Page 24 of Arrogant and Merciless

Taylor

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

“Why don’tyou move in here? My mother said she invited you,” Mr. Marshall III, also known as William’s father, asks.

I nearly have a heart attack because I didn’t notice him come into the library. I was distracted, picking out a book. When I turn around to face him, my hand is on my chest.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”

He may be a cheater, like William said, but he’s also very polite and kind. Unlike his wife—who was here again a couple of days ago—he doesn’t look at me like I’m an insect.

“I scare easily. Did you need something?”

“I was about to look for a book my mother recommended.”

“Oh, right. Be my guest.”

I start heading for the door, but before I get there, he asks, “What were you going to read?”

“Excuse me?”

“You were looking for a book too, right?”

“Yes, but I couldn’t decide which one. That’s what happens when I have too many options for anything. I prefer binary choices.”

“What genres do you like?”

“Almost anything.”

“Have you read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley?”

“No, but I’ve heard of it. It’s a dystopia?1, right?”

“Yes. A book ahead of its time, dealing, among other things, with genetic manipulation.”

“No offense, but that’s not really my style. I don’t like chaos. I have enough of that in real life. I prefer nice dreams.”

“Because you’ve already been forced to face the ugly side of the world?”

I really like Mrs. Marshall, but it bothers me that her grandson and son know so much about my life. I also don’t know where they got this idea I’ve confronted the world’s uglier side. Sure, I had to give up my dream of becoming a violinist, but that doesn’t mean I turned bitter or blame my dad’s illness for me not going professional.

“Reality isn’t always ugly. It just is what it is.”

“But too much reality can take the place of dreams.”

God, what a weird conversation.

“Yes, but too many dreams can make us live in a fantasy world. Being happy all the time isn’t balance, and neither is being sad. In real life, both have to exist.”

“Sober words from someone so young. Maybe one day I’ll find that balance.”

“You only want happiness?” I ask, curious. I know I shouldn’t get too personal with any of the Marshalls—my employer included—but they keep poking around in my life, so I may as well return the favor.

“Yes. By nature, I’m a hedonist. I live for pleasure.”

“Then you should go look for it somewhere else, Father,” I hear William’s voice rumble behind me.

For the second time in just a few minutes, I almost have a heart attack.

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