It's Been A While
1267 Words
Twenty years later... Raven. Raven!
Her best friend called. "Huh? "I'm done, in
the shower." Olivia said. "Okay" Raven said,
groggily as she set up. Rubbing her eyes.
She and Olivia had met during her senior
year in high school. They had become fast
friends. Getting accepted into the same
college sealed the deal. Later, after
graduating, they started their own
company. Raven grabbed her toiletry bag
and robe, and headed to the bathroom. The
girls had decided to share a room since
they were doing a twenty-four hour layover.
After making sure everything was packed,
the phone on the side table rang.
Briiing, briiing! Olivia, with her nasal voice,
answered. Raven heard her answer over
the low setting of the hair dryer. Yes. After a
few seconds, she hung up. Going near the
bathroom door, she announced." The
shuttle will arrive in thirty minutes."
Rushing to get dressed, they quickly looked
to make sure they'd left nothing. Luggage in
hand, they headed down the elevator. An
hour later, they were rushing through the
airport. Trying not to be late for their flight.
There had been a delay due to traffic. Which
made them late. Last call for flight fourteen,
eleven. Just making it, they made it abroad.
The flight would take twelve hours. "You
looking forward to your birthday
tomorrow?" Asked Olivia. Not especially. It's
just another day. Olivia playfully latched on
to her arm. Not cool! You only turn
twenty-five once in your lifetime. Raven
rolled her eyes. Between the two girls.
She'd always been an introvert. Olivia
would drag her along for the ride. Parties
here and there they highlighted their college
years. Leave it up to me. I'll find something
for us to get into. Raven knew Olivia would
be true to her word. "Fine, fine, just tell me
the time and place." "That's my girl!" Once
on abroad, both girls were pleasantly
surprised. Their business class had been
upgraded to first class. "Mr. Jax doesn't
allow his guests to mingle with
commoners." Was the response Raven
received, when she inquired about the
upgrade. Raven looked at Olivia and
frowned. Once, the flight attendant showed
them to their seats. She walked away. "Mr.
Jax, sounds like a prick." Raven voiced.
Olivia rolled her eyes, and smiled. Taking
their seats. Raven took this time to go over
their itinerary. Once done, she picked up a
book she'd brought to read. Half way
through the ride, she'd started getting tired.
Since there was barely anyone in the first
class. They both had two seats. So she
was better able to get comfortable. Turning
off her overhead light. She wrapped herself
in a light blanket. And turned on the fan.
Pulling the planes shade. Soon the fan and
plane lulled her to sleep. Not too long
after, she drifted off. A strange sound had
woken her up. Looking around, she noticed
everyone in the first class was fast asleep.
Assuming the flight attendants were
making their rounds. Pulling the shade
back up, looking outside. The sun was
going down, and only an orange glow lay on
the horizon. Getting up, she headed to the
bathroom to freshen up. Once inside, she
closed the door. Making sure it was locked,
she turned on the faucet. The cool water
felt good on her warm skin. Filling her
cupped hands up, she began splashing
water on her face. Raven?! She heard her
name called. Pausing, she reached for
some paper towels. Patting her face dry,
she listened. Nothing. Continuing to dry her
face, she heard it again. Raven?! Thinking it
was her best friend. She opened the door.
Looking around, the area was empty.
Scrunching up her nose, she was confused.
Realizing the voice didn't belong to her.
Closing the door behind her. She looked
back into the mirror. Pitch black eyes
stared back at her. Involuntarily, she threw
her body against the wall behind her. Fear
wouldn't allow her to move. A hairy gnarled
finger with sharp claws reached toward her.
The fingers seemed to reach through the
mirror. When they were inches away from
her, she squeezed her eyes shut. A
blood-curdling scream escaped her mouth.
Heart racing, she shot up in her chair.
Olivia looked at her like she was crazy. She
was watching a movie and heard her
scream over her headphones. Olivia slowly
removed them. "Girl, what is wrong with
you?" Raven just looked at her, unable to
speak. Still shaking from the dream that
seemed so real. She once again headed to
the bathroom. With caution though, this
time. Later after landing, a ride was waiting
to take them to the resort. A while later, they
stood in the main lobby of the resort. The
decor was a warm cream, gold, and purple.
Olivia noticed that the purple matched
Raven's eyes perfectly. Curtains of the
same colors hung from at least fifty to a
hundred feet from above. In the center of
that hung a huge crystal droplet chandelier.
Along the walls you could hear the trickling
of water, gushing forth from the wall
pieces. That acted as water falls. It was
breathtaking. "Hello ladies and gentlemen,
a male voice said from behind them.
Raven, Olivia and several others turned
toward the voice. A tall sexy man stood
leaning against the front counter. He stood
over six feet tall. First, I'll show you to your
lodging quarters. After you have all gotten
settled, we'll meet back down here. Where
you will all be given a tour. Entering her
room, Raven was still in awe. The decor and
colors of the lobby have been added here. A
full-sized bed was the focal point. A purple
comforter trimmed with gold and cream lay
neatly on the bed. The foot of the bed faced
a sliding glass door, with vertical blinds
that blotted out the sun when closed. The
room had a warm vanilla scent to it. About
an hour later, everyone had reconvened in
the lobby. Once again, the tall, sexy man
took center stage. Clearing his throat, he
began to speak. Causing several of the
women in attendance to turn sultry eyes his
way. Paying them no mind. "Allow me to
formally introduce myself." "My name is
Blake Rivera." I am the Vice President, here
at Purple Paradise Luxurious Suites and
Resort. Olivia leaned near Raven's ear.
"OMG, too sexy!" "I'd love to have him for
lunch." "If you know what I mean." Raven
fought to control a giggle. That bubbled up
in her throat. Blake looked at Olivia and
smirked. Olivia blushed, and lowered her
voice. I think he heard me. Raven lowered
her sunglasses. "Serves you right, she said."
And began laughing. In the back office, a pair of black
and gray eyes stalked Raven's every move.
The control panel opened, he squeezed
buttons, zooming in and out on her.
Unfortunately, her eyes were covered. Dark
sunglasses made it impossible for him to
see her eyes. But then he was pleasantly
surprised when she lowered them. Purple
eyes glinted as a smile spread across her
face. Abel stared, enthralled by this woman.
It had been over twenty years since he'd
last seen her. It's been awhile, he thought.
He'd been searching for her for years and,
finally. Her caramel skin made the purple of
her eyes stand out that much more. The
sway of her hips as she walked away was
maddening. He verbally scolded himself.
She, after all, was like a little sister. Though
it had been many years ago. He still
remembers that night. The night that
everything had changed.
- Writer
