L.E.O.N.

We Meet Again

Chapter 2

Entering Winchester Empire’s security to the CEO floor, every salutation welcoming both Liam and I. Smiling, nodding, and thanking them all. Skipping through to introduce every employee, time flew by. Years ago, walking into these long halls I would dread. To find my father in his office who barely came home. I would often miss his presence and search the love a father would give to his offspring. Never did I advance any movement to smooth the lurching damage I felt. Too many rejections over time, I abolished myself from title unwanted son by departing when I was legally able. Cultivating to bury the need of compassion or love to flatten the rough edges of my heart.

Until, I found Ezzie.

She was my newfound enlightenment.

A purpose to readjust my temperament and way of living.

Resentment were eliminated from my definitions after her radical angelic light. Infinitely there suppressing my demons from the extra baggage. OH, Heavenly Lord, I missed her agitatedly and desperately. Every single nano second of this obliterating existence. Often times, giving in, effortlessly, to the temptation of hell’s crimson fire, then Olivia’s innocent eyes hover me not to accommodate.

“We have a conference meeting in five minutes.” Liam reminded me.

“Then why are we still here? Shouldn’t we be heading down to the floor.” I knew where the room was held even after all these years.  

“OH, right. Well, I’m usually late.”

“Surprised the company hasn’t crash yet.” Disbelieved from his cool tone.

“Showing them dominance is more of the point I’m trying to make.”

“Right by being late.” The corner of my lips lifted with amusement.

“Just helping the night owls, a bit. Plus, this matter isn’t important. All, I’m doing is presenting you to the board.” Taking a cup filling it whisky, tilting his head side to side in saying, “More to less.”

Raising the cup to drank, I questioned, “You are seriously drinking before the conference? Damn, no wonder father wants me to take over.”

“You still can.” He dully replied laying in the cushion, bored.

“I stand by what I said. Nothing will change.” Sternly retorting, never will I want my brother to experience the hardship. Endless scraping for scrap monumentally to be independent especially starting self-made company.  “Since your role model is present why not take follow my lead and not drink on the job?”

“Hmm…Great shall we go feed you to the vultures?” Downing his drink, he added, “Because I’m ready for my date tonight. Or better yet, let’s schedule it after this meeting.”

“Again, keep that information to yourself.” Disgusted, I opened the door walking over the skybridge connecting the main building. Passing through the halls heading to the conference room. One minute to spare. Taking my seat next to Liam’s empty seat.

Ten minutes flew by, finally Liam showed up and meeting was in session. Giving a big applaud, welcoming me as their temporary CEO. Returning my thanks for trusting me for the job. A short speech to soothe everyone’s judgement upon me. I sat back down as Liam went on the detail of the hotel projects with Callahan Incorporations.

Buckling in the seat zoning out from the conversations. I was ready to get the day over. Drifting deeper into my thoughts, Ezzie, bordered my mind. Loving her sweet gingerly aroma. What I lack the most was her. A tight tug crush in my chest. I was missing her again. Yawning from lack of sleep from hunting down a private school for Olivia. Sleep baptized my soul when this is all over of course. 

"Leo… " The sound lightly hummed in my ear.

"LEO," she called louder, "Where are you?" The rippling cry echoed riding near and diving nearer.

I searched around my surrounding to find her luring voice. The one I wished to ever enter my senses again.

Opening my heavy hood lid over my sight, steadily cracking inch by inch. Sensing someone was at the foot of the bed. Hazelly, her dense lush lashes kissed her cheeks. Soft Golden curls brush against her silk finery. Smiling soothingly with contentment from my gaze.

Her deep blue ocular smized brightly, "Ezzie," I cried yearningly.

"You can’t sleep for eternity, Leo" Ezzie enchantingly laugh.

"With you I’m able too." I replied contently.

"I missed you already." She honestly admitted.

“Come here, love.” Caressing the empty space next to me while leaning back into the frame.

Jumping in excitement, she climbed up sitting on my lap. Resting her head on my shoulders with her legs dangling out of the bed.

“Did I tell you to take my lap?” I teased.

“Oh please, you know you want me too.”

“And what if I do?” I huskily whispered in her ears.

“Well, I’m here already.” Feeling her warm tongue licking my neck. I was totally hard instantly. “But now that you are awake. I wanted to talk about names.”

“Names? Getting ahead of ourselves, aren’t we?”

“Sort of, kind of ish.” Arching my brow, her angelic giggling sounded my ear. “OK, I am. I was thinking about names starting with O or N.”

“Why limit to those letters?”

“The only one who ever made me realized happiness exist.” Lost in her own smile, she  didn’t relay her reasons any futher.

“Do I know her…or Him?” Hesitant if I should be concern.

“Yes, you know him all too well. Too much actually. I am severely in love with him.”

Decoding her comment, a hint twinge thud in my chest, unconfident to even ask. “I thought you loved me?”

She chuckled admirably staring into my eyes. Tilting her head as she assessed me. “I do.”

“Then who else? Your dad?”

Shaking her head, “No, not him.”

“Then who? I was your first in bed. Who….”

“Catch me.” Seductively purred, sending magnifying thunder bolts to my groin. One of her specialty my body came to accustom. “If you want your answer.” Lightly hopping off skipping to the door as her laughter drifted.

“Love, be gentle you could hurt our baby.” I warningly called out from behind her.

Stopping at the door frame, she turned to face me once more. “Still not catching me. Or…well there's always eternity.”

“Can’t you play nice, love?” I requested.

She sneered mouthing "Leo." Again, calling as the tone increased repeating my name. Her image of her shadow faded slowly.

"Leo," this time the murky voice was a thicker more a masculine tone. Her image reshaped with a sizzling buzz; ringing in my ear. A thunder rolled in dropping a white flash, blindly, twisting the small ebony fragment of her remnants. Swiftly with speed devouring the micro spec of her. Illuminating a fluorescence radiating wide and broader. She was no longer, but completely engulfed. Total darkness stood.

"L.E.O.," the man shouted.

LIAM? What is he doing here. My eyes shot opened insight Liam stood at end of the table near the exist. Everyone was dismissed from the conference. Leaning into my intertwined fingers resting the bridge of my nose on the first set of fingers inhaling the fresh office scent. Releasing my tangled fingers loosen it as the sear electric pulse paced through the dying cells in my hands. Massaging my nose, fingers pressed against my forehead. Placing the ends of my palm engraved on my cheek. Blowing a heavy cool breathe adjusting the aching from within. Realization fucken hits hard. It was another daydream of the sweet beauty I have lost. Ezzie. Our past.

“Good, first impression on the first day of working, Leo.” Liam amusedly snickered. Clearing his throat, he added, “At least I’m not sleeping on the job.”

Falling from heaven, I soullessly live through the hours. Liam skip out for the date taking his extravagant personal car after the conference. Riding Liam’s chauffeur finding myself placing a custom order at the most famous jewelry designer. Mikimoto Winston. His luxurious and most efficient thriving designs spread all over the country. Ready for Olivia’s birthday. Indeterminate to whether a huge party or a usual small gathering. Having a few months ahead of me, I had time to decide.

After meeting up with Mikimoto Winston with a quick detail of the proposal. He agreed to the testaments. I handed over a small black box. Thanking him in gratitude by a humble hand shake, I exit off to the community room.   

“What the…” I muttered hurriedly stripping off my suit leaving the under shirt.

“I am so sorry, sir. I didn’t see you there.” The stranger begged in forgiveness distraught from the accident.

Spoilage suit from coffee was resting on my arm, I observed her. Ebony strands lengthening to her elbows. Her searching orbital displayed chocolate hue. Fancying in exclusive attire with pump heels though her gaze were level to my chest. Finding my compassion, “It’s okay Miss.”

“I apologize for my inattentive awareness. Please except my apology and at least let my handle the dry clean.”

Shifting away from her antsy arms as she grabbed onto the suit. “Again, Miss, it is fine. No foul play was done.”

Flopping her hands to her side. Persistently she suggested, “Is there no other way, I can recompensate for your suit I ruin?”

Irritated, she woman couldn’t take a No for answer. I sternly ordered, “No Miss, now if you will excuse me, I’m running late.”

She interjected blocking the door out of the shop. “Could I at least get you name?”

Exhaling profoundly, finding it odd a stranger wanted knowledge of who I am. Quickly responding, “Leonardo Winchester.”

Excusing myself with moving feet, head forward, paying no mind to catch her response. Pushing through the glass door entering the car idling on side of the curb. Tossing the ruin suit aside, digging through the bag tucked under the seat. Liam’s spare wardrobe for his extracellular activities. Rummaging the different colors, aside the numerous condoms, finally spotting an agreeable black dressed shirt. Buttoning, eyes glancing down on my watch to look at the time.

6:30

“You finally made it.” Calling out to my brother as he causally strolled in the bar. Expecting him to be raffle up from his early snack. He gleamed with fresh clothes and looks like he showered.

Liam sat on the stool bar, “Did you expected me to be here later.”

“Actually, I thought you’ll never show up.”

“You probably don’t want to know the answer that entails.” A glimpse smile, he added. “I invited someone, hopefully you don’t mind.”

“Who?” Stunted, I rest on the pool stick.

“Remember Kellan Laster?”

“The troublemaker? Hell, it’s been long since I’ve seen him. He’s always brawling into fights. Very shock you became friends with him. You weren’t the violent type.” Continuing the game, I started, hitting the solids into pocket.

“Well, to be honest, it wasn’t entirely his fault. Assisting the weak so the bullies can taste what losing humiliation would feel like.” Without any further the waitress scramble through to Liam. Revealing more cleavage displaying Liam’s interests. Liam bait his drink from the waiter, dropping his business card to her. She whispered closely to his ear then snickered flirtatiously with fulfilment to whatever Liam was suggesting. Covering her mouth from shying at the comment before leaving us alone.

There we go the night owl, woken, ready to prowl the ladies of the night.

“Hey, Leo do you do threesome?” Quirking his brow to me.

“What fucken kind of questions is that?” Expressing a dumbfound look to him indicating THE f**k NOT. Horrified by the astounding query of Liam’s s****l life bounding in exotic abnormal intercourse apart from mine. If my wife caught in the act of this barbarism she would had wished to never meet me.

Shrugging his shoulder, “Thought I might ask, I guess I’ll be getting lucky tonight alone then. Your dead on being a priest for life.” An amusement short chuckle came along from him.

Before I could retort, a blonde man whose height almost matched mine coursed in the conversation.

“Well, well, Liam you started the party without me.” Kellan sauntered in the room; arms open wide giving a grand gesture.

“Actually, I’m just getting started.” My brother’s cockiness grin spread across his face.

“Good, how was Camelia?” Kellan inquired.

“Very, very, intense, little did I know she was a bisexual. Could have more pleasure with two than one.”

“Should we have a massive party at your place?” Kellan inch over to grab a pool stick. Gazing to my presence, “I’m sorry, where is my manners. I’m Kellan and you must be Leonardo.”

Shaking his stretch out hand, “Yes, I am. Now to return the rudeness, both of you, there is no night life happening at the mansion.”

“Hey, can’t a man enjoy his lustful moments.” Kellan replied solemnly.

“His princess is in the castle.” Liam chuckled.

“Life’s got you lock down. Who is this intriguing princess? Wild in the bed?”

Fuck this, angered brew within my blood as I stalking to him. No one would ever dare utter those words standing still. Liam splinter through the path blocking the punch I was going to throw.  

Holding my rampant blow to calm my s**t down with his hand gripping my upper torso, Liam turned to reply. “Kellan, the king here has an heir.” In a cool tone he expressed to Kellan.

“Oh….ohhhh…my bad man didn’t mean it that way. I thought with your old records it wasn’t possible anyone could make you settle down.” Kellan’s face went stone cold to holding up his hand in defeat trying to deflect any progress of a fight.

“I’ll like my member to be worship tonight rather than bailing the both of you out from jail.” Liam rung in as he suspected my anger gravely sought release.

Shoving my brother for his crude comment, I return to pool table. I aim at the ball shooting it straight into the hole on the pool table without a sweat.

               “Shall we play a game together?” Kellan interjected friendly to even the mood.                                                                                             

“Losers pays up a heft pound. Properties, money, or dares? Leo, you in?”

Chalking the pole, “Depends, how about if I win. Both of you owe me a favor. Dare to play?”

The testosterone was mounting as we all agreed to the game. Shot after shots blown into their place. Some miss and some didn’t. Advantage was mine to keep, thanks to the unjustified faith to fill in the time. I rack on a few new habitats including this game. Olivia called at 8’oclock sharp prompting not to the miss bedtime story. It was getting late and soon Olivia would need her sleep. Preparing her for school for the week to come. Dreading the idea, but Olivia deserve better than being in prison from my speculation of harms in her way. Smirking, the game was beyond near its end. I was confident.

……………….

Ezmaranda

I’m so exhausted! My worn-out muscles screamed lively to my head. Need sleep. I was up all night making sure all duties were appointed and decorations were assembled correctly. My OCD traits were added with my solitary personality. Kicking in high gear for the charity event. This fundraiser showcased the growing companies and critics of carving pottery to kitchen utensils. A learned skill from my mother. Growing up, we used that time to bond, having a “Girls Time” on weekends. The quality time was calming. Her precision designs in pottery expanded elegantly gaining eyes of the people. It was an addition to Callahan Inc to the rising business of hotels my father had built. The reign I held strongly to my heart pushing the expansion thriving more attention. Accumulating custom made products to surge sales. It made me feel worthy of some sort, at least I thought so.

Overall it was the last time or item that mom and I shared when the happy days were still dancing around.

My biggest ceramic sculpture.

Containing handles on the side like a trophy. Gifted to hold on checks and cash donated for the function. Or even business cards. Coating with vibrant lighted colors of spring with a priceless oval diamond. Embedded with white initials LEC surrounded with vines. Lesile Ezmaranda Callahan. Prized pottery. Soon to bedazzle on the table where guests will be in awe. And put their generous support in. Although it was my priceless collection to me, I did collected artifacts to gain buyers consideration. Another auction on the menu were my little devil troopers at Elite Academy showcasing their pottery skills. Sponsoring this school and adding pottery art class for free. Oddly, somehow, I took interested in kids after the shift in behavior. My temperament altered into remoteness more than before. So much it did not bother me anymore as I enjoy the loneliness. The last affair was casting hand imprints, the popular trend these days. Everyone one love that activity.

The morning of the event, out in plain view, the acre to one of our hotels held the function within the garden. A platform stage faced the hotel along it white cement formed in a rectangle stretch wide enough to fit about three hundred wondering guests. Donating the money to hospitals to fight brain cancer in return two lucky visitant will get one-year free board to our owned suites. As everyone trickle in substantial in the empty spaces. Appetizers running from the kitchen carefully placed on table supplying the hunger. To you mom. Heading to the pink cloth matching the cherry and pink magnolia trees where my prize pottery should have sat. In a state of panic, rushing to the side where the workers should have placed thirty minutes ago. Knowing it was a two man job, but time is of an essence. Out in far corner, eyeing the workers wheeling it on the cart eased the anxiety.

Walking to them, “Placed it on the table with the pink cloth.” They both acknowledged yes m’am and progressed on. Observing my surrounding of the beautiful garden. I handpicked these intriguing variety of flowers. Again, something gained from the hoorah mishap. Rather pleasing to the eye to perceive it coming alive enhancing the hotel view.

CRASH!

CLINK!  

Commotion begins to travel to my ear turning to face where the sound came from. Seeing my priceless artifact in slow motion, fragmented, into pieces. Coursing rapidly to the scene detecting the occurrence. Hannah’s horrid face had careless bumped into the two men carrying the piece. A friend throughout college. Working for Albright Industries coordinator of the food presented before us.

“What in the hell happened? Hannah! You know what this meant to me?” Angrily said as my temper blew out. My priceless memory was broken. Unable to maintain brewing fume, I added, ”Whaaa…Are you that fucken blind! You can’t see? ”

A man from the crowd rooted in my blind spot view. And chimed in the conversation. “Excuse you, miss. By evaluating the situation with your eyes. The tragedy is done by accident.”

Hands balled in a fist, furious even further, I was prepared to smack him in the face.

He added, “If I were you, I wouldn’t be making a scene.”

Viewing ahead of us, the crowd began noticing the commotion I was summoning. The itch in my balled palm wanted to escalate the situation. Trying my best to hold in the anger wanting release to this mysterious man in front of me. Reverting my gaze back to the fire which started it all. My mother’s pottery.

Mine as well.

It was like I could turn back in time and remake new memories. She was gone. Her corpse was buried underground. Anger spread like wildfire, agitated, I bend down to scrap for the oval diamond with scatter residue. Grasping tightly on the diamond still attached to a fragment of the pottery. Enclosing close to my chest. Repenting all my sins to her. The charity was to renew her name. Embracing her legacy and not let her wither away with every other human being who died in the world. Plenty of graves and only celebrity or famous well known people tether a piece behind for living to grasp a fragment of them.

Coursing around to perceive the faceless male, “Who do you think you are?” I pointed at his chest keeping the water fall from streaming to gravitation. “A pathetic fanboy. Coming around here bossing me around with your threat?” Aggressively shoving him backward. “You think I care what anyone thinks? If you think using that tactic to handle you an empathy card. You are dead wrong. ” Raising what I held in at torso level.  “You don’t even know what this means…….” Tears bloom to streak, but I held on.

In a split second, my vision blurred from someone’s embrace. The masculine cologne masked my senses. I couldn’t recall the name of brand though it was a familiar scent.

What brand was it? Was it; Gucci, Nautica Voyage, or Azzaro?

Why am I enchanted by deciphering the eccentric scent.

Overwhelmed like a gust of sand swamp whirl winding the gingerly spice smell delightful to encounter me. It comfortably kinked my brain to relax. As poison sleep sprayed dance with the gust of sand. Guessing it was a man who was killing the air out of me because of his cologne. The male hold me tightly suffocating the O2 my lungs breathe as if I was going to disperse from his view. At this point I couldn’t deny it. Spontaneously and desperately winded to inhaling. I was about to disperse. If only he could let loose a tad bit before I literally faint.

“Ezzie,” the man called out. “It’s really you? It’s really you.”

All I saw hazel eyes swirling with concern and a mix of yearning with relief. Glowing hazel eyes telling thousands of stories of need, missed, craved, and will kill to endless world. All the emotion bottled up mixed and mashed ready for the final day to distinguish the agony.  

“Where. Where have you been?

FUCK, I’ve missed…I missed you so much!”

Hands clutching my head cradling and pressing firmly against his chest as if I was shielding his first born child from predators. While the other wrapped crossed my shoulder caressing my back in contentment of safety. Slowly, he tilted my head up again meeting his gaze, plunging fiercely a kiss on my lips. His contentment felt like a longing, lost, and desperately seeking essences to take the next breath.

Utterly flabbergasted, the unexpected kiss, my body refused to move. Deciding what my next move from my stone solid astonishment, I surrender to his scorching command. Coaxing intently, slowly yet delicately to cure the ache. In response, I didn’t deny him, nor I act on. Hesitating to take the vigorous lungful from the limited air.

When he finally loosens the stronghold arms and he cried out, “Oh GOD! Our daughter…..”

This lunatic thinks I have a daughter.

Obliterating nauseated by him I was. Wow, I had never encountered a fan who used that line before to charm me. It was cute, but very damaging to my reputation. Especially when I’m going to be engaged soon. And having a baby out of wedlock with another man screamed to be front page of every gossip column.

Better yet I am still a virgin for crying out loud. Adding to the mess, my fiancé and I haven’t slept together or even kissed. Well…kissed on the lips anyways.

Raymond always stole my cheeks when I wasn’t paying attention when we were little kids. And even now. Then again, this man continued killing my air supply. Don’t get me wrong. He smelled ferociously good. So damn good, I felt a slight tangent to the love that someone was capable of caring for anyone to this extent. But he’s crazy enough to claim our acquaintances and sleeping together much less a child.

Rationality and the awareness poured in; logic found me as I removed myself from his tender touch. The first several attempts fail miserably to get him off, using my free hand to knock his sternum away from me. And with the other, brushing his upper muscle sending him stumbling backwards. His stagger steps probably caused from the unexpected pushes. The stranger probably assumed he would use my fragmented mind to be fooled by claiming me as his wife or whoever he claimed I was. I wouldn’t surpass for a moment someone got the information from one of father’s circle of friends.

“Who the hell are you?” I bellowed, “Claiming my name as if I’ve known you before? For all I know, we just met psycho. Don’t drag your child for me to take pity. If you even speak the truth or making an elaborating heart throbbing story. All of you are alike dirty, filthy, succumb bags running marathons to find a weak link for any benefits you could manage to squeeze out.”

My eyes widen at the very sight of him. Having an entire view of the stranger and scourging in all the glorious sight as it engulfed me deliberately. On the side, the audience hook to their post reflecting movement. They all stay rooted there to play it safe and didn’t want to be caught in the cross fire with my wrath. Ones I don’t handout lightly. I barely spoke and when I did it, it was only necessary.

Instantly, it became hard to breathe. The air was stuck in my throat expelling nothingness. The unidentified unknown stranger of a fanboy was.

He was. He’s. ABSOULTELY breathtaking.

His slicked back waves withered fondling with the wind. Chisel strong jaw neatly trim stubble with his oblong face. He didn’t dress like a regular guest staying at the hotel. His expensive tailor black matted suit made from only from elite social class. A class of fortunate millionaire and billionaire could solitarily afford. His watch appeared to be custom made designed to have costed fortunes. His sizzling hazels eyes flamed to mine. He looked stunned or was it hurt from the daggering words I sent flying his way. Those locked eyes with mine, widen, taking a few minutes to what look liked he was going to say something.

But he stopped, terminating the motion of his mouth to speak. Averting his gaze to the new body heat radiating beside me. Entirely, I was distracted to the attractive male who probably shouldn’t be kindly eye goggling. Without a second thought, I would have thrown my money like rain to complete his mission for looking this damn fine.

“Are you ok, Ezmaranda?” Raymond asked when he stood beside me squeezing both of my shoulders for comfort. Eyes averting to confront the unidentified man.

Too busy eyeballing god’s creation, I caught no hint of Raymond’s body pressing into me. I didn’t reply even when his voice register through.

Rushing in the scene to aid the unidentified man was my bestie Irene as she looked muddled. She was trying to decipher the commotion, as I found myself confused too. I sensed she knew the stranger as she took hold of his arm and gawked areas along his long bulky arms. She was on the verge of leading him out, but his stood his ground essentially staring between my fiancé and me.

Obviously too strong for her to remove him from his place. Was he distraught by Raymond? Threaten? It was unbelievable and nonsense. None of it made sense. Who was he? What was he doing here anyways?  

Why a fine creation like him arm in a despicable lie to chance an audience with my attention. What was his story? And how does he know Irene? What did he want from me? Or want at all?

Raymond’s comfort ran down further to my hands. I automatically flinch at the unexpected pain from him grazing the wound.

“Your bleeding,” Raymond exclaimed concerningly. “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”

Still shaken from the chaos I didn’t budge. My slumbering muscles was motionlessly from the surprised the stranger’s longing inviting embrace. Deeply weaken and too daze from the impression he left. As if, I was possessed to stay for the he was the devil clawing to be one with his soul.

Raymond noticed I was totally unaware of his request to move my ass and get with the program. Raymond held onto my shoulders guiding me to the hotel. Surprised my feet moved in sync to his guidance without reluctance. Because lying deep below the abyss of my heart, I wanted to linger longer. To at least get the name of my assault guest. Probably asked for more than that if I was being completely honest with myself.

But I was determined to never to return, as I faded from the scene capturing the last memory of him. Knowing Raymond, I was ready to be engorge on how this would play out. And he be unenthusiastic for me to return. The better judgement of me skewed to the rational side of things.