Michael Rafiel-Nemesis - Fanfic

By Lisa October 2001

"It's good to have you back Master Rafiel." Brumley the longtime long suffering servant of Rafiel Manor said to Michael as he came down to breakfast. "It's good to be back." Michael replied with a pat on the older man's back. Michael sat down to the first warm hearty meal in what seemed like ages, cooked by the very hands that prepared his meals as a youngster. After breakfast Michael took the opportunity to look over his *new* estate, access it's value, reminiscing of the good times as he walked the halls, fogetting the bad which had prompted him to live like a pauper in the streets. "Ah, there you are Master Rafiel, you have callers a Mrs Thornfield and her daughter. Here they come, the vultures to pick my bones. He thought with disdain. "Very good Brumley, please sit them in the drawingroom and I will be there shortly." "As you wish." And the old man humbly walked away.

Entering the drawingroom, Michael clean cut, clean shaven was a far cry of the filthy bad tempered creature she saw on the streets just a month prior, there stood an exceptionally handsome man of good breeding and manner. "Mr Rafiel, I am please to make your acquaintance, I am Mrs Thornfield and this is my daughter Rose, Rose raised her hand shyly, taken by the handsome young man who her mother was anxious to have as a son in law. "Please to meet you both." Michael smiled good naturedly. "I guess you are wondering what has prompted this uninvited visit? Please forgive us, but I wanted to meet the old Mr Rafiel's son and invite you to a soiree at Thornfield Hall this friday." "I'd be delighted." "Oh good." She exclaimed then composed herself. They exchanged a few more pleasantries and the Thornfield's left, the older pleased with how the visit went, she was taken by the young, polite fellow. What a transformation, she thought. Michael abhorred high snubbish society but decided to be gracious and attend the soiree.

Later that evening Brumley found Michael in the study deep in thought. "Sorry to disturb you sir." "What is it Brumley?" "You have a........visitor, a filthy street urchin, I tried to shoo her away but she insists that she knows you." "I'll handle it." Michael got up from his comfortable position in his father's old leather chair to investigate the intrusion.

Michael opened the door and there stood Elizabeth, the young lady he had befriended on the streets. Her long brown hair hung wet down her back from the recent rain, her hazel eyes sorrowful, searching his face for comfort. Michael just stared at her. "I'm sorry where are my manners?!" "Come in." "Hi Mr Rafiel." She said rather shyly, given the fact that they had been fast friends on the street. "Michael, please continue to call me Michael." He said comforting her spirit. "Let's go into the study, there's a fire going strong and it looks like you could use the warmth." She nodded thankfully. She sat down on the floor holding out her cold hands towards the fire, basking in it's warmth. "I'm sorry for the intrusion Mr.....Michael, but I had to see if it was true." "True?!" "Yes your name, this house, we on the street never guessed your...." "Are you hungry?" Michael asked cutting her off, he was still a little embarrassed about his new found wealth though he was raised priviledged, he always had an affinity for the underdog. Elizabeth didn't have to answer, he could see it in her eyes. Michael rang for Brumley. "Please bring Elizabeth some tea and bisquits and ask Sarah to draw our guest a warm bath and get her some clean clothes." Brumley looked horrified, but did as he was asked.

The weeks went by and Michael continued to let Elizabeth stay on as his guest, despite the tongues that started to wag about his *guest* but he ignored the gossip. Elizabeth earned her keep by doing odd jobs about his mansion, it peeved him but she insisted. One afternoon in a hurry he walked past her mistaking her for a maid, her brown hair pulled back a few wisps framing her pretty face, he hadn't really noticed before how pretty she was, he excused himself for hastily walking by her, he was on his way to visit Mrs Thornfield and her daughter. A pang of jealousy hit Elizabeth but she swallowed the urge to cry and bade him good day.

Two months after his father's death and clearing his name, Michael returned to the life he was accustomed to, he invited the who's who to a ball at his mansion. People gladly accepted out of curiousity of his life on the street, the accused murderer. And some because of his *guest* the dark haired beauty who threatened their plans for their own daughters. Elizabeth stayed in her room, not wanting to get in the way of the nights preparation, she was excited but jealous. "Why so glum Miss?" Sarah who had become like a second mother asked her concerned. "You want to be part of tonight's festivities?! And I can't say's I blame you." Sarah stared off into space her mind calculating. "Why not?!" "Go!" Elizabeth looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "Yes why not?!" "Master Rafiel adores you, I see the way he looks at you." "Come here." She commanded. She stood her in front of the mirror. "Look at you, you're beautiful and I just happen to have the perfect dress for you, in mint green, you'll be the belle of this ball." Sarah clasped her hands together gleefully, happy to undertake the transformation of Elizabeth. After Sarah's touch, Elizabeth was transformed into a striking beauty, she barely recognized herself, her hair cascading down her back, her evening gown, off the shoulder, tapering at the waist and billowing out. It took her sometime to gain the courage to leave her room. When the butterflies in her stomach settled she left her room and made her way to the staircase, walking slowly for fear of her legs giving out.

She walked to the great doors a butler on each side swung the doors open and she made her entrance all eyes on her. She scanned the room for one person. And in his arms was Rose, twirling her about the floor, evoking envy out of every young woman there. Elizabeth's presence generated attention, some young men's mouths dropped open the young women eyed her jealously. But she ignored everyone and continued in waiting for Michael to notice and notice he did. He caught sight of her, his eyes fixed as if in a trance. After the song, he escorted a pouty Rose back to her mother and approached Elizabeth. "Elizabeth." He said, taking her into his arms and leading her onto the floor to dance. "She looked up into his face, falling in love all over again, she was in love with him even when he was a dirty vagabond in the street, The peoples champion, she use to call him. "You look beauiful." He whispered close to her ear, it sent an unexpected tingle down her spine. "Thank you." She lowered her gaze embarrassed. For the rest of the evening they were inseparable, which did not sit well with the snobs. "Really!" A bum off the street?!" Michael and Elizabeth were too engrossed in each other to hear or even care what was being said, they were in love, it was evident to anyone who looked at them.

The party winded down around midnight, most of the guests, the women in particular leaving unsatisfied. "It was a wonderful night." Elizabeth said, standing in his study, the fire in the fireplace dancing softly over his face. "You looked beautiful tonight." "Thank you." They continued to stare at each other, surprisingly at a lost for words. "Well you have a good night." He said giving her a kiss on the forehead. "You too." She said giving him a kiss on his mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his lips to hers. The kiss was long and sweet............