Legacy of Secrets 01-Cursed Secrets (6 page)

I heard my phone somewhere in the distance and cursed as I stubbed my toe on the bed. I whirled around trying to remember where I'd left it before the cloth tornado struck, when it chimed again near my desk. I crouched down, throwing the clothes out of my way, reaching it right before the voicemail picked up.

“Hello!?” I said louder than intended.

“Hello to you, too. I take it you’ve had a good morning so far?” his voice sounded heavenly.

“Not bad actually. You?” I responded breathlessly. I tossed the clothes back into the closet with my foot.

“Very delightful. I’m looking forward to my afternoon more. Would you like me to come get you?”

“Well that depends. How long would it take for you to get here?” my stomach was in knots.

“I can take as long as you need. It’s early so we’ll have plenty of daylight to do whatever you’d like. Do I need to wait?”

“Go ahead and leave, just take your time. I’m still getting ready and I’d hate to make you wait. Should I bring anything? You know, like snacks or drinks?”

“Now what kind of a host would I be if I made you bring your own food? I’m sure if there’s anything in particular you’d like I can get it for you. I have some beer and wine as well.”

“Ok, well I guess I’ll see you in a bit then?” I asked hesitantly.

“You will,”
click
. I didn’t know whether to be offended by his lack of phone etiquette or if that was one of the things that intrigued me. I shook my head with a smile and headed to the bathroom.

I didn’t wear makeup usually so I chose some simple eyeliner and lip gloss. I pulled my hair out of the messy bun and let it fall to my shoulders. Spraying a hint of perfume added the final touch. I twisted in the mirror, checking for any imperfections and trying desperately to ignore the butterflies in my stomach and the weird vibrations in the air. I was determined to just be myself, or at least who I used to be.

The doorbell rang and I flew downstairs, opening the door to the most gorgeous man I’d ever laid eyes on.

“You look very different today. I like it. Are you ready to go?” he said while looking me over.

“Um, yes I think so. And, uh, thanks,” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and locked the door.

The beefiest vehicle I’d ever seen sat at the curb. It was a Jeep, painted in a sleek black with a soft gray top. Everything had a chrome finish that sparkled in the sun. It had a huge fixture on top that housed several flood lights also in chrome. It was like a miniature monster truck. It was completely outrageous and so manly I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What? You don’t like it?” he asked, sounding offended.

“No, no, it’s actually pretty awesome. I’ve just never seen a car like this up close. It’s very…manly,” I giggled. He smiled and motioned to follow him.

“Here let me help you up, I haven’t had the steps installed yet so it’s kind of hard to maneuver,” he placed his hands on my hips, the shock of his touch sending a jolt through me. It didn’t dwindle as before, but grew warmer. I blushed. He set me down gently on the soft leather seat, letting his hands linger.

“Thank you,” I said as he slid his hands from my waist. I buckled my seatbelt and chewed my lip. He entered the driver side and we headed off to wherever mysterious hot guys lived.

Christian

I could have sworn I felt some type of shock when I touched her, but I had to be losing my mind. Her only reaction was the delicious blood that flooded her cheeks. Spending time alone was going to be difficult, so I’d engorged myself the night before. I kept a bottle of elixir on hand in case my thirt grew intolerable. I had barely a with her sitting next to me, so sipping throughout the day would work.

“What is that? In the bottle I mean,” she pointed to my hand.

“It’s a, uh, special drink I make. It boosts my immune system. It tastes awful, really.”

“Hmm, I’ve never really got sick. Not that I can remember, anyway. My mother used to tell me that I didn’t even cry when I got shots as a baby. Guess I’ve got a high threshold for pain or something.”

“You’re one of the lucky ones,” I gripped the bottle tighter.

“You seemed to handle yourself pretty well the other day. Dallas wasn’t exactly a small guy. I’ve never seen anyone move as fast as you do. You must have crazy reflexes,” to her it seemed amazing, but I was panicking.

“I think I was just more concerned for your safety than for my own. Normally I’m a very passive person. Well I try to be, anyway.”

“Either way it was still pretty amazing. So anyway, how did you get this awesome car? Are you one of those people whose parents buy them all sorts of crazy things?” she joked. I smirked.

“Not exactly. My parents died many years ago. They left me their estate and some money, but I’ve made my own living. I’ve invested some money and actually backed a few local businesses. It’s pretty time consuming, but I have people who keep track of everything so I can finish school. I’m the anonymous business partner type; like I said I’m pretty passive.”

“Wow. I wouldn’t have pegged you for an entrepreneur. I’m sorry about your parents. I know how it feels to grow up without them. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.”

“Nonsense, there was no way for you to know. There's no need to apologize. Hold on, it’s about to get bumpy.”

The only road that led to the cabin was unpaved and rather long. It was hidden by brush, which I preferred. The downside was the mile-long off road adventure. The Jeep was better at maneuvering and the shocks absorbed much of the ride. Traveling on foot was much quicker, but of course I couldn’t let Lia know I wasn’t a normal human. Well as normal as I could seem considering. She looked so happy; so different. I couldn’t ruin that.

Lia

The road was lined with the most beautiful trees I’d ever seen. The branches formed a canopy above us, allowing kisses of light to dance across the leaves. The wind blew in swirls, the trees wavin hello as we passed. I thought for a moment I was truly alive; more alive than I’d been in years. The feeling was intoxicating. The better I felt the drunker I became. But strings of anxiety tugged against my mind, forcing me down from the clouds. Everything was temporary. I wouldn’t have a happy ending, that I knew, but it was foolish and selfish to subject Christian to the darkest parts of myself just for a taste of happiness.

“Lia, what’s wrong?” he asked.

“I feel so stupid.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Christian, I’m really not a great friend to have. I’m moody and stubborn. I often say the wrong things at the worst times. I’m clumsy, irresponsible, and sometimes even dangerous. I don’t want you to waste your time and energy on me. I don’t even know who I am half of the time. How can I be so selfish to pretend I’m someone else just for the company? You deserve better.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way, but it’s not true. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t help you overcome your demons? All of us have secrets, Lia. Some people can learn to move on while others need a push in the right direction. I’m not the type to give up that easily. If that’s what you’re expecting, I’m sorry to disappoint you,” he sighed as the car came to a stop. He turned toward me, his eyes boring in the side of my head, until I finally got the nerve to look at him.

“Do you want to know what I see when I look at you?” hesitantly, I nodded.
             

“I see someone who is more afraid of herself than any other being on the planet. I see a woman who has been forced to lead a sheltered and miserable life because of pain she’s too afraid to let go of. Someone who cares so much about the people she loves, she would run to the end of the earth and back if need be. But most of all, I see the Lia that you’re afraid to see. You are amazing. You don’t even know the type of power you possess or how truly unique you are. You will never forget anything that has caused you pain, but if you can forgive yourself, you can start to heal and grow into someone even more incredible than you already are. Now tell me, what kind of friend would I be if I didn’t want you to see what I see?” I felt the heat in my cheeks and my heart thundered. I wanted to be
that
Lia, but I was so lost I was lucky to remember my name.

“Thank you. I don’t really know what to say. There are so many things I’m afraid of, I don’t know how to live my life without it. Fear has crippled me for so long…”I forced the anxiety and pain away. He didn’t need to witness a mental breakdown.

“Okay, enough with the heavy. I wanted to be better today and I’m going to try my damndest to make that happen. I’m sorry I said…” he put his finger to my lips.

“Don’t apologize. I want to know who you are which includes how you feel. Now wait here and I’ll help you out of the car, okay?” I nodded.

He slowly leaned away from me and exited the car. The shock flittered through me again as he held my hips and eased my feet to touch the ground. Not once did he take his eyes from mine.

I felt the change in the air before he did and slowly slid from his grasp. I couldn’t let him know how he made me feel physically. I wanted him so badly my muscles ached, but I couldn’t ruin everything by losing control.

“Well then, let me show you around. It’s not glamorous, but it’s my home nonetheless. Come on,” he led me through the door, a huge smile plastered on his face.

The front room was incredibly beautiful. A large dark brown leather sectional sat along the far wall, surrounded by tables adorned with pictures of who I assumed was his family. Built in book cases lined the walls, containing hundreds if not thousands of books. A very large stone fireplace stood opposite the sectional with a gigantic flat screen TV above it. I was in awe as he led me to a gourmet kitchen that housed countless windows and stainless steel fixtures.

“These two rooms were additions I built after I returned home. I spend little time here. I actually prefer the areas I’d grown up in, it turns out,” he added leading me through another doorway.

The smaller living room was cozy and peaceful. The vibes exhilarated me and I fell in love with it. There were as many book cases as the front room, but the furniture was more classic and rustic looking. The couches and chaise were a lighter shade of beige with wooden accents on the arms in a dark cherry color. The tables were cherry as well and held not a speck of dust. I moved around Christian and traced my finger along one of the book shelves. Each spine looked like an original, delicate and priceless. There were so many famous writers; Emily Bronte, Jane Austen, Edgar Alan Poe, Emily Dickenson, Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare. I was impressed.

“Have you actually read all of these? They look so old. Are they originals? This is amazing.”

“I’ve read most of them yes, but not these particular copies. This is my mother’s collection. I’m not sure if they’re all originals, but close enough. My collection was in the front room. I didn’t realize you were into books,” he smiled crookedly. It took all of my strength not to take advantage of the gorgeous couch a few feet away.

“I love books. It's like a new world for me. Since mine is, well, you know. So, what’s next?” I asked excitedly.

He chuckled, “Right this way.”

He led me passed another fireplace, almost identical to the first, and up a small set of stairs. I noticed more pictures on the wall and stopped to look at Christian’s mother. She was beautiful.  She had curly red hair she wore halfway up, a few stray curls hung down over her ears. She was young, about my age, and smiled so brightly. Her eyes were green, almost like looking into a jade diamond, a brighter shade than Christian’s but still the same.

“She’s beautiful. I can definitely see the resemblance. You must look more like you’re father, though. Are there pictures of him as well?” I searched the wall. He spun me around slowly, my eyes finally resting on a family portrait. In the middle sat his mother and father flanked by him and his brother. His father looked intimidating at first. He was slightly more muscular than Christian, but had the same kind eyes and crooked smile. The smaller boy in the picture looked exactly like their mother. I smiled. This was the type of family people would die for. What I would have died for.

“There are better things to see,” he said with a wink and I couldn’t help but giggle.

“There are about five bedrooms up here and a huge bathroom my mother insisted my father build. I haven’t changed much except for the plumbing and fixtures. If mother didn’t have her bubble baths she swore she would go insane. My parents were sickeningly in love and kind. My brother’s name was Barrett. He and I weren’t very close and when I left I’d heard he went to school somewhere in Europe. I hadn’t heard from him so I can assume he lived well.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I never had any siblings. Plenty of other less than impressive cousins, but I haven’t spoken to anyone since…” I stopped rambling as the pulses gripped me. I grasped the banister hard as I fought to control my breathing. My vision grew blurry and I sat down heavily putting my head between my knees. I was trying so hard to avoid just this type of outburst and he was witnessing firsthand.

“Lia, what can I do? What do I need to do?” he was panicking but I couldn’t concentrate on him. I felt the sticky aura trembling around me.

“Take me outside, please. Hurry!” was all I managed to say. In one swift motion he picked me up and raced to the dock. I gasped several times as he bent to scoop up water and sprinkle it lightly on my face. The pulsing slowed gradually, leaving a slight nauseous feeling behind. I wasn’t sure what caused the episode, but it was the most intense I’d felt in a while.