GREED

by Veronica Soliman

  "I was looking for you. Excuse me for violating your privacy but I knew you'd be here and we need to talk." She looked excited and worried at the same time. Like I'd kick her out for wanting to talk. I smirked, staring into her sparkling brown eyes.

  "So talk." I cooly smirked, leaning on the wall and crossing my arms.

  "Can we talk outside, I'm getting a bit claustrophobic in here." She whispered, the smell and mood in here was intoxicating. And I hadn't planned on talking to her for a while. Or more like forever.

  "Do you, uh, want to talk over some food?" I asked clearing my throat as her eyes widened. She must've thought I was asking her on a date, "you must be hungry." I added. She smiled, any signs of insulting me weren't present, I guess that's a good sign.

  "Yeah, I'd like that very much." After three weeks of not even looking at one another, it felt nice to see her. Even though it was my fault for those three weeks.

  Each day I'd come home and see my bed made and the trash I'd left on the floor gone. Other than that, she was a horrible maid. The laundry was never washed and neither were the dishes.

  She had destroyed Amy's second doll by leaving it in a tub of hot water and chlorine. The doll lost all color and was folded into itself, so I settled for buying Amy a teddy bear and specifically warning her to not let Summer wash it.

  We walked down the street to a small restaurant beside the flower shop. I held the door open for her, she looked extremely surprised, like I'd never held a door open for her before. I probably hadn't.

  "Thank you." She said warmly as we took a seat near the outside window.

  I'd never been on a date before so it felt odd. Not that this was a date.

  Because it isn't. A date. Which it's not.

  "What did you want to say Summer Gray?" I had a silly half smile on my face, that rhymed. She stared at me silently for a second contemplating whether or not she should say something.

  "Why have you been avoiding me?" She blurted, staring at me with her intense brown eyes.

  "What do you mean? Why would I be avoiding you? You're my friend." I smirked, again she seemed to be studying me, she wasn't buying it.

  "Yeah friend, why have you been avoiding me?" She crossed her arms, the victorious smile on her face again.

  "Well friend it's been unintentional. I guess, I've been too caught up with work." I lied.

  "You're a terrible liar " She leaned forward, studying my face.

  "What would you two like to order?" The waiter asked, looking at Summer.

  "Whatever the special is, we'll take two."

  "Okay so two cheeseburgers, what would you like on the side?"

  "Chicken noodle soup!" Summer said loudly before I could answer, the guy gave her an amused look. I wanted him to go away.

  "I'll have some fries." I said turning my attention back to her.

  My parents thought she was a terrible maid and starting yesterday, they began looking for a new one. I didn't mind, until now. They're probably bringing Paula back.

  "So princess, how's your," I cleared my throat, having trouble getting the word out, "boyfriend?"

  "He's okay. How have you been. " She turned her eyes on me as the waiter brought our side dishes first.

  Horrible. I wanted to say. I miss you. I wanted to say. But couldn't bring myself to utter a word. We had known each other for only three days and I'd felt we'd connected, on an emotional level. And I'd never had that with anyone before.

  "Good." I smirked, leaning forward so our faces were near. Her cheeks turned red and I heard her breathing hitch, I knew I had an effect on her. She pulled away quickly just as the waiter brought our side dishes.

  I looked at her face brighten up once the chicken noodle soup went in front of her. I laughed lightly, rolling my eyes.

  Summer Gray

  He wanted to go on a date. He hadn't exactly said it, but it was implied. I mean what else would a boy and a girl do at a restaurant. Aiden wasn't the hang out type of guy. He was more of a Netflix and Chill kind of guy except no Netflix and just Chill.

  As soon as the waiter put my chicken noodle soup in front of me, my mood went from okay to amazing. I was so happy. After taking a few giant scoops of soup into my mouth, I looked up at Aiden's electric eyes, he had an amused grin on his face.

  "Shut up." I mumbled, taking another sip of the soup.

  "Why don't you." He whined, taking a bite of his cheeseburger. I couldn't control myself, watching him eat, taking that bite out of that burger made me feel like I was getting a heart massage.

  "So I haven't been seeing you around school." I continued, trying to make conversation. He seemed to be sick of my small talk, my trying to be nice small talk.

  "Summer, stop," he laughed, "this is weird, since when were you so nice?" He licked his lips seductively. I shut my eyes, looking back down at my soup.

  I was not attracted to him, I just missed his annoying presence.

  "You're right, just kidding, you're never right!" I laughed yelling as he looked at me like a chicken running around without a head. He must've thought I'd gone crazy. But since when did I care what Aiden Black thinks of me?

  "I'd better be getting back to the Luzerne," he said ashamedly.

  "Am I not enough company?" I crossed my arms, pursing my lips. He wanted to leave this friend date when it was his idea.

  "Yeah." He smirked, my mouth gaped open.

  "Well you don't get to leave. Because I'm leaving." I stood up and walked to the door, I walked back quickly grabbing my chicken noodle soup, I gave him an embarrassed smile and began walking out of the restaurant.

  "Was that Aiden Black?" The lady from the flower shop earlier asked, a wild expression on her face. She seemed to be extremely surprised.

  "Yeah."

  "Were you two on a date?" She asked as I took the last sip of the soup and threw the plastic spoon and bowl into the trash.

  "No."

  "Well that's hard to believe, you actually got him to leave the Luzerne, that boy hasn't left that place in three weeks." She went on a thoughtful smile was on my face.

  "I've got to go." I said, about to walk back into the restaurant to shout at him some more when the door opened and knocked me to the ground.

  He stood over me laughing. This arrogant jerk.

  "Jerk," I muttered, "help me up." I clutched my forehead glaring at his face.

  "I've always wanted you below me," he winked, not bothering to help me up.

  "Aiden if I get a concussion and die that'll be your fault, and you better say nice things about me during my funeral!" I yelled as he laughed, holding his hand out for me. I stared at his hand for a second, knowing this would be one of his tricks.

  "Sike." He smirked, pulling his hand away when I reached for it.

  "I didn't need your help anyway." I shouted, helping myself up.

  "You never did." He laughed, as I began patting the dirt off of me. "Need help getting that dirt off?"

  "I hate you." I mumbled watching him laugh. He turned his attention to the flower shop.

  "Those flowers are almost as beautiful as me," he laughed.

  "Your ego reaches the moon." I began walking away.

  "Summer, you didn't let me finish." He laughed walking beside me as I sped up.

  "I'm going home. My mom's going to a business meeting tomorrow and I'm going to make sure she leaves the key under the carpet this time." I hopped into my car, frustrated, I starting the engine.

  Aiden doesn't change.

  Aiden Black

  My eyes scanned the area, curious eyes stared at me from shops all around. They were all probably thinking how I'd finally left the Luzerne.

  In all honesty, I had no desire to go back to the Luzerne. I was getting sick of the place and the same sex with the same strippers. I wanted to fire them all and hire new ones. Or hire Summer as my personal one that nobody will even be allowed to look at.

  I walked to the spot I'd parked my motorcycle and put my helmet on.

  Summ
er said her mom was leaving for another business trip. And she was leaving the key under the carpet.

  And I wanted her to spend those two days with me, maybe torture her a little. Summer being here today made for the best birthday present, even though she won't let me unwrap her. I laughed at my own thoughts.

  I have made up my mind, an evil plan forming in my handsome head.

  I've got a key to steal.

  Chapter 14: Raincheck

  Summer Gray

  Ryder wanted to spend some time together tonight, he'd also suggested I stay the next two days at his house but I assured him I would be in my own home.

  He wanted to take us on a trip to the beach, which I'd eagerly refused since it was well below freezing outside. Sometimes I don't understand what he plans.

  So he changed our plans to staying in and watching a movie. I had agreed, since I absolutely loved his house and his mom was the nicest lady ever. Even though his sister always had a different guy over in her room, those noises bothered me.

  "So what do you want to watch?" I asked as we sat on the couch.

  "You." He smirked. It was a total Aiden thing of him to say.

  "Funny, Ry, how about we watch that Disney movie on Netflix, Invisible Sister?"

  "I'm fine with that." I sat beside him as he awkwardly placed his arm around my shoulder.

  "I'll go get popcorn." I said about to get up and away from his uncomfortable grasp when his mom walked in with popcorn in her hands. How lucky.

  "Well, seems like you like to work outside of work." He chuckled referring to the maid job. "You never did tell me who lives in that house."

  "Nobody you'd know." I smiled, lying for his own protection. I wasn't about to tell him Aiden lived there because I knew for a fact that he'd probably get himself beat up.

  "Well you know what I know?" He smiled, putting the popcorn on the floor and facing me.

  "What do you know?" I whispered as his lips began inching forward.

  "I know that I love you." He said. I never did return the favor of those three meaningful words, nor did I want to, I mean not this soon anyway.

  His lips on mine sent jolts that lasted for milliseconds, after a while I began feeling disgusted by the spit exchange and pulled away. A fake smile on my face.

  "Did I do something wrong?" He furrowed his brows.

  "No." I said.

  "Then why won't you kiss me?"

  "I. . .um. . .on my period," I lied, "just need a breath." I said again.

  "Oh." He simply said. Aiden snaked into my mind, if I'd told him that he probably would've made me chicken noodle soup, or walked out. I'm not quite sure, Aiden is pretty unpredictable, one minute he's the sweetest guy ever and the very next he's the biggest jerk.

  "Yeah sorry. Maybe you can try that later." I tried but he gave me a puzzled look.

  I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he figured something out.

  "You work for Aiden!?" He asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes, begging me to deny it.

  "Ryder, does it really matter who I work for?"

  "And you like him too!" He shouted, standing up infuriated, "How had I not seen it before, why else would you have been at that party, and the café that morning. Why didn't you tell me?" He asked, clearly not looking for an answer.

  "I don't like Aiden, we're not even friends." I said, there was a bit of truth to that, a very small bit of truth.

  "So you're defending him too!" He shouted in his total aha moment. I glared at him for a minute.

  "No, why the heck would I like Aiden? He's a womanizing jerk, besides I have you. I can't believe you'd accuse me of that. And yes I do work for him, but he's never around so you have nothing to worry about. How could you even say that, you don't trust me do you. Well look here Ryder King, the only one who should be trying to gain someone's trust is you. You freaking cheated on me and we never even talked about it." I yelled back, anger boiling my blood. I felt tears sting my eyes. Ugh, why am I such a crybaby.

  Maybe it's because I'm on my fake period.

  "Summer." He said, sadness in his eyes, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you, I should've worded it differently." He said.

  "Ryder I just want to go home. Please?" I said, staring sadly at him.

  "Summer. . ." He whined. If I'd told Aiden I wanted to go home he would've flat out said no. I guess he is a little predictable.

  "Look how about you stay the night and I'll drive you there tomorrow."

  "Ryder, babe, I wish I could, but I have to get the key from mom or make sure she doesn't forget to put it under the rug before she leaves tomorrow morning." I gave him a playful look,"raincheck?"

  "Yeah sure. " He smiled, looking at my lips and back to my eyes. I really didn't want to kiss him right now. His breath reeked of popcorn.

  "So let's go then?" I smiled, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. I just didn't want to start any problems between him and Aiden. Aiden was my boss and I couldn't afford to get fired.

  "Uh, yeah?" He smiled unsure.

  Aiden Black

  There it was!

  I had found the key under the rug minutes after her mom had put it. I grabbed the weirdly slimy thing and held it in front of my face, it seemed rather slippery and cracked to be a key. It began moving around in my finger, my eyes widened as I held in my scream.

  I stared at the hideous lizard in my hands, screaming this time as I threw it onto the floor.

  That's foul play Summer Gray, but she wouldn't have known that I wanted to steal her key. Could she?

  Suddenly a light turned on. I had two options: fight or flight.

  I decided to cooly stand there and wait for her mom to open the door. So I knocked.

  The door opened minutes later.

  "Hi?" Her mom looked almost exactly like her, but older, and manlier. She furrowed her brows staring at me, confused.

  "Hi I'm Aiden Black. " I held my hand out for her to shake, smirking all at once.

  "So you're the boy my daughter works for?"

  "That would be me." I chuckled lightly,"anyway Mrs. Gray, Summer told me to get the key for her since she can't get it herself at the moment." I smirked, hoping she would believe me.

  "Oh of course, Ryder must have her very busy right now." She winked laughing heartily, "I'll go get it. You can come in if you like." Her mom said welcoming me in. I felt angry upon hearing the name of Ryder. I hated that asshole and if he kept up his act I would plan on hurting him.

  "Thank you." I said, looking around at her decent sized house.

  "Here you are, would you like to stay for some tea?" She smiled, handing me the key just as I heard the door to her house shut. I put the key into my pocket.

  "Mom! My car is back! I am so sick of. . ." Summer looked at me, "what is he doing here?"

  "He is. . ." Her mom began.

  "Here to see you! Summer you're home! Yay." I smirked as she glared at me.

  "You can give it to her later, I'll go make some tea for us then." Her mom wandered off into the kitchen, a secret smile on her face.

  "You can give me what later?" She raised an eyebrow.

  "Shower sex, what do you say Summer?" I tried as she glared at me a little bit of pink rising to her cheeks.

  "You're disgusting." She said, taking a seat on the couch. I looked at her for a few seconds, then sat on her. "Aiden get off!" She pushed, I wouldn't budge.

  "I'm pretty comfortable, your boobs make a pretty nice back rest." I smirked.

  "Sicko!" She shouted pushing me, this time I willingly moved and instead rested my head on her lap.

  "In other circumstances, we'd be doing this naked." I winked as she glared at me, shaking her head.

  "You're unbelievable. You and your naked thoughts, don't you have a strip club for that?" She said, laughing as her mom walked in. I reached for her hair that was hovering over my nose, playing with it.

  "Well don't you two look conformable. I'm going to go finish packing. Aiden you can stay i
f you like, after all you did bring her car back and probably don't have a ride, it is too dark to drive." She secretly smiled again as Summer's hand began playing with my hair. I don't think she noticed it either. I heard her about to shout no, so I cut her off.

  "I'd love to." I smirked as Summer glared.

  Summer Gray

  We went through seven movies until Aiden was finally asleep and I could get his annoying heavy head off my lap.

  Even in his sleep he was an asshole who didn't want to budge.

  It was way past midnight and we both had school, yet he wouldn't let me sleep in my room. Tomorrow would be friday.

  I groaned, resting my head on the back of the chair and shutting my eyes.

  I fell asleep on the couch, annoyed by the sounds of his light snores.

  ¤¤¤

  I felt an arm draped around my waist and cotton fabric in front of my face.

  I slowly opened my eyes, noticing I was on the inside of the couch and there was no way out. His face was toward me, the sun was bright in my living room.

  "Aiden, move." I croaked silently, trying to move our intertwined legs. He's so annoying, trapping me here. I looked at his face, his perfect eyebrows, his chiseled jaw. He was beautiful.

  When Aiden had his eyes closed, he seemed like the sweet innocent boy I had met seven years ago, but his noticing that I was watching him did not help my case.

  "Morning princess, admire me later, I have to get home." He yawned stretching and twisting us around to where I was now on the outside of the couch. He pushed me off the couch so he could sit up.

  "Jerk." I muttered, crossing my arms as I sat on the ground. It was too early for Aiden to ruin my day.

  "Shouldn't be saying that to a legal adult." He smirked, putting his elbows on his knees as he stared at me on the ground.

  "Really? Is today your birthday?"

  "Nope, that was yesterday." He smirked, standing up.

  "Why didn't you tell me you jerk?!" I slapped his arm." I could've given you your eighteenth birthday punches yesterday, but I guess today would work too."

  "Summer Gray you are the craziest woman I've ever met."

  "Technically I'm still a girl. " I said as he began laughing. He had the cutest teeth and the most perfect smile ever.