Randle's Princess

by Melissa Gaye Perez

  “I missed you,” she exclaimed as if he had been away for a week.

  Thomas chuckled out. “I was only gone a few hours,” he answered.

  She finally let go of him so he could put his things down and he followed her back to the living room.

  “So how was your day?” he then asked as he came to sit next to her.

  “Oh…kind of boring. But I managed,” she stated a little sullenly not wanting to tell him she was afraid to go out and just couldn’t force herself to do it.

  “Well, did you go to the park like you wanted to?” he asked seeming a bit surprised by her answer.

  “No, I started flipping the channels and found a good movie then another and next thing I knew the day had passed,” she admitted trying to make it sound as if the park could wait.

  Thomas looked slyly at her now. “Now look, I told you it was okay. Nobody’s gonna hurt you here Lia, I promise.”

  She stared nervously back at him. “I know. It just didn’t feel right though. I promise tomorrow I’ll go.”

  He kissed her gently. “I really think it’s a good idea that you do. And the sooner the better,” he then insisted.

  “Why’s that?” she asked a little confused. Why should it matter if she ever goes out? she now wondered.

  “Because, you’ve been practically held hostage all your life and that’s not a good thing. The sooner you make yourself do it the sooner you can finally start living a normal life,” he then explained as if he really understood all she had been through.

  “Oh things weren’t that bad, really,” she insisted suddenly feeling she needed to defend her past now.

  “Maybe not, but I want my wife to feel free and enjoy every day,” he insisted again.

  “Okay, tomorrow I’ll go, I promise,” she finally answered feeling now he was right. Now she felt she had the courage and would make herself do it.

  The next morning Lia again saw Thomas off to work but this time ran back up the stairs to get her purse and keys to the building. She made sure her gun and phone were safely tucked inside and at last made her way out the front door and down the elevator. She slowly walked to the front door of the apartment building and peered out at the street filled with cars and people passing by on the sidewalk. Gently she pushed the door open and found herself standing out on the concrete and looking all around.

  What a beautiful day too she thought looking around at the clear skies above and feeling the cool wind blowing around her. She finally started making her way down the sidewalk and in the direction of the park. Finally she made it and began making her way down a tree covered pathway thinking this place felt so peaceful as well as beautiful. But still a case of nervousness made her jerk and look every time she heard an unfamiliar noise, looking and scanning her surroundings to make sure she wasn’t being followed by anyone.

  Finally she found a row of benches lining one of the pathways shaded by rows of trees and decided to sit for a while and soak in all the glory this place had to offer. She looked all around and could see children playing at a distance. Then an occasional jogger would pass her by and couples in love hand in hand strolling on their way. This is awesome indeed she thought now finally calming herself and knowing she could live like this forever. This is what she had always dreamed of, serenity.

  Then she decided to walk further and came to a beautiful arched bridge reminding her of their honeymoon in Venice. She walked to the top of it and leaned over to glare into the water below and could see her reflection and much to her surprise she could see the wide smile on her face and new at that moment that this was her destiny. Thomas was her destiny and she would stop at nothing now to make sure this marriage lasted.

  Before she realized it again, it was after five o’clock and she knew Thomas would be home soon and wanted to make sure she was there to greet him. She quickly made her way out of the park and back down the sidewalk to their apartment building. Just as she reached for the front door of the building she felt someone grab her arm from behind and she screamed as loud as she could and spun around in fear.

  “Calm down honey, it’s just me,” Thomas stated as he dropped his briefcase to the ground and grabbed her up and hugged her tightly against his chest. He could feel her body trembling against him.

  “Are you okay? I’m sorry,” he went on still holding her.

  “I’m okay,” she finally answered looking up at him now. “I didn’t see you there is all.”

  “I had just pulled into the parking garage and saw you coming down the sidewalk so I came out front instead of taking the elevator so I could catch up to you,” he then explained to her.

  She was still panting slightly. “Oh, okay. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause a scene,” she replied with much embarrassment now as she looked around to make sure the passing crowd wasn’t staring at them.

  “You didn’t,” he assured her. “Now c’mon let’s get you inside.” He reached down to pick up his briefcase then opened the door for her and they made their way back up to their apartment.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again as they made their way back to the sofa.

  “Yes I’m sure,” she replied finally completely calm again.

  “So…how was it?” he then asked.

  “How was what?” she asked now teasing with him.

  “The park, did you finally go?” he asked curiously.

  “Yes. And you were right again. That place is beautiful, and so calming.”

  “I told you it would be,” he then boasted.

  “I still haven’t seen it all though, it’s just too big. I’ll more than likely go back tomorrow but I think I’m gonna do a little shopping first,” she then exclaimed.

  “Shopping is a girl’s best friend,” he stated with a laugh as if fully supporting whatever she chose to do.

  “Well, it’s not just to go shopping,” she started. “The weather is much cooler here than I’m used too and I nearly froze all day,” she then laughed out.

  “It was not cold today,” he insisted.

  “Maybe not too you but I’m from Texas. I’m not used to this climate,” she then insisted.

  Thomas kissed her forehead again and laughed at her. “I fully understand.” Then he went on to give her tips where to shop and which stores he thought would be her favorites. She loved the way he seemed so intent on taking care of her. But mostly she loved the way he trusted her to be out alone.

  The next morning Lia had called for a taxi to pick her up out front and finally started on her first ever shopping spree in this great city. Excitedly she made her way through the fancy department store again thinking Thomas to be right. This store was perfect for her with all its stylish fashions. She made her way into yet another dressing room to try on another outfit and suddenly she froze again hearing her cell phone ringing from inside her purse.

  Slowly she reached to unzip the bag fearing now it surely had to be Randle finally getting the nerve to call and check on her but how would she find the right way to tell the man that has loved her so deeply for so long that she was madly in love with Thomas now and happier than she had ever been. The thought of hurting him like that wasn’t a good one and she decided now if it were him she wouldn’t answer.

  She flipped the phone up and much to her surprise it was Thomas. She smiled and answered it. “Hey my love, what’s up?”

  “Just wanted to see how your day was going. I miss you is all,” she heard his precious voice announce.

  “I’m fine. Almost done shopping, then I’ll get the taxi to take me back home,” she then informed him.

  “Taxi? Why didn’t you call my driver?” he then asked seeming a little upset with her now. “I left you his number on the table by the door.”

  “I know and I’m sorry but I really didn’t feel like being chauffeured around today. It feels good to be a normal person for once,” she then went on to explain.

  “We’ll talk about this later,” he responded seeming a little perturbed at her n
ow.

  “I’m sorry,” she repeated.

  “It’s okay, really,” he insisted, “but I have to go, I have a client coming in. Talk to you tonight.”

  “Bye,” she whispered now knowing he was surely upset with her. Is this gonna be our first fight? she started thinking instantly.

  She hurried her way to the check out and paid for her merchandise and got herself home as quickly as she could. She put her things away and decided it best she didn’t go back to the park this afternoon and just stay here and wait for Thomas to get home so she could start trying to calm him before she angered him any further.

  Lia looked to the clock now and it was already nearly 7 pm and still, no Thomas. She began to worry because he had never been this late before but she knew it was possible he could’ve gotten stuck at the office with a late client.

  Finally the door opened and he was home. She again greeted him cheerfully but this time she let him put down his belongings first. Then he surprised her instead. He held the door open and grabbed her hand.

  “C’mon I’ve got something to show you,” he exclaimed energetically and was far more cheerful then she expected. She was anticipating an angry husband to walk in and begin scolding her.

  “Where are we going?” she asked having no idea what he could possibly be up to now but could feel his sudden excitement and he was getting her wound up as well.

  He pulled her onto the elevator and she watched him hit the button taking them back down to the parking garage. Now she was really bewildered. Is he taking me somewhere romantic again she began to wonder but knew he was acting to excited for that.

  Finally the doors opened before them again and he continued pulling her along behind him making his way next to a small white Lexus with paper plates then reached over and opened the driver’s side door then raised his right hand and dangled a set of keys before her.

  “For you my love,” he then announced smiling widely.

  Lia’s eyes widened like never before and she gasped. “You bought me a car?” she screeched out. “Really?”

  “Yes really!” he exclaimed almost as excited as she was now. “Now I had surely never again catch you taking a taxi in this city.”

  “Oh I promise,” she insisted as she hopped in the driver’s seat and took hold of the steering wheel.

  “Wanna take it for a spin?” he then offered.

  “Yes! Absolutely!” she nearly laughed out in reply.

  Thomas joined her in the car and she carefully made her way out of the garage and onto the street out front. “I can’t believe I own my own car,” she kept repeating.

  “Well I’d rather have you driving yourself than trusting the cabbies in this town,” he then stated sincerely.

  After they drove for a while Lia made her way back to the apartment building and she was nearly skipping down the hall to their front door she was so overjoyed. As soon as Thomas closed the door behind them she grabbed him up again in her arms and kissed him.

  “Take me now you crazy man,” she nearly begged she was so happy.

  Thomas again lifted her off the ground and scooped her in his arms. “Another task I can complete,” he teased as they made their way up to the bedroom.

  The next few weeks proved again to be uneventful and Lia was now trusting that her dangerous life was in her past forever and she couldn’t be happier anywhere else. But she was rather sad this morning though because Thomas was leaving town for a couple of days on business and this would be the first time they were apart in the three months that they had been married now. It was early December and the weather was colder out and she knew she would be spending most of her time indoors and alone.

  “I’m gonna miss you deeply,” she whispered in his ear as she hugged him tightly at the front door.

  “I’m gonna miss you too but it will pass quickly I promise,” he assured, then bent to pick up his suitcase and left her.

  She stooped her head sullenly and made her way to the sofa and turned on the tv. Then she rose to walk over to the bookcase at the front of the room and began scanning the selection and finally picked out a nice thick one thinking this would take up most of the next two days and make it go by more quickly. It would just be today and tomorrow alone then Saturday morning Thomas would come back to her.

  Later that afternoon Lia made her way to the kitchen again to fix a bite to eat when she heard her phone ring, this time not fearing it but ran hopefully to it instead knowing it had to be Thomas. And it was indeed.

  “Hello?” she answered quickly.

  “Hey love, miss me yet?” he asked teasingly.

  “You know it,” she replied. “Where are you?” she then asked. “How was your flight?”

  “Slow down,” he teased back at her excitement. “I’m at my hotel and my flight was fine. I just wanted to hear your sweet voice.”

  “Thank you so much. You just don’t know how badly I needed to hear from you too,” she insisted.

  “Well I’m fixing to get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he then promised.

  “Okay…good night Thomas,” she nearly whispered back.

  “Good night Lia,” he answered then she heard the line click and he was gone.

  She made her way back to the living room and picked up her book again. Then she thought it would be much less boring if she would walk to the park and sit on the bench and read there. She made her way upstairs and grabbed a jacket and made her way to the park. She sat for a couple of hours reading only stopping occasionally to savor the serenity of this place and the beauty of all the trees around her.

  Noticing now is was getting rather dark and she had been reading using the light from the street lamp next to her Lia decided it best she return to the apartment. She closed her book and just as she was about to reach for her purse sitting next to her on the bench she saw someone else’s hand grab it first. A jogger that was passing by her snatched her bag and took off running with it.

  She screamed out loudly, “Stop! Somebody stop him!” And just as she was about to run after him herself she saw another shadowy figure jump from the trees and tackle the man to the ground then grab her purse and sling it back in her direction. Then both men ran into the darkness in separate directions. She froze for a moment not for sure knowing what had just happened here but she ran and grabbed her purse from the ground grateful to this mysterious stranger and quickly ran all the way back to her apartment building.

  Slowly she made her way upstairs and showered and crawled into what now seemed like a rather huge and cold bed without her husband here with her. She left the lamp on next to the bed still scared from her frightful event at the park and finally was able to doze off to sleep.

  The next morning Lia felt in no hurry to dress but finally made her way downstairs and poured herself a bowl of cereal. She sat in the kitchen and picked at it miserably never even imagining she could miss someone as much as she missed Thomas now. She placed her phone on the table just next to her and seemed to stare at it constantly wishing it would ring and she could at least hear his voice again. Although he was due to come home to her tomorrow it seemed like an eternity away.

  Then finally just after lunch it rang and the caller ID showed it to be Thomas. Lia answered it immediately.

  “Hi honey,” she answered.

  “How are you?” she finally heard from his sweet tender voice.

  “Bored as usual. But I’m sure you can take care of that tomorrow,” she flirted openly.

  “I sure can,” he teased back. “Why don’t you go shopping or something? Or out to eat and find something to keep you busy?” he then urged trying to help ease her.

  “Well, actually that sounds like a good idea,” she finally admitted feeling better now that he had suggested it. “I think I will.”

  “Good and enjoy yourself. And I promise I’ll see you tomorrow,” he then assured her.

  “Okay,” she responded sounding happier now. She felt like he had given her permission to be out and abou
t while he was away and she actually felt more comfortable with it. “I think I’ll do that right now,” she then informed him.

  She heard Thomas laugh. “Now I have another meeting. You have fun.”

  “I love you Thomas,” she then declared again.

  “I love you too, see you tomorrow.”

  Lia placed her bowl in the dishwasher then snatched up her purse and phone and made her way down to the elevator now feeling so good that she had spoken to Thomas and knowing she could be happy shopping again.

  The elevator doors opened into the parking garage and she made her way toward her car seeing it parked just across from her. She made her way across and just as she stood only a few feet away Lia heard the loudest most devastating bang and just as suddenly her car exploded before her eyes sending flames, glass and medal spewing through the air and the magnificent force of the explosion actually lifted her feet from the ground and slung her body back several feet slamming her into a concrete pillar. Her eyes felt droopy as she dropped her keys and purse to the ground then she felt her body slide limply down the cold concrete behind her landing on the ground in a sitting position against the pole then she closed her eyes completely and everything went blank.

  The next sounds Lia heard were beeping noises and blurred voices but she couldn’t open her eyes. She could feel something pinching in her nose but couldn’t move or talk. She felt herself struggling to wake up but it wasn’t happening. Then finally she heard this all too familiar voice ringing throughout her head.

  “Princess…Princess please wake up,” it pleaded to her.

  Finally she was able to crack her eyes open just enough to see his familiar powerful face and those gorgeous blue eyes staring back at her…smiling.

  “It’s about time,” Randle exclaimed when he saw her hazel eyes finally beginning to open.