Deceived

Chapter 4 | Under Plain Sight

Sometimes figures go unseen

Sometimes words go unheard

But the workings of the mind never change

They grow until finally unfurled ..

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He knew he was in a rut. Every cell in his body was painfully aware of the dilemma he was facing. That girl had somehow vexed every sane thought out of him making it impossible for him to think straight. Nathan found it hard to hold onto rationality as his eyes closed and his head like an open theater played all the scenes behind his lids again and again.

From her brightly lit red hair, that shone so beautifully under the light of the sun, to those golden eyes that glittered with yearnings. Her perfect nose and the shower of freckles that adorned the bridge, spreading across her cheek like vibrant paint on a blank canvas. Her high cheek bones that made her eyes look smaller yet mesmerising when she smiled. Those perfect plush lips, oh how he had thought about them for hours waiting to catch a glimpse of her. Her pointed chin and that pale skin, like the sun had been defeated in her wake.

Everything about her boggled him. She was no beauty queen yet in her simplicity and elegant form he had found all his desires awakened. There was a fire burning deep within his core that roared for more fuel in the need of her. This was a complete mystery to him, how a soulless monster like himself could ever feel such an array of emotions for somebody as insignificant as her. There was a buzz rising from within the numbness that filled him. He was so used to the cold that he just couldn't fathom the existence of anything else.

He couldn't resist it. He wanted to feel it all again, anything but the never ending cold. And there she stood, so close, so naive, then why couldn't he just take what he wanted. He had inherited the blood of the unstoppable evil itself; when had he ever hesitated in going after his desires. His chuckle stirred the deep silence that had fallen upon the massive space. The air around him buzzed again, the fire leaving him restless. He wanted the girl, he could have the girl, but a far off part of him knew it was impossible.

A red light suddenly reflected against the tall bare walls. He woke up from his train of thoughts, opening his now red irises to the dark room. Nathan sat in the huge hall adorned by light wooden floors, and a wall of glass facing him. He uncrossed his legs and got up from the pale grey couch that had been carelessly placed against the wall. It was the only piece of furniture that decorated the room. The empty expanse ahead remained dingy except for the thin rays of city lights that trickled through the invisible pane. His surroundings echoed the absolute emptiness that filled his hollow shell.

Nathan had bought the lavish living aboard when he had started planning for his journey to victory. Moving to New York, stepping right back into his rich man shoes, successfully reviving his identity, everything had left him exhausted but no more exhausted than he was right now fighting himself for Alethia. Mr. Nathaniel Damon walked slowly to the windowed wall looking right past his faded reflection and into nothingness. His shiny shoes felt as uncomfortable as the lie he was succumbing to.

All he could see in the darkness was the bushes underneath and the witching hour that lay beyond. The fine threads of his mind burst into flames in fear as he saw his dreams crumble under the red heels of the petty little girl.

This was not what I had come for.. Giving into the warmth of some red haired cipher is not going to get me anywhere. She is just another game to pass my time, another thing to play with. I can't just stray away from the plan, I have to follow it. I have to fulfil their wishes, I have to accomplish his task to rise above the nothingness that has surrounded my name till now. It's my turn to leave a mark and this is my chance. I'm not going to let her ruin my future.

Thus, with a strong mind and a stronger might he moved ahead with his workings. Turning his back towards the view he threaded right for the door leading him to the entrance. He picked up his black leather jacket from the rack, dragging it along his arms as the fire shone brighter in his eyes. He was a man with a plan.

After a short trip on his bike he arrived at the tall building of apartments where his prey had been boarding. The twentieth floor was his destination and he was unseen by all as he glided his way through the street reaching the side alley to the building. He looked up, along the full height of the architecture and in one swift motion took flight, jumping upon the sides of the two super structures to reach the concrete roof. His feet landed with a hush over the dark floor and his shadow engulfed by the essence of the moonless night. He took a few steps forward and looked down from the banister at the edge.

Manhattan always looked busy, be it day or night but no stillness ever blanketed the concrete jungle. The flash of the cars driving by, the noise of its innumerable inhabitants, the cry of the poor and pained, all hummed along with the rhythms of the universe. It fascinated him to watch humans drain themselves upon pointless situations. So frail, so gullible and yet the pride of a lion. Their ignorance saved them from the true misery that lay beyond the margins of their vision or each one of them would have been cowering in fear of their very breath.

Letting the world be, he decided to move forward with his aim. Unlocking the tiny door of the terrace effortlessly he marched down the stairs with a harsh domineer. As he reached the twentieth floor he gazed at the tiny corridor that lay before him. A window big enough was fixed on the wall right on the end. He walked up to it with patience glancing up at the cameras in every corner as the tiny red lights went off. No one would ever know about his presence.

He opened the window and crawled along the thin ledge moving towards the left with an animal like graciousness, looking for that big tinted window that would let him peek into the apartment of his game. A glimpse below at the bustling street made his skin prickle, instigating the very basic instincts as he felt his wings unfurl from within his bones, tearing through the nether fabric of his shirt and long black jacket; reaching far lengths. Huge black wings had now materialised beyond the expanse of his form, supporting him mid air as every detailed feather shone under the pale lights of the road. They were beautiful, luscious, so powerful; they could put any human in a trance.

As the pain subsided he let himself free, taking a short flight above the oblivious individuals down at the pavement, sighing in relief as he felt the pain crawl away after a long period. His eyes still the colour of fresh blood gazed up at the ledge he had dived in from, his instincts were exaggerated as he felt so close to his true form. A swift motion and he was right back up, floating in the air before the glassed window of the apartment '20 A'. The tinted windows didn't stop him from watching the couple conversing over a bottle of wine and pizza.

There she sat, looking so beautiful and vibrant in the purple dress she wore. The colour made her skin glow and her hair looked like it was on fire. The dress hugged her in all the right places, flattering her curves, making her look nothing like he had imagined her to be when he had talked her out of his head. But in that moment she crawled back into his mind, dipping her tiny feet into the pool of his heart. The thumping of his pulse was unavoidable as he heard it so loud and clear, watching her give a sweet little smile. He took a deep breath, staring at her, as the burning in his chest became more evident. It made him feel uneasy, he noticed why. A blond haired man sat before her, talking incessantly, pouring more wine into her glass. Her eyes didn't gleam the way they did when she had captured Nathan in her magic but they were looking right at him and he felt something explode inside him. He wanted to be there, holding her close, hearing her laugh, not watching her smile at a troll.

A sudden swirl of cold winds swept across the street as he backed away from the window, gliding along the winds of his power. He let the breeze rush through his feathers feeling the chill extinguish the fire within. His eyes turned blue, portraying his frozen soul. Nathan washed away the band of emotions that was choking him with a large gulp. Letting himself be carried with the gust he calmed the storm building in his head by relaying back the argument he had had with himself previously. Once he reached another skyscraper he skimmed across its height, ignoring the reflection before him, scared to see something he wouldn't understand. His wings folded behind him as he sat on the thin edge at the top, fearlessly watching the city again.

What is this this I'm feeling? Is she really worth it?

Promising himself to think only about the strategies of his winning he ignored the inexplainable heat he still felt.

So now he knew she had someone in her life, just a mere obstacle he could do away with soon enough. He was determined to let nothing stop him, this was what he had come for and nobody could stop him from succeeding.

Once Nathan had figured his route, he took flight passing by her building again. Something inside him restrained him from catching a glimpse of her in fear of the onset of a whole new wave of emotions. He decided to just reach his bike and drive back home, letting speed and the cold night numb his senses.

Walking into his bedroom he became one with the darkness again. Tomorrow would be a child's play, a smirk played across his lips. This was what he did best.

The horizon was lit by hues of orange as he watched the sun rise. It was a rare sight for him. It had been a while since he had come back to the city, how the world revolved to play with such beautiful scenes always made him feel something closer to heart than what he faced at home. It was a stark difference and he was used to it, but watching the sea of light reminded him of why he loved the city more than home.

He got dressed in his suit and tie, falling dashingly into his business mode as he prepared for another day of useless human interactions but with a twist of tactful beginnings.

Mr. Damon had been waiting in his hired car, a classy car for a man class apart as the world knew him. He watched her black stilettos shimmy by the pavement as Alethia entered the tiny cafe like every morning. He admired how strictly she followed her schedule at the same time laughing within, thinking how he could make her live a little, a little outside her working girl shoes. That was the beauty of his games, with a hint of a smile he could make any girl do whatever he wanted, she seemed like a challenge he delightfully wanted to conquer.

He watched her lips move as she answered the phone on the second call.

"Hello is this Ms. Foss from Creative Publishings?" Her reaction was priceless. She knew exactly who it was, and he liked that.

"Yes. Who is this?" She answered playing along with his little game perfectly.

"Well hello Alethia. It's me. Nathaniel Damon. We had a very memorable meeting yesterday." It made him chuckle watching her squirm before his eyes.

"Oh! Hello sir. How did you get this number?" Alethia's sweet little voice awakened something inside him again. He knew the feeling all too well, the fluttering of his heart and the fullness of his chest, like he couldn't breathe.

"I have my ways." He kept the tone, hoping to establish that he had the power here.

"Sir you cannot-" He decided to cut her off mid sentence, keeping his stance even though his mind was being altered by his heart.

"Call me Nathan, Alethia. And don't worry about the formalities." A classic for him. But he was getting a little tense, for not only was she reacting the way he wanted her to, but he felt his emotions being mirrored in her expressions.

"Umm sir. What is it that you wanted from me?" She was playing it cool. He wanted to keep his voice straight even though his heart was racing.

"Right to business huh? I actually wanted to know whether the editing team has met for the book yet?" He tried to lead the conversation away watching her, mesmerised by the little things that made her who she was.

"We have called our head. They should have a meeting in a day or two. I'll let Mike know the details." She was about to leave the cafe. The car was far too out of the way for her to notice so he decided to spice it up a little.

"I see. I would like it if you would let me know personally Alethia. I'm very interested in this project." He truly did want her to call. Her voice reminded him of something he hadn't felt for a while.

"Sure sir I'll mail you the details as well." She tried to put him off coolly.

"What coffee suits your taste?" His question threw her off guard. He could see her tense up as she stood in front of the glass doors with her order.

"How is that related to work? Sir.." He smiled at her reply. Definitely a challenge.

"You're hard to win over aren't you. Well I was wondering if we could grab some coffee together at the tiny cafe down the street from your office?" He chuckled as he watched her alarmingly look up and down the street, she looked right past his car as it hid behind yellow cabs.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't think so. I have a boyfriend. So if that's all you wanted I'd like to get to work." His eyes followed her as she walked past the barista, marching towards her workplace. It amused him how she was tackling his remarks, there were very few encounters he had faced where he was put off so easily.

"Oh I see. Taken huh? That's a pity. I could have had a lot of fun with you. I still can. Hoping to hear from you soon."

He cut the call meaning every word he had said. It was going to be fun getting his way. He always made it work out for himself. He would have enjoyed the moment more if he hadn't felt that rush all over again. Something wasn't right. This wasn't like him. It was always so easy for him to put off all feelings and enjoy the little plays he worked on but this time was so much more hard. He sensed something uncanny.

What was it about this girl that they had sent me for it? They gave me no information, I probably won't be able to find anything with them. I have to find out more about why my mind keeps clouding up every time I see her..

With a destination in mind he asked the driver to drop him back to his new house. If he was going to speak to someone about this there was only one name that came to mind.

Falon could really help him. He had made his mind up to meet the old friend from the city, he had to know more.

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