grand staircase led upwards from the hall. She approached it, touching the cold stone balustrades. The center of it was carpeted with dense wool, also in the McKenzie tartan style, as was the furniture. Twenty steps led to the second floor, where the bedrooms were located.
“I wasn't sure which room you would prefer,” Gregor said, “so we've prepared two options for you – your grandfather's chamber and your mother's former bedroom.”
“I'll stay in my mother's room,” Megan replied, thinking that she likely wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully in her grandfather's chamber. Despite being 25, she still harbored a fear of something unexplainable associated with the dark. Megan occasionally chuckled at herself for this; after all, she was an adult, a capable woman who could quickly find a way out of any difficult situation while maintaining complete composure. Yet, she was still afraid of the dark, ghosts, and horror movies, just like a little girl!
The castle is probably filled with the ghosts of ancestors, she thought, and immediately tried to dispel this notion to avoid scaring herself.
On the second floor, two corridors branched off from the staircase, one to the right and one to the left, with bedrooms lining both.
“The second door on the left,” directed Gregor.
Arline's chamber, was both cozy and spacious. To the right from the entrance stood a king-sized bed made of mahogany, covered with a white down comforter and topped with a woolen blanket in the recognizable family colors.
Everything in one style, Megan thought, and she found it very appealing.
In front of the bed was a wide, large fireplace, above which hung a set of bagpipes – the national musical instrument of Scotland – mounted on the wall. The room, situated in a corner of the mansion, was one of the brightest in the castle thanks to two tall windows. Between them, there was a small round table and two chairs. The stone floor was covered with a, thick, plush carpet that was soft underfoot.
Warm rugs were often used in the interiors of ancient castles; they added a sense of comfort and retained heat. The climate of northern Scotland was harsh, and the close proximity to the North Sea brought cold winds and dampness. However, thanks to modern technology, the McKenzie castle was well-equipped to combat these elements.
“Thank you, Gregor, everything is perfect. I'll see you tomorrow at ten.”
“The meeting hall is to the right of the main entrance on the ground floor. Have a good evening, Miss.”
“Megan, if you have no further questions for me, I'll take my leave as well.”
“No questions, Mr. Douglas, thank you for meeting me. I'm very grateful.”
2. Independent Life
She didn't know how long she would need to stay in Scotland, so she packed enough for a stay of about two to three weeks. She could manage her time freely, as back in London, her romance with a young man had ended, and the restaurant her mother had opened sixteen years ago was in excellent hands with a great manager.
After Arline moved to America, the business was left to Megan. She was only eleven when she started taking an interest in her mother's work. She saw how Arline loved her business and was proud of it. Megan, too, wanted to experience the same joy as her mom and emulate her in every way. She spent all her time after school in the restaurant, and over time, began to undergo professional training for future business opportunities. By seventeen, she knew everything about the industry.
Megan was shocked when Arline announced that she was marrying Ted from California and moving to the USA.
“But the restaurant, Mom, what about our restaurant? Surely, you aren’t ready to sell something that we’ve put so much love and effort into over these years?” pleaded Megan desperately.
Arline cried and answered, “Baby, I know it’s a very difficult choice right now, but one day you’ll understand me. There’s nothing more powerful in life than love. When it comes – everything changes: your values and meaning of being. Megan, we’ll have a new business in the States and start afresh, bringing all our habits and way of life there. You’ll make many new friends, and we’ll be happy, all of us together: you, me, and Ted.”
“Mom, dear, your values may have changed, but mine haven’t. I love this city, this country, this life, and most importantly, this restaurant – not some other. I want to live and work here. Please, don’t make me give it up.”
At that young age, the girl didn't fully understand what love and a beloved person meant to her mother. They had always been together, working and relaxing in unison. Arline had never been married; she dedicated her entire life to her dearest daughter, and only child.
“Honey, what should we do then? How can I live like this? My soul is torn between two fires: you, my daughter, and him, the love of my life!” the desperate woman sat down in the chair and began to cry bitterly.
Megan’s heart was breaking for her mother. I’m so selfish, she chided herself.
“Go to America, get married, be happy. I will stay here and run the restaurant. I’m old and mature enough already,” she said, making the only decision she felt was right.
“But how will you manage alone? You still need to complete your studies. Have you got any idea how difficult this will be?” said Arline anxiously, worried about her precious daughter.
“I don't think it will be too hard because I love this job. Besides, I'm not alone. We have a good manager; he will help me.”
“I will be happy if you succeed. I believe in you; you are a great girl. You take after your grandfather in character, just as stubborn, goal-oriented, and independent. Once you've made up your mind, no one can persuade you otherwise. I'm proud of you, my dear,” Arline wiped her tears and hugged her brave daughter tightly.
“Thanks, Mom. I love you. Go in peace and be happy.”
“Promise me that if you need any advice, no matter what it is, no matter what time of day or night, you’ll call me, and I’ll always be ready to help you.”
“Of course!”
“I love you, baby!”
“And I love you, Mom!”
Five months after that conversation, Arline got married and moved to California. Over time, Megan realized that her ideas about independent living didn't quite match reality. Due to her perfectionism, she demanded the utmost attention to detail in everything she did. Sleepless nights were spent with textbooks, and days at work. Vacation remained a distant dream, and there was absolutely no time left for a personal life. But she bravely carried on, telling no one just how hard it really was for her.
When Malcolm McKenzie learned during one of his visits that his granddaughter had been living alone and managing the restaurant by herself for a year, he was beside himself with rage. He yelled, unable to contain his anger.
“Your mother was a frivolous girl twenty years ago, and she hasn’t matured one bit since. To imagine, abandoning her child, her only daughter, for a man. How dare she, the shameless woman?! Look at you, all skin and bones! Dark circles under your eyes! You’re still just a child, but everything has fallen on your frail shoulders! When I die, she won’t see a penny of the inheritance. Never will I permit the fortune of our clan to be squandered in another country, and for our family name to be scattered in the wind and forgotten as if it had never existed. You are my pride and joy, Megan. Proud that you stayed and didn’t trade Great Britain for another continent.”
This conversation had taken place five years prior, and Malcolm has since been visiting his granddaughter in London every year.
Eight months ago, on his last visit, he said, “My health is not what it used to be, Megan. In all likelihood, this is probably my last visit. Now it’s your turn to come and visit your old man.”
“I was planning to do so this year, but you see, mom had surgery, and I needed to be with her in California. Next summer I will come to visit you for a few weeks. The summer there, as I’ve heard is the only time of year when you don’t freeze to death and drown in