The Revenant's Heiress

Chapter I

It could have been a perfect day. The sun was already setting and the blue canopy above was clear, except for some clouds that seemed to rush towards the sun, wanting to hide behind the horizon. Audrey was feeling quixotic, taking in all the fresh scent of the beach, wishing Leo was there with her.

Audrey felt a pang in her heart. She quickly raised her head up, forcing herself to focus on the beautiful scene before her.

Averill was right. Oskami beach has a calming effect. Audrey breathed deeply as she closed her eyes. She smiled as she felt the crisp air gently caress her face. She stayed that way for a little while and then she was carried to another place, another time.

She felt Leo’s breath behind her as the young man cuddled her in his arms, whispering to her sweet nothings. It was the most wonderful feeling she’d ever felt. She was so loved; she couldn’t ask for more. She shifted her weight as she snuggled in those muscular arms.

“Ah, what warmth, what comfort,” she told herself as she relaxed and looked at the beautiful smiling face stooping down to reach her lips. Leo gently kissed her, first on the head. He worked his way to her lips and oh, was that not the best touch she’s ever got?

Leo seemed to know what her body was craving for. He gently lifted her for a more comfortable position for both of them. Audrey instinctively grabbed Leo’s shoulder. It was her first kiss and she was delightfully surprised at how her body seemed to dictate how to respond to her boyfriend’s advances. She slowly slid her hands to his chest, admiring the young man’s physique. She felt him hardening and sensed herself tightening. She was going mad and weak at the same time. She wanted more and she knew he did, too.

Audrey felt Leo’s hands wandering, trying to discover her every curve. She moaned softly. In amazement at how she was responding to Leo’s advances, she allowed herself to get lost in such a wanton encounter.

“Hey, you two love-,” Carla halted when she saw the couple.

“Ah… I’m sorry. I didn’t…” she hesitated, not knowing what to say or do. With eyes to the ground, she departed.

Feeling suddenly ashamed of herself, Audrey got up and ran after her friend, leaving Leo whispering cusses and curses.

That was a few weeks ago. They went on a foursome picnic- Keever and Carla, Audrey and her new boyfriend. It was a perfect getaway for them to know each other better.

She sighed. Everything felt like it was just yesterday. She can still smell Leo’s breath. The titillating sensations still drive her crazy whenever she thinks of her former boyfriend. If they were not with Carla and Keever then, she would have surrendered her whole being to the man whom she thought truly loved her.

Would they still be together if that happened? Could it be the reason why Leo cheated?

Audrey knew that she should be enjoying the sight and ambiance of the place, but she just can’t help herself. Those questions often bug her. A good part of her wishes they consummated their relationship. She still yearns for Leo’s touch and love. In fact, she’s still waiting for Leo to come after her, ask her for another chance. Without a doubt, she’ll take him back in a second without questions. She was ready to put everything behind, but she just can’t make the first move. That hurts so much because the thought rouses the question if Leo truly loved her at all.

A tear fell from her eye. She sniffed and tried to stop crying, feeling a little guilty. The very reason why she came here was to enjoy and not to cry. She’s tired of all the pains and the sleepless nights--- gloomy and dreadful nights when she often drenched her pillows with her tears. She was ready for a new start. She should be!

Audrey then forced herself to think about her future. She must focus on things that will help her cope with all the pains.

“It’s a cruel world out there, but life can be extraordinary by the way you face difficulties,” her grandmother used to say. “Grief and sufferings can make one bitter, but you can choose to let it bring out the best in you. Count your blessings, name them one by one,” those were grandma’s usual concluding statements.

Audrey suddenly realized a deeper understanding of such wisdom. Words really make more sense when you are in a situation. She smiled, thinking about her friends, Averill, Blaze, Keever, Carla and Cozbi. She’s blessed to have a blended friendship- not only in terms of gender but different personalities as well. The best part is that; they appreciate and respect each other’s differences.

A few meters away, Averill was looking at her. He watched as Audrey’s long, silky, black hair danced on her back as the gusts of wind whooshed every now and then, and her hair dropped right into place as the breeze seemed to caress her.

Audrey held her arms and shivered. It was getting a little cold and she was wearing only a plain flesh-colored tank top with flowery, short shorts. Averill slowly approached her, stopping for a short while more to admire the leggy lady who was obviously pensive, oblivious of her companions. She took a deep breath and heavily dropped her shoulders as she brushed her hair blowing on her face. Averill understood she could be thinking of Leo again.

Averill was well aware of her feelings. He has been there for her, even before Leo. He already expressed his love to the woman before, but she just can’t reciprocate his love the way he wanted to because she considered him as a brother. He knew Audrey always admired Leo as any other girl in their town did, and he watched how she fell into the trap of a false love.

Leo is ravishingly gorgeous and he cannot blame Audrey for falling into his deceptive schemes.

Everyone knew Leo was a womanizer. When he willingly gave up on other women just to woo her, Audrey took that as a sign of true love.

Leo patiently wooed Audrey for nearly a year, enough time to completely blind her of his intentions. But Averill knew better. He was aware that Leo was still fooling around. Only that time, he played his tricks a little quietly and cleverly. He knew how every girl would have wanted an hour alone with Leo and how the man would take advantage of them.

Averill always thought Leo was just trying to prove his manliness to everyone, but he never said anything to Audrey. The picture was very clear to him. Still, he cannot give a hue and cry because Audrey might think he was just jealous. Besides, the lady seemed to have wanted to believe that Leo’s love was real.

Thankfully, right into the first month of Leo and Audrey’s relationship, the lady accidentally witnessed her boyfriend kissing another girl in front of everyone.

That should have been a good thing because at least, Audrey was awakened from a relationship that was founded on nothing but deception. Only, it was not. She has been crying for more than a month now, and Averill was more hurt about it than ever before.

Although Audrey never talked to him about her problems, Averill knew pretty well the storm she was trying to calm inside her. He admired how she tried to keep a level head about her relationship issues, but there was no denying she cried in secret. Everybody seemed to know, too, that Leo still had the nerve to go and tell his made-up story to Audrey.

Despite the pains, she held herself well, keeping things in proportion. She dismissed Leo with a hint that she was still willing to have another try on their love if he wanted to. But perhaps, no matter how you dress up and love a dog, it will always do its dog ways. Leo never tried on a committed relationship with her again. And that probably hurt Audrey more than the fact that he was never the man he tried to show her, that there was no love in him from the beginning.