Author's Note: I just want to thank everyone who has reviewed this story so far. It means so much to be so accepted by you all. I'm glad you enjoy this and I hope you will continue to read as I continue to write. After all, what's a story without readers? Anyway, enough rambling. Here's the next chapter.
Chapter Three
The first thing that caught my eye when I stepped into the penthouse was a framed photo that hung above the mantel of the gas fireplace. There stood my father, dressed in a tux with his arm around a woman in a flowing white gown. From her cherry-red lips that were turned up in a sweet, exuberant smile, to her striking blue eyes, to her long, gold-blonde hair, everything about her screamed elegance and grace.
"What's her name?" I asked as my father shut the door. I looked at him over my shoulder. He scowled, the lines around his mouth deepening. He walked over to the mantel and took down the photo.
"It's not important." He snapped, putting the picture in the fire that burned gently in the fireplace (why he had a fire going in the middle of June don't ask me). The flames immediately sprang to life and soon there was nothing left of the woman but the blue eyes that stared out at me through the white-hot flames. Those eyes, they unnerved me. This woman, his ex-wife, had obviously meant something to him, why else would the sight of her picture be so painful for him?
Neither of us spoke as the flames danced over the picture. I took that opportunity to look at the rest of his apartment.
Everything was white. From the starched sofa that looked as if no one had ever sat in it, to the blinding counter tops that were polished to a perfect shine. The only bit of color in the whole place, or the living room at least, was a beautiful, black, Grand piano. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen. I walked over to it, entranced by its ivory and ebony keys. My fingers brushed against the ivory oh so gently, taking in the feel and the perfectly tuned sound. Composition paper was scattered over the top of the piano and some of it had slid off the smooth surface and onto the floor. I looked at the papers. There were eraser marks over every bit of the surface, but the bold notes stood out against the gray smudges. The notes wove over the paper in a dizzying dance of eighth notes and trills. Just looking at it I could tell it was going to be a masterpiece.
"What are you doing?" He yelled at me, snatching the papers from my hand. I winced as the paper sliced into my finger. Blood slid down my finger and I hurriedly stuck the injured finger in my mouth, sucking at the blood until I was certain it wouldn't fall onto the white carpet or piano.
"I just wanted to see what you were working on." I said. His eyes were blazing and I was cowed by his anger. How could somebody be so obsessive so as not to let people look at their work?
"This is not for you to look at." He snapped, turning away from me and picking up the papers that littered the floor. He stacked everything into one neat pile on top of the piano. "I don't let people look at my work."
"Why?" I asked. Oh I know I shouldn't have said anything, but damn he was touchy, and I'm one of those people who like to push other people's buttons.
"Because." He said, his voice dangerously low. It was a warning. I knew that. But I was never one to adhere to warnings.
"That's not an answer." I said, placing a hand on my hip and narrowing my eyes at him. It was the stance that mom always took when she wanted to get something out of me and I wasn't answering her. I had labeled it the Intimidator, because that's exactly what it did when mom wanted to get people to do stuff for her.
"You stupid bitch!" He yelled, turning back to face me. His face was red with rage and his eyes were practically popping out of his head. "I let you into my house and you act like this." He swore loudly. I'm telling you, he would have made a sailor proud. "I want you out NOW." He grabbed my arm and literally dragged me to the door and pushed me out, hard. "I don't care who you are." He snapped at me, "I never want to see you again." and with that the door was slammed in my face.
"Bastard!" I screamed at the closed door, kicking it so hard that my big toe started to throb. I was practically seething and I swear smoke was probably coming out of my ears. Who did he think he was throwing me out, and all because I had asked a silly little question? At least now I knew where I got my temper.
My temper is famous you know. Mom used to say that I should have been born a redhead because I have such a short fuse. But I have friends who have red hair and they don't have short fuses. But look at me, I'm getting away from the story.
I rode the elevator down to the lobby. I had left my bags with the receptionist, a perverted punk with greasy blonde hair and acne. This was obviously an after-school job for him. He leered at me when I approached him, and a shiver ran up my spine as his eyes traveled over my body.
"That was a quick visit." He sneered, his eyes glued to my breasts.
"Excuse me," I said with mocking sweetness, "but my eyes are up here." I pointed to my face. The perv didn't even have the sense to blush or apologize. He didn't even move his eyes. I sighed. "Can I just have my bags?" I asked.
"Sure," he replied, turning around to grab my bags. That was easy, too easy. He stopped and turned back around. "But first you gotta do something for me sweetheart." He leered. Damn, I knew it'd been too easy.
"Yeah right." I said looking at him with disgust.
"Come on baby," he said, reaching out for the hand I had placed on top of the counter, "bring that sweet ass over here." I pulled away before his revolting, sweaty hand could touch me.
"I don't think so." I snapped. God I was tired of this. "Just give me my bags." You know I knew I shouldn't have left my bags with the son-of-a-bitch.
"Have it your way then." He smirked, not phased by my rejection. "I'll just have to tell security that you seduced me, took the keys to the vault, and then stole poor Mrs. Silverman's priceless ruby necklace." This guy really was trying my nerves. I wanted to sucker punch him so badly that my hand was literally trembling.
"You know what," I snapped, "keep the damn bags. I'll be back for them later, and when I do get them back I better not see anything disturbed. And I mean anything." I warned him. He smirked. I turned away with a growl and stalked out of the building.
To say the least it was quite terrifying being all alone in New York City. I mean, I didn't have anywhere to go and I didn't know a single person. What was I gonna do?
Thankfully I had taken my backpack up to Ephram's apartment with me, and that had all of my money. So, as far as financially, I was pretty set, but where was I going to stay?
I wandered around for awhile and soon found myself in Central Park. I'd heard stories about how beautiful Central Park was, but when I saw it for myself I was blown away. The trees and flowers, everything was so breathtaking that it was all I could do not to let my mouth hang open. I walked down one of the many paths, the trees making a shady canopy over my head, wondering about what I was going to do. There was no way I was going to sleep in the park, sure it was beautiful during the day, but who knew what lurked around at night. And besides, with as many times as I had been propositioned on my walk to the park I wasn't about to stay around when it was dark and nobody was around. I wasn't stupid.
My feet grew tired after about an hour of walking around, so I sat down on a bench and watched one of the many fountains housed in the park. Placing my backpack securely between my feet I sat back and sighed. The sun would be setting soon and I still had not come up with an answer to my problem. Already the park was beginning to empty. Moms were leaving with their children, couples were strolling by hand-in-hand, and people were filing away from the chessboards that sat opposite the fountain.
A cool wind blew through the trees, rustling the leaves ever so slightly. Goosebumps rose on my bare legs and I shivered. Looking around I found myself completely alone. There was nobody around, no sounds other than the splashing of the fountain and the rustling of the leaves. There was a sudden sound off to my left side. A familiar sound, like wheels on pavement. Skateboards. Before I knew it a group of skaters around my age were grinding across the benches and the ledge of the fountain.
They hadn't seen me yet, but I watched them closely. They were doing ollies and tailflips and all manner of tricks. God how I wished I had my board with me. I would have joined them in a heartbeat, gliding across the pavement, jumping up and grinding across the benches. To be free and flying through the air as you stick the landing and then skating off to do it again. Oh it would be heaven after the hellish day I had.
While lost in my own daydream, one of them spotted me. He skated over, jumped up his board, kicked it up into his hand, then put one foot up on the seat of the bench and leaned on his knee.
"What's a pretty thing like you doin' here all alone?" he asked, his eyes sweeping over my body.
"I was just leaving." I said, not in the mood for more of New York's perversion. I stood and he was instantly at my side.
"Come on babe," he growled, grabbing my arm and pulling me into him. I put my arms in front of me to stop myself from falling into his chest, and I was met by the brick wall that was him. His hand rested just above my elbow, his touch rough and hot against my chilled skin. "Don't ya wanna party with me?"
"No." I said. My anger was rising and all reasonable thinking was slowly seeping out of my mind. All I could think of was getting away from this jerk. I pushed against him, but my weak muscles were nothing compared to his bulging biceps. The guy obviously worked out.
"Don't be like that baby," he purred. His face was lowering towards mine. Damn, how was I going to get out of this one?
"Let me go," my voice was low and gravely. I wasn't able to think. All that was in my mind was that I had to get away, I had to get far away. I cast a look around, searching for a friendly face among the skaters that were slowly creeping towards us. They all had the exact same look in their eyes as my captor did. Damn, I was in major trouble.
My heart was pounding against my ribs so hard I thought my ribs would break. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. My mind and body were both frozen in place.
His mouth descended on mine and I choked back a gag as his tongue slid through my lips. It was completely disgusting and I thought I was going to puke. I pushed even harder against him, trying to break free, but I couldn't. Then it hit me; I knew exactly what to do.
Quick as I could, before his hands could reach my breasts, which was where they were inching to, I brought my knee up and hit him straight between the legs. He let me go with a gasp of pain and I grabbed my bag and started running as fast as my high-heeled boots would let me.
I heard them coming after me, their wheels grating against the pavement. They would reach me soon and when they did they wouldn't let me off easily. I ran and ran, my lungs burned and my hip was sore from where my bag kept hitting. But I wasn't about to stop. Fate had a different plan for me though.
Before I knew it my heel got caught in a crack and I pitched forward. I hadn't seen before that someone was heading towards me, but I did feel when I collided with them, bringing them to the ground and falling right on top of them.
My eyes were closed when I landed, and when I opened them I was staring down into the most beautiful green eyes I had ever seen.
Don't you just love cliffhangers? Lol. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and will review.
annonymous: Thanks for telling me the real color of Ephram's eyes. I'll fix that eventually.
Katie: All questions will be answered eventually, though I did already answer your question about Amy.
colorado2: To be honest I don't know who Ephram is gonna end up with yet.
Kursk and alanluvmax: Thank you both for telling me Madison's last name. I'll fix that when I get the chance.
muse-of-the-fairies, Nadeshiko Black, Annonymous, BluDevlGrl, OthfanAnna, C, Shelby, Bchgrl04, C8-H10-N4-02, hayley kelsch, Nautica7mk, auggy1984, priscilla, Kerry, Kelly, sportygal71188, OTHlover04, and No One 001: Thank you all so much for reviewing this story. It means so much to me to know that you like what I write. Please keep reading and reviewing.
