Her heart jumped when Leo’s hand touched her shoulder as he came up behind her. She absently felt him lift her hair away from her neck, his lips brushing against it, “I hope I didn’t wake you?” He said as he pulled her back close to his chest his hand lifting her necklace, rubbing it between his fingers. “This is beautiful.”
A sense of panic filled her, as she gently pulled it out of his hand. “Thank you.” She stated as she stepped out of his arms, hesitant, afraid of the answer as she asked, “Whom were you talking to?”
“No one. It was just business,” Leo said as he pulled her back up against his chest. His lips skimmed hers, but the conversation she had overheard was still strong in her head.
Unable to get it out of her head, she stepped back with a small smile. “If I didn’t know better I would think you are attempting to distract me.” She said as she took another step away from him her fingers against her still tingling lips from earlier. “Because, I could of swore it sounded like you were talking about me.” She stated with an irritated raised eyebrow.
Leo lifted his hand to pull her back; the heat of his body penetrated the thin fabric of the sheet as it fell away from her slightly so it just covered the pink tip of her breast. Leo’s eyes followed the descent; Elizabeth felt his response through his thin drawstring pajama bottoms, her breath caught as her body responded to the feel of him against her. She dropped her head forward against his shoulder, to hell with the call for now she thought as she kissed the bare skin of his chest. His voice deep as she felt it vibrate against her, “Can we continue this conversation later?” He asked.
Elizabeth sighed in frustration, her head nodded in agreement, unable to think clearly any longer anyways. She lifted her head back up to meet Leo mouth as it opened over hers, a cluster of butterflies flickered in her stomach as the blood rushed through her veins.
The sheet fell away the rest of the way as Elizabeth lifted her arms, her fingers intertwined in his hair, deepening the kiss so her only thoughts, were of his lips on hers, arousing, stimulating her senses, the phone conversation forgotten, for now.
Chapter 23
It’s so dark. The air…is smothering in this little space. But, Mommy said it would just be for a short while. I just need to get to the end, I can see the light it’s right ahead. Don’t forget the numbers, 15 right, 20 left, 13 right. 15 right, 20 left, 13 right. 15 right, 20 left, 13 right. 15 right, 20 left, 13 right she kept repeating as she continued to crawl through the tight space.
Her goal was just ahead and the numbers were the key. Mommy said if I remembered the numbers right, they would be set. They could get away from the bad man. Then suddenly, the sun is shining on her. She can feel the heat warming her skin; she is no longer crawling through the dismal tunnel but instead swinging through the daylight.
Her mother is smiling up at her from far below, “Jump my little sunflower, feel the wings lift you high. Yes, jump my little sunflower. The weeping willow will keep you safe.”
The air cushioned her, cradled her, laughing at the tickling in her belly from the sudden drop. “Look mommy, I can fly like a butterfly.”
Elizabeth woke to the sun shining bright behind her closed eyes, not wanting to open them quite yet; she turned her body so the heat of the sun warmed her back instead. She smiled in contentment; the dream lingering in her thoughts as she attempted to decipher the meaning, or if there even was a meaning. The sheet caressed her skin, still sensitive, as she stretched lazily, like a cat lying in a patch of sun, her muscles pleasantly sore. Elizabeth’s smile lingered as she remembered the many ways Leo had demonstrated his skills throughout the night. Her fingers reached out for the source of her desire, her only encounter was the cooled bed sheets next to her. Elizabeth frowned as she opened her eyes, the sight of a single red rose on the pillow next to her made her smile once more as she reached for it and the crisp white paper beneath the delicate petals.
Elizabeth turned back onto her back as she brought the soft petals to her nose to inhale the fragrant scent. Her smile became broader when she read the words written. ‘Elizabeth, had to run out for a few quick errands. Help yourself to whatever you find. I’ll be back shortly. Make yourself at home.’ She giggled as she hugged the note to her, feeling like a teenager with a first love.
Then the giggles turned to a sigh, her carefree feeling weaning as the memories of the night before sprang back into her conscious thoughts. Elizabeth pulled herself up as she swung her legs over the side of the bed; a light blue terry cloth robe draped across a chair caught her eye, her feet cushioned by the soft cream rug along the side of the bed. Leo’s fragrance rose up from the robe’s fibers as she wrapped it around herself inhaling the masculine scent deeply; but wishing instead it were Leo arms instead.
Elizabeth felt melancholy with the thoughts of the past few days. The floor became cool under the balls of her feet as she stepped off the cushioned rug onto the hardwood flooring. The coolness was almost refreshing as she walked towards what she believed to be the master bathroom, then her steps faltered when she walked through the door. Her melancholy thoughts lifted somewhat when she spotted an ivory porcelain tub resting on claw feet, nestled in a cove of windows that overlooked a small pond.
Elizabeth smiled as she sat on the edge of the porcelain tub, her hand reaching forward to turn the graceful knobs, the water flowing gently from the waterfall faucet, “You are just what I need, my little beauty.” She said as the warm liquid ran through her fingers.
Elizabeth lit several candles she had found, placing them on the ledge of the windowsill that overlooked the back of the house and pond, to brighten the slightly darkened room from the clouds outside. She dropped the robe to the hardwood floor as she stepped into the soothing liquid, letting it envelop her in its gentle heat.
Elizabeth sighed in contentment, the water swaying as it lapped against her breast as she laid her head back on the high headrest, she could feel the stress of the last week melt away slightly.
Her eyes wandered to the flickering of the candles, the invisible breeze was softly shifting the flame to and from, reminding her of the gypsy she met on her first night in New Orleans. It seemed like a lifetime ago when the gypsy had woven her web of riddles.
She closed her eyes in an attempt to remember some of the gypsy’s riddles. Then, as the water relaxed her even more, she remembered one. She could hear the words as though the gypsy sat next to her whispering them into her ear once more, ‘I see you surrounded by secrets, shrouded in fear and love.’ Elizabeth felt a sense of detachment as she remembered the rest of the riddle, ‘A deception was created by someone that loves you deeply. Created to fill a void of sorrow’, her heart accelerated as the riddle replayed, just now understanding the significance of the riddle. Tears caught in her throat at the ramifications of what her mother…Rita had done those many years ago and the impact it had on her life.
Rita had plucked her from a life she could only see a glimpse of, in dreams and scattered memories, and instead immersed her within her your own messed up world. Now Elizabeth could see that she had returned, inadvertently, to the very place where it all began.
Elizabeth opened her eyes once more to the flickering of the candles, wondering if her whole life was all preplanned, Rita being just a piece of the puzzle. The gypsy once more came to mind, her riddles all that was foremost in her mind. ‘There are some things that I cannot tell. I can only show you the path, to lead you to the truth.’
“What is the truth, old woman?” Elizabeth asked the quiet room, not expecting an answer. Yet the gypsy’s voice spoke again into her ear, as if to answer her burning questions. ‘The truth is what you must find yourself. No one person can tell you the entire truth. Only you can find the answers.’ Elizabeth sighed as she thought of what the answers and truths could be. All her dreams and memories messed up and distorted from years of repression. How could she possibly find what she needed to know?
/> The question still plagued her thoughts as she lifted her leg from the water, her eyes drawn to the water that glistened on her skin in the dim shadowed light, the air cool on her moist skin. Then she lifted her hand, her fingertips following the length of her leg as she came to the realization that she was not going to find the answers tonight.
Elizabeth finally lifted herself from the therapeutic water, ready to face what she had discovered the day before. The warmth of the water gone as she lifted herself, the air began sending goose bumps down her arm before she could wrap the warm robe around herself.
Her teeth chattered as a shiver ran through her, the memories she was about to face frightened her more then she wanted to admit to anyone right now, she thought, as she walked over to the mirror, her arms hugging her midriff as she looked at her reflection. Her skin rosy from the warm bath and her dampened hair clinging to her long neck, made her features appear even more sharp and exotic.
Elizabeth leaned forward, so her face was only a breath away from the mirror, her blue eyes reflected back at her a sadness, Her hand felt soft on her face as she wondered if the woman in her dreams and vision was the true reflection of her mother or only a manufactured creation of herself.
Her breath caught in her throat as questions plagued her mind. ‘Do I look like you? Talk like you? What have I gotten that was yours?’ Moisture gathered on the mirror as she let her breath back out slowly as she tried to remember the life she had buried. ‘What did you call me? I need to know, to fight the evil you tried to save me from..’ After several more agonizing moments, Elizabeth finally leaned away from the image that gave her no answers. She shook her head at her random questions and thoughts.
Her bare feet barely made a sound on the cool ceramic tile as she walked back to the tub. The porcelain tub was hard on her hip as she sat on the edge, to reach into the now cooled water; the plug in the tub giving with barely a tug, her lips pursed to blow out the candles along the ledge while her eyes once again drawn back to the small pond just beyond the panes of glass.
Her heart caught as she remembered a similar moment when she was but a girl.
“Look, Julia, isn’t it just like I told you? Isn’t it beautiful? See how the light sends diamonds across the surface of the water.” Warm arms folded around her, as she felt a chin rest on her head. “And see that weeping willow, we can put a swing under it so you can fly like a bird.”
“Does this mean we don’t have to do those bad things anymore?” She asked, her voice hesitant.
“Yes my little sunflower. We are turning over a new leaf, no more living on the edge, no more walking the tightrope. It is just you and I....” Her mother’s voice distant and sad, “And that is all we need.”
Elizabeth nodded as she watched the reflection of her mother in the window. Her mother’s long blonde hair fell in a curtain around them, her face thin and elegant with high cheekbones and eyes half closed and downcast. She could sense her mother’s sadness, yet, relief filled her as she lifted her hands to her mother’s arms, “I’m glad.” She said softly.
“I know you are darling, I know you are,” Her mother said with a sad smile curving her full lips.
The memory came and went so quickly, Elizabeth felt disoriented and as she fell forward, her hand reached out for the window ledge, almost falling into the tub in the process. The ledge warm beneath her fingers as she steadied herself, a sharp pain erupted behind her eyes, ‘Okay, that was intense.’ She thought, as she pushed herself back from the ledge. Her fingers pinched the bridge of her nose in an attempt to ease the pain associated with the memories. “You can never come when I want, can you.?” She said softly to the empty room with a strained chuckle. The vision still clear and crisp in her mind, “So my name was Julia and I look like my mother.” If the vision she just had was to be believed.
Elizabeth frowned at her lack of clothing; it had been the farthest thing from her mind when she had left the rental. She contemplated the situation as she looked at the dresser on the far wall, the thought of going through Leo’s stuff felt invasive and presumptuous. Standing, she continued to towel dry her hair while walking over to the dresser, deciding that he most likely wouldn’t mind…she hoped.
Not wanting to disturb what was so well organized she quickly grabbed the first piece of clothing she came in contact with, smiling at the old worn t-shirt that hung to her knees and boxer shorts that she had to roll several times at the waist to keep up as they skimmed her hips. She was pleasantly surprised by the sense of comfort she felt from the feel of his old worn clothes against her skin.
Her fingers skimmed through her still damp hair as she stepped out of the bedroom into the loft that had an impressive oak desk and modern office chair. The hard wood floor soft beneath her feet, she walked over to a worn, oversized brown leather chair. The chair conformed quickly to her body as she sank down onto the cool soft leather; a sigh escaping her as it warmed to her body while her feet were lifting onto the ottoman in front of her. The room felt familiar as she looked around, realizing this is where she found Leo talking on the phone during the night, once again wondering who he had been talking to and determined to get the answers as soon as he returned.
Continuing to comb her hair with her fingers, Elizabeth looked around further; her eyes followed the railing as it curved along the length of the house. Curious to where it led, she stood up to walk along the catwalk, the railing overlooking a great room with a large rock fireplace that narrowed as it reached up to the cathedral ceiling, leather furniture and thick wood tables lent a feeling of masculine comfort. A large kitchen sat just adjacent to the great room where an island with a gas stovetop rested in the middle.
Further along, Elizabeth was surprised when the floor appeared to disappear beneath her, just above the kitchen. Clever, she thought as she touched the warm glass beneath her feet as her eyes were drawn up to a skylight above her, which she imagined on sunny day would cast lighting into a kitchen which would otherwise be darkened.
Then the most truly pleasant surprise was at the end of the catwalk where a small sitting area was with two chairs that sat across from each other with a large brown leather ottoman holding several books with markers placed between the pages. Reaching down, Elizabeth picked up the first book entitled. “Amnesia and the Complex Mind..”
Her eyebrows rose at the title, as her feet curled under her when she sat down in the overstuffed chair. Opening the book to one of the marked pages, her eyes skimmed the words. She had read a little bit about her disorder over the years, but had never really sat down and actually researched the core of her aAmnesia. Now that her memory appeared to be returning, she found herself engrossed in the complex words, so much so, that she didn’t hear the opening of the door.
Chapter 24
Roger kept his distance from Leo as he followed him outside of the city, with the knowledge that he would lead him to his fleeting bird. He had learned from Aurora that Elizabeth had discovered that the woman, whom she had believed to be her mother, was actually, not her mother at all. This bit of information was not a surprise to him. He had known this all along, since he was the last one to see Elizabeth’s real mother, Lily, those many years ago. It did, however, answer the question of how Julia aka Elizabeth, could have fallen off the face of the earth so many years ago. Strangely, he admired the woman who had claimed to be her mother, and her ability to deceive a young girl into believing that she was the mother she had forgotten. The scam something he could appreciate, in spite of wondering what she had gotten out of it. He was going to have to think of that further.
Leo’s car turned in front of him, bringing Roger back to the job at hand as he bypassed the drive that had a black iron gate across it, the silver jaguar just passing through it, when he passed. He cursed under his breath, his eyes searching for a convenience location along the barren roadside in which to pull over and not be conspicuous. Then, just as he was about to give up,
he came across what appeared to be a deserted drive about a half-mile down.
His adrenaline pumped through him with the anticipation of the challenge in front of him and the realization that the end game was near. This also made him sad in some ways; he always enjoyed this part of the game, the staking out, executing, and then surprising his prey.
Roger quickly changed into his loose fitting camouflage clothing and gathered together his surveillance equipment; glad he had the foresight, before he started to trail Leo, to grab it all. He strapped on the bow and arrow and high-powered night vision binoculars to his back before pulling on a brown knit hat, to cover his peppered brown hair and tight fitting gloves to cover his hands, not wanting to leave any evidence if something should happen or go wrong. An excitement pulsed through him as he checked the road one more time for cars before jogging across it, to slip softly into the trees.
The half-mile jog gave him much needed time to formulate a plan. As he neared the gate, the sound of a car in the drive, gave him pause. He quickly ducked behind a tree, before he could angle himself so he could see the occupants of the car and not be seen. Surprise and anger filled him when he finally saw the driver, her hand reached with familiarity towards the box outside the gate, her fingers confidently tapping in a code, even through his cloud of anger he caught the numbers just before the gate swung open, her car gliding through.
Roger turned his body back against the tree, now this is an unexpected turn of events; he thought as he blew out a breath, a small cold smile curving his lips. So…they have themselves a psychiatrist, he thought, and not any psychiatrist but his very own psychiatrist. He was going to have to rethink his plan again with Sara now in the mix.
He waited a few more minutes until he was confident that the car was far enough up the drive before he turned back to the gate, his eyes catching a reflection of a lens hidden near the gate. Frustrated with himself that he had not foreseen this earlier, he realized that he was going to have to do a little more surveillance of the area before he could proceed.
Secrets of the Weeping Willow Page 18