Chasing Her Beauty

Chapter Six

       Julia woke up to a very warm light on her face. Her eyes opened up with the sun in her face, the sky was orange and the clouds weren't existent in the sky. It was a sunrise, one of Julia's favorite things in the world. It was early, she wasn't one to wake up so early in the day but she couldn't resist exploring today. She thought that seeing the city so early could benefit her.
       Luke was still asleep on her lap. She slowly lifted her arms and stretched barely moving her legs. Luke started to stir and shift, notifying her to wake him up. Julia leaned down and kissed his cheek. His eyes began to flutter as he regained his consciousness. Julia's beautiful smile crept on her face as her little brother woke up.
       "Good morning Luke," she shook him awake. He began to open his eyes and start to move his head.
       "Did you kiss my cheek?" he asked.
       "Yeah, how do you know?"
       "You're gross Julia."
       Julia laughed and punched Luke's face causing him to laugh back. He moved away from her, allowing her to get up. She leaned against the balcony railing to overlook the part of the city she got to see. Their house was on a hill, far from normal pedestrian paths, and surrounded by a big gate. Their house wasn't very opening for normal citizens but it sure was beautiful.
       Luke joined Julia on the railing. He looked up at his older sister and smiled, "Why are you up so early?"
       "Well other than the fact that the sun basically blinded me, I should explore the city. Do you want to come with me?"
       Luke thought about it for a second. He nodded saying, "Sure let's go, let me get dressed."
       Luke walked off the balcony into Julia's room. She followed behind, slowly closing the door behind her, making sure not to wake her other family members just in case. Luke left her room to go to his so he could change.
       Julia did the same, she took off her grey track sweatpants in exchange for a pair of dark skinny jeans. She then also ditched her blue hoodie for a grey sweater with a black stylish blazer. She then threw her hair up in a ponytail, not caring what she looked like. She then slid on her black boots she packed and walked out the door to meet Luke.
       Luke met her outside her door a smiled at the sight of her. "Ready to go?"
       "Yup, let's go brother. Where should we go first? Any shops or such?"
       "That can be your call, I'll just follow you."
       "Sounds good."
       The siblings walked downstairs to explore the city, ready for whatever is to be thrown at them. Any normal family would've appreciated their kids  to tell them where they were going, but Darren and Sonya didn't really care much about Julia or Luke. At least, not as much as Crystal and Rose. It was sad, very depressing to see such a corrupt family.
       As Julia and Luke walked out of the house, there were cars pulling into her house one by one. It was the furniture movers. Julia was relieved to see her things being transferred, no more sleeping in cars, planes, or the ground. Finally, a semi normal home. Walking to the city from where they were wasn't too difficult. Thee house of course was on the hill, then leading to a big road that lead down to the city lights. Julia and Luke found a shortcut, since they weren't in a car, they just decided to cut down the hills, cross a couple of roads, then be downtown. It would only take fifteen minutes.
       The whole walk wasn't too bad, it was easy to get used to for Julia, if it meant going on fun adventures in the town, fifteen minutes wouldn't bother her. Luke didn't seem to mind either, just being able to get away from his parents and other sisters made him happy. There had to have been forty times he's asked Julia to just take him in and become his legal guardian. She always said she would if she had more money. She never got enough.
They reached the city while the sun was still rising. Julia was being extra cautious, new country, new rules. She made Luke hold her had as they walked across streets and made sure he stayed close to her through most sidewalks. It was a precious time for Julia. The sun was rising, the air was warm and many people were on a rush to work. It was exciting to see all of this happen in front of her.
       As they walked down the sidewalk that had a chain of stores, she found a couple stores they didn't have back in England. She was astonished by all the different America clothes. The fans join wasn't too terribly different but it was something to get used to. She had self-control unlike most girls, she didn't buy anything from the store she just looked around. There was a local ice cream parlor a couple of feet down from where they were. Julie wanted to do something nice for Luke since he was being a trooper following her around the city.
The two sat down after getting their orders. Julia was happy with her little exploration of downtown but she wasn't one hundred percent satisfied. She really wanted to see the city one day on a tall building looking at the stars. If she could somehow do that, she would really be able to see the city. Hopefully seeing it from a new angle could inspire her to possibly write or read more.
"How is your ice cream?" Julia asked Luke to make conversation.
"It's really good," he smiled, "Your frozen yogurt I assume is good?"
"Correct."
Julia was getting ready to say another word until a storm of people with cameras and suits in cams to the front door of the parlor. She was really hoping that her first day out wouldn't be this way, unwanted paparazzi that she didn't even deserve, nor work for. Being a celebrity and famous is great in all, but for the reason she was famous? Not at all.
A bunch of the paparazzi weren't allowed in the shop but they kept calling her name begging her for interviews in questions. Julia, of course wasn't going to answer them so she just sat still with Luke, trying to finish her frozen yogurt. The paparazzi wouldn't stop basically tormenting her and her little brother. She was getting pretty furious at this point. She got up and started to walk out of the store to tell the people to buzz off until these men walked up to her.
They both looked somewhat around her age, however eyes can be deceiving. They were both handsome men, certainly the type to be taken in an instant. She never liked to judge anyone on their looks, but the boys looked too overconfident for her. She didn't seem very interested.
"Hello beautiful," One with a perfect chiseled jaw line and sunken in cheeks said with a stupid grin on his face. He was wearing a muscle sure, showing off his body while his friend was doing the same.
Luke remained seated eating his ice cream, Julia was relieved. She gave a fake smile at the boys and simply answered back with a, "Hello."
"I'm Mark, and this is Ethan. We both are really good with Breesport how about I show you around. Unless you want those paparazzi doing it for you."
She didn't like him one bit. His voice, body language, eagerness to meet her. Back in Manchester the boys were more reserved, they took things a lot slower. Either this was a bad start or a lot of American boys were this way.
"I'm good I know my way around thank you, besides I have my little brother with me," she half lied trying to get away from them without being totally rude.
"Your accent...wait, are you Julia Beaumont. You're so beautiful!" the flirty boy's friend said raising his eyebrows.
"This is when I leave," she muttered. Julia walked away and grabbed Luke. He held on to his ice cream and followed her out towards the door.
"Julia wait! Come on please! Look at me girl," one of the boys said.
Julia didn't wait for anyone. She walked right out of the store passing by as much paparazzi as she could while holding onto Luke. Flashing lights and cameras on her face, overhead microphones capturing her every breath. She hated this way of life.
After what seemed like endless amounts of paparazzi, a limo pulled up in front of Julia and Luke. At first the siblings were taken off guard, until the window rolled down and it was her father. She let out her breath, relieved it wasn't anyone else.
"Hey kids get in, I'm taking you both back home."
Julia, without hesitation, jumped into the car along with Luke. In all of her years she was never more happy to see her dad. Her father waved to the paparazzi and then took off in the limo.
There was a couple moments of silence until her father spoke up, "Hey guys when you get home I want you both to shower and to wear something decent. We're going to an expensive restaurant after we go to the dealership."
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Harrison joined his uncle early in the morning in their kitchen. It was smaller, didn't need to be big for one older man and a young adult. His uncle was drinking coffee, as usual in the mornings. Harrison came out of his room wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. It was a basic outfit but he never needed to dress up. He hardly went out anymore and there was not need to look presentable.
"You're going to the shop today right?" Harrison asked as he poured himself a glass of orange juice from the refrigerator.
"I don't know kid, I'm thinking about watching that celebrity show," he joked looking up from his newspaper.
"The Kardashians?" Harrison asked back adding on.
"I don't know, maybe I'll investigate in that client of ours."
Harrison laughed, "I doubt he even has the temper."
"But yes," his uncle stopped, "I am coming to the shop with you."
"Good, I can't stand it when I'm alone there sometimes."
"Eh, some day you might have to get used to it Harrison. Who knows?" his uncle got up from the bar seat with his coffee, grabbing his car keys, "Maybe someone will join you."
"Yeah I've heard Preston is a good match for me."
The two laughed and drove their way to the auto shop. The drive was short as usual. They took his uncle's car instead of taking the Aston Martin. Midway through their drive to the auto shop, Harrison's phone began to buzz in his pocket. He picked it up and saw Preston calling him.
He answered the phone, "Preston?"
There was a definite rush of loud music and screaming in the background, Preston was definitely at a party. "Hey man! Bro you gotta come join me. They're hosting a party at this girls house to celebrate racing-."
Harrison immediately covered his phone, being paranoid that his uncle would hear. "Preston I told you I'm done with all that, besides I gotta work."
"You always work man."
"Yeah and I enjoy it, I gotta go."
"Suit yourself Harrison...woah Gracie! Come over here," the phone call ended.
Harrison typically wasn't one to party. Despite how hard-working he was and how he didn't have a time for these type of things, Harrison was old-fashioned. He didn't want to go to a party were there was illegal substances or drinking involved, he would much rather go to a classical party and listen to music, new or old.
Harrison and his uncle arrived at the shop. They parked their SUV in the usual spot they always do. Harrison ran up to the front door and flipped the open sign as Scott unlocked all the doors with his key. It was their daily routine. Harrison then joined his uncle in the shop to begin their day.
Harrison took out his most used parts and lairs them out separately for easy access. They had a couple cars to work on today and it seemed like an easy day. Each car had a view bumps, nothing more. The one car Darren left from the other night was still parked I the same spot. Harrison was going to give him a couple of days before ether scrapping it himself or having a truck tow it. It added character to their auto shop. The auto shop was tiny like Darren said, but it was one of the best and nicest. They had an inside area that had air conditioning and where the cast register resided. Some clients would wait in there too. Then there was the other part of the shop that was a big garage with red walls and four fans to keep them cold due to no air conditioning in that part.
Harrison was twisting a valve on the hood of the car until he decided to speak up. "Uncle, when was the last time you talk to my father or mother?"
Scott paused from grabbing some screws from his table station. He looked over at Harrison, "I don't remember kid, I think it was when you ran to me."
"Wow, I still can't believe I did."
"I'm so happy you did Harrison."
The two men smiled at each other. Harrison wanted to go over and hug his uncle until he felt the usual black car liquid on his shirt. His uncle laughed and mocked his now darker stained shirt.
"Nice addition kiddo!"
"Oh shush," he replied.
The two men were having a fun day on the job like everyday. Motivating each other and working hard was their specialty until a very familiar limo drove up to their shop. The limo pulled into their drive way by surprise. Harrison immediately knew it was Darren. He stopped what he was doing and walked closer to the car. His uncle, who was a little frightened stayed back in the garage of the shop.
Darren got out of the limo. He was wearing a fancy tuxedo and combed his hair back. He gave Harrison an evil grin and held his arms out.
"Wow, great to see this place again," he said with nothing but cockiness and sarcasm in his voice.
"What are you doing here?" Harrison asked rolling his eyes taking on a B-boy stance.
"I'll make you a deal, as I'm on my way to my dinner, I see your shop, I think to myself about how terrible you were towards me. So I'll make you an agreement, you fix my car now, or I sue you and your precious uncle's shop. How does that sound?"
"Listen up you Yorkshire-!" Harrison was cut off by Darren.
"Please, I am from Manchester."
"So make yourself some crumpets and tea, we're done here."
"Okay, say goodbye to your precious shop."
"Stop it!" there was voice coming from the limo. It sounded like a young British girl. Harrison glanced over to see no one there, the windows were tinted but from where he was standing he didn't see anyone there. He looked back over that Darren getting ready to fire back until the voice got louder. She told them to stop once again. He looked back over to see a girl stepping out of the car walking over to the two men.
Both men looked at her as she walked towards them. She was wearing a short blue dress with her light brown hair parted to the side. Her light freckles and brown eyes defined in the sunlight. She was dressed up like Darren was. She was most likely his daughter but Harrison couldn't figure it out.
"You both are pathetic!" she yelled stepping in between both of them. Her British accent was not defined than her father's more pleasant and pretty sounding too.
"Father! This...man owns this shop. Clearly it's not as big as one of your fancy studios but just because a man is sticking up for himself doesn't mean you need to threaten him!"
"Julia please get back to the-." her father started but caught cut off my Julia.
"And you!" she turned around to look at Harrison while pointing. They made eye contact. He could see her features better, more defined. "You don't need to insult my father even if he is being a complete amateur!"
She walked away from the men, both were in shock from her burst. She saw Scott in the car shop trying to stay away. "It's okay, come out sir. I don't yell at you like these idiots."
Scott was relieved and did what Julia said. The four of them all stood together. Julia looked back and fourth from Harrison and her father.
"You both were so... immature! I can't believe I'm the one resolving this conflict," complained while rolling her eyes, "Father, you're not suing this innocent man and his uncle," she then turned back to Harrison. "And you...."
"Harrison," he answered for her trying to give her a fake smile.
"Harrison," she repeated, "You're going to fix my father's precious Porsche no matter how painful it might be. Now both of you please stop acting like children."
Julia's entire family was shocked, including Harrison and his uncle. While most of her family was just watching from the car, they all felt something different and her. They watched her opinion spark. It was almost like a revolutionary event to watch.
Harrison chuckled, "Listen up sweetheart this is our shop..." he trailed off looking at her. Something about her made him very angry, but something else about her made him very interested. She was smart and possibly seemed nice, if this wasn't a first impression. She rested her arms crossed while waiting for his response he smiled at her and then said something he never thought he would, "Well Miss Beaumont, let's fix your father's car."