Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 4

2 years earlier

The small bookstore on 22nd street was fairly crowded on this Friday afternoon. All the way in the back there was a girl who had just gotten accepted to Columbia University. She studied the small shelve with the classic books. Every now and then she would spot an interesting title and take the book from the shelve to flip through it and feel the softly bound cover. Then she would notice the price on the back of the book and put it back on the shelve. On the other side of the small store was a man who asked about a particular book. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. He was visiting his aunt for her birthday. Pride and Prejudice was her favourite book. Her copy was destroyed a few weeks ago when she accidently left it outside on the table during a storm, so he wanted to get her a new one. The clerk behind the counter pointed him towards the corner where the classic books where before turning to another customer. The man made his way over to the shelve where all the classics were. He scanned the whole shelve back and forth trying to find it. He didn't notice the girl standing right next to her flipping through the only copy of Pride and Prejudice. He let out a quiet curse. She looked up and saw his frustrated frown at the shelf. She put the book in her hand back on the shelve. His eyes widened at the book that was placed right next to him. He reached for it before the girl was able to let go. Their hands brushed against each other on top of the book. He looked over at the girl with the small soft hand. She smiled shyly at him. He smiled back. She pulled her hand away and took a step back. He grabbed the book.

"Do you want to buy this book?" he asked.

He really needed it. If he would show up to his aunt's birthday without it, he'd hate himself for it. But as he looked into those bright blue eyes, he was more than willing to hand her the book if she just asked for it. Her hair was long and brown and wavy. It fell over her shoulder like the most beautiful waterfall would. Her skin looked soft. Her cheeks were rosy. Her lips were round and pink. Something about her mesmerized him. She was much younger than him, he tried not to notice but he did.

"No. I was just looking at it. You can take it." she smiled at him.

For a moment he forgot where he was or what he was doing here. All he could see was the girl in front of him. She turned back to the shelve looking through the books. He stood there for another second before he remembered he had to get going or he'd be late.

"Thank you. I owe you." he said to her before he left.

He'd probably never see her again, but he really hoped he would. All day those blue eyes followed him around in the back of his mind.

The man came back to that bookstore every week, hoping to see the girl again. But she was never there.

Gideon

Ivy. I was resting my head against the back of my office chair, letting the name roll of my tongue. I had given her many names over the years. Trying to find one that fits. None of them did. Until now.

Ivy.

Of all the ways I imagined running into her again, my kitchen was the last place I expected. She had just walked in, oblivious to my presence. But when she did notice me, there was no hint of recognition in her eyes. Those bright blue eyes. The image I had saved inside my mind for years now. And she had only looked at me like a deer caught in headlights. I never loose composure. I never freeze. I'm always in full control. I like being in control. But as her eyes were burning through my skin, I could do nothing but soak up her beauty. She's even more captivating than she was 2 years ago. There was only one thing that bothered me about our encounter this morning. Nathan. How does he know her and why does she live on his floor now? Why does she live here at all? Not that it bothers me. The thought warmed my body in places it shouldn't. She looks like she's in her early twenties at best. I'm almost 32 now. This was so wrong. I shouldn't be thinking about her like this. But then my thoughts flash back to her eyes. Bright and blue. More beautiful than the sky on it's best day. I took another deep breath.

I finally calmed down enough to get up and make my way down to the 4th floor. I didn't bother knocking on Nathans door. The room was still dark. He was sprawled out on the bed. I pulled the curtains more roughly than necessary aside, letting the sun flood the room. Nathan let out an annoyed groan.

"What the hell man?" he tried to shield his eyes with his arm while looking over to me.

"That's what I should be asking you." I took a step closer to him.

"What are you talking about?"

He still wasn't following.

"Ivy." was all I said.

That seems to wake him up.

"Oh. Yeah. I meant to talk to you about it. It all just happened very fast."

The way he talked about the topic made it seem like there was something going on between the two of them. He might be one of my most trusted friends but I'm not hesitant to shoot him if necessary.

"Okay. Okay. Stop with the death glare already. Jesus."

"Talk."

He sat up and stretched out his arms before he did.

"You told me to take care of...the room. So, I thought it might be nice to rent it out. It's a nice room and I could use the money for my membership, that you are not paying for anymore." he gave me a petty look before moving on since there was not a hint of amusement on my face. "I posted the ad 2 weeks ago and no one called or showed up so I already kind of forgot about it, that's when she showed up yesterday and I offered her the room."

He read my impatient expression and kept going.

"I know that's not really what you imagined when I told you I'll take care of the room but don't let it out on her. She really seems to need the room. When she walked in here yesterday with nothing but the cloths on her back, I couldn't turn her down."

The blood in my veins froze. A million questions rolled around my mind.

"What do you mean by nothing but the clothes on her back?"

"I think she's homeless. I didn't want to push her or anything since I could sense that she was uncomfortable. I like her, please don't kick her out. I can give you a cut of her rent..." Nate begged.

I like her. That's all it took to make my blood boil with rage. I don't even know this girl. She's nothing to me. But then again, she's everything. These past 2 years she's been my escape, my sanctuary. Whenever I had to escape my mind I let it drift to bright blue eyes.

"You touch her, I kill you." my voice was calm and firm but there was pure fury burning beneath it.

Nate looked at me like I had just lost my mind. And maybe I did. There was no place for these feelings in my life. My world is full of violence, pain, and danger. She'd drown in it. I can't let that happen, but I can't let her go either. Maybe it's selfish but I waited so long for her to find me and now she's here. And I'd be damned if I let her walk away again.

I walked out of his room without saying another word.