His Favorite Sin

3.1: THE HIDDEN TOWN

Nine Years Ago

Lance rarely ever stepped outside the confines of the mansion or its surroundings.

His dad, as per his mum’s wishes, had ensured that everything he needed or desired was brought to their home, including his education. He was homeschooled. However, things had changed, and Mr. Dvorak now had other plans for his son. He wanted Lance to stroll out more, and helping him get used to the public was part of Dahlia’s job.

‘His mother was overprotective and cuddled him too much. I, however, think it’s time he came out of his shell and got more comfortable in social settings like his siblings. He will be fifteen by next month. I want him to start his sophomore year in the formal school setting with his peers and not be penned up in this old house. He’s been homeschooled long enough. I will need your help in making this transition easy for him.’ Mr. Dvorak had informed Dahlia in his study. ‘I won’t be around much, but you have my email and number in case you need anything. I am a busy man, so I prefer emails, but if it’s urgent, call.’

First, Dahlia needed to get acquainted with the town herself before taking Lance out there. She had never gone past the Dvorak Mansion and had decided it was time to finally explore this inconspicuous town that she had never even heard about before coming here.

Mr. Dvorak told her to inform Tim, his driver, to take her, and although she nodded along, when she got outside, she only asked Tim for directions into town. After a short, quiet walk to the bus station and then a twenty-minute drive on a near-empty bus, she was starting to think there was no human settlement when, finally, she got to the busier part of town.

‘Wow.’ She couldn’t help but expel a breath as she got off the bus, noticing the vast difference between there and where the Dvoraks lived. There were more people walking around. Local businesses occupied every corner, kids on holiday were practicing skateboard tricks on the clear roads, and some cars passed by, with farmer trucks being the most popular vehicles on the streets. There was nothing excessive, just a serene environment that looked like it came out of a kid’s cartoon book.

It was not what she had expected. Living in that isolated mansion, where everything appeared gray and somber, she had naturally thought the town would look the same, but not this. Everything here looked perfect, divine even.

The thick stormy clouds had followed her from the house, though, and she had come to realize that rain falling in this town was as often as the sun rising. Dark clouds, drizzles, and downpours were second nature here. More time here, and she would surely start to lose her melanin.

She had barely had anything to eat when she left home, so when she spotted a pastry shop, she went in. The shopkeeper’s bell chimed, alerting her presence. The aroma of deliciously baked goods hung in the air, causing her mouth to water instantly. The staff at the counter was attending to a sweet old lady, and they talked in a familiar manner as the staff sneaked an extra donut into her bag. She beamed with a smile in return before leaving.

‘What can I get you, pretty lady?’ His smile instantly turned flirtatious as she walked up to the counter.

‘Hi... Derek.’ She read his nametag, then pointed at some chocolate-covered donuts and asked for a cup of coffee with it.

‘Haven’t seen you around before. Are you new in town?’ He asked as he prepped her order.

‘Sort of. I work with this family at the edge of town. Heard of Mr. Ben Dvorak?’ She asked, and he paused just as he was about to pick up her donut with the tong. He looked back up at her with shock and another emotion in his eyes that she couldn’t decipher before he shook his head.

‘I’m sorry, did you just say Mr. Dvorak? You work at his house?’

Dahlia slowly nodded. ‘And live there.’

He stared at her for another second before returning to what he was doing without another word, except letting her know that she could sit and wait a minute for her coffee. His playful demeanor had vanished, which she found strange, and when she wanted to pay, he shook his head so forcefully that she thought it would detach from his body.

‘No need for that. It’s on the house.’ The weather was slightly chilly, but his forehead seemed to be gathering sweat. It didn’t seem like he was flirting any longer, and she was beginning to think the emotion she couldn’t decipher before was fear. But that couldn’t be...

‘Oh no. It’s alright. I’ve got....’

‘Please!’ He cried, startling her quiet. ‘It’s on the house.’ He repeated, leaving no room for argument as he handed Dahlia her order.

She found a spot to sit in a corner, but from her table, she silently watched him as she sipped her coffee, and he never met her gaze. When she did look away, she felt him staring.

‘D-man! What’s up, my boy?’

The bell chimed when a girl strolled in a hoodie, all bubbly with pink highlights in her light brown hair, as she headed to the counter.

Derek groaned, ‘Already told you not to call me that, Hannah.’ Hannah rolled her eyes, and they had a quick banter, but then his eyes briefly shifted back to where Dahlia sat. He leaned in and whispered something to Hannah, which caused her to look in Dahlia’s direction.

They were talking about her. Dahlia narrowed her gaze. Uneasy, she looked down and drank from her coffee, confused as to why they were acting so strangely. What was wrong with working for Mr. Dvorak?

Deciding that she was tired of being gawked at, she stood and walked over to the counter.

‘For real?!’ Hannah blurted, eyes wide with curiosity.

‘Yeah. I was just as shocked. I don’t think... oh s**t!’ Derek was whispering back, then both went hush when they noticed Dahlia approaching. Her stare shifted between them as they tried to act “natural”, which they were terrible at.

‘Do you need something?’ Derek asked, as he fixed a polite smile, when Dahlia kept staring between them.

‘Yeah. Another donut, please.’ She paused and then added, ‘And also a side of whatever you two were whispering about me. Yeah, you weren’t so subtle.’ She threw an accusing glare at Derek, who shifted guiltily on his feet and looked away.

‘You work and live at Mr. Dvorak’s house?’ Hannah inquired beside Dahlia, her inquisitive gaze unwavering.

‘Yes. What’s so bad about that that has you two whispering and gossiping? Doesn’t half the town work at his farms, too?’ That was what she had read in those articles.

‘Yeah, but you live there, and you know the stories surrounding that part of town... You don’t because you’re new.’ Hannah slowly nodded as she came to the realization, seeing the puzzled look on Dahlia’s face.

Dahlia’s eyebrows drew together. ‘What stories?’ Hannah shared a look with Derek, who looked even more uneasy as he combed his fingers through his hair. ‘Will someone say something?!’ Their mysteriousness was exasperating.

‘Derek? Isn’t your shift over in about three minutes?’ Hannah checked her wristwatch.

‘Six but yeah...’

‘Good. Come on,’ she turned to Dahlia. ‘Let’s take a table and wait for Derek over there.’

‘I don’t think that’s a...’ Derek was saying.

‘Take off the apron, D-man. We’re waiting!’ Hannah ignored his excuse and pivoted Dahlia back to where she had been seated. He groaned, massaging his temple like he was in pain. ‘And bring my cupcake and her donut.’

‘What’s your name?’ She turned to Dahlia again and asked.

‘Dahlia.’

‘Like the flower. Nice. I’m Hannah.’

After they left the restaurant, Derek and Hannah showed Dahlia around. It was a nice town, easy to navigate, not so small but not so big either. Honestly, Dahlia didn’t see the need for exploring anymore because, all the while they walked, she kept withdrawing into her thoughts. All she could think about was returning to the Dvoraks’ home, packing her stuff, and getting the hell out, especially after the stories Derek and Hannah told in the café; the ones involving gore, death, and taped crime scenes in the woods surrounding that house.