Bloods Gem (13 page)

“
Faith?” He asked.

I smiled, “Daniel?”

He took my hand and pulled me close to him,
taking my breath away. I bit my lip as he kissed both my
cheeks.

Moving to take my seat, he came behind me
and pulled my chair out.

“
Thank you,” I said.

He nodded and put his hand on my shoulder.
His hand was fire burning my skin. Feeling as if I would faint, I
gripped my seat. Looking down, I blinked twice, to retain the
light. Looking up at his smiling face, a tickling rose up my back,
and to the front of my body. Lustful thoughts invading me, my body
tried leaping forward. Catching this sudden attack I withdrew my
movements. His smirk led me to believe he was responsible.

Pulling myself out of the trance, I removed
my glasses, showing him I could resist.

“
So, did you ask me here as an apology
for last night?” I asked smiling. Waiting for his response. He sat
thinking. I was impatient for a response and stared harder. Again,
he appeared to be suffering.

“
I wanted to apologize in person. I
felt like an idiot last night for drinking so much.”

So he was drunk, I thought to myself. He's
probably being polite and isn't interested. I didn’t figure I was
anything compared to the girls he could get or had. Why did he even
bother? There was no need for a meeting, especially since he didn’t
seem too interested.

Miserable, “Well it’s fine, but there’s no
need for all of this,” I said sounding bitter.

He leaned over the table towards me, “So,
you find me attractive?” Was it that noticeable? I felt stupid, and
tried hard to think of something to make him feel like a dumb ass
for asking. I laughed. “I’m sorry Daniel. Last night I was drunk
and shouldn’t have given you my number. I have a boyfriend back
home.”

His smile was replaced by a guarded
look.

“
I understand.”

Putting his head down on the table, “Are you
okay?” I asked. “You look like you're going to get sick.”

He laughed and put his head in his
hands.

“
I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings,” I
said.

He chuckled again. I tried to see his face
wondering what he was thinking.

“
What?” I asked him.

Turning toward me, “It's nothing Faith. I
was just taken aback. I thought you felt the same as I.”

Shocked, I wondered if he was playing mind
games. Maybe he was feeling bad knowing I figured him out and that
he had no interest. He knew I was leaving soon, so he would try to
save me some embarrassment and sending me off letting me think he
was into me. Or maybe he was into me and I was just reading him
wrong. My mind raced. What could I say?

I'll just stick to my plan, I thought. “I’m
sorry I gave you the wrong impression.” That was the most decent
thing I could come up with. I hated holding back, but it was for
the best, knowing I’d get hurt and I had Chris back at home.

I couldn't turn back, even though every part
of me was fighting this. He asked me to walk with him. I agreed,
telling him I had to go soon.

We talked the entire time. He asked about my
life in the United States and I told him I was going to college and
about my mom and boyfriend. He talked a little about his family and
how much he adored his mother. He seemed reluctant discussing much
of his life but he seemed like a good guy. It was hard to look at
him for long. That perfect face made me want to cry, because I knew
I couldn't have him. I wondered why I was led to him, if he wasn't
feeling the same. Why had he invaded my dreams. How could I explain
this? Though I wanted to tell him, I couldn't.

I bumped into him a few times while we
walked, feeling a little light headed. He fit my dream perfectly
but this was better. His presence was proof that I wasn’t
insane.

We stopped at a park, furnished with trees
and statues. Children played on the playground and birds sang in
the trees. I hoped I wouldn’t wake up to find myself dreaming
again.

I jumped upon the concrete base holding a
statue of a horse and started walking around it. Humming, I looked
down at him and he was staring.

Smiling and ready to jump down, he held his
arms out to help me. I put my hands on both sides of his arms and
fell into him. Time slowed, we gazed at each other, with his hands
on my waist. Breathing deeply, my body caught fire. I bit my lip,
looked down and sighed.

Tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear,
he slid his finger down my cheek.

“
We better get you back,” he
said.

We walked back slowly, in silence. Chancing
a glance in his direction, I saw he was in serious thought. I
didn’t want to ask. Thinking about the sudden change in mood, I
felt as if I'd been wrong about him. He did want me.

Once we made it back to the cafe, I wondered
if I would see him again. I didn't want to say goodbye. But if he
did like me, I was sure he would call me again. “It was nice
meeting you Daniel,” I said smiling. Returning the smile, “It was
my pleasure Faith,” He said, bowing his head.

The way my name rolled off his tongue, in
that English accent, made my head fuzzy. I turned to walk away and
he grabbed my hand.

“
I can't let you go without trying
something first.”

He pulled me close and took his glasses off.
His hands around my waist, my heart beat hard against my chest.
Looking into my eyes, his lips touched mine.

His tongue pressed against mine as he pulled
me closer. Placing my hand on the back of his head, I kissed him
back. Consumed by the moment then ripped from it when I felt
intense pain shooting from my hand up into my arm.

Opening my eyes my face soaked with tears. I
glanced at my hand and saw it was at an unnatural angle. I pushed
Daniel away. He let go of me but stood there as if in a daze.

Frightened and the realization that he
had broken my hand.
Who does this?
Why would he?

“
You broke my hand!” I
yelled.

I knew something was off about him but I
purposely ignored my gut feeling, because the connection i felt for
him was stronger then the prodding in my logic.

I jumped in the car, put my useable hand on
the steering wheel. I shot it in reverse and took off. I had to
find a hospital quick. Gritting my teeth I yelled “Fuck!”

The phone rang on the seat next to me.
Glancing over at it, the number didn't look familiar, so I ignored
it. Five minutes later I drove into the emergency room parking lot.
I signed in as the nurse gave me an ice pack. Pulling the phone
from my purse, I saw a new message, so I called voice mail.
Apologizing, Daniel said he didn’t know how it happened and had got
lost in the moment. I wanted to accept his apology, But it made no
sense.

Images of Daniel driving into the hospital
parking lot and entering the building emerged. I felt a hand on my
shoulder. I glanced over, Daniel bent down on his knee taking my
hand in his.

"Faith, I'm so sorry" He said.
Starring into his green pleading eyes, I wondered why they were no
longer black. His touch caused my pain and uneasiness to
subside.
I
told him my plan
to call him back when I was done. Relieved, Daniel laid his head
against my leg, until they called me in.

In the small, cold room, the doctor didn’t
ask questions. After examining my hand he signaled the nurse. "Lay
down on the hospital bed," He said. I glanced over at the bed,
wishing I had had Daniel come into the room with me. Placing my
foot on the step in front of the bed I hopped up onto it. My butt
sliding on the paper roll, the sharp crisp sound of paper crinkling
underneath caused me to cringe. Laying on the bed he took my hand.
"Okay, we have to reset your hand. On the count of three I'll pop
it back into place. Ready?" He asked. I glanced at the nurse beside
me as she held my arm. I nodded. "One" I closed my eyes. I didn't
hear two. But then I felt pressure increase on my hand then the
grinding it was more then i could bare. Hearing a pop I started
screaming. Barging into the room, Daniel came up next to me. He
pushed the doctor aside and placed his hand on the back of my head.
His touch burned but the other pain disappeared immediately.

"There," he said.

"How'd you do that?" I asked.

He smiled. "Don't worry about that." Gently
sitting me up, "Let's get out of here," he said.

The doctor stopped us. "Let me put this on
first." He placed a splint on my hand. Later, as he walked me
outside, he put his jacket over me. Chris entered my head. I felt
sick to my stomach knowing I had kissed Daniel and was in a
relationship with Chris.

“
I cant do this!” I cried.

“
Why are you upset?” He
asked.

“
This was a mistake, I have a
boyfriend.”

Daniel balled his hands into fist. He paced
back and forth. He glanced over at me. “Do you have feelings for me
Faith?” I nodded. Walking over to me he placed his hands on both
shoulders. “Then stay with me-- For a week. I'll put you up in a
hotel,” he said. Thinking of his proposal, I knew I owed it to
Chris to make sure I was not in love with Daniel. I couldn’t live
with myself if I returned home acting as if everything was normal
with Chris, if I was really in love with Daniel. Looking up at him
I agreed to stay. He looked surprised. He insisted on driving me
back home.

On the way back to Gina's my mind
raced. I knew they would ask questions about my hand.
What could I say?
And I knew they
would ask why I was going back to a hotel to stay with
Daniel.

He glanced over, “You need an excuse?” he
asked.

I wondered how he knew what I was
thinking.

“
You slipped on some water in the cafe
and fell on your hand.”

It sounded plausible. As we approached the
house, I felt tense and unsure, knowing they would see through the
lie I was about to tell them. He placed his hand on my thigh and
smiled. “It'll be fine.”

Doubt evaporated as I relaxed. “How do you
do that?” I asked.

He looked confused, “Do what?”

I Looked down feeling embarrassed. “You make
me feel… different.”

He chuckled. “I can sense the way you feel,”
he said grinning. I wondered what he meant by that.

He stayed outside to make a phone call and I
went inside to tell my story. Kate and Gina were sitting on the
sofa. I sat down next to them.

“
Oh my god, Faith what happened to
your hand?” Kate asked worried.

“
Its not that bad. I just slipped on
some water and fell. Daniel went to the hospital with me.” They
glanced at each other questioningly.

“
Sorry. Daniel is the guy I met at the
bar last night.” Their eyes widened in disbelief.

“
What about Chris?” Kate
yelled.

“
Daniel is just a friend. But he
invited me to stay here for a few more days and wants to show me
around. He’s setting me up in a hotel.”

Kate stabbed me with an angry glare. “No.
This is wrong. What about Chris? And your mom will freak out. You
don’t even know this guy!” She had come off the couch and was
pacing the living room.

“
I’m an adult. I do and go where I
want and no one tells me what I can and cannot do. So you can sit
here and yell all you want. I’m going!” I yelled, coming off the
sofa. Gina stepped in between us. “Okay girls, settle
down.”

She turned to me, “Yes it is your choice
what you do. If you feel like you can trust this guy you just met,
then go. I'll be here if you need me. Just be careful.”

“
What’s wrong with you Gina? You think
this is okay?” Kate shouted.

Gina turned to her, “She’ll be fine. We
can't tell Faith what to do. It’s her decision and its none of our
business.”

Kate glared as if she wanted to punch me.
“I’m going to tell Chris when I get back!” She threatened. I
shrugged, “Don’t bother I'll call him now.” I smiled. She clenched
her teeth and ran upstairs.

A knock at the door startled me. I hurried
to put my phone back in my pocket and decided to call Chris later.
I glanced at Gina as she moved across the room twords the door. She
opened it.

"Hello, I'm Daniel," he introduced himself.
He shook Gina's hand. They came into the living room and I noticed
Gina acting strange. She turned her body twords Daniel while she
rubbed her neck and wouldn't stop smiling. He rolled his eyes and
grinned in my direction. I stepped in between them, "Thanks Gina,"
I said hugging her. She patted my back and continued staring at
him. Annoyed at Gina's obvious flirting, I grabbed Daniels hand.
Haley stood at the top of the stairs, staring intensely at Daniel.
I thought I heard a growl, but wasn't sure. Daniel stared back.
Grabbing my arm he lead me outside. “Wait, my stuff,” I said.

“
I’ll send for it later,” he said
hurriedly. Remembering what Haley told me, I wasn't surprised he
wanted to get out quickly. A black car with tinted windows waited
for us. He helped me in and shut the door, went around to the
driver and whispered something. The driver made a call, while
Daniel sat next to me in the back.

“
What’s wrong?” I asked him. He
glanced at me. “That girl is a runaway. she’s bad news,” He
said.

“
How do you know her?”

He smiled. “She’s kind of part of my
family.”

“
Small world,” I mumbled.

He chuckled under his breath. I wondered if
he really did kill Haley's mom. Surely not, I thought.

“
What is it?” He asked.