31st DECEMBER 2030
In the end Rita opted for another apartment in a better, safer part of town with no creepy old dark magically inclined old women and mad swarms of rats. She never found out why those rats were there and why they acted that way and frankly she did not want to know. She had moved obviously, to a new house, not Loretta's. She and the guys gave her the push she needed, it was either that or Samuel butting his head in. And besides, she just had to not fall in love with him and not conform to anything running in his head for two months, then she could leave without so much as a dime of debt.
So New Year's resolutions, well hers were clear.
°Try not to catch anymore attention from demons
°No more moving till she was leaving the city. For good.
°No more getting into anything that would send her to the hospital
°Learn how to read people more carefully
°Feel comfortable with herself
°Do not fall in love with Samuel O. Princeton
The first, fourth and last ones most especially. Making lists seemed useless and ineffective but it made her feel calm, planned out, assured even when things go exactly according to plan. She was going to watch the ball drop at home, ring in the new year by herself, Loretta was spending it with her girlfriends and she knew well enough from past experience that what that meant was first rate live and direct porn. No, thank you. Vicky and James were at Vicky's parents' place and she did not feel like intruding on a family gathering. She still could not believe they actually got married to each other.
Three hours till midnight and she already felt like hitting the hay. If things kept going the way they were she would be fast asleep when the new year began. If past her could see her now, she would call her a wimp for not being able to keep her dumbass sleepy eyes open for nothing more than five minutes. It was just nine p.m.
She wondered how Samuel was doing. He sounded worried over the phone last time they spoke to each other. He would have come over to Loretta's house if she had not reminded him of their deal. She had not spoken to him since, should she call? Just to tell him Happy New Year? Was it just her head talking or the loneliness she felt that was talking?
She picked up her phone and scrolled through her contacts and found his number. He had bugged her so many times that she knew it by heart now but she just wanted to be sure. She was not even sure why she saved this number, it was his personal one not the one he used for work.
She dialed the number and waited. ‘Is this even a good idea?’ she chided herself. He was probably up to his chest in New Year wishes and party invitations, probably even at home. What ever she planned to say would be insignificant. She should just drop it. The call. Maybe–
Too late, he answered. His voice came through the speaker. “Hi Rita, happy new year.” he greeted. Damn she wanted to be the one to say it first.
“Happy New Year to you too.”
“Still at your friend's place?”
She plopped down on the couch. “Actually, no. Not anymore. I found a place for myself, still can't believe I managed to get one this late in the year.” The accusation was there in her tone, he heard it too.
“Incredible.” he answered, obviously playing dumb like he knew nothing of what she was talking about.
“I thought our deal included not trying to buy me.”
“Technically, I didn't do any buying, you did. I just made it available.”
Rita raised her eyebrow. “Ahha.”
He gave a small unsure laugh. “You aren't mad, are you?”
She was not. “No, not exactly but thanks. You kinda saved me.”
“Um from what exactly?” he asked, clearly confused.
“Watching one of my friends and her girlfriends eye raping each other. I'm pretty sure the only thing stopping them from actually from getting dirty was my presence. One more day and they wouldn't have cared.” Actually, they did not. They were loud. Almost obnoxiously so. What she had been saved from was one more very very awkward morning.
“Is that so? Do I get something for my heroic actions?”
“Yeah, a pat on the back.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“I'll take what I can get. You heading out for the ball drop.”
“No, I'm staying at home to watch it from the TV.”
“That's no fun. Want to go see it with me?” There was silence from her end. “It will be totally private and completely inexpensive.”
She stilled for a bit. “It's not your place is it?” she asked. She still did not want to go near his apartment. It was there that all this started. It had been months but she still did not want to.
His voice came out gentle and calm. “No, it's not.” he assured her. “Anything else the matter?”
“Nothing, I just thought you would be busy with plans tonight.”
“And what would those be?”
“Being at a big ass new year's party or something along those lines.”
“Naw, what I've got right now is someone raiding my fridge and watching some finale of a Korean BL drama. Besides those big ass parties aren't fun at all.”
“Really?”
“It's just alcohol, business strategy and–” he stopped.
“And what?” she inquired. Rita already guessed what the last part was but it was better if he confirmed her suspicion.
“Nothing. They just aren't the kind of fun I'd carry with me.” he answered.
“One nightstands then?”
She heard him cough. “What?” he asked in surprise.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, I meant the big ass parties.”
“Yeah,” There was a brief second of silence. “So about my invitation?”
Rita thought about it. It would be nicer to watch the ball drop with her own eyes. “Fine,” she gave in. “where do we meet?”
“I could come get you.” he offered.
“The roads will be blocked,” Around festive times like this being on the road in Alvas was basically the same as driving into a one way route. Stuck and no way to turn around if you wanted to.
“How are you gonna leave then?” he countered.
“Didn't think about that.” she said, biting her fingertip.
“I could just run there.” he suggested.
“What part of a half naked man running across the city says inconspicuous to you?” she asked.
“Who says I'll be half naked?” he asked. She walked right into that one. She could practically here the smirk on his face. “I'll bring some spare clothes if you're so worried about modesty.” he continued. “See you in thirteen.”
“You are not coming here in wolf form.” she added.
“Don't worry I won't.” he replied and ended the call.
As promised Samuel was at the door in thirteen minutes. She dressed warmly, had her phone and her house keys. He was wearing a grey T-shirt and black pants, she did not recognize him at first with the hat and the scarf he tied around his neck and used to conceal most of his face. “Let me just lock up first.” He waited for her while she did so.
“Ok, I'm ready.” she announced, taking the key out of its hole. She faced him and asked. “Where to?”
“De Angelus rooftop.” he answered with a small smile.
Rita looked at him with one eye. “The place that charges a quarter mil for one reservation.” she said, just to be sure she heard right.
“Not to me, it isn't.” he quipped.
She looked at him fully with an 'are you serious?' expression written in her eyes. “You own it too.” It was not a question, it was a statement.
The grin on his got wider. “Yup.”
This guy thought he was a real smartass, he was trying to buying her without actually buying her. And she could not say anything about it. The place was his so he did not have to pay for anything, plus she really wanted to see what De Angelus was like. He probably knew that too. Damn him.
“Get on my back, or would you prefer I carry you in my arms?” he asked. They both knew which he would prefer and so they both knew which option she would choose.
“It has been a while since I had a piggyback ride.” She stated and got on his back. “Just how fast will we be going?” she asked. She did not think that she could handle going too fast right now. “Not fast enough for you to get sick or pass out. We'll get there in forty five minutes. Is that okay?”
He did not answer her question but she guess with the time it was okay. It took her thirty minutes to reach the city center at forty kilometers per hour. “You ready?” he asked.
Rita tightened her hold on his neck and his torso. “Yeah.”
“Here we go.” he warned and took off. Rita screamed for half a minute and held onto Samuel with the force of an industrial steel compressor.
They took the park route, Rita was sure she had left marks on Samuel with how hard she had been holding on to him. De Angelus was breathtaking and she had not known it had a secret entrance. They were on the rooftop now, it was just as beautiful as the inside with canopies and flowering vines and the view was great. She shivered, but boy was it really cold up here. One guess why there were no people up here. She felt something very warm settle on top of her head. She looked to her right to find Samuel putting the hat on her head leaving his bare. “Thanks.”
“You're welcome.” he replied.
They sat in silence. “You did not go back home, to your pack for New year's, why?”
“I still have stuff to clear up in Alvas and you're here too. I didn't want to leave you alone on the new year.”
That was the nicest and the most sincere thing he had said to her in..ever. So nice infact that she did not know how to respond.
He looked up to the sky. “To answer the last question you asked me back at the restaurant, the truth is I don't know why I chose you but I want to find out. I want to get you know you better and I hope you'll do the same for me.”
They were silent for a few seconds. Samuel hoping and dreading her answer and Rita not knowing what to say. Well she did say she would give him a chance. “Ok, how about we start now. You go first.” she said.
He looked at her, surprised she was actually giving him a chance. He snatched it. “Ok, what's your favorite colour?” he asked lamely.
“Really?” she laughed.
“This is my first time of doing this.” Samuel admitted.
“So you've never had a girlfriend?”
“No.”
“Ah just fuck buddies then.” Figures.
“You could say that.”
Rita took a deep breath and exhaled. “My favorite colour is Lavender.”
“Any chance, that's your favorite flower too?” he asked nervously.
“Nah, that's lilac. And anyway I'd rather not receive any flowers for a long while.” she said, wrapping her arms around herself. Samuel caught her reaction and the haunted look in her eyes before it disappeared.
He continued with the game. “Favourite way to spend the weekend?”
“Clubbing.”
“Favourite way to spend the day?”
“A long bubble bath, then settling in bed with a book or watching tv.” she answered. “This feels like you're getting information for something.”
“I'm not.” He really was not but he would store it for later. “Your turn.” he said.
“Favourite drink”
“Alcoholic, Midnight Parade. Non-alcoholic, Cider.”
“Do you like it raw?”
That question came totally out of the blue that he almost choked on his own spit twice in a single night. “What?”
“Your meat.” He wanted to answer but he was not sure if his answer was a product of his brain or not having had sex in a while. Rita caught his struggle and laughed out loud. “I'm talking about steak gutter brain.”
Ah, she was talking about steak. He was not sure if he was relieved or disappointed. “Oh, sometimes I do. To tell you the truth I like my steak cooked.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“Well, I am half human after all. My stomach gets uncomfortable when I eat too much raw meat.” he confessed.
“You are half human?!” The surprise on her face was incredibly palpable.
“Yeah, why do you find that surprising?” he asked giving her a toothy grin. She swallowed. “I wouldn't have guessed is all.”
“Anything else you would like to clear up?” he asked, relishing the thought of sharing more about himself. Strange. He noticed that her arms had relaxed and the pained look in her eyes she had been trying to hide since they started talking was replaced with something lighter.
“Yeah, but it's still my turn.” she announced.
She liked how different this exchange was from the one she had had with Sakaer. There were no high stakes and no looming doom, before she knew it they were talking and sharing tidbits of themselves and time just flew by.
The horn went off, signaling the ball was only minutes from dropping.
“Let's go have a closer look.”
They got up from where they were sitting and made their way to the railing. The world looked so small and colourful from where they stood. So tiny and inconsequential.
It was beautiful and she was glad she got to see it tonight. Rita turned her head to look at Samuel to find his eyes already on her. She gave him a smile and he returned it with a gentle one. Her gaze dipped from his eyes to his lips. She did even realize when she moved closer until her lips were mere inches from his.
She took a sharp inhale when he moved closer, erasing some of the distance between them. Her eyes returned to his, they stared back at her. This time there were not brimming with gold, they were still brown but they were darker now, still it definitely was not the wolf, it was Samuel. Just Samuel.
Her lips started to tingle and the urge to kiss him grew stronger with each breath. Her hand slid around his neck, he took the cue and closed the gap between them. His lips brushed softly against hers, almost innocently.
Rita skimmed her lips against his, her touch featherlight. His hands went to her waist and he held her even closer before gently planting his lips on hers. Her heart rate doubled.
He parted his lips before bringing her bottom lip in-between his, asking for entrance. She admitted him and laced both her arms around his neck. He deepened the kiss and she kissed him back. A guttural sound vibrated from his throat and into her mouth. It set her insides on fire.
The kiss was familiar but entirely new, it was there in the air, in the part dance part war their tongues created as they gave in to each other and there in their renewed exploration. They broke apart for air just in time for the ball to drop, fireworks lighting the sky just seconds later.
.
.
.
Yeah! They finally did it.(✷‿✷)
How do you like my early Christmas present?
My Buy Me A Coffee page or now live. You can headover to my Facebook page for more details. @Author Uzomah Chelsea .N.