Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery (5 page)

I walked into the parking lot, noticing Randy standing outside beside his fancy black Porsche. Randy opened the door and assisted me inside.

"So, how was your first day?" Randy asked as he entered the small vehicle. Before I could answer, I noticed Caleb and Mina standing beside the Phantom. I don't know why I was surprised to see the owners to the fancy vehicle but they still caught my eye. Mostly because it looked as if they were staring right at me through the tented windows of Randy's Porsche. It gave me the chills. A cool hand startled me as it touched me lightly against my shoulder.

"Leigha dear, is everything alright?" Randy asked, pulling me from my reverie.

"Yeah, everything is fine. I'm just ready to go home. It was a long day." I murmured. He sighed and tucked my long hair behind my ear.

"Don't worry about it. You'll adjust, I promise." Randy assured. A low growl erupted from his chest as he glared towards the Phantom. Caleb and Mina quickly broke their gaze on me, and Caleb assisted Mina into the Phantom. Randy cranked the engine and pulled rapidly out of the parking lot. Men and sports cars, I swear…

Back at the mansion, I hurried through the garage that led straight into the kitchen. The house smelled of fresh grilled onions and peppers. I wondered what my mother was cooking for us this evening… She pulled me into a quick hug, welcoming me home. Randy entered behind us, closing the door. He pulled off my coat and hung it up on the rack. Just as my mother went back to the stove, I noticed the same charm around her neck. It made me instinctively grab my own protectively. I pulled it out of my sweater and held it up to Randy.

"What is this? A family heirloom?" I asked. Randy smiled slightly.

"Something like that Leigha. Just promise me that you'll always wear it. Especially when you are away from me."

"What it's magical or something? Will it protect me from mythical creatures or something?" I joked. Randy frowned at that.

"Just promise me." He ordered. His tone was a bit more stern than usual.

"Alright Randy, calm down." I said, holding my hands up in surrender. Randy walked over to the coat rack and grabbed his lab coat.

"You're leaving? But I was making dinner for us." My mother complained.

"I have patients waiting for me. I just wanted to make sure that Leigha was home safe." He explained.

"But you've been gone all day sweetheart. When will you be back?" She asked. Randy frowned.

"I'll be home as soon as I can." Randy muttered. He walked over to me, buried his face into my hair and then pulled my mother into a passionate kiss.

"Behave yourselves ladies. I'll be home soon."

"Sure, what kind of trouble could we possibly get into in this small town?" My mother joked. Randy frowned.

"Promise." He ordered.

"Promise…" My mother and I said in unison. Randy smiled and left out the garage door. My mother sighed and turned off the stove.

"He never eats with us… I wonder if he dislikes my cooking." My mother wondered.

"Maybe, not everyone enjoys your weird cuisine." I joked. She threw the spoon at me.

"Ouch! Mom, no need to get on the defensive." I winced, rubbing my shoulder.

"So, what were you cooking anyway?" I asked. She shrugged and took the pan of frying produce and tossed it into the sink.

"I was going to make some chili. But I guess we can go out. Oh, that reminds me… That small Escape is your car. Randy bought me an Escalade." I frowned at her. I did not want that truck.

"Mom, I told you something small!" I cried.

"I know honey, but Randy thinks that an SUV would be safer for you to drive." I rolled my eyes. I couldn't complain though. Randy was the first man in my life to put my needs first. I would respect his wishes, and just deal with the Escape.

"Maybe we could go out to eat… Let's see how good these diners are around town." I frowned. I didn't want to tell my mother I had plans to go into the city already. However, I couldn't invite her either. What would the girls think of me if I had my lonely mother tagging along side me?

"Mom, I already promised some friends that I would meet them in Portland already." She sighed. I knew she didn't want to be away from me but, I couldn't just avoid the girls. They would be in town.

"It's alright honey. Go on, have a good time. Just make sure you get back at a decent hour." She said as she walked into the living room. I felt guilty for leaving her but, I simply didn't have much of a choice. You don't just stand up the most popular girls in school. I sighed, grabbed my purse and keys along with my coat and headed off to Portland. This would be an interesting night…

* * * * *

Café Voila

Portland was dead, just as I assumed. So it wasn't difficult to find a parking spot. I fluffed out my hair and put on some lip-gloss to brighten my features. The night sky was beautiful, and I could see myself here on the Coast for a long time. I decided not to carry my purse, and pulled some cash and my pepper spray out and tucked them into my back pockets. I'm sure the pepper spray was a little unnecessary but, I grew up in Detroit. You could never be too careful these days.

The café was unlike any place I had imagined. I had missed their movie outing, so I would try to make up for it by buying them a latte or something. I really needed to at least attempt to try to fit in. I was never the "type" to be considered popular at all. So the fact that they were paying attention to me was all that mattered.

Jenny gasped in shock as I took a seat between her and Tiffany.

"What?" I asked anxiously. Jenny reached out for my charm necklace and held it gently in her palm.

"I didn't know you were a part of Royce's court? Why didn't you say anything?" She chided. I shrugged.

"Court? Oh yeah, my stepfather Randy has a high position with King Royce. I forgot all about that." I muttered.

"Well, what is his position? How often does he go up to the Islands?"

"Er… I really don't know. I'll ask him though." I answered. Naomi glowered at me.

"So when are your etiquette courses? You should be prepping yourself for marriage if you want a nice decent man from the court." Naomi chided.

"I heard they are all monsters on the Island, and that King Royce and his family are vampires." Tiffany gossiped in a whisper.

"Shh… You cannot talk like that here." Naomi chided, slapping her on the wrist.

"Oh why not? We are hundreds of miles from the Islands. What would it matter to them what was said?" Tiffany defended. I groaned. My attempt to fit in was a complete failure.

"I'm going to head to the bar to get a latte or something. Do you guys want anything?" I asked.

I was happy to be at the bar. All those questions about King Royce, and courtship made me feel like I was on an old King Henry film or something.

"Good evening, can I get you anything?" The pretty barista offered.

"Yes, I'll have a small vanilla latte. With non-fat milk of course." The barista smiled back at me and began to make my drink.

"Vanilla huh? That explains why you smell of it." A man spoke, startling me.

"Oh!" I gasped, turning towards him. He was hands-down the most handsome man I had ever seen. He looked as if he didn't belong here, at this café. He pulled down his black hood and his spiky auburn hair stood perfectly in place.

His beautiful chocolate brown eyes bored into mine, keeping me frozen in place. It was the strangest feeling I had ever experienced. He looked shocked, almost horrified as he continued to meet my gaze. His perfectly tan skin looked softer than silk, I could see every curve around his muscular torso, and his teeth were so white and perfect, so unusual. I tried to focus; I could feel my heart accelerating, almost as if it were trying to pound itself right out of my chest.

He turned swiftly away from me, and I was so glad that he had. I had to take a few deep breaths before the barista startled me with my drink.

"Here's your beverage ma'am. Are you all set?" She asked.

"Ye-Yes." I stuttered. I pulled out a five and preceded to hand it to the barista. The mysterious handsome man's hand reached out; almost instinctively and caught my hand. It was so cold, but it didn't bother me at all. Randy had always touched me with his cool hands and it was normal, welcoming. No, what made me pull back was the volt of electricity from his body that flowed through every inch of my flesh.

"Don't worry about it. I can pay for this." He murmured and smiled his perfect smile at me.

"You should go back to your friends Leigha." He suggested. I didn't know how he knew my name hell, I didn't care. As his eyes bored into mine once more, I felt like I no longer had control over my body. I had given myself to him without even knowing it. How could someone like that have such a power over me? He was a stranger, someone I wouldn't think twice of speaking to on the street. I was so out of his league. Why was he even here? I gasped as I realized he had reached out to me, gripping the charm lightly in his palm.

"You're connected to the courtship of the King? That's funny; I don't remember ever seeing you around court."

"I just moved here." I answered too quickly. He chuckled.

"Well it's good that you still know the rules. Go back to your friends love." He murmured.

"Okay." I said stupidly. I grabbed my latte and walked back over to the table.

"Who was that?" Tiffany asked defensively.

"You have to be careful Leigha. You can't just go around conversing with strangers. You are of royal standing. You have to be careful. King Royce is extremely strict about his women. I'm surprised to see you so far away from the Islands. Have you even been introduced yet?"

"Guys, please calm down. I've only been here a weekend. Give me a chance to understand all of this?" I complained. Jenny and Naomi sighed in defeat. They were still very anxious about being in the company with someone of courtship standing.

"Ignore the girls Leigha. Just take our advice and be careful okay?" Tiffany warned.

"Alright!" I muttered. They were starting to get on my nerves. I couldn't keep my eyes off the mysterious handsome man that captured my gaze. I looked over to the bar and he was staring at me. It was the most welcoming feeling I had ever experienced. Wow, what a feeling. I never imagined in my life that I would be so attracted to someone the way I was with him. He smiled that perfect smile of his, and pulled his hood back over his head as my friends became curious.

"Stop staring at him." Tiffany chided, nudging my arm.

"Alright… It's just that… I don't know, there's something about him." I murmured. Tiffany was glaring daggers at me.

"Let's get out of here. Had I known of your social status, I would not have had you come out here. No wonder Mina was staring at you so curiously." Tiffany complained.

"Oh give her a break Tiffany. Do you know how wonderful this is?" Naomi argued.

"We have to get her home." Tiffany countered. Naomi and Jenny sighed in defeat.

"We'll walk you to your car." Tiffany offered as she and the others grabbed their coats.

"No, I'm a big girl. I can get to my car just fine. I don't need escorts." I retorted as I stomped angrily out of the café. My car was just up the block; I bundled up my coat and began jog to my SUV. As I turned the corner, I bumped into something hard, falling down to the hard wet pavement.

"Ouch!" I winced, as I looked up at my bruised and scared hand.

"Sorry Miss. You should watch where you're going." The man in the darkness chuckled. I couldn't see his face; only his eyes. Those glowing green eyes. I flinched, fear shaking through my body. There was something unnatural about him.

"Now what's a little lady like you doing out here all alone?" He asked in the darkness. His tone seemed playful. I quickly reached into my pocket for my pepper spray.

"I'm okay. Just let me pass." I demanded, as I pulled myself off the ground and began to leave. He blocked me, pushing himself into me.

"You smell so delicious. It's almost a sin to just let you walk by." He murmured, burying his face into my neck. He inhaled deeply, almost as if he was enjoying the smell of me.

"Hmm…" He sighed.

"Let go of me!" I yelled. "Help me! Somebody…" He pulled back angrily and the back of his hand flew across my face so swiftly, that I didn't even see it coming. I fell back onto the hard wet pavement, wincing from the pain of his swift smack.

"I'm going to enjoy this." He laughed.

"Leigha! Oh my god Leigha!" Tiffany screamed. I looked up to see her running towards me; Naomi and Jenny behind her.

"We'll have to continue this somewhere else." The man in the darkness said. He reached down and gripped me tightly around the waist, pulling me effortlessly from the ground.

"Somebody help! Please!" Tiffany yelled out into the empty streets. Suddenly, something happened. I couldn't fathom what happened, but apparently Tiffany's screams had worked. I was suddenly thrown into pillar of snow. As I shook off the stupor, I tried to focus my vision onto what was happening. There were screams in the darkness, just behind the trees.