CHAPTER ONE
We start in Portland, Oregon with Malachai Parker "Kai"; a bit of a man-child, witty, sardonic, and womanizing art gallery owner. He was also very dedicated to his work, shaking off the immature side to him when it comes time to actually run his business. He is fairly wealthy, selling not only other artist's but his own pieces of photography as well, which is considered controversial but modern and semi-tasteful; to most. He is considered to be one of Portland's most wanted bachelors…and knows it.
Cars aligned the street in front of the gallery, people piled in, decked out in fine clothes and their jewelry glistened in the low romanticized lighting. Waiters wandered about the floor with trays of h'orderves and flutes of champagne.
Lydia, Kai's assistant, moved about the room welcoming each guest with charm and poise. Her lengthy, vibrant crimson hair flowed to the small of her back. Large waves of curls framed her rectangular face. Her chestnut color eyes were deep and vast, making each guest's welcome feel sincere and slightly seductive. Her lips were plump and matching her tresses.
Lydia paused, looking at the large analog clock on the white wall of the gallery.
"Kai, where are you?" She whispered through clenched teeth. Then sharply turned as she noticed a guest coming towards her.
"Mr. Galway, how nice of you to come. You look absolutely stunning, Mrs. Galway!" Lydia's gaze subtly turned toward the elder lady, who had far too much plastic surgery. Her face was pulled back nearly to the back of her head. Her makeup was basically plastered on like she used Crayola crayons. An eyebrow raised on Lydia's perfectly porcelain skin. Damn. Nearly had it she thought.
"Why thank you, Lydia but where is that darling, Kai?" Mrs. Galway managed out of her nearly zippered lips. Lydia nearly let a laugh escape, instead a tiny gasp let out.
"Um, I think I know where he is. Excuse me." She smiled, as politely as possible, pressing a hand on Mrs. Galway and passing the smile on to Mr. Galway. She turned on her heel, losing the expression quickly.
Fucking Malachai she thought. Probably in his office.
Kai looked down at the negatives on his desk, dammit, these weren't what he thought they were supposed to be. Where was Lydia he thought?
"Lydia!" he yelled, as he shot up from his bent over position of his desk.
He waited, lifting an eyebrow, it had barely been thirty seconds when he slapped down the magnifying glass and walked over to his office door. He forgot all about the party.
He heard buzzing. His phone. Fuck it. He will check later.
Kai opened the door still looking at his cell phone, not paying attention, "Fucking people, keep ringing."
"You don't even have a shirt on?"
He jerked his head towards the open door, "I called for you. Where were you?"
"Kai. You have a room full of people out here."
His lips turned in, he pressed them firmly together, fighting a smirk. He ran one hand through his hair, looking at his desk then at Lydia.
"Shit, I kinda forgot…"
"Oh really?" Lydia's arms were crossed against her chest, Kai walked towards her giggling, arms outstretched and then he placed his hands on either side of her crisscrossed limbs.
"It's kinda funny, isn't it? I mean do they even notice? Well probably, I am kinda unforgettable…" Kai pulled her closer, his stormy blue eyes glimmering as he widened them, staring at her, plumping his bottom lip.
"Oh you are lucky that you are cute, mister." Lydia's arms slowly became unfolded, finding their way towards Kai's face, she took a finger and pulled his chin towards her face.
His eyes narrowed towards her, first looking in her eyes and then dropping to her lips, of course his "magic" always worked.
"Ah, I prefer handsome."
A smile graced her pouty lips, "And I prefer your shirt off but you need to get out there and greet your guests." She traced a finger down his lips; her eyes heading downward tracing his abs.
He thought: Out of trouble.
"Don't tease me Lydia. You do it every time and that little black dress is looking yummy." He turned sharply from her grasp, perfect he thought, she loves every single minute. Not only had that, she looked absolutely stunned. I win.
"Ahha, right. Since, you had me right there on that desk last night." Her arms were crossed again, eyes sharpened on him.
He was still faced away from her, his eyes narrowed, a large smiled came across his face, personal satisfaction. He had indeed. Several times.
Kai grabbed his shirt off the back of the chair and started sliding it on his arms, he then turned on his heels, facing Lydia.
"Well, I gotta make just a couple phone calls and then I will be right out. Promise sweetheart." He shot a wink at her as he buttoned up his black shirt.
She ran her tongue quickly over her bottom lip and gave a slight nip, "Fine."
She briskly scurried; six inch heels hammering against the floor; he could see she rolled her eyes. It didn't matter, she would be back. He knew it, she knew it. But she made a helluva coffee. He smirked to himself.
Kai figured it would be a good idea to check his phone messages. Then take care of the bullshit politics of this business life.
10 MISSED CALLS
Jake Parker
Jake Parker
Jake Parker
Jake Parker
…
"Dammit." Kai dropped in his chair.
'Kai…it's, it's me, Jake. Um, Dad is…I'm sorry bro, I really don't want to tell you through a message but I can't get ahold of you, I have been trying for a week now, he's pretty sick. Kai…he doesn't have much time. There is something—'
"Fucking SHIT!" the message was cut off, Kai slammed the phone down; draping his head back in the chair and closing his eyes tightly; gripping the arms of the chair.
He had been avoiding his twin brother for a while now, knowing this was the news, knowing his father was ill. Kai lazily spun his head towards the picture of the woman in the silver picture frame that sat high on the shelf by the immense window. His eyes began to well up, thinking of his mother; how much he missed her; her hugs; her smile. Then he thought of how much his father missed her.
His hand grasped for the keys to his Land Rover and then his coat.
Weaving through people, as they were grabbing at him; saying his name; praising him; he headed towards the door. Lydia jumped in front of him.
"Malachai! Where are you going? I told you we have all of guests…" She said as politely as she could through gritted teeth. Both her hands were clenching onto his arms warily. She was as close as possibly, as if to hide her frustration. He felt slightly bad, he realized he did put her through a certain amount of frustration. In different ways as well.
"I have to go somewhere but I have complete and utter faith that you will do just fine running this gallery for me 'til I get back." A kiss left his lips to her cheek; he clasped her rectangular; stunned face with his long, strong hands. Her mouth was gaped open, he paused a moment and thought, should I? But then considered she might look into that too much.
Within moments he pushed through the doors and was in his vehicle. He would get ahold of Lydia later to make sure she hadn't destroyed his legacy but for now he needed to see his father…and brother. Drive all night it was.
The sunlight came filtering in the windshield, Kai's eyes fluttered open, "Ahh, shit! Fuck you nature…" He trailed off rolling over and covering his head with his coat. He tried to drive all night, after nearly going off the road three times, having an old woman with no teeth call him a dip shit and spilling iced coffee on his dick; he figured…call it a night. Damn, good thing it wasn't hot coffee.
He peeked out from his coat, pulling his sunglasses down off his eyes. "Seriously, you fuck tard, Kai." He laughed, pushing the glasses back up and propping his body up in the seat.
He was right in front of a sign that said: WELCOME TO HAPPY VALLEY, THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!
"Yay. I'm home." Kai slanted his head staring at the sign, his enthusiasm was lacking. He turned towards the backseat searching with his hand and finally pulling a bottle out.
"Well this should make it a more interesting homecoming." He took a swig from the bottle of Jack Daniels smirking widely and then tossing it in the front seat.
He started his car; entering his hometown, Happy Valley. Not even a mile in he had taken a few more sips of the bottle. He held it up looking at the line the liquor drew in the glass object.
Okay; he thought, maybe more than a few sips.
Sirens.
FUCK.
Maybe it's a woman. He shoved the bottle under his seat, as he did a burp released from his lips; then a high-pitched laugh.
Shit, I'm a bit buzzed.
He looked in his rear view mirror, he could see the cop sauntering up to his Land Rover.
"Sooo dramatic." He started humming 'Bad Boys'.
"Can I help you office—" Kai's lips were pursed and he just kept his gaze upon the man that stood in front of him.
"Malachai? What are you doing here? Why haven't you called me back?" Jake stared at his twin, his hands found their way to the door of the Land Rover's window, they were firmly gripped over top it. His eyes' were searching Kai's for an answering and yet were excited to see him.
Kai noticed how much more muscular he was, how short his hair was; much like a military cut. He forgot how his brother was the same and yet so different from him. Kai himself was much leaner, always styled his hair slightly longer.
"I decided to surprise you! And dad…" Kai held a hand out gesturing towards the town and Jake. Jake's expression turned from surprised and excited to suspicious and scolding.
"Kai…you are drunk. Get out." He motioned his hand, a fist with his thumb pointed out towards the road. "C'mon I will drive and my partner can drive the squad vehicle."
"Oh, no one drives the Rover." Kai smiled smugly.
"Get the hell out the car, Malachai…" Jake opened the car door, intensely staring at him.
Kai scrunched his nose up at Jake, then gave him the finger. "Fine, dick."
Jake rolled his eyes. "Care, you drive the squad car, stud here decided to drink before 9 am."
Kai tilted his head nearly to his shoulder, eyes wide and staring at Caroline Forbes who started to emerge from the passenger seat from the police vehicle.
"OH you have got to be fucking kidding me." Kai spitting out, like venom erupting from a snake.
"Nice to see you to Kai." Caroline said flatly with a blank face. She strolled over to the driver's side, glancing at Jake, clenching her teeth at the tension between the two of them that was fairly clear.
Jake mouthed sorry. She managed a small smile and diverted her eyes downward, climbing in the vehicle.
"Don't make me ride with her!" Kai swooshed around pleading at Jake.
"No, I wouldn't do that to her! Just get in the car with me and for fuck's sake behave." Jake shook his head, climbing in the high class vehicle. He realized his brother always had a richer taste than his own.
"Kai…STOP fucking with the radio." Jake shot a glance at Kai through the corner of his eye.
"It's my car, if I wanna fuck with the radio…" Kai turned the channel twice more (he realized he was such a dick when he drank) "…then I will."
Jake gazed in the rear view mirror; Caroline was following. He had to drop him off though. He loved his brother except there was one thing that was inevitable, women. Women always, no matter how much they denied it, ended up wanting him.
Jake would have to leave him with his girlfriend. But she wasn't like that. No he thought. She is different.
Kai shifted in his seat; Jake was startled out of his thoughts; "Hey, I'm sorry I didn't call you back. You know how I get in my work. I know it's not really an excuse and I'm a dick most of the time and you rarely hear from me but I wanted to see you and dad." Kai looked quickly at Jake then placed a few fingers on his chin; gazing out the window, watching the scenery rush by.
"I know you are a good man Kai. You are just like mom is all, different; unique." Jake placed a hand on his twin's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. He knew his brother meant well but had a lot of demons waging wars within him. He loved him no matter what.
The Land Rover slowed in front of their father's house, Caroline followed.
Jake shifted the vehicle into park, "Okay, I will be home later, I have to introduce you to dad's nurse." A smile crawled across his lips but he turned so Kai was unable to witness it.
"Oh boy, dad's nurse! I like when they don't have any teeth. Make's things waaaay more interesting. Ya know?" Kai was lifting both eyebrows and licking his lips. At that time Jake's smile had faded and he turned towards Kai.
"You are fucked right up dude." Jake pointed a finger at him. Caroline had stepped out of the squad car and rested her arm on the door; standing behind it.
"Well, she sure LIKED THIS FUCKED UP ME!" Kai slid his sunglasses on with his middle finger going up the bridge of his nose; yelling towards Caroline.
"You are such an asshole."
"You love it though."
"Fuck you, ass face."
"Ahh, sweet serenade." Kai twirled around away from Caroline, towards the path that led towards the front door.
Caroline was shaking her head, once again Jake mouthed 'I'm soooo sorry.' Pressing his two palms together; in a begging affect. Her eyes widened and then softened; smiling, shaking her head.
"Don't take her side Jakob. Don't be a little bitch…it's what she wants." Kai was walking up the path, slightly more sober now, tossing a piece of gum in his mouth.
Caroline grunted and growled, Jake mumbled to her to shake it off and ignore him; motioning her into the car.
As Kai approached the front door, it opened slowly and a young woman appeared in the opening.
Her skin was golden brown; almost this creamy caramel chocolate. She had these enigmatic, emerald green eyes that seemed to transfix you. They were seductive and yet innocent; all at once. She was mysterious; unreadable. Her stature was petite and athletic but voluptuous. She had short hair, it hung to her jaw and was the color of ebony with highlights of chestnut. It framed her heart shaped face.
"You must be Kai?" her curvaceous lips spread in a wide smile as she looked at him. Kai hesitated a moment admiring the beauty and mystery in front of him.
An arm came down around his shoulders, "Yep! Kai, meet my girl, Bonnie!" Kai's facial expression was hard to hide but he did. He managed a small smile as his twin brother sauntered over to this newly found creature he found so mesmerizing and planted his lips upon hers; she reciprocating; pressing her entire body into his.