The Body of Richard Leigh

The Body of Richard Leigh(Joseph Logsdon) The Body of Richard Leigh
By Joseph Logsdon

Richard Leigh was a rich and handsome man. When Richard was younger, he loved his wealth and he loved the beauty of the world. However, Richard soon found that money meant nothing to him, that life was full of empty people and empty places. In 1999, Richard walked away from public life and locked himself inside his house. From that day on, Richard refused to see his family and he only had his maid for company. Vivien Hartley loved her employer and would do anything to make him happy. In her heart, Vivien knew that she wanted Richard to be her husband. Sadly, Ms. Hartley was only twenty years old and she judged herself to be too young for Richard Leigh.
Vivien stared at Richard Leigh every day and thought about how much she loved him. Unfortunately, Richard never noticed her feelings and he always kept himself at a distance. Vivien knew that Richard was lonely, but she refused to allow her own feelings to compromise their professional relationship. However, Vivien also knew that she could not hide her feelings from her employer forever and that she would eventually go insane. As a young girl, Vivien was abused by her father and life meant nothing. As time passed, Vivien found that life was worth living and that wealth, power, and fame could give birth to happiness. In her view, Richard was a wealthy and prosperous man. After several years, Vivien finally made the decision to seduce Richard Leigh.

Vivien found Richard sitting in his library and she tried her best to give him a bright smile. At first, Mr. Leigh refused to speak and he kept his eyes hidden. However, he eventually addressed Vivien with a stern and blunt expression on his face.
“How have you been, Ms. Hartley?”
“I’m fine, Mr. Leigh. Did you want to ask me something?”
“I don’t need to ask you anything, but I do need to tell you something.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you like being here with me?”
“Of course I do.”
“Ms. Hartley, you have been a loyal friend and I’ve been lucky to have you for so many years. However, things change and people change.”
“What do you mean?” Vivien asked.
“I don’t want you to work for me anymore.”
Vivien’s heart skipped a beat and all color left her face. In that moment, she felt dead and nothing could seemingly revive her.
“Why?”
“It’s nothing personal, Ms. Hartley.”
“Why are you trying to make me leave?” Vivien asked in an angry voice.
“I want to be left alone and you’re getting in the way of that. Vivien, you know me better than anyone, but I still need privacy and I can’t have privacy as long you remain in my house.”
“I’ve served you faithfully for five years!”
“I know and I’m truly grateful for everything that you have done, but I’ll never be free from the world until you’re out the front door.”

Vivien was speechless and she could barely understand the situation she found herself in. She suddenly felt betrayed and anger consumed her once innocent heart.
“I won’t leave, Mr. Leigh.”
“Why?”
“I love you,” she said softly.
Richard’s face turned pale and he struggled to breathe as Vivien declared her love for him.
“What did you say?”
“I love you and I want to be with you forever,” she declared as tears poured down her face.
“Why do you love me?” Richard asked.
“You’re kind, gentle, and passionate. Richard, I’ve loved you for many years and I’ve been afraid to say anything until now. You’re my reason for being alive!”
“Your story is very touching, but no one could possibly love me. You’re after my money, aren’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
Anger suddenly filled Richard’s eyes and his face turned red.
“You’ve been against me from the very beginning!”
“You’re scaring me.”
“You only want my money, whore! Well, you’re not going to get my money, nor are you going to get my land!”
Vivien could see the paranoia in Richard’s eyes and she suddenly feared for her life.
“I only want you!” Vivien screamed.
“You’re a cheap little slut, you know that?”
Vivien could no longer take Richard’s cruelty and she suddenly felt very angry.
“Don’t make me upset,” she pleaded.

Richard suddenly rose to his feet and grabbed Vivien’s throat.
“You need to be silenced,” he grunted.
Richard squeezed Vivien’s throat and she suddenly felt dizzy, but not to the point of exhaustion. She panicked and withdrew a wire hanger from her pocket. Without hesitation, Vivien plunged the household weapon into Richards’s throat. He suddenly let go of her and fell to the floor. Within minutes, Richard Leigh was dead. At first, Vivien remained silent and calm. Eventually, she made the decision to move the body and pretend that nothing had happened.

As time passed, Vivien became weary and deluded. She moved Richard’s body to his bed and she kissed him on the cheek. All logic left her as she stroked his cold face.
“I love you, Richard. No one is going to bother us and no one will ever suspect that we have decided to get married. What do you think I should wear for the wedding?”
Vivien continued to talk to Richard for hours and time seemingly stopped around them. She loved him, even though he could no longer speak or interact. From that day on, they were the happiest couple in the world.