Walter and Sydney were the people who graciously took me in. They were good, distant but kind enough to hold any sort of grudge against me. Jared was their only child. For the past five years, he had been studying in some Ouran academy built by the rich and for the rich. Mostly Sydney and Walter visited him and over the period of two years I rarely saw him. Vacations which I had to spend with my grandmother were the period I loathed the most. She hated my dad and the only thing she discussed was how much she was against my mother marrying my dad and the physical outcome of the marriage. I hated that because I had seen the love in my father's eyes when he talked about my mother. I was six when the mother departed.
"She was the brightest star that burned in my life. She was the strongest, most beautiful women I had ever met. Vera when leukemia was diagnosed, she never once broke down. She made every little moment worthwhile and yes, she broke down once, but not by the fear of death, but for losing you and me." He finished in a trance and I felt my eyes moisten up.
"Vera. Vera.Wake up."
I opened my eyes. I turned my head and saw Jared leaning against the door frame. He had changed, but still was all in black. Six feet and three inches tall with piercing in his left ear.
"So where's Charlotte?"
Charlotte was our house maid who did everything from cooking to cleaning.
"On leave." I replied "Her daughter had a child."
"Oh, so you must be hungry and you can cook being a girl and all."
"No Jared I am not hungry."
I tried not to smile and return that serious expression of his. He wove his hands through his hair.
"Fine then, I am cooking."
"Sure. I will join you. Just tell me when you are done."
He eyed me and went out. I dosed off again and then the fire alarm went off. The first thing I noticed when I entered the kitchen was smoke and the second was confused Jared standing in the middle of the room wearing an apron.
"You can always order. You know." I turned to him, hands on hips after dealing with the crisis.
" That would hurt my manly ego." he smirked
I rolled my eyes, moved forward and my leg collided with a steel container.
"Ouch!"I winced. " You know what? You clean, I'll cook."
The kitchen was a mess. Ingredients were scattered here and there, packets lying open, dishes stacked high. I got the veggies from the refrigerator and fried them in olive oil. Meanwhile, Jared was making faces throwing the ugly, black, smelly mixture into the bin.God knows what he was trying to cook. I helped him set up the table.
"You looked good in an apron."I said, taking a gulp of coke.
"Like a sexy maid?"he grinned, showing a set of perfect white teeth.
"Yeah, if the maid was Charlotte."
Charlotte was bulky with gray hair sprinkled with a little black. She was in her fifties. He shuddered and shrugged
" Nah I am cool."
The bell rang. "I will get it. Probably your parents." I said and hurried to the door. Sydney was short, blue eyed and blond haired. I opened the door and let them in.
"Vera I think it is an elementary lesson not to let strangers inside the house."Sydney said handing me her files.
I turned around and saw him standing in the hallway.
"Uh..."
She looked closer and recognition passed in her eyes
"Jared..."
"What are you doing here?"Walter asked, coming from behind. His voice higher than usual. Jared fished a piece of paper from his pockets and handed it to his father.
"You have got some pretty tall explaining to do, son."Walter took a deep breath and handed the paper back to Jared. "Meet me in my room," and Jared like an obedient child followed.
"So what's your school like?" Jared asked, throwing himself on the couch beside me, snatching the remote from my hand. I narrowed my eyes. It had been a week since he arrived and all he did was to laze around.
"Its normal like most high schools. The jocks, nerds, the clique group you know. Why do you ask?"
"Cause tomorrow I am starting."
"What? Seriously? What about Ouran Academy?"
"Guess I didn't fit there." Something about his tone and expression made me shut up
"Here Jared." Sydney said, handing him a couple of bills
"No mom you cannot buy Vera. It's a free country and believe me this curse of slavery must be eliminated by sheer force. Now only a hundred dollars more can make me change my decision." I smacked his arm
Sydney crossed her eyes. "Jared stop that babbling. I want you to change this look of yours. I don't want my son to look like a paid assassin intent on destroying."
" You know what mom you can have Vera on discounted price."
"Jared as long as you are my son you have to abide by the rules."Sydney said her voice coaxing
"Dad." Jared turned to Walter. "Tell Mom..."
"Son in my office, I am considered a boss. In the house, your mom rules and no one wants to ruin their reputation in front of the president."
Sydney satisfied turned to Jared "So get yourself some colored clothes, remove that piecing NOW, get a haircut, is that a dye?"she said taking a handful of his hair in her hand.
"No."
"Good. Out of the house. NOW" She grabbed his hand pushed him out and closed the door with a satisfied grin on her face.
"Hey, can you give me a ride to school. I don't own a car."
I was enjoying my cup of coffee when I heard his voice. I turned around with a start.
"Do you have a habit of occasionally popping out of nowhere?"
"Not that I know of."
That is when I noticed him. He was dressed in dark blue shirt with jeans emphasizing his eyes, his hair cropped short. He was handsome I would give him that. He noticed that I was gawking. "Stunned much?"
"You are a shape-shifting demon."
"I would take that as a compliment."
"Let me get my bag. I will meet you in the garage"I said and got out of the kitchen.
"Does your car work?"He asked, patting my red minivan. It was old, but I loved it anyway, I had bought it with my own allowance. I didn't like my foster parents to spend undue money on me.
"Yup, it runs."
"I would be surprised if it walks, let alone runs."
"It isn't that bad. Just get in."
I got in and inserted the key into the ignition and turned. Once, twice, thrice. Nope. No response
"Let's walk its only a few blocks away. You know we should enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of nature. Our daily lives have become so hectic that we do not take solace in nature."
"Is it you or Davies speaking?" he knitted his brows together. "Anyways, just get out."
I got out and kicked the tire. "Stupid, stubborn creature. Aren't you?"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
So here's the next part. Please read and please comment, would be humbled I would love to hear from u guys. That is what would make all the effort worthwhile. (that rhymed) I will be waiting :)
HAPPY READING..
