Richard's POV
"Kori, that breakfast was amazing! Where did you learn how to cook?" Karen questioned while she was slouched on the couch rubbing her stomach.
"All over the place, I suppose. Every time I go to another place I try to learn a new method of cooking, and get new recipes." Kori says as she puts the last of the scrambled eggs in Silkie's bowl. "I will say, it is actually nice to have people to cook for. Usually, it is just Silkie and I, so I tend not to cook as much."
"Don't you ever get lonely or homesick?" Karen questions looking at the foreign beauty.
"I would not say I get the homesick, but I do miss Victor and my parents when I am gone. As for the lonely, I would have to say no. I am truly never alone." Kori says as she quick glances her surroundings as if she is looking for something. "I think I like being a gypsy too much to truly settle in one place. There is just so much to see, new people to meet, in such little time." She says sitting on the couch between myself and Vic.
"What are you going to do when you meet a guy?" Karen asked making Kori scoff.
"I have only dated two men in my entire life. The first was Leonid Kovar, he was 12 years older than I was and was from Moscow Russia." Kori tells us making all of our heads shoot up to look at her.
"Wait, is this the guy you were seeing when you were 18 and both dad and mom came to visit you? 12 years, and dad didn't flip out? What the hell was an old guy like that doing with you? You told me he was older than you not that he was practically our parents age!" Vic fumed
"We did not plan on getting together, but it just happened. He was a doctor who had come to Cape Town, South Africa for work. He needed a translator and I was assigned to him. Leonid, was an army doctor at first known as Red Star by the men in his unit. We would exchange stories of the places we each have been, and we just started to get close for two months before we dated." Kori spoke with a small smile before looking right at Vic and added "He knew everything about me, and was more than accepting of that."
What the hell did that mean? And if this guy was so great why aren't they still together?
"He seems like an amazing guy! Why aren't you guys together?" Karen squealed.
"He was." Kori whispered biting her lip.
"Was? Did that old man fucking hurt you? Cause I swear to god I will go find him and kick his ass back to Russia!" Vic yelled.
"Hurt me? What? No! Vic, Leonid and I went to Israel together after dating for 2 months. I was still assigned to be his translator. He died in a bombing." Kori revealed pulling her knees up to her chest and resting her chin on them.
Oh My GOD!
I immediately grabbed her hand as she gave me a small smile and squeezed my hand. The room was completely silent.
"Did you well… you know get closure?" Vic murmured looking at his sister as if his own heart had been shattered.
"Yes, and I think that is why I am so at peace with it now." She tells him as he nods slowly as Karen and I stared on in confusion. The Stones have always seemed to have some kind of strange secret communication that no one really understood when it came to Kori. It was like the whole family would talk in code, or in other languages so no one would be able to truly understand what they were talking about.
"You know, with me going to be a part of this family soon, maybe it's time that I know the codes of what you guys talk about." Karen spoke in a joking manner, but you could tell she was quite serious.
"Oh come on Kar…." Vic started but was interrupted by his fiancé.
"Vic, I'm being serious. The two of you plus your parents are all on the hush hush when it comes to certain things, and with me going to be a part of this family soon… I think it's time you both let me in on what you guys are hiding." Karen said with her arms crossed and fierce look on her face.
"Karen, let's not do this here." Vic tried only for Karen to interject.
"Then when are we going to discuss it Vic? Every time I bring it up you always say you will tell me eventually or you will tell me when the time is right. I'm starting to realize if I don't drag it out of you I'll never get the truth." Karen fumed before looking at me. "Do you know what the hell he's hiding?"
"Karen, I really…" I started.
"Dick! I asked you a question it's a simple yes or no!" Karen practically growled at me.
"No." I mumbled as I looked at mine and Kori's interlocked hands that were hidden behind my leg.
"Karen, it's not my secret to share!" Vic fumed before rubbing his hand over his face in frustration. Karen quickly shot a cold glare towards the island beauty who sat next to me.
"Of course, it's not. We should go and get ready for Bruce's. Thank you again for breakfast, Kori, Richard, we will see you both in a few hours." Karen spoke through a fake smile and gritted teeth. "Come on Vic." Karen chimed as she made her way to the door.
"Kori, I'm sorry, we will talk about this later. Don't be upset." Vic tells his sister who was still holding my hand, but refused to look at anyone. "Take care of her, ok man." Vic sighs now looking to me.
"No worries, I'll see you guys later." I said to him as I pulled Kori closer to me as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Vic kissed his sister's cheek before he followed Karen out of the apartment. Clearly sensing his mother's distress, Silkie, made his way over to us from the kitchen and resting his head on Kori's legs and whining softly.
"I always seem to cause problems when I am in Jump…" Kori mumbled stroking the wolf's head gently.
"Kori, you don't cause problems." I tell her tightening my arm around her.
"It does not seem that way. Richard, I have only been here a few days, and I have already caused the scene at my parents' party, then I did the embarrassing you at the store of groceries, and now this! Both Vic and my parents want me to stay for his wedding. I just do not know if I can last in Jump City for another three months. I just do not belong here, and I know the longer I stay here the more of the issues I will cause… it is inevitable." Kori confides in me.
This morning was going on so well and she was so happy, but now she looked so depressed, sad, and lonely. It killed me to see her this way.
"Kori, first of all you didn't embarrass me last night. That guy had no idea what hell he was talking about. Second, you did not cause a scene at the party you were dehydrated, and probably just exhausted from all the traveling. Don't worry about Karen being pissed, she's just stressed out from the wedding planning and I think it's just getting the best of her. Kori, you belong wherever you want to be. You always make friends wherever you go, your amazingly kind, genuine, funny as hell, and you're crazy beautiful. Kori, you are just an amazing fucking person and I'm so happy you are home." My mouth rambles before I kiss her temple and squeeze her tightly to me.
By the way I'm falling in love with you again, and I don't think I'll be able to say goodbye to you again once you are gone.
Kori rested her head on my shoulder with a sigh.
"How is it you always know what to say to me?" The beauty next to me asked as she played with my fingers with her tiny soft ones.
"Mmmm… I don't, I'm just being honest." I answer.
Fuck, she feels so good pressed against me.
"I should probably start getting ready to go. We are going together to Bruce's, yes?" Kori speaks making me smile.
"Of course, I should probably go fit in a training session before we go."
….HS….
Kori's POV
I hate the effect Richard has on me…. Ok I do not really hate it, nut I hate that he could never have the feelings I have for him. I am too much of a freak for him, and I will only bring complication. There are so many times I want to just tell him the truth, but I could not imagine him not believing me or making the fun of me for my… gift.
"Kori! Are you ready to go?" I heard Richard yell from beyond my bathroom door.
"Almost, I am just finishing up." I respond before doing a once over of myself in the mirror. I had on a dark gray cropped long sleeve crew neck shirt with black low-rise joggers. My makeup was simply black eyeliner, mascara, and baby pink matte lipstick. My hair was still done how it was yesterday with the cornrows on the side, and the other half curly.
I did not feel like washing then straightening this curly mess.
"Richard, do you think it will be acceptable to bring Silkie to such an occasion? I hate to leave him when I was gone all day yesterday." I explain hoping that my companion could come and help soothe my nerves.
"That's fine with me. I'm sure Bruce won't mind since Silkie is going to be a part of the Jump City police force." Richard says making me giggle. "Let's get going though. I do not want to be late or Bruce will kill me."
I was about to respond but Richard wound his arm around mine before speaking again.
"Let us go mi lady, and may I say you look beautiful the afternoon."
"I thank you sir Richard. You have always been quite the gentlemen, and you look good yourself." I giggle copying his British accent.
…HS…..
"Hello Master Richard, Bruce was beginning to worry you were going to be late. Miss Stone, it is so nice to see you after so long." Alfred spoke as he meant us in the entryway of Wayne Manor.
"Alfred, please call me Kori, and it is glorious to see you to!" I gushed as I hugged the elderly man making him blush.
"This must be Silkie. The newest member to your father's team." Alfred speaks with a small smile as he scratches Silkie behind the ear. "Everyone is waiting for you three in the grand dining area." Alfred informs.
"You go ahead Richard, I am going to take Silkie to use the bathroom before we get to settled." I say as I remember I did not take Silkie out this morning.
"I'll come out with you to keep you company." A female voice chimes in. We all look to see Karen standing in the archway a soft smile crossing her features.
"I would like that very much." I state slightly nervous.
"Don't worry everything is fine." Richard whispers to me before giving my hand a gentle squeeze the he follows Alfred through the large mansion.
"I like your top." I mumble to Karen as her, Silkie, and I make our way to the back. "Go on Silkie, go potty." I encourage as he runs off the deck to the yard.
The two of us stood in an awkward silence for a while. I could feel her staring at the side of my face as if she was trying to get a read on me, but I did not look at her. I kept my eyes on Silkie who was running through the yard and smelling the new atmosphere around him.
"Kori…. I just wanted to say I was sorry." Karen sighed causing my eyes to shoot to her.
"Oh Karen, do not be sorry. I deserve your anger." I tell her in all honesty.
"No, you don't. Vic, doesn't either, and I'm not angry. It's just with me becoming a part of this family… I just thought I wouldn't be left out on things any longer. Vic, and I don't keep things from each other, but when it comes to you he shuts down on me. I feel like my fiancé has this whole secret life with you and his parents that I will never be a part of. It just frustrated me, and I should not have asked him to reveal a personal secret of yours. It isn't fair of me, and I really am sorry. I hope one day, maybe when you can trust me and get to know me you or Vic will let me in on this big undisclosed information." Karen apologizes with a teasing tone at the last part. I immediately swallow the large lump in my throat as I start to question bother her intentions as well as my own.
"Karen…" I murmur. "My secret is something very personal to me, and not a lot of people know about it. It consumes my whole life, and controls me entirely. It causes a lot of problems for not only myself, but for the people I love and I do not want to put anyone else through the things that I must endure. Some people think I am insane and the Stones are even more insane for taking me in. I cannot fathom what I would do if more people found out and continued to mock me, or lose respect for my family."
"I'm sorry this has given you such a hard time. Don't worry about the Stone's though they are a tough family and stick together. I know damn well they will do anything in their power to make sure you are safe and loved… and so will I." Karen replies placing her hand on top of my own to comfort me. I can slowly feel my eyes fill with tears when I look at her caring face and sympathetic honest eyes. I clench her finger within my own as I look away from her to lean on the deck.
"Thank you." I say squeezing her hand tighter as a tear leaves my eye.
"No problem, sis." Karen says softly. I can hear the smile in her voice.
"Karen." I say as I release a breath.
"Yea?"
"I communicate with the dead."
Well there is chapter 6! Please let me know what you guys think, and thanks for being so patient! I am currently in New Zealand and will be here until Halloween, so my updates may be sporadic, but the story will go on! You guys are AMAZING!