TELL ME YOUR SECRET

Chapter 1: Meeting new neighbour

Leo Wyatt parked his car in front of his house. He stepped out of the car and… something was unusual. He turned around and…

… and saw light in house across the street!

"That is odd", he thought. For months, nobody lived there. House was already old and ruined a bit, and always in dark. And now, lights were on, white car in front of the garage and nice smell was spreading around house. Somebody, in that house, was making dinner.

Kids wre afraid of that house because their parents scared them that 'ghost of grumpy, old Penny Halliwell lives there. '

Leo still remembered that old, darling lady. She was always nice to him, always giving him candies and when his parents died in car accident, Leo often went to that house cause Penny Halliwell did not wanted that he eats alone.

Few months ago, this dear old lady died and since than, nobody came to house. Until now.

Leo was curious to find out who are his new neighbours, but it was kinda late. So, he to his house, caressed his dog s head and took some juice from fridge. He sat in front of TV, thinking about house across the street…

It was Sunday morning. Leo was just giving food to his puppy Snoopy when door bell rang.

"Just a minute", he exclaimed, laughing to Snoopy who was chasing his own tail. He opened doors and stopped breathless! In front of him stood most beautifull girl he had ever seen! She was wearing jeans cutted in shorts and big black T – shirt with Duffy Duck on it. Her long brown hair was soooo beautifull. She had beautifull brown eyes and such a wonderfull smile.

For a moment, both were frozen. Than girl smiled:

"Hi! I am your new neighbour", she gave him a hand "Piper Halliwell."

Leo took her hand and shaked it; her skin was soft and gentle.

"Leo Wyatt", he said with smile and opened doors "Please, come in."

"Thank you", said Piper coming in. Snoopy ran and started to blarney around her feets.

"What a sweet dog!", smiled Piper and kneeled down caressing animal s fur "Hey, little one! Aren t ya sweetest puppy?"

Snoopy licked her face and Piper laughed.

"His name is Snoopy, my fave cartoon", smiled Leo.

"Oh, I see!", smiled Piper "Hello, Snoopy!", she prattled to puppy and than got up, still smiling.

"I am sorry, did ya said that your last name is Halliwell?", asked Leo. Piper nodded , so he continued "Was Penny Halliwell your relative?"

"She was my Grandma. You knew her?", asked Piper.

"I sure did", he said "She was always there for me when my parents died in car accident."

"God, I am sorry", said Piper quietly.

"Thank you. It was long time ago. Would ya like cup of coffee?"

"No, thanx. Actually, I am out of salt and I was wondering do you have a bit to borrow me? Shops are closed and I am preparing lunch", she said with apology on her face.

"Salt? Yeah, sure, follow me", he went to the kitchenand took whole box of salt and handed it to Piper.

"Thank you, Leo. I will return it to you as soon as shops open and I buy box of salt for ya."

"It is not necessary, really. I barely even cook", he said with smile.

Piper smiled gratefully:
"Thank you", she thought for a moment and than asked "Why do not ya come to my place for lunch than?"

Leo smiled:

"Okay. Thanx for invitation."

"See ya at 15:00?", asked Piper

"I will be there", he said and escorted Piper to doors.

At 15:00 Leo rang on Piper s doors. She opened wiping her hands and greeted him:
"Hey, Leo!"

"Hey!", he replied and gave her bouquet of red roses and bottle of wine "These are for you. Welcome to San Francisco", he smiled.

"Thank you, Leo you should not had to", she opened doors and said "Please, come in."

"Thank you", he said coming in. He saw new furniture, it was mostly in brown and white colour. "I see that you re – decorated house. It is beautifull."

"Thank you", she smiled, caring avse and putting roses in it.

"Mmmm, something smells beautifull! What are you cooking?"

"Chicken in royal sauce with peanuts and rice. It is Chinese recipe."

"Wow! I barely know to bake eggs!", laughed Leo and Piper bursted to laugh, too. It has been a long time since she had felt this comfortable with man…

"I will be right back", she disappeared in the kitchen and came back with meal. She put it on table.

"Can ya, please, open wine?", she asked him and added with smile "I was never good at those things."

"Sure", he smiled and opened a bottle and poured wine in two glasses that Piper handed to him. They sat down and started to eat.

"Piper", said Leo after first bite "This is magic! You are amazing cooker!"

She smiled:

"Thanx. I am glad you like it."

After lunch, they sat down in living room with their glasses.

"So, what brings ya out here in san Francisco?", asked Leo. Piper s face went pale, but she forced herself to smile:

"I need change in my life. I plan to open night – club here and start my new life here."

"Sounds interesting", said Leo.

"What about you, Leo? What do you do?", she asked.

"I am handyman. So if you need someone to fix leaky pipe, broken window or stuffs like that, just call me."

"Hey, that is great! I Have trouble with pipe in my bathroom. Think you could check it these days? Maybe tomorrow?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Great thanx!", she put her glass up "Lets make a toast: to my new neighbour who will save me from deluge!", she smiled.

Leo smiled, too and said:

"And I will make a toast to my new neighbour who just saved my stomach from another Mc Donalds meal!",

"I will drink to that! Cheers!', smiled Piper.

"Cheers!", Leo smiled as well.