Legacy Diaries: Book 2

West Coast Bound

I gazed at the chess pieces in front of me as I pondered my next play. It's been a little over two weeks since we've returned from France and things haven't been exactly peachy. Alec scoffed as he moved his chess piece catching my attention.

"You're the one who entered into my dream to play chess with me." I irritably stated.

"If my intent was to play chess with you, I would've destroyed you after my second turn. You are quite a terrible challenger." He captured my queen.

"Then why didn't you?"

"It'd have been anticlimactic if I destroyed you after your first move. This is actually Madison and my favorite game. It's a game of intellect and we would often oscillate between who won."

"Sounds amazing." I was bored out of my mind. "Why'd you really come if it wasn't to play chess with me?" I rested my cheek on the palm of my hand.

"To ask how you were doing after..." he waved his hand around absentmindedly. "Everything."

"Well, everything's turned to shit. Alaric was fuming when he found out. Josie could barely keep it together since Madison simply left her a rose and note before hightailing it out of here. Don't ask me what's in the note because Josie refuses to show anyone. She cries herself to sleep every night. Josie even decided to adopt Axel, Madison's snake. I mean I'm not complaining. I want that thing out of my room, but Lizzie isn't happy that she's sharing a room with a black mamba. Imra and Hailey weren't told where Madison disappeared to. They know more than they are letting on though. Landon-" Alec's scoff interrupted me. I glared at him, but he beckoned me to continue. "Has frustrated me to no end. He decided that we should take a break. So yep, we're now on a break. And summer break is in 2 days and I don't know what I'm gonna be doing. I don't really go home anymore since my parents were murdered and the twins are spending time with Caroline in Europe. Oh and I'm still pissed about everything that I learned from Jax. You and Madison are master manipulators. Like you literally knew she could bring my parents back, but you didn't command her to. And literally everything else that is wrong with Madison!" My shoulders were going up and down. I took a deep breath to calm my erratic breathing. Alec offered me a glass of water which I gladly took. He watched me gulp down the contents before he spoke.

"Sounds like you had a rough couple of weeks." I glared at him. "What are your plans for the summer? Your friends are leaving and I doubt you want to rely on that gnome for company since you two aren't exactly doing well."

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'll probably go back to New Orleans and stay with Aunt Freya." I slumped my shoulders. I really didn't want to be in a city where I was reminded of being an orphan.

"Why don't you spend the summer in LA? With me and my friends. We'd be happy to host you." Alec inquired. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when I heard his offer.

"Really?"

"Yea why not? You could see the California culture and live the lifestyle for a few months. You never really got to enjoy LA that much. You were only there for a short amount of time. Also, I think the change of scenery would do you well. So what do you say? Wanna come to LA for the summer?"

"Uh, ya!" I blurted out. Alec smiled at my excited state.

"Alright. I'll extend my stay so that we can leave together." He gulped the remaking drops of bourbon left in his glass. "Shall we play another match?" He gestured to the chess board.

"Only if I get to move first!" Alec rolled his eyes, but nodded.

X

I looked around at the airstrip when we exited the private jet. Alec directed me to a Porsche SUV. The chauffeur opened the door and closed it once Alec and I were situated. He began driving and, right before we exited the airport, he made a left. He stopped and opened the doors. Alec exited first and I followed after him, slightly confused. Could Alec only afford to have a driver for less than 100 meters? I was about to ask him what was going on, but he walked to a helicopter. Alec got in the back and began to put his helmet on. He finally noticed that I stopped and was staring at him in utter confusion. I could tell he was annoyed when he waved me over. I decided to just enter the aircraft. Alec helped to make sure that I was properly situated.

"Can you hear me?" His staticy voice echoed through my head. I nodded. "Good." He patted my helmet.

"Why are we in a helicopter? Thought we're in LA." I shouted over the whirring noise from the helicopter.

"You really think I'd battle LA traffic?" He snarkily asked.

"Where in LA do you live?!" I shouted.

"You don't need to shout. I can hear you just fine and in the Bu." He noticed my confused face, so he clarified. "Malibu. It isn't far from LAX, but the traffic to get there is terrible. The skyline of LA is beautiful. Look." He pointed to the different buildings. It really was pretty. Unfortunately, my sightseeing didn't last long since we began descending. I noticed that the helipad was on top of a house. Wait?! I didn't know they had a helicopter. Alec helped me out when we landed. He led me inside and down many, many stairs. "It's gonna be a slow day for you. Since it's 8 on a Saturday night, no one will really be home. That being said, I assume Taiga made dinner before returning to the hospital... and I'm right. Hope you like lobster thermidor. He's been obsessed with lobster dishes recently." Alec dished out two tails and placed some scalloped potatoes on my plate before sticking it in the microwave. "So..."

"So what?"

"Do you like lobster?"

"Do I have a choice?" I quipped.

"Not unless you want In N Out. I'm not well versed in the kitchen." The microwave beeped and Alec took the plate out and placed it on the counter. I took a seat on the barstool and began eating. I nearly moaned in satisfaction. Alec placed a bottle of water next to me. I thanked him and continued to eat. He poured himself a glass of bourbon and scrolled through his phone. Once I was done, Alec placed the plate in the dishwasher. He then told me to follow him. Fast forward through more turns and stairs, we finally stopped outside of a door. Alec glanced at me. He looked slightly nervous, but quickly shook off that foreign feel and opened the door. I gasped when I entered the room.

The room was painted with a pop art style aesthetic. Vinyls, photographs, and paintings decorated the walls. There was a bookshelf that housed cameras, art supplies, and few books. A swing chair was placed in the corner next to a lamppost. It was situated next to the window so I could gaze at the beautiful ocean. An easel was also in the room. Drawers of art supplies were adjacent to the easel. Pints of paint and brushes were neatly placed in the corner.

"We thought you might want to redecorate if you didn't like the aesthetic." Alec spoke up behind me. "Also, the bathroom is that way and the closet is over there." He quickly pointed around the room.

"I love it! Who's idea was this?"

"Madison's. She painted this room for you. Claimed that you're more of a grunge type girl, but she didn't want you to be dark and emo all the time." He shrugged.

"Wait... she painted this for me?"

"Yeah. I mean you can paint over it if you don't like it. It's your room after all."

"My room?" I pointed at myself.

"Yes." Alec slowly answered. "We had it built after you visited. Madison said that you'd probably be back after coming here, so we decided to give you your own room. Figure you didn't want to constantly stay in Madison's room." He smiled.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I squeezed Alec tight.

"No problem. Would you like me to stay or are you settled?" I was about to ask him about my luggage, but I saw it neatly placed in the corner. The helicopter pilot must've brought it in.

"Nope. I'm good." I smiled.

"Great. See you in the morning." Alec slightly smiled before closing the door behind him. I flopped onto the purple bed. I let out a content sigh before drifting off to sleep.