Change of Plans Chapter Two

Weird.
I wasn't really sure how else to describe my dad's cousin's 'house' other than to call it weird.  It was already strange enough that we literally had to drive almost an hour through the woods just to get to the darn property but to finally reach the clearing?  It was amazing to see how much it reminded of a poor rich man living in the woods with his servants and his money.
"Who lives here…Citizen Kane?" I grumbled while slamming the door and exiting the car with my parents.
"Aiden enjoys his seclusion…he doesn't like the worries of consumerism to plague him," my mother responded in a way that I think was supposed to impress me.  I jerked my head around with a cocky smile.
"Yes, and that most certainly can be achieved living in a mansion whose property stretches for almost one hundred acres and yet acquiring the internet and cable.  Wow…mom…and dad.  You are completely right."
It's no wonder that many people do not enjoy my awe-inspiring wit and humor.
"Please try to watch your mouth Clover," my dad answered lowly which really did catch me off guard as we trekked through the long gravel driveway up to the double doors.  "Aiden can be rather…sensitive about his living arrangements."
"Sensitive?  How so?"
"Well…" my mother began quietly as my father rang the doorbell.  "It wasn't exactly Aiden's choice to live out here like this…"
"That's enough," my father interrupted as the door began to unlatch.  
"Wait…what do you mean it wasn't his choice?  He's a man isn't he?  Who else's choice can be?" I began but my father hushed me as the door finally opened.
"Ana…Preston," the voice began after the door opened.  Yes, Ana and Preston are my parent's names.  They of course get to be weird with normal names, while I try to be normal with a crazy name.  The world is a strange and cruel place.
"Aiden" my dad responded and pulled the new man into a bear hug.  When they finally released one another my mother laid a gentle hand on his shoulder with a smile.  
"And this must be Clover," he went on and laid his large hands on his thighs to lean over to look at me.  
I furrowed my brow in frustration because this man was obviously being condescending but tried to maintain my charming composure.
"I like to be called Terra," I mumbled without looking into his eyes.  What I could see that he was smiling.
"Of course kiddo, whatever you want," he chuckled and ruffled my hair before standing up straight again to start talking to my parents.  He motioned them to come inside then and we all followed.  The door sounded like a gate as it closed behind and I couldn't help but feel like this place was more a prison than a home.  
I looked around the halls as my parents and Aiden trolled them with me carefully following a few steps behind.  I had to give it to this Aiden character…his house was fabulously furnished.  Maybe he hired an interior decorator?  The ceilings were all high and curved and paintings hung all over the walls.  The carpets were plush and luxurious to the point where I wondered if he was a royal a few times over in some strange country.  We all climbed a lavish set of stairs then but before we did I couldn't help but notice that one door was substantially taller than all of the rest in the home so far.  
Must be an awesome ball room.  Isn't that what rich types have?  Ballrooms for parties and what not?
"Terra…you will be staying here," Aiden's cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts about the large door before I could give it much thought.  I shook my brown bob and glared at him for doing so.
"I beg your pardon?" I asked politely and he chuckled again.  
Let me be clear.  Nothing bothers me more than when people are condescending because of my height.  There is nothing wrong with being an adult under five feet tall.  I am just as smart and able bodied as the next person the same age as me.  Nothing gets to me more than when adults pat my head, ruffle my hair, pinch my cheeks, buy me children's clothes or books that obviously don't match my age box.  So I have to admit that though this Aiden guy was nice enough, the whole treating me like an elementary student was already starting to wear thin.
"Your room…" he went on and opened the door.
My eyes widened.  All was forgiven.  
I stood in the doorway of what was one of the most amazing single bedrooms I had ever seen in my life.  There was a huge flat screen television on the wall in front of an even larger canopy bed.  Next to the tv was a nice computer that was already turned on and ready to troll the internet with.  In times like this, I longed to clap my hands and jump up and down but I figured that wouldn't go too well since I just complained about wanting to look older.  
Come on…you would clap and cheer too if you were me.
"This is too much…thank you," I replied in a serious tone causing Aiden to smile a smile that actually looked genuine.  Why didn't I notice before that even though he seemed happy, his grins never before reached his eyes?
"A moment please," Aiden responded to my parents and waved them out of the room.  
Whoa.  What was going on here?  I was happy that the guy was smiling and all but I certainly didn't want to be stuck in a room alone with him.  As he closed the door and turned to face me he once again lowered his body so we could be at eye level.
I hate being short.  His cloudy-brown eyes stared right into mine then I tried not to make it too obvious that I was gulping away my nervousness.  He smiled gently and brought one of his large hands up to my cheek to cup it.  I tried not so shiver…it wasn't like Aiden wasn't attractive…he definitely was and I tried not to blush as he smiled.
"Are you shy?" he whispered and I tried to pull my face out of his grasp but he kept his fingers tight against my cheek.
"No…but I don't know you…and you're f'ing cupping my face."
"Do you have a problem being close to others?"
"No!" I blurted out hoping that my parents would return.
"Well then what?"
"I…I don't like when people…" I began but jerked my eyes away.
"You don't like what?"
"I'm short man…I don't like it when people are taller than me and treating me like a kid okay?  Could you please let go of my face?"
His grip released finally and his eyebrows rose in surprise.  I stood in front of him as he fell to one knee in front of me.
"Uh…you're not going to propose or anything are you?  This isn't like some arranged marriage my parents didn't tell me about is it?" I asked in a worried tone.
Aiden through his head back and laughed, a smile that once again reached his eyes and I couldn't help but smile back.  His happiness felt real again.  He shook his head when he stopped laughing and looked at me hard, now on his knees he was only an inch or two shorter than me.  Just how tall was this dude?
"You have issues about being short?" he asked seriously.
"Are you a shrink?" I tried again.
"Answer me."
"Not so much being short…just people making a point of reminding me that I'm short."
"So tall people make you uncomfortable?"
"Yes…no…I don't know," I answered in a confused tone.  "This conversation is starting to get a bit weird for me.  Can I go see my parents?"
Aiden nodded thoughtfully and stood back up again.  I felt my heart race as I watched his body unfold so he was towering over me again.  He looked slightly uncomfortable but tried to remain passive.
"You can't help being short Terra, and those who are tall do not always enjoy it," he lectured.  "Can you promise me something?"
"Sure," I answered not even sure if I would actually promise anything.
"Please stay out of the ballroom…I am…having an event in a few days and cannot have anything disturbed.  Also…the albums on the walls are off limits.  Other than that…this house is yours to use in whatever way you please.  I want you to be comfortable for your time so if there is anything you desire…please do not hesitate to ask."
"Yes, sir," I found myself answering respectfully.  What was it about him that made me act this way?
"Good girl," he whispered and brought his hand to my face again.  "I believe you will be perfect, if you can learn to be open-minded."
"What do you mean?" I began but he pinched my cheek before I could go on.
"Such a spunky little thing you are!" he laughed before taking off down the halls to find my parents.
I slammed the door and leaned against the closed frame before crossing my arms.
What the heck did he mean?  I could go anywhere but I couldn't go to the ballroom?  I could use anything but not the darn albums that were in the room I was staying in?  What a weirdo!  
Let's see him stop me if I want to go to the ballroom after he falls asleep.
I smirked before rubbing the sore spot on my cheek.