A. White
Chapter 1
Clicking off the music of Roy Orbison, singing "I ride the highway." one of Bea’s favorite’s songs. Her mom direct her attention back to "Hamlet; The Prince of Denmark." Six year old Bea found it insomniac curing boring. Ana skipped "MacBeth," they dealt with insane, evilness everyday__thank you very much.
So she asked her mom for a break to listen to oldies. Ana agreed that the modern music had no real rhythm or tone, it inspires
nothing to the mind nor heart. It was just a bunch of loud
nonconstructive noise, going nowhere. Reminded her of hell.
They were playing an Orbison musical festival, Ana admitted she
liked "Pretty Woman." Someone sung that song to her once but she
can’t remember who. It wasn’t Thad, he wasn’t big on singing. The
nouvo deadly illness caused by the succums seemed to have swiped
some of her memory. She remembers all she learned years ago but is
still having problems remembering the last 7-8 years other than
Bea, her family and few people she dared to befriend.
Ana knew it wasn’t traditional to teach those young as Bea;
Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Virgil, Sophie, Maya Angelo, Phyllis
Wheatly, Milton, Donne, Dumas, mythology, quantum science,
geometry, algebra and political science and sprinkles of many
other subjects. Having the spiritual ability to see the past she
taught history how it actually happened, not how it’s written.
Bea being sarcastic quotes "How noble is a man blah, blah,
blah, yada, yada, To be or not to be," Glancing sideways and surly
at her mom looking straight ahead as she drove Bea asked "what
kinda dumb question is that?" Ana knew that look, she wanted to ask
"What kinda dumb-ass question is that?" Ana still feeling a little
puny from her last bout of illness said "I don’t know, but in the
world you’ll have to go int they loves this kinda stuff." But her
eyes said you better not utter the word, "ASS." She knew Bea wasn’t
in the mood of a philosophical explanation and she wasn’t feeling
well enough to explain it.
She read time the way her ancestors did by the position of the
sun, looking at the sky, it told her it was approximately 3:00 P.M. and they had a mountain range to cover before nightfall. That
Kansas experience had left her very leery of mountains at night.
She could see the extension of the Rockies looming before them and
didn’t see how she could make it through them before night was upon them.
Glancing over at her daughter Ana realize this car is the only
real home Bea has ever known. Bea was growing up in this car. She
been in this Toyota since she was twenty three months old. Every
since she lost their home in Boston, that terrible accident which
still causes her pain, almost took away her mother as well. She
felt a chill down her spine as she recorded those dark, murky days
she struggled to stay alive and clinge to life mostly for Bea’s
sake. She believe had not been for wanting to be there for Bea she
would have given up the ghost. But instead she put the ghost in a
headlock__telling it, "you aren’t going anywhere. Heaven can wait."
Bea looked again questioningly at her mom as the mountains loom
dark and foreboding before them. Ana saw her father in her. She
smiled at the wise child and said "No sweetie, we aren’t tackling
that tonight. Too dangerous." Bea obviously relaxed and went back
to looking for suitable exits.
"Everything is gonna be alright, sugar. Let momma do the worrying."
"I know" Bea equipped cheerfully, turning the radio back on trying
to find a station she wanted to hear. Finding none she plugged in
earphones and listened to her own selection of pre-teen music.
They were headed back east. Ana didn’t exactly know why. She
went where ever the intrinsic compass in her nature led them. If
she got a weird or devilish prevision about an area they were
forthcoming she passed it by, if the fuel level permitted. If they had to stop and refuel, she stopped battle ready. With her spiritual antennas tuned to the darkforces’ presence. She was rarely wrong about they being near. The stronger ones were able to cloak their aura very well, causing her a few times to misstep directly into their hives. She didn’t feel like fighting, outgunning nor outrunning them. They were approaching a midsize town called Jasper WYMONING. It appeared sane but she knew looks could be deceiving. They exited at mark 115 for fuel the car and their bellies. They ventured into a local restaurant called Dennis’. She saw a few Native and Mexican Americans but no African Americans. Despite the Race Wars of 22nd century and World War III in the 23rd century a lot of America hadn’t changed since the 20th and 21st century. Racism had been a hardass demon to kill. So a black woman traveling alone in certain areas still had to be extra careful. The races one saw already present gave a good indication as to who was welcomed. Her supernatural ability to pick up on anything out of the ordinary was in full swing. She sensed if they were here, they wasn’t on a multifarious level. By this she meant coming out the woodwork. Hunger and fatigue force her to ignore the racial quota. She doesn’t posses a racist bone in her body. Nora and Wayne are as white as snow but she loved them as sister and nephew, and kill anyone who tried to harm them. But her experiences have told her that towns with no or very sparse African American population usually aren’t a pleasant place for her and Bea.
After leaving Dennis’ Restaurant, she saw in the shadow of the mountain range sit a nice chateau-like hotel called the Jasper Inn. The moon was out by now, they were so late leaving the cafe because it a long while to be served. The moon looked like it crowned the mountain peak. Parked in the customers parking space she searched her bags to make sure the name on the ID matched that on the car registration she intended to use. Her brother Jack had input into the universal system several ID’s, registrations, and credit cards to various aliases.
They entered the hotel lobby carrying their overnight bag the
supererogative glance the desk clerk cast their way as they neared
him confirmed what she suspected. She had ignored the wary glances they received in Dennis.’
"May I see your charge card and ID along with vehicle
registration?" The desk clerk asked very curtly. Ana reached in the
bag and pulled out the correct ID and registration but cash not
credit card.
"Sorry Madam, we don’t accept cash."
"I don’t see anywhere it says you don’t accept cash." She kindly
remarked.
The clerk reached under the counter and noisily slams down a black
and gold hard plastic sign stating: "All rooms must be reserved by
credit card." She explained there’s a difference between making a
reservation for a future endearment than her being right here in
person.
Her brother Jack had foreseen this problem and had sent her long
ago credit cards matching every ID along with a short sprawled note
saying, "This is for dealing with assholes. For emergencies only."
He was the only member of her origin family she maintained an
infrequent contact with because he knew how to operate very
clandestinely. Reminded her of the spy games they played as
children.
The clerk was certain she didn’t have one. He gave her a
querulous smile, believing she understand it to be apologetic. Ana
coolly stared him fully in the face as she slapped the credit card
on the counter. He picked up the card with his fingertip as thus it
was squirming with lice of hell cooties. He pretentiously typed in
the information before saying. "Sorry madam, all rooms are reserved
until the end of the month." He looked at her triumphantly. She
knew he was lying, she heard no key strokes.
By now she was hostling both overnight bags and Bea was leaning
against her half-asleep. Anger rose in her like a monstrous tidal
waves she slapped the counter so loud everyone within earshot
jumped except Bea. "Look here, you euthenics-hating bastard. I’m
not! Do you understand me?__Not driving across those god-forsaken
mountains at this ungodly hour just because your asinine ass is
still in the eighteenth century. It’s either you find your best
room for us or I jump across this desk and choke the crap outta
you!" She saw him press a security button, she suspired angrily
because she knew what was coming next. Shortly afterward she saw
headlight beaming accompanied by red and green flashing lights
floods through the lobby’s glass door and dancing on the wall.
To arrive so quickly, he must had been nearby. A Paul Byuan
twin unfolded himself from behind the police hovercruiser’s
steering wheel, the huge silhouette against the headlights
walked lazily into the lobby.
"Jed, what’s the problem?" Paul Byuan twin asked with his mouth but his said he saw the problem, "Blacks." Except that wasn’t the word his eyes were calling the "problem."
"Officer Girlord, she threaten me." The clerk said.
"With a gun?" Girlord asked scrutinizing the short, thin woman and
child nearly as tall as her mother.
"No, she threaten to choke me."
The man took a long hard look at Ana and burst out laughing.
"Choke you with what? Her pocketbook strap?! Those tiny hands can’t encircle your neck." Jed, the clerk blushed three shades of red.
Leaning against the counter still snickering the officer said.
"Jed, my boy___women and children get frisky and mean when they’re tired. They lash out when uncomfortable. Be a good sport and give the girl a room. I’m sure she’ll apologize."
"But officer, I just informed her all rooms were reserved."
"Sorry madam." The officer said looking at her in a way she didn t
like. I guess you’ll have to keep on down the road. You can’t
sleep in parking lots around here. That’s unlawful loitering."
Girlord said not bothering to hide his lustful thoughts about her.
"Or spend the night down at the station."
Ana thinks to herself "Who in their right mind would willingly
go to jail?" Leading Bea around this mountain of a man she say "No,
thank you, sir." Girlord doesn’t bother to hide he is checking out
her ass as they walk across the Old English decorated lobby.
"What’s the meaning of this commotion?" A clear stately male voice
rung out across the lobby. It was so refined it was totally out of
place in this low-budget surrounding. It was as much out of place
as she and Bea.
"Ms, please hold on a moment." The cultivated voice say from behind them. She turned and saw a man too perfect to be human. Every muscle and feature were in perfect posture and harmony. His face was as handsome as the rest of him. Approaching her in a smooth stride with his well manicured hand extended. Making her for the first time conscious of her rough, raggedy cuticles and callous hands.
"Ashton Cargill." The man introduced himself. Turning to the clerk
and police officer saying. "You both are aware of the State Statute
that prohibit travels through these mountains. It requires us to
offer travelers shelter to keep them off these perilous mountain
roads at a such late hours."
"I told her the rooms are all reserved." Jed said stubbornly.
"I offered her a cell for tonight but she refused." Girlord
volunteered.
"A CELL!" Cargill echoed. "Cells are for drunks and criminals__not
for lovely ladies and children." He chastised.
Turning to Jed he demanded the key to the executive suite. Jed
dutifully hands it over as told. In a mannerism befitting a lord he
charmingly smiled and politely lifted the bags from Ana’s narrow
shoulders and handed them to Jed. And escorted the mother and child
to a pine wood panel elevator. Pressed the button for the sixth
floor. Jed follow behind them, he is mollified at this treatment
over a black woman and girl. But keep his disgruntlement to under
the surface.
Ana finally can see the man’s eyes clearly. They looks like a
precious gemstone instead of fleshly pupils. She have seen some
angels who had eyes like these but she was positive this man was no
angel. Using the gift of discernment she picked up on he was some
type of human but she felt he may had been ancient when the earth
was young. He caught her appraising him and smiled genteelly at
her. This ride seemed awful long, she guess because she was
uncomfortable around him. But the elevator finally stopped at the
designated floor. "Ladies first," Cargill said gesturing and
holding the door to allow she and Bea to exit first. She hated when
guys did that, from her experience she knew they never failed to
check out your derriere when you passed. She watched them both in
the side mirror panel, neither paid her any attention.
Opening the door she saw the room was splendid and the furniture
was spacious. The exterior didn’t do it justice. An entire wall
facing the moon was decorated with a shimmy silver drapery to give
the effect of a moonlight sonata. The drapes were designed to
capture the beauty of the mountain range at dawn. It was
breathtakingly beautiful and cozy. Everything was designed for
romance.
Jed tossed their bags on the bed and begun to stalked out but
Cargill directed him to place them on a Victorian era table and
immediately report back to the front desk. "I hope you enjoy your
stay with us. Two days are free as reparation for the shabby
treatment you endured at the hands of these oafs." Cargill said
showing her how to use the automatic door opener. Which he handed
to her. Advising her to override the automatic feature and open the
door manually after seeing who is at the door. "The camera feature
doesn’t help if the visitor keeps their face turned from the lens."
Bea flopped down on the bed and turned on the wall to wall plasma
screen, turns up the volume. He chuckled softly at the child
signalizing her wanting him to leave so they could go to sleep. He
finally bids them goodnight and sweet dreams. But reminds her to
override the system and set the manual lock on the door when she
closed the door behind him.
The pleasant smile and nobility vanish once he was out of her
sight and had reached the elevator headed back downstairs to the
lobby. He feels he needed to teach that hick downstairs a lesson or
two, he almost missed her because of Jed’s and that dimwitted cop’s
attitudes. He didn’t know her real name but he knew she registered
under a ruse. He knew a Handmaid of God had entered one of his
thousands of business because the system beeped off of some private
information he logged in years ago. He had rushed from beside his
harem in Monte Parase in the Mediterranean through this world’s
dimensions of time and to find the exact location he had to step
through time faster than the speed of light to this dump of his.
The last time he believed she entered one of his businesses he was
too late in catching her. He hasn’t been here in over 60 years,
sometime he changed his features or face. But an updated photo was
sent to all managers so they would recognize him. Jed, knew who he
was but still showed his ass.
He walked angrily into the quiet lobby and reached behind the
desk and slapped Jed unconscious. He, then materialized in front of
Girlord and started choking him and asked "Is being choked still
funny to you?" Girlord is struggling to say no. Cargill loosen his
grip, as he reached down faster than the officer could see,
gathering his penis and nuts in his hand and squeezed hard. Causing
the man to scream. "Listen you oversized prick! I know what’s in
your mind about her. I saw you watching. It isn’t going to happen.
If I ever catch you looking at her like that again I’m going to
kill you." The more Girlord struggled the harder Cargill squeezed.
In tears Girlord agrees to all Cargill says.
Cargill release him and turn on the award-winning smile again
saying. "Sorry, I had to rough you up but you don’t always follow
my instructions." He patted the huge on the shoulder. Gilord wanted
to massage his nuts but was afraid that would provoke Cargill to
inflict more pain.
"I’m sorry. I didn’t know who she was." Gilord confessed.
"I know you didn’t. That’s the only reason your innards aren’t
around your neck." Cargill said soothingly. Gilords’s grandfather
who was Jasper’s sheriff for over 30 years had told him about this
man. Saying he was good to you just so long as you didn’t piss him
off.
A few seconds later he appeared beside Ana’s car and tried to
disable it the anointment caused the car to painfully shock him. So
he had to find another way to make her stay in Jasper longer than
two days. To make her stay until he could charm her into falling in
love with him. But he knew he had to be careful in dealing with
her..she was gifted with love and compassion. If he wasn’t careful
it could end up with him being insanely in love with her. So insane
he would lose his freedom by Michael locking him up. So he resolves to court, woo and wed her. Their offsprings would be beautiful, handsome, powerful, rich and best of all part-immortals. Although their natural could go either way; they could be kind and loving like their mother or cruel and evil like him. Unfortunately most inherit his traits and personality but then again their mother were not handmaids of God, gifted in love and compassion.
He frowned down at the car, he viewed it as an obstruct between him and his new wife and future family. He already sees she gives birth to beautiful babies. He kicked the front driver’s side tire. It shocks him again, harder than previously. The spasm shot up his right leg and made his lose his balance. "Ok, ok, ok, Dad, I get the
message." He grumbled, getting up dusting off the dirt from the
parking lot.
He reason perhaps a human can touch it. Seconds later he
appeared in the bedroom of the local mechanic, people live longer
now they did 400 years ago. The last time he saw this man he was a
14 year old boy following his dad around in the auto shop. He drags
him out the bed by his foot. "Be down at the Jasper Inn in ten
minutes or I’ll make you sorry." Gatlin, the mechanic ignored the
pain in his head from rudely being dragged out the bed. He leapt
up, got dressed and rushed out without giving his over-weight wife
an explanation for suddenly departure. When Ashton Cargill called
no explanation was needed. He learned that well from his father.
This man brought Jasper back to life after World War III, they like
many small towns lost so many young people in the war that town
started dying. The secret to Jasper’s success was to keep your flap
shut in what Cargill really is.
Eight minutes later Gatlin pulls up in front of the darken
Jasper Inn, he doesn’t see the man for Cargill is standing in the
shadows waiting. Walking briskly to Gatlin, Cargill orders.
"Disable this car."
Gatlin slide under it on his back with a mini-flashlight in his
mouth. Once under there he try to decide which would be most
difficult to repair. Oil pan, too noisy to remove, punctured it
won’t disable the car. Deciding on the timer, he reached with sharp
pliers to snit the cable. A blue spark flashes as if the car is
warning him to back away. He ignores it. He tries again, a greater
shock is issued, burning his hand. He senses something eerie about
this car but he would rather face this spooky car than Cargill’s
wrath. He attempt a third time, gasping the cable belt between the
blade of the metal cutter a tiny bolt of lighting strikes him
burning his face, forearm, hands and right shoulder before it
dissipated into the pavement under him. He quickly scrambles from
beneath the car. Cargill’s face is clouded with rage. "Sir, I tried
but there’s something wrong with this car. It’s like its alive or
something." Gatlin cried shaking and whimpering from his injuries.
"I know that! You imbecile. Why do you think I brought your dumbass here?" Cargill hissed wondering who could get to disable the car?
Towing it was out of the question, she would merely find it and
quickly leave town. Then he would lose track of her again.
Angry his plan didn’t work he snarled."Gatlin get out of my face
before you make me kill you. Tomorrow, put the warning out if any
of you cretins make her feel unwelcome, refuse to serve her
respectfully, or as so much make a twitch that cause that woman to
flee from here. I’ll have your heads on pole!" Gatlins knowing all
the business owners and pretty much all the resident nods that he
understand and would certainly see to it that no one errs.
Knowing his own head would be the first to adorn a pole for failing
to disable this jinxed car. The man scurried away back to his own
car to begun the mission of putting out the word.
Pacing the three cars populated parking lot Cargill felt he had
to quickly devise another plan to make the woman in the executive
suite stay a little longer. The idea burst forth in his mind like a
nova star explosion. Why didn’t he think of this earlier, usually
he doesn’t have to put forth this much effort to attract a woman.
So there had been no reason to devise plans. Why not make the child
extremely drowsy and cranky therefore when she wakes up she will
beg her mother to stay another day or two longer. For he doubt free
room means much to this woman. But damn! Who is she? He believes he already knows her. He calculated no mother can resist her tired child begging for rest. After all, due to the restaurant and Jed’s fucking around they didn’t check in until 1:30 A.M., it’s 3:30 A.M. now, so I’ve 2-3 hours at best to work on the mother’s psyche.
Teleporting back to the room across the hall from Ana and Bea he
attempts to cast a sleep spell on the child, unbeknownst to him she
is wrapped in the mystery blue cashmere blanket her mom found when she woke up from the illness. But the spell dissipated in the air.
Believing Ana has a prayer barrier up he decides since the child is
off limit he will work on her psyche instead. Painstakingly, carefully
he weaves an illusion of a supper club he once visited in Harlem.
He made it appeared more grandeur and embellished than it was in
reality. He placed soft jazz in the background, hoping she knew
what Jazz was and sprinkled interracial couples through out the
club. Laid out the table with the finest food and wine. Adding a
gift and roses as the finishing touch. Now comes the difficult
part, pulling her spiritually into into his creation, illusion that
is actually a reality. He pulls as carefully, delicately and
skillful as a silk harvester collecting silk from a cocoon. He
didn’t wish to waken her. He walked the plush carpeted floor of his
suite while balancing this act. He wanted the experience to be as
pleasant and romantic as a dream. Nothing startling, murky or
frightening. He wanted her to feel she came to him on her own free
will. Yeah, yea, yea, he knew he wasn’t supposed to do this but he
couldn’t lose her. He couldn’t remember her name but he could
remember he lost her more than once. He remember he screwed up in the mountains in Georgia by acting like a brute. She doesn’t
remember him. Since then, he have somewhat changed his physical
features as much as now permissible. He cloaked his spiritual
imprint. But the affect she had on him was tantalizing. He sought to
keep him with her that night. But this morning he seeks to romance
her.
Now he placed himself in his creation, dressing himself in the
finest formal wear could conjure. In his mind he dressed her in a
golden silk gown with silver pumps. The energy required to create
this creation was straining his strength. He had to stop and wait
for her. He knew if he dwindled his strength further he would’ve no
resistance to her beauty and charm. It was 4:30, he had been at
work for an hour. Waiters and waitresses had brought bottles for
him to inspect and approve or disapprove. But still no Ana. He was
becoming tempted to simply yank her to himself. To the hell with
frightening her. But he waited patiently another twenty minutes and
in walks his vision of beauty. She stops and looks around,
searching for someone until she spots him, she smiled and waved. He strolled elegantly to meet her and hooked her dainty hand into his
well-dressed elbow. He escorts her proficiently to the table he
prepared pulling back and holding her chair, seating her.
"What are you doing in my dream?" Ana asked politely. The radiance of her essence of love is intoxicating to his refined senses.
However he had vowed not to look her in the eyes. Which was quickly becoming a difficult thing to do.
"You tell me, pretty lady." Ashton replied, pouring two glasses of
sparkling champagne. "It’s your dream."
"Yeah, but I don’t remember thinking of dating you when I met you
tonight." She reasoned.
"You must had. I’m here." He said with a hint sophistication she
sensed he was trying to play down. He pass across the table a
single red rose. With soft music playing he asked her for her hand
in a dance. She shrugged her shoulders and said. "Why not?"
Determined not to look her fully in the face he looks over her
head as they danced. He can sense her looking up at him. He make
what he feel is his greatest error, he looks down into those
beautiful dark amber eyes, he is lost in them before he realized
what he is doing. He looks into her eyes and lose all reserve. He
tries desperately to pull out of them by pulling her close to him.
She rest her head on his chest and he rest his cheek on the crown
of her head, another major mistake. He feels the great love and
compassion emitting from her in waves. He knows he must make it
his’.
His conscious mind chastised him for making too many mistakes.
Sure he wants her for a wife and the mother of his children. He
intend to treat her with kindness and respect but this love
business was not part of his plan. He tilted her face upward and
plant a passionate kiss. All sense and resolve are gone, he grieves
for his freedom. Bashfully she pulls away from him. He placed his
hand in her flowing auburn mane and kiss her deeper. He feels her
goes limp in his arm, the illusion fades and so does she. Again she
is back together body and spirit, she has gone back to her body.
And he is alone in the suite.
He quickly relocates himself into the mountains and screams. To
an untrained ear it sounds like thunder rumbling. He screams in an
agonizing sense of euphoria. He should’ve known playing with a
Handmaid of God would backfire on him. He knew there was no
escaping what he had started. It was like drinking hemlock and
expecting to live. He have had many wives of many different worlds
of noble birth. He didn’t love them in a sense of romantic love, he
treated them with kindness and respect. They bored his children and
he supported them. But he did what he wanted, some professed to be
in love, a few even committed suicide because they said he refused
to love them in return as they wished to be loved. But this was
different. Not what he wanted. He cried out for his older brother
Raphael.
"What do you want?" Raphael asked somewhat chilly and emotionless.
"Please take this shroud from me! I can’t handle this." Ashton
screamed at his perceived to be unfeeling brother.
"That shroud came from Father through a human. You know I can’t
remove it.."
"You must! She doesn’t love me. I saw it in her eyes!"
"What did you do?" Raphael asked conscientiously.
Ashton explained in full details. "Ahh, I see. You played with fire
and got burned so now you want me to put balm on the wound. You had better go to Michael for the balm. But didn’t you deliberately
pursuit this woman?"
"You know I can’t do that, Michael will lock me away."
"Well ask Father’s permission to make her your wife."
"You know damn well His Permission always comes with conditions. One would be I would have to walk the straight and narrow line until He calls her Home. I don’t want to live that way. It’s boring as hell."
Raphael anger flares "Don’t cuss at me little brother! You got
yourself in this predicament, so get yourself out!" He lectured
before disappearing.
Ashton now remembers he relentlessly pursued her for healing.
He felt some a few hours ago. But he knew he loved her whereas he
had no intentions of giving his heart to anyone. So what was he to
do with this realization. But he couldn’t shake the feeling he
already knew her and they have danced that close before. He
wondered was she the woman he saw himself escorting to the throne
of his world? That’s impossible, his world exist no more.
Everytime his mind wandered back to their pre-dawn rendezvous,
love radiance through his body and heart. He knew he wanted to make
her his bride, make sweet, passionate love to her. The sweet, sappy
quintessence was stridulous and grating against his chosen nature.
He left the scurrilous nature fleeing by the seconds, being
replaced by something he was quite familiar with.
Back at the Jasper Inn, Ana was now awake, dreading going out
for food. Most hoping to avoid the hotel owner. That was silly. It
was just a dream. How can he know what she dreamt? She don’t
remember experiencing a dream like that before. She rarely even
dreamed about Bea’s father, after getting over a brokenheart she
pushed Thad Wynett out of mind and heart. She would always care for him as Bea’s father but never again as a lover. Things were great
between them until he decided to act a fool. Fannie told Jack who
told her, that she had gotten a letter from Bea’s other grandmother
saying Thad was home and wanted to see Bea. Well, that’s just
tough! She can’t go back to Boston or NYC. She believes she only
dreamed about Ashton Cargill because she researched him before
retiring last night. She saw he owned hundreds of Fortune 500
companies across the globe. According to the article he is the
single most richest person in the world. The articles stated no one
knows for sure his full worth. But why would someone of his caliber
be in a backwood town like Jasper? Never mind, she didn’t have time
to wonder why people do the things they do. She was hungry and she was sure Bea would be too when she woke up.
As she was trying to brush the back of her hair, which is
something her little helper normally did when a firm knock sounded
at the door. It was only 7:30, too early for a maid. She bet it’s
that racist-ass Jed. Having already freshen up and showered, she
learned over the years when a place’s management acts nutty always
do all your business early or the night before because they’re
coming with some kinda shit bright and early in the morning. I
swear they must stay up all night rehearsing how to fuck with you
the next morning. She looks through the peephole and see it’s the
hotel owner. The very man she was trying to avoid. She opened the
door leaving the chain on the door, not that it would’ve done any
good had this big fucker wanted to get in. What was he? Seven feet
tall?! And built like Hercules.
"Good morning! I hope you slept well." Ashton beamed a smile at
her, his bejeweled eyes sparkling like clear champagne.
"Yes. I did. Thank you for asking." She replied avoiding looking
directly at him.
"I was on my way out for breakfast and was hoping you and the
little Missy would join me." He asked cheerfully as a boy would
with his first crush.
"Sorry, but uh...little Missy is still asleep."
"No, I’m not!" Bea debonaire from the bed. "And I’m hungry."
"Good, good, then I’ll see you ladies downstairs." Ashton said
enthusiastically.
Ana doesn’t remember saying yes! He and Bea decided she could
eat breakfast with him!
The town looked different in daylight than moonlight. It
appeared to be a tourist town. She decided up the same place they
ate last night. Hopefully no one poisoned the food. They sat in a
booth near the window looking out at the main highway off the
expressway. He sat directly in front of her, Bea was on her side
near the window. For unknown reason she felt safe with him. The
courtesy shown her now was a vast contrast to the blatant rudeness
less than twelve hours ago. People were tripping over each other
to serve them. Other patrons dropping by the table to table to say
hello when all everyone did last night was stared as if she had
grown horns. If she asked anything they pretend they couldn’t
understand her southern dialect. The howdy-dowdy attention was
becoming creepy.
"Where are you headed?" Ashton asked causally. Ana made an
unwritten law never to tell anyone where you are headed.
"North Dakota" She lied without guilt. Ashton knew she was lying
but didn’t care because he was in love with her.
"Uh, Mrs Pendergrass, I don’t know what nor who you’re running from
but if you remain in Jasper I’ll protect you."
"Mr. Cargill__what make you say I’m running?" She inquired
curiously.
"Why else would a woman and a child be traveling so late from so
far away?" He asked raising his left eyebrow.
"This isn’t the 1800’s anymore. Many women travel alone."
"Yes, that true. They travels alone not with children. Mrs
Pendegrass if you’re escaping an abusive husband, boyfriend or
lover. I would like to help you and protect you. However I think a
place like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles would be more suitable for a lady of your class and bearing than the sparsely populated North Dakota."
"I’m going there for a job." Ana said nippy, wishing he would let
the subject go.
"I own several businesses in the cities mentioned. I would be happy
to provide you a well-paying job in the city of your choice."
Ana laid down the silverware and looked around at the other
dinners who were pretending not to be eavesdropping but absolved in their meals. "Tell me...Mr. Cargill what is a man of your wealth
and frame doing a backwater town like this?"
Avoiding her eyes Cargill said. "So you researched me?" He
smiled shyly, secretly glad she did. It revealed her somewhat
interest in him. "Madame, if you must know. Periodically I leaves
bustle of the city and wealth and seek solitude in tranquil areas
such as this. I came here a week ago to relax and was ’relaxing’
until Jed sounded the security alarm last night"
She nods, she guess the answer sound sensible. But her dream of
him is still a botheration. She noticed every time she catches his
eyes he looked way in something akin to adoration. She was secretly
glad to see that for she was tired, so very tired of being on the side of the road of life like a lonely little sparrow in the rain. But surely a man as rich and handsome as Ashton Cargill no doubt received
throngs of female attention so why did he look at her like that?
Messing around with such a man will only get her heart broken.
"Are you married, Mr. Cargill?"
"Call me Ashton, please. Yes, once. Years ago." He replied.
"Do you have children?"
’That’s right keep talking. Keep asking questions. That will
increase your interest in me." Ashton mentally urged her.
"Yes, a daughter and a son. They’re older than this cute little
button of yours." He said referring to Bea.
"I ain’t no button." Bea amplified biggety. Ashton laughed at her
sassiness.
"Honey, that’s not nice. apologize to the gentleman." Ana
disciplined.
That’s ok. She is a child." He said and then seriously asked. "If
you ladies don’t mind, my driver is coming today an I’ve business
to conduct in L.A. It would make me very happy shall you two join
me. I could use the down-to-earth company. We can visit Disney,
Rodeo Dr, or your favorite star. And no, I’m not some psycho
looking to kill women and little girls." Looking at Bea he asked
"What do you say?"
Yayyying" Bea claps. "Lets go!"
"Hold your horses there a minute!" Ana cried sharply, folding down
Bea’s clapping hands. "I just met you less than twelve hours ago.
We’re not going anywhere with you, with a stranger I don’t know."
"Ma’am I promise you, we’ll be coming back to Jasper. It will only
be for a few days. You know far more about me than I about you."
Ashton’s voice sounded as thus his feelings were injured.
Ana had been spiritually scanning him all morning but kept
coming up clean as any normal human. Maybe she was freaking herself out for nothing. In her six years of on the road, they’ve met a few decent people but none were filthy rich. Most were poor to upper middle class. A good number of them she have had to use her already limited resources to help them but she truly believed God would give it all back to her. Breaking into her train of thoughts Ashton says. "A penny for your thoughts."
Ana smiled. He melted but mentally kicked himself. He had allowed
himself to be snared by a mortal? What kind of ancient god was he?
After breakfast they boards a Mercedes sport landcar and he
takes them on a tour of the small town. Besides mainstreet there
wasn’t much to see except cattle ranches. She had never ridden in
an open convertible before.
She noticed the known satanists seemed afraid of him and avoided
them whereas they would normally be all in her face trying to kill
her by now. So could she be afraid of him too? "Do you know a man
named Nikola Vonderbilt?" She asked to see his reaction to the
name.
"Yes, I do. Don’t worry he and I aren’t associations. We’re like
Romeo and Casanova, we’ll never be friends." He replied as if the
man made bile rise in his mouth.
"Which are you? A Romeo or a Casanova?" She teased him surprising
herself with such personal question.
"Which would ’you’ prefer me to be?" He asked in such a seductive
voice that she was embarrassed she tried to tease him. She looked
back at Bea in the side rearview mirror, she wasn’t paying them any
attention.
"Romeo." She replied softly. He reached over and softly laid his
enormous hand over hers completely covering them both. "Then, it’s
Romeo, I shall be." He replied softly but clearly. They passed a
duck pond, Bea cried "Romeo, stop I wanna feed the ducks."
They both looked at each other and chuckled, she thought Bea wasn’t
listening.
Down near the lake with Bea walking ahead throwing bread in the
clear blue waters feeding the ducks. She noticed again his eyes
sparkled like the water. She was learning that his emotions causes
them to do that gemstone thingy. He throw reservation to the breeze
as it’s furling off the pond and asked "Do you believe in love at
first sight?" He asked.
She is slightly taken back." No, not really." She replied
nervously.
"I do." He said. "What if I told you I love you?"
She stops walking and asked "Is that’s what you’ve been trying to
do all morning? Make me fall in love with you?"
He nods slowly. She turns to face him, to make him look at her.
"You are a nice man. A very handsome man. You’ll find someone to
love you the way you deserves to be loved. You’ll find someone to
truly love you in return. Be patient, love takes time to grow."
"I feel I’ve waited a million lifetimes for someone to capture my
heart the way you’ve done in one day. I know I sound crazy but
believe me, I’m very sane. I wasn’t looking for love when I came
downstairs last night. I even told myself I was merely attracted to
a beautiful woman. When she checks out and continue her journey
I’ll forget all about her and return to my regular life. But with
you that isn’t the case. I laid awake until sunrise thinking about
you."
She said nothing but continued to watch Bea and the ducks.
"I even daydreamed of you this morning. That’s why I invited you to
breakfast." He admitted.
"What did you daydream about?" She asked to detect if he projected
a dream to her.
"I dreamed the three of us were having a picnic and your daughter
was sitting between us."
Well at least their dream wasn’t the same dream. His dream was
romantic and hers’ was__well lustful. "Did you kiss me in your
dream?" She inquired.
"No, but I held your hand." He lied.
"Did you give me a single red rose?"
"No, I gave you a bouquets of Forget-me-not."
She didn’t have to worry about being forgotten, he was definitely
unforgettable. Rats! His dream was lot simpler and whimsical than
hers.
"I’ve a confession." She said bashfully. "I dreamed of you too,
this morning."
"May I ask what was it about?" He asked smiling and teasing her.
"Of course, you may not!" She giggled
"Oh My Gosh!" He exclaimed in mock chastity and shock. "How
lascivious could it be?"
"Oh! Shut up!" She laughed.
He made a comedic gesture of sealed his lips but his eyes were
still laughing. Thinking to himself "I haven’t really laughed in
years. Just a few years ago I wanted to hurt her for leaving me or
maybe even kill her. Tragically I would’ve missed getting to know
her, laughing with her, maybe even making love to her. I’ve got to
get this murderous nature under control."
The trio dines at another local restaurant about a block from
Jasper Inn. The patrons behaved much like those at Dennis.’ Acting
as thus they were in the presence of a god. "I postponed the
meeting until tomorrow morning in hopes you’ll change your mind
and come with me after seeing I mean you no harm. To show my
sincerity, I’ve arranged to have your car flown with you so you’ll
never have to see this town again. If you decides to leave upon
reaching L.A. you can get in your car and drive away." He promised
but adds "I hope you won’t."
"I don’t know what to say." She said barely above a whisper.
"Please say you’ll come. It breaks my heart to see you as tired as
you were last night. Let me take you away from all that."
"Okay," She said with uncertainty. "We’ll go to L.A. with you."
His smile broaden, he kissed both of her hands "Thank you my
ladylove. You’ve made me so very happy." Turning to the
restauranteur he yelled "Champagne for everyone!" And champagne
begun flowing like a wedding feast.
She knew she looked like warmed over hell. He was merely being nice to her because he have figured out they are homeless. To him she was merely something to do to kill boredom. She would be ludicrous to believe a trillionarie would love someone like her. There was nothing distinctive about her background. For godsake she didn’t even have a place to live and plus all these crazies are after her all the time. He would soon grow weary of the madness and leave. She knows anything too good to seem true usually is
I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. He said. She didn’t know he had read her surface thoughts. Have anyone every told you’re astonishingly, very sexy naturally?
Now, I know you are lying. I looks like warmed over hell. I know you do a lot of wheeling and big time dealing. I appreciate all you have done for us last night. I genuinely do. But I’ve no intentions of becoming another notch in your long line of conquests.
He smiled a roguish sexy smile that she couldn t deny she found very attractive. But kicked herself for falling for another handsome smile. Look where that got her the first time? Haven’t she learned a damn thing?
Ms. BuFaye. That isn’t what I was thinking. I would be lying if I said I didn’t find you very enticing. But where I want to conquer you is not the bedroom. I’m after your heart.
Watching the merriment. She figured what she have she got to lose? There were already scores of people out to kill her. She couldn’t repudiate he is making her a very lucrative offer.
************************************
Ashton spots an uninvited guest spiritually cloaked in the far
corner of the diner. He narrowed his eyes over Ana and the other
human’s heads at his fallen brother Van. He motioned for Van to
meet him outside. Under the strong cloak Van disappeared outside.
"Excuse me dear, I’ll be right back." He said kissing her on the
forehead. It drew a lot of "ohs and ahs." The kiss dazzled him for
few seconds.
He walk swiftly through the kitchen to outback exiting in a
small backyard where he angrily confronts Van. "What in the hell do
you want?" Van stood afar from Ashton in a corner of the yard
leaning against a big elm tree, smiling devilishly at his brother.
"Ahhh! So you managed to catch yourself a saint?! Uh?" Van laughed.
" I can feel her stench on you from way over here. You’re in love
with her!" He guffawed. "Does she know who and what you really are?
What ya gonna tell her when the babies comes out different, like
throwing lighting or fire or smarter than Eisenstein? That’s when
you’ll say ’By the way, honey I’m an immortal. A son of God. I’ve
fifty thousand lovers, I’m an ancient god many times over, I will
marry many times more when your bones are bleaching in the grave!’"
"And if you’re remotely thinking of telling her I’ll hunt you down
and rip your head off."
"Ohhh Azazzaeal! Why all the violence?! You know, it’s said that the
mind changes but the nature of the mind remains the same. So you
think some of her goodness will rub off on ya? Huh?"
"What in the fuck is it to you what in the hell I do?"Azazel asked
walking menacingly toward him, trying to catch him off guard. "As
if you ever told anyone your full name?"
"Oh I forgot you were always Mr. Uppity. Regular women and animals
weren’t good enough for you. You always pursued the best. But this
one has your nose wide opened and will someday take your stupid
head." Van said disappearing as Ashton swung his fist at him. He
knew anytime Van is around there is trouble and more trouble. In his heart he believes she already knows what he is perhaps not his heavenly name but believes she knows, the fact she keeps scanning him.
Feeling flushed and angry, Ashton reposed his calm exterior
before reentering to join Ana. What Van said about her taking his
head bothered him a bit, if she loved him when she finds out he
expect her to be highly pissed off and may even leave him but he
doesn’t believe she would behead him. He was positive he saw
jealousy in Van’s eyes. He smiled the smile of a victor before
pulling the door open and maneuvering the small crowd around Ana and Bea.
He overheard a woman tell Ana."It’s about time somebody caught
him. I’ve been trying to catch him for my daughter for the last
five years but he always finds some excuse to why he couldn’t come
to Jasper!" The crowd laughed at her corniness.
"Ok, everyone go back and enjoy your champagne!" Ashton said clapping his hands as teacher directing her kindergarten class back to their seats.
"We’ll be having lobster tonight and popcorn shrimp for the little Missy__if that’s ok with you?" He said having just came from the kitchen.
"Sure, that’s fine by me." Ana said although she wasn’t a big lobster fan. They reminded her of a demon she have seen. She hope she isn’t falling for this man because of the comfort, wealth and protection he can offer her. But the Lord knows she is very weary of being on the road all the time. The bouts of illnesses are telling her she can’t keep this up indefinitely. Something have to give. Tired of being on the road all the time, tired of fearing for their lives. Tired of the antisocial life she is forced to lead. Tired of not having a home for Bea. Despite all these things she wondered could she settle for a relationship with a man she didn’t love in exchange for security, protection and wealth. It wasn’t just herself she had to look after. If this man will marry her__she will marry him to give Bea what she can not.
"You ready to go, love?" Ashton asked her affectionately.
"Yes, I’m ready." She almost added "Been ready, these are some of the same people who completely ignored me yesterday or glared hatefully at me. Now that you’re here, everyone wants to be my new best friend."
"We can come back at 6:00 P.M. or we can dine in. They’ll deliver it to the hotel."
"I prefer to dine in." She said not really wanting to mingle with these people again.
"Marvelous, I assume today has been sort of exhausting for you." He asked kissing her hand. She had to admit this day was nothing but surprises.
Arriving back in their room at the Jasper Inn they found it stocked with new designer clothing, shoes, handbags and jewelry for them both. An African American beautician was waiting downstairs to beautify her and Bea’s hair. Ana was reluctant to let the woman touch their hair knowing what satanists can do with hair. "Please Ms. let me do my job. I was flown in from Paris this morning. I have dressed the hair of royalty and statemen’s wives and daughter. The clothier put the clothing on the jet with me." Ana was puzzled as to how he had the gall to fly someone in without asking her first? She admitted she didn’t a clue as to what was fashionable, she haven’t observed clothing in years.
"Please Ms., please let us do our jobs we will lost thousands if you object." the local women pleas. Ana wasn’t used to all this kind of attention. She was accustomed to attention of anyone wanting to do her harm. She finally surrendered. It took three to wash her hair. It was quiet heavy when wet. When finished the celebrity cosmetician said. "You and your daughter have beautiful versicolored hair, you two were born with what most people plunged into dye jobs to accomplishes."
"Thank you" Ana said. "No one had ever said that about her hair. But of course this woman was being highly paid to compliment her. She could be looking like a scarecrow for all she knew.
The local women did her manicures and pedicures. She applied her own makeup. Whomever chose the warm shades of bronze complimented her tone well. She felt guilty about feeling like Cinderella. She chose a simple Chanel sleeveless cocktail dress and pashmere wrap accenting with a simple silver cross. She selected a brownish Mulberry outfit for Bea with matching pants and top. When they exited the bath every gave them a round of applause. She was startled by her reflection in the full length mirror. Turning to observe herself she barely recognized herself.
The food was arrayed in Ashton’s suite, when she walked in from across the hall he let out a low wolf-whistle. She blushed, if black people’s blushing could be seen she would be wine red by now. "When I saw you last night I knew you were a diamond in the rough." The violinist was playing softly as he came to led her to her seat. A waiter poured wine as he seated her. Putting the glass of fragrance wine aside he opened a jewelry box from Cartier and pulled out a diamond necklace and asked did she mind he put it around her neck.
"I don’t mind." She meekly replied. He rose as smoothly as the music flowing from the violin and stood behind her and moved her magnificence hair aside, hanging the diamonds on her long elegance neck. Bending he kissed her nape and then her ear. He had to remember Bea was seated
right between them and watching his every move. Next he pulls out a smaller box from his jacket’s inner pocket for Bea, who looks at her mom as to whether or to accept it. Ana accepts it for her. But Bea is more interested in the toys and video chip games than dinner. Ana allows her to play with the state of the art holographic games instead of sitting with them. A maid’s child whom Bea had seen earlier had been invited to play with Bea. Ana invited the mother to join them for this banquet was more food than she and Bea could eat. But the woman declined. Ana assumed it was because Ashton was her boss, but she prepared them both plates of food anyway. The girls take the plates to the maid and Bea the child back in the room with her and resume playing chip games.
His suite has a balcony, he asked her t join him on it. The sliding glass door is left open to hear the music. He lays his jacket across her shoulders to warn off the night’s chill. "Mrs. Pendergrass__ I know you don’t know me yet but that doesn’t change the fact that I love you. I know I sound like a nut or a desperate man but I don’t care. I know you don’t love me but I promise to keep trying until I win your love. It’s worth it. I never dreamed I could be this happy and I’ll do my best to make you as happy as I’m right now."
She looks up at him into his sparkling eyes, he feel heaven sent her from above especially for him as he gazed into her big beautiful uncertain eyes. "Ashton, um...I feel like I’ve gone from a pauper to a princess overnight. This whirlwind is moving too fast for me, I planned to be elsewhere by now. I don’t want to seems ungrateful for your wonderful hospitality but we can’t accept such luxury." She said reaching up unclasping the two million dollar necklace and trying to hand both gifts back to him.
"Darling." He said softly brushing the back of his hand along her high facial cheekbones."You’ve always been a princess, just so happened no one appreciated it. The gifts are yours to keep to do with as you wish."
She more aggressively push them toward him saying. "Ashton, please I can’t keep these. I don’t love you."
Still refusing to take them back he answers."I know that but that doesn’t keep me from loving you. If that makes me a fool...then so be it"
He gently kisses her. He had shed so much of former self it no longer causes equilibrium unstabilization to kiss her. His begin to glow with a soft blue tint. It doesn’t escape Ana’s notice. She have seen this in angels and saints when their emotions comes through their eyes, but she knows he is neither. She finds herself kissing him back and enjoying it. A quote she read once from an old 20th century movie star came to mind as she kissed him back; "A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up___Mae West said." She forget to mention tired, worn out dames who are tired of running and sees shade to rest under.
Back in their room Ana turns over in her mind the fact she saw his eye all aglow with love, something she have seen many time in heavenly saints. She wondered did he know suspect what she was as to why he was drawn to her so quickly and with such fierceness? She paid a hefty paid for not telling Thad about this aspect of herself. The first time he saw he was freaked out. Well, the man didn’t kidnap her child to make her come to him and wasn’t trying to ice her.
She pushed her troubled past into a far secured part of her mind and prepared for bed. She was still exhausted, she was thankful Bea’s tempo nanny had already put her to bed. Within seconds of falling asleep she dreamed of him again. This time they were in hothouse surrounded by various flowers, many she shouldn’t identify. He plucks one and places it stem first in her hair, and then kisses her deeper than the balcony kiss. He seems to want to let his hands roam but but kept them in check. It was a proper kiss. This time she felt his penis through the thin fabric of the linen trousers. Her mind was telling her to pull away but her body was craving him. Finally she mustered the strength to push away from him and the dream abruptly ended. Waking up sweating and wet where she knew she didn’t want to be, she looks over at the digital clock which red 1:50 A.M. "I’ve got to stop this shit." She told herself falling back into the plush pillow and covering her eyes with her arm. Staring into the semi-darkness she concluded all this is because she haven’t had sex in almost a freaking decade and he is fine as hell and want her.
Unbeknownst to her, it was she who pull him into her dream this time. When she broke connection he got up and left the building. The passion she kissed with him; it took all he had to keep from making love to her when she pressed her frontal against him. In the chill of the morning he walked the entire proximity of the hotel. He saw her light was off. He touched her car with shock, without the desire to harm it. He touched it because her essence was on it. He knew he was slowly turning back into what he once was; a heavenly prince. He wondered would his desire for her cost him everything he spent centuries building on earth? Did he still possessed the ruthless required to hold on to it all? A feeling of torpidness settled over him, trying to shake it off he rushed back to the room for the dream tonight didn’t exhaust him, it wasn’t his creation but hers. It was the draining of his chosen nature that exhausted him. The unfulfilled sexual desire was like sweltering fire. It wasn’t helping his agitation. It was further torturing him. He must stay away from physiological arousal until she is ready or it will drive him to seduce her and that will drive her away. And he may end up losing both her and his head. She is very strong spiritually to be able to pull him into her dream so easily. He has her moving, no doubt in his desired direction so he must make sure every step is careful orchestrated. He knows it’s been a long time since she have had sex, when he kissed her on the balconey he tasted none of the senescence traces of another man’s essence. It was like kissing a virgin. Knowing that fact told him she would be faithful to him. He decided then and there he would kill to hold on to her or kill or maim anyone who hurts her. Hell and it’s buddies were no match for him. That he knew for sure because he once ruled hell.