by Unknown
“I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you’ll take the job.” The woman said, smiling.
“Yes, yes I’ll take the job.” She laughed and couldn’t help but hug the woman. “Thank you.”
“Of course, dear. We’ll take care of details and proper introductions later. For now go and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“Thank you!” Rose practically ran down the stairs before she stopped, she had wanted to go and tell James the good news. But suddenly that didn’t sound like the best idea. Just thinking of him made her eyes start stinging again and angrily she pushed him out of her mind and headed to the room where everyone was dancing. It was a large room with polished marble floors and a live band playing music on a stage. She made her way to a group of tables set up near the back of the room and sat down to watch the dancing.
They were playing a lively salsa dance at the moment and some of the couples were getting very intricate with their moves. She could tell many of the people here had gotten lessons and were very skilled. Someone approached next to her and she looked up expecting to see James. But it wasn’t James, it was a tall man with broad shoulders and a strong jaw, blonde hair cut very short and he was wearing a black tux with a silver tie. He smiled down at her and extended a hand.
“Would you like to dance?”
“Yes, I think I would.” She took his hand and he led her onto the dance floor. The band began playing a graceful waltz. “I’m definitely not an expert dancer though.” She admitted nervously. He was kind of intimidating actually, with his good looks and muscled arms.
“Oh, that’s fine. Just follow my lead.”
She did, and was surprised to find that it was easier than she thought it would be.
“The name is Skyler, and you?”
“Rose.” She answered, captivated by his hazel eyes.
“You don’t seem like this is your usual choice of recreation on a weekend.” He smiled.
“No, it’s not.” She said, surprised. He laughed.
“Me neither. Another thing I wonder is why Rose, a beautiful woman, would be sitting by herself watching people dance at a party she doesn’t want to go to.”
Her mouth fell open in surprise and she felt her face flush red with embarrassment.
“Well...I…” They suddenly stopped dancing as the man who had offered her the job was there, with a hand on Skyler’s arm.
“What are you doing here?” He asked in a low whisper, but Rose heard the edge in his voice.
“I’m enjoying a dance with this lovely lady here, obviously.” He gestured to Rose and winked.
“Yeah, I don’t buy that for a second.”
Skyler’s expression changed in an instant. Devoid of expression.
“I have been given an assignment and I will carry it out no matter who gets in my way.” He paused and jerked his arm out of the man’s grasp. “You're in my way Harold.”
Rose backed up a step, worried by the intense glares they were giving each other. Skyler glanced in her direction, his expression still intense, and then back at Harold.
“Unless you wish to have an issue with you-know-who, I suggest you leave this to me.” He said, and without waiting for Harold’s response took Rose by the arm and led her to the front door of the estate. As they walked through the crowded front room Rose attempted to pull her arm out of his hand, but his grip tightened and he glanced at her briefly nodding no. When they were outside the house on the front lawn, close to the door but far enough away that no one could hear them he finally let go of her arm.
“Rose Belmont?”
“Yes, how did you know…?”
“That’s not important. My name is Skyler Storm, and I’ve been sent here to protect you.”
“Excuse me?”
“The necklace you’re wearing is very important to the people of our planet; the King insists that you be kept safe until he decides how to best take care of the situation.”
“Hold on, hold on, did you say our planet? You’re from the planet where this necklace is from?!” She held the necklace around her neck tightly.
“You mean you don’t know?”
“No.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “Of course. Look I don’t have time to explain it all right now but basically the necklace is important and my job is to keep it, and henceforth you, safe. I’ll need you to come with me to a more secure location so I can keep an eye on you.”
“What, no! I have my own apartment and I’ll stay there until I know for sure you’re not lying. We only just met and I already know you can easily pretend so how do I know you’re not lying now. Just come back here sometime next week and we can talk then, I have to go.” She stormed off then and she could tell he was following at a distance. She looked back every once in awhile to glare at him. Eventually she found Kelsi and they left in the car, a black Mercedes following at a distance. Kelsi didn’t notice and Rose didn’t mention it. She knew who it was.
When they arrived at her apartment Rose said goodbye to Kelsi and walked up the steps to unlock the door, but was surprised to find it wide open. She tiptoed inside and found that there were men in overalls everywhere. Spraying fresh paint on the walls, tearing up the nasty carpets.
She just stood there gaping in the doorway with her beautiful dress for a few moments. One of the men noticed her and walked over smiling.
“Can I help you?” He asked, looking her over admiringly. She felt her face burning red.
“Um...yeah, I live here, is it ok that I go upstairs or should I wait till you guys are done?”
“Oh no, you can go ahead if you want. Just be careful not to get that pretty dress caught in the nails or smeared on the fresh paint.”
“Right, thank you.” She smiled and stepped inside then maneuvered around the people being careful to avoid the freshly painted walls. There were less of them upstairs, but there was also a man in a polo and slacks overseeing the work. He glanced over at her and smiled.
“Are you Rose Belmont?” He asked walking over to her.
“Yes?”
“Ah, a pleasure. My name is Louis Bentley. I’m the new property manager.”
“Oh wonderful.” She smiled and shook his hand.
“I’ll be making sure this place is taken care of properly. Oh and you might want to stay somewhere else next week, we’ll be renovating each of the rooms and yours is going first.”
“Thank you so much! I’ll make sure to be out of the way then.” She smiled and stepped around the people working, then went into her room and closed the door. She laughed out loud and twirled around the room dancing till she landed with a plop on her bed.
“Thank you.” She said to the empty room, closing her eyes enjoying the moment.
Epilogue
Two days later Rose was sitting on the floor with Elise in the Johnson’s estate, helping her put a puzzle together when there was a knock at the door. She got up to go answer it, and then stopped when she saw Lou the butler walk past her to the door. He looked down at her and frowned as he passed. She watched as he answered the door.
“Can I help you sir?”
“Yes, my name is James. I have something for the family from my parents. May I come in?”
Lou glanced back to look at her and she nodded.
“Yes of course.” He bowed and opened the door wider for James to enter. He came in and his eyes scanned the room till he spotted Rose and Elise. He smiled, although he looked a bit wary as he did. After Lou closed the door behind him he walked over to Rose and set the box he was carrying down next to her.
“Would you make sure they get this?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.”
They stared at each other awkwardly. James looked away first, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.
“So, I want to apologize for how things went the other day.”
“Hold that thought. Elise, why don’t you go wash your hands so we can ma
ke a snack ok?”
The little girl nodded and ran off, blonde curls bobbing as she went.
“You were saying?”
“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” He sat down on the floor nearby. “And I hope we can still be friends? I’ve missed hanging out with you and searching for clues.”
“Yeah, I’ve missed you too.” Rose admitted, looking down at the puzzle.
“Friends?” James asked, and she looked at him to see his hand held out.
“Friends.” She replied and shook his hand.
“So what do we do now?”
“Well, I have a whole bunch of stuff to tell you.” Rose said and smiled as James’ eyes lit up with excitement. As she told him what had happened the other day she burned the memory of his excited eyes into her heart.
And when Elise came back and James had to leave, she smiled to herself. It wouldn’t be so bad just being friends. Together they would figure out the necklace she carried around her neck. And together they would find her parents.
Reader’s Perk
Perk #7: What color are the swirls engraved in the necklace?
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About the Author
Born in Washington State and while practically holding a book in her hand, Rachel has always been an avid reader. From a young age, she's loved nothing better than cracking open an old, musty, hardcover book and sitting down for a great story. Also into video games and music from the 60's and 70's, Rachel fulfills her mother's dream by becoming an author. With a love for both Sci-Fi and Romance, she entwines the two genres perfectly, thrilling her readers with worlds as unique as her characters and their path to love.
About Claremont Publishing
Claremont is a clean romance company dedicated to bringing the literary community a collect of books that do not feature sex scenes. While some romances may contain more heat than others, our stories will always focus on the true essence of love. Love that is not founded on sex, but on characteristics and qualities in human beings that make true love last a lifetime.
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Do you remember the first romantic book you fell in love with? What were the characters like? What kind of world did they live in? What if you were able to experience that world again, but on a level like never before? What if you could almost touch the characters and see glimpses of their world with your own eyes? This is what Claremont Publishing is all about.
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