Closer (A Dark Romance, Book 1): The Closer Trilogy
Page 1
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system - except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine or newspaper - without permission in writing from the publisher.
Published by M.C. Vann
Copyright © 2017 by M.C. Vann
Mcvann2017@gmail.com
Editing by Laura, Editing For You
Cover design © Arijana Karčić, Cover It! Designs
All rights reserved.
CHAPTER ONE
April 11th
I looked around at the vast fields of tulips surrounding me. Red. Yellow. Purple. White. There were long lines of tulips everywhere I turned. The fresh scent of flowers in the air eradicated all of my worries from this world ... at least for a moment.
As I turned to my right, I noticed a young couple, hand in hand, walking a few rows over. They appeared completely smitten with one another. A short distance away from the couple stood a family of three: a father, a mother, and a little girl around five. The mother held the daughter on her hip as the father took pictures of them. An elderly couple walked three rows to my left. They were also holding hands like the young couple before. They all looked so happy. How could you stand here and not be happy?
While observing all of them, I could only wish that my own story turned out like theirs. A story filled with a love full of passion, hope, and trust.
As I strolled along the path, someone bumped into me, forcing me to fall to the ground. My camera bag fell at my side.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am. I didn’t see you there,” he said with a soft, kind voice. “Are you alright?”
He must have bent down because when I raised my head to look at him, our faces were at eye-level, merely inches apart. My breath stopped when I was greeted with a beautiful set of sea-green color eyes. I was entranced in a lost daze at this handsome stranger. When I recovered my consciousness, I rapidly stood on my feet and moved a few steps away from him.
He was taller than me and probably most people. He had a handsome, robust, and clean-cut complexion. His messy black hair fell gracefully with just a touch of gel — it was barely noticeable. He wore a simple white V-neck T-shirt with khaki pants that rolled up a little higher than his ankles and a pair of brown boat shoes.
I shyly smiled. “It was my fault. I should be the one saying sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going. How about you? Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about it. It happens. Here’s your camera bag,” he said. A friendly grin appeared on his face.
“Thank you.” I took my bag, making sure I didn’t reach too close to him. “Well, um … I should probably go now.” I slipped the camera bag over my shoulder and began to walk away from this man when he ...
“Wait, please,” he began to say, causing me to turn around. “If you don’t mind, may I walk with you?”
I pondered his request for a moment. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. We’ve just met, and I don’t even know who you are. I don’t even know your name.”
“Henry. My name’s Henry. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand adamantly, and since I didn’t want to be rude, I cautiously held out my right hand.
“Alexandria or just Ally. That’s what everybody calls me by. Nice to meet you too … Henry.”
His green eyes stared down at me, and I avoided his gaze by looking elsewhere, but when I looked back at him, his eyes were still focused on me. I felt so self-conscious standing there under this stranger’s surveillance.
“I want to apologize in advance that I’m not very good at communicating,” I admitted timidly.
Henry’s lips curved out into another smile. “You’re wrong. Everyone can communicate. You stumble only when you have an audience,” he boldly stated. “Like me.”
“That’s a good point.”
He extended out his arm, signaling for us to start walking. We walked further down the mulched path as I led the way. He followed behind closely.
Observing the beautiful scene of tulips around us, I purposefully avoided his eyes.
“Is this your first time here?” he asked.
“Yes, I’m here on a trip with my two best friends. They’re not with me because they wanted to go hiking today instead. How about you?”
“I’m traveling on a business trip to Seattle with some colleagues. Today’s our day off, and I chose to come here. Hiking didn’t sound like too much fun.”
He chose tulips over hiking. Could he possibly … like men?
He continued, “I’m not a flower kind of guy, but tulips are my sister’s favorite flowers.”
His tone was bitter for some reason. I wished I’d have asked, but I didn’t.
“Really? They’re my favorite flowers too. What a coincidence,” I said, a little overexcited all of a sudden. “Where is your sister? She couldn’t come with you?”
He stared far into the distance where the mountains stood. “She passed away years ago.”
So that was why his voice was a little melancholy. “I’m so sorry.”
Henry managed a grin. “It’s okay. You don’t have to apologize. Every time I see a tulip, it brings back memories of her.”
“By the way you speak of her, you must have cared very much about her.”
A seemingly cold expression materialized on Henry’s face, and I didn’t know why my words would have triggered this attitude from him.
“More than myself and anyone else in my life,” he said. “But let’s talk about something that’s more interesting? Hmm?”
A smile reappeared on his lips, one that puzzled me more than it should have.
“Sure,” I said.
Henry bent down at his knees to study a red tulip closer. He gingerly held the neck of the flower with his fingers, turning it around slowly while he lightly traced the ends of the petals. “Have you ever heard of the origin of the tulip?”
“No, I’ve never heard of it. Why?”
“People say that the tulip started out with a history full of thievery, trickery, and bro
ken hearts.”
“Trickery and broken hearts?” I repeated, pouting in disbelief. ”I didn’t know beautiful flowers like tulips would have such a tragic past.”
“It’s hard to believe, but now you know.”
We continued walking around the fields with a few exchanges here and there, and after what seemed like forever, Henry looked at his watch, which I noticed was a Kinberg Cederschiöld. The article was worth more than my life. The only reason I recognized the Swiss watch brand was because my friend Adam showed it to me once in a business magazine. I looked up at Henry with a perplexed expression. Who was this man? And how could he walk so carelessly around wearing a watch worth thousands of dollars?
“Is there something wrong?” Henry asked, noticing my reaction.
I blinked my eyes away from him. “It’s nothing.”
“Sorry, this is where I have to leave you,” he said. He took out his iPhone from the back pocket of his khakis. “My colleagues should be arriving back at the hotel any time now.”
“No, it’s totally fine. I understand,” I said with an excited tone, hoping to finally be relieved of this strange man.
“Maybe we’ll run into each other again in the future,” he said, his eyes fixed on mine.
“Yeah, maybe.” Maybe meaning never, I thought.
He smiled tenderly and took out something from his back pocket. “Here’s my business card. Just in case you might need it in the future.”
“Thank you,” I replied, taking the card without looking at it. “Goodbye Henry. It was great meeting you.”
“Goodbye, Alexandria.” He turned around and walked away.
Before continuing on my solo venture, I snuck a final glimpse at his back, and to my surprise, Henry was already looking my way. His lips curved into a ghost of a grin, and I reciprocated the gesture, causing my cheeks to slowly warm.
Something about him made me curious, and I wasn’t sure which part of him it was. Maybe it was his hair? His voice? Physique or personality?
No, I thought. It was something more daunting. The first part of him that I first saw — his eyes. Those captivating, emerald eyes.
I strolled around for another hour in the tulip fields, taking pictures and cherishing this scenic view.
“Until next time,” I muttered aloud to myself. I hoped the next time was soon.
It was six in the evening when I returned to my room at the Sunny Valley Casino Resort, just in time to eat dinner and play slots at the casino later.
My friends, Adam and Lily, were already getting dressed up for the night. Lily was putting a dark maroon lipstick on while Adam styled his hair in the same mirror when I strolled through the door.
“Girl, you’re finally back,” Adam said smugly. “We thought you hit it off with some guy and abandoned us here. Why did you return so late?”
“Sorry, Adam, but you know me. When I’m around tulips, I just lose track of time. You guys should have been with me. The view was just amazing!” I gushed to them even though I knew they didn’t possess any appreciation for flowers.
“We had more fun hiking!” Lily raved. “We also ran into some friendly people there. You could have met someone totally eligible.” I rolled my eyes. “Please hurry up and get dressed, Ally. I’m starving.”
“Okay, Peaches,” I said, pinching her cheek on my way to the bathroom.
Although Adam and Lily always took the longest to get ready, I’d never mind. I took a quick shower since I knew those two were growing impatient already and after blow-drying my hair, I threw on the most formal thing I had. I didn’t pack many clothes, so I just chose a beige knee-length laced dress with a camel belt and white flats.
“Alright, I’m ready now,” I said, grabbing my brown clutch. “Let’s go.”
“Wait, let me fix my hair one more time,” Adam said. Lily and I both giggled and rolled our eyes as Adam stepped in front of the mirror to check his hair again.
By the time we arrived at Sunny Skillet, it was half past seven, and many people were already seated for dinner.
“And what can I get for you, ma’am?” the waitress asked me when it was my turn to order.
“I’ll get your Fettuccine Chicken Alfredo with a side salad please.”
“Perfect. Is there anything else I can get you?” she asked.
We all genuinely said no.
“So, honestly, what took you so long today, Ally?” Adam asked with a curious face. He took a sip of his Diet Coke with a suspicious gaze that never left me.
“Nothing,” I said too abruptly. “I already told you.”
“Come on now, girl. I know when you’re lying,” Adam retorted. “We’ve been friends too long for me not to know.”
“Tell us, Ally,” Lily demanded.
“Okay, guys. But I’m serious, it was nothing. I just met this guy,” I answered, murmuring the last part.
“What?!” both my friends shouted.
Half of the restaurant turned their attention to our table, staring at the sudden outburst of loud noise.
“Shhh, you guys,” I hushed them quietly.
“What did he look like? What did he wear? Was he hot?” Lily bombarded me with all the questions I knew she would ask.
“One question at a time, Lily. He looked…” I paused, thinking back to the image of Henry. “He was… a handsome guy, honestly. Just a little strange.”
“Strange?” Adam repeated after me. “How?”
“He was fine one moment and then appeared depressed another,” I replied. “I got this odd vibe from him. Like… it’s telling me to stay away.”
“Sounds mysterious. Ally, baby, he could have been your Prince Charming,” Adam excitedly said, and I rolled my eyes. He knew I didn’t believe in Prince Charming.
“Did you get his name?” Lily asked.
“Henry,” I said, remembering something. “I almost forgot. He gave me his business card too.”
“Well, let’s see it!” Adam insisted.
“Oh, I left it in the room. I stuck it in my camera bag.” I could see the disappointment in my friends’ expressions. “But let’s not talk about him now. I doubt we’ll see each other again in this lifetime.”
My mind wandered back to his watch. He was obviously wealthy. We didn’t even run in the same circles, so I was certain I’d never see his face again.
“Enough of me. So how was your guys’ day?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Oh, mi amour. The trails and being out in the woods was spectacular!” Lily raved. “I have a newfound respect for nature.”
“You should’ve come with us,” Adam added again.
“I know. Next time, okay?” I said with a chuckle. They would never understand my constant love for tulips.
The waitress arrived with our entrees at the right moment. Adam ordered the local sockeye salmon since he loved anything with seafood and Lily, the picky eater, ordered pork chops with mashed potatoes. As for me, I couldn’t wait to dig into that delicious Chicken Alfredo dish.
A few minutes into dinner, a waiter seated one group a couple tables away. The majority of the group was male, and they were definitely not hard to miss. From their attires, the aura they carried with them, this group didn’t look like ordinary tourists. The men wore what seemed like expensive brand name collar shirts with black and khaki trousers while the women wore designer, semi-casual dresses.
I enviously observed from a distance when one particular man, facing me, stood out from the crowd. That clean-cut complexion with that freshly-styled black hair. That ruggedly handsome look with that enchanting aura.
He seemed so familiar, making me wonder if I had seen him somewhere. My eyes focused to get a clearer look. I almost choked on the piece of chicken in my mouth when I saw those eyes ...
Oh, God, please tell me that isn’t him!
CHAPTER TWO
I started to grow uncomfortable in my chair and my appetite slowly dissolved away. I felt
my heart pounding faster, and a sudden surge of warmth overcame my cheeks. When he looked our way, I immediately ducked my head lower and hid behind Adam. It was a good thing he was there to obscure me.
“What’s wrong, Ally?” Adam asked, noticing my odd behavior.
“Nothing,” I said, rapidly and quietly. I could still feel Henry’s gaze in our direction, and I panicked. “I have to go somewhere. I’ll meet you guys at the casino later. I’ll text you two, okay?”
I quickly took out my wallet and slipped a twenty on the table to pay for my dish before rushing out of the restaurant as fast as I could while hiding my face from Henry. When I got out, I let out a deep breath of relief.
But honestly, I wasn’t as content as I thought I’d be. Something didn’t feel right. Was I being too shady? Regret filled my mind. I wanted to stay far away from this man, but something in my heart demanded otherwise. It was confusing.
I patiently waited in the casino lobby for my friends as half of my heart hoped Henry would unexpectedly turn up and the other half not to. God, I was being so foolish! I ran out of that restaurant because I didn’t want to see him — or him to see me.
It was around nine thirty when Lily and Adam finally arrived, thirty minutes later than I wanted.
“Ally, why did you run out so fast back there?” Lily asked.
“I had an emergency.”
“What kind of emergency?”
“I had to use the restroom really bad,” I said with an embarrassed smile, trying to convince them. Luckily, my friends believed my alibi.
We walked around the casino, observing the different tables and slots until we stopped at a busy table to check out a table game. I had no idea what was going on, so I just joined the crowd whenever they cheered or remained quiet. After the players had finished putting their chips on their desired numbers on the table, the worker rolled a ball into the opposite direction of the spinning wheel. A man cheered as the ball fell into the numbered pocket thirteen and the crowd soon joined him.
“It seems like someone is having a lucky night. Don’t you agree?” a man beside me spoke.
“Yes, it must be his night,” I replied before I turned to look whose voice it came from. When I turned to him, my mouth fell open.