Secret Drawer

It was three in the morning, when her sleep broke...she woke up trembling and in tears.

Aaria splashed water on her face , and calmly thought that she would go cleaning the remaining things in the house.

The house lights were left on in her haste to sleep...realising that she went down stairs to grab some coffee.

While sipping her coffee she glanced at the bookshelf and realised there was a crack on the inner panel. Noting in her head to rectify it among other things she dismissed it.

She took the task to clean out the guest bedroom first. Previous day she had emptied the room of all the antic materials n canned them in the Garage ...Today it was gonna be dusted and the walls were to be washed... As she got down to do it she didn't realise when the darkness turned to bright morning...while she was washing the mantle over the fireplace she realised it was unevenly thick on one end, while frail on the other.

Again making a note to rectify it she tried to measure with her hand, unknowingly pressing a tiny latch.

All of a sudden with a "CLICK" the panel opened like a drawer.

There was a small tin box covered with cobwebs and dust.

Like a small kid who found a treasure, she removed it and opened it. There were unsealed letters inside it..

The letters were addressed to Marie Buchanan. Aaria opened one of the Letters and started reading.

The letter was dated back to 12th of October 1913. It was a letter full of love from Marie's husband Ian Buchanan..how much he had missed her, while he was away. How he waited and wanted to be home with her, but he had to attend family as there were fueds over some land up north and its ownership. He had found a resolution and soon would be on returning home before Christmas.

And he had asked Marie about the wellbeing of bairn Mo Leannan Brian.

Aaria assumed it was a bit cute and romantic, so she took the box of letters to her bedroom n stacked them neatly in her Wardrobe for midnight reading.

She felt like her mood changed with those words of love. They had revived a little light of hope in her heart, that men existed who loved their women not just for getting in their beds but genuinely loved, cherished and cared for them.

Aaria was in her best of moods, she went cleaning the remaining room with excitement. Hoping may be another secret drawer would open somewhere.

While she went about cleaning and rearranging the room...it nearly took the entire day. At around 8 in the evening there was a knock . Aaria already tired wondered ..."Who could it be?" muttering to herself...she scampered downstairs.

When she opened the door, she saw a silhouette of tall man, with his back towards the netted door. "Yes" she said as she unbolted it.

"My car broke down, and since your house was the only one in sight...I came to ask your help... Could you please call me a Tow." he spoke in a hoarse voice..

Aaria was still unable to see his face as his back was against the porch lamp, and he towered high like a giant in front of it...she simply squinted and said," Sure I'll call a tow , but don't you have a mobile at hand...In this day, and age who doesn't."

She was sure he was scowling when he barked," if I did, I wouldn't be begging at your door."

So arrogant she thought in her mind..but he didnt seem dangerous...she opened the main door and called Henry the only local mechanic who had a towing garage. " Hi Henry. Aaria here can you come over to my place a gentleman needs a tow ." Lightning struck close to the house and with a sudden clap of thunder...the rain came pouring down.

"Come in till Henry gets here". Aaria gestured the man in her house.

"I'm Alex Fraser. " held out his hand before getting in. He was huge as he passed her...he looked gorgeous with sharp jaw long brown hair slicked back in a ponytail, a rough stubble blue eyed handsome devil..he furrowed his eyebrows as Aaria gawked at him without introducing herself.

"I overheard your name as Aaria when you spoke to Henry" he smirked to break her trance . Feeling awkward she justified her gawking by saying "I'm sorry I was counting how far is the rain."

"I'm Aaria Pears. Pls have a seat..Would u like some water or coffee.." she asked as she pointed towards a little beige couch in the center of the room.

"No!..thank u Ms. Pears." he said with straight face. "Are you new here...? I'm sure I haven't seen you..here before." he continued..

"Yes! actually just moved in here 2 days ago..did u knw the owner...Mrs.Lin?"she casually replied as she sat down opposite to the couch on a high stool next to the fireplace.