In Love's Shade
by Olivia Arieti.... Archie glared at him furiously and everyone was sure he’d start a fight, but he controlled himself...
Mandy loved working at Ted Munroe’s toy store and even more she loved watching the children’s little faces sparkle with wondrous joy before the wide display of the toys.
The atmosphere was of the merriest until the jolly old man suddenly got ill and died. Richard, his oldest employee was extremely vexed when Archie arrived. Nobody knew the owner had a nephew ready to take his place. Mandy and the store’s accountant, Jane, however, were pleased to work for such a handsome boss.
Not much was known about the newcomer, who before settling down in Riverbend, lived quite a few states away. Rumours went that Mr. Munroe had a relative in jail somewhere and Richard didn’t waste time in creating suspicions in the girls, especially when he noticed that the new boss was falling for Mandy. He had set his eyes on her for a long time and was determined to make her his wife.
When Mandy and Archie started dating, Richard grew livid and more jealous as time passed by.
“I’m glad to work here, simply sorry my uncle isn’t with us anymore,” Archie said one afternoon while taking a stroll in the park.
“We all loved him,” Mandy replied sadly.
“I also like working with you, dear, you have a way with children that I’ve never seen in anyone else.”
His face darkened and he remained silent for a long while, as if lost in personal thoughts.
Mandy and Archie spent all their free time together and one morning Mandy ran into Jane’s office and announced their engagement.
“We don’t want to waste time, hon, too in love to wait more to tie the knot.” A strange grimace showed on her friend’s face. “I hope you don’t feel bad about that,” Mandy muttered.
“No, no, I’m so happy for you… it’s just that…”
“What is it?”
“A few weeks after Archie’s arrival, I noticed that money was missing from the cash register… I’m so sorry to say this, but I wouldn’t want you to get hurt in any way.”
She added, “You know how much I care for you, honey.”
Mandy whitened and cast a glance at the golden bracelet her fiancé had given her after dinner at the town’s most exclusive restaurant.
The rumours of Mr. Munroe’s promiscuous relative flashed back to her.
When Archie arrived at her place that same evening, he sensed her uneasiness.
“What’s wrong, darling?”
“Jane said that money’s missing from the cash register. It has never happened before.”
“Of course not, Uncle Ted was there to see that everything went straight.”
Then he took her in his arms, “I’ll catch that thief, baby, cross my heart.”
His arms were cold though and the tone unnatural. Mandy stepped away.
“You never told me much about yourself,” she said while serving their aperitifs.
“Nothing much to say, never met my father, my mom remarried and died when I was still a kid, grew up with a lousy stepfather and an even lousier stepmom.”
“A sad childhood, indeed.”
“However, I somehow managed to graduate and found a job in a bank.”
So that’s where he first stole money and ended up in jail, Mandy thought.
“Ever had any regrets?” she asked.
“Who doesn’t, sweetie?” He sipped his drink and chuckled, “Hey, what’s this, a third degree questioning?”
His fiancée simply gazed at him, hopeful to learn more.
“I don’t like talking about it, but I might as well tell you that I was so in need of love that I ended up marrying a girl worse than my stepmom. When I finally divorced, I was the happiest man ever.”
“Seems you haven’t been too lucky so far.”
“Not till I met you, sugar,” he concluded with a big smile.
Mandy was dismayed. Archie appeared sincere and she, too, loved him...but did she trust him?
Doubtlessly, he was hiding something… something that was still obsessing him…
Her silence visibly disturbed Archie; his glance turned into a sharp inquisitive one.
Mandy lowered her eyes and sighed; too many suspicions were overshadowing her happiness.
Time passed, Christmas was approaching and the store filled up with all sort of toys, but most of all with dolls.
“They’re so pretty,” said Mandy. “They make you feel like having a child of your own.”
“The one with the long curls, chubby cheeks and pink dress is the cutest,” Jane replied as they left the store.
Much to their surprise, the following morning the doll was missing.
“I saw Archie with a big box last night,” said Richard when informed of the fact.
Mandy turned cadaverous. Could he have stolen the doll too?
“Yes, Richard, you’re right, I took the doll, but I’ve come to pay for it before leaving,” remarked Archie who had entered just in time to hear his words.
“You’ve already been locked in, we know all about it,” the shop assistant sneered.
Archie glared at him furiously and everyone was sure he’d start a fight, but he controlled himself and replied calmly, “What you don’t know is that my wife charged me with stealing money from her dad’s company just to make it easier to get a divorce and run off with her latest lover. My innocence was proved and I was set free.”
All were taken aback when he asked, “What about you, man? Are you going to return the money you’ve taken from the cash register?”
Richard whitened, “What the heck are you talking about?”
“I’ve enough evidence to hand you over to the police,” he stated before fixing his eyes on his fiancée’s.
Never had she felt so miserable. Archie was aware of her suspicions.
“I’m sorry, guys,” Richard lamented. “Too many debts and too keen on Mandy, hoped to take her away from you.
However, if you give me the chance, I’ll let you have the money back.”
“I know my uncle would have accepted your request, so I shall, too, but I won’t wait long. In the meantime, better find another job.”
No sooner Richard had left than Archie said, “There is something else, Mandy, that you must know. I have a child that has lived with my mother’s sister since my ex-wife dumped us. The doll is for her.”
Mandy stood speechless.
“I’m spending the holiday with them… I think it’s fair to give you the time to consider if you do love me and might be willing to accept Susie, too, but most of all if you trust me.”
Although his last words made her feel like crying, she managed to hold back her tears and the sweetest smile brightened her face.
“I’ll be here waiting for you both, darling. I love you, believe me.” And she flew into his arms that this time were as warm as ever.
🩷🩷🩷
Olivia Arieti lives in Torre del Lago Puccini, Italy, with her family. She writes drama, poetry and fiction. Her stories have appeared in several magazines and anthologies including, Enchanted Conversations, Enchanted Tales Literary Magazine, Fantasia Divinity Magazine, Forgotten Tomb Press, Horrified Press, Infective Ink, Pandemonium Press, Sirens Call Publications, Blood Song Books, Black Hare Press, Pussy Magic Magazine, Stormy Island Publishing, Breaking Rules Publishing, Scarlet Leaf Review, Iron Faerie Publishing, Dark Dossier Magazine, Paramour Ink Press, Black Ink Fiction, Raven and Drake Publishing, The Chamber Magazine, Sweety Cat Press, Gravestone Press, The World Of Myth Magazine.
