The Count of Monte-Christo
[CENTER]Chapter V
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Charlie had investigated Daniel Leagan. He was full of debts and he also like gambling and was having numerous affairs with mistresses. The Leagan maritime company was full of mortgages… Terry decided he was going to buy the bank which owed the Leagan mortgage…
- Tell the other maritime companies to stay far away from the Leagans, that way, he won’t have any choice then to go to Danglars for the money…, said Terry.
And that’s what happened… Terry was the new owner of the bank and he refused to prolong Daniel’s debts… which forced him to go to Marseilles to see Danglars…
- Well, well, well! The count Leagan, said Danglars, what brings you by? It’s been years … you’ve been ignoring me since you’ve left for Paris…
- I need help, said Daniel.
- Really? Said Danglars haughty
They walked together to his office to talk business…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Charlie had just learn some news. Si he went to his boss’s room to speak to him… He found him on the floor, instead of his nice and fluffy bed.
- You’re sleeping on the floor? Asked Charlie stunned
- After sleeping on the floor for all those years… I can’t get used to a nice and fluffy bed…
Charlie also saw the scars from the whipping on Terry’s back…
- Jesus Christ! He said, that must’ve hurt!
- Did you come here to talk about my scars? Said Terry angry
- No, said Charlie, I just learned something: Leagan has a son…
- Ah! Said Terry sitting up, all of a sudden…
oOoOoOoOoOo
Candy was in her mansion with her husband… They were in the master bedroom.
- Honey, Albert wanted to speak to you, she said
Albert was their son.
- I don’t have the time, said Daniel, I have to take care of his future fortune
- He’s our son, you have to pay attention to him, said Candy
- It didn’t seem to bother you when I took you away from the misery of your fishmonger dad and made you into a countess…
- He’s waiting in front of the door, said Candy
The bedroom door opened and a handsome young man with brown hair, came in.
- Father, he said, my friends are going to Rome in a field trip, I would like to go with them.
- You’re only 15 years old, said Candy, you can’t go to Rome onyour own with your friends, without a chaperon.
- I’m almost 16 mom! Said Albert
- No, said Candy
- Make it my birthday present father, said Albert, please.
- No, said Candy again
- Ok, said Daniel, a little calm in here won’t be so bad.
- Thank you father, said Albert leaving the room.
But he turned around and hugged his mother with love who hugged him back.
- Everything is going to be fine, mom, you’ll see.
So Albert left for Rome for his birthday and to have fun with his friends. It was a mascaraed ball, they danced, drank, ate… a woman approached Albert and kissed him on the lips… Then she left and Albert followed her, because he wanted to kiss her some more… She was wearing a purple dress and she had a golden mask… he followed her outside…
- Milady? He said, where are you going? Milady?
He followed her in the streets of Rome which were in the dark and some arms took him away somewhere… Albert was tied up and threathened by men wearing masks…
- I’m Albert Leagan, the son of the count Daniel Leagan…
- If we send a message to your father, is he going to answer?
- Yes, said Albert
- You’re talking nonsense, he’s on a business trip…
- Send him a message, said Albert, I can assure you if I give you my ring with the family crest, he will get the message!
- Really, said the bandit, do we leave it on your finger?
He burst out laughing, like a cackle.
noise and a voice were heard…
- Let his boy go! Said the voice
Then, it was sword noise, there was a fight for a few moments. The newcomer won and he said:
- Untie this boy, immediately!
They did as he said quickly. Albert was impressed and looked at the new comer, which was Terry with admiration.
- I don’t know how to thank you, he said
- Go and wait for me outside, said Terry, we’ll talk later.
didn’t discuss and ran out of there. Terry stayed and paid the men, who were no other than his old friends the pirates… he gave them money as they agreed on.
- Thank you sirs…
Then he went out to meet Albert who was waiting for him…
- I owe you my life, said Albert with admiration
- I’m sure you would’ve done the same thing for me, said Terry, you’re an admirable man
- I don’t know how to thank you. Who are you?
- I’m the Count of Monte-Christo, said Terry
- I’m pleased to meet you, said Albert smiling
Terry gave him his business card.
- Come and see me tomorrow morning for breakfast, said Terry
- All right, said Albert, I’ll be there…
Terry got into his carriage and left with his friend Charlie. Albert looked at him go, fascinated.
oOoOoOoOoOo
The next morning, the young Albert arrived at the very big mansion belonging to the Count of Monte-Christo. Everything was beautiful, like a king’s castle. Albert was impressed while he walked inside the beautiful palace. Charlie was with Terry, they were talking.
- He’s on his way, said Cherlie, he on time…
- Let him come in, said Terry softly
A butler came in with Albert to the dining room where the count was. The latter greeted him warmly. And they sat at the table. Servant came with the food for the big breakfast.
- Tell me said Albert, how did you learn about my kidnapping?
- Well, I make it my job to be informed about important things. The son of a count was kidnapped. That’s good information to have.
- But you risked your life to save mine…
- I’m sure you would’ve done the same thing, said Terry, your father would be proud of you…
Albert didn’t say anything. His father was not very proud of him, unfortunately…
- You have to come to Paris to meet my parents! Said Albert , so they can thank you in person.
- No, said Terry, I don’t have the time for that… I have business to take care of here at the moment.
- I’m begging you, said Albert, it’s a question of honor
- Charlie! Called Terry
- Yes boss? Said Charlie arriving
- What’s the level of our maritime merchandise?
- Euh, it’s going to take about three weeks, said Charlie.
- Three weeks, said Albert smiling, that’s more than enough for you to come to Paris for my birthday!
oOoOoOOoOo
A few days later, in Paris, it was Albert Leagan’s birthday. The Count of Monte Christo arrived at the Leagan mansion. Albert was very happy to see him and he ran to greet him.
- Your Grace, he said, it’s an honnor for me!
Daniel, who was also there, arrive to greet Terry.
- Father, let me introduce you to the Count of Monte Christo.
- I’m pleased to meet you, said Terry.
- Likewise, said Daniel shaking his hand… I should be the one grateful for saving my son’s life…
Terry didn’t reply.
- I would like to introduce you to Countess Leagan, said Daniel, showing Candy.
The latter looked up and she saw them. Terry looked and he saw Candy, the woman he loved all those years ago, that he still loved.
- Candy? Said Daniel.
approached them. She was wearing a nice red dress with long white gloves. She looked at Terry in the eyes.
- You have to be a mother to really appreciate what you have done for my son. I will never forget you, said Candy.
- Well, I’m sure that within a month you won’t remember my name. said Terry taking the hand in the white glove to kiss it.
They looked at each other in the eyes. Candy was mesmerized… Terry too, it was Candy, his Candy, his wife! He wanted revenge… he had to remember that she didn’t know him…
- May I steal your wife? Asked Terry without stopping looking at Candy in the eyes.
- I beg your pardon? Said Daniel stunned
- For a dance, said Terry
- Yes, of course, said Daniel
They went together on the dance floor and they started dancing, still looking at each other in the eyes…
Albert looked at his his father and said:
- Isn’t he just wonderful, father? He asked amazed
didn’t reply. He was looking at Candy and Terry on the dance floor…
- Is something wrong? Asked Terry to Candy
- You remind me of someone, she said
- Really?
- Yes, someone I’ve known a long time ago, that was very dear to me…
- How exciting, said Terry, what happened to him?
- He’s dead, said Candy
- Then I’m not that man, said Terry still looking at her in the eyes.
Meanwhile, the police inspector Vilfort arrived at the Leagan mansion with his wife, for the party… Daniel was not happy to see him at all. They had business to talk about… Terry arrived to see Vilfort.
- Mr. Vilfort, he said, Madam, it’s nice of you to come and see me during my stay in Paris! Why don’t we talk business?
So Terry took Vilfort away to talk to him… Daniel seemed preoccupied by something and he left the room… Candy followed him.
- Daniel, Daniel!
- What?
- Where are you going? You have to make the speech for your son’s birthday!
- I don’t have the time, you do it for me!
- I’m not his father…
- Then find an excuse to justify my absence…
And he went to talk to Vilfort… Candy didn’t have the choice but to go back in the dinning room to make the toast for her son…
Daniel and Vilfort were talking …
- What do you do you know about him? Asked Daniel
- He’s a foreigner, he’s a business man…
- My son told me that in Rome, he said he was waiting fro his merchandise by boat in three weeks time
- I could find something to have him arrested with his merchandise, said Vilfort.
- We could do 50-50 with the benefits, said Daniel
- I’ll take care of it, said Vilfort
oOoOoOoOoOo
Meanwhile, Candy was in the dining room where all the guests were invited at the dinning room table… Candy looked at her son who was sitting at the table presiding… who understood that his father wasn’t making the speech. He was discouraged… Candy stood up and she hit the glass with a fork to get the guests’ attention so she can start her speech… Everybody was quiet and looked at her.
- Good evening, she said, thank you for coming for my son’s birthday. Unfortunately, my husband is busy by important business. So I get the duty of..
Terry realised what was happening, he wanted to save the woman he loved and her son from embarrassment… So he stood up to say:
- To introduce you once again to the Count of Monte-Christo, is that I begged the Count Leagan to make the speech in his place… Let me introduce myself again, the Count of Monte Christo… I insisted so much to the Count Leagan to give up his paternal right just to please me, a guest, even if I’m a little really boring.
There was a little laugh at the table. Albert looked at Terry amazed and Candy was having all kind of strange feelings….
Terry continued:
- The young Albert gave me too much importance with the help I provided him in Rome… When I arrived in the catacombs, where Albert was tied up, I heard the bandit say they were going to cut his finger with his ring to send it to his father as proof that they had his son… and his reply was simply: Go ahead!
The guests were smiling and they looked at Albert; he was so courageous!
- Life is full of storm; as a young man, you can be in the sun at a moment and against a rock the next minute. What makes you a man is the fact that when the storm comes, you looke at it and you yell what you told them in Rome. “Go ahead!” Do your worst, because I will do my best and the world will know me as Albert Leagan, the courageous man!
Everybody clapped their hands to that nice speech, Candy looked at Terry and she thanked him with her lips. He didn’t react and he sat down. And he took a lock of hair and put it behind his ear… Candy’s heart skipped a beat… it was not possible! Could it be?
The evening was finally over and the Count fo Monte Christo was leaving the Leagan mansion. Charlie was waiting for him in front of the mansion inside the carriage. He got in. The carriage left and he realised that he wasn’t alone… There was someone there; Candy! She was sitting, facing him and she moved to go sit next to him and she looked for his lips and he gave him a fierily kiss… Terry was stunned and he kissed her back at first… She was crying…
- Vilfort told me you were executed, she said
- Really?
- Oh Terry! It is you!
- No, said Terry, let’s go back to the Leagan mansion!
- No! Said Candy, Terry…
- I’m not that Terry you’re talking about… countess, you’re mistaken
- Stop it, Terry! Stop it!
He stopped talking and looked at her.
- Then who are you? A ghost from the past that came to torment me?
- That Terry, did you love him?
- Yes, said Candy
- For how long?
- For my whole life…
- How long did you wait before you married the count after he died? He asked coldly
- It’s not fair, said Candy in tears
- We’re back to your place, Countess, said Terry getting out of the carriage.
Candy didn’t have any other choice but to get out. She passed him and she said:
- You’re right, you can’t be my Terry…
- There you go! You said it yourself, Terrence Grandchester is dead!
Charlie was also there and he said goodbye.
- Countess…
Candy went back to her mansion.
Terry took Charlie on the side to tell him:
- Don’t you ever interfere in my life again! Otherwise, I will finish what I started that day on that beach the day we met.
- Boss, you’re rich. You got a beautiful woman who loves you. Take her back, take the money and live your life! Abandon your plan for revenge!
- I can’t! Said Terry
- Why?
He thought about the priest and his words, who was telling him to do good with the treasure…
- Boss, I’m yours forever. My job is to protect you even from yourself … should I take you back home?
- I would rather walk! Said Terry getting out of the carriage.
