An Awakening Read online

“Not too long. Just visiting, I think.”

  “You think?” I’m curious.

  “I haven’t decided how long I’ll be staying. I am here on business and it could turn out to be a long term deal. We’ll see.”

  “Interesting.” I look down and take notice of the perfectly bare ring finger on his left hand. There isn’t even a mark or indention where a ring has rested. I learned to look for those a long time ago.

  “What about you? You on vacation?”

  “No, not this time.”

  He chuckles a little. “This time?”

  “I used to come here a lot for vacations but I just moved here a few days ago.”

  “Lucky you.” His grin broadens and he shakes his head.

  “I guess I am. I’ve always wanted to live near the water. Guess my prayers were answered.”

  “Sounds to me like Lady Luck is on your side.”

  “I don’t know about that. This is the first really good thing that has happened to me in a long time. I haven’t always been this fortunate.”

  “Maybe things are turning around for you.”

  “Yeah. I hope so. I needed a change. My life is boring, though. Tell me about yours.”

  “Oh, I don’t have much to tell. My job requires that I travel, so I don’t really have a hometown. I don’t have any immediate family to speak of. I have never been married but I have a close friend or two that I keep in touch with.”

  “Do you like it here?”

  “I do very much. I was just telling a friend that I hope to be able to stick around here for a while.” He cracks a sly smile and looks out over the water.

  We begin to approach my house and I decide that since I don’t know this guy at all, I probably shouldn’t let on that I live here, much less alone. We keep a pretty steady pace and just about work our way passed the house and the dunes when he looks over at the boardwalk.

  “Now that’s a nice little pad.” He says staring at the house.

  “Uh. Yeah. I guess it is.” I attempt to move on but he stops.

  “You don’t like it? I mean it’s like a little sanctuary all secluded and tucked away.”

  “It is nice back here,” I say stopping so I don’t seem rude. “Look. There’s a pier,” I say pointing as I head that way.

  He follows and I am hopeful that he has lost interest in my little house. The pier is situated in such a way that it might not appear to belong to the house but it does. The end of the pier is sheltered with a bench on each side. It has a railing all the way around it and there is a gate between the benches.

  “Now, this I like.” Adrian is looking all around as if he fully appreciates the pier.

  “You like the pier?”

  “It isn’t every day you find a house with a covered pier. It’s a private dock.”

  “Ah. I see.” I walk over to the gate and see that just beyond it, there is a walkway to the side where a boat could be parked.

  “Whoever lives here has a hidden jewel.” He stares out over the water and sits on one of the benches stretching out his arms. He leans back resting his head and his shirt is pulled tightly across his chest. He sits this way for a few lazy moments and I can’t help but stare. I realize quickly that I should find an excuse to leave. Unfortunately, I don’t want to. Nothing in me does. I have been doing such a good job of staying out of trouble. It has been months since I’ve gotten myself into any kind of mischief. Months. Almost a year. It always ends tragically anyway.

  Like a switch, my mind takes off. My eyes travel from one shoulder to the next. They are strong and sturdy. I take notice of his hair and the random way it falls. It isn’t long but it is wavy. It is dark and thick. It lays on his forehead and blows slightly with the breeze. His eyes remain closed under his flawless eyebrows. His lips are shaped perfectly. I begin to wonder what they might feel like. Just then, he begins to grin ever so slightly. I turn quickly and sit on the bench opposite the one he is on and look down at my hands.

  “Jeriley.” He interrupts my thoughts.

  I sit up and take a deep breath before I look at him. “Yes?”

  “Can I spend the rest of the day with you?”

  I stare at him, stunned. “I uh. I probably need to grab something to eat and hit the hay. I have to get an early start tomorrow.”

  “I know a great little place near here if you like burgers. It’s pretty laid back.”

  This is a mistake, Jeriley. You do not want to do this. Ok. You do want to but you don’t need to. You know how weak you are.

  “Ok. I guess so.” I answer against my own advice.

  We get up and I follow him back up the pier towards the beach. Adrian has a confident walk. He doesn’t appear arrogant just confident. Arrogance would be a definite turn off. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed a single thing about him that has been a turn off yet.

  At the end of the pier, we turn to walk back in the direction of the inn.

  “We’ll take my car since it’s parked at the inn. I can take you home afterward if you like.”

  “That’s ok. My place is close by. I can just ride back to the Inn with you and walk the rest of the way.”

  You might as well tell him where you live, Jeriley. You’re being reckless anyway. You don’t know this guy at all. You should not get in the car with him. These seem to be reasonable thoughts. What am I doing? I can’t go with him.

  We continue on quietly and, as we approach the inn, I stop just as we get to the walkway leading up to the parking lot. He stops and looks questioningly at me.

  “I should probably meet you there. I think I know the place.”

  “Are you sure?” He looks as if he might pout just a little.

  “Yeah. I would just feel better if I drove this time.” I send a sheepish smile and he wrinkles his brow as if he is disappointed.

  “If that’s what you want.” Instantly his wrinkled brow straightens and he smiles. “I understand.”

  “Thanks. I’ll be there in a few.” I watch him walk to his car and get in. It’s a gleaming black sports car like I’ve never seen before. It is probably one of those exotic sports cars from a movie or something. I get a terribly heavy feeling in my gut for a second and I hesitate. I see his brake lights come on as he reaches the other end of the parking lot and I turn to run back down the beach.

  Within minutes, I am passing through the house. I grab my brush from the bathroom sink and run it through my hair slowing only to grab my bag and head out the door onto the carport. I get into my Jeep and start her up before I buckle the seatbelt. The radio is tuned to one of those Christian stations again. I recognize this song.

  “I don’t want to gain the whole world, and lose my soul—” I switch it off quickly. Right now, I’m not in the mood. It’s a great song and all; I just don’t want to hear any music. Toby Mac is probably trying to send me a message, but it will have to wait.

  As I back out of the carport and turn to pull out of the drive, I consider my reaction to Adrian. I have had some reactions that I couldn’t explain, but never anything like that. Four out of my five senses went berserk in the first moment we talked. I don’t even want to consider the fifth one that was left out. I take full advantage of the drive over to the burger shop to compose myself and collect my thoughts. He is just some random guy that is staying at the inn down from my new house. He seems nice enough. He isn’t the overly gentlemanly type, but he isn’t rude or obnoxious. That’s always a plus. He didn’t seem conceited either. He is probably harmless. He seems like an average working-class kind of guy so, just be yourself, Jeriley, and calm down for Pete’s sake.

  I arrive at the burger joint and park next to his unbelievable car. There is only one other vehicle here and the folks inside are getting up to leave. Looks like we’ll be here alone. I get out and meet him in front of his car. I look down at the emblem resembling a pitchfork on th
e front and my brow furrows in question.

  He chuckles and tilts his head so that he can better read my expression.

  “You like it?” he asks grinning.

  “Um. Yeah. I just don’t know what it is,” I answer a bit blushingly.

  “It’s a Maserati Granturismo.” He says this simply as if he just said that it was a Honda Accord.

  “Well, I have never seen one. I’m guessing it isn’t an American made model.”

  “Italian,” he answers matter-of-factly.

  I turn to look at him now with a raised brow and he laughs at my expression.

  He places his hand on my back and leads me to the door. I follow him to a corner booth and he sits down as I do. I grab a menu from the side of the table and try to concentrate on my options. I realize that I am pretty hungry suddenly. In just a few moments I settle on a bacon cheeseburger, all the way, with a side of slaw.

  As I look up at Adrian, I realize that he has been watching me the entire time without picking up a menu for himself.

  I cast my eyes downward feeling a little embarrassed and my heart begins to thump in my chest. He obviously notices my reaction and folds his hands on the table out in front of him.

  “Aren’t you going to order anything?”

  “I’ll get my usual. I like the Philly. It’s one of the best I’ve had.”

  “Really? I’ll have to try one next time. I’m in the mood for a nice juicy burger right now, though.”

  “Whatever you like. My treat. So what made you decide to move here, Jeriley? I mean it’s a nice place and all, but why here specifically?” He moves into questioning without skipping a beat.

  “Well, I got a great job offer and was looking to relocate anyway. I needed a change and I’ve always loved it down here. I have vacationed along this stretch of beach for as long as I can remember and I always dreamed of living here, or near any beach for that matter.”

  The waitress comes to take our order and smiles at Adrian as if he is the only one at the table. He doesn’t seem to notice. He smiles politely and directs his attention back to me. He probably gets attention like that everywhere he goes.

  “Do you like to travel?” He seems to be interested enough in me, though I can’t imagine why. I mean, everything about me is commonplace. There is nothing extraordinary about me whatsoever. I drive a Jeep. I’m dressed in Soffe shorts and a T. I look ok, I guess. Ok, I can do a little better than that. I’m actually quite pretty, but I’m not all made up right now. I don’t have on a stitch of makeup. Had I known that I would be running into this guy, I would have certainly made myself more presentable.

  “I do like to travel. I haven’t much, though.” I begin to think of all the places I’d like to go.

  “Where would you like to go?” He asks this as if he is answering my thoughts.

  “Um. Well, I think I’d like to go to Europe for sure. England, Italy, and maybe Sicily. Greece would be cool, I bet. I would even go to Egypt or Australia if the opportunity presented itself someday.”

  “So you want to travel the world.” He says seriously.

  “A girl can dream,” I say laughingly.

  “Absolutely. I mean, you accomplished your dream of moving to the coast. That’s a pretty big win in itself.”

  “Yeah, I guess it is.” I sit back realizing that I have opened myself up to this stranger without giving it a second thought. I was so careful with Stephen. What has gotten into me?

  My cell phone rings and I dig it out of my bag to see who is calling. My old boss’s number shows up. That’s weird. I stare at it for a moment.

  “Go ahead and take that. It’s fine.” He says this with that easy smile that he has.

  I answer the call reluctantly, thinking maybe I should have stepped away first.

  “Hello.”

  “Jeriley, this is Jackson. Listen, I know it’s Sunday afternoon and I am the last person you want to talk to but don’t hang up. I need you to hear me out.”

  “I know who it is, Jackson. I’m not going to hang up on you. Did I leave something at the office?”

  “No, no. Listen, I feel like we’ve made a terrible mistake.” He lets out a huff. “I need you to come back, Jeriley.”

  “What?”

  “Now here me out. I know you’ve moved and you have a great position there, but I need you here. I’m offering you the promotion you should’ve gotten last year, and I’m willing to pay for your move back. Whatever you need.”

  “Jackson, I can’t do that. I appreciate the offer, but your timing couldn’t be worse. I haven’t even started the new job here. I’m just settling in.”

  I look up to find Adrian staring out the window as if he is trying not to listen in. He turns to look at me and I mouth the word “sorry” and roll my eyes. He shakes his head and looks back out the window obviously humored.

  “Don’t give me an answer right now. Please, Jeriley, just think about it. I can have the offer typed up and emailed to you first thing in the morning with all the details.”

  “What in the world has gotten into you? You have known about this move for three months. Why the sudden change of heart?”

  “You’re an important asset, Jeriley. We miss you. The company misses you.”

  “I just left.”

  “Just consider it, will ya?”

  “Whatever, Jackson. Ok.”

  I hang up and look at Adrian as I let out a huge sigh. I lay my phone down on the table and sit back in my seat.

  He looks back at me quizzically as I rub my hands over my face. I lean forward placing my arms on the table and folding my hands.

  “That sounded interesting and more than a little complicated.”

  “Uh, yeah. That was my old boss. Um. It’s really strange because he asked me to come back to the company. I don’t get it at all.” I begin shaking my head. “I told him three months ago that I was relocating. He seemed fine with it. Wished me good luck and everything.”

  “Hmm. Sounds like he’s changed his mind.”

  I sit there shaking my head in disbelief. “I don’t get it. This is strange. Jackson has never acted like this before. I’ve known him for six years and he’s always been so predictable.”

  Our food arrives and we eat quietly for a while. I decide rather quickly that I like the food here, too. I look up to see Adrian thoroughly enjoying his Philly cheesesteak sandwich. It does look delicious. I will try that next time for sure.

  “So tell me, Adrian, what kind of job do you have? You said that you travel a lot, right?”

  “I did say that. Yes.”

  “And you also said that you may be hanging around for a while?”

  “Yes. I said that also.”

  “So what do you do?” He seems to be very elusive about his job. This makes me more than curious so I wait for his answer.

  “I am in the business of procurement.”

  “Procurement?” My curiosity grows.

  “Yeah. I’ll tell you all about it sometime. Keeps me pretty busy, but I like it. Never a dull moment. The great part is I get to work my own hours. Do my job the way I want to.”

  “Sounds flexible. That’s always a plus.”

  We finish up our food over the next few moments and I decide that, as badly as I hate to, I should go home and get ready for my day tomorrow. He pays the bill and walks me out to my Jeep.

  “I had a great time today, Jeriley.” He is smiling at me with those beautiful eyes and I’m momentarily paralyzed. I just sit there, in my Jeep, staring at him with my window rolled down as he stares back. He bites his bottom lip and I feel like I am plummeting.

  “Um. I. Uh. I mean. I had a great time, too.” My eyes are cast down from the incredible amount of embarrassment I feel.

  “Can I call you?” His voice is low and close.

  Oh, geez. Here we go. H
e wants to call me. I truly know better, but I can’t seem to help myself.

  “Um sure. I guess.” I give him my number and he tells me he’ll see me soon. He gets in his remarkable car and drives away as I watch in utter disbelief at the events of the last few days. Am I a magnet for trouble, a glutton for punishment? What was I thinking? I should not have given Adrian my number. I lay my forehead on my steering wheel and cover my eyes with my hands. I am suddenly very tired, as if I am exhausted, so I go home to get ready for bed.

  CHAPTER 4

  That went rather well. She is putty in my hands. She will do anything I want her too. Oh, sure she has that blasted “second thought” about it but I can get rid of that with a little time. She has responded very well and I haven’t even put forth my full effort, yet. I’ll give her a day or two to think about “things” and I’ll conveniently and rather frequently make myself available.

  “Adrian.”

  “Stephen. How nice to see you again.”

  The two are hovering over the pier near Jeriley’s house, hours after she has gone to bed. They are in their realm; so naturally, they would not be seen by human eyes even if someone were to happen by.

  “You are not to kill her.”

  “Stephen, I am very fond of Jeriley. I would never hurt her.”

  “You will NOT kill her. That is an order from the Lord!”

  “Yes. Of course.” Adrian answers bowing his head and gritting his teeth. He sits quietly for a moment, his anger building at the limitation placed upon him. He dislikes authority, especially authority from Him who is all powerful. He simply cannot go against it.

  In a fraction of a second, Stephen flashes out of sight and reappears by Jeriley’s bedside. She is sleeping soundly and will have a pleasant night. He will remain by her side tonight.

  Adrian blinks to the middle of town where Jeriley will begin her new job in the morning. He decides to linger here for a time. As he begins to snoop around the offices, he is called.

  Hesitating, he takes his time to answer the Dark One. He has been dreading this.

  “NOW!”

  He must answer. There is no escaping him when he gets this angry.