A/N - Hey all. Thanx for the reviews. For those wondering about Brian and Dom coming back, you'll just have to wait and see. A story isn't as good if it has no suspense. Don't you agree? So, on to the next chapter. Please, Please R&R! Enjoy.
Chapter 8: Hector's Party
Leon walked in the front door, into a very packed living room. There were a ton of people in the middle of the room dancing to 'Ride Wit Me' by Nelly. After searching the crowd a few seconds, he found Vince sitting in a chair with a racer skank on each arm. The blonde on his left was playing with his hair and giggling. The brunette on his right was drawing circles on his chest with her fingers. Figures, he thought. Leon shook his head and walked over to him.
"Hey, V. Nice race, dawg. Congrats." Leon told him.
"Thanks, brotha. Where ya been?"
"Nowhere, man. Wasup?"
"Nuthin'. Just drinkin' and enjoyin' the view." Vince drawled with a shit eating grin on his face.
Leon just shook his head and asked, "You seen Let up in here?"
"Nah, I think she went home. She doesn't know what she's missin'." Vince said.
"Whatever. Look, I'll catch ya later, dawg. I'm gonna go get me a beer." Leon said, leaving Vince and heading for the kitchen.
"Right on, brotha." Vince said as he returned his attention back to the girls in his lap.
As Chanda walked in the front door, she lost sight of Leon. He disappeared into a crowded livingroom. Nervous, she stepped back onto the front porch. What the hell just happened? Oh my god! He is so gorgeous! And sweet. Dammit! What is wrong with me? Calm down. You act as if you've never held a guy's hand before. Stop it! Chanda took another deep, calming breath, and turned back to the door.
Stepping back inside, she bumped into Hector. "Sorry, Hector. I didn't see you there."
"It's okay. It's cool. See ya found the place."
"Yeah. I followed Leon here. He's in here somewhere." Chanda said looking around.
"Cool. Can I get you anything to drink?" Hector asked.
"Sure, you have Shmirnoff Ice?"
"Sure. You sit tight and I'll be right back."
"Okay." Chanda replied taking a position by a window.
The guy walked in the front door and looked around. It wasn't long before he saw her near a window in the dining room. He didn't even notice the two girls who were giving him looks. Passing up the two girls, he headed toward her. She had not seen him step up to her.
"Can we talk?" He asked her.
Chanda was startled. She looked up to find the last person she expected to see, her ex-boyfriend, standing in front of her. "Danny, what are you doing here?"
"I found out from your father where you were staying and I followed you here tonight. Can we please talk about this?"
"No, Danny, its over. Just leave me alone." Chanda replied as she tried to turn away from him.
"Come on, Chanda. Don't do this." Danny growled as he grabbed her arm. Chanda turned towards him with fear in her eyes.
It was at that moment, when Leon came out of the kitchen with his bottle of Corona. He was headed for the living room when something out of the corner of his eye, caught his attention. He turned to see Chanda near a window in the dining room. The first thing he noticed was that some guy had a grip on her arm. Then when he saw the fear in her eyes, he snapped.
Leon made his way toward them, pushing people out of his way. As he came up on them, Leon yelled, "Back off, dawg."
"What?" Danny said.
"You heard me, man. I said, back off." Leon shouted, getting up in Danny's face.
"You back off, asshole, I'm talking my girl."
"Ex-girl." Chanda corrected him. "Danny, it's over. I don't love you. I really don't think I ever did. Just leave me alone."
"Why can't we talk about this?" Danny asked. "I love you."
"Look man, just leave her alone aight?"
"You, stay the fuck out of this! Come on, Chanda." Danny yelled as he yanked Chanda's arm toward the door.
"Owww! Let go of me." Chanda screamed trying to pry her arm free.
"Get your hands off of her." Leon ground out, his temper beginning to flare.
Danny smirked. "Yeah? What you gonna do about it?" Danny asked as he released her arm.
"This!"
And with that, Leon reached back and threw a punch at Danny's head. It connected with his jaw, knocking him to the floor. Leon then tackled him, landing more blows to his face. Danny and Leon fought as Chanda looked on in shock. A few seconds later, Vince and Hector showed up and pulled Leon off of him. Danny just laid there, bleeding. The two girls from before came and picked him up off the floor and helped him outside. Vince held Leon back until he had calmed down and Danny had disappeared. When Vince let him go, Leon remembered Chanda.
He looked over to find her sitting on a chair near the window. She was rubbing her arm and staring at him, a blank expression on her face. Leon walked over and knelt down beside her.
"Are you okay? Did he hurt you?" He asked softly.
She just shook her head. Then she slowly looked into his eyes. He held her gaze for what seemed like forever. And then he heard her say, "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He said slowly smiling at her.
She slowly smiled back. "I think I should go."
"Do you want me to follow you home?" Leon asked as he helped her to her feet.
"No, that's not necessary." She replied.
"Then at least let me walk you to your car." He offered.
"Thank you, I'd appreciate it."
Leon took her hand and led her through the crowd to the front door. Once outside, he put his arm around her shoulders and walked with her close to his side. She took a deep breath of the cool night air and leaned in toward him. Near him, she began to feel safe again. When they arrived at her car, he opened her door for her. Before getting in, she stepped away from him.
"Thanks again for rescuing me."
"No problem."
"Well, I should get going back to my hotel." Chanda said as she turned toward her car.
"Wait!" Leon said as he grabbed her hand. "I didn't catch your last name."
Tiny little tingles shot up Chanda's arm. She turned and looked at Leon's hand at the point of contact and then up at him. She found his eyes, locked on her face. "Oh." She whispered. Chanda paused remembering the warning again. So quickly, she tried to think of something. The first name to pop into her head was her mother's maiden name. "Meadows." She lied. "What's yours?"
"Harris. Can I see you again?"
"Yes. I would like that very much." She said smiling.
"When?" He asked.
Chanda thought for a moment, then replied, "Anytime."
"Tomorrow?"
"Okay."
"Where can I pick you up?"
"I'm staying at the Beverly Hills Plaza."
"Aight, is seven okay with you?"
"Sounds good to me."
"Perfect, tomorrow at seven then."
As Leon held her hand, Chanda turned and slipped into the car. Before releasing her, Leon leaned over and kissed the back of her hand. Then he stepped back and closed her door for her. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Then he stood back and watched her pull away from the curb and drive down the street.
He stared after her until he could no longer see her car. Then he stood there with his eyes closed. She has got to be the most wonderful person that I've ever met. She's beautiful, sweet, innocent, and those eyes. I could get lost in those eyes. Leon smiled. And I get to see her again tomorrow! Excited about tomorrow, Leon jumped into his car and headed home.
As she pulled away, Chanda could see Leon standing there in the street watching her leave. She took a deep breath. Oh my god! What a night? I don't think I've ever met anyone like him! He is so gorgeous, kind, considerate, caring, and his eyes. Oh those eyes! Chanda smiled. And I get to see him again tomorrow! With her heart pounding away, Chanda turned a corner and headed for her hotel.