Right. Well, since im brilliant, I forgot to title the thing with "Chapter two" last time. Bad writer, bad!
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters: Lady Bast… but oh well! lol
Chapter 3
A sudden breeze played with Marie's hair as she shifted, groggily waking up. She was still on the couch, curled up, and she noticed a blanket was tucked under here. Smiling, she made a note to thank Zen.
Getting up and stretching, she headed to the kitchen where she heard somebody making something. It smelled like Zen's special potato pancakes. Just that thought made Marie's stomach rumble. "I'll feed you in a minute, Zeus." I told my stomach crossly. I checked my watch and sighed with relief when I realized that it was 6:45, so I had time to go to work. Right after that thought, I heard voices come from the kitchen and I smiled, instantly recognizing both voices.
"… Somebody broke in last night, scared the shit out of Marie; so she's lying in the living room, sleeping. Be quiet if you will, right?" Zen's voice was motherly, and it made an absurd image of him in a dress come to mind. Trying to smother that thought, she concentrated on the other voice.
"Wow, really? You're not shitting me or anything? Hell and Damnation. You know how it was?"
"One of Lady Bast's."
"Zen, that's not good at all… What's the plan?"
"Protection. I'm, going to talk to…" His voice trailed off and his head poked out from the kitchen. "It's not nice to eavesdrop."
"If it's about me, I think I should know…" I replied, lamely. The second voice chuckled and Zen's friend Michael from behind Zen.
Michael smiled down at me, dark eyes twinkling. Michael was my absolute favorite out of all Zen's friends. He was funny and witty, and always polite. He had dark hair cut short in the back and long in the front, which swept to one side (but usually never stayed there). He had a piercing on his right eyebrow that the hair hid, except at different angles. Michael also had a hawkish nose that resembled Adrien Brody's, which Marie absolutely loved (okay, okay, I was an Adrien Brody fanatic. SO?) We got along splendidly.
Michael went back to the kitchen to sit down and I was positive he'd grown. When I last saw him, he was 6' "3". Now he looked taller. He sat and looked at me, amused. Zen was making potato pancakes, his back to us. "You still owe me that dance, Marie." Michael said, his eyes twinkling. I laughed and sat down beside him.
"I can't dance. I'm a white girl through and through." I chuckled and smiled.
"I can change that, with Zen's help here." Zen turned and I noticed he was in my apron. I choked with laughter, and Michael's smile turned wider.
"She has the figure and grace of a fantastic dancer, she just isn't dedicated to it." Zen told Michael crossly. I stuck my tongue at him.
"Sorry for disappointing you. I'm not the dancing type gal, I guess." I really hoped that Zen wouldn't bring up one night when we were both drunk that I confessed to him I always envied him and his dance partner's, dancing so prettily and dainty. "You both look wonderful…" I told him then. Then, I barfed on him.
"One day, I'm going to teach you and you're going to be in my life debt for proving a woman wrong." He muttered, flipping a pancake. I threw a towel at him.
"I'll set the breakfast table for you two hungry gent's." I got up and started getting out the dishes and setting the table. Just as I was setting the silverware, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it. I don't want my portion of the pancake's to burn, anyway." I told Zen just as he was turning to get the door.
"Fine then. I'll set the rest of the table." Michael plucked the forks and knives out of my hand's and started setting them down. "You want milk, orange juice, or be a Zen and feel like tea this morning?"
"Orange Juice!' I called out after him, and I turned the knob for the door and opened it, and then felt like shutting it.
Two people were at my door. Well, one human and one faerie. One was Raul; dressed in a yellow tank top with the stone washed jeans I bought him. It wouldn't have looked that bad if he hadn't been wearing pink sandals that obviously belonged to some woman. They had heels.
The second was Margaret, Zen's girlfriend. Zen met her a month and half ago at the studio where they were assigned dancing partners. He and some friends asked her to come along drinking with him, (I know this because he called me to tell me that I shouldn't expect him till late that night) and he got drunk and asked her out. I wait up for him when he's out late (yeah, yeah, I'm motherly, your point?) and he never came home that night. To be honest, that was the time I started liked him almost to the point of distraction, so it really hurt when the next morning he came home with a strange woman, when I was still in my bathrobe and desperately worried about him. I had repeatedly called his cell phone that night, but no never picked up. That night was pretty much the end of my more-than-friend affections. I wouldn't let it go farther than that, and we were too great of friend's anyway. The time period when I liked him is now erased from history, and it's better that way. Really.
Margaret was wearing designer labels again, and her brown hair was perfect. Today, her make up was flawless (like everyday) and it made her brown eyes look large and innocent. I looked down at her (she was tiny!) and she glared at me. "Is Zen here?" She asked me, and I thought it was a bit rude the way her voice sounded so I looked up at Raul and glared.
"Raul.. You haven't made a good impression on me so far this morning." He looked puzzled.
"Huh? How?"
"Firstly: you came here. Second, you're wearing pink shoes with the pants I bought you. Go away. Margaret, I have to let you in but I don't want to." I shoved the door open and turned around, my mood sour. I heard her come in, and against my will, I looked back and saw Raul also coming through and closing the door.
"Her majesty Margaret is present for you, King Zen." I said, trying not to let the venom leak out. "Along with the King's Jester Raul." I looked at my orange juice for a moment, then got up and got out the Coconut rum.
"Hey now." Michael said, staring. "It's a bit early for that, isn't it?"
"Not at this rate of people invading my home." I replied miserably, pouring the rub to the brim of my cup. Zen, as I looked up, was scowling at me. "Oh, come on, you should have heard her when I answered the door. Spare me you're scowl."
"I'm not scowling at you…" He told me, when Margaret came into the room.
To say that she was stunning wouldn't do her justice. She was wearing a red dress that had a low V-neck that showed her belly button, and the only thing keeping it from flashing the world was a gold hoop. Its hem was a jagged cut that almost touched the floor in some places. She wore red spikes and rubies in her ears. I had the opinion she was heading for the dance studio before she headed over here. Zen straightened and looked down at her, without much emotion. "Hullo Maggie." She looked up at him, and suddenly a red-hot anger spread across her pretty features. She stood up on tiptoe and slapped him.
That happened to be the moment I was carrying the Orange Juice back to the refrigerator. Suddenly, the refrigerate seemed too far away, but Margaret was a lot closer. With speed that would astound a cheetah, I ran over to here and dunked the whole jug of Orange Juice on her head. Ahhh, the life of a bitch.
She sputtered and shrieked, and while she did that I started yelling at her. "Don't you EVER do that again! You're talking about my best friend, you obese cow!" I yelled at her. I lied about the obese cow, like I said earlier, she's freaking tiny all around.
Zen and Michael stared at me, both looking like I sprouted wings. Raul was looking at me and actually laughing, and Margaret was looking at me like she was going to kill me. Heh, heh, I would have loved to see that.
Just then, she jumped and attacked me, and believe it or not, tiny people can inflict damage. I hit the floor and she pulled my hair. "Do you realize how much this dress cost! DIRTY SAVAGE!" She yelled at me, yanking at my hair. Well, I just didn't appreciate that, so I bawled my hand into a fist with my thumb outside, and I punched her in the jaw. She twirled and hit the ground before you could say bitch. Thinking fast, I rolled over and attempted to seek the safety of bathroom, where I could lock the door and have something that separated me from the crazy bitch. Sadly, I heard this yell and she threw herself on my back, and she grabbed my hair again and pinched the tender skin by my armpit. "DYKE! DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY!" I let out a yelp and fell on the ground, and she managed to turn me over and she readied for her strike. Or, well, tried to.
Despite popular belief, it hurts like a mother if you hit a girl in the crotch. Therefore, I yelled, "I realize how much that dress cost you, therefore why I dunked orange juice all over you, you stupid hermaphedite!" Since I had some time to talk, I added smartly, "And you look like a deranged harpy. That gives me good reason to run from you." I was rather proud of myself, seeing her clutching herself like that. Damn, at this rate, I'm just going to have to have to just dismiss the good-girl side of me and just stick with B-I-T-C-H. I was sitting up on the kitchen floor, so I decided it was time to get up.
"Ah… Fuck…" Margaret moaned on the floor. Michael was the first one to say something.
"Damn, that was intense. I didn't even get a chance to scream cat fight!" Zen looked at him, then me, then him again. I suddenly realized that Zen might have some protests against me socking his girlfriend. Woops?
"Uh… I guess it's a little late to say sorry for trying to sock your girlfriend?" I asked him, shuffling my feet when I stood up. He kept looking at me with an expression I have been seeing lately, and I really dunno what to make of it. Then, the next moment, Margaret's spike hells came out from underneath me and I ended up on my ass for the second time in less than 24 hours.
"He's not my boyfriend anymore! He dumped me for you! " She screeched at me, and in an instant she had me pinned down. This was probably because I was still trying to grasp what she told me. While I was thinking, She straddled me at the waist, and her knees were on my hands so I couldn't use them. She bawled up her fist and reared back for the punch. I tired bucking her off, but to no success. She struck, and her tiny fist hit me in the corner of my eye. I gave out an "Ouch!" and she gave out a wail.
Apparently no one had taught her how to punch. She had put her finger inside her palm, so that her fingers were covering it. Never do this, because you can actually break your thumb, which is probably what happened here. She rolled off, crying as she clutched her thumb. I actually felt kinda bad, so I gently got up and approached her, and grabbed her thumb. She shrieked again, and started yelling at me. Okay, I didn't feel that bad for her.
"Michael, I need you to get the first kit in the bathroom here. We're going to have to splint it. Zen, I want you to call the studio and tell them that she won't be at work today. Raul…. Just sit there until I'm done with her, right?" He nodded and sat in a chair next to me.
I examined her thumb. "Yeah, you've broken it. We'll get some ice to put on it and put it in a splint so it'll heal right. After all this, you seriously need somebody to teach you how to punch. You hurt yourself more than you did me." Michael came out with the first aide kit. "Thanks. By the way, did you and Zen just watch us or something?"
"I did. Well, truth be told, I was actually admiring your punch on her there. That was a classic punch. Did you take self defense or something?" He asked me, impressed.
"Nope. I had brother's and sister's."
"So basically self defense." I rolled my eyes.
"Sure, if that make's you happy. What did Zen do?"
"He looked like a fish!" Michael said, a huge grin on his face. I flinched. "Oh, and he said in a small voice, "stoppit… no… ouch…". He said that, too. Your friend Raul ate some pancakes." That bastard!
"So that's why there's only 5 left!" I was outraged. Michael nodded.
"Yeah, but don't worry; we'll make Zen make some more."
"Cheers!" I told him. By this time, I had made her thumb all bandaged up and looking fine. "Now, what's with all this attacking Zen?" I asked, and I stole a quick peak at Zen. He was on the phone, his back turned to us.
"This doesn't concern you, and I'm going to get a lawyer on your ass so fast you'll be in jail for life!" She spat at me. Eww, saliva! I carefully wiped it off and looked disgusted.
"Yuck. Oh, please spare me. You got kicked in the crotch, broken your thumb, and tomorrow you're going to have a bruise. Deal. And go ahead and tell them how you broke your thumb; by trying to punch me." I was too tired and had too much to do today to baby sit. I hit her in the arm. "Grow up. Maybe learn how to kick some ass. Find another boyfriend." I got up and drank all of my spiked orange juice, then sat down and attacked my potato pancakes. After a few bites, I looked down at Margaret, who was now realizing she looked a mess. HA! "I'd suggest you drive home, go talk to the hospital, maybe get some painkiller's, and take the day off." She refused to look at me when she got up, but she did spit at me. I gave a little indignant squawk as she walked out. More saliva!
I went to the kitchen faucet and washed my face off where she spat at me. When that was done, I saw Zen watching me, and I noticed a little twitch of his eyebrow. I really wasn't in the mood to argue with him, so I sat down, ignoring him, and looked at Raul, who was taking another of my pancakes. I smacked his hand away and stabbed at the last pancake, much to both men's disappointment. "Bugger off, gent's. This pancake is mine, dammit! Go ask the menopausal wife to make some more!" I growled, huddling over my pancakes protectively. Michael got up and started up the stove again, and said something to Zen. I felt Zen's eyes shooting daggers at my back, so I looked at Raul. "We have some wine in the fridge, and I made some bread. Cheese is in there, too. Help yourself, I suppose. You're here, so you won't be leaving any time soon." He nodded then got up and raided my fridge. Michael and Raul started talking, so I was the only one at the table. I needed a cat.
I cringed after I thought that. No, not a cat. Not after kitty cat bitch. Well, maybe. I thought it over, stuffing another bit of potato pancake in my mouth. I liked cats, really. We had a cat when I was little and I liked it, and we also had a dog. The dog was really cool, too. Terrior, purebred. He was absolutely adorable, too! Hmm… When Zen was done being angry, I'd talk about it with him. I suddenly realized that the kitchen was silent and I looked behind me.
Zen was looking down at me, his expression blank. I swallowed the rest of my pancake and looked up at him. "If you plan to intimidate me by standing over me, hovering there, you're wrong. And if you're going to start yelling at me for beating up your girl- X-girlfriend." I hastily corrected, "You're wrong there, too. She hit you and you're my best friend. I won't take seeing that. Remember when all the bigger kid's tried to beat you up, and I kicked their asses? Same impulse. Get over it." I turned back and inhaled another pancake.
"… I was going to thank you…" He said, slowly. I started choking on my pancake.
Raul was kind enough to do the Heimlich on me. I don't think that was necessary, though. I don't think I was really choking, but anyway, it happened. "Thanks… Raul." He nodded.
"Least I could tell for screwing up your life."
"Oh, that's right. I still hate you."
"'Sokay." He told me, honestly.
I looked back at Zen. "You're bluffing."
"Nope. Touched me heart."
"You're sick."
"Well, maybe a little."
"You need a hospital."
"Agreed." At least he was honest.
"You're not going to yell at me?"
"No, I'm going to yell at you. Just later."
"Oh… well.. Nice to know." I was starving. Could he shut up and start cooking?
"Yeah. You need to hop in the shower for work."
"I know, but before… make me another pancake, bitch."
Michael laughed so hard he almost fell on his ass.
I came down the stairs in my sneakers and overalls, feeling refreshed and wonderful. I checked out my face in the mirror, and I knew that a bruise from her nicking me near the eye was going to start showing in a little while, but oh well. I checked out myself in the mirror and was happy with what I saw. I had bought green sneaker's one day in memory of a friend who had died in high school. He was a cool kid, and I remembered him often. They were my first splurge when I could afford it. Converse's, eighty-nine dollars. But it was worth every penny. Then, I had on jean overall's, and under that I had a black spaghetti tank top. I had on my necklaces that mattered (Celtic cross, dragon, ankh for death, and some other's) and my hair was up in a messy bun, and I left my bangs out. It looked pretty good, I was happy with the end result. In all honesty, I love the color black, and would wear it more often, but there's not a lot of good options in black for my work. Plus, I really am a punk at heart. Goth is halfway for me. Like it, but would I have my entire wardrobe black? Naww.
Finally, I had a knit zip up sweater my sister, Theresa, had made me for Christmas. It was a chunky black and a lot of fun to wear. I picked up my bag and headed out for work at Cassidy's. The gents were waiting for me, and I looked at them all, puzzled.
"We were going to take you to work and snag a cup of coffee there before heading off to the studio. Raul wanted to talk to you, but since you were frolicking on the floor with my X, he never got the time." I glared at Zen and walked outside.
"Which car are we taking?" I asked, looking at our options. We had my truck, but that was a tight fix. Raul had a jaguar, and I could ride with him. Zen and Michael could go in Zen's convertible, or maybe Michael's… wait. Never mind, Michael had his motorcycle.
"You see the options. Want to ride with me?" Zen asked me, picking up his keys.
"And give you the opportunity to yell at me? No. I'll go with Raul." I looked at Raul for permission, and he nodded.
"Okay, we'll meet you there." I got in with Raul and waited for him to start it up and get going. "'kay, what's up?"
"An apology, number one."
"Okay."
"I'm really, really sorry. I know I fucked things up for you, and I want to help you."
As much as I might be angry at Raul, he's still my friend. I sighed, thinking it over. Rejection for faeries is tough; how could I tell him it was over his head? I waited for a moment, and then started. "Raul, you know we're friend's, right?"
Pause.
"We are?" He asked, turning and heading onto a new street.
"Yeah. You are. I might not really be my favorite guy in the world, but you're still a friend. I'm in deep, Raul. Ass deep in alligator's, so to say. I don't want to see anything happen." I hit my head against the back of the headrest, closing my eyes. "I'm meeting with Viktoria tonight, Raul. Last night I almost got kidnapped. This is going to be bad, and I don't want it getting any uglier. I worry… Zen won't back down, and I know you are like him in a small way. You'd defend me, too. I won't let you two get hurt. So… I forbid you to get any more involved than you are."
He turned on his turn signal, and I saw how hard he was gripping the steering wheel. I refused to back down, though. I would not, and never would. Cross trait, sadly.
"I understand." He sounded really mature right then, which usually never happened. He sounded meek or flustered or upset, but never mature. "But I'm not backing down. I'm getting involved whether you like it or not."
I closed my eyes and snarled. "Bugger off, Raul. I don't want anything to happen to you, so bugger off!" A silence filled the car.
"No." He told me, calmly. "Now, we're at Cassidy's. We're friend's, right?"
"Yes." I said stiffly. He took his finger and tipped my chin up to see his eyes.
"Then let me be one." He gently smiled and got out of the car. I took a breath, and got out also.
Michael hadn't arrived, and Zen wasn't around either, or his car. I went in and smiled at my co-worker's, who immediately said hello to me and asked who my friend was. "I'll sit down and wait for Michael and Zen." Raul suggested and sat down.
"Who's the guy, love?" Alexandra asked me, cleaning a plate. I put on my apron and nametag and stuffed my book bag in my cubby.
"He's Raul, he's a friend of mine."
"Girl, you need to teach him how to dress."
"Attempted-failed."
"Well, I give you prop's for trying, eh?" Alexandra smiled at me, and I walked over and helped her with dishes. Soon, Zen and Michael came in, and I waved at them all. Michael came and ordered drinks.
"Zen wants his friggen tea, Raul wants a vanilla frappichino, and I'd like a hot white chocolate mocha." I took his order and smiled at him. "Oh, and what's the girl's name back there?"
"Alexandra. Don't break her heart." I told him sternly. He smiled at me, and proceeded to seduce my co-worker. Normal workday.
I brought them their drinks and then they ordered a slice of cheesecake, a sandwich, and a bagel. I got them those, too. They stayed for an hour and left, but Michael got Alexandra's phone number before leaving.
I worked all day, and was the last one to leave that night before the next shift. I was putting on my sweater and getting my book bag when I got a chill down my spine. I quickly looked up to see Fredreik opening up the door, his eyes directly on me.
I quickly avoided eye contact. Never look a vampire in the eyes. I knew he was coming, and I knew my pulse was quickening, and he knew it too. That thought made me want to cry, to run, to get the hell out of here. I clutched my book bag tightly, and forced myself to look up at him.
He was wearing a suit today, and my throat swelled up when I saw it was one I picked out for him. It was pin striped gray and black, Italian cut, making him look sharp. He was tall and broad, with a barrel chest. His arms looked like they were going to rip the fabric of his suit, and I knew he had continued weight-lifting and had gotten more muscle when I was with him.
"Hallo Marie." He said softly. I swallowed and tried to vanquish my fear. He knew I was scared, and… was he trying to limit it?
"Hey, Fredreik. Thank you for coming." I realized that he probably thought I was a coward for not calling him, and making Zen do it instead. I cursed myself, but made sure that I didn't show it.
"Don't worry. Let's wait for-Oh, wait, here she comes." I turned, and indeed, Viktoria was coming. I was beginning to wonder where Zen was..
Viktoria smiled and entered the café, her eyes looking at me, but our of courtesy she didn't look into my eyes. She nodded to Fredreik, and we all sat down.
"Nice to see you again, Viktoria. What may I do for you?" I asked politely.
"I haven't much time, so I will be quick." Eek. "The Vampire King would like to meet with you, exactly 3 days from now, in his domain. He would like to discuss to you about a job." She was serious and something different was lurking around her. My immediate thought was she might not like being a flunkie; every vampire had a power obsessive problem. I quickly dismissed that though; I believe it was before she came to me in free will, but not she was under order to act…vampiricy. Not chummy vampiricy.
"I have a job, Viktoria." I said patiently.
"He would offer you a better one, and this would be the guidelines and pay." She slid a paper to me and I looked at the pay. I immediately felt like my brain had somehow slipped into my stomach.
For one year, I would have that pay for 10 years working at Cassidy's.
I quickly tried to gain composure. It is not cool to drool. "I'm sorry, but I have to refuse. " The sound was deafening.
Viktoria didn't look at me, but I knew her face was tight. "I would not recommend that." She said softly.
I leaned in "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying it is better to go at least receive his protection and see what he wants and refuse him then. You would have protection then, and you could hide in time." She said softly. Damnation.
"Viktoria." I said softly, but I'm sure my voice sounded positively poisoned. "I will not be threatened by him. I still am a human, and if you want to fuck around with me, you still need to deal with the Third Breech: threatening a human under punishment of death or harm. I will have The Region's on his ass before nightfall." I was serious. I wouldn't hesitate if it came to that.
"You do have that, but none of the less… I'd advise my way." Viktoria told me, eyeing Fredriek. I sighed.
"I'd have to discuss this job with him, but if I do go-" I was interrupted.
"If she goes, she must have the protection of The Vampire Court, as well as his majesty's protection." Fredriek was firm and sounded like he knew what he was doing. Viktoria's eye's narrowed, but she responded.
"I will have to discuss this with his majesty."
Eek. She meant that if I went and said no, no more Marie. "I will not go without protection of what was previously mentioned: King and Court. That is my deal." I crossed my arms over my chest, looking rebellious. Poor Viktoria, dealing with a rebel human.
"I shall send word to him and when he replies, I will contact you." She said softly. "I have nothing more to report." She stood up and nodded politely to Fredreik and I, then left.
I finally realized that all costumers had left the café, and the people who remained looked as if they were always on edge. I looked at Fredriek. "Well, I believe that is it for today. Thank you for assisting me." I got up and he caught my hand, and I turned sharply to look at him.
"My pleasure. I was wondering if you would like me to accompany you when you meet the Vampire King." He said softly, looking at the ground. I realized he was humbling himself by not looking up, and… usually he acts like an arrogant, egotistical vampire, but… wow. I almost wanted to ask if it was Fredriek.
"No thank you." I said firmly. I would not involve any more people.
"As you wish. It seems odd that you would not take such a wondrous offer such as me accompanying you." Aha! There's his egotistical self-peeking out!
Like I said, no worries. I'll see you later, Fredreik." I turned and immediately left the Café, and I refused to look back.
I decided to walk home and think things over. It was a pleasant walk; I passed by one of the parks and watched as the children played. They were all under ten years old, or looked it. I saw parents talking and laughing together, and many a couple glowing with the news of a new child soon coming to the world. My hand crept to my stomach, wondering what it would be like to have my own child. I could imagine myself having children or adopting, because all my life I had been surrounded by them, since I was the oldest girl in six children. Shaking my head, I quickly dismissed the idea. Pets would have to do, currently.
I continued my walk until I stopped by a bookstore, and I stopped by to take a look. I bought some biographies and an art book, and headed out. Right next to the bookstore was a nice dress shop, and for some unknown reason, I went in. In fact, I didn't realize I went in until I was in it. A elderly woman with crystals in here ear lobes. She looked like the perfect solution for a kid's grandmother.
"You have enchanted this place, hadn't you?" I asked her, scowling. She smiled at me and soundlessly clapped her hands together in delight.
"Why yes!" She smiled and her eyes twinkled.
"You know that's breaking the Eighth Breech of magic, right?"
"I'm not breaking one of the law's, I just spelled the place for customer's to have a urge to come in. Nothing wrong with that."
"Yes, there is." I told her sternly. "Have you confirmed this with The Regions yet?"
"Yes, I have." She told me, and she unclasped her hands and picked up her mug of tea.
"Okay then, I can't do anything." She could be lyingl, but if she was The Region's would deal with her. I looked around me, and I saw the place was filled with dresses, plain and extravagant. I wandered around and look at several dresses, awed by their beauty and extensive embroidery. She saw me looking at asked me, "You have a special occasion you plan to attend?"
I was about to tell her no when I realized two things: one, I was going to watch Zen compete in several days for ballroom dancing and The Tango, and the other was I should probably look good for The Vampire King. I nodded, and wondered how much I was going to end up paying.
"Excellent. Do you need help picking out anything?" She asked me, getting up.
"Sure, I don't see why not…"
Zen entered Cassidy's and looked around for Fredreik or Marie. He didn't see Marie, but to his disgust he saw Fredreik, who waved him over. Since he didn't want to offend the vampire (he liked his head where it was) he walked over and sat down. "I can't stay long, I should probably go pick her up. I don't want her walking alone this late." Zen warned Fredriek.
"It is all right. Get something to drink, it's on me." Fredriek drained his shot of liquor and snapped at a waitress for another. The waitress didn't seem to mind, she had stars in her eyes…
"I'd like a glass of wine, please." I asked her politely. She smiled at me, and showed off her butt by prancing like deer. "So, Fredriek, what are we celebrating?"
"My first refusal." He said, staring at his shot glass. I stared at him.
"Who refused you?"
"Marie did." He drained his last shot.
"You asked Marie out?"
"In a manner of speaking, yes." Fredriek answered, glaring at me. I tried to eradicate the jealousy boiling up in me, and I seemed to have trouble doing that. I drained my wine and slammed it down, barely managing not to break it.
"I'm… sorry." I grouned out.
"As I am. Go find her." He said, thinking. I took that as my dismissal and left him to his alcohol.
I got in my convertible and dialed her cell phone. After a few minutes of ringing, she picked up, sounding out of breath.
"Hullo-ow!" She yelled into the phone.
"Hey Marie…" I said tentatively. My ears hurt.
"Oh hey Zen, I need to call you back, I'm a little busy at the moment." I heard her and another voice talking for a moment, then she resumed talking to me on the phone. "I'll be home late this night, so don't wait up for me. I'm close to home anyway. Laters!" She hung up the phone.
I barely got 2 words in.
What the hell was she doing?
Marie paid for her purchases and began walking home. It was now late, and it was a beautiful night. The Chicago night was warm and she hesitated going home just yet. She made herself skip the park when she remembered Kitty cat bitch's kidnapping the night before. She made it home in record time, and when she came home, she was greeted with darkness. He must have already gone to bed, Marie thought to herself, and she quietly tip toed through the kitchen, until the light turned on, and there sat Zen, his white shirt open and tie loosely hanging. He was glaring at me, and I wondered what I had done to deserve that look. I sat down and tried to hide my purchases from him; I wanted it to be a surprise for him.
"Where have you been?" He asked me, levelly. I stared at him, and I knew I must look like a fish with my mouth hanging open. I quickly closed it and tried to tell him civilly I was at the store.
"At the store." Dammit. It came out not-so-civilly.
"I dunno of any store being open this late.." He leaned forward, his face angry.
"Well, some still are. This is Chicago, you know." I said helpfully.
"You were with somebody, weren't you?" I stared at him again.
"Zen, what is with you? I just went shopping and I came home." I was annoyed, and it showed in my voice.
"Fredriek told me you told him no."
"Yeah? So?"
"So you were with somebody else." I got up so fast the chair behind me clattered on its feet.
"I dunno what's up with you lately, but I'm not liking it. Go cool your head." I told him hotly, getting up and grabbing my stuff and started trudging into the living room. I heard him following me and I hoped he was going to bed.
"What store were you at?" I bit my lip and cursed.
"Dammit, Zen, you're not my mother! Go to bed and sleep it off!"
"Not until you tell me where you've been at!"
"Zen, I'm telling you right now, go away. What's up with you, eh?" I said and I started to close my door when he forced it open. I narrowed my eyes at him, pissed.
"If you were with a guy, I want to know about it. I don't want anything happening." He said, and to my astonishment I heard a bit of a suggestive note.
"You-you prick!" I said, my voice shaking with anger. "This is a laugh, you telling me that! This from the man that spent the night with Margaret and didn't even have the decency to tell me about it, even though you know I always wait up for you! My life doesn't have to be public to you or anybody else except me! Now get the fuck out of my room! NOW! I yelled at him, pushing him back. When he didn't move, I turned around and grabbed my book bag and started showing clothes in it.
"What are you doing, now?" He snarled at me.
"I'm leaving, you dumbass." I snarled back, grabbing a pair of jeans and a shirt for work.
"To him?" He taunted.
"To a friend's house." I yelled, and I shoved him aside and went downstairs, furious. "When you're over your period, feel free to call me." I grabbed my work shoes I had laid by the door and headed outside to my truck.
To my embarrassment, I felt hot tear's glide down my cheek. I wiped away my tears and threw my stuff in the back of the truck, got in, and started my truck. I noticed that Zen was coming down the stairs from the house, and I locked my door's jus as he approached me. He started talking, and I turned on the radio, and when he started knocking on the window, I finally pulled out from the curb and started down the road, and I didn't care if half of Chicago saw me crying when I did it.
It wasn't long before I hit a detour. I knew it would happen eventually, and soon I was told to stop. I waited there for a good ten minutes when something happened: the doors unlocked themselves.
I frowned and pushed the button to lock them again, but they all unlocked themselves again. It was then that my back door opened and somebody got in. "What the hell are you doing?" I asked, turning around.
A man had a gun pointed at me. "Ms. Cross, I suggest you don't say anything that might draw attention to yourself. I might have to pull the trigger…"
To Be Continued.