21st Century

New York, 2010

It was raining and he didn't have an umbrella to protect himself. Not that he needed, after all, he was on his way home. 8:30AM Chris Redfield arrived in his apartment from the mission in Bohma. He put the bag on the armchair and let his wet clothes in the laundry area, and headed to his bedroom completely naked to take a quick shower.

"Oh my god!"

A blonde female screamed in scare and immediately covering her eyes after spotting the naked man as she left the bathroom letting the cleaning objects fall on the ground

"Sorry Liza! I…I didn't know you were home" Chris spoke apologetic covering his member with his hands and running to get a robe in the closet

"I didn't know you'd be back home today…" the woman replied still with her eyes covered, trembling in awkwardness

He giggled, "it's alright. You'll never know when I'll be home. Actually, not even me know when I'll be home. You can look now" he commented

"Yes, but usually I come on Mondays and Thursdays. Today is an exception"

"It's okay… I was the one who pay attention to my surroundings…"

She smiled faintly, "I'm going to clean the rest"

He nodded in agreement

"Do you want me to prepare you something?"

"Yeah, please, but only if you make me company"

She widened her eyes

"And eat too!"

Her lips parted. She didn't know what to say or think. Was she having the wrong idea?

"And I'm not hitting on you." He laughed, "But I like your company. It's not the first time I invite you to eat with me"

She laughed, "Yes I know… I… I didn't actually think you were hitting on me…"

"You did think!" he laughed hitting the obvious, "But relax. It was just my way to speak that wasn't so clear… I'm sorry…"

"Don't be… it happens… and what would you like for breakfast? Besides my company" she asked with a jokingly way

"Coffee and toasts"

"Just that?"

"Yeah"

"Alright, now excuse me"

Chris watched the young blonde leave and grinned again remembering the clumsy moment. Eliza was the daughter of the previous house cleaner who worked for him for several years, but due to illness, the woman couldn't continue her labor and what started as a random occasion, turned out that Eliza continued cleaning his condo. She didn't need it, but it ended up being an extra money for her and a way to return all the good he had done for her mother.

Eliza knew Chris was a lonely man. Her mother had told her many things about him during all the years she had worked for him. He even paid above the average salary, besides helping her with health care and other things. It was even with his help that her mother managed to buy a house for them and help in the investment of her education.
The young woman knew the man had a good heart and good intentions. Also, he's a lonely man. She knew he has a sister, but both rarely meet. She also knows of his occasional nightstands due to the dirty sheets whenever it happened. Chris always changed sheets when he slept with someone, but let them in the laundry area. It also happened for her to see the used condoms in the trashcan in the bathroom and long hairs on the drain of the shower. It also had happened on few occasions of her witnessing him leaving with female companions before work. Eliza cleaned his apartment twice a week for the last two years and he never crossed the line with her.

Although, all those events were rare occasions and not that she really cared, but she couldn't help to notice that whenever it happened. It actually, intrigued her. Such a handsome man, good-hearted, respectful and nice company being so lonely. She was probably the only person, besides his coworkers, that he saw with some 'frequency'.

"How old are you now?" he asked taking a bite of the toast as they were sitting on the dining table

"25"

"25? That's a good age!" he commented with a smile

"Yeah, my mom says that too"

"And how's your mother?"

"She's good… but her knee is giving her trouble again, so tomorrow I'll accompany her to the doctor"

"Oh… I see. That's why you came today as an exception…"

She nodded in agreement, "Yeah… So how was your trip? Mission?"

"It was good. The same as usual. Shot some creatures and saved some people… and even took some time to visit an Art exhibition"

"Art exhibition?" she repeated making a surprised face. He didn't have any boards or paintings on the walls, besides his personal certificates in the office

"Yeah… it was cool… a girl that I saved invited me and I thought, why not? I had the time so I went"

"I see…" she replied making a face. Was he starting to leave the cave? She wondered.

"What about? Did you finish the college?"

"No, not yet. But this is the last semester"

"Cool… Will you graduate in Accounting?"

"Yes."

"Do you have any job at sight?"

"Not really."

"Well… I heard that they will be hiding people for several sectors in the BSAA and I think they will need new people in the Human Resources and Finance… if you want I can indicate you for a vacancy…"

She widened her eyes, "Really?"

"Yeah! You have the profile they look for. You're responsible, committed, focused and honest."

"Oh dang… I don't know what to say, but… to thank you!" she spoke with a large smile

He smiled, "You deserve it Liza. You deserve more than just cleaning my mess!"

"Oh Chris… I do it with pleasure and for free if you wanted! You have helped us for so long that I still get embarrassed when you pay my routines…"

"Nah, I'd never accept your favors for free! I know college is expensive! And has lots of expenses as well!"

"I don't know what to say…"

"Don't say it. Just give me your resume and I'll do the talk"

Eliza was a 25-year-old girl who came from a simple family of immigrants. She was born in the United States and had an older brother and a younger brother. She was the only female of the siblings. Her father worked in a fabric and her mother always worked as a house cleaner, but both parents always did their best to give their children education and a better life.

Eliza was a reserved girl, blonde and green-eyed. Long and wavy hair, perfect skin. She could be a model if she wasn't so shy for taking pictures. She wasn't skinny, nor fat and 5'8″ tall.

The rain was heavy outside. The pair continued talking before returning to their chores.

Somewhere

Both of them were out of condition and played a sloppy game, but she played better than average with a strong forehand and narrowly won both sets. Afterward, as they sat in the club restaurant, he studied her, deciding she was the most interesting woman he'd met in years. She wasted no time on inconsequential chitchat, nor did she make any particular effort to impress him or flatter him. He could feel himself moving closer and closer to her. All his adult life he had in mind an ideal woman he could live and love. Katerina came closer to that image than any other woman he had met. Yet it was such a potentially dangerous ideal, this image of the perfect woman for Douglas, the CEO of a rising pharmaceutical company and owner of a famous laboratory, which was reluctant to give in to what might be only an illusion, created by his need to believe. Without something to look forward to, without someone to hope for, what was the point of his life, his work, his getting through the days? Despite his reluctance, every time he looked at her, saw her smile, or heard her laughter, something that he had been cold and hard inside him for a long time seemed to thaw a bit more.

He ordered tea and a tortilla. She ordered a glass of scotch. They found themselves temporarily lost for something to say. It wasn't an awkward silence, but rather a comfortable, companionable one. He felt no pressing need to fill the gap with idle chat, but took advantage of the time to admire, yet again, her pretty features. There was something so ineffably sane and calm and reasonable about her, yet combined with this was her comprehension of the grinding inhumanity of the business in which he made his living, and sharing him with longtime wife and children. Nothing had ever appealed to him quite so strongly as this combination of qualities.

"How is your college going?"

"It's going smooth. I will graduate in the end of the year"

"Still looking for a job?"

"Yes"

"You don't need a job. I give you enough monthly allowance for your expenses that shouldn't be much as I pay your college and the flat you live."

"Yeah and you always remind me of that…"

"I'm just saying you don't have to work…"

"I need to secure my future. You're not my guarantee… unless you make me your wife"

"We have discussed that!"

"Yes, we have and that's why I'm not going to stop looking for a job, even if that means to entertain myself before boredom kills me!"

"You can work to kill your boredom… but just work. Don't let me know you have other types of entertainment that is not me!" he spoke with a threatening tone and looked at his watch, "And speaking about entertainment… it's about time for you to entertain me"

(*)

Slowly, seductively, Katerina began to remove her clothes. She unzipped her dress and let it slither to her feet, then stood a moment, aware of the effect she was having on the man across the room in the shadows. His eyes were fixed unblinking on her. She dropped the straps of her slip, then eased the garment down her body, allowing it to pool at her feet. Her eyes connecting with the old man's.

"Go on!" he whispered urgently, drawing hard on the cigarette he held

She knew the black lace was a flattering contrast to the whiteness of her skin and looked down at herself, at the tops of her breasts. The sight of her own body aroused her and, again looking at him, she drew her fingertips across the exposed areas of her breasts.

He remained motionless, his eyes following her every movement.

Reaching back, she unhooked the bra, slid it off, and presented him with a full viewing of her breasts. He moved a step closer, his face remaining in shadow. He was tall, broad presence whose features were obscured by the concentration of light behind him. She ran her hands over her breasts as their eyes sparred, then, her lips curving into a slight smile, she stepped out of the black suede high heels and stood nude before him.

He turned to extinguish the cigarette in the ashtray on the bedside table. As he turned back, he was unknotting his tie, pulling it from around his neck and stuffing it into his jacket pocket. In silence, he closed his hand over her breast, his thumb grazing her nipple. She sighed and came closer, weaving her fingers through his soft, curling hair. She kissed his ear, licking his downy lobe, her fingertips now tracing the line of his jaw as his mouth touched against her shoulder, then her neck, his tongue darting against her skin. She could feel his hand searching in her hair. He was lovely, adept and sensitive to sensation.

His hand skimmed down the length of her body, closing over her buttocks to bring the lower half of her body against him. He was hard; it pleased her.

It was almost over 5 years he had taken her in his arms; he had hold her, and he had been lost. For 5 years, he had been in love with her. They seemed familiar, as if they had known each other forever. Was it possible she saw him precisely as he was and still managed to like him?

He liked her so much, enjoyed her so fully, it felt like an ache in his chest. Uncharted, there was a piece of him that he never allowed anyone to know. A deep hole of insecurity and fear; anger; resentment. A dark side of his so know perfect demeanor. Afraid of her possible letdown. Scared she could hurt him and leave him shattered.

There was a mischievous light to her eyes as she hooked her arms around his to kiss him as his hands continued working her body. He loved the way she kissed, the shape and feel of her mouth. The softness of her breasts beautifully formed. He lowered his head to kiss her breast, closing his mouth over her nipple, and she shivered, her fingers weaving though his hair. Then she had slipped away and was urging him over onto his back as her hands swooped down his shaft. She seemed like nothing more than a sin package.

When they were done, she took a quick shower and put on her clothes. As the usual, he drove her home and then headed to his home, to his routine, to his wife and children.

Katerina removed her clothes and threw them in the washing machine, and then headed to the bathroom to fill the bathtub. She needed to clean herself again. Thoughtful she wondered for how long she would stand being Douglas' mistress. A man who brought her a mix of feelings. Disgust and despair, but enjoyed the good life he provided her. Disgusting was her past. A past she didn't want anyone to know, but Douglas knew. Somehow, she felt trapped in his cove. She hated but she needed him. And necessity spoke higher for her ambitious nature. That way, she molded her ego according to the circumstances.

The next day Katerina woke up with the cellphone ringing. The call that she waited for so long. She got the job in the famous place. Not more and no less than the BSAA- Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance. Their initial payment was worth all her sacrifices. She was finally on her way to break the chains with Douglas. To break the chain with her past. She deserved to be better. She deserved more. Way more!

Edonia

Angelina Schmidt was at the garden of the simple two stories house she lived with her small family.

Since the Exhibition day, her mind was on fire. More and more weird dreams got her restless and sleepless. She entered in a productive mode. More and more paintings were done in record time. and Mr. Lionel seemed to set more fire into her flames as he revealed more of his family's secrets. And some secrets of his beloved property, the Lake House.

Back to her routines, her mind still remained in Bohma and she had the urge to continue the investigation of her dreams. Something was telling her to not let that go. She needed those answers despite not knowing the questions.

"Baby, you're still here" said her boyfriend George stepping closer to her, "You haven't eaten anything today…" he spoke in concern

"I need to finish this" she replied with a very focused expression, looking at the canvas

"What are you doing?" he asked in curiosity

"Just another work… to relax myself" she replied giving the final touches

George walked closer and saw a sumptuous and imposing man riding a black horse, "Who is he?" he asked

"I don't know. I saw him in my recent dreams"

George made a face. That man caused him a strange sensation. He looked at the veranda and saw another painting drying. Stepping closer he saw a stunning brunette woman, wearing a long sumptuous red gown by the side of the same man his girlfriend was currently working on.

"Who is she?" he asked in curiosity, but expecting her denial in knowing the identity

Angelina looked to the side to know what was he talking about and frowned, making a very serious face looking at the painting, "That one… Katarina" she replied with a dry tone

George made a face, "Katarina from Mr. Lionel's fables?"

"I don't know…I just couldn't stop hearing the people calling her name during my dreams. I couldn't forget it… even if I wanted"

The man let out a sigh and walked closer to the redhead woman, "My love… you should stop this… you are too impressed with all those stories and fables… Those people belong to the past…"

"They're telling me their stories"

"In exchange of what?"

"I don't know… I just can't stop…"

"You have to stop!"

"How?"

"I don't know… But think Olivia needs her mother!"

That moment, Angelina felt a strong sickness and a sharp pain in her head, "Olly…" she whispered as she was aided by George and not fall on the ground.

The man held her tight and guided her in. Unexpectedly, the redhead started crying and a deep hole seemed to form in her chest and images formed in her head to the point to make the young woman lose her conscience.

Thank you Pin for the review :D

A/N: 7/10/18 - Reupdated