He could see the park ahead and leapt to a higher building to avoid wondering eyes and day dreamers. Anticipating her route he let her leave his sight so he could take a less obvious avenue than just dropping twenty stories onto a busy sidewalk. Hurdling off the edge and into the air he spread his arms outward before somersaulting repeatedly through his decent. He landed on his feet as if he had just stepped off a curb. He loved doing the gymnastic type jumps thinking if anyone did get a glance they would tell the story and it would add to the coolness.
Knowing Grant Park is almost three hundred and twenty acres and it would be harder to just casually bump into her, he needed to find a common place that made sense. Realizing he was bordering on stalking he decide maybe he should just bump into her already before he’s outside her window waiting to steal strands of her hair while she slept.
Walking out of the alley he crossed the street looking for her. “That’s weird,” he said not being able to spot her. Searching through the crowds he knew she couldn’t have gotten too far ahead of him. Knowing how fast she was walking he thought, Even if she stopped and watched a squirrel like she did the other day . . . “My God, I am a stalker,” he admitted aloud.
Stalker or not did not change the fact that he could not find her. Deciding to look in the other direction he finally spotted her. She obviously stopped for some reason and didn’t catch up to his stalking calculations. Patting herself all over he saw she was obviously looking for something but was turning in different directions going from left to right in little circles. “Is she dancing?” he asked getting by some people to get a better look.
Noticing a bus heading down the street he saw that Lily was about to dance her way onto the street right in front of it. Fifteen more seconds and three more steps will have him bumping into a splattered Lily. Camouflaging his speed under the sudden howling of the busses horn and ear deafening sound of its brakes squealing, Nathan flung himself through the crowd. Blurring by a bike currier who was yelling at a cabbie he casually maneuvered in between them before they even noticed what was happening.
Trying to force his foot through the brake pedal the driver of the bus braced himself for the oncoming horror of Lily becoming evening news.
For everyone in the area the sounds had just started to register and overwhelm their attention. But to Nathan he saw and heard everything. Placing her left foot firmly on the street pavement Nathan could hear the sole of her sneakers crumple the few loose pebbles beneath them. Noticing no one was looking at her except the Bus Driver and himself he knew he would not be seen. Already smelling the chemical burn of rubber materialize in the air he sensed a bird overhead changing flight because it noticed a part of a hot dog that fell from the napkin of a man in a brown business suit who was pretending to look at his watch but really watching the tightly dressed young lady that passed him and was now swaying her hips away from him.
Relying on every one of his senses he knows there are thirty six pedestrians in the direct area not including him or Lily and seventeen people in and or driving vehicles including the eight on the bus. There are twelve vehicles in the area that can be affected by the braking of the bus, one hydrant and three store fronts. There are six people he can see directly in the windows and takes an educated guess of five more considering two are clothing stores and one is a popular coffee shop but it is the middle of the week and after morning rush.
He knows after another millisecond goes by that the bus will stay straight and come to a stop. Considering the speed in which the bus it traveling, the weight, sound of the brakes and having to guess at the added weight of the passengers, not to mention the last time the brakes were changed he guesses the bus will stop in twenty meters. Since there is nothing directly in front of it except Lily and as long as the driver doesn’t decide to weave out of the way no one should be affected.
All of a sudden he is grabbing on to her jacket and yanking her to the sidewalk just as the bus goes rushing by. The bus finally stops, a hair over twenty meters straight down the road.
The dramatic squealing of the bus brought thirty six pedestrians eyes their way. As well as twelve cars to a halt and one hydrant left unscathed. It also plastered six people against the coffee shop window and four more from the clothing store.
Off by one, he thought pretty pleased with himself.
The sound is enough to pry the eyes of a man in a brown suite off of a young ladies behind as well as turning the young lady around. And a bird ignores it all and makes off with a piece of hot dog bun.
“I would’ve splattered on the window of that bus,” she said to no one. “I mean morning commuters would have been screaming at the sight of me sprawled out on the busses windshield. My arms and legs spread wide and my tongue just hanging out,” she babbled on as Nathan directed her away from the road. “Like the movies.”
Nathan did not know what she meant. And by the look on her face neither did she.
“Like the movies,” she repeated but he still didn’t understand what she was talking about.
Still not knowing what she was talking about he asked her, “Are you alright?”
She turned around and looked as if she was helping him look for the injured party. She started to pull out her cell phone.
Tugging on her shoulder he asked her again, “Are you alright?”
He watched as she turned around and gazed into his eyes and smiled at him like an old Audrey Hepburn film. He wasn’t sure but it looked as if she was leaning in to kiss him. “Lily, are you okay?” he asked once more politely holding her still.
“You’re beautiful,” she replied trying to touch his face.
Grabbing her hand gently he looked her over to see if she was hurt and he couldn’t help but smile. He was happy that he went back to see what was taking her so long. He was happy the most beautiful women he has ever met did not die.
He was happy he was stalking her.
THREE: Much Later
Pacing back and forth Martin ignored the young couple waiting at the dessert counter. Like a child waiting for punishment to be handed down Lily waited at her table patiently.
“How can you almost get yourself killed?” he asked Todd ignoring Lily completely.
“Well I don’t think she purposely set out this morning to get her self-killed,” Todd replied then quickly looked at Lily who shook her head to concur.
“That is my point Papi, she doesn’t think.”
“I think she thinks,” he said getting confused. “I think.”
“Exactly, I think we should ground her.”
“Oh fun,” Todd said clapping his hands and turning to Lily. She gave him a look as if he jumped on board the whacky train and ordered the kool aid with Martin. Realizing he was just getting caught up in the exciting prospect of grounding Lily he calmed down and turned back to Martin. “Now sweetie, Lily, while in our care is an adult-”
“Is she?” Martin inserted quickly. “Do adults run out onto busy streets in front of buses? NO! She must learn.”
“Learn what?” she asked. Todd just looked at her bewildered trying not to laugh.
“Look baby, she just wasn’t paying attention,” Todd said trying to get serious for him.
“Ese es mi punto.”
Lily stood up obviously insulted. “How dare you!”
Raising his hand to stop her Todd interjected. “Settle down Rosetta Stone, your Spanish is a little off.”
“He didn’t just call me a whore?”
Todd just shook his head. “That’s punta, pun-ta,” he said pronouncing it. “He said punto, point, that’s his point.”
“Oh . . . continue then.”
Todd decided to ignore her completely and turned back to Martin. “Now Bear, I know you’re just upset because we almost lost our Lily today.”
Starting to feel his emotions bubble outwards he tried to hide them with another excuse. “I am upset because we got a call to go and pick her up from the hospital and we had to close the store down.”
&nb
sp; Walking over to Martin he put his hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure?”
Turning away from the both of them he let out a big sniffle. “Si.”
The man of the couple who had been waiting very patiently stepped forward and interrupted with a forced cough. “Um, we didn’t want to interrupt since this is obviously a family matter, but . . . should we go,” he said looking at his female friend. Who agreed by nodding and then giving them all a condolence smile for whatever they were upset over.
“I am so sorry you guys,” Todd said walking behind the counter. “Traumatic day, emotions are high - not your fault,” he said beckoning them back. “Today is free desserts with your coffee day.” Waving his hand across the display of desserts like a magician revealing the outcome of a trick they both smiled at the beautiful display of goods.
Making her way over to Martin gingerly, he still stood turned in the opposite direction. She pushed her knee against his leg but he wouldn’t budge. This time doing it a little harder only made him turn further away. Doing it again caused him to let a little laugh slip out. “I know you just care about me,” she said.
Turning around with tears in his eyes he slapped her arm. “Of course I do Novio, you and Todd are the only family I have.”
Nodding her head like a toddler Martin raised her chin to look into her eyes. “You are not like my sister. You are my sister. ”
“I am?” Lily asked speechless.
“Si, not only that but my best friend and I don’t think I could handle losing you.”
Throwing herself into Martin’s arms she squeezed with all her might. “And you’re the brother I never had,” she yelled. “And Todd is like the sister, I never had.”
Laughing Martin hugged her as lovingly as he could.
Trying not to cry Todd watched holding back the tears until he was interrupted.
“Excuse me,” the girl said politely.
“Yes dear,” he said without turning away.
“I heard you made the best tea around.”
Turning to the lady he smiled. “We sure do honey.” Turning back towards Lily and Martin he asked. “You up for making a tea Lily darling?”
She leaned back in Martin’s arms. “I love you.”
“Yo tambien te amo,” he said and gave her a kiss.
“I sure am,” she called back to Todd and headed to her table to start the burners.
Martin headed back to the kitchen and stood in the doorway. “Free dessert day, guess I better get cooking,” he sighed and disappeared into the back.
Welcoming the lady she invited her to sit down and started going over her list of teas and the way she prepares them. “So what kind would you like?”
“I’m not sure, what do you suggest?”
“Well what kind of mood are you in?”
“Pretty good,” she said turning to the gentlemen talking to Todd. “We’ve only been dating for a few weeks but. . .” she turned to Lily with a big silly smile.
Recognizing that smile she replied. “I know the exact tea for you, take a seat and I’ll bring it over.”
Thanking Lily she rushed over and joined her new boyfriend at the counter.
Humming along with the radio Lily started getting her magic ready as Todd sat the couple down and slowly made his way over to her, dancing awkwardly. Dancing beside each other Todd started to raise his eyebrows and give her his cagey stare that caused Lily to stop humming and start guessing. “What?” she asked.
“So,” he said nudging her.
“Sooo,” she dragged out shyly. Giving him a nudge back suggesting maybe she had a clue to his inquisitiveness nature.
“Almost hit by a bus,” he sang along with the radio.
“Pretty scary,” she said diplomatically.
“Thank God, a big beautiful young man with impeccable fashion was there to pull you back from death.”
“Really, impeccable fashion, what about pulled me back with his muscular arms,” she said turning away.
Grabbing her playfully he spun her back towards him. “How do you know he’s muscular?”
“Because when he grabbed me and pulled me back he held me in his arms and I could feel all his body,” she confessed as her and Todd giggled and started play fighting like cats.
“Shut – up,” he dragged a bit. Nodding his head he looked her up and down. “You are a whore.”
Suddenly getting serious Lily held the top of her hand against her forehead and replied dramatically. “I was a damsel in distress.”
“I knew he worked out,” Todd said turning away and closing his eyes giving a small squeaky yell.
“What are you doing you freak?” she asked giving him a push.
“Reliving your traumatic event but replacing you with me,” he said with his eyes still closed. “Oh my, you were right, Mr. Caesar does work out.”
Giving him another gentle push they both started to giggle.
Passing by Martin sighed at their immaturity. “Really, Mr. Nathan is a customer.”
“This from the man who talks to the characters on Vampire Diaries while he’s watching them on the TV,” Todd divulged.
“First, they are on television and second, I can’t help what pops on the television Papi.”
“It was Netflix sweetie, picking what pops on the television is their entire business model,” he said rolling his eyes.
Returning to the kitchen Martin became a little embarrassed. “It is still not the same.”
Yelling back he mimicked his accent. “It is kind of the same . . . Papi.”
“You’re horrible,” Lily said finishing up the tea sack and waiting for the water to boil.
The door chime went off and now a slew of people poured into the store.
“I know,” Todd said heading to the counter.
“Don’t you like the men on Vampire Diaries?” she asked curiously.
“Men, ha . . . now Magnum P.I., that Mr. Tom Selleck is a man.”
“You know that show ended in the eighties right?”
“Not up here honey,” he said pointing to his head. “That is one moustache ride that will be forever up here.”
Turning to clear some things off her table she started to feel a little disturbed. “I don’t even want to know what that means.”
CHAPTER 7
ONE: The Enemies Camp
Standing in front of a little window watching the rain fall over the vast green country side, Marcus took another sip of his tea. Holding a saucer in his left hand he sipped from the tea cup in his right. Enjoying the rain and the quite it seemed to bring he appreciated the dulling of everything around it. He stood in his private office surrounded by endless displays of antiques from a hundred different cultures and what seemed to be a hundred different centuries. Statues stood proudly among pottery that shared space with ancient weaponry both of the small and delicate flavors mixed in with the large and barbaric.
Racing to every corner of the room was walls of books that had within in it rows and rows. Most of them filled with age-old copies of original press but some were even hand written in languages not spoken in centuries. A large round table sat in the middle of the room made of oak that some would estimate was fashioned from the very first tools invented for such a Master Piece. Marcus always felt a sense of smug nobility knowing most historians would not even be able to conclude the authenticity of most of the relics he had in this room. They would offer their most educated word to describe it; antediluvian, and thinking most would have to look that up.
Drinking his tea always took him to his little out of place window he had put in just for this purpose. Not even all the wonder and history surrounding him could compete with the simplicity of a window with a view. He would drink his tea at this little window everyday unless called to other matters away from his estate. His flavor of tea was always different since he enjoyed most of them, but always tea and always at his little misplaced view.
Hearing the echoes of high heels on marble approaching at a determi
ned pace, he knew his little oasis was about to be interrupted. He decided to absorb every last second.
Walking into the imposing office in a tight white business shirt and grey skirt, Carmon suddenly stopped. Looking like she should be wearing glasses she carried a folder under her arm and a phone at her ear. She quietly listened to the other end of the conversation while gently checking her hair that was pulled back into a bun. Finally she ended the call. “That was Merrick,” she said slipping the phone into her pocket.
Marcus kept looking out the window and enjoying the rain watering the green rolling hills. Taking another sip and placing the cup on the saucer he sighed not caring for the interruption but knowing business was at hand. Walking in front of a giant world map covering the entire northern wall he let the quiet rainy day move on outside and begun to concentrate. “And?” he asked plainly.
Placing the folder on the large conference table she felt a little hesitant about continuing. Turning to her and taking another sip of his tea he raised his eyebrows insisting she continue. Taking a deep breath she relayed Merrick’s findings. “He is getting nowhere, like you predicted.”
Staring at her he began to make her confidence waver ever so slightly since there was much more to disclose. Knowing none of it was going to please him and that it was surely written all over her face she picked up the folder and handed it to him.
Taking another sip of his tea he ignored her and turned toward the map again. Having his eyes away from her direction made her feel a little more comfortable and she stepped back holding on to the folder for the time being.
So far all leads to Nathan’s whereabouts were all orchestrated by Nathan himself. In truth it was the depth of these trails in which he led them that was so impressive to Marcus. There were accounts and documents that took his best resources months to track down, only to lead to the start of a new trail. Wanting to be there when he was finally found all but consumed him. He turned his head slightly. “True revenge is not only a dish best served cold, but not a fucking dish at all unless actually eaten from yourself,” he said calmly turning to slightly more. “And I so want to eat from this dish,” he revealed, a secret well known.
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