“I highly doubt he believes the psychic is legit to worry about that. I’m not sure if I do either. One minute she has an accent the next she doesn’t. And she told me she’s not a psychic, she just reads coffee.”
“Okay then maybe he’s scared it’s going to show up in the coffee.”
“I really don’t think so. I think he just doesn’t like her.” But I did feel like he was hiding something. I looked at Daniel who was behind the barista counter drying some containers. Deciding to keep it safe I started to whisper, “If he was hiding something, what could it be?”
“You tell me.” She whispered back, “Is there anything that puts him on edge? Makes him act suspicious…”
I thought about it and could only come up with one secret that I caught. He kept his entire career as an artist a secret before. “No idea.”
“You’ve been to his house, have you seen anything that seems like it doesn’t belong in a millionaire young bachelors home? Maybe another girlfriend leave behind a watch? A secret child leave behind a toy car? Secret career of a porn star? Maybe he’s married and that’s his second house?”
“Tiffany.” I cut her off, “Seriously. I think all this coffee’s getting to your head. Next time we’re doing frozen yogurt. If he was married or had a kid I think you would see it on your stalking search engine.”
Determined to change the subject I brought up one of her co-workers that annoy her and listened to her as she went on about the latest trouble she caused.
I ended up leaving the girl talk more confused.
Is James hiding something from me? And how bad is it?
Chapter Eleven
It was a hot afternoon in sunny L.A. Days like this, I’d rather stay inside with the A.C. on blast with short shorts (that no one on the face of Earth would ever catch me wearing), and a barely there top. But a best friend’s job is never done.
Tiffany had a date with Daniel later that evening and had recruited me to help pick out an outfit.
“Can you believe he asked me out on a date?” Tiffany squealed for the hundredth time.
“Oh no I can’t. You two have been…. What was the word you used? Eye fucking each other for how long now?” I said quoting her.
She did a fake gasp, “Can’t believe you of all people said that.”
“Oh if you knew the thoughts I had in my head…”
She laughed, “Trust me, it’s obvious. The quiet ones are the freaks. James is a lucky guy.” She winked.
We were at the same outdoor mall I met James in looking for the perfect pair of shoes to go with the perfect blouse and matching bra and undies she bought a moment ago. Daniel was going to take her out to dinner later on tonight so she was in a hurry but still said every detail had to be perfect. “Even if he won’t see your toes, you have to have them perfectly polished.” She said.
“What about these?” she asked holding up a pair of black stilettos that had a rhinestone embellished heel, “too much?”
“Shoes are an accessory, no reason why they shouldn’t be glammed up.” I said as I looked at the cute pair of above them. Booties that would be perfect for the colder weather coming up soon. Luckily they were on sale since no one in their right mind, besides me, would buy a pair of boots in this weather.
I picked up the black pair and contemplated them in the red color as well before I went to try them on. Tiffany sat on the chair across from me and tried on her shoes too. “So… I want to go see that coffee reader today.” She said casually.
I looked at her trying to hide my curiosity, “Oh yeah? Why?”
“Well… when you saw her you met James. Maybe she’s good luck or something. Come with me?”
“I swear you’re the worst when it comes to superstitions. They’re starting to rub off on me.” I mumbled. She does have a point though, I did meet him the same day I went to see her. “But… you already got the date so why go see her?” I reasoned as I attempted to pull up the tiny zipper of the black booties. James would be disappointed if he knew I went so I need to get her out of the idea.
“Oh come on. It’s not like you’re going to get a coffee reading. James shouldn’t be angry about accompanying your friend there. Can’t have him bossing you around that much anyway.”
“Alright…” I hesitated.
After buying the shoes we decided to just walk over to the café since it was nearby. Parking was horrible so taking the car was out of the question. It took us about thirty minutes but I found myself dragging since the guilt was snowballing the closer we got. I stood in front of the café and tried to think of an excuse to why we shouldn’t go or at least I shouldn’t go. James would really not be happy. I wanted to go in but knew I shouldn’t. But his strange dislike towards Lana and his secrets had me even more curious than before.
“Come on” Tiffany whined.
“Alright just give me a second.” I said grabbing my phone to see if I had any messages. I looked at the wallpaper of James and me with my arms wrapped around him and his around me, Sorry baby…
We walked into the familiar dark café. Tiffany looked around and took in the exotic décor and the infamous parrot that hated me. I glared at it as it squawked at us. Or just me. We sat at the table Lana had made me sit at last time and waited for her to make her grand appearance she probably does for show.
“This place is kind of creepy…” Tiffany whispered.
“Yeah. Thanks for sending me here without some sort of prior inspection first.” I whispered back.
“Your core is strong thanks to yoga. I knew you’d be okay.” She smirked.
“Again with the yoga as self-defense?”
Lana peaked through the veil covering the back door and came out. She was wearing the endless amount of layers like last time but this time was showing her tan midriff. She looked extremely stunning again.
“Hello.” She said with her thick fake accent, “I was expecting you.” She said looking at me. I forced myself not to laugh at her ‘I was expecting you’ since I thought she was going to say that last time.
“Actually, it’s my friend’s day today.” I said pointing to Tiffany.
She sat across from us, “Too bad. I really wanted to read your coffee after seeing your boyfriend with you.”
Okay seriously what is going on with these two? I was starting to think James was lying about them not being in a relationship before.
She laughed at me and I realized I might have been glaring at her. I seriously needed to work on hiding my facial expressions.
She gave Tiffany a cup of her tiny but extremely bitter coffee and waited for her to drink it up.
She brought her eyes back to me and smiled, “Are you sure you don’t want me to do a reading of any kind. Coffee, tea, cards, hands… anything. On the house.”
Tiffany eyed me silently. I know in her head she was probably yelling at me to do it. She was probably just as curious to know what all this was about as I was. She told me herself she’s not a psychic. Maybe she’s using this as an excuse to tell me what went on with her and James. Maybe she’s trying to warn me off from him, whether it is because of her or him.
“Come on, pick a card.” She said pulling out a pile of cards and staring at me.
“Just do it.” Tiffany whispered and nudged my side. Before I could think twice I pulled out the number of cards she told me to. She smiled and looked at the pictures.
They weren’t tarot cards. At least I don’t think they were. They looked different. I had never seen cards like them before in movies or the book store I used to frequent in high school that sold those types of things. But I shrugged it off since I don’t know much about tarot cards anyway.
She laid out the cards and thought to herself. Tiffany sipped her coffee and stared at Lana’s card reading skills and how I would react to whatever she said.
“Are you ready?” she asked me.
“Ready as I’ll ever be…” I said quietly.
“Someone close to you is hiding something. A secre
t. It’s a dark secret.” She said pointing to a card as if it would be clear to me to see the picture. “Someone close to you is also attempting to put you in danger.” She said with a frown. “And the danger is either because of… or caused by your lover.”
“What do you mean?” I asked immediately remembering the attacks.
“Meaning your boyfriend, or lover or whatever he is, I don’t judge, is putting you in danger. He’s dangerous and something is literally going to try to come in-between you two.” She said pointing at the cards and glancing up at me.
“I’m willing to bet that your boyfriend is the one putting you in danger. Either that or it’s the same blood as him.”
I felt a shiver up my spine at her ‘bet’. I stood up, my guilt from before turning into anger, “I want to leave. I’ll meet you outside Tiff.”
“Not quite done. One more card.” She said shoving the pile of cards to me. “Pull one more out.”
I sighed but pulled it out anyway. I handed it to her without looking at it. She slammed it on the table flipping it in the process to see what picture it would reveal. She was wide eyed as she looked at it. Her hands were shaky as she pushed it towards me, “Death.” She whispered.
Tiffany and I looked at each other wide eyed, “What?” we said in unison.
“Not necessarily yours. But…be careful. There will be a death soon and it could be you.” She said and put the cards away and looked at Tiffany, “Now for your coffee.”
Tiffany and I were staring at each other still in shock as she took her coffee cup to read for Tiffany as if she didn’t just tell me I was possibly going to die. She went on about her job becoming more successful, a possible relationship in the making and someone close to her being in danger. She glanced at me when she said that last part and I had to wonder if she was making that part up or not.
I listened closely to see if she gave her any weird findings like she did mine, but nothing bad for her in her reading. No one was keeping secrets from her. No deaths in her near future. So what the hell?
I ended up leaving the café more worried than before, just like the last time I went to her. “Seriously I’m starting to see why James doesn’t want me to see her.” I groaned remembering my guilt for even seeing her again.
I dropped Tiffany at her home and wished her luck on her date before driving off to the grocery store. I need to get more food since I’d be sharing my home with James for however long he wanted. I needed to pick up some of his favorites or dinner too. Basically steak…and every other cut of beef. My boyfriend is not a vegetarian that’s for sure.
I found myself stalling in the store not wanting to go home. It was the first night he was staying at my place. And it was the first time I’m seeing him after seeing Lana and will probably have to lie to him about. I sighed with the guilt and felt my phone vibrate letting me know I had a text.
As if he knew, the text was from James. “Baby it’s getting late. Do u want me to pick u up?”
I smiled at his concern. Always trying to take care of me. “No, I’m on my way now. :]”
“Come home soon. x” He wrote back almost immediately.
I smiled at his over protectiveness and the cute ‘x’ he put in the end before going in line to pay for the groceries.
I had the bags in my hand and struggled to open the door. I wiggled the knob and I was surprised when it swung open. James had roses in his hand, “What’s this?” I asked as he brought his lips to me and grabbed the groceries from my hand switching them with the roses. I had given him keys already so that he could just come home when he was done with work, but it was still a nice suprise.
“Wanted to surprise you with a date night at home.” He said stepping aside so I could go in first.
“Date night?” I smiled and smelled the roses. “They smell so sweet.”
“You smell sweeter.” He whispered as he wrapped his arms around me and buried his nose in my neck making me giggle.
“That tickles.” I pulled away and went to get a vase to put the flowers in a vase and was surprised to see pots and pans cooking away on the stove.
“Oh this smells good too. You’re cooking?” I asked filling the vase with water.
“Yes.” He said as he hugged me around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder overlooking as I took off the decorative wrapping around the roses. One of the roses still had a thorn digging into my finger, “Awe!” I shrieked and dropped the roses, “There was a thorn.”
James’s grip on my waist was suddenly too tight. To the point where it was getting painful, “Babe you’re holding me a little too tight.” I said looking back at him. He had his eyes closed and he looked like he was in pain. “James, are you okay?”
“Oh… sorry.” He said loosening his grip. He was staring at my finger wide eyed and I glanced back at the blood dripping into the sink. He must be the type that gets queasy at the sight of blood. “Sorry I’ll just turn on the water.”
He grabbed my hand and pulled me so that I was facing him not letting me wash the blood off, “I’ll help.”
“It’s okay you don’t have to. It’s just a small cut…”
Not waiting for me to finish he brought my finger to his lips and licked the blood off. I was wide eyed, what the hell. He was squeezing his eyes shut. At first I thought he was in pain but no, he looked like an alcoholic finally getting a shot of tequila.
“What are you doing?” I asked, barely able to get my voice out.
He kept his eyes low, “One minute… I’ll be right back.” He said and ran towards the bathroom.
I watched him as he closed the door. I looked at my finger and the cut was gone. Deciding to give him a moment before I asked him what the hell happened, I placed the roses in the vase. This time I made sure not to touch any possible thorn. I looked at my finger and the cut was okay.
Remembering he had food on the stove I took over the cooking so that it didn’t burn as I waited for him to come out of the bathroom. I wanted to go see if he was okay myself but decided to just wait till he came to me instead.
Chapter Twelve
When he finally came out of the bathroom, he looked sheepish and he kept his eyes low avoiding any eye contact with me. We quietly ate the steak and veggies dinner he had prepared. “It’s really delicious James…” I said trying to break the silence.
He looked up, “Oh? Glad you liked it...”
“James what happened? You were fine up till a moment ago. Are you okay?”
“Yeah… sorry.” he said poking at the steak.
“Why are you sorry? I should be thanking you, this was all so sweet.” I said trying to make him smile. He forced himself to smile and nodded.
I sighed, “So…tell me about your day.”
He knew I wasn’t going to let it go till he talked to me like normal so he forced himself to start talking about his day at work. But it was obvious he wanted the conversation to be over so he could run off. He met with a boy band from South Korea that wants to make a debut in America.
“How was yours?” he asked and I froze remembering Lana.
“It was good…” I felt my heart increase a little from the lie.
“What did you do?” he eyed me curiously. Almost as if he knew I was hiding something.
“Nothing… hung out with Tiffany. She has a date with Daniel tonight.”
“Oh yeah. He told me.” he said still eyeing me as if he was waiting for me to explain my day further. My heart felt like it was going to explode out of my chest. Please don’t ask what else.
He looked at me trying to read me but I couldn’t read his expression. He looked back down at his food not pushing the conversation.
After we washed and dried the dishes together we looked through my list of movies to decide what to watch. I had a handful of chick-flicks that I didn’t even suggest, a surprising number of mafia movies I didn’t even notice I had that many till that moment, and cartoons I grew up with. He raised his brow at the cartoon.
“Childhood memories.” I laughed, “These two were my favorites.”
I pointed to the fairy tell of the girl falling in love with a monster. “Ironic.” He mumbled to himself.
“These seem like guy friendly movies.” I held up a mafia movie and a vampire one.
He cringed at the vampire one, “Mafia. Definitely the mafia one.”
I nodded and put the vampire one back. I was thankful since vampire movies tend to be a little on the raunchier side. That would just be awkward after that moment in the kitchen.
As we went to the living room I opened the mafia movie case and groaned, “I misplaced it with the other one.”
“You want me to go get it?” he suggested.
“Let’s just watch the vamp one.” I said and walked to the put it in the DVD player.
We got into the movie but neither of us were really paying attention. But we were pretending we were avoiding any awkward conversations. The sex scenes were the worst. But now was a romantic moment, the moment where the human girl finds out the guy she’s had a relationship with for such a long time is a vampire.
He kissed my cheek taking me by surprised. I giggled and nudged his side, “This is the best part James…” I whined
He looked at the screen and furrowed his eyebrows. He brought his lips closer to my ear sending a chill down my spine before he whispered, “This is so not legit. Any normal girl would run away…”
“I don’t know… she loved him.”
“What if I told you I was a vampire?”
I thought about it for a moment and smirked, “I’d let you bite me.”
“Don’t tempt me.” he growled and trailed kisses down my neck. I bit my lip to prevent myself from making any embarrassing noises.
“Seriously though… what if I were to tell you I was a monster of some sort.”
“Would you be unbelievably hairy?”
“No.” he furrowed his brows.
“Then I’d love you either way.” I said and cringed from saying I loved him. I looked back at the screen and hoped he didn’t catch it. I felt him look at me and I knew he heard me say it.
In My Veins Page 8