Someone Like You
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
AN: And here is chapter two of Someone Like You. It's on Savannah's POV and I don't know if I like it that much, but it's a start.
Secret Love
Savannah's POV
I sighed, as I watched Jevian Claramount, worked, taking pictures of his customers and smiled happily as he did what he loved. I barely knew anything about him. I just knew that he was handsome and I was crazy and secretly in love with him. I met him one day, when I was six years old. My mother wanted a portrait of me for my seventh birthday and Leslie Alexis, my older sister, took me to Jevian and he took my pictures.
"Look over here, Savannah." Jevian said, as he gave me a toothy smile. I will never forget how handsome and elegant he looked under the bright light of the studio. I followed his movements with my eyes and smiled. "Good girl," he said satisfied. "Now tilt your head to the right." I did as he told me to, except I was too young to know which side was right and which one was left.
"No, sweetie, the other side." Leslie said, as she walked to where I sat and helped me tilt my head on the right direction. She planted a sweet kiss on my forehead and patted my head. "There, angel."
I loved my sister and I wanted to grow up to be just like her. She was popular amongst her friend and she was always happy. I wanted to be happy too. I wanted to have a boyfriend just like Brady and I knew that Jevian was going to be it.
"I'm going to marry him." I said in my childish voice, as I pointed at Jevian. Leslie laughed and bit her lower lip.
"Excuse me?" he laughed, as he grabbed his camera and took a few steps back. "You want to marry me? I doubt it! You'll grow out of that, little girl."
"She is a very determine little girl, Jay." Leslie laughed. "I wouldn't be surprised if you end up married to her."
"If you feel that way when you are eighteen years old, I take you on the offer."
"OK!" I said happily, as I smiled giddily at Leslie.
"I'm a witness to your marriage proposal, Jay." Leslie giggled.
"She'll forget about it as soon as she steps out of the studio." he said jovially.
I continued posing for the camera, as my eyes studied the contours of his eyes and his face. His hair was tied back in to a ponytail and he smiled brightly at me.
"You are such an easy girl to work with." he said, when he finished taking my pictures. "Most kids are annoying and whine too much. I like you." he said, touching my cheek softly. "You should be a model. You have pretty green eyes."
"They are just like my brother Giovanni." I said proudly. I didn't know my older brother. He died a year before I was born, but Leslie and my parents made sure that I knew about him. There were times that I could close my eyes and see him smiling at me. I had the same shade of olive green of his spectacular eyes.
"I bet that you are going to be pretty when you grow up, Savy."
"Don't call her that, Jay." Leslie said annoyed. "Her name is Savannah, not Savy."
"I like Savy," I said, as I stared at Leslie and then at Jevian. He was smiling at me. "Savy Claramount. It sounds cute." I laughed in my childish laughter.
Leslie giggled and hugged me. "You are just so cute." she said, kissing my cheek.
"You really want to marry me?" Jevian asked, a crease appeared on his forehead. "Like I said, if you feel the same way when you are eighteen years old, then we talk about it."
I shook my head and leaned against the register machine, as I shook away the memories of the past. Those memories were the first ones I had of him. I secretly loved him, and nothing was going to change that. When I saw Jevian come out of the studio room, where he took pictures of his customer, I pretended to be working. It was a small shop, but it was famous for his amazing portraits. He didn't advertise much, but through the word of mouth, he found a great following of customers that loved the nostalgic feelings that his pictures evoked.
"Thank you, Mr. Claramount," one of his customers said, as she placed her hand on his forearm flirtingly. "You made my little Tommy smile. I trust that the portrait will come out divine." she said, as she placed her hand over her heart and sighed.
"Well," Jevian said humbly. "Thank you. I am just doing my job."
He was so blind that he didn't noticed that the idiotic and ignorant woman that stood before him wanted a piece of him. I snorted and turned my attention to the door. I wanted to see her damn back, leaving the store. I don't know when or where, I started to feel so possessive of Jevian. Shit, I was even jealous of my older sister. He was her best friend and for most of my life, he'd been there, chasing her tail, but she didn't even noticed. Her eyes, heart, body and soul belonged to her Brady. I wish Jevian would look at me, the way he would stare at Leslie.
"Savannah, dear," Jevian said softly, as he smiled at the customer. "Can you ring, Mrs. Brown?"
I turned to face him, a forced smile on my lips. "Sure," I said, smiling at Mrs. Brown. I wish her husband was there, so she would stop acting so stupid. "How much will it be?" I asked Jevian.
"Fifty seven dollars."
"Alright," I said, forcing a smile. The side of my mouth were hurting. All day, I had to put up a front for the stupid women that were constantly flirting around him. The funny thing was that he didn't noticed them.
I rang Mrs. Brown and gave her back her change. "Thank you for your business." I said professionally.
"You are welcome!" Mrs. Brown said jovially, as she turned around to face Jevian.
Leave! Leave NOW! Don't ever come back, witch!
I walked to the other side of the counter and began to clean the displays and the windows, when I heard Mrs. Brown whistling at me to catch my attention. I growled inwardly and turned to face her.
"Sweetie," she whispered, as she motioned me to her. "How well do you know Mr. Claramount?"
"Um, I don't get your question,"
"How long have you known your boss?" she asked, smiling at me.
"I'm not allow to divulge on a comrade's personal life. It's unethical." I said, rolling my eyes.
"I'm not asking you things that will compromise Mr. Claramount! I'm just asking how long you've known him." she said testily, grabbing my arm tightly.
"I've known him for fourteen years." I snapped, as I jerked my arm away from her. "And don't touch me again."
"Wow, so he is like your uncle, right?" she said, dusting her hands against her jeans.
"Is there something that you want from me?"
"Well," Mrs. Brown began, but turned to her son. "Tommy, get away from those pictures."
"Ma'am, it's my break time. I gotta go." I said, turning around and taking off my jacket.
"Before you leave," she said in her annoying, shrilling voice. "Well, is he taken?"
"He is gay!" I hissed, turned to the door and waved my jacket. "Good bye,"
I walked down the street and saw my sister's Mazda parked on the side of the street. I ran to our favorite restaurant and found her sitting on the back booth. She wore her hospital scrubs and long hair in a ponytail. She was drinking her favorite drink a root beer and she'd ordered one for me.
"Hey," I said, as I sat facing her. Leslie smiled at me and reached for my hand.
"Hi, sis!" she said happily. "How is your summer job going?"
"Horrible!" I whined, as I took a sip of my drink.
"Why? I thought that you like working for Jevian?"
"I do, but those female customers are always asking about his personal life. What am I suppose to say to that?"
"Yep, he is a cutie." Leslie said nonchalantly.
"Cutie? He is gorgeous, you blind woman! Have you seen his soft brown eyes? They are just the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen. They are just, wow, amazing. He is amazing, just great!" I blurted out.
"You really like Jay, don't ya?"
"I don't like him, like like him. He is cute, sort of. OK, he is gorgeous." I said, trying to sound nonchalant, but my feelings were pouring out of my overfilled heart.
"Yep, that is true." Leslie said, as she grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"You can't comment on his cuteness, Leslie." I said, rolling my eyes. "You are married and you are having your second child soon." I said haughtily, as I pointed at her growing belly.
Leslie laughed and placed her hands over her belly. "So! I have eyes. I can see but not touch. Besides, I have Brady and he is all the man that I need."
"I envy you!" I pouted, sulking like the thirteen years old that I was.
"Why?"
"You got to date Brady when you were fourteen!" I said annoyed. "Mom won't even let me go outside without a chaperon." I complained, folding my arms over my so very flat chest.
"I guess I screwed it for ya." Leslie chuckled.
"You are telling me." I said, placing my elbows on the table and resting my head on my face. I sighed and shook my head. "You practically made our parents be too over protective with me."
"That's not true." she said.
"Yes it is, Les."
"Well, after Giovanni, I guess that they would want to take precautions raising you. I mean, you were born just a year after... um, after his death."
"I can't even get in a friend's car."
"Does Mom still need to know how the good the person drives?"
"Yep, how do you know?" I asked, staring at her curiously. Leslie laughed and bit down on her straw.
"She did that with Haliee, Lana, Michelle, Brady and Jevian."
"Jevian, too?" I asked surprised. "How could she? It's so embarrassing. I'm humiliated just to look at him now. I mean, I have ridden in the same car as him, and I feel safe with him. He is an excellent driver."
Leslie raised an eyebrow and placed her drink on the table and cleared her throat. "Don't let dad catch you alone with him. He'll ground you."
"He won't find out." I said. "Not unless you tell him. Which I know you won't, right?"
"I won't tell." she said. "Just as long as you are careful, princess." she winked at me and leaned forward, as far as her growing belly would let her. "So, what are your plans for tonight? Are you spending the night in my house? Byron misses you."
The thought of my little nephew made me feel calmed. He was so cute and I loved him so much. He was like my little brother. I pampered him and spoiled him, whenever I got the chance. "I miss him too, but I can't. Today's is my volleyball tournament."
"Oh, I can't come."
"I know, you never come to my games." I said sadly. I understood her reason. Having Byron come to a game would be catastrophic.
"Do you want to win or do you want your nephew running amuck in the gymnasium?" she asked annoyed.
"Win," I said reluctantly.
"Exactly,"
"Les," I said, pausing, when the waitress came to our table. We ordered our vegetarian patties and salad. I was a vegetarian, whenever I was with Leslie and a carnivore, when Brady and Byron were with me. "Have you noticed the way that Jevian stares at you?"
"Um, no. Why?" Leslie said, as she leaned against the back of the booth.
"Just curious."
"Savy," she said softly.
"Yes, Leslie?"
"Are you in love with Jevian?" she asked carefully, as she placed her open palms on the table. "Are you in-"
"Excuse me?" I interjected.
"It's a simple question," she mumbled. "Are. You. In. Love. With-"
"Yuck, Leslie, he is like thirty." I said, hiding my feelings for him. It was useless, whenever it came to my older sister, it was hard to hide my feelings. She knew me like the palm of her hand. In a way, it was good to have such a good relationship with your older sister, but at times, it was hell. Especially, right now!
"I guess." Leslie shrugged.
The waitress brought our food and we ate in silence. I could see my sister's face clouding with questions. I knew her so well. I wanted to confide in her, but I was scared that she was going to judge me. I loved Jevian, but he would never love me the way he loved her. She was the light of his eyes. Even a blind man could see it.
"Look, I have to go." I said, when I finished eating my salad. "I'll take the veggie patties back to work with me. I'll eat it on my next break. Are you coming to pick me up or is daddy coming?"
"Daddy said he's coming." Leslie said, as she took a bite of her salad.
"Well, I'll see you later." I said, smiling at my sister. "I love you, Les."
"Bye," Leslie said, as her eyes got moist. "You've grown so much!" she said proudly.
I looked around us and sighed. Since Leslie got pregnant with her second child, she was very emotional. Everything about me made her cry. It didn't matter if it was something good. It was embarrassing, but I didn't want to make her sad.
"Thanks for coming." Leslie said, her voice breaking.
"I'll see you later." I said, getting up from the booth and standing beside her. I hugged her and kissed her cheek.
"Anytime, Pollita."
"Stop calling me chicken in Spanish." I said annoyed.
"I can't help it." she laughed. "You used to follow me everywhere when you were a baby. Look at you now, so beautiful and so cute."
"I'm not a baby anymore, so stop embarrassing me." I hissed. Leslie's smile died and I felt like the biggest idiot in the world.
"Sorry," I said, sitting beside her and taking her hand in mine. "I'm sorry."
"It's fine." she said and kissed my cheek. "You should go. I don't want Jay firing you."
"Well, bye!" I said, waving at her.
"Have a good day, sissy."
"Bye, Les."
I walked down the street and saw Jevian struggling to open the front door of his shop. I helped him and he smiled sweetly at me. "Thanks, kiddo."
I sighed and walked inside after him. He was eating lasagna by the looks of it. He rarely ate, but when he ate in front of me, it was lasagna. I finished my veggie patties and watched as he sat at the end of the counter and stared at me.
"You know what's strange, Savannah?" he said, as he chewed his food.
The sound of my name in his lips sent shivers down my spine. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I would swoon.
"Nope, Jevian." I said, forcing my voice to sound nonchalant.
"This is the third time that a customer thinks that I am gay." he said, placing the fork on his plate. "I, wow." he said, as he ran his hand through his hair.
"Dude, for real." I said, feigning surprise. "What is up with these people?"
"Yep," he said, shaking his head.
"How strange," I mumbled and continued eating. "I wonder who is calumniating you."
Jevian laughed and shook his head. "I think it's Ms. Flanders."
"Ms. Flanders?" I asked confused. He nodded his head and walked to where I stood. "Yep, probably." Oh goodness! I was lying! Poor old lady. She was carrying the burden of my lies.
"I should stop servicing her, right?" he said, as he stood a few inches away from me.
"Right," I said, assenting my head. "And also stop working with that Brown lady."
"Mrs. Brown?"
I nodded and stepped away from him. "Yeah, her. She is a witch. She can't even take care of her little son."
"Yeah, she is a little scatter-brained." he laughed. "Anyways, how was your lunch break?"
"Good." I said. "Leslie bought me food."
"She was here?" he asked intrigued. He got closer and sniffed me. He sniffed me just like my father usually do to me, when he thinks I was lying.
"Yep, she usually waits for me and we eat together at Lolita's Diner down the street."
"Oh, will she be coming over to say hello to me?" he asked hopeful.
"I guess, no, I don't think so. She had to work." I said annoyed. "You two aren't joined by the hips to be together so often. She is married, Jevian." I snapped.
"Well, Ms. Reynolds," Jevian said irritated. "Leslie and I have been friends for fifteen years. It's hard to not be attached to your best friend." he said, taking a step back and glaring at me. He was angry at me. I wanted to cry.
"I thought Haliee Christina was her best friend." I lied, turning around, gathering my food and walking to the trash can. I wasn't hungry anymore. I wanted to throw the food in his face, for being so blind and not seeing how his actions were hurting me.
"She is a friend of hers. But according to Leslie, I am her real and only best friend."
"How come? Brady doesn't like you." I spat.
"I don't like him either, but I tolerate him." Jevian said calmly.
"Why?"
"Long story." he mumbled, returning to his food.
"I'm young!" I said interested. I wanted to know what united Leslie and Jevian. Why was their friendship so strong? "I have all the time in the world."
"Well," he paused and placed the lid on the container that had his lasagna. "I don't want to tell it."
"Fine, be like that," I said irritated and walked to the storage area. I grabbed the broom and began sweeping the studio. Jevian gave me some space to cool off, but I was still annoyed every time I saw him.
"Why are you so moody lately?" he asked, as he touched my shoulder. The simple contact of his cold hands against me sent shivers down my back.
"I don't know. Why do you ask? It could be my boss." I said curtly.
"Your boss?"
"Yes," I said, nodding. "He- ugh, never mind." I said.
"He, what?"
"Never mind. I'm going back to the storage room to organize the shelves. If you need me you know where to find me."
"Alright," he said nonchalantly. When I began to trudge to the storage, his voice resonated in my ears like music. "Savy,"
"Yes?" I said, turning to face him.
"Stop telling people that I am gay." he smiled and winked at me.
"You knew?" I asked mortified.
"I can hear you from a mile away." he laughed.
"You can?" I blushed, dropping the broom on the floor.
"Yes, remember... I am not human." he said, as he walked to where I stood.
"I, you aren't human?" I asked confused.
"No," he said, shaking his head. "I'm not entirely human."
"But, you are a man, a human man." I said baffled. "You look human to me. Elegant, gorgeous and super sexy!" I blurted out.
"I know," he said, smiling again. "And you are a beautiful young girl that needs to stop telling my customers that I am gay."
I nodded and bent down to pick up the broom. "It won't happen again." I whispered and returned to my work.