Bree Bellucci

The monster concubine

Savannah cursed to herself as she quickly ran aboard the departing train and walked the

aisles looking for a vacant seat. Her interview had run longer than planned, but luckily it had only been two blocks from Grand Central Station. Savannah had all but sprinted the two blocks in her low black heels, black pencil skirt and gray blouse. Brushing a piece of hair out of her face, she finally found an empty seat and sank into it.

She slid her feet out of her heels and rubbed them softly. Her feet ached from running and she wished she didn’t have to go back home for her parents’ party. The train ride from Manhattan to Greenwich took less than an hour and Savannah whipped out her iPhone to scroll through her emails. She hoped she might have heard back from some of the other TV studios in the city, but her Inbox only contained a few junk emails and one from her sister.

Sighing, Savannah rested her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She knew her parents were going to ask how her job search was going and she had desperately wanted to impress them with good news. It had been nearly two and half months since she had graduated from college with a degree in Broadcasting and Television studies. While her parents supported her choice to major in that field, they still couldn’t understand why she hadn’t followed the family tradition of practicing medicine.

Savannah’s father was a world-renowned heart surgeon and her mother was one of the best neonatal surgeons in the country. Her sister, Paige, was a pediatrician. It seemed only fitting that Savannah would follow in the footsteps of her family, but she had shocked everyone when she had explained that she wanted to work in television. Savannah envisioned being in front of the screen one day, but for now, she was more than happy to learn the ropes and work behind the scenes. She had worked on a number of sets on campus and now she was anxious to gain a paying job in the industry.

Savannah’s mind ran over this afternoon's interview, analyzing every detail and looking for any mistakes she may have made. She decided she would have to settle with telling her parents that the interview went well and she would have to wait and see. The woman who interviewed her had kept a poker face throughout the meeting and kept stopping to take calls and respond to texts on her phone. The interview had been for a production assistant on a brand new talk show that was starting in the fall. The producer who had interviewed Savannah said they couldn’t share any details about the talk show or the host just yet, but promised Savannah that the show was going to be new and innovative and would probably attract a lot of viewers.

Savannah watched as New York slid out of view and she crossed her fingers, and then her legs for good measure, as she offered up a silent plea for scoring this job. She had assured the producer, Kaci that she would do anything the job required and nothing was beneath her.

Savannah had heard stories of production assistants schlepping bags for stars, pureeing diet smoothies and even walking dogs on set and cleaning up after their messes. Savannah figured she had to start somewhere, and she certainly didn’t want her father’s connections to help her.

While Savannah’s mother, Bianca, kept a pretty low profile, her father, Patrick, had attracted the media and press when he had created a new technique for heart surgery that was much less invasive than other procedures as well as had a higher success rate. Her father had loved the attention and made the most out of his high profile success. Not only did he have many close friends that were successful doctors, but his circle of friends now extended to A-list celebrities as well.

Savannah checked the time and hoped that her mother had been correct in telling her that

this was strictly a doctors-only party. Anytime her father had celebrities over the house, the paparazzi was camped out at the bottom of the driveway and Savannah always feared that her picture was going to end up on Page Six. She tried to keep a low profile and live within her own means, but her parents’ fortune always seemed to wiggle its way into her life.

Her phone buzzed in her lap and her mother’s picture popped up on the screen.

“Hi, Mom. I’m on the train now.”

“Hi, sweetie. I just wanted to make sure you were coming. Your father was worried you might not show.” Her mother’s voice was soft and warm, and Savannah let her comforting and maternal voice wash over her.

“Of course, I’ll be there Mom. I know how important it is to Daddy.”

“Okay, honey. We can’t wait to see you. Richard will pick you up from the train station.”

Savannah felt a small pang of disappointment that her mom was sending the family

driver, but she quickly brushed it aside as she said goodbye and hung up. She knew her mother would have her hands full at the house. Savannah checked her phone compulsively again and again for any other job news, or perhaps a speedy follow up from the interview. Her inbox was still empty and she tossed her phone in her purse and stared out the window feeling dejected.

“Miss O’Hara!” a familiar voice called and Savannah saw Richard waving at the base of the steps. She adjusted her bag over her shoulder and waved back at the friendly man who had been working for her family since she had been a young girl.

“Hi Richard,” she said warmly as Richard guided her towards the outside of the station and to the car.

“It’s nice to see you, Miss O’Hara,” he said kindly.

“Oh please! I’ve been telling you to call me Savannah for years!”

Richard smiled somewhat sheepishly and shrugged as he opened the back door of the sleek sedan and Savannah clambered inside. They drove through the familiar town and Savannah noted that Greenwich never seemed to change. She forced herself not to look at her phone and before she knew it Richard was pulling up the steep, shaded driveway that led to her parents’

estate. He pulled the car up to the front of the house and Savannah’s mother appeared at the top of the steps as Savannah was climbing out.

“Savannah!” she exclaimed happily, hurrying to embrace her daughter. Savannah hugged her mother and she inhaled her familiar scent of jasmine and lilac. Her mother still looked beautiful for being close to sixty and her silky brown hair was pulled back in a low chignon.

“Hi Mom,” Savannah said, hugging her mother back. Her mother pulled away to examine Savannah’s outfit and a small frown played on her lips.

“You look tired.”

“I am tired, Mom. It’s been a long week.”

“Any luck on jobs?” she asked hopefully, but Savannah shook her head.

“No matter! Daddy and I still want to pay for your apartment even when you do find a

job!” she said happily, ushering Savannah inside. Savannah’s childhood washed over her as they entered the black and white grand foyer and playfully Savannah hopped from black marble tile to black marble tile as she had as a child. Her mother laughed loudly and Savannah heard yells and shrieks come from upstairs with the telling sound of thudding feet.

Savannah looked at her mother with surprise; she hadn’t expected her niece and nephew to be there.

“Aunt Savannah!” shouted a small voice as two flushed and bright-eyed faces appeared above her, peering between the small bars of the railing.

“Hi — ya!” Savannah said cheerfully, blowing her niece and nephew a kiss as they came barreling down the staircase.

“Addy! Jake! Slow down!” came Paige’s voice from somewhere upstairs.

Savannah dropped to her knees and opened her arms to the two children who hugged her fiercely.

“We missed you Aunt Savannah!” chirped Addy.

“Miss you,” Jake echoed, kissing Savannah on the cheek.

“Hey sis,” Paige called, coming down the steps looking frazzled.

“Hi!” Liz said rising to hug her older sister.

A loud crash sounded by the front door and Savannah’s mother rolled her eyes as she hurried to the door. A delivery man was standing outside with a heap of flowers and her mother became engrossed in conversation as to where the last minute decorations were to go.

Savannah, Paige and the children moved into the bright and airy kitchen as Paige filled Savannah in about the new practice she had joined. She only worked four days a week now and had to do rounds only one weekend a month as opposed to two. Paige was twelve years older than Savannah and Savannah had always looked up to her. Their parents had gotten pregnant with Paige earlier than planned while they had both been pursuing careers in the medical field. They waited until they were more established before they had Savannah.

As four-year-old Addy and two-year-old Jake ate goldfish at the table, Savannah turned to Paige.

“So, is this strictly a doctors’ event? I don’t want to be scrutinized by any media.”

“That’s what Mom says. I haven’t even seen Daddy to ask him. I think he’s here somewhere, but we haven’t run into him.”

Savannah nodded as she poured herself a glass of water. It was nearly five and guests were to start arriving at six-thirty. At that moment, Paige’s nanny walked in and Savannah excused herself up to her old bedroom.

Savannah hadn’t lived at home since high school, she had opted to live on campus during college. Her summers had been filled with traveling and finding sublets in the city. Her mother had updated her room since she had lived there, and the room was now done in soothing purple and whites as opposed to the garish hot pink and zebra style she had been obsessed with in high school.

Savannah’s room sat on the third floor, next to the library, and she loved the quiet corner of this part of the house. She closed the door and sank onto the soft white bed, kicking her heels off and pointing her toes. She gazed at the French doors to her closet and saw a dress handing carefully. She stood up to survey what her mother had bought for the event. The dress was gold and made of flowing material; the perfect combination for a near-end-of-summer event.

It had small cap sleeves and was softly pleated. The material gathered at the waist before it spilled down the front into a soft bubble hem. Savannah had to admit her mother had exquisite taste and the delicate gold sandals that were on the floor would be the perfect touch. Wishing she had a glass of wine already, she began to get ready for the evening.

Ninety minutes later, Savannah was dressed, styled and coiffed as she made her way to the back patio where the party was taking place. She still hadn’t seen her father, or her brother-in-law for that matter, and her eyes swept the beautifully decorated patio searching for the rest of her family.

Of course her mother had outdone herself again and their sprawling backyard had been turned into a forest wonderland, with canopied tents and twinkling lights. The pool glowed softly and Savannah nearly tripped as she came down the last step, her eyes focused on the pool and not the stairs in front of her.

“Careful,” a warm voice cautioned Savannah and she felt a large hand at her elbow and waist, steadying her before she hit the pavement. A shock ran through Savannah’s body and she looked up with alarm at the man who had saved her and who was now making her body hum with energy.

Her gaze moved over her savior, finding his bright crystal blue eyes staring intently at her as if reading her soul. Savannah tried not to gasp from the sheer handsomeness of the stranger.

His hair was a dark chestnut that fell across his face and Savannah had to admit that it looked perfect for entwining fingers. He had high cheekbones and chiseled jaw line and his skin coloring was a warm olive. He looked vaguely familiar, but Savannah was quite certain she would have remembered meeting him before. Savannah subconsciously licked her lips and she tried to catch her breath, her desire for this man so great she was caught off guard. Her stumble had made her gasp but now she felt short of breath as she stared at this beautiful man.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Savannah let his voice run over her like a hot shower, caressing every nerve ending of her body as the rich undertones of his voice rumbled deep within his chest.

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you,” she whispered, reluctant for the man to let go.

“Those stairs are pretty treacherous,” he said and Savannah looked at him and noticed his eyes were twinkling in jest.

“You try walking in thin sandals,” she shot back, rubbing her foot and feeling foolish.

He laughed heartily and Savannah drank in the rich sound as if her life depended on it.

“I will leave that to beautiful women like yourself,” he said, his hand brushing softly against her wrist. She looked wildly into the man’s eyes, but she could discern nothing from his gaze.

“And may I just say, you look absolutely stunning,” he murmured into her ear before being swallowed up by a crowd of new arrivals. Savannah looked around frantically but Mr. Mysterious was gone, lost among the rush of eager guests.

“Hey little sis,” came a friendly voice and Savannah turned to see her brother-in-law, Tyler.

“Everything okay?” he asked his eyes clouding over with concern, “you look like you just saw a ghost.”

“There was a guy — but he just disappeared — I don’t know what happened,’’ she said feebly, knowing how foolish she sounded. Shaking her head to clear her mind, she gave Tyler a hug. She had known Tyler most of her life since he and Paige had been high school sweethearts.

Tyler may not have been her brother by blood, but she considered him as such. He had come to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Greenwich at the age of fourteen after his parents had been killed in a car crash. He was originally from Texas and Paige had instantly fallen for his southern drawl. Tyler had quickly become another member of the family, spending dinners and weekends hanging out at the O’Haras’ mansion. Savannah had been really young at the time so she didn’t remember much, but apparently her mother had helped Tyler deal with the death of his parents.

Tyler and Savannah moved toward the tents when Savannah finally spotted her father, he caught her gaze, smiled, and made a beeline for her.

“My Savannah,” he said, embracing her.

“Hi Daddy.”

“How are you sweetie? Any luck with a job yet?”

Savannah rolled her eyes inwardly as her father wasted no time cutting to the chase.

“Not yet Daddy, but I had a really good interview today. I think I might get this one.” It wasn’t exactly a lie since Savannah figured she had a fifty-fifty shot based on Kaci’s poker face.

“Honey! Why don’t you let me call Matt? Or Kelly?” Naturally, her father was referring to Matt Lauer and Kelly Ripa.

“Not necessary Daddy!”

Tyler guffawed and tried to cover it up with a cough. Savannah shot him a dirty look.

“I can always call Ellen. I’m sure she has some New York contacts, and I’m sure that Oprah probably knows someone.”

“Daddy! We are not calling Ellen DeGeneres or Oprah! That’s crazy! I’m going to do this by myself.”

Her father put his hands up in a look of defeat.

“If you change your mind, Matt, Ryan and I are playing golf tomorrow. I’m sure they have contacts”

“Ryan?”

“Seacrest.”

Of course. Who else? Savannah shook her head as an elderly couple that looked vaguely

familiar approached her father. She couldn’t believe that her father was golfing with Ryan

Seacrest tomorrow. Wait until she told her best friend and roommate Sage when she got back

home on Sunday night.

Tyler began talking to the elderly couple and her father moved towards her and guided her to a set of soft chairs nearby.

“Since when are you friends with Ryan Seacrest?” she asked, arching her eyebrow.

“Well he’s always been friendly with Matt and after they did the Olympics together they started golfing together. Matt and I already had a tee time for tomorrow and then Matt said Ryan was in the city for the weekend, so we asked him join us.”

Savannah laughed out loud as she grabbed a delicate glass of champagne from a circling server. The liquid was slightly sweet and fizzy, and she thought again of the mysterious stranger who had sent her heart racing.

As if conjured straight from her thoughts, Mr. Mysterious and Slightly Familiar, appeared outside the tent. A small gaggle of women pouted as he moved past them. Savannah’s breath caught in her throat and she tried to compose herself and act normally as her skin heated up from his mere presence.

“Elijah!” her father exclaimed, rising to shake the handsome man’s hand. Mr. Mysterious, or should she say Elijah, shook her father’s hand, smiling broadly at him. Savannah studied Elijah’s perfect face and saw that it was attached to an equally perfect body. He was dressed in an expensive looking pair of dark grey pants with a sleek black button down shirt open at the collar. He oozed sex appeal and Savannah imagined herself pinned under his muscular body.

“Elijah, meet my Savannah.”

Her father’s voice pulled her out of naught reverie and she jumped to her feet, somewhat clumsily, as she reached her hand out to Elijah.