Allure

chapter 18

This Sunday morning brings something new. I wake up peacefully, before my alarm, rather than being forced out of my sleep by it. The light peaks innocently through my window, and the wind gently kisses my curtains. It's that moment before the day hits that one is completely at peace with everything.

I turn on my pot of coffee then retreat to the bathroom to freshen up. When I open the door, Tristen's bedroom door is now open, She doesn't close it when we're both awake.

"Knock Knock." I peak my head into her room, she's sitting at the foot of her bed with her legs crossed with an easel and a canvas in front of her.

"Good morning." She smiles up at me briefly before returning to her painting. The sight of her painting is unrealistic. I take a moment to take her in.

She has her Dark hair pulled up in a messy bun that had to be the one from last night, and wore all black shorts, and an all-black tank top, with no bra. I knew if I'd looked harder I'd see her nipple piercings. I forced myself not to. She was the type of person you'd take straight from a magazine. Her room was bright, and she had a pale purple bed set. 

          Her beauty was tormenting and devious, and she knew it.

          "Would you like breakfast?" I asked, forcing my eyes to the floor before she noticed me staring.

          She jumps up and takes her canvas and easel with her placing it along the edge of the wall. Not only is she beautiful, but she is talented. It's a city, New York I assume, Tall buildings Dark skies, Cars racing in color on the street below, and the lights glistening off of the river just below them.

          "That's... really good." I say in awe, still taking in the picture.

          "Thank you." She wipes hair out of her face and it leaves the smallest smudge of red on her forehead that makes me smile. "And I'd love breakfast." She slips through the small space between the door and I without touching me at all.

          "You make the best eggs." She says just before putting a fork full of eggs in her mouth and closing her eyes with a dramatic intake of breath.

          I smile at her compliment. Part of me wanders what to say to her, if I bring up last night, do I tell her that it can't happen again? Do I let her know I want it to? Do I tell Richard? Is she thinking about this as much as I am.

          "What's got your mind so early in the morning?" she asks as she takes another forkful of food into her mouth.

          "Work." I lie and to my surprise she believes it.

          "Oh, what time?"

          "12 to 7."

          "Maybe I'll stop by." She says it as if it's up to her, but I know she's asking if it'll be okay."

          "Absolutely." I say slightly hopeful.

Martins is exceptionally slow today. The day is beautiful and there's not much for a hot cup of coffee, not unless it's become routine.

"Good evening Miss Carter." Richard's voice steels my attention from my book, there's no denying the peak in my mood. I check the clock and it's only four.

"Hi." I smile, it's all I can mutter out. "The usual?" I tease. And to my surprise he declines.

"No ma'am, I'll have a bottle of water."

He sits at the breakfast bar and pulls out his laptop. Oh he's one of those people. I roll my eyes as it only makes me more attracted to him... Is he working?

"I'm emailing my mother back home, she'll call in a moment." He answers my thoughts.

"Like video?" he nods. And on cue his computer rings. He answers instantly.

"Hey Mom." The smile and warmth he has when seeing his mother melts my heart.

"Hi, my baby ."  His cheeks turn red as he looks up at me. His mother's voice was ambivalent.  "Is she there? Is that her? Richard James Williams? You will introduce me to this young lady." I feel my eyes bulge out of my head.

"What? No. NO." I whisper from behind the counter. My heart races as he pleads with me, openly because no one else but he and my coworkers are in the store.  He pouts and I give in.

I walk from behind the counter and in front of his computer. "Dear God you're beautiful." His mother's hand flies to her heart.

I smile. "Thank you." I feel Richards hands on my hips and his thumbs trace circles in my back.

"Ryon, he speaks of you like a trophy, I couldn't wait to meet you." How much does she know? Does she know he could lose his job for our relationship?

The door finally opens 10 minutes into our conversation with Mrs. Tina Williams. I turn to greet the customer and it's Tristen.

"Hey." I hug her, but I don't know why. I sense that she rolled her eyes at the sight of Richard but there's no way to be sure.

Richard stands to greet her with an award hand shake.

"Tristen, yeah?" He says genuinely. I'm surprised he remembers her name.

"Mmm, yeah." She smiles kind of impressed, and kind of annoyed.

His mother calls his name from behind us. 

          "Tristen would you like to join us?" He asks politely, I beg her with my eyes.  

          "Sure?" She follows him to the bar. I take a moment to recollect myself.

"And who is this young lady?" his mother asks, still enthused.

"This, Is the beautiful Tristen, Ryon's roommate." He made a good choice in not just making her 'Ryons roommate'.  It surely won him points with Tristen.

"Tristen, this is my Mother, Tina."