by Amarie Avant
“I’m going to look for a restroom,” she called over her shoulder, but Liam had already disappeared up the winding stairs.
Walking down a long corridor, Raven flicked the light to the first room. It was a dining room with a table for ten and leather high-back chairs, a bar with gleaming, chunky glasses. No dust. Who cleaned this place? Or maybe they just had a party or something. Raven flicked off the light. Curiosity had her stopping before the next closed door. She opened it and peeked her head inside. There was a grand piano to one side, and the other was overstuffed tan chairs. A wood coffee table with a fresh bouquet of flowers! Really, this is ridiculous. Someone has to be living here. Hell, a whole crowd of people could live here! She shook her head and walked out of that room.
A few more doors down, she found the bathroom. A large room with bright lights, a big glass shower, and two toilets–but one of the toilets was kind of weird looking with a sprout thingy. Shrugging, she went to the vanity, opening the mirrored shelves. Looking through each… Bingo, there were toothbrushes in individual packages. And…her eyes stopped on a big unused tube of toothpaste. Sighing, she brushed her teeth. Thank God!
~~~
After he grabbed the cashmere blanket, they walked the sandy shores. They passed a group of teens playing volleyball and a couple of afternoon tanners. The crowd was light, but it was a weekday. Raven’s stomach grumbled as Liam spread the blanket on the sand. It was almost three, and they hadn’t had lunch; besides, the sea had her breakfast. As if he read her mind, Liam opened the picnic basket and took out two sandwiches in clear baggies, inspected them.
“PB and J for me.” He put down the first one on his lap. “Peanut butter, honey, and slices of peaches for my boo.”
Grinning, her eyes glistened with tears. “You remembered?” Annette used to make their favorite sandwiches when they played… Until he disappeared.
“Yes, and I made them myself.” He bit into his sandwich with a smile.
“I’ll just pray that it’s safe,” Raven joked, seeing that she had to teach him how to wash dishes when they were kids. After he’d gotten the hang of it, she’d tricked him a few times into completing that tedious chore after dinner, saying that Granny had asked.
“Not too bad,” she said, after taking her first bite.
After they finished eating, Liam slipped out of his button up, pulled the undershirt over his head, and kicked off his Converse. He tugged at his shorts and pulled those off, too. Raven looked up at him. Her eyes brightened as she took a head-to-toe mental shot of a teenage girl’s fantasy. The sun torched his hair as he turned around and ran toward the water. The water splattered around his legs as he swam further out. Then he lunged in and swam.
Raven got up and took off her camisole and jean shorts, displaying a bright orange bikini. She sprinted in the soothing sand. Stopping abruptly, she almost fell forward as the water made her grit her teeth.
Liam’s head popped up about a yard away. “What are you waiting for?”
“It’s cold!”
He swam over. The water glistened off copper skin as he came up. It made the ripples in his arms and chest look all the more appealing.
“Stop being a big baby, ReRe.”
“Okay, ‘mud pie’ boy.” She laughed and started running away.
“You promised to never ever bring that up!” He ran after her along the coastline.
They were five when Granny had made chocolate fudge pie, but she’d only given Liam a small piece, telling him that Elise had complained. To make him feel better, Raven made some mud pies. He loved chocolate...
“Tasted good, didn’t it?” she tossed over her shoulder and kept running, feet sinking into the wet sand.
Then he lifted her by the waist, pulling her into his arms. “Are you going to take that back, Raven?”
“Chocolate-y and muddy? Probably a little crunchy, too.” She giggled.
“You’ll be sorry.” He waded into the water, holding her over his shoulder.
Raven finally pleaded for Liam’s forgiveness as he slapped her bottom and tossed her in.
Later on, they stopped to watch the sun go down as they lay on the blanket. The sky was a purplish blue where the sun had just been. She’d been excited when the big orange ball of fire dipped down just over the horizon, and then popped back up slightly before going down all the way. The sky turned purple quickly, and they lay back waiting for the stars to appear. Raven heard him moving around next to the picnic basket.
“What else did you pack in that thing?” she said with hands behind her head, looking up at the stars. They’d just eaten the dinner that the family chef had packed. She propped up on her shoulders as he dug into the basket. They’d eaten enough. What else was in the basket…
“Happy birthday to you!” Liam crooned. The flicker of the sparkler candle on a cupcake sent shadows across his face.
Is it my birthday? Her eyebrows knitted together. Oh yeah, I guess it is. Only thoughts of Los Angeles and Charlene were swirling around her mind for the past few days. Grandpa was always the one to make a big to-do about birthdays.
It was dark; she let the tears fall freely. Closing her eyes, Raven made a wish. No matter what tomorrow brings–Charlene…Grandpa–please let me always have Liam… She blew out the candle.
CHAPTER 18
“I’ve been stood up. I just can’t believe…yes! Sybille said her precious baby girl was sick, whatever!” Elise spat into the phone, complaining about a cancelled spa trip. She sipped espresso the butler handed her and watched as he walked away with her Louis Vuitton canvas luggage. Her lips pressed into a line as she thought about the new swimsuit she’d planned to wear, not to mention the stress that should’ve melted after a month away.
She let her friend’s words sooth her ranting. “…Yes, let’s go shopping and talk about the Brinton Museum Gala that we’re hosting at the end of summer. Hold on—” Elise stopped, noticing the maid smiling at her in the archway of the living room. “What?”
“I found the most beautiful poems in the world. You should keep these dear to your heart, not in the attic.” Lucinda held the pages to her own chest as if she treasured each word.
The love seeping from Lucinda made Elise want to roll her eyes. Smiling instead, she knew the special plans that she’d one day have for this naïve, eager-to-please girl. Having mastered the art of manipulating maids at a tender age, Elise knew that servants who thought they were important were more devoted than maids who knew the truth. Pathetic. They were like mangy dogs barking for a bone. Every once in a while, she relented, tossed a “doggy biscuit,” and that maid radiated loyalty. Right now, Elise needed a loyal maid.
Speaking low into the receiver, Elise said, “I’ll have to call you back.” She pressed the “off” button before her friend had a chance to respond.
Once a month, Lucinda dusted and polished the antiques that had been sent by Papa during his travels. Any destination for Pierre spurted a search for heirlooms and antiques. For the life of her, Elise was unable to persuade him to stop shipping her old junk! What were old love letters doing in the attic? She thought back to when she and Jonathan had moved into the brand-new mansion. He’d kept these letters and hid them in the attic?
Elise lengthened her swan-like neck, turned to the maid, providing her full attention. Lucinda was much like herself when she was younger; always looking for love. At first, Lucinda gave a look of trepidation. Their usual relationship consisted of Elise’s commands and Lucinda’s quick reaction. Just to nudge her in the right direction, Elise gave the maid a peep of her pearly whites. Like magic, Lucinda began to jabber.
Wow! She’s chatty. Elise held in her annoyance.
“…I didn’t know your husband wrote such…such art, Mrs. Delacroix Lemaître. I just wanted to cheer you up since you won’t be going on your trip.” Lucinda beamed, starry-eyed.
“Why, thank you, dear.” Elise smiled and took the poetry. Love letters that she’d never seen. She wouldn’t admit that the
letters were for Charlene Shaw. Owning the fact would put her on the same level as Lucinda–just for a moment, though–without power.
Lucinda’s eyes were on her, pleading for appreciation for the “good” deed. A frown almost took over. I don’t need you yet! It wasn’t necessary to be nice to the maid, but she felt that Lucinda would serve a purpose soon, so she had to put away her feelings of annoyance. With a shaky grin, she said, “That is all.”
The maid gave a satisfied smile, as if acknowledging Elise’s soft side. Cold as ice, Elise read each line. She imagined herself being the recipient. Jonathan hadn’t been that affectionate since Liam was born, and then it was merely the hunger of pure sexual appeal. For years, he had kept these letters!
~~~
The Lemaître’s state-of-the-art kitchen was every private chef’s dream, with stainless steel appliances, mosaic tile in natural tones, and barrel-vaulted ceilings. Jonathan sat in the kitchen, analyzing transcripts for a case. He scented Elise’s strong perfume. It was from her mother, Estella’s, line of perfumes. It actually smelled great, if his wife didn’t bathe in it.
He turned toward the arched entryway. A mauve silk robe was tied around her thin body, blonde hair hidden underneath a matching scarf. She held a thin stack of papers in her right hand and returned his stare.
Hand on slender hip, Elise spat, “Good morning, dear. Late night at work, again?”
“Yes. I’m preparing for a settlement this afternoon. We’ll go to dinner and celebrate later?” Jonathan stood, tried to give his wife a kiss on the cheek, but she turned her head.
“Still keeping love letters for Charlene?” Elise slapped the papers onto the marble countertop.
“Where did you find those?” Jonathan looked at them as if another person had written them. That was a long time ago. If he was correct, a poem should’ve surprised Charlene about his acceptance to USC and a promise to run away together was amongst the papers.
“The maid found them in the attic. Silly girl thought they were for me. Obviously not.”
The eyes never lied. The heiress’s eyes were a covetous shade of green. Oh, how she loathed the man but loved to fuck him, on occasion.
“Elise, those are old. Not to mention, I haven’t seen Charlene in over eighteen years.”
“You’ve written so many letters for that whore. You’ve never written me anything!”
“Don’t call her that. Don’t you dare!”
Elise flinched. Jonathan was certain she was afraid of the look in his eyes. She stopped arguing as Jonathan tightened his fingers by his side. She backed against the center island.
“Elise, I bet you don’t feel invincible, like the daughter of a billionaire that gets everything she wants, at least not at the moment,” Jonathan whispered, stepping closer to her, flexing and releasing his hands that itched to be wrapped around his wife’s tiny throat.
~~~
“Want to come in?” Liam pulled his keys out of the engine in front of his parents’ mansion.
Raven sat in the passenger seat, wringing her fingers. They were at the brink of locating her mother. She glanced at the airline tickets on the dashboard and shook her head.
“I’ll be back in a minute.” Liam shut the door.
He hurried past the lotus water fountain, ascended the steps to the towering front doors, and let himself in. Hearing his parents bickering in the kitchen, he tiptoed up the right side of the double staircase toward his childhood room. Opening the custom drawer of the now-empty aquarium, he put his arm inside until he felt a wad of cash hidden behind an old container of fish food. Sneezing from the dust, he put the money in his wallet as he walked to the door.
Heading down the stairs, Liam heard the level of his parents’ argument escalating. He tried to ignore them, but could have sworn he heard them mention Raven’s name…and then again. As quiet as could be, Liam ambled down the hallway. He stopped just outside the entryway to listen. His mother ceased her usual screaming, making hearing her a difficult feat.
“You still care about her, don’t you?” Elise’s voice was shaky.
“I love you, Elise. Charlene is gone! Get her out of your mouth. Get her out of that sick fucking brain of yours.”
Liam almost walked into the room to confront his parents and to clear up his confusion of what his father meant about caring for Raven’s mom. His heartbeat quickened, and he had to will himself to keep breathing as his mother yelled a reply that set fire to the love he felt for his Raven.
“Bullshit, and what about Raven–your daughter!”
Tiny, imaginary insects engulfed his body as Liam hurried outside. He gripped the handrail that led down the extended terrace. His legs wobbled as he neared the marble fountain. Leaning over, he threw up into the turquoise water. Moments later, he looked toward Raven in the car on the other side of the fountain. She had her head laid back in the headrest.
He sat on the ground for a few minutes, willing the coiling of his abdomen to subside. The girl that he loved was his half-sister. Head in his hands, Liam prayed to the Lord. Don’t let it be…
Finally, he understood his mother’s intentions. Elise had tried to prevent him from the heartbreak of being in love with the love child of his father. Sending him to Paris all those years ago, after seeing him kissing Raven, had been for a reason. Raven was supposed to be untouchable.
Liam stood up, no longer as comfortable as he had been when he first put on his most expensive pair of shoes. Taking a few cleansing breaths, he got in the car. The sound of the flow masters was dimmed in his mind as he turned the key in the ignition.
“Hey, babe, are you ready?” Raven opened her eyes when he started down the hill. She yawned. “I don’t know why I’ve been so sleepy for these past couple of weeks, but I’ll try to be better company. I promise.” She leaned over and touched his hand on the gear.
If he hadn’t been watching her from the corner of his eyes, he wouldn’t have known it, didn’t feel the stroke.
“Yeah.” He tuned out her voice, thinking about the hotel Villa Milan in Santa Monica. After all the fun they had at the beach yesterday, he didn’t want it to end, and took the opportunity to reserve one of the most expensive, romantic hotels. The travel agent said that the suite had sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and it would be perfect, romantic.
Postponing the inevitable had just become the demise of everything he ever loved. He needed time to think, time to determine how to tell Raven exactly who she was.
CHAPTER 19
Raven exited the plane tunnel at the Los Angeles International Airport. She quickened her pace, mirroring the other people. This was far from Bellwood, North Carolina. Looking around at the various restaurants and gift shops, she wondered at these prices, who would wait until they got to LAX to buy a gift? Her pace slowed, and a man in a three-piece suit, sunglasses, and a cell phone glued to his ear bumped into her. She was horrified that he kept a lengthy stride, not stopping to apologize.
Raven hurried to catch up with Liam. He was acting odd. Very quiet on the plane, and now as they traveled toward baggage claim, he had kept a distance.
~~~
In the suite, the windows were open to an amazing view of colors as the sky began to fade to night. Raven pointed to the Santa Monica Pier off in the distance. “That place looks fun. We should go!”
She ran to Liam as he set down the luggage just inside the door, kissing his cheeks. “Thank you! This place is beautiful!” When he didn’t reply, she assumed he was tired.
Like a busy bee, she flitted around. Going into the bathroom, she shouted that the towels were an inch thick. She snort-laughed at a baby elephant-shaped face towel on the marble counter. “Hey, the tub is like a Jacuzzi!” She ran out of the bathroom and fell back onto the pillow-top mattress of the Cal king bed. Her body sank into the mattress and rolled side to side. Wow, Charlene must have been in love with this place! The palm trees, the ocean, the people. The jam-packed drive down Hollywood Boulevard. This beat lazy ol’ Bellwoo
d. She grabbed one of the chocolates on the white pillows. Eyes closed, she let the sweet taste calm her anxiety, while Liam disappeared into the bathroom.
“Are you hungry?” Liam asked.
Opening her eyes, she wasn’t aware he was standing near, watching her. How long had he been there?
“You must like what you see. Come here. I am hungry,” Raven looked at him up and down, licking her lips. She reached for his T-shirt, wanting him to straddle her on the bed, but Liam sidestepped her.
“Let’s go see what this place has to offer. I’m starving.” Liam patted his flat stomach.
“Okay,” Raven mumbled. I’m supposed to be the one that’s nervous about talking to my mom tomorrow. He was always guiding her and helping her, but today he was cold. “Let me call Granny and let her know I’ve made it,” Raven added as Liam walked out of the bedroom.
Pulling out her cell phone, she speed dialed Annette, grateful that the call zipped straight to voicemail, just as it had earlier when she revealed that she was on her way to L.A. “Hey, I made it. Tomorrow we’re going to find Charlene. Love you, Granny.” Raven felt hesitant as she pressed the end-call button. How was Annette doing? Most importantly, how was Grandpa Otis?
~~~
The allure that Los Angeles had when she arrived had diminished. Either that, or Liam hated the place. During dinner, Raven kept the conversation going for most of the night. She asked him if he was okay, tried to comfort him even though she was the one who needed comforting. Then she stopped talking, too.
Back at the hotel, Raven took a hot shower. Alone. Then she slipped on the cream-colored Egyptian cotton robe with the hotel’s initials scrawled on the front left in gold script. She flipped the defogger switch and watched as her reflection came into view. Her butterscotch skin was flawless, azure gems for eyes, a perfectly contoured nose, plush pink lips. Long raven hair. What the fuck is wrong with me?
