The Other Side Of Merry
” ”
by
****
****
On The First Day Of Christmas
Patricia darling,
Love of my life, light of my world. You will pick up that little stool you keep beside your bed, place it in front of your closet and climb. Open the top right wardrobe door. Bring out the small black suitcase behind your big brown Samsonite suitcase. The combination is 9843.
Yes.
Go.
Don’t think about it.
Everything you need is in the suitcase.
Especially the blackberry. My emails will be coming regularly. Have it on your person always. At the end of this mystery, there will be a big surprise but for now, just follow the clues and enjoy yourself.
You’re welcome honey.
On The Second Day Of Christmas
Order Turtle soup. Yes I know it’s not particularly an Italian delicacy but trust me, you want to…
Aha! I knew you’d love it. Did you even bother eating the turtle soup after seeing it? Tell the waiter that’s serving you to help clasp it at the back of your neck. I want the whole of Italy to see how YOU make the diamonds sparkle.
Now smile for me baby.
On The Third Day Of Christmas
Faverolles. That’s what wiki says you should be getting today.
Will Eggs Benedict brought up to your room do?
On The Fourth Day Of Christmas
I would call you but the phone network here is almost non-existent. I’m sure that’s exactly why management chose his place for our retreat this year. At least we’ve got email. Thank God for that. Do you remember your brothers lucky charm bracelet? The one he bought in Bangkok with images of Buddha carved onto it that he said was a good-luck charm? I asked him to buy another for you. Guess where it is? I’ll give you a clue… it’s in that place we do naughty things.
On The Fifth Day Of Christmas
Look under the armchair facing the window. That’s one. Now check under the bed on both sides. Two, three. The last two are fastened to the underside of the desk too. Cliché, I know. But you love it. Wear all five of them to sleep tonight. The weight of them on your fingers will make you feel like I’m there holding your hand.
On The Sixth Day Of Christmas
Lay in bed all day.
On The Seventh Day Of Christmas
My swan princess,
I know your patience is running thin but remember, anticipation makes it better doesn’t it? We’re wrapping up the retreat soon and I’ll join you as quickly as possible.
There’s a nude bikini in the suitcase. Go swimming in the hotel pool tonight.
On The Eighth Day Of Christmas
Don’t worry; I’m not going to ask you drink only milk today. What you WILL do for me today, my dear love, is go to the spa downstairs at 8 o’clock; your maids await you, your highness.
On The Ninth Day Of Christmas
Yes my lady, the orchestra honours you with their music. It is only fair that you sway a few feet for them, is it not?
It matters not that you’re in the street; dance my lady, dance.
On The Tenth Day Of Christmas
I’m afraid I do not have great news. Our stay has been extended by three days. This means that we will be working here on Christmas day. Lord knows I am not leaping for joy at this. The small consolation is that we are allowed to bring in one person -family member or friend- to spend a few hours with us on Christmas day.
Will you come to me my lady?
On The Eleventh Day Of Christmas
Piping hot pasta? That’s the best you can order for your last meal?
In Italy I mean.
Anyway, I’ve chartered a private plane to bring you here. It’s the easiest, not to mention fastest, way to get you here. Considering the short notice and small amount of time you’ll be spending, the quicker the better. I’ll forward the details to you in a few minutes.
Enjoy your meal.
On The Twelfth Day Of Christmas
Parapapapam.
You’re singing in your heart aren’t you?
Dum. Dum. Dum.
Like the beat of your heart.
Dum. Dum. Dum.
Can you hear it?
Dum. Dum. Dum.
You should listen and hear it.
While you still can.
Dum. Dum. Dum.
It’s louder now isn’t it?
You will be with him soon.
Him. Him. Him.
It was always him, not me. It was never me was it?
Don’t panic now. Just listen.
What else can you hear?
The motor of the engine?
The propellers?
Listen. Hear. Savour these sounds.
In thirty seconds you will hear them no more.
The propellers. The engine. Your heart.
Dum. Dum. Dum.
***
For those still searching for the ‘Merry’. Here’s a glass (Or two. Or three. Okay, that’s enough). I hope you find it soon enough. Happy Holidays everyone.
Hmmmm
Wow!!!
Here I was thinking we finally got some Christmas cheer but no, it ends up morbid *sigh*
Loved the "last meal" innuendo and sadness aside, good read
Looooool. I have no idea why this is funny but it is. After all the serenre and money, he now planned her murder. Looool
:(
Why why why??? Can't a girl be haPpy 4 once ?its Christmas baby comeon !!!!!I'm so changing the end in my head.nice piece though! I like :)
That's way too much planning to kill just one person.
Sighs* seriously?! He killed her? *Sighs again* anyways, and no matter what, i enjoyed it somewhere in the middle. Another nice one :)
I kept singing the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ song for each day in my head. I like the way you managed to put all the twelve gifts in the story
Kill! Kill! kill!! Cold Kill!! :) Nice. I actually enjoyed this… Dum dum dum
You writers on TNC lack Christmas cheer! Just when I was excited that we finally get a romantic story, it had to end like that!
All the stories are wonderfully written, this one too. But all so sad!
What happened to you guys this year?
I hope you have a happier year in 2013.
I just always love Ms_Dania’s writing!!! I like how all the parts of the carol are actually in d story in some way
its so sad, i love the whole romantic planning only for it to end in a bloody note