by Raven Crow
He waved for us to follow him as he walked over to the pond. The girl, Jo led the way with Sax next then me cautiously in the rear. The situation got stranger by the second.
I spotted something in the water before Gio started pointing.
“What the fuck is it, is it a person bro?” Sax choked before he turned to Gio.
I walked to the edge of the bank and stared at the dead body in the water. I stood frozen for a minute at the shock of it all. I knew who that was in the water.
“I think I know who that is. I think that is Sissy V, she’s a dancer at Billy’s club.” I stressed.
“How do you know, Pen it’s really hard to see her face when the body is facing downward?” Gio asked me.
I leaned down and pointed at the body.
‘Look right there on the left shoulder there’s a tattoo of a blue butterfly.” I looked over to make sure that they were looking and they all were. “Sissy has one just like it.” I added.
“So should I call my dad to come and help out with the legal end of this shitty situation?” Sax asked Gio.
“No—well actually yes, you had better but first let me call the king and see what he wants us to do.” Gio told Sax.
I knew that the King would somehow be the one that would have the final say in this and any situation.
Gio and Sax walked away from me and Jo as Gio got on his cell phone.
“So you know that poor, dead girl then?” Jo asked me and I nodded. “That’s so sad I wonder how she died. She was definitely murdered don’t you think?”
I finally noticed how beautiful Jo was. Her skin was like porcelain and her hair was so perfect it could pass for a wig.
“It is sad. It had to of been a murder. But maybe just maybe it was an accident.” I thought about it for a minute. “I didn’t know her. I think that I said hi to her once or twice if that. She was a dancer and I was a cocktail server so we hardly saw each other.” I answered.
I tried so hard to try to recall those few interactions with Sissy that I had but nothing came to mind.
“Ok I understand. I can’t believe that this happened in my backyard. It is kind of creepy.” Jo marked.
“All right ladies the king told us to come over to the house right now and he will call the police. He doesn’t want them asking us any questions without him around. You know how the cops are with us gypsies.” Gio announced and like that we were off on our way to the big house to see the king.
Once the reality set in that I was going to have to answer questions from the king I started to get a little nervous. I wasn’t scared of him. I was afraid that he wouldn’t like me. I wasn’t smart, classy and the king’s typical type of girl. I was still in a pair of cut-off shorts for fuck sakes he was not going to be impressed with me in the least bit. I kind of tugged at my shorts as I thought about it.
“What’s wrong, Pen?” Sax asked in a low tone so the others wouldn’t hear.
“I don’t feel properly dressed to meet the king. I wished I had worn another outfit.” I sighed while I looked around the houses we passed as we neared the king’s house. “When I agreed to come with you I didn’t think I’d have to talk to the king himself.”
‘Pen you have nothing to worry about, you look beautiful as usual. The king is going to love you, you’ll see.’ Sax assured me.
Chapter 8
Sax
I couldn’t believe that Pen was here with me. I couldn’t believe I just saw a dead body. This day has been too damn weird so far.
I opened the door to the pool house where Gio stayed and the others followed me in. Gio had gone into the main house to talk to his father and he told us to wait for them here. I wasn’t sure why they called it a pool house when it wasn’t anywhere near the pool or the house. His place was tucked away off in the far off wooden covered area of the property. We had to walk pass the main house and cut through the yard in order to get to his place. Gio’s place offered the privacy that we all needed to get our heads right.
“So should we just sit here and wait for someone to tell us when we can go home?” Jo asked before she planted herself down onto the huge, black, leather couch.
“Yup make yourself at home until Gio comes, he’ll know what to do next.” I said.
Truthfully, I had no idea what was coming next there had never been a murder in Greenville before now. I mean sure there was crime but never an actual murder. That type of stuff happened on the other side of the lake in Bakersfield were there was a bigger population but never here in our small neck of woods.
“I think I will join you, Jo my feet are killing me.” Pen said.
She walked over and sat down on the couch with Jo.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I felt pretty lucky being alone with two of the town’s hottest women. I would much rather be all alone with just Pen right now though but I think that I’d get myself into trouble if that were the case.
I walked over to the couch and paused. I wasn’t sure were to sit, the two girls were too close together and there wasn’t enough move for me to fit on the other side of Pen. I decided to remain standing.
“Who wants a drink, I know I could sure use one right about now?” I asked.
I looked over at the bar remembering it was always stocked.
“Yes I would love one, thank you.” Pen sighed.
“That-a-girl you got it.” I remarked and winked at her before grabbing up a bottle from the bar.
“Yes, please.” Jo replied quietly like she was afraid to admit that she wanted a drink.
“Sure thing sweetheart I got you.” I said back to her.
“I’ll have a Crown and Coke, please.” I heard Gio say as he entered the front door.
“Hey look who is back. One Crown and Coke coming up, bro.”
I quickly assembled together four drinks for us all before passing them out to everybody.
“Thank you, Sax I really needed that.” Gio said after taking a drink from his glass.
I looked around and noticed that they all had taking a drink so I drank down most of my drink too. The familiar burning in my throat was a comfort and within minutes I felt numb. The numbness made what was coming a lot easier to deal with.
The front door opened and in walked my dad, the king, and a man I didn’t know.
Jo jumped up off of the couch before she raced over to the man I didn’t know. She seemed to know him and judging by his age I’d guess he was her father. He said something to her and they suddenly left without saying goodbye. I looked over at Gio to see his reaction but his dad was all up in his face so I doubt he had even noticed her leave.
My dad walked over to Pen and sat down by her on the couch.
“Good evening, you are Ms. Penelope Smith I gather. I’m detective Danes.” He asked and she nodded. “I just have a few questions for you it shouldn’t take too long. Wait a minute are you the same Penelope Smith who was the Greensville High’s Dance Club Captain?”
“Yes, that was me a long, long time ago.” Pen said with a lower tone.
“Wow, my wife is going to be excited when I tell her I saw you, she was one of your biggest fans.” My dad said.
I moved myself to in front of the couch so I could see Pen’s face. She looked at me as if she didn’t believe my father so I nodded.
“It’s true; my mom was one of your biggest fans back in high school.” I added to my father’s information.
Pen got a huge grin on her face and then she looked down as though she was trying to hide it. I loved that she wasn’t arrogant. Her humbleness was very sweet and refreshing.
My dad pulled out a picture and presented it to Pen. Her eyes widen as she looked at the girl in the picture.
“So how do you know this woman?” My dad asked.
“That’s Sissy V, I know her from the club she’s a dancer there.” Pen choked before she blinked over and over again like she was holding back tears.
I couldn’t see the photo so I had no idea what the girl looked like when
she was alive. I’m guessing that seeing the photo probably triggered Pen and that’s why she was holding back her tears.
“Do you remember the last time you saw Sissy alive?” He continued.
“Hmm, I think that it was last Tuesday night. I was leaving for the day, she was just arriving for work. I think that she was late that night.” Pen answered.
“What makes you think that?” He pressed.
“Because Sissy usually stopped to say hello to the serving staff and bartenders before her shift, she was kind like that, but that night she just raced pass us and went straight into the back.” Pen added.
“So would you say that she seemed upset or a little off that day then?” He asked.
“Oh yes she had seemed definitely a little off that day.” Pen proceeded.
“Did she ever have any visitors or guests at the club or was she dating anyone that you were aware of?” He added.
“No there is a rule against having visitors or guests at the club and I didn’t really know her well enough to know if she was single but I think that she was.” Pen struggled but remarked.
“Well all right then that is all I have for you. Thank you, Penelope.” He said before standing. Pen also stood up.
Gio and Gerald joined us.
“You all need to know that this wasn’t an accident and the cops are ruling this as a homicide.” He coughed with a dark look on his face. “Well Gerald I will go handle this bit of bad business like we discussed earlier.” My dad added and then he walked over to the door. “Now remember none of you ever saw that body. It’s better if she wasn’t discovered by you all. Mrs. Smart was walking her dog and stumbled onto the body after her dog went crazy and dragged her over towards the body in the pond.” He added before he waved as he closed the door.
“Can you take me home I really don’t think I can drive right now?” Pen turned to me and asked I nodded.
“Of course I can. Let’s go.” I said.
Inside my body I leaped at a chance to be alone with her.
Chapter 9
Jo
I put the final book onto my bookshelf before exhaling. I was completely wiped. All I had expected to do today was this, unpack, but instead I saw a dead body and next thing I know I’m caught up in something crazy. I should have been scared but I wasn’t. I shouldn’t still be thinking about it but I can’t stop. I felt my belly rumble and it dawned on me that I hadn’t eaten for hours.
I jetted down the hall to the kitchen. I quickly made a sandwich and started to eat it when my dad walked in.
“Now that looks good I think that I will have one of those myself.” He grunted.
He quickly grabbed himself a sandwich before joining me at the kitchen counter. We had put up our two barstools which were worn and old. I still loved them because they reminded me of some good times with my dad.
“So how long have you known your friend Gerald for, dad?” I asked.
I had to know if maybe I had actually met Gio before now, like once when we were much younger.
“I met him back when I was in elementary school. Gerald was my best friend my whole childhood. He’s one of best men I know. Oh yeah, that reminds me that I have some good news for you.” He said with a huge grin on his face.
“Okay, what news do you have?” I muttered.
I stood before I cleared the counter by putting the leftovers away.
“Starting Monday you will be attending the local academy; they have fashion design courses that you can take. I just know that you will love it.”
“Are you being serious, dad?” I jumped towards him.
“Of course I’m being serious. I wouldn’t dangle your dream in front of your face as a joke. It’s all been arranged by Gerald.” He answered before he hugged me.
“This is amazing news. I need to thank Gerald for his generosity.”
“You can do that tomorrow right now you need to get some rest. You had an intense day.”
‘Okay, but its Saturday night and I’m not ready to sleep. I think I will go work on my room some more.”
“Sounds good sweetheart, I will be in my office downstairs if you need me. I have so much preparation to do for my next job, looks like this move is working out great for us both.” He chuckled.
He left the kitchen.
I went to leave but a knock on the backdoor stopped me. I could see Gio’s head through the glass in the door. He smiled at me as I approached the door. I opened the door with a smile.
“Hey, I am sorry I just ran off earlier but I thought that my dad was upset with me. How did everything go with the cops?” I voiced.
“It was fine. The thing is that now we need to act as though none of us ever saw the body.” He advised.
“Yeah I know my dad told me all about that on the way back home.” I said. I realized that he probably wanted to come inside. “Please come in.”
I waved him into the house and he nodded at me while he passed by. I caught a whiff of his scent again and I damn near drooled all over him. He was wearing black, basketball shorts with a white, sleeveless, tee-shirt which was clinging to his clearly ripped abs. He had to know how sexy he was but yet I didn’t catch one bit of arrogance from him.
“I didn’t catch you at a bad time; you aren’t going to bed or anything?” He asked while he looked me up and down.
I quickly noticed that I was wearing my barely-there, black, PJ shorts which looked more like underwear instead of shorts, and I had on a black and white, jersey-style, crop-top and no bra on underneath nor was I wearing panties. I suddenly started to feel a little uncomfortable and exposed.
“I am so sorry, I wasn’t expecting company and I have been unpacking all day.” I rambled through stupid excuses.
He started to chuckle at me.
“I understand, you don’t have to apologize for looking crazy, hot, right now. Please forgive me for staring at you, Jo.” He growled a little, it seemed involuntary. “Should I leave, do you want me to go?” He asked.
I stopped myself for shouting Fuck No aloud. My dad had a rule against men in bedroom, he was old-fashion like that, but I was going to take this gorgeous man into my bedroom tonight.
“No I want you to stay, we should probably go to my bedroom, and I don’t want to bother my dad.” I told him.
I set off down the hallway towards my bedroom with him on my heels. Once in the bedroom I closed the door. We sat down on the end of my bed which was the only furniture in the room. He sat about an arm’s length away. Now that he was finally alone with me I had no idea what to do with him, honestly. He glanced over at me.
“You know I couldn’t remember meeting you when I was younger so I went through of my adoptive mom’s things and I found some old photos of us, I will have to show you them sometime if you want?” He informed me.
Really, that’s so cool I do want to see them. I thought that my dad was making the whole story up about us playing together as kids.” I answered.
“Nope, he wasn’t lying we were playing together at some huge gypsy wedding.” He told me.
He stood up and walked over to my bookshelf and pulled out a book.
“Okay, this is probably a silly question but have I no idea what a gypsy is really, so you are missing me on all the gypsy references FYI.” I voiced with my brow in the air.
“I’m sorry but Jo there is no clear way to description what a gypsy is to you, you will just have to see for yourself. I say that you will be very entertained, and you will probably never be the same.” He answered while he looked at the book cover in his hand. “Fashion design books huh, are you excited about starting classes on Monday?”
He question shocked me. How did he know that I was attending the academy when I had only just found out about it myself tonight? His father must have told him that he had paid for my schooling, if that’s all he wanted to know.
“I am very excited. How did you know about me starting school, Gio? Are you spying on me?” I joked. His eyes sprung wide. “I’m joking
of course; I know that you are not spying on me.” I tried to recover by laughing.
“Shit, now you know that I’m totally stocking you, Jo.” He joked, and then he chuckled at me. “I know because my dad wants me to take you to the academy on Monday to make sure you know your way around. I’m your driver and escort basically. I hope that’s not a problem for you?” He smiled wide.
My stomach started to spin. Did he just say that he’s my driver? Is he going with me everywhere? I get to look at him all day, yes!
“Nah it’s no problem, I appreciate you helping me out, Gio. You and your dad are such generous people, I’m so grateful to you both.” I told him. He smiled back at me.
I meant every word. He and his dad were truly amazing factors that were going to contribute to changing my life for the better. Honestly, I was holding myself back for hugging him to death.
Chapter 10
Gio
I’m standing here in her bedroom trying to focus on something besides her body. She’s half dressed. She’s being so adorable. My pants are starting to get tight on me. I already had to get off of the bed with her. I thought going through her books might make my dick calm down some but no luck; I’m just standing here getting harder by the minute.
“So did you attend the academy too?” She asked.
“Nah, college isn’t my thing. But I have friends that go there. I think that you will fit right in with that crowd.” I answered.
“Oh yeah, how so?” She pressed.
“Well you look like a nice college girl already so you get the picture.” I nodded.
I felt my eyes starting to wander down her body again.
“And what is your thing, Gio? What are you doing with your life?” She asked and then she started to laugh. “I’m just joking. You seem like you have some kind of big plan for yourself. The kind of plan you won’t need college for. Are you going to settle down some day with your girlfriend?”