Twisted - Tangled Limbs Sequel (Shannon Leto Fanfiction)

Chapter 1

(Shannon's POV)

Trigger Warning:  Language

One of the perks of being a celebrity rock star is the vast selection and availability of women and I'd played that field avidly over the years. Scattered in between were relationships with gorgeous and noteworthy women—but the one who truly captured my heart didn't fall into any of those categories. Her name was Melissa—Missi for short—but I called her Miss.

We wanted to be together indefinitely but had a mutual distaste for marriage. We'd agreed on a domestic partnership agreement instead, but never made it that far before things fell apart. I delusionally questioned her loyalty in such an immature and callous way that she left, taking my heart with her but leaving no indication as to her whereabouts. I longed to see her again for many reasons, most importantly I wanted to express deep regret for my unwarranted lack of trust and how badly I'd conveyed it.

Missi and I spent our first romantic encounter at a place she adored in Monterey. I'd chosen that spot since she felt her soul was spiritually bound to an isolated cypress tree there. It made a perfect getaway and gave us time to get to know one another without distraction.

I couldn't help thinking about Missi as I sat in a restaurant not far from there with my current girlfriend Jeanie. We'd met months after Missi left. A business trip had taken me to Seattle and she and I were leisurely exploring the coast on our way back to LA.

I was lost in my head as we waited for our meal until a flash of light caught my attention. I glanced up, thinking it might be someone taking pictures. I was dumbfounded when I realized where it had originated. Watching the cypress pendant dangle from the waitress' necklace as she leaned over the table filled me with hope that it might somehow lead to Missi. I saw it as a sign since I'd given Missi one exactly like it and it had been hard to find.

I tried playing it cool, merely complimenting her on it before asking where she acquired such a lovely piece. She kindly told me that she'd borrowed it from a roommate.

'I knew a woman who had one exactly like it. Just out of curiosity, what's your roommate's name?' I inquired.

'Her name is Mel.'

'As in Melissa?'

'No, Melanie.'

'Hmm, two Mel's with the same necklace. What a coincidence.'

'I guess so.' She replied politely, but I could tell she seemed somewhat leery of my questioning. I kept talking nonetheless.

'Perhaps your roommate's also a writer then?'

'She did mention publishing a book, but she hasn't written since her accident.' She replied and excused herself to tend to other patrons.

Even though the names were different I needed to know for sure. I assumed Missi had changed her name after she left since the man I hired to locate her hadn't come up with any leads.

I left the waitress a generous tip, appreciative of her willingness to engage in conversation. I needed a break from driving anyway, so Jeanie and I checked into a nearby hotel. She had something in mind that I rarely refuse, but I was too distracted to carry through. I bowed out, telling her there was something I needed to take care of and would return shortly.

I studied the restaurant parking lot until the waitress' shift ended and followed her to a small cluster of homes along the ocean. I took note of the house she entered, then parked at the end of the street. There was a path leading down to the beach, so I followed it to get a glimpse at the back of the house.

My breath caught in my chest as I approached it. On the deck stairs sat a woman striking the same reverent pose Missi struck when she was enamored by something. If it indeed was her that something would have been the mesmerizing rhythm of the waves, but I couldn't make out her face with the hat and sunglasses she was wearing.

'Come on Mel.' A man called as he exited the house next door.

A black Labrador Retriever followed close behind him and bolted over to her immediately upon sight. She greeted the dog affectionately, unlike the man she embraced only briefly. I followed behind them as they began walking down the beach, distancing myself so as not to be intrusive. Mel's hair was brown instead of blond, her build and mannerisms were much like Missi's however. The man was tall and fit although quite a bit older.

Once they started walking back I swallowed hard in anticipation. As the distance between us closed, the dog ran ahead to greet me despite the man's command to halt.

'No worries, I'm a dog lover.' I shouted and stooped down to pet the dog.

I hesitated briefly before standing back up, then faced the moment of truth. The smile and shape of her face were undeniable, and I longed to rub her cheekbones lovingly one more time. The only thing missing was any sign of recognition or acknowledgement. She was quite convincing if she was pretending not to know me. They continued walking after the man apologized for the dog's disobedience. I started wondering if I'd merely seen what I wanted to see—the face that still haunted my dreams.

I passed them again on my way back, and the familiar sound of her laughter discharged any doubt as to her identity. Intense anger flared inside, and my first inclination was to drive away and never look back. She clearly wanted nothing to do with me.

As I got in the car it struck me how Missi rarely ever concealed anything since her facial expressions gave her away. Her brief smile appeared friendly, but her face was void of any noticeable emotion. I couldn't leave without having something more, so I jotted down the addresses and license plates of the vehicles parked at her house and the man's next door.

Jeanie was in a snit when I returned to the hotel and demanded an explanation. I told her the truth, that seeing Missi again made me realize I wasn't really over her.

'So that's what the thing with the necklace was about?' She huffed.

'Yes' I answered calmly.

'Where the hell does that leave me?' She shouted.

'I honestly can't say right now. It's tearing at me Jeanie and I have to know more.'

'Send me a postcard when you figure it out.' She replied sarcastically, then called for a cab.

I insisted she take money to get back to LA. I kept telling her how sorry I was, but she ignored me as she gathered up her things. I couldn't blame her for being upset, I definitely hadn't seen this coming either.