Once it is morning, the Gracey family carriage enters the rusty gate of the Gore mansion once again. No architect had yet arrived and no servant was present, it was too early. The carriage stops, and from it Gracey gets out and once outside, he shakes hands with Leota to get out.
“Here it is, isn't it glorious?” Gracey asks.
“So the charismatic "Master" Gracey bought the old Gore mansion.
“This is the ideal place to live the new life I've been looking for all this time.
“Captain Gore died over a hundred years ago inside this mansion, no one ever saw his body, but many believe they have seen his spirit lurking inside. If this mansion is not haunted by ghosts, it is haunted by its past.”
“...”
"How did you decide to buy this place?" Leota asks. Gracey stands in front of the mansion, looking at it more and more closely, walking through the grass, suddenly turning around, directing her gaze to Leota.
“It's complicated to explain, I felt like she (The mansion) was talking to me, like she was trying to call my intention, and when I saw her , I knew this was the right place, I don't care how old she is. I'd like to get something wonderful out of this place.” Gracey takes Leota's hand, and once she accepts his hand, he pulls her gently, their bodies colliding as if in a hug.
“Then it will be a miracle if you manage to relate this mansion to something nice out of its past all by yourself.” Leota replies.
“I know. And that's why I have you, Leota. We're going to do it together, you are the miracle this place needed.” Gracey answers, not taking her gaze from Leota's eyes, her look of tenderness and elegance denied nothing in her soul. Everything seemed to be decided. And so, once the architects arrived, they discussed about the new plans that were to be realized in the mansion, which already bore the new name of "Gracey Manor."
Leota would go back and forth to the mansion with Gracey, day after night, there were even times when he would spend time with her in his store, everything seemed to be just right. Leota's attitude was getting better and better, to the point where she would go for days without attending to her business. Even Lenore looked at Gracey as a new owner. In the unfair world around her, it was with Gracey that peace and secure. Months later, the mansion was completely fixed up.
The exterior woodwork was as good as new, painted a pearly white, the windows had new glass and double steel openings, the pillars were as good as new and the floor did not creak when walked on, every corner was fixed, there were no cracks or holes, the railings were adorned with floral decorations and painted a dark green. The mansion had a small lake and a bridge with the Gracey family crest, it had two huge backyards, full of flowers and trees, a wide swing and a mausoleum that was at the back, there it is said to have the body of Gore and his wife, but it was only a myth, since that mausoleum was there before the mansion, at least that's what they believe.
If the outside of the mansion was not enough, the outside was what will delight the eyes of all those who enter the mansion, the main door took you to a room with a huge fireplace in front, an impeccable carpet and a scarlet Victorian tapestry, with two huge polished wood entrances that led to the other rooms, the entrance on the right led to an octagonal corridor, with a tapestry of lines, which had the colors yellow, red and green, gargoyles holding candles while maintaining a macabre smile; the place to which such a corridor led you, was nothing more than the ballroom and dining room, which had a long and huge table, a huge golden chandelier, with candles that illuminated the whole place, two huge windows that showed the beautiful sky that gave life to the great hall, and of course, at the end of the room was the organ, one of polished red ivory wood, 12 pipes of pure gold and a seat stuffed with ostrich feathers. Such a hall led to two more rooms, the kitchen and the stairs that were the entrance to Gracey's study, which had a huge desk, followed by a fireplace and a library with millions of books and sculpted busts of the best writers in the world of literature, to one side was the music room, which contained a huge piano in the middle of the room.
On the other side of the second floor was a hallway full of doors leading to rooms, with a simple dark purple tapestry, there really wasn't much to add, it had no details; Of course, the mansion was still somewhat empty and needed to be filled with things, but none of that prevented them from living in a stable way, only some pictures and accessories wouldn't go amiss.
Later that day, Leota and Gracey were busy unpacking boxes. Boris arrives with a painting, the portrait of Master Gracey. At that Gracey goes to her and takes the painting out of her hands.
“My God, Boris, let me help you with this, you shouldn't be carrying heavy things.” Gracey explains as she lifts the painting with her hands.
“But Master Gracey, I still have the strength of two elephants, I could even carry five of those paintings.” Boris lifts his sleeve, straining to show some of her muscles.
“Ha! Ha! I love your attitude, Boris. Why don't you help me shake the curtains?”
“As you say, master. I'm so proud of you. - Boris leaves and grabs a feather duster she had tucked away in her apron.”
“Nice portrait.” Leota says as she arrives, standing behind Gracey. “They did a good job replicating your face. But I prefer how you look in real life.”
“Thank you very much, my father had hired one of the best painters to do my portrait, he came all the way from Chicago, but he painted it in New York, but the gold frame is new. I've really treasured it since the day I got it, would you like to help me hang it on the wall above the fireplace? “
Leota takes the other end of the portrait, and they hang it together above the fireplace.”What do you think, Leota?” Gracey asks. “It's okay, but I think some red blankets around the painting wouldn't look bad, it just looks kind of empty, but I think it's okay, I love what I see.” Leota answers, looking at the portrait on the wall.
“Well, Leota, since we're at this point, there's something I've been meaning to ask you all this time we've known each other.” Gracey turns to look at Leota, so she returns his gaze and looks at him intently.
“You've helped me with this place since the day I met you, you're the best person I've ever met, and you haven't stopped keeping me company day after day, I really need you in this mansion.”
“What-what do you mean by that?” Leota asks upon hearing Gracey's words, her heart was beating fast, she had never felt so much emotion in her life before.
“Would you like to join me living with me in this mansion for the rest of our lives?” Gracey asks directly to Leota with sincerity, so she is shocked, it was exactly the question she imagined, it was the beginning of a new life, the life that Gracey was looking for and the life that Leota wanted. After so much tension followed by silence, Leota responds with...well, you get the picture. That was the beginning of a new life for that New Orleans mansion, the Gracey mansion. The start of a new life together. Madame Leota with Master Gracey.
*
Days later, Gracey and Leota are eating in the dining room of the great hall, Gilbert enters through the door of the corridor and comes to give Gracey a notice. ”Sir, the letter carrier has come. You have received a letter from New York.” Gilbert hands Gracey an envelope, so he takes it and opens it so he can read.
"Dear Edward W. Gracey Jr.
We have got noticed that you have moved to New Orleans after the passing of your father, we are truly sorry for your loss. I and the rest of the family are very devastated as well. We are so happy that you were able to use your inheritance very well and bought a nice mansion.
We can't wait to see you again, we are very anxious to be able to see your new home and be able to stay with you for a while. Your Uncle Bertie, the kids and Aunt Maude are on our way from New York to New Orleans to see you.
We hope you will welcome us with open arms, just as we would. Your nephews are very anxious to see you.
With much love:
Your Aunt Florence Dread."
Gracey stands in shock as she reads the letter, Leota seeing that he was holding it tightly until he crumpled the paper, and asks her something, even if Gracey looked frustrated.
“What does the letter say, Gracey, who is it, what happened?” Leota asks.
To which Gracey only responds with a hunch.
“ The Dreads are coming.” Gracey finishes in anguish.
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