Sorry for the long wait on this chapter, I was having trouble thinking of what I wanted to accomplish in this chapter and I must say I'm still not pleased... Once again thank you to XXThe wish GraterXX for reviewing it's so good to hear your thoughts on what I am writing. With that I want to give a VERY IMPORTANT notice for those of you following from my first post. To make it more clear on Leila's reason on being here I did add a Prologue, as well as edited chapters one and two into each other making this Chapter 2. Sorry if there is some confusing I greatly suggest that you read the new Prologue before continuing. If you are new to my story, thanks for reading and please feel free to give me you thoughts.
I believe thats it, thank you all again and with out further ramblings I present you with chapter two! Please enjoy (:
The Runaway's Daughter
Chapter 2
It was a silent trip and in the dark I must admit I was rather lost even in this small town, making me rather thankful for the boy at my side. He was quiet something I found didn't bother me at all especially with all that I had on my mind right about now.
Why had I even opened up my big mouth and told this bloke I was even visiting family at all? Because that's what I thought I was doing, obvious reason but honestly that was really starting to annoy me. I knew why I was coming from the very beginning why had I even planned to tell them who I was anyway? This seemed to make a lot more sense.
They wouldn't recognize me anyway, I had been told my whole life I looked nothing at all like my mother and I was going to piggy-back ride that to the death in this place. Well actually hopfully not death that was in no way shape or form going to help my mother.
"Er Leila was it? We're here…" my long train of thoughts stopped as I looked at the boy in front of me his head cocked ever so slightly to the side and his face tugged in a frown as he looked at me. I knew he was probably trying to get my attention for quite some time now.
"Oh sorry," I mumbled looking around us; we stood at the peir to the beach waves lapping heavily on the shore the fresh smell of salt over coming me. "He lives on the beach?" I asked cocking my head slightly.
"Yeah that cottage right there," Cliff pointed to the farthest building to the right. "Uh, I don't mean to be rude but do you think I could-"
I turned my gaze over to him and his words stopped his eyes shooting to the ground embarrassedly. "I mean I've had a long day and I-"
"That's fine," I said watching his odd actions, I supposed he wanted to make sure I report back well to Duke… Nodding my head awkwardly I took my first step onto the beach my thoughts averting; I just had to get Zach to not mention my relation to them…
"Uh Leila?"
The voice piercing my planning I turned slightly back to Cliff on the pier, "yeah?"
"Welcome to Mineral Town," he said and I thought I could see a small smile twitching up on his face.
"Thanks," I smiled back before turning back to the shack. My steps speeding up slightly thanking Zach silently he kept the lights on otherwise I would have no clue where I was let alone where I was heading.
I could hear faint voices inside from the door and I hoped I wasn't intruding too much. Knocking on the door I turned my head to the side seeing this was absolutely not Zach.
In front of me stood the purple bandanna'd boy from earlier a grin rising on his face as he took in who it was.
"Oh hey look at who couldn't stay away," he grinned.
"Um actually I was looking for Zach um-"
Kai raised his eyebrow at me, "you know he is like thirty something right?" he whispered.
My jaw dropped but before I could correct the misguided man Zach was smiling in the door way. "Hey Leila, I didn't expect to see you here…"
"Uh… yeah actually, there was something I wanted to ask you." I glanced at Kai who seemed to be still considering the idea of myself and Zach. Eww…
"Alright well go ahead," Zach nodded and I looked to Kai displeased. How was I supposed to say anything with him here?
"Well in concerns why I told you I came here and-"
I stopped seeing Zach's eyes grow twice their size and Kai's grin grew bigger, "he wasn't supposed to tell anyone was he?" Kai asked.
"No…" I murmured looking from one guy to another finally being led inside the small shack to sit on the ratty couch. I sat awkwardly looking up at the two men, one carrying a sly grin the another a guilty expression.
"I'm sorry Miss Leila I-"Zach started but Kai interrupted him.
"Don't blame him Leila I wanted to know more about this mysterious new blonde; can't blame a guy from being curious can you?" Kai laughed scratching the back of his neck. The saying 'curiosity killed the cat' came to mind but I didn't dare speak it.
"I suppose not I muttered," staring at the ground a few second before meeting their gazes once again. "Well, see I kind of wanted to- Um things kind of changed…"
Both blinked at me, the older of the two choosing to speak. "Did they really have it out with Aja they wouldn't let their granddaughter-"
"No! It's not that but," pity card Leila! "Umm well I'm worried that feelings run tough through the family, and I decided I wanted to wait to tell them…"
Kai answered first seeming to put together this, "so you don't want us to talk I assume."
"Well originally I thought it'd just be Zach…"
"Heh," Zach gave a nervous smile. "Leila it wasn't my business to give out your information like that, I apologize. And for that I promise I won't tell another soul about your relation… but it doesn't seem smart to wait…"
"Where will you stay?" Kai asked.
I gave a nervous laugh the serious tension kind of dawning on me. "Well they ended up spilling grape juice on me so they've already offered me boarding there, in exchange for a few chores…"
Kai whistled but Zach still didn't look as if he'd agree. "I won't tell anyone," Kai responded standing up. "Though I have a small price," he smirked and I raised my eye brow. "Ehh why bog you down with details I own the Snack Shack next door, stop by tomorrow?"
"And if I don't," I inquired.
"Don't make me use blackmail sweetie," he laughed waving good-bye to the lot behind me. "See you tomorrow Leila!"
Wonderful… Definitely a strange town, though with any luck I wouldn't be here long. And better yet hopefully Kai could be easily bribed…
"Well with that said and done I suppose we should head back to your house."
"We?"
"You know the town that well then?" Zach asked and I shook my head. "Off we go."
* * * * * * * * *
The next morning came quick for the vineyard and for a good amount of time I laid in my bed wondering just exactly where I was. Though I caught up rather easily I couldn't stomach my rights here. Rolling out of bed and searched my suitcase pulling on a clean pair of shorts and a brown T-shirt.
As I brushed out my hair I noted the noises downstairs indicated other stirrings. I had a busy day ahead of me, impressions to make and most likely new people to meet so I spared no time in getting ready. Making sure even my minimal make-up blended perfectly, my clothes sat reasonable and hair nice. Though probably all of this was going to be ruined throughout the day at least I tried.
Slipping on my sneakers followed the unfamiliar hallways until I found my grandmother over the stove, my grandfather's paper in hand as he read nearby.
"Morning," I smiled trying to be a good guest. "Is there anything I can help with?"
"Oh morning Leila, I swear I almost forgot you were staying here. Found your way back last night I see, oh yes can you bring those over to the table?" I stared not sure what to answer, she definitely talked more than my mother.
"Sure," I settled on grabbing the utensils she'd pointed to and started to set the table.
"You going to be able to work in those clothes?" Duke asked from behind and for the first time I realized the ice pack over his head, his skin pale the way he twitched at each clang Manna made in the kitchen. God he's hung-over!
I felt my skin crawl; I've never been a drinker. I suppose it could have to do partly with my mother's reactions to alcohol, though she'd always been afraid of drunks for a reason I had never understood why she would drink herself.
"Leila life can be hard on your shoulders and sometimes people think it's the only way out," I remembered Mr. Baits telling me.
Did Mom running away have something to do with his drinking? The question nagged in my head but I pushed it away, for all I knew he started after his daughter ran away it made enough sense.
"Y-yeah I'll be fine," I replied to his questioned turning back to the table feeling Manna's conscious gaze on me as she plopped a big cup of coffee in front of Duke's seat.
"Will you be okay with eggs Leila?" she asked. I nodded taking my seat, "Leila," Manna repeated looking at me her eyes searching into mine. "You won't find announcing the little mishap yesterday umm… appealing will you?" she asked and I stared at her. She'd worried for her own reputation!
"Of course not, I'm very grateful for your hospitality," I told her watching her nod. The rest of the breakfast was silent and I wasn't surprised when my grandfather announced he'd be taking a short nap before he joined out at work. Manna told me Cliff would be able to show me what to help with, allowing me to sit and wait for his arrival.
The knock came soon enough and as I answered it Cliff's expression once again grew looking at me, and I couldn't help but feel self-conscious. What did he see through my lies at dinner or something? I made a mental note to watch out for the quiet hired help…
"Is Duke…?"
"He said he was going to take a short nap before helping out, so you're stuck with me," I replied watching his eyes grow. "You know I can't be that bad…"
Cliff eyes widened more at that statement but he didn't try to defend himself until I'd followed him down into the cellar were I assumed he did most of his work. "Duke won't be down," he said.
"Oh?"
"Hangover…" Cliff replied reaching up to the barrels stacked in the back setting them side by side.
"Does that happen often then?" I asked.
Cliff shrugged, "sort of…"
Not the conversionist was he? Leaning against the beam I watched Cliff pull down barrels. "So… what are we doing Boss?" I asked.
"We'll be picking grapes…"
"In the cellar?"
"No."
I waited for him to further before I let out a long sigh, "you know you're going to make this really difficult if you're just going to be doing these vague answers. If Duke's normally hung-over I'm counting on you to tell me what to do, alright?"
He stopped his work nodding, "sorry…" And I raised an eyes brow, really now? "Um you can start by bringing these outside."
"Okay," I replied coming over to notice the barrels were empty, yet to be filled. Picking up two easily one in each hand I started up the stairs Cliff stood staring at me. "What?" I had to stop myself from hissing at him.
"Nothing," he replied his ears turning red and I felt a prick of anger. What was wrong with this guy!
The day proceeded of grape picking and such and by the end of it I was seriously looking for any excuse to get away from the bore that was Cliff… Unfortunately that excuse came in a forgotten parade of a purple bandana.
"Got a moment?" Kai asked.
