Lost (Beautiful Beast I)

Chapter-12

Leia

When I was around twelve years old, a weird couple bought a house opposite to ours. I call them weird because they were indeed weird. The man was two inch shorter than his wife and they had a son who was round as a pumpkin. Unfortunately, he was of my age and we shared the same school, same class. He made sure to finish his lunch as well as mine and most frequently I didn't have a problem because my father's a bad cook. The boy, Liam and his father had a habit of jogging in their yard around five in the evening with nothing but undies and the woman would make them carrot juice everyday after their jogging. It's really difficult to believe but I had seen it for the three years.

Liam use to take away my homework and that would make me visit their home. Liam's mother, a peculiar woman, with a really long nose gave me coffee with peanuts in it. She also offered me peanut cookies and there was a peanut painting on the wall and a golden peanut on the shelf. I've never seen a person with so much love for peanuts. Liam's father was a plumber and in the beginning if there was any pipe problem in the houses, people use to come to him which was the great mistake. I remember in one the houses there was a problem in the toilet shower and Liam's father was called and he made the problem worst. I don't know what he did but the person who went to shower, after the work was done, came out screaming that the shower head fell on him and the whole toilet was flooded. There were two more incidents like that and everyone in the street stopped asking him for help.

They sold the house and went away to their native after three years.

When I thought I would never ever meet the Pumpkin Liam in my life again, there he sat in table four with his friends. But he doesn't look anything like the Liam I knew. He's not like a pumpkin and definitely not shorter than me.

His eyes caught me offguard and confusion was replaced with realisation and happiness.

'LEIA!' He screamed making all heads turn towards our direction while I glared at him.

'IS THAT YOU?'

Can't this man stop screaming?

I quickly covered the distance with long strides ignoring everyone, including his friends.

'It's my bubbly bunny bear, isn't it?' He said and in a swift move I was crushed into his body.

'Cool-that-you-remember-that name' I struggled for words as he was crushing me with his hug.

'Liam' I patted his back and released he me from his grip but still had his arms at my sides.

Seeing him in this closeup, me eyes wondered over his face, memorizing his features. His blue orbs are twinkling with happiness and his thick lips are curved into a wide smile.

'Oh, look at you' he said 'you've grown into a beautiful woman'

I felt my face heating up.

'It's good to see you too, pumpkin' I said, making him smirk.

'That's rude, doll face. I worked on this for ten years just to impress you' he just, gesturing him manly body.

'Well, I must say I'm impressed' Sarcasm became my best friend when he came into my life, so he can't blame me.

'Well, come on, sit' he said.

'No, I'm on duty' I said.

'Just few minutes, Leia'

'No, I-' I heard my name being called from the counter 'Shift ends at ten, okay?' I said and sprinted even before listening to his answer.

Sara raised her eyebrows at me.

'Who's that hot stuff?' She asked.

'He's an old friend. I'm seeing him after years' I replied.

'Is he single?'

'Sara!'

'Oh, come on, he's hot' she said.

'Believe me, you haven't seen the twelve year him' I chuckled.

'I thought I'll become a twevele year in his bed' she wiggled her hair, trying to be sexy but I just gave her a weird look.

'You had a breakup last week' I said.

'He was s**t' her face turned serious for a second 'I gave everything of me but he was being a d**k. I realised he doesn't deserve the great Sara Susan' she said in a sassy way.

I continued my work, pushing Liam out of head my.

I thought he must have gone, because after a while I saw his table empty. I did feel disappointed. I saw him after ten years and I had loads to talk about to him and also ask him a lot of questions.

But when my shift was over, he was waiting outside the cafe with a long coat on with his hands in the coat pockets.

He looked dashing with his six foot height and charming smile on his face.

Still Nicholas was the to take my breath away.

I quickly pushed Nicholas out of mind and smiled at Liam.

'I thought you went' I said.

'I would have, if you hadn't told me when your shift ends'

'God, you've...you're charming me' I said.

'Anndd, it's working'

I chuckled.

'Where do you stay, Leia?'

'Just a few streets far' I said as he walked together in lonely road.

'Dinner?' He asked.

'I've to go prepare'

'Come on, I'll take you to a restaurant'

'What? No. No, it's alright' I said.

'Oh come on, Leia. I know a restaurant that's open till 12 and it's just by the end of this road'

'Sandwiches and Bacons?' I asked.

'Yeah, that's the name of the restaurant. You've gone there?' He asked.

'Yeah, the food there is-

'Awesome' he finished it for me.

'Yeah. Looks like you've been here for a long time. When did you return from London?' I asked.

'Not so long. It's been a month now. I finished my degree in computers and decided to finish masters here' he said.

'Why here?' I asked.

'It was friends idea. We wanted to earn as well as study all by ourselves. Being at home might feel a little edgy, you know. Enough of me, tell me what are you doing?' He asked.

'I got two jobs. A piano master by day, and worker in cafe by night. Nothing interesting to tell'

'That's great. I remember how you've always wanted to master in piano. You'll have a great opportunity in London, you must apply'

'Nah, I'm good. I'm happy with whatever I have'

He nodded in reply.

'Hey, how's your father? Gabriel, right?'

I felt my smile dropping.

'We've reached' I said and walked towards Sandwiches and Bacons 'Lamb sandwich is the best here'

'I know'

* * *

Liam and I became like the same twelve year old best friends. Apart from Marie, I got Liam who calls me often to talk.

He took me to his place where he lives with his four other friends and introduced me to them. They were sweet, just like him.

He even came to my work place in the morning and all girls were trying to impress him with their dance moves. Marie had a difficult time in chasing him out when girls and boys wouldn't stop talking to him, forgetting for what they have come. I must say, Marie and Liam went along too well.

Being with Liam made me forget my problems momentarily. And as the day passed, the pain and problems became lesser and lesser until it stayed in my heart as a scar.

I didn't see Nicholas or his family again. It feels like they don't even exist. Dad, although I searched him in all the possible places, the possibilities of finding his whereabouts were zero for one.

As I got both my salaries I decided to do some home shopping as they lack very badly at my home. When Liam visited my home, he was shocked to see it barren which hardly had few vessels, a couch, an old tv and a bed that I got from Marie. She gave whatever she had in her guest room and her old stove and few vessels.

Liam didn't say anything rude and made himself home, which washed away all my insecurities.

I bought kitchen items and groceries before Liam complained like a baby that's he's hungry. It's around noon and even my stomach growled in response.

We found a cozy restaurant to feed ourselves.

'It was fun with you, Leia' said Liam. I swallowed my food before responding.

'The day hasn't ended yet'

'Yeah, right. So, where after lunch?'

'Home. I think these are enough for now. Kitchen items were essential, I couldn't even make a damn toast without the toaster. I need the rest of money to run other errands of the month. Next month will be furniture shopping, hopefully' I said.

'Do call me anytime. I'm here to help you' he said.

'Thank you so much for coming today. I would have asked Marie to come along but she had other plans with her husband and I didn't want her to leave that behind'

'Well, I'm glad you called me and not her.. She's pain in the ass, I pity her husband'

'That's rude, Liam. Marie is good. You just happen to hate her' I narrowed my eyes at him.

'I don't hate her. It's just that she's too commanding and loud and damn annoying' he exaggerated 'I don't even understand how you're friends with her'

'I know her for the past six years. She's truly a good friend, so stop judging her' I said.

'Alright, cool'

We continued eating our lunch, talking about anything and everything. Most of them were about our childhood, how he use to eat his friends lunch and he use prank teachers.

'And remember I puked on Mrs. Linda?' He said.

'I do! I really that teacher so much. It was so disgusting'

'You can't blame me, I was sick and she was questioning me lot' he retorted.

'That's because all your absent records have the same reason and she once caught you playing in a park with your friends while the absent record said you were on bed rest due to severe fever' I giggled.

'And she didn't believe when I really fell sick and was questioning so much and I couldn't even talk much. Ended up puking her at last'

I laughed so much throughout the lunch and had to apologise when I was loud and some of them looked at us.

'We should be going. All your items will be delivered by evening, should be at home'

Liam paid the bill even when I insisted to at least share the bill and left the restaurant.

I looking was looking around when my eyes fell on a particular building, more like a familiar building with Dell Amore Food written I'm fancy. It's the same hotel image I saw at Nicholas home when I entered into a room and opened a document I found on a table. Before I could go through it, Sophia entered and told me never to enter that room. I didn't know at that time that Nicholas and his family were Mafia, so the image of the hotel was nothing but a hotel. Now that I'm lively looking at it, I can't help but wonder what connection does Nicholas have with his Hotel. Surely, it's not something legal.

I still can't believe that a criminal saved me and I made it out of his home alive.

And I still can't believe that criminals and Mafia can be so decent, professional and high class. I should stop believing in movies much.

'What you looking at?' Liam's voice me tear my eyes from the hotel.

'Oh, Dell Amore' he said looking at what I was seeing.

'I went there once. Shitty food, high price. Bloody five star hotels. Road side food and cozy restaurants are much better' he said 'Come on, hop in now'

I gave the hotel a final glance and was about to hop in his bike when my eyes fell on someone.

I stood rooted to spot when I saw that it was none other than my father. He was wearing a black suit, just like the one he was wearing on the day he sold me to Stark. He looks so different. He was marching swiftly towards Dell Amore Foods.

'Liam, want here. I'll be back' I said and sprinted towards the hotel.

'Leia, wait!'

I didn't stop, I didn't even turn around. I ran towards the hotel and slowed down when I reached. I don't want these people to think that I'm a suicide bomb that has come to blast their five star hotel because they don't cook good food.

My palms became sweaty and my breathing became heavier as I followed my father carefully into the hotel.

The interior was vast of rich bit my eyes immediately cake back to my father. He passed the dinning area and took a lift. I stood far and hidden. Once he got inside the elevator and the doors closed, I made a ran for the stairs. I checked each floor's number and saw the people getting down before making a run for another floor when I saw my dad not coming out of the elevator.

Finally, after running floors after floors, he finally got out of the elevator. I hid myself near the staircase and watched him till he was out of my sight.

I came out and saw the hallway empty. Damn, I lost him!

I quickly checked in every direction searching for him but the hall is just empty. All the rooms are closed and there's no one around.

I ran the other side, which showed a long hall way with just rooms. Either he must be in one of these rooms or in the other hallway rooms I lost him.

When I came back to the same spot where I lost him, I waited for few seconds, waiting for him to show up magically. When the hallway remained deserted, I finally decided to leave. I was about to make a move when I saw a man coming out of a room. His head is bent low to his phone but I could easily recognise it's Nicholas. I quickly hid myself. The footsteps became louder as he came closer and finally crossed my side.

I don't want to face him. His mother insulted me enough, I can only image how he might look at me and I'm not ready to face that shame. I watched his back till he disappeared from my sight.

I came out and found myself walking the same way Nicholas came. The elevator is right in the end of the hallway. I don't know which floor this is but I'm very much sure that it must be more than five and I'm clearly not ready for another marathon.

I passed the room Nicholas came out from and saw it open. I know it ain't good to intrude but curiosity takes the best of everyone.

I seeped through the little space and pushed the door open.

My breathe hitched and my hand flung to my mouth, muffling my screams. I took several steps back and slipped and fell on the floor. Tears strung my tears and I started to cry.

Inside was a man lying on the bed with a hole on his forehead. Blood was leaking through the hole and his eyes were wide open in terror.

I wiped my tears away and stumbled back to my feet. After looking everywhere, I made a run to the stairs.

My tears wouldn't stop and my hands were constantly wiping the tears as I walked fast and ran out the hotel, ultimately.

Nicholas killed him!

'Leia' a hand came to my right shoulder.

I shuddered in fear and removed the hand that touched my shoulder, turning around.

'Hey, it's alright, it's me, Leia, Liam'

He looked aghast and kept his hands in front in a surrender manner.

'Oh, Liam' I crushed myself on him and he quickly wrapped his arms around me.

'Hey, it's alright. It's alright. Wanna talk about it?' He asked. I shook my head as a no in his chest and he didn't stress the matter.

I followed Liam and without further question he rode the bike to my home.

'You want me to stay?' He asked.

'Yes, please'

I locked myself in the bathroom and opened the shower. The cold water did nothing in calming and diverting my mind from what I saw.

I choked back a sob, my hot tears immersing with the cold water. I don't know wht was that man and why Nicholas killed him but what I know is our death isn't in someone else's hand.

The loud knock jolted me in fear. I switched off the shower and waited. I heard shuffling and Liam's talks. Quickly slipping removing my wet clothes and wrapping a bathrobe around my frame, I walked out.

I saw two ken bring package after package. Liam smiled at me.

'All your kitchen items' he said. I nodded in return and went back to put some clothes.

Liam helped me in freestanding all the items which made me relax and be at ease. He didn't talk about it and I was grateful for that. I had a strong urge to call up the police but then what?

Nicholas is a part of mafia. His father is the Capo and things will take an ugly turn if I interfere in something I shouldn't. The man should either be his enemy of a victim to his malicious act. I haven't seen the worst side of Nicholas and I'd like to keep it that way by staying far, very far from him and his family.

'Looks good, right?'

'Hm? Oh, yeah. Perfect' I said looking at the kitchen. It finally looks like a kitchen with all the kitchenware.

'Anything else?' Liam asked.

'No, that's it. Thank you for today' I hugged him.

'Anytime, bunny' he tapped my back.

After Liam was gone, I locked the door and closed the windows. The home looks suddenly scary and I felt like calling Liam to come back and stay the night.

I switched on the tv, kept some melody music and started cooking dinner, trying the hardest to not over imagine unrealistic events around me.

Filling my bowl with spaghetti and chopped onions, I took the ketchup and walked over the couch.

I kept changing the channels, searching for news that said anything about the murder but there was none. I felt confusion settle over my features. Keeping some random channel, I went on eating my food.

* * *

I felt the air leaving my lungs as I tried hard to take in breaths. My hand is scratching my throat and in a spilt second I started feeling the numbness of the body washing away and jolted awake on the bed.

I took volumes of air through my mouth, calming myself.

It was dream. A bad dream, that's all.

I kept repeating those words in my head like a mantra.

I had a dream of that dead man walking over me and choking my throat. What more horrible was that, puddles of blood was leaking through his bullet hole.

Switching on the bed side lamp, I went for the water but the bottle was empty. Taking the bottle in my hand, I slowly walked to the kitchen. I felt chill air hit the side of my face while I was filling water and I quickly turned towards that direction.

The wind was blowing through the open window that made the curtains to fly.

I remember closing all the doors and windows. My blood went cold.

I quickly closed the tap and took a knife in my hand. It's totally dark and all I can see is vague outlines with the help of the moonlight coming from the window.

I had the knife held high as I approached the window, taking seach step cautiously. My hand is trembling and beads of perspiration are tingling down the side of my face. When I was just feet away from the window, the doorbell ran loudly.

The knife dropped and fell on the ground with a loud crack. My eyes went to the main that looks like dangerous door to me.

The bell rang again and again and I closed my mouth with both my hands. Then all of a sudden someone started to bang on the door. I quickly ran to my bedroom and locked the door.

My eyes searched everywhere for my phone and I saw it vibrating under the blanket. There's an unknown number calling and I realised that the banging had stopped. I didn't pick up.

The number started to ring again and I held it tight, waiting for it to go off again.

Once the call ended, I got a message notification.

I quickly unlocked the phone and saw it's the message from the same unknown number that called me just now.

Open the door, Leia. It's me Nicholas.