It's Friday peeps! Sorry for the late upload :/ I can hardly believe were already on Chapter 11... It truly amazes me how much love and support and encouragement you all have given me, and continue to give me with your reviews, favorites and follows. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Without further ado, Chapter 11...
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my plot and my original characters.
Chapter 11- The Non-Date Date
She and some guy went to the bodega up the street, and came back with groceries. All locked up tight for the night it looks like. I'll report back if anything changes. –S
Bellamy sat, staring at the message from Sterling. He relaxed a bit at the knowledge that she was safe at home. He assumed the guy she was with was her brother. He, on the other hand, was supposed to be gearing up for a night on the streets. He was the type of leader who didn't ask things of his men that he himself wasn't willing to do, so he was going out with his guys to see if they could figure out what the hell was going on in the Bronx. He closed his eyes and bowed his head. He mentally cleared his head, getting in the right frame of mind. The night was still young, and anything could happen… He needed to be prepared.
Around him the sounds of cabinets banging, voices talking, and the occasional sound of a gun being loaded echoed in the large garage. All his guys were here, dressed in dark, baggy clothes, getting their weapons cleaned, loaded, and ready to go.
This had become their ritual before missions. They all gathered in the garage at the club, and went through information, checked weapons, and got orders. Bellamy found that the comradery of being close before going out seemed to settle everyone, and help them get their heads in the game. Being together focused them all, and reminded them of what they fought for whenever they left their sanctuary… Family.
"Jasper, if you don't wake up and help me, I swear I'm going to eat all your Girl Scout cookies!" Monty shouted after trying to wake Jasper up for the past 20 minutes.
Jasper, who was lying on top of a metal table, grumbled something to the effects of, "You don't know where they are." Before flipping over onto his side, away from Monty, towards Bellamy's direction, and curling into a ball.
"Oh…" Monty grinned evilly. "You mean the box of Shortbreads in the air vent?" Jasper's eyes popped open, listening to his best friend. "Or the box of Tagalongs duck taped to the underside of the pool table in the House?" His mouth dropped. "Or the box of Samoas hidden in your hollowed out hard cover copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by your desk?" He scrambled until he was sitting upright. "Or perhaps the Do-Si-Does on top of the liquor shelf in the storage room." Monty paused, and walked around to stare at the now wide-awake Jasper, who was sitting up fully gaping at his best friend. "Oooorrr…" He drew the word out.
"No…" Jasper whispered menacingly. "Don't you dare! Not the…"
"Box of Thin Mints stashed in Antonio's office." Monty finished smugly. All the guys were staring now, taking note of the cookie stash locations.
Antonio grinned. "Thin Mints in my office? Score. Thanks dude." He said to Monty for letting that piece of information slip, before turning back to reloading the clip in his hand.
Jasper lunged at Monty, who danced gracefully out of the way causing Jasper to fall and hit the floor. "I'm up." He said miserably, not moving from the hard ground. "Monty… You're a butt munch. Now I've got to go hide them all before Antonio and Murphy's big mouths get ahold of them."
Bellamy rolled his eyes. These two were his eyes in the sky when they were out in the field… He briefly wondered how they weren't all dead by now.
Bellamy quickly laced up his boots and zipped up his black hoodie. He had two 9mm Glocks in the shoulder holster underneath his hoodie, and his Eagle at his back tucked into his jeans, held there by his belt. He was ready to go.
He stood up, put his phone on vibrate, and slipped it in his pocket. Everyone noticed Bellamy standing, ready to go, and quickly wrapped up what they were doing. Once his guys were ready, Bellamy crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the table at his back. He nodded to Monty and said, "Tell us about the drug." Monty grabbed a clip board on one of the tables and began to go through it explaining what he found.
"Okay, from what I can tell, the drug contains similar ingredients found in hallucinogens and stimulants as well as other chemicals. Think… ecstasy meets speed. The official name is Whiperia; street names include Whip, Re-Re, and Cats Eye."
"What the hell kind of stupid names are those?" Murphy asked with a disgusted look on his face.
"Whip is pretty obvious, Re-Re is some kind of mangled nickname off its official ending –ria, and Cats Eye is because the color of the drug in its liquid form is a weird yellow color that looks like the color of a cat's eye." Monty summarized from one of his clipboard papers.
"How does it work?" Miller asked.
Monty flipped to another page. "According to some of the coroner reports on the kids that died from this stuff, the chemicals in the drug increase the level of neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. This creates the high, while other chemicals attack the adrenal glands causing an adrenaline rush. The adrenaline mixed with the high levels of neurotransmitters prolong the high and hallucinations, while increasing its intensity." Monty finished.
"How is it killing people then? What are the side effects?" Lucca asked.
Monty flipped through a couple of more papers, and whistled. "How is it not killing people would be a better question. Side effects are a really long list including: increased heart rate and blood pressure, sharp spike in body temperature, increased alertness, attention, energy, and narrowed blood vessels. The increased blood pressure gets so severe that it triggers brain bleeding… They die of subdural hematomas."
"Wait… Are you telling me that this drug literally caused their brains to explode?" Romeo asked in astonishment.
"Well… Not exploding like you're thinking, but yes, in some of the deaths the pressure in the head built up to the point where it busted an artery or a blood vessel, and the brain hemorrhaged. In one case, the kid had an unknown brain aneurism that burst, causing him to stroke out and die."
"Damn…" Diego muttered. "What about the other cases?"
"Uh… The increased heart rate over an extended period of time caused some heart failures or heart attacks and the sharp rise in temperature led to organ failure and eventually death in some cases." He finished setting the clip board down.
Everyone was silent, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Bellamy spoke drawing their attention to the task at hand. "Okay… I have no idea who the dealers or suppliers are. Dealers are most likely kids in these schools. I was thinking suppliers could be gangs, like the Bloods or Crips, but then I realized they wouldn't push this shit in our city, and especially not in the schools. They aren't stupid enough to do this in our backyard. They know we would wipe them out without thinking for pulling a stunt like this. This is someone new… Be on the lookout for mentions of an up-and-comer. They know this is our city, but they think they're being sly by selling this stuff to kids… That we won't notice it's in the schools and not on the streets. Lucca, Antonio, and I will take Hunt's Point. Miller and Murphy you're in Mott Haven. Romeo, Diego, take South Bronx. Monty and Jasper are on comms of course."
Jasper handed out the earbuds, while Bellamy continued speaking. His guys were about due for a pep talk. "Listen, I know it's been rough here lately. We're being pulled in every direction, and spread a little too thin, but we can do this. We have weathered tougher storms than this together, and we all know it won't last. We'll come out stronger for it like we always do. 'If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.'" He quoted.
"Who said that boss?" Antonio asked.
"Henry Ford." Bellamy answered.
Jasper paused, still holding the earbud in his hand out to Murphy. He looked up and stared at Bellamy with his eyes scrunched together. "Uh… No he didn't. I'm pretty sure Christopher Columbus said that right before he found Alaska." He said with a tone that implied Bellamy should know this.
There were various groans around the room, a few face palms, and a couple of exasperated, "Really Jasper?"
Murphy just shook his head taking the earbud from the man's hand before clasping his shoulder and saying, "Jasper, I don't doubt you believe that's true buddy."
Once they were ready to leave, Monty and Jasper disappeared upstairs to get set up in their cave, while the guys and Bellamy all exited the garage and separated into their teams. Each team got into one of three black Cadillac Escalades before taking off.
The drive was silent, as everyone was listening in on Monty and Jasper talking back and forth to each other, listing off bits of information and doing their checks to make sure everything was running smooth.
"Okay men… Roll call." Jasper chirped through the link. "Team One: Enforcer." He called Miller's street name.
"Here." Came Miller's disembodied voice.
"Menace."
"On fleek." Murphy said with certainty.
"Team One check. Team Two: Beast."
"Present." Diego's deep voice rumbled.
"Hot Shot."
"In the zone." Romeo said smoothly.
"Team Two check. Team Three: Shadow."
"Verified." Antonio said quietly from the passenger seat.
"Ghost."
"Affirmative." Lucca answered seriously from the back seat.
"And last but not least, the boss man himself gentlemen… Rebel."
"Coming in loud and clear Jasper. Wrap it all up for us Monty." Bellamy said while driving.
"Team Three check." Jasper finished before Monty's voice came through.
"Trackers strong, comms in sync, and systems running perfectly. Eagle Eye going on standby. Check-in is in two hours. Good luck guys."
For the first hour, Bellamy, Lucca, and Antonio tracked down as many drug dealers that they could find and pumped them for information… In some of the cockier cases it was threatened them for information. They weren't getting anything. No one knew who was supplying the shit… They wanted to know who it was just as much as Bellamy did, because they were losing business from the whole thing.
Bellamy gave up on the idea of the drug dealers knowing anything, and instead turned to the gangs of the area. He got through interrogating the local chapter of the Bloods before check-in occurred. No one had heard or seen anything noteworthy, but they were still hard at work looking. Check-in was going to be in another two hours.
An hour was spent with the Crips, with the same results… Nothing. Bellamy decided his last stop for the night before he called the hunt off, would be the local Hoovers chapter… Another bust. As they were leaving, he had Miller come through on the comms saying they had something, and for them all to meet them at a St. Mary's Park in Mott Haven.
On the drive over, Miller and Murphy took turns explaining how they came across a kid on the streets, who was the older brother of a friend of one of the dead guy's. It was all very confusing. But if the kid knew what he was talking about and could give them some useful information, Bellamy didn't care how they ran across him.
They reached the park at 2:30 in the morning, and drove around to the corner of the park with the baseball field. Romeo and Diego were there leaning against their SUV that was parked across the street behind Murphy and Miller's SUV. After parking and getting out, they all started their trek through the park to reach Miller and Murphy. They followed Monty and Jasper's directions, and found the two guys standing in front of a figure sitting on a lonely bench under a street light. Their surroundings were vacant from what Bellamy could tell.
Diego immediately moved to the front of the group while they were walking, and Bellamy fell behind to the very back of the group pulling his hood up, both men working in sync. This wasn't their first rodeo. Bellamy, Lucca and Antonio stopped some ways away, in order to not be heard, while the other two continued forward.
Bellamy pulled his hood farther over his head to hide the majority of his face in the shadows. He had an identity to protect after all. Besides who would suspect the guy in the back, who looked like just another man brought along as muscle, was actually the boss and the one calling all the shots? Not many people.
Diego did enough speaking for Bellamy as his lawyer, to know exactly what the boss would say or do in each instance that he had to pretend to be him, and act accordingly. It didn't hurt that the man was intimidating as hell.
Murphy and Miller moved out of the way while Diego stopped in front of the kid and stared down at him threateningly… There was a reason his street name was the Beast. The kid was probably 17 or 18, and he looked scared out of his mind.
"Boss." Miller said in acknowledgment. It looked like he was talking to Diego, but all the guys knew he was addressing Bellamy. Bellamy could hear everything clearly through the earbud.
Bellamy spoke lowly. "What's his name?"
Diego, hearing Bellamy's command through the comm, echoed the question to the kid, "What's your name?"
"It's Jefferson." The kid said looking nervously at all the guys around him. "Jefferson Barnett."
"Get his ID." Bellamy said, prompting Murphy to step forward and ask Jefferson to hand over his wallet. He did so reluctantly. Murphy pulled the ID out and tossed the wallet back to him. He scanned it quickly and nodded his head.
"I say it looks real. Jefferson Barnett. 17 years old. Lives over on Concord Avenue." Murphy summarized casually for all to hear. He pulled his phone and snapped a picture sending it to Jasper and Monty to verify the info.
"Diego… You know what to do." Bellamy murmured.
Diego nodded. He looked to be nodding at Murphy's words, but he was really nodding at Bellamy's directive. He was still staring at the kid. "Tell me what you know Jefferson."
"I don't know a-a lot. Just the name of a couple of dealers, and that they get the stuff from some group calling themselves the Grounders. That's all." He said in a rush. There was something he wasn't saying and Bellamy could tell he was withholding information.
"Monty, what's the 411." Bellamy asked quietly. Diego started circling the kid, while Bellamy waited for Monty to give him any info he found.
"17 years old. Dead father. Lives with his mom and an aunt. Got a brother about a year younger than him. He's a junior and a good athlete. Make's A's and B's. Got good college prospects." Monty said quickly.
"Diego threaten a visit to his mom and aunt if he doesn't spill the rest of what he knows." Bellamy stated softly.
"Jefferson... I know your hiding something." Diego taunted. Jefferson started to look queasy. "Maybe I should go ask your mommy what you're hiding from me. What about your aunt? Does she know? Maybe I should go ask them both huh?" The kid looked down right sick now.
"N-no… They don't know anything. If I tell you, promise you'll leave me and my family alone?" The kid asked desperately.
"Tell me everything you know… The truth mind you… and you're free to go." Diego guaranteed.
The kid looked at him suspiciously before opening his moth and spilling his guts. "The principle at my school is either supplying the stuff or using. I say she's supplying, and using failing students as her dealers. I think this because when I was in the office the other day to sort out an attendance error, Darius Marshall left her office slipping a plastic baggie with about ten yellowish pills in his pocket. The guy is stupid as fuck." The kid cursed.
"Language." Diego barked.
The teenager jumped and yelp out a quick "Sorry!" before continuing. "I meant he's a moron. He was looking at being held back and repeating junior year… again. And now he's passing every class with a higher grade than even the smartest kid in the class. Same for all the other idiots in the school. I know for a fact he's been dealing because he offered to hook my up little brother and his friends more than once. My dad died when we were just kids, so I've pretty much raised my brother. I have plans for us to get out of here… I don't want him to end up just another statistic, lost to a gang or drugs, so I've made sure he's tough enough to say no to peer pressure. He refused every time Darius approached him, and I thank God for that every day." The kid said sighing and hanging his head.
"Why is that?" Diego asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"Because one of his friends, Zachary, didn't refuse, and he got hooked. He died a couple of weeks ago… Heart attack. As much as I want to be sad about that… I just can't help but be so relieved it's not my brother that's dead. Does that make me a bad person?" He asked looking up at Diego with tears brimming in his eyes.
Diego shook his head. "No Jefferson. It makes you human." He paused before saying, "I need the name of your principle and those drug dealers."
"Her name is Lexa Roux. It's French or something. She calls herself the Commander. Why, I have no idea. The Grounders is a name my brother said Darius used. That is all I know. I swear." Jefferson finished.
Bellamy believed him this time. "Let him go." Bellamy muttered audibly.
Diego took a step back from the teenager, who stood. Diego shook hands with the younger man. "Keep your head down and your nose clean kid. This should be over within a couple of weeks."
The kid nodded before walking off with his head down. Once he was out of sight, the guys all turned to Bellamy.
"Let's go home boys." Bellamy said simply. There were no words spoken on the drive back to the club… No words were needed for Bellamy to pick up on the unspoken thoughts running through the mind of his men. They were thinking of where they would be if they had made different choices. Who would or wouldn't be alive at this very moment. Would the brother next to them, breathing the same air as them, be breathing at all if even one thing hadn't happened the way it had? Probably not, and that is what shook them to the core. Without one of them, there were none of them.
It was a sobering thought.
After everyone had unloaded and changed back into regular clothes, Bellamy issued his orders. He wanted them to coordinate some other guys to watch this Lexa chick and all her dealers, and they would meet up again Wednesday night. He told them to use the time up until then to refresh and recoup.
After that, they all slowly left to go home. He had Miller, Murphy, Lucca, Antonio, Diego, and Romeo all come up and shake his hand, giving him one armed hugs, while Monty and Jasper about knocked him to the ground with their little impromptu group hug.
After everyone left, Bellamy himself made his way home… His mind running through all the information he had gotten, and forming a nice little plan to eradicate these so called Grounders. With the way things were looking, barring any unforeseen events, Bellamy figured he could have this thing cleared up nicely by the end of the week. Yes, Bellamy thought happily. Get this cleared up, and then spend more time with Clarke.
As her friend of course, He added as an afterthought. Just her friend.
XxxX
Monday morning came and went quickly with Bellamy back in his morning routine. Nightmare, morning run, get ready for work, eat something, and then out the door to the office. Although, a nice addition to his morning was Sterling's phone call that reported Clarke drove her brother to the airport before going home and getting ready for her shift that started at 8:30 AM. Bellamy drove his Charger to work, since he didn't have a driver. On his way into the building, Bellamy got another message from Sterling saying she had made it safely to the hospital without incident.
The doors to his private elevator hadn't even opened on his office floor before he heard the yelling. Very distinct yelling. It was the booming yell that usually accompanied his father everywhere he went.
Bellamy rolled his eyes and shoulders, resisting the urge he felt to hit the stop button and then the ground floor button, to go right back down to the lobby… Barely.
The yelling only got louder as the doors opened, revealing his father yelling at his terrified looking secretary, who was desperately trying to convey he hadn't come in yet. Maybe she'll quit, so I won't have to eventually fire her. Bellamy thought hopefully. After her little clothing stunt last week, she was lucky he didn't fire her right then and there, but HR liked for him to at least keep a secretary for a month before he fired her for whatever reason.
He had a rough time with secretaries the past couple of years, ever since his elderly secretary, Ethel, retired. He'd gone through more secretaries in the past two years than Hugh Hefner had ex-lovers and ex-wives combined. It drove HR crazy, but they were used to it by now, besides… He was the boss. He just hadn't found someone who was professional, kept up with his fast pace, knew what they were doing, and didn't look at him like he was a piece of meat. He didn't think it was too much to ask for, but his long list of ex-secretaries said differently.
"Mr. Blake." Roma said with utter relief in her voice. "I was just telling your father you weren't in yet." She said a bit pointedly.
"Yes Miss Lewis. I heard… I'm sure everyone in the building heard." Bellamy said a bit sourly, glowering at his father.
Damian glowered right back. Bellamy walked past them and opened his office door. He nodded for his father to come in, but just before he closed the door, he turned to Roma and told her to call Mount Sinai and have all of Adam's hospital bills covered as well as any rehab he might need.
With a click, the door closed and Bellamy turned walking to his desk. "I'm a bit busy, and I'm sure you've got other things to do today, so let's cut to the point. What can I do for you Dad?" He asked briskly.
"Watch your tone boy. I let Thursday's spat slide, but make no mistake, I'm still in charge around here." Damian said seriously.
Bellamy nodded and started up his computer while talking. "Okay Mr. Large-and-in-Charge, tell me how Finn being on drugs slipped past your sharp eye. Or perhaps, there's a reason I'm dealing with this Bronx situation, and not one of your many other capable people… Or there's the fact that I heard you're looking to marry my dolt of a half-brother off to a Boss' daughter from Marcus, instead of you. That, at the very least, is something you should have told me about, seeing as how I keep relations and do most of the business with the other Families… Probably something I should have known about the minute you decide on it, so I don't look stupid later on down the line." He finished casually while multi-tasking and answering important emails.
"Bellamy!" Damian barked.
"What?!" Bellamy said exasperatedly looking up from his computer and throwing his hands in the air. "I asked you to get to the point, but you wanted to talk about my tone of voice. I figured we were just talking about the problems we're having with each other, and I listed mine."
"Damn it Bellamy! Stop pushing my patience! It's thin enough as it is with everything going on with your brother." Damian said wearily.
"That's it!" Bellamy yelled standing up and slamming his fist on his desk making the sturdy wood shake, knocking over the pencil cup. Damian was startled to say the least. "If I have to correct. One. More. Person. I am going to lose my shit. I will get HALF-BROTHER permanently branded across the son of a bitch's forehead." Bellamy threatened.
"Really Bellamy? Isn't it little immature to be name calling." Damian said a bit amused.
"No," Bellamy stated gravely. "It's only immature if they aren't true. For instance, I'm an illegitimate child… A bastard in every sense of the word. I'm sure you've noticed my last name isn't Collins, but I've got some of your blood running through my veins. My only saving grace was being raised by my saint of a mother for the first eight years of my life. Finn on the other hand, is truly the one and only son of the world's biggest bitch… Not one redeeming quality in him."
Damian sighed. He was getting nowhere with his son, and this wasn't what he came to talk with him about. He and Bellamy often butted heads in private, or in front of Marcus. It was just their personalities. Bellamy knew to be respectful with others around, but his sharp tongue and tendency to be head strong, were who he was, and Damian loved his son for who he was. He didn't want him to change. Before he could open his mouth though, Bellamy's secretary came though on the intercom.
"Uh… Mr. Blake. A Mrs. Amelia Collins has been calling all morning. She's on line one." And with a click she was gone.
"Oh dear God!" Bellamy groaned. Why the hell weren't those the first words out of his secretary's mouth? Now, he was in a world of trouble… Great. Just great.
Bellamy took a deep breath, and picked up the phone. "Hey Nonni…" Bellamy spoke, trying to sound upbeat and not let the foreboding he was feeling, leak into his voice.
"BELLAMY ALEXANDER BLAKE!" Bellamy winced and pulled the phone away from his ear. "I have been calling and calling all morning. Why haven't you picked up young man?" His grandmother asked crossly.
"Sorry Nonni. Dad's been here since I got in, and he's been a real grump… Yelling and shouting up a storm. It's been a very upsetting ordeal." Bellamy said sadly, but gazing at his father with a devious look. This was payback for barging in, acting like he owned the place.
"Oh you poor thing. I'm sure it was. Is he still there?" She questioned, her voice softening drastically.
"Yes ma'am. He is. Do you want to talk to him?" Bellamy asked. Damian shook his head no making a slashing motion across his neck.
"I sure would Tesero. Put him on." She said sweetly.
Bellamy held out the phone, grinning wickedly. He mouthed a smug Good luck, not really meaning it… Bellamy hoped she fried his ass.
Damian took the phone and sat down heavily on one of the chairs in front of Bellamy's desk. He did a quick sign of the cross, before answering the phone. "Hey Ma…"
And for the next ten minutes nothing but shouting was heard through the phone. It was so loud Bellamy could hear every word crystal clear. He swore his father had developed a permanent twitch from how many time he winced and flinched away from the phone.
Bellamy sat back and began going through the numbers for another project he was looking into starting. His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw he had a message from Clarke. Bellamy made sure to keep his face neutral, while on the inside he was grinning like a kid on Christmas.
He swiped the message and typed in his passcode. Her message read…
Did you know… Essentially, you can't tickle yourself? You can't really surprise your own brain. I'm pretty sure I have accidentally tickled myself before though. I am a very ticklish person… You can never use that against me, or tell anyone -_- I will deny it. –Clarke
The massive grin that spread across his face couldn't be helped. She seemed so completely random with her thoughts, the questions that she asked, and the information that she gave so willingly. His whole demeanor changed. He didn't feel quite as annoyed or upset as he was just moments ago while arguing with his father. He felt… Lighter.
Bellamy quickly schooled his features so his father didn't notice that he was actually smiling a genuine smile… He didn't do that too often, so it was probably best not to freak the older man out and get him asking questions.
As Bellamy went to respond, he paused. He didn't know if he was ticklish at all. It was something he had never really thought about. Of course he had been as a child, but as an adult… He just didn't know. He had never let anyone get close to him like that. He thought for a minute and began typing.
Your secret is safe with me, Princess… I promise. What prompted you to ask such a strange question? –Bellamy
He waited a couple of minutes before he got a long response.
Susie got discharged today, and we had a wonderful time talking before she left. Her accidentally tickling herself was a random little something she slipped in, between the discussion of unicorns and princesses. Princesses made me think of you calling me princess, so I looked it up and thought I'd share that little fact with you about not being able to tickle yourself. Except now that I think about it, I'm a firm believer in accidently tickling yourself. –Clarke
I will trust your judgement on the matter Doctor Princess. Your word is final. –Bellamy
I here by decree, accidental tickling is a thing. Bellamy, you might have to take away this new power I have… It's going to my head. –Clarke
Nah, your fine. Aren't you supposed to be saving lives Princess? Not talking to boring business men… –Bellamy
I have a break before I start my rounds. I figured I would brighten your day a bit… I'm sure your cubical gets a bit dreary, but I do have to get going. Have a good day :) –Clarke
Bellamy swiveled his chair to look out the windows. Facing away from his father, he allowed the smile that only seemed to appear with anything Clarke-related, grace his face as he looked out at the city horizon. She thought he worked in a cubical… How wrong she was. However, she wasn't wrong about the brightening his day part, and he would have a good day now… Because of her. She couldn't have been truer in her words.
Bellamy listened and heard that his father's lecture seemed to be winding down… 52 minutes after it started. Another three minutes later the phone was back to resting on the hook. Complete silence overtook he office.
"That was low." Damian said eventually.
Bellamy shrugged casually and turned the chair sideways so he could see both the city and his father. "It was me or you, and I get one at least every week or so. Sometimes more, so I chose you as the sacrificial lamb. Sorry, not sorry."
Damian chuckled. "Talk to me son. Are you okay? Marcus told me you were in the hospital the other day? Something about Jaha being behind it?"
Bellamy calmly told him about the assassination attempt, and everything that followed. Leaving everything Clarke related out of course. His father freaked, like predicted, and demanded he get more security immediately. Bellamy made it clear, he wasn't. He explained how he had a new guy being trained at that very moment… Which he did. Jones was with Antonio learning the ropes as they spoke.
Damian reluctantly agreed… They talked a bit more about giving Bellamy and his crew a break after they resolved the Bronx situation, before Bellamy had to get ready for a meeting. Damian agreed to the break and said his goodbyes, leaving his son with a firm hug and a promise to call later.
Thankfully the rest of Bellamy's day passed in a blur. He and Clarke texted back and forth throughout the rest of the day, random questions or facts they knew, prompting the other to respond. Bellamy couldn't help the small, almost indecipherable smile that appeared whenever he felt his phone vibrate, alerting him to a new message.
After work, Bellamy stopped by a take-out place and picked up food on the way to his penthouse. After putting the food in the refrigerator, he quickly dressed and headed to the gym for a work out. He only stopped when he got a message from Sterling saying she was on her way home, and then he was right back to it, taking his worry out on the punching bag. It was only when Sterling messaged him again letting him know she had made it home safe that he allowed himself to relax a bit. He headed back up and took a shower before settling on his couch with cold take-out and the history channel on T.V. He didn't get to do this too often, but he enjoyed it when he could… Enjoy the little things and all that jazz.
He began thinking of that places he wanted to take Clarke and show her the next evening, but he was coming up with way too many possibilities. He wanted to surprise her of course. She said she liked art. Suddenly the ideal place came to mind… The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
As Bellamy began planning their trip, his phone started ringing from the coffee table in front of him. His grandmother again… He had avoided her all day in the hopes that she would give up. He should have known better.
"Hey Nonni." He answered casually. "How was your tea luncheon with Gloria?" He asked pointedly.
"What tea luncheon?" His grandmother asked confused, thrown for a minute at not knowing what he was talking about.
"The one you had yesterday? After church?" He prompted. Still nothing. "The reason you couldn't make our lunch plans, and Clarke had to step in?"
"Oh yes! Strangest thing… It was cancelled." She said shortly. Cancelled his ass… More like was never happening. "Since you brought it up though… How was the date? Where did you take her? Are you going out again? Isn't it all just so wonderful?! I told you to stop looking and she would find you, and here she is!" She exclaimed excitedly. His grandmother was borderline squealing… Something he'd never heard her do before.
"Nonni… Calm down!" Bellamy chided gently. "It wasn't a date. We. Are. Just. Friends." Bellamy emphasized carefully.
The line went completely silent… Bellamy actually pulled the phone away from his ear to make sure it didn't disconnect or anything. Nope, they were still talking.
"Nonni? Are you there?" Bellamy asked a bit worriedly. It wasn't a good thing that she was so quiet.
He heard her clear her throat a couple of times. "You're… Just… Friends...?" She choked out. "Dolce Maria, Madre di Dio (Sweet Mary, Mother of God) …" She whispered. Bellamy could practically see his grandmother making the sign of the cross while whispering the words. "What did you do to scare her off? She is such a perfect and lovely girl! How could you have messed this up? I had her hooked… All you had to do was reel her in! How could you do this to me? You just let her slip through your fingers! Will I never have great grandbabies?" She ranted, rapidly switching back and forth between English and Italian.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa…" Bellamy said quickly before she could go off again. "I didn't do anything. Promise. And I didn't 'scare' her off. We're going to hang out again tomorrow night. She's a really nice person… That's why we're friends." Okay, so Bellamy fibbed a bit. She wasn't just a 'really nice person'. She was the most fascinating, intriguing, stunning individual he'd ever met, but there was no need to egg his grandmother on.
His grandmother sighed heavily. "Well, I'll just have to pray that what they say is true, and hope that this friendship grows." She sighed again dramatically.
Bellamy opened his mouth to refute what she was saying, but he paused. "Wait, who says what?" Bellamy asked confused.
"Do you really want to know?" His grandmother teased.
"Yes." Bellamy said with a hint of impatience.
"All the best, most successful, long-lasting relationships have roots in friendship, and grow into something more." His grandmother spoke wisely.
Bellamy rolled his eyes, putting no stock in what his grandmother was saying.
"Okay, Nonni, okay." Bellamy said in a placating voice while rolling his eyes. "Just… Don't mention any of your little theories or dreams to Clarke, or anything about what I do. She doesn't know I'm a huge business owner. I don't need you being the one to scare her off by trying to play matchmaker. Oh, and by the way… Stop trying to play matchmaker Nonni!" Bellamy exclaimed. "I swear you're worse than that old guy on the eHarmony commercials."
"Oh whatever. It'll happen." She dismissed.
It was Bellamy's turn to sigh. After a few more minutes talking with her, they said their good-byes and hung up.
That night, Bellamy went to sleep dreaming of beautiful blue eyes and slept soundly until a nightmare woke him shortly before his alarm went off at seven. While he had still had a nightmare, he was grateful to have slept for the whole night… It was an unexpected development, to say the least.
Bellamy's whole day seemed to pass in slow motion. His anticipation to see Clarke growing with every hour that passed after lunch. He made sure to call the director of the museum when he got into work that morning, and set everything up for the evening. He had a very expensive membership with the museum that he didn't really use too often and donated huge sums of money every year, so the director was more than willing to accommodate Bellamy's requests. Since the museum would close at 5:30, they would have the whole place to themselves… Bellamy wouldn't have to worry about people recognizing him or taking pictures.
Bellamy got a continuous stream of messages from Sterling throughout the day, updating him on Clarke's activities as well as her whereabouts. After lunch with his grandmother at noon, she ran a few errands, and went grocery shopping for a few items.
He also got a couple of messages from Clarke herself, asking where they were going so she knew how to dress. He just told her to where something casual, and that the location was a surprise. The remaining messages were spent guessing where they were going… Each one making him smile a bit on the inside.
Finally, five o'clock rolled around, and Bellamy made a hasty exit from his office to the parking garage. He had enough time to go to is penthouse and change clothing. He changed out of his grey three-piece suit into a pair of khaki pants, and a dark blue button up, with the top two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up. He strapped a Glock to his ankle since he wouldn't have a coat or anything to cover his gun. He made sure to grab a plain black ball cap, his ray bans, and a dark hoodie before he left once again.
The drive to her apartment was quick, mostly due to Bellamy's 'all gas, no brake' driving. He was anxious and a bit nervous to see her again… To be in her presence. He mentally slapped himself for acting like a teenager.
As he pulled up, there lo and behold was his princess wearing a pair of black skinny jeans with a light grey tunic tank top. She had on black flats, with a black purse-bag thing dangling at her side, and her hair was hanging in natural curls around her bare shoulders. She was leaning casually against the building, with a small smile on her face as she gazed at something on her phone.
Bellamy quickly parked his Charger across the street and slipped on his shades, while putting his hat and hoodie in the back seat. He took a quick glimpse around seeing Sterling in the SUV down the street. After a typing him a quick message to take off and be ready to come back later in the evening, Bellamy turned off his car and opened his door.
As he began to approach her, Bellamy's nervousness and anxiousness seemed to leave him with every step he took. The closer he got, the lighter he became… The weight he carried all day, every day of being either infamous Underboss or famous billionaire business man lifted right off his shoulders. With her, he was just Bellamy… Something he never thought possible, but enjoyed immensely none the less.
Then, as though she sensed him drawing near, she looked up, spotting him, and grinned brightly, stealing the breath right out of his lungs. It was like seeing the sun and feeling its warmth after being locked away in a dark, cold windowless room for weeks on end.
She closed the distance between them, her grin never wavering. "Hi… So where are we going?" She asked excitedly, almost bouncing on her toes.
Bellamy couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face if he tried. "Nuh-uh Princess. You know that's not how this goes." He said in a playful admonishing voice. "It's a surprise."
"You and your surprises… One of these days I'm going to surprise YOU, and it's going to knock your socks off." She vowed.
You already do, Bellamy thought to himself. "Whatever you say Princess, whatever you say."
Once they were both in the car, Bellamy began driving to the museum. "How was your lunch with my grandmother?" He asked in a casual tone. It was just a conversation starter, he told himself. It had nothing to do with wanting to know anything and everything about what his grandmother told Clarke during their time together earlier in the day… Nothing at all.
"It was wonderful. She is so amazing and remarkable. I really enjoy talking with her. She was telling me all about the charities she's involved with, and more information about the church and the people there. She told me all about you of course…" She teased.
She meant her words to be light, but they only served to make Bellamy's stomach drop and his body to tense. His hands clenched around the steering wheel. "Oh?" He forced out calmly. "What about me?"
"She was a bit vague, but from what she was telling me, you work for this big corporation that buys and builds on land, and then you either sell or keep whatever you build… She also said something about buying other companies too. She mentioned that you're like the right hand of the boss and that he basically coined the term workaholic and usually has you working crazy late hours." She summarized.
Leave it to his grandmother to talk about him, making him out to be the poor overworked employee, when in reality he was the boss doing the overworking… He knew it was a pointed crack at his working habits.
"Uh… Yeah something like that." Bellamy said evasively. Clarke didn't seem to notice, too focused on looking out the passenger window, trying to figure out where they were.
"She's a really extraordinary person." Clarke said looking over at him. "You're extremely lucky to have her." Clarke said gently.
"Yeah, I am." He said lowly, knowing he was. "What about you? Any grandparents?" Bellamy asked quickly, changing the subject.
"My dad's parents died before I was born, and my mom's parents disowned her for marrying my dad and having me, so I've never had any grandparents. It's hard to miss something you've never had, ya know?" She questioned.
Bellamy nodded… He did know. "Close your eyes." He said quickly.
"Okay…" She said eying him suspiciously, before doing as he asked. There was a parking garage across the street of the museum on the corner, but to get to it, he had to drive right past the museum, and he didn't want Clarke to know where they were going yet. He contemplated letting her open her eyes again once they were safely in the garage, but decided against it. He parked the car, and turned it off, telling her to stay put with her eyes closed. He quickly got out and walked to her side of the car, opening her door. Clarke had already unbuckled her seat belt and had slipped her bag strap over her shoulder.
Bellamy slipped his big hands into her small delicate ones that were resting in her lap, relishing in the contact and the now familiar electric feeling that ran through his body. He helped her out of the vehicle carefully.
"Can I open my eyes now?" She asked with an adorable frown.
"Nope, not yet. Can I trust you not to peek Princess?" Bellamy asked grinning.
"I dunno. It depends… Can I trust you not to walk me into a door or something? Or walk me off a building?" She asked cheekily.
"Yes, you can trust me. 20/20 vision over here. I wouldn't let anything happen to you Princess." Bellamy vowed.
"Then you know my answer too. Okay, so no peeking… Got it." She said with a head nod.
"Hold on for one more second…" Bellamy dropped her hands and opened the backdoor, grabbing his ball cap and jacket, before closing the door and putting on the hat. He closed Clarke's door and locked the car, all while still watching Clarke out of the corner of his eyes.
"Ready to go?" Bellamy asked using his free hand to grab one of hers and tugging lightly.
"Bellamy… I am dying to know where you're taking me, so yes I'm ready! Let's go please before I explode from the excitement." She said in an exaggerated exasperated voice.
Bellamy chuckled. "Okay, come on then." Once they were on the side walk, Bellamy made sure to walk on the outside. Clarke automatically took Bellamy's arm and looped both of hers around it. It was a bit difficult, but they managed, laughing and chuckling the whole way. Clarke kept suggesting places as to where they could possibly be going, but she was always wrong.
Finally, after a short walk, they stood in front of the museum. There were a few people walking past and a couple street food vendors packing up along the side walk, but other than that, no one else was around with the museum being closed. More importantly, no one seemed to recognize him.
"Okay Princess, open your eyes." Bellamy whispered in her ear after turning her so she was facing the museum.
Her blue eyes fluttered open, and then widened. Her jaw dropped, causing her mouth to form a little 'o'. She gasped, tightening her hold on Bellamy's arm.
"Bellamy… You brought me to The Met?" She asked in a small voice.
Oh God… She hates it. Way to go Blake. Bellamy mentally berated himself. Before he could do or say anything though, he found himself with a beautiful blonde in his arms, with her arms around his neck hugging him tightly while her feet dangled from the ground. Bellamy was in shock for a moment before he realized she was actually hugging him. He quickly hugged her back relishing in the feel of her, soft and warm, in his arms. Her light lavender scent teased his senses, making him want to bury his nose in her soft curls, but then, it was over, and she was back on the ground, staring at the building in awe, while Bellamy was left standing there looking at her like a dazed idiot trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.
Then she was looking at him with that smile… The smile that made his world stop, and start all at the same time. The one that infected his very being, and made it impossible for everything to not be alright. That smile could make or break any man, no matter how strong or weak.
As they began walking up the steps, Clarke asked a bit hesitantly, "Umm… Bellamy, isn't this place supposed to be closed though?"
"Yeah, but I know some people and called in a favor or two, and well, we're in." Bellamy said with a shrug. It was really nothing for him to do.
They walked to one of the sets of doors, and Bellamy rapped his knuckles on the glass of one of the doors a couple of times. A couple seconds or so later, the click of the door being unlocked was heard, and Bellamy opened the door ushering Clarke inside. He closed the door behind him and heard the lock re-engage.
"Oh. My. God." She whispered, looking around at the grandeur of the Great Hall. "I can't believe you got us in here."
Bellamy smiled proudly. She was so happy… He didn't know how he was going to top this, and they hadn't even walked around or had dinner yet.
He took off his hat and sunglasses, and held them in his free hand, while his other hand held his hoodie. Clarke looked at him, noticing that his hands were full. She wordlessly slipped his hat and glasses out of his hand a put them in her bag at her side, before footsteps drew her attention elsewhere.
A slim older looking man with glasses appeared and approached them. "Good evening Mr. Blake. I was delighted to get your phone call earlier today." He said shaking Bellamy's hand. He had a slight British accent. The man turned to Clarke and shook her hand, while introducing himself. "Hello, my name is Thomas Camp… I am the museum director here at The Met."
"Clarke Griffin." Clarke said smiling gently at the older man.
"Well, Miss. Griffin, welcome to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the United States and one of the most visited art museums in the world." Mr. Camp listed off. Clarke was nodding along, her attention solely focused on the man. "I have arranged for one of our best tour guides to take you around if you so desire. Ryan!" He called over his shoulder. A young brown haired man appeared as if from thin air. He was of average height, green eyes, and seemed well built. Early twenties maybe.
"Hello. My name's Ryan." He said with his best pearly white smile… Directed right at Clarke. He shook hands with Bellamy, and that's the only acknowledgment Ryan gave him. The man's attention was right back on Clarke… He shook her hand as well, but before she could pull away the guy reached down a kissed the back of her hand. Bellamy glowered… He didn't like this guy. He had that douchebag, pretty boy look about him, but if Clarke wanted him to be their tour guide, he wouldn't deny her.
Because they were standing so closely, Bellamy felt Clarke's hand brush against the side of his pants as she wiped the back of her hand on her jeans. That action alone mollified him a bit. He was further placated when she didn't blush either. While she seemed polite to the man, nodding in acknowledgement of his over the top greeting and smiling a small fake smile, Bellamy got the vibe that she was wary of him as well.
"Miss Griffin, let me show you the exhibits that are the most popular with people." Ryan said motioning to the information desk. She nodded hesitantly, throwing Bellamy a quick look before slowly following him.
Bellamy went to follow as well, but was stopped by Mr. Camp. "Mr. Blake, everything is set up for dinner on the roof top garden. I also had those NDA's faxed to your office just before five. Your special request will be waiting in a white envelope on the front desk by the time you're ready to leave. Let me know if you need anything."
Bellamy nodded. "Good. Thank you, Mr. Camp." Bellamy said dismissively, watching Clarke and Ryan. Mr. Camp turned and left quietly.
Bellamy could tell Clarke was obviously uncomfortable with Ryan, and his abnormally close proximity as well as his overly flirtatious manner. She raised her eyes from the pamphlet Ryan was showing her, to lock eyes with Bellamy, silently pleading for a rescue… And rescue he would. He was across the space separating them in the blink of an eye.
Bellamy put his free hand on the small of Clarke's back as he stopped beside her, and was elated when he felt her relax at his touch. She was comforted by his presence, and although he couldn't bring himself to admit it, that meant the world to him.
"Listen Riley…" Bellamy started coldly.
"It's Ryan actually." The guy interrupted stepping away quickly, a bit thrown off at Bellamy's sudden appearance… It was like he had forgotten Bellamy was there all together.
"Whatever." Bellamy dismissed, narrowing his eye at having been interrupted. "We won't need a tour guide, so you're free to leave." Bellamy said firmly, with a full blown glare.
The guy gulped… He knew he'd fucked up. "Yes sir." He mumbled. He took another look at Clarke, as though thinking she would refute what Bellamy was saying and ask him to stay, but Clarke was too busy looking at Bellamy to see.
The younger man still lingered… His eye's cast back and forth between Clarke and Bellamy. Seeing as how pulling his gun and shooting the man would be a bit impractical, Bellamy opted for just leaning forward and saying lowly in an intimidating voice, "Beat it kid."
The guy apparently got the message, and with another gulp and head nod, he turned and walked away.
"You could seriously give someone a panic attack with a voice like that." She observed. She didn't sound scared, or freaked out. She sounded… amused, maybe? Bellamy closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. He did not like that that guy had made her feel uncomfortable… He didn't like it, not one bit. He was trying to calm down, when Clarke spoke again. "Thank goodness you got rid of him. He smelled terrible. I was drowning in his stinky cologne, and I didn't want to get kicked out of the museum for decking the guy before I really got a chance to look around. That would have sucked." She said thoughtfully.
Bellamy quickly dropped his hand and opened his eyes to see her with a serious look on her face… That adorable little crease between her eyes had made an appearance. Bellamy couldn't help the laugh that burst forward at the mental image of Clarke punching that guy in the face. She was so short and small… He didn't really think she could hurt a fly, much less a person.
"Hey… Are you laughing at me mister?" She asked sternly. "Because I'll have you know… I would have punched him if I was sure I could have gotten away with it." Her words only made Bellamy laugh harder. He only laughed like this when he was with her… He was using muscles he didn't know he had laughing as hard as he was. "You're ridiculous." She huffed before grabbing a map and starting to look it over, while Bellamy slowly calmed down from his laughing spell.
He took a deep breath, before reaching for one of her hands. He tugged on it, making her look up. "Sorry." He murmured.
"Forgiven." She sighed, with a smile that seemed to say 'what am I going to do with you?' Bellamy just grinned. "Oh come on you… I want to see as much as I can. I say we start with the Egyptian Art first and work our way around the first floor. Sound good?"
Bellamy nodded happily. She folded the map in her hand and took his arm as they began a slow lazy walk to the wing Clarke wanted to see, and that's how most of the night progressed.
They looked at all the sculptures, pottery, and artifacts in the Egyptian collection including the Temple of Denhur, before moving on to the American Wing. Darkness slowly encroached over the museum as the sun set. The fading light was seen through the glass windows that covered most of the museum, until it was gone, replace by the black ink of the night sky.
The American Wing showcased furniture, paintings, and sculptures from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Clarke especially loved the bronze Diana sculpture in the massive Charles Engelhard Court part of the wing.
While looking at the sculpture, Bellamy noticed Clarke shiver slightly. The cool temperatures of the museum had gotten to her. "Cold, Princess?" Bellamy asked curiously.
"Hmmm…" She tore her eyes from the piece of art to look up at him. "Oh. Uh… Yeah, I guess I am." She said blushing a little.
Bellamy grinned a little. "Here…" He let her go, and took the hoodie he still had with him, and slipped it over her shoulders. He watched as she slipped her arms in the sleeves and pulled her hair out, zipping it up half way. Bellamy didn't think it was possible, but she looked even more enchanting wrapped up in his oversized article of clothing.
"Thanks." She said sweetly.
Bellamy noticed Clarke had an affinity for the paintings and drawings in the American wing. She seemed to have endless facts about the artists, or the art work itself, stored in her mind, while Bellamy often gave facts about the artifacts and time periods they were from.
"This is a painting that Mary Cassatt did of her older sister, Lydia. She painted it in 1880, when she and her family were vacationing that summer in Marly-le-Roi. It's a little commune ten miles outside of Paris, I believe." Clarke recited from memory. They were looking at the painting entitled 'Lydia Crocheting in the Garden at Marly' by Mary Cassatt. Not once did Clarke look down at the information given… She was focused on the art.
They continued walking and talking, enjoying being with the each other. Clarke helped Bellamy see things in the artwork he had never cared to discover, or had the patience to. She had such an intriguing view of each piece, and Bellamy loved getting to glimpse at it through her eyes. Bellamy enjoyed talking to someone genuinely interested in what he was saying about the history of the pieces, and the importance they had in the time period that they came from. She asked him questions, and made clever comments that in turn made Bellamy think. She challenged him, as he did in return. Once they had made it through the Medieval Art, Arms and Armor, and Robert Lehman Collection, Bellamy steered them toward the elevators. Clarke continued talking, not really noticing where they were going, or what they were doing. Once in the elevator, Bellamy hit the fifth floor button.
"Bellamy… Where in the world are we going now?" Clarke asked. "We at least have to go through the Greek and Roman Art before it gets too late, and we have to leave."
Bellamy just smiled. He had another surprise for her at the end of their tour, that he knew was going to drive her crazy… In a good way of course. Perhaps it would get him another hug.
With a ding, the elevator doors swooshed open to the top floor gardens. "Oh, wow." Clarke said softly. "That view though." She said gazing past the park that surrounded the building, to the tall lit up skyscrapers in the distance. "This is amazing."
Bellamy turned and tugged her forward gently, walking backwards. "Come on. Don't let the pretty lights distract you… We've got a mission." Bellamy teased. Besides, he thought, they have nothing on the blonde vision standing in front of me.
"A mission? What are you going on about now Blake?" She asked with mock exasperation, rolling her eyes… The twinkle in her eye gave away her happiness though. As they walked around a hedge, a table set up for a nice dinner was revealed.
"Dinner, your highness." Bellamy said with a mock bow. Clarke giggled.
"I don't think you realize just how ridiculous you look doing that." She said still giggling, the sound melodious to Bellamy's ears.
"Whatever you say Princess." Bellamy said grinning.
As they walked over, Bellamy pulled Clarke's chair out for her, and let her sit. She slipped her bag off her shoulder and onto the back of her chair, but kept his hoodie on… He wasn't complaining. Bellamy sat down across from her as a waiter appeared at their table.
"Good evening Sir, Miss. What can I get you to drink this evening?" The waiter asked, ready to write the information down.
Bellamy looked at Clarke, "Is wine okay?" He asked.
She nodded, smiling. "Wine is fine, and a glass of water too please."
"Two glasses of wine… Red. And two glasses of water." Bellamy directed as the man set two menus down on the table.
"Yes Sir. Very good sir." Another head nod, and he was off to get their drinks.
Clarke quickly looked the menu over, before setting it down, right as Bellamy did the same.
"What are you getting Princess?" Bellamy asked curiously.
"The Ricotta Cavatelli… You?"
"The same actually… It's really good." Bellamy promised.
The waiter came back a minute or so later carrying their drinks. He took their orders, and promised to have it out shortly before retreating… His gaze didn't linger, he didn't flirt, and most importantly, he didn't hover. Finally, Bellamy thought as the man disappeared, someone who knows how to do their freaking job!
Clarke was back to looking at the skyline. "I hope you didn't do something, like sell your soul, to get us in here…" She said turning to look at him.
"Nah… Nothing of the sort." Bellamy said. He didn't add that he had no soul, so it was impossible to sell something you didn't have. It still amazed him she didn't know who he was. She must have had some inkling… "So you still haven't looked me up yet to see who I am?" Bellamy asked curiously.
"Why would I?" She asked simply. "I know who you are. You're Bellamy Blake... You have an extraordinary grandmother who loves you to pieces, and even though I've only met them once, I'd say you have some pretty awesome, crazy friends who would do anything for you. You bought a restaurant and restored it in honor of your grandparents and mother, who would be so unbelievably proud of you if they could see it. You're a pretty important businessman if I had to guess, seeing as how you had a bodyguard, and someone who wanted to hurt you or try to scare you, and yet you didn't quit your job, because you won't let that person scare you, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to let your boss down because from what I've heard he relies on you more than anyone. From what I know and what I've seen, you're a good person Bellamy Blake." She finished softly.
Bellamy was stunned. No one had ever described him like that… It terms of the people in his life. He usually was defined by his wealth, good looks, or relationship status as a permanent bachelor. "How do you know?" Bellamy asked, too weak willed to restrain himself.
"Because I can just tell… I'm a good people reader. Besides, if you weren't, you wouldn't have those people in your life." She said grinning.
He wanted to tell her he wasn't a good person, far from it actually, and she should stay as far away from him as possible, but couldn't bring himself to. He liked who he was with her, but more than that, he liked the person she thought he was, and he didn't want to destroy that image. He liked just being a part of her world. He would just have to take her word for it. "So tell me Princess… How do you know so much about art?" He asked changing the subject. He'd wanted to know this since they had started walking around earlier in the evening.
"How do you know all your history facts?" She questioned, looking at him with those flawless blue eyes that twinkled in the dim lighting of the garden. "It's your passion… But whereas your passion is history, mine is art."
"Do you compose then?" He asked.
She nodded. "In another life, I would have been an artist." She said wistfully, almost sadly.
"Well why not in this life?" Bellamy questioned. Artist to doctor was a pretty big leap.
"My mom." Clarke said simply. "She's a doctor, so when I was about 13 or so, and showed I was gifted in the healing arts, she ran with the idea of having a doctor daughter following in her footsteps. She had my future career planned all the way up to the day I retired after 15 years of being chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins." She said ruefully. "She felt my art was childish and unrealistic, and hated that I loved it so much. I finally quit telling her or showing her what I was working on, so she would quit lecturing me on how it was a 'waste of time and trees'."
She didn't sound bitter… That's what really caught his attention. Any ordinary person would be bitter or resentful at being told such things… Especially hearing them from a parent, but not his princess. No, she just had a quite acceptance about her, and flickers of hurt that laced her voice on some words. She's not ordinary though jack-ass, she's extraordinary. We've established this! His conscience scolded him.
"Damn…" Bellamy whispered. What kind of parent did that to their child? A shitty one, that's what.
"Don't get me wrong…" Clarke said quickly. "I love what I do. It is such a great feeling when I save a life, or help someone injured, but I just wish I'd had a choice."
"What do you mean?" Bellamy asked a bit confused.
"Well when I got to college, I wanted to get a minor in Art. I didn't plan to use it, but I just wanted to learn more about it… Techniques, styles, etcetera. My mom found out and flipped. She threatened to disown me, saying no daughter of hers would 'throw away God-given talent to become a lowly penny street artist'. I tried telling her it was just a minor, and wouldn't interfere with my other pre-med studies, but she just wouldn't hear of it. My whole family was being torn apart by me it seemed. My brother firmly sided with me, but my dad was distraught about the whole thing. He didn't know what to do… He loved me, and wanted me to do what I wanted and what made me happy, but at the same time he didn't want to go against my mom. Everyone was either arguing all the time, or giving the cold shoulder. Finally, I just gave up. My mom wasn't going to budge, and I didn't want them to continue fighting about me anymore. I went to school, got my M.D. and moved as fast and as far as I could when the opportunity presented itself, to get away from my mom and her big plans. She wasn't happy I didn't stick to her perfect model, but I just didn't care anymore. I wanted to be me. I still draw or paint when I can though, but only as a hobby." She finished.
This girl… This incredibly selfless, amazing girl… gave up her dream for the sake of her family. He had no words for how incredible he found her story, so he just asked the first thing that came to his mind. "Was this past weekend the first time your brother visited you?"
She shook her head. "No, he's come to see me numerous times before, not including helping me move. It's always just sort of been me and him against the world, ya know? It's been hard for us to both not see each other every day like when we were growing up… Some days we don't even get to talk on the phone because of the time difference and crazy schedules. He's thinking of moving here for half the year to be closer to me, and opening one of his art galleries here in New York. Then living the other half of the year at home." She said with a smile on her face. He could tell she was excited about her older brother living in the same city and being able to see him more. Bellamy was happy she had opened up to him, still a practical stranger, like she had… He had a feeling she didn't do that too often.
"I'm sorry for dumping all of that on you like that." She said sheepishly. "I've actually never told anyone about that… I guess I feel like I can trust you." Her head tilted to the side a bit as she said the last sentence.
Bellamy's stomach did that weird flip-flop thing again. She trusted him enough to tell him a bit about her past, the same way he trusted her when he told her the little bit about his grandparents and mother dying. He smiled, "You can." He promised.
The waiter appeared with two plates of food and set them down in front of the couple, with a, "Enjoy. Let me know if you need anything." Before leaving once again.
They both began eating, enjoying the view and the company. They asked more basic questions back and forth. Bellamy learned she loved to cook and bake, hated doing laundry, loved her music more than anything, didn't like to drive, preferring to walk, had a list of places that she wanted to visit in Europe, and then a New York City list too.
Bellamy told her how he hated cooking, but could manage the basics. He didn't mind doing laundry, or the dishes, but grocery shopping was a big fat no. He didn't mention he had a lovely middle-aged lady named Edith, who came once a week on Wednesdays, to clean his apartment, restock his kitchen, and take any clothes he needed to the dry cleaner. He told her about some of the places he'd visited both inside the country and outside of it. He took a mental note of all the places she said she wanted to visit, hoping to be able to take her there one day.
After they had finished eating, they both declined dessert, and ended up wondering to the railing, gazing at the park and the city beyond it. "Thank you for bringing me here." She said softly.
"You're more than welcome." Bellamy murmured back. "I have a question."
"Okay, shoot." She said turning her head to the side, and looking up at him.
"You said you still draw… Can I see some of your work?" He asked a bit hesitantly, worrying he was crossing some kind of invisible boundary for her or invading her personal space. Some people were touchy about showing their work to others, but he could see clearly her art was a huge part of her, and he desperately wanted to know everything about her.
She froze for a minute, and searched his eyes… for what, Bellamy didn't know, but she seemed to like what she found.
"Yeah… I'll show you some of my work sometime." She said shyly. "I never really show my work to people other than my dad and brother… Well my mom when I was younger, but like I said, I quit doing that."
Bellamy nodded. He was just happy she agreed. After a while, they left, going back down to the first floor. They walked through the Greek and Roman Art exhibit and had a wonderful time looking at the pieces. There were old gold jewelry sets, marble sarcophaguses, and various statues of all shapes, sizes, and material. Clarke loved the terracotta jars and vases that had paintings on them. Bellamy told her the story or myth behind each scene or person painted. It was getting late, so they decided to leave… The last piece they looked at was a terracotta water jar depicting the scene of Persephone's abduction.
As they were exiting the museum, Bellamy stopped them at the front desk in the Great Hall. There was an envelope on the desk just as Mr. Camp said. Bellamy slipped it into his pocket, and they left. The air outside had cooled considerably, causing Clarke to shiver. Bellamy watched as she tugged his hoodie tighter around her small frame. As they began walking to the parking garage, with their arms looped together and Clarkes head resting on his arm, she started asking him questions.
"Are you consider yourself an optimist or a pessimist?" She said randomly.
"Hmm… I guess I'm a pessimist." Bellamy said. Is something bad could happen, it usually did, was his way of thinking.
"I'd say I'm a bit of both… What's the worst lie you ever told?"
"Oh jeez… I don't think it was a lie per se, but when I was about ten maybe, I broke one of my grandmother's vases. I was in her formal living room, somewhere I wasn't supposed to be, looking for something my army troops could shoot at, and knocked a crystal vase over. My grandmother was out back gardening, so she didn't hear it break… More like shatter really." Bellamy mused, lost in a memory of what seemed like a life time ago… Back when he was truly still just a child. "I cleaned it up as fast as I could, and dumped the evidence in the trash. Grabbed another vase, and put it where the broken one used to be. I figured she wouldn't notice; I mean all vases looked the same to a ten-year-old." Bellamy said wryly, making Clarke laugh. "Went out front and grabbed a garden gnome to be my bad guy, and went back to playing."
"Did you get caught?" Clarke asked amused by Bellamy's ten-year-old antics.
"Oh hell yeah. Not ten seconds after she walk into that room, I hear her hollering my name… 'Bellamy Alexander Blake'!" He imitated his grandmother with a whisper yell. "I got a two-hour lecture for being in the room in the first place and trying to cover the whole thing up, then milk and cookies after for being inventive with the gnome and cleaning the mess up." Bellamy said grinning.
Clarke broke down giggling. "Oh goodness… I bet you were a hand full as a kid."
"I wasn't too terrible, but I definitely had my moments." Bellamy said smiling, as they came upon the car. Bellamy opened Clarke's door for her and let her get in before closing it and going around to get into the driver's seat.
"Okay, my turn…" Bellamy said, as he reversed out of the parking spot and left the garage. "What is your most treasured possession?"
"Umm… It would have to be my journal. I don't really write or anything, it's just drawings of memories, important things that happen, or feelings, but they paint a story… My story." She said shrugging. She valued memories over materialistic things like a necklace or a ring. If that didn't speak for her character, he didn't know what would.
Man, what I wouldn't give to get my hands on that book. I wonder if I'm in it… I hope I'm in it. Bellamy thought absentmindedly.
"What about you?" She asked.
Well, his most valued possession was a tie between his Eagle from Jake and a picture of him and his mother. He didn't mention the gun, figuring that would freak her out. "I have this picture of me and my mom when I was about six or so, tucked away in her old Bible in my home office." Bellamy noticed her nod out of the corner of his eye.
"That is a pretty special thing to have. What do you do in your free time?" She asked changing the subject, something which Bellamy was very grateful for.
"Work. Read. Hang out with the guys and whatever their doing." Bellamy listed. "Take you out on a tour of New York City." He said grinning at her. She smiled back.
The rest of the car ride was spent discussing when they could go on another outing. Clarke said she was fine to go out on Friday after her all-nighter, but Bellamy was firm when he said he wanted her to catch up on her sleep. She pouted a bit, but relented and settled for Saturday when he asked nicely. Who knew 'please' was such a powerful word? Not Bellamy. He silently vowed to use its power more often with his grandmother and with Clarke… It would surely go a long way when dealing with these stubborn women.
They pulled up to Clarke's apartment around 12:45 in the morning. Bellamy helped Clarke out of the car noticing she left his hat, glasses and hoodie behind on the seat. They stopped right outside the door leading inside.
"Thank you Bellamy. I had such wonderful time… I can't wait 'til we go back and explore the rest of the museum." She said absentmindedly as she searched for her keys. Bellamy's heart leaped in his chest hearing that she wanted him with her when she explored the rest of the museum… She was making future plans that included him, and it made him happier than words could express.
She finally found her keys and pulled them out holding them in her hand.
"I've got one last surprise for you Princess…" Bellamy said grinning.
"There's more?" She asked shocked, maybe a bit worriedly.
Bellamy nodded pulling the envelope out of his pocket and handing it to her. She took it hesitantly, as though it would bite her.
"Go on… Open it." Bellamy encouraged.
She carefully opened the envelope pulling the card inside out… The membership card.
"Holy cow… You got me a membership?!" She asked looking up from the card in her hand.
Bellamy nodded. He got her the same membership he had, which was the best naturally. She now had unrestricted access to anything and everything at the museum.
"I can't accept this… It's too much." She said shaking her head, trying to hand the card back. Like I wasn't expecting that. Bellamy thought sarcastically to himself. He totally did though.
"Please?" He asked quietly, trying out his new word. He widened his eyes a bit, and put on his best eager-hopeful expression. It was hard, because he didn't really know if he had an eager-hopeful expression… He'd never had to use it before.
She looked at him for a second before nodding her head in acceptance. Hot damn, it worked again! He thought gleefully about the word.
"Okay. Thank you." She said with a smile on her face that grew bigger seeing Bellamy's happiness at her accepting his gift.
Bellamy was happy to find that his surprise did get him another hug, and he wasn't so shocked this time that he actually got to hug her back… and a little hair sniff too. As she pulled away, she kissed his cheek.
"I'll talk to you tomorrow, okay?" She asked hesitantly. When he nodded, she gave him one last smile before saying softly, "Good night Bellamy."
"Good night, Princess." He whispered as she disappeared into the building, turning to look over her shoulder at him once more before ascending the stairs. The warmth he felt from her smile lingered before disappearing, leaving him yearning for her presence once again.
Bellamy left soon after, once he let Sterling know where she was and that he was back on duty, heading to his penthouse. The faint scent of lavender seemed to linger in the car with him on the drive, and in the elevator on his way upstairs. Once he was in his bedroom, he realized it was his hoodie… It smelled like her.
That night he went to sleep easily with her comforting smell still clinging to him.
So enter Lexa... Hmm, I wonder what's gonna happen? Any theories or thoughts out there, cuz I'd love to hear 'em! What about Damian getting his butt chewed out by Nonni? Nonni is trying to get Bellamy and Clarke together... Lord help her, she's trying like crazy ;) What about the trip to the Met and the background info Clarke gave us? I love hearing from you all, and I know you won't disappoint.
-Redhead17x
PS- Just a few notes... Writers license is being flashed and waved around in regards to the drug, Whiperia... It's not real, I made it up from my overactive imagination to use it in this story. If someone tried to sell it to you... RUN, cuz it doesn't exist, and you'll quite possibly die if you take whatever they give you. #DRUGSARESTUPID #DONTDOTHEM #EVER
Number two, those gangs (the Bloods, Crypts, and Hoovers) are REAL gangs in NYC. I wouldn't go looking for them. Again, RUN if someone approaches you throwing these names out there, except, remember your running because these are real gangs, and potentially quite harmful and could kill you. Also, the actual name of the Met museum director is Thomas Campbell.
NEXT CHAPTER will be Bellamy and the crew wrapping up the Bronx drug situation, and Bellamy making a late night visit to the hospital... I wonder why? 0_o
Responses to reviews:
Guest 1: I'm so glad you love it! Bellamy is going to need a little nudge in the right direction to really realize he doesn't just want to be friends, but until then, there is ton's of Bellarke fluff ;) As for Sterling, all I can say is he's good at what he does...
Guest 2: Its FRIDAY! ;)
staceywicks19: He is coming to town, and badass Clarke is coming sooner than you think. I think that while your going to like her appearance, you wont like the circumstances surrounding her having to use that part of herself.
Laura: I'm so happy you're loving it so far ;)
Greye: I don't mind the mistakes, not one bit. I appreciate the review :) I update every Friday, so I don't rush anything, or make mistakes. I am so happy you love my story! Yes, at some point in the future, she will figure out who he is. I'll tell you this... That chapter will be explosive!
Guest 3:I am so overjoyed you think they are so cute :) More will be coming!
Guest 4: THANK YOU so much! I really appreciate that, and I am so thrilled you think so :)
Mellissa: I'm so glad you like them together :) More of that will be coming in future chapters.
Guest for chapter 1: Octavia will be coming in at a really dark time in the story... She will be here :)