Month: December 2020

Maria

After a long, monotonous hour of trudging through this endless field of Tolon’s odd pale blue wheat-like plants, I was struggling to remain upright from the exhaustion. Why were there no roads on this planet? 

Exploration was definitely not as thrilling as the discovery center back home had led her to believe. In fact, it wasn’t even enjoyable. See new worlds they’d said. Be a part of something great they’d said. Nowhere had they said that she would be slogging through blue stalks of overgrown grass to meet some alien ambassador over imagined slights supposedly caused by her survey team. She wasn’t a diplomat. She was a scientist. And apparently she was a scientist who was meant to be in a lab or office, not off exploring alien planets.

Jones had reported that he had encountered a well-muscled humanoid male who demanded to meet with our team leader to discuss our purpose on their planet. Apparently headquarters had forgotten to mention that there was a civilization that would be bothered by my team poking around, or I would have sought these people out first before getting to work on the field study.

Now I was stuck being an intermediary ambassador with no clue what was going to happen. I didn’t even have any background on these people. I had no idea how I was even going to understand them. Well I take that back. Jones had understood just fine. However he hadn’t told her anything about it. Hopefully they weren’t a violent culture.

I stood there for what felt like hours, alone at the designated meeting spot.

After waiting for most of the afternoon I spotted a figure slowly walking toward me from the opposite direction. I stood from where I had flopped down to wait. As he approached, the scientist in me started cataloguing facts and from that sprang so many questions. Were all the males here as muscled as him? Was he the one that Jones had met earlier? How did their skin pigment to that color? Were there different variables with the planetary light source that caused their skin to almost glow?

He stopped several meters away from me and I blinked rapidly. He was tall, or at least he felt tall. “Halar gotong?” He called.

I shook my head. This was going to be harder than I originally thought. How was I supposed to communicate with him? How had Jones managed?

He crossed the remaining distance, hand extended. He stopped again, this time he was right in front of me and nodded down at his hand. It was empty. Again I shook my head.

I watched as he then placed his other hand in his outstretched one. After holding his hands together for a few seconds he let go and once again stretched it back out to me.

Hesitant, I reached my own hand out. He nodded but didn’t move to grab me. It was several more heart pounding seconds before I got up the nerve to put my hand in his. I was grateful for his patience. He didn’t seem to mind waiting, simply watching me with his rather luminous gaze.

The second I touched my hand to his I heard a deep male voice echo in my mind.

Can you understand me now?

Without even pausing to think I jumped back, severing the connection of our hands. When I looked back up at him he hadn’t moved, his hand still outstretched. He smiled, waiting.

It took me a few minutes to get up the gumption to place my hand back in his.

Nothing.

Hello? I ventured.

Are you well? I did not mean to affright you.

I tried not to gape, but I confess, I did.

C-can you read my thoughts?

He laughed, deep and hearty and rich. My nerve endings tingled and my chest tightened. No my lady. I can not.

But you can hear me?

Only when you purposefully speak your thoughts to me.

Oh.

Your hair shade is mesmerizing. Do all of your people have such a unique shade of oak?

No. I put a hand up to my honey blonde hair. It was then that I noticed that his hair wasn’t black as I had first assumed. It was a very very dark purple. Is your hair naturally purple?

Purple? He looked puzzled for a second. Our people’s hair is many varying shades of amethyst and slate, no oak.

I nodded. And kept nodding.

He spoke first.  I have the name Kheal. You?

Maria. My name is Dr Maria Danton. A sharp zing raced up my forearm to my elbow, just short of painful. I winced. 

His grey eyes flashed, his gaze breaking with mine to stare down at our still-clasped hands. Startled by the heat emanating from his hand I also peered down at where we were touching, albeit with much less intensity than him.  I was surprised when he dropped my hand, practically throwing it away, and turned abruptly. I stood still and waited. After all, he had been so patient with me.

For a second I wondered if maybe I had hurt him in some way, without realizing it. There were too many unknowns for me to reasonably hypothesize what was happening with him.

After several minutes Kheal reached his hand out once again. As I took his hand I noticed his eyes had turned silver, not at all like the pale gray they had been earlier. Now they were shimmering, almost metallic. They were stunning.

The moment our hands connected again his voice, low and strong, rang in my head.

Dr Maria Danton. I felt the cazah when you gave your name to me. I claim you as my life mate as custom requires. You are to come with me.

He didn’t let go of my hand as he turned and strode back in the direction he had come, ignoring my verbal and mental protests. I struggled to stay upright as he pulled me along behind him. Wherever we were going, we were getting there quickly. His long strides forced me to practically run in order to not be dragged.

So not what I had signed up for.

Ava

Attempting to keep a steady hold of all her books and papers and her picture of her parents AND step off the elevator looking all professional for her first day on the job was not easy. Especially in stilettos and a pencil skirt. Regardless. Ava knew she looked professional, from her frizz free bun down to her shiny black shoes.

As she did her best ‘new-to-the-office’ strut she noticed the sign posted on the wall in front of her. NO SHOE CLACKING.

Inwardly groaning, she now had to struggle to not clack her 3 inches of high heeled shoes while carrying all her stuff and look cool, collected, and professional. However it was nearly impossible to walk with confidence while trying to keep stilettos from making any noise, no matter how much, or how little, one was holding in their arms.

Her preplanned confident stride turned into an almost embarrassingly slow walk down the hall.

“Problem?” A warm male voice behind her chuckled as she was passing the receptionist’s desk.

“No. No problems here. Just walking.” It all came out rather fast. Then she made the mistake of stopping to look at who was speaking to her. Why did the first person to talk to her have to see her walking with all the awkwardness of a newborn fawn?

And apparently he had not been expecting her to stop because he barely managed to not run her over. Quickly Ava resumed her careful non-clacking crawl and Mr Nerdy Hotness himself was talking to her and matching his pace to hers.

“Where are you headed?” He gave a sort of gentlemanly head bow. “If I may be so bold to ask.”

“My new job. I didn’t know that shoes making noise was a problem so I’m wearing the wrong shoes. I’d take them off if I wasn’t so worried about making a good impression. Not that I could take them off with everything I’m carrying. I just can’t believe I’m going to mess up the first impression with my new boss because of my shoes. I was going for professional and now I feel more like a mess. Sorry.” Forcing her mouth shut so as to stop the verbal spewing, Ava almost bit her cheek.

“If I offer to hold your things you could take off your shoes until we get to your new desk. Would that help? You could slip them back on as soon as we get there.”

“What if he saw me?”

He shrugged. “Most of the top execs with offices on this floor are either away at meetings right now or heavily ensconced in their caves and won’t reemerge till they need more coffee. Who’s your new boss?”

Ava could feel herself relaxing. He was so calm. If she could make it to her desk then she could re-center herself and still start the day off on the right shoe…foot.

“A Mr. Harcourt. I’m his new personal assistant.” She handed over her armful of everything and bent to take off her shoes. When she reached for her things back he was already a few steps ahead of her and not looking back.

“I’d be happy to show you where you’re going if you don’t know already.” He nodded further down the hallway.

Ava quickly caught up to him, shoes in hand. “I figured I’d just go down the hall looking at the names on the doors. Your way sounds much faster…and more efficient.”

His laughter was warm and low as he glanced her way.

It didn’t take long to make it to the large door with the words Mr Daniel Harcourt emblazoned on it.

Ava followed him in where she found a desk sitting beside another large door.

“Your desk.” He announced, placing her bundle in the middle of the clear space.

“Do you think I should knock and let him know that I’m here?” She moved closer to the door. She was just about to knock when she looked down at her feet. Jumping back with a muffled squeal she dropped her shoes and hurried to put them on again. She set about straightening herself and threw her shoulders back. “Should I knock?” She hesitated again.

Ava couldn’t understand why he was blushing when she looked back at him.

“No need.” He glanced to the door leading out to the hallway, his hands shoved into his pockets.

“Why? Should I wait until he comes up for air?”

“Under normal circumstances I would say go right on in. However, since I know he isn’t in there right now, I’d say no.” He still wouldn’t look at her.

“How do you know?” Ava moved to the desk to start organizing her things. “Oh. I completely forgot. I guess my manners have been completely frazzled by it being my first day and everything. I’m Ava Michal.” She stuck her hand out across the desk to him.

Again he blushed. This time a small half smile appeared as he squared his shoulders and reached out to take her hand. “A pleasure Ms Michal. I’m Daniel.” He hesitated, taking a slow breath. “Daniel Harcourt.”

If she could have dropped her hand away from his, she would have. However he held tight, keeping eye contact with her, as if daring her to not be embarrassed. Before she could reply to the stunning news that she had been making the worst first impression of her life to her new boss, Mr Malone, the one who had hired her, popped his head in.

“Ahh good. I see you two have already met. I will stop back in after I track down the other new PA for Sherman. Then we’ll go on a tour.” With that he was gone, leaving Ava to stare up at her new boss.

“A-any chance you’ll forget the last twenty minutes and pretend we just met?” She ventured, absently fingering the pages of the book she’d been holding.

His chuckle was enough of an answer for her but he replied anyways. “No Ms Michal. I must admit I am a little glad of the way we met. Now we don’t have to pretend that we are stuffy professionals all the time. Besides, I rather like knowing that you took your shoes off.”

If it was possible for embarrassment to be fatal, she would be dead.

Abigail

Dear Mr Abernathy,

It has come to my attention that an agreement has been made regarding marriage between you and myself. After overcoming the great shock of not having a say or even an inkling of knowledge regarding this endeavor and apparent subsequent proposition, I have taken it upon myself to write to you now.

Having looked over the contract I do not see a way of breaking the terms without great financial loss to us both. Since I do not know you beyond a vague meet and greet several months ago, I am going to assume that it was my mother’s stipulation that there would be so much financial loss incurred with backing out.

Now, the question is how amenable are you to making this arrangement agreeable to both parties. I assume you have a life outside of work that will be affected by my mother’s meddling as will mine. Please respond at your earliest convenience to set a date where we can meet to discuss details.

Ms Charles

Abi gave a quick nod after she reread the email and sent it. It was several days before she received a reply. 

Ms Abigail Charles,

I apologize for taking so long to respond. Since receiving your letter I have had to first track down what agreement you were referring to because I was completely unaware of its existence before you wrote to me. Apparently you are not the only one who has a meddling mother.

Forgive me for being brief, I can cover the loss stated in the contract for termination if that is what you wish. I would not force you into any arrangement or situation to which you are not in full agreement. 

With chagrin I must also confess that I believe my mother went to such great lengths to secure this contract in the first place because of something I said. I may have mentioned you in an argument I was having with my mother about marriage prospects, as an example of someone who would be a wonderful partner and wife. Apparently she took that to mean that she could get away with arranging our marriage.

As smart, beautiful, and strong as I remember you being, I am sure you wish to quickly put this past you. I will not be informing my mother and I hope you will do the same to avoid the drama both our mothers intend to provide if we do not follow through with this marriage.

If I am correct in my assumption, my mother was intending to hide this contractual agreement from me to marry until the day of the wedding, and spring it on me .

If you are able to meet next Wednesday at the fountain park in front of your building at 2, I will be happy to discuss what can be done regarding the stated agreement until monetary recompense can be provided.

Grayson Abernathy

Abi stared at the screen. She was inclined to write him back and schedule a different time, just to prove she could. This whole ordeal was embarrassing enough. But to find out that it was because he had said that she was an ideal wife? To his mother, in an argument. Was the admission supposed to come across as some sort of compliment?

Scrunching her eyes closed she tried to better recall meeting Mr Grayson Abernathy. He had been one of so many new faces that night at her mother’s gala. All she could remember was his solid warm handshake and his laugh. Not a single thing about what he looked like. 

“Ms Charles.” Her assistant scurried into the room and quickly shut the door behind her. “Justin’s here.”

Abi groaned. Now was not the time to be dealing with her overly persistent ex. They had broken up several years ago but in the past month he had been stopping in three to four times a week to bug her.

“Joanna, simply tell him that I am too busy to see him.”

With a nod Joanna left, firmly shutting the door again. Abi returned to her letter staring. 

When her mother had laid down the contract on her desk Abi had been stunned. She had read through it several times to find a way around it. However, her mother had planned on the resistance and made the thing irritatingly concrete.

And now to find out that she hadn’t even made it with Mr Abernathy himself. She was going to be the unwanted trophy wife she had studiously fought to avoid her whole life. Rage filled her at her mother’s betrayal.

At that moment, Justin popped his smarmy head in with a smirk.

“Hey baby. I assured Joanna that I wanted only a quick minute to say hello to my favorite girl.” His simpering cockiness grated on her shattered nerves.

“Get out.” She didn’t yell. She wanted to. But she didn’t.

It wasn’t surprising that he ignored her. “So Abs I was thinking we could go to dinner tonight. I brought you that slinky red dress you know I like. I figure you can change real quick and we can get going.” He dropped a black dress bag on her desk.

Abi shot a glare in his direction and picked up her phone. “Joanna, dial security and have Justin removed immediately.”

She turned back to her computer and pretended that Justin wasn’t there. His folded arm power stance did nothing to convince her.

“Abi. Baby. There’s no need for security.” He pushed her chair out from her desk and sat in front of her, leaning against her desk. “If you would just forget our little breakup scene we can get back to being the awesome, gorgeous couple that we are. Just get that pretty little dress on and I’ll forgive you for the scowl you gave me when I came in.”

“Little break up scene?” She pulled her chair even further away from him. “You brought the press to make a formal announcement that I was a horrible mistake and an even worse girlfriend. Then you proceeded to give exclusives to anyone who would listen about how unethical and horrible you thought I was.”

He gave a little pout. “Just blowing off steam, you know. I had too much pent up.”

She growled and left her office until security came.

As he was being removed Abi plunked back down at her desk and pulled up the internet, typing in Grayson Abernathy. Several pictures popped up and she found herself wondering for a second if she wouldn’t mind getting to know her future ex fiance a little better. He wasn’t difficult to look at by any means.

“Joanna.”

In popped Joanna’s bouncy blonde curls. “Yes, Ms Charles. I am so sorry I didn’t manage to stop Justin this time. He was in your office before I could get up from my desk.”

Abi waved her excuses away. “Don’t worry about it. I didn’t call you in for that. Please clear next wednesday at 2 for a 90 minute block. I have a meeting with a Mr Abernathy.”

Instantly Joanna was all business, taking down the information and nodding. Abi didn’t see her leave as she clicked on Grayson’s picture to see what else she could learn about the man her mother had arranged to become her fiance.

Molly

“Slow down, Baring.” 

Molly could feel people stopping to stare as she marched noisily down the hall, maybe it could be considered more of a stomp then a march. Zeke’s low, menacing command seemed to echo off the lockers. Several girls to her left twittered and blinked their besotted flirty gazes in the direction of the man belonging to that irritating voice. She struggled against the impulse to run, throwing in a laugh or two for good gossip material.

“Why?” Molly shot back, yelling over her shoulder. A few of those same giggly girls gasped at her audacity. She didn’t slow down one little bit but neither did she speed up.  The halls of high school were too narrow to stop and battle the barrage of students all heading to the exit. And she wouldn’t have, even if the hallway was empty. She could hear his growl in response. Ignoring Zeke Walker was not something one did if they wanted to survive high school.

Out the doors and past the grassy quad Molly again fought the urge to run. Her car and escape were so close. She didn’t want to deal with whatever confrontation he had in mind when he singled her out in the hallway back there. She would rather talk to him when he was smiling. He was much more fun to be around when he wasn’t upset with her for whatever her latest stunt happened to be. Today, however, she had no idea what he was mad for. She hadn’t pulled anything in days. 

 Somehow he didn’t manage to catch her until she was almost to the parking lot.

“I told you to slow down.” Zeke grabbed her arm, forcing her to halt and turn to face him.

Yanking her arm out of his grip, she took a step back and folded her arms. “Whatever you need to say to me is going to have to wait.” Her calm voice did not betray the seething anger swelling up inside her at his high-handedness. At least they didn’t have an audience anymore.

“No.” He took a menacing step forward. As tall as he was, Molly held her ground and lifted her chin a little.

“Zeke.”

He ignored the warning in her voice.

“Baring. I said I need to talk to you and I am going to talk to you. And you are going to listen.” If he hadn’t sounded so brutalizingly strong he would have sounded like a whiny two year old. Either way she dealt with him the same as she always did.

“Zeke, you are in my face and I don’t appreciate it.” Her voice didn’t waver and she was oddly pleased that she sounded so together.

Apparently he was reduced to growls and the like, because he gave a bellow of frustration before stepping back. Molly watched as his arms shot up behind his head and he took several deep breaths. When he turned back to face her he huffed and let out a little bit of a rumble. While he still looked too angry to talk to, he was not as on edge as he had been before.

Instantly she put her hands up to stop him from crowding her. “I won’t talk to you when you are in bully-mode.” 

Instantly he pulled back and deflated. His eyes sparked their annoyance but his arms dropped.

Molly almost felt sorry for calling him out. Almost. He looked a little lost. 

The Zeke she knew when he came to hang out with her on weekends in the park was not the Zeke who would stomp around the halls of their high school to keep everyone scared and at a safe distance. And yet his looks kept him high on the popularity list.

A hint of a snarl still echoed in his tone. “I need to talk to you.”

“Why don’t you take a few minutes and cool off? When you no longer sound like you want to beat me into the ground, we’ll talk.”

“Molly.”

“No.” Her answer was soft, like silk wrapped around steel.

She resumed her steady stride to her car with Zeke following a few steps behind. As she threw her backpack into her car Zeke stopped next to her and shot her a semi-chagrined smile. “Molly Baring, you are going to be the end of me.”

“We wouldn’t want that.” She grabbed his hand for a second and squeezed. “See you in a bit.”

He chucked her on the shoulder and shook his head. “Only you.”

Molly didn’t have to wait long after arriving home. Zeke was at her door within the hour with a small grin on his face. As she opened the door further to let him inside he held out a small, slightly rumpled white daisy. “Sorry.”

“For?”

He blinked, drawing his focus up from the floor and onto her face. “My temper, I guess.”

Molly folded her arms and leaned back against the wall. “You guess?”

“No. Yes. No.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry for yelling at you at school today.”

With a slow nod she slid her hand through his arm. “Thank you for apologizing. It hurts when you yell. You don’t have to go all macho on me to get my attention.”

“I needed to talk to you all day and when I saw you leaving I lost my head a bit.” Zeke shrugged, not looking at her.

“What about?”

Without needing to ask, they both began walking over to the park across from her house. It wasn’t more than a bit of grass, trees, and a little bench but since no one else ever went there, it was theirs. It was several minutes before Zeke answered her.

“This morning my parents told me we are moving. Not far. But far enough that I have to change schools.”

“No.” Molly fell back against the bench. “No.”

“I’ll still see you here every weekend. I promise.” Zeke’s head dipped lower trying to catch her gaze. “I promise Molly.”

Molly nodded and tried to smile at him. “How soon?”

His shoulders drooped. “One month.”

Molly flung her arms around him and held on tight. It took a few seconds before he sniffed and hugged her tightly back.