Leila: Goddess The Second Coming

by R. J. Castille

  My eyes darted toward Liliana who shrugged innocently in my direction before winking quickly. That dress would be the most expensive thing I owned in the world. The thought of the price tag loomed in my mind’s eye before little elf, Lola, spoke, her voice piercing through my musings. I heard the cash register chime and the associate was handing me a paper bag stuffed full of tissue paper.

  “Thank you for shopping. It really is a wonderful piece and you, well, you do it justice,” she finished and her cheeks turned a bright pink color before she cast her eye toward the ground and disappeared as quickly as she had appeared .

  Liliana did not say a word about the dress until we got to the car. I looked at her over the top of the Mercedes, the waning sunshine reflecting off the red surface reminding me that time continued to tick onward no matter where I was. She keyed the trunk latch from her pocket, the hatch opened just in time for us to shove our loot inside and shut it securely. The lights flashed as she released the locks to get inside.

  She looked at me sternly, nothing but a stare. I tried to return her gaze but the intensity wore me down. Eventually, my eyes flittered away and I stared out the windshield, directly in front of us. I waited patiently for her to speak. I could almost hear the seconds tick by inside my ears.

  “Goddess, I know you are not as well-off as some of us. On the other hand, someone of your stature deserves a dress that will knock them to their knees. Trust me, that dress is THE one,” when I looked at Liliana again, she was beaming at me from behind the steering wheel. Her logic had been shared, she was waiting for my acceptance.

  “Thank you, Liliana, I don’t know what else to say,” I nearly mumbled under my breath.

  “No need to say anything more,” she chimed as she turned the ignition, bringing the Mercedes to life. We wove our way back to her house. The journey seemed to go quicker despite the miles of heavy traffic. Liliana chatted on and on about the next evening’s affair. She could not wait to sport the new number she had gotten. She had the perfect knee-high stiletto heeled boots, gloves and accessories to complete the ensemble. Her need to indulge every detail of her plans allowed me time to focus on something other than my problems. Nodding in appropriate places in agreement with her ideas, I idly pulled my cell phone from my girl pocket and touched the screen as she rambled on.

  One message. I touched the screen and opened it. Matthew, again. I had ignored the last two messages, but the preview of this one piqued my interest. My heart skipping a beat at its implications.

  * * *

  My Goddess,

  I need to go away for a little while. I don’t know if you received my messages and are ignoring me or just didn’t get them. Either way, I am so sorry for everything. If I can, I will try to reach you in some less-traceable way. I will miss you while I am away. I love you, my Dearest Goddess.

  Yours Always ,

  Matthew

  * * *

  My mouth dropped open. The air suddenly sucked out of the interior of the Mercedes, leaving me nothing to breathe. I grasped at my throat, unable to catch my breath. Mistress Liliana kept looking at me, her mouth was moving, but the ringing in my ears was drowning out her words. I felt us veering to the right as she attempted to ease her way to the side of the freeway as carefully as possible. The car jerked to a stop just before the world went dark.

  The light hurt my eyes when I tried to open them. Splotches of color still danced across my vision. Liliana was staring at me intently, desperately struggling with the top of the water bottle she held in her hands. I felt myself begin slow-breathing as I had been taught in therapy. My heartbeat slowed down considerably after several long draws of the cool water that Liliana had offered me. Sitting on the side of the road, I vaguely registered the blurred faces passing us, rubber necking to see what was going on, of course. I started to feel a little better when a breeze kicked up and found its way through the windows Liliana had cracked in attempt to give me some fresh air. I tilted my head upward toward the source, breathing in deeply as I did. When I opened my eyes again, Mistress Liliana was gaping at me, her mouth hanging open. In her hand, she held my cell phone, she had rescued from getting crushed under her foot as she hit the brakes. I had dropped it just before falling out.

  I looked down at the screen. The message history from Matthew was on the screen. She had even taken it upon herself to check the two, unread message I had ignored previously. I was a little angry with her invasion into my personal space. She had no business going through any of my messages, let alone ones from Matthew.

  Snatching the phone from her quickly, I pressed the side button to turn off the phone. I didn’t bother to check the other two messages. The look on Liliana’s face was confusing. She seemed amused and at the same time shocked. A devious smile worked its way across her face, exposed teeth under dark, red lips. The Cheshire Cat had returned. Her eyes twinkled as she waited for my clambering explanation.

  “It’s not what you think, Liliana. Look. Matthew, he is, we, I…” I fumbled through my vocabulary attempting to throw together a sentence. I failed. My mouth opened and closed se veral times before I looked down. “I love them both,” my voice a whisper, barely audible. My heart froze in my chest as I uttered the words. I barely heard her giggling uncontrollably as I looked out the window at the sky. I blinked several times to fight back the tears that were threatening.

  “Hey, I am not one to judge,” when I looked back at her, Liliana had pulled her shoulders up and her palms faced up, fingers stretched out in an exaggerated gesture to match her statement. I could not help but laugh when she scrunched her face up, “Eh?”

  “Please don’t tell anyone, Liliana, no one knows about any of it,” I pleaded with my eyes.

  “Not even the baby?” she shot back at me. My eyes bulged out. I guess I should have read the other two messages. I had not known he had mentioned that until right at that moment. In response to her smile, my stomach flipped, a small adrenaline rush ran through my veins. I shook my head as I looked back out the window at the sky. A flock of birds flew in between sets of powerlines that ran parallel to the freeway, dark grey against smog induced haze.

  “Don’t worry, dearest Goddess, your secret is safe with me,” she looked at me, her expression changing again. I was starting to wonder if her bi-polar mannerisms were a sign of something deeper and more disturbing. Dismissing the thought quickly, I tucked it deep into the back of my mind, perhaps for later. Her tongue slowly ran across her lips in a hungry fashion. Touching me gently on my arm, her fingers stroked my skin. Goosebumps erupted immediately across my skin. White energy shot straight to my groin. As if she read my mind, her hand wandered to my breast, her thumb rubbing my nipple through the thin fabric.

  “Liliana, the cars,” I tried to protest, feigning a feeble attempt to push her away. My body was taking over, the desire to feel her touching me drowning out the paranoia of someone seeing us.

  “Besides, I find the fact that you are pregnant extremely…sexy,” the last word came out as a breath across my lips as she leaned forward and closed her lips over mine. I allowed her to slowly stroke my tongue with hers, twirling it around mine almost matching the pace of her thumb that still played with my nipple. It was so hard it was almost painful when she brought her fore-finger down and pinched the bud. Lightning bolts shot through me, a pleasure I felt well below my waist. I could feel myself becoming wet with my own excitement and I shifted uncomfortably in the seat.

  I didn’t try to stop her as her other hand drifted slowly up my thigh, underneath my dress, moved my panties to the side and into the center of my heat. I moaned into her mouth as she slowly stroked my clit with her hand, waves of pleasure taking over. My hips pushed forward slightly with her movements. Each time she moved her fingers downward, she got closer to my depths. Suddenly, she pressed a finger inside me. Gasping and moaning simultaneously, she deepened her kiss, her tongue moving more forcefully. I started to lose control of my movements, her fingers stroked me deep inside as her
thumb moved in circles over my clitoris.

  Crying out loud, my concern about being seen completely dismissed, my head thrashing back and forth on the headrest. As I came, her fingers were completely soaked as my orgasm washed over my entire body. I shuddered and convulsed for several seconds, the pleasure continuing to flow through me, her fingers never stopped. I barely heard her whispering in my ear.

  “That’s right, my Goddess, come for me,” she followed it with a sigh that sounded more like a cat purring. My body was trying to recover as she withdrew her hand and pulled back to look me in the eye. Liliana didn’t say another word, she simply put her seatbelt back on, started the Mercedes and signaled that she intended to merge back into traffic.

  All I could do was sit there, struggling to gain control over my breathing, and my emotions. I had not really ever been attracted to women, but there was something about Mistress Liliana. My mind was spinning with thoughts of what just happened. I could not speak yet, I had no idea what to say. I was embarrassed by my reaction both during and after. Instead of trying to come up with something to say, I sat quietly, my hands folded in my lap, eyes forward.

  When we pulled into her driveway, I was relieved. My car was sitting on the side waiting to carry me away, to the safety of my apartment, as always. True to form, my intention was go get away from her as quickly as possible. It was getting late after all. I could almost predict her reaction as I started to make my excuses.

  “I do understand, dearest Goddess. Someone in your condition needs their rest,” she tilted her head to the side and winked at me. I rolled my eyes at her and reached for the door handle. She opened her door and popped the trunk. We got our dresses from the tiny space and I started to head immediately to the car. Her lip poked out as I started to turn and she crossed her arms around her chest. To finish off the gesture, she stomped one foot on the ground like a pouty preschooler.

  “That wasn’t funny, Liliana,” I spat back at her from across the driveway. I turned away and unlocked my car. I lay the dress carefully across the back seat, taking a moment to smooth out the beautiful fabric with my hand before closing the door again. Clicking of heels told me Liliana was right behind me. I never could get used to wearing heels, I had no idea how she did it so gracefully. When I looked up at her, she had the most sheepish, apologetic look on her face.

  “I really am sorry,” she held her arms out, attempting to lure me in for one more hug. I stared at her outstretched arms, considering for a split second to reject her gesture. Instead, I swallowed my pride, and my sudden sexual desire for her. I shook the last thought from my head before allowing her to wrap her arms around my neck. She patted me on the shoulder a few times before easing away.

  “See you tomorrow night,” I smiled at her. A thin veil of my conflicted mind .

  “Indeed! Until then!” Mistress Liliana spun on her heel and headed to her front door. I watched her disappear from sight as the maid who had opened the door for me earlier held the door for her. She shot an uninterested glance in my direction as she shut me out of their world.

  I sat behind the wheel of my car for several minutes before starting the engine. The event on the side of the freeway repeated over in my mind numerous times. I could almost feel her tongue caressing mine, her fingers dancing skillfully across my clit before plunging deep inside me. A familiar rush of desire found its way downward before I sighed out loud into my empty car.

  Finally, I turned the key and the car came to life. The sun was starting to set. Purple and orange hues covered the landscape. I glanced at my cell phone before starting off. No messages, no missed calls. I put my car into drive and headed back to what seemed like the ghetto compared to this neighborhood. I was glad to be going though. Pointing my car in the right direction, I pushed onward, back to the solace that awaited me at home.

  -12-

  My mind registered an unfamiliar vehicle parked along the curb in front of my apartment building. Brand new, dealer plates still in place. Jet black with silver accents. Taking stock of the make and model: Jaguar XJ, I made my way toward the entry to the stair well. As I passed, I bent my head downward to see if anyone was inside. No one was. I noticed that the window sticker was still fixed to the back, passenger window. Before ducking inside, I peeked at the listing of goodies the car came with. Fully-loaded. Some people are so lucky. My mind cut in. That time, I smiled to myself and started up the stairs.

  When I emerged from the stairs on my floor, I turned toward my end of the hallway and jumped slightly. A tall man was standing at my door. He appeared ready to knock. Before doing so, he turned his head toward me. A smile stretched across his face, thinning his lips and making him appear a little corpse-ish. I approached him cautiously.

  “Leila King?” He looked from me to a small clipboard and back again several times.

  “Who’s asking?” I attempted to take in as many of his features as I could, just-in-case. He looked like a scarecrow, tall and lanky. Shoulder-length hair that was the color and looked as though it were the texture of straw. It hung down below the black baseball hat he wore over his head. The bill was curled up and frayed on the ends. It was well loved, obviously. His face was round, beady eyes regarded me on top of full cheeks. A large, bushy moustache topped his thin lips, making them appear even thinner.

  “I am Oscar,” funny, he didn’t look like an Oscar, he looked more like a…Stuart. “I am from the Newport Beach Jaguar Delivery Department. I have a delivery for a Leila King.” I felt like I was just hit by one. My heart stopped beating and all the blood in my body ran straight to my head. I put my hand out to steady myself.

  “From who?” I already knew the answer.

  “The delivery slip is blank, but had this envelope attached with your name on it,” he handed it to me. I grasped the envelope and looked at the front. In elegant cursive, my name was scrawled across the front. “Can I see some I.D. and get a signature, Miss?” I could barely hear him; the buzzing sound had come back. I shook my head quickly and started to fumble through my purse.

  “Of course, how silly of me. I’m sorry,” I forced a smile as I handed him my Driver’s License. He inspected it quickly, nodded his head sharply and handed me the clipboard. A long string was attached to it and at its end dangled a black pen. I pulled up on the string until the pen reached my hand. Oscar showed me three places to sign, one to initial.

  “And this is where you sign in blood,” his laughter boomed as he shook his head and bent over, slapping his knee as he did so. His statement was quite hilarious to him apparently. I laughed with him as I printed and signed his forms. Once I was finished he handed me two keys fastened together. I thanked him and pulled a ten-dollar bill from my wallet. Oscar held his hand up, shaking his head quickly as he did so. “No ma’am, this has all been taken care of by the Mister. Have a wonderful evening.” Before I could protest further, he had turned and strolled off toward the stairs. I watched his head bob up and down as he made his way down the stairs and out of my eyesight.

  I rubbed the keys with my thumb before looking down at one of them. Two keys and two key-less remotes were tethered together. On the face of the key was a silver jaguar frozen in an eternal leap. I tilted the key from side to side, the light of the hallway reflected off the cat, a soft twinkle reached my eyes each time I did. Magical. Instead of going into my apartment, I ran back down the stairs to the street where the car waited to greet me.

  The envelope was still clutched in my hand. I had almost forgotten about it. I tore it open and quickly unfolded the paper contained within.

  * * *

  My Goddess,

  I wanted to give you something that would express my feelings for you, yet be useful and practical. Since riding in your “car” from the hospital to the penthouse, I have come to the conclusion that this car is the most appropriate for you. Something worthy of your place in this world. In my world, especially.

  Eternally Yours,

  Gordon

  * * *

&nb
sp; Just when I had started to get angry with him for being away from me for so long, Gordon had redeemed himself. A Jag, seriously! I was conflicted, until I sat in it. I pressed the button that unlocked the doors and slid neatly into the driver’s seat. The cushion melted around my legs, soft, buttery leather yielding to my weight. I looked around me and shut the door. New car smell assaulted my nose but I couldn’t get enough of it. Inside the cabin of my new ride, I screamed as loud as I could. I had always wanted a Jaguar, but there was no way in Hell I could afford one on my salary. It was like he could read my mind. The penthouse, the mask, the beautiful crop, and now the Jag. I knew that was impossible, but the thought dwindled for longer than I would have liked.

  My phone rang from inside my purse, disrupting my thoughts. I jumped slightly and pulled it from the side pocket of my purse. Gordon! I pressed the accept button and pressed it to my ear.

  “Oh my God, Gordon! A Jaguar, what the...I mean…um, thank you so much. It was very unexpected, I am excited, I have no idea what to say.”

  “Your reaction is enough, Leila, my Goddess,” Gordon’s soft voice drifted through the phone. His tone was seductive. I suddenly wished I could reach through the phone and pull him through into my arms.

  “Seriously though, I am afraid this kind of gift is too much, really it is,” I lied, it was perfect. More than that, it was phenomenal. I blabbered into the phone about my appreciation, all the while, my mind was screaming somewhere from behind my conscious to be wary of such favors. Someone doesn’t just bestow someone with such things without an ulterior motive. My heart started to sink at the thought and I shook it off quickly, turning my attention back to Gordon, who was saying something about being out of town until Monday, back in afternoon, wanted me to stop by the office if I wasn’t busy. He would be in…I was too busy groping the steering wheel to my new ride to pay attention. An impossible to erase, shit-eating grin plastered on my face.

  “…around 2:00 in the afternoon if that works for you. I will be catching up from being out on leave so my morning will be consumed, otherwise I would welcome your company earlier.” Gordon stopped speaking and the air went dead between us. I was contemplating the situation. On one hand, I was dying to see him, especially now. On the other, I was hurt by having to leave a job I loved to ease his mind that I could not carry on professionally in the workplace. Granted, that would be difficult to do once my belly started to grow and I could not deny the presence of Jr. any longer .