The little girl, Jaime walked away from the butterfly towards her mother and then stopped abruptly to stare at me. The woman too shifted her gaze to me. I knew my time of secret observation was over so, I walked up to them both.
“A good afternoon to you, Mrs Rhodes,” I paused and then stared at Jaime the added, “Miss Rhodes, my name is Maxwell Moon and I am Mr Rhodes’ lunch guest today.”
The woman eyes lit up in recognition as she said, “It’s nice to meet you, Mr Moon. Can I call you Max? Do come in.” The warmth and friendliness in her voice made me know that it wasn’t just John Rhodes who had his kindness.
“Can I call you Max too?” Jaime said looking up at me. I got a good look of her upclose and immediately got nostalgia. It felt like I had seen her somewhere before.
I bent to my knees and was able to stare at Jaime closer. I said, “Yes, you can if you allow me call you Jam-jam.”
Jaime’s face contorted in a large smile. I took in her facial features and tried to remember where I’d seen someone with similar features. “Yes you can. Does my red hair remind you of strawberry jam?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Maybe a little.” We both laughed. I continued, “I got a little gift for you.” Jaime’s eyes perked up in excitement.
I pulled out a brown coloured stuffed wolf and placed it in her small hands. She yelped with excitement and threw her hands around me, enveloping me in a hug.
I was taken aback by this gesture yet I hugged her back. Up close, I tried to analyze her scent again. It wasn’t just because I had met John Rhodes that her scent was familiar. There was something else. I had met someone with a similar scent. Jaime pulled back from the hug to stare into my eyes. “Thank you, Max.”
I knew why her face was familiar too, I had to have met someone who shared a resemblance with her too, but who and where?
I beamed, “You’re welcome Jamz.”
Mrs Rhodes cleared her throat. “Oh wow. Thank you, Max. Please pardon my manners, do come in.”
I pulled out a large bouquet of flowers from the bag and handed it to Mrs Rhodes. “Here’s for you, ma’am.”
A surprised small played on her lips as she said, “This is absolutely gorgeous Max. Thank you! Please do come in and do call me Grace.”
She swung the door wide open as Jaime slipped her little hands into mine. I smiled at her as we walked in together.
Jaime led me into the most beautiful living rooms I’d ever been in. It was both simple and artistic. Three paintings hung on the walls and there was a beautiful combination of flowers hiding in a vase in almost every corner. The house smelt of a mix of flowers and something else, cooked meat in spice. I liked the smell.
John sat reading on a chair. He jumped to his feet when he saw me. “Hello Max, it’s good to see you.”
He walked up to me and gave me a very firm handshake. “I see you’ve met my wife, Grace and my daughter Jaime.”
“And he gave us such beautiful gifts too.”
“Daddy look at this little Wolfie!”
John surveyed the gifts his family members held out to him and I could see gratitude in his eyes. He stared at me with such intense kindness and said, “Thank you, Max.”
I was about to reply when Grace interjected. “Gentlemen, this way to the dinning for lunch!” I nodded at John. Jaime tugged at my hands and I followed her to the dinning table.
Lunch was a pleasant. It was steak in a fancy sauce and some rice. It tasted brilliant. We exchanged small talk over lunch while Jaime sat at my side and kept engaging me in small talk too.
After lunch, Grace enticed Jaime to take a nap and thus left I and John alone to talk. We sat in his study while sipping some wine.
“I’m glad you swung by my house today Max.”
“I’m glad you invited me. You have a very beautiful house and an even more beautiful family” I retorted.
John smiled. “Thank you. You’ll have your own beautiful family soon enough. I heard you got a Chosen Mate finally, after a long time.”
I sighed and stared at the floor. For some reason, maybe it was the genuineness in John’s voice or the longing of a family that being with his has awakened in me, I found myself being vulnerable with him.
“You know, I have been with May for sometime now. May’s my Chosen Mate but, it just doesn’t feel right. And…” I paused considering if I should go on to tell John about my mystery red-headed woman.
John prompted, “And?”
“I- I think I met my true mate.”
“Really?” John sat up in excitement, “That’s great! Who is she?”
“That’s the thing. I don’t know her!” I said unable to add the frustration in my voice. “I met her at the last Alpha’s meeting; the disguised one and..” I paused again considering how much I wanted to know before deciding to throw caution to the wind and just be upfront with John Rhodes. I chose to trust him.
“We had a one night stand but I can’t remember much. All I remember is her hair and that’s pretty much it.”
“You can’t remember?” John asked, puzzled.
“Yes, I can’t. No matter how hard I have tried. I have just been unable to remember her, her face or anything else.”
I swung my eyes wearily around the room and they landed on the beautiful photo on John’s desk. It was of Jaime. It was an upclose photo and she was beaming beautifully at the camera.
Something clicked in my memory and I visualized my mystery woman. I saw her red hair which was similar to that of Jaime’s and then her pink lips and I saw her nose and her brows. I saw her turn and smile at me. It hit me then! I just remembered, her face.
“Pencil! Could you get me a pencil and a paper, please John? I think I just remembered the mysterious head’s face.”
John stared at me quizzically for a moment before moving in such speed and agility to get the pencil and paper. He handed it over to me and sat beside me as he watched me.
I began to draw that which I had seen in the eyes of my mind. Her hair had been flowing around her face, it was long, she had a small slant the corner of her eyes, some laugh lines around them, a small nose shaped perfectly and the right pert little mouth to go with it.
“There!” I exclaimed, “I think she looks somewhat like this.”
John stared at the paper and then said, “Why don’t you hire a private investigator to help you search for her? You could even get a professional sketch artist as well.”
I thought about this for a moment. John continued, “I do have someone that I could recommend to you. He’s smart and would be able to help you.”
“But, what about May? I mean, if I find this mystery true mate of mine… I-“ I scratched my head as I thought about my current ordeal.
John placed his hand on my shoulder and said, “You’re a great wolf, Max. a wonderful Alpha and more than anything, you need your true mate by your side. You and May would have to work things out someway. You’ll be fine. Let’s focus on locating your true mate for now. No stressing about the future. Okay?”
I couldn’t help the small smile that stretched over my lips. “Thank you, John. Thanks man.”
John took out his cellphone and pressed a few buttons. “I just shared the Private Investigator’s number with you.”
I nodded. “I really appreciate this man. You inviting me here, lunch with your very beautiful family in your gorgeous house and the rock solid advice you just gave me.”
John smiled at me. “Alpha’s have to have one another’s backs bro. “
I returned my gaze to the paper in front of me with new determination in my heart. I was going to locate this beautiful mysterious red headed woman at any costred
Alexis POV
I pushed off the covers from my body and ran to my bathroom, bent over the toilet bowl and heaved what was left of my dinner down the drain. I tried to push my hair away from my face. I flushed, stood in front of my bathroom mirror and splashed some cold water on my face while fighting another wave of dizziness. I stared at my reflection and noted the dark circles slowly gathering around my eyes and my skin looking paler than usual. Yes, I was a bit paler than the regular average person however; the pallor my skin was taking on was rather sickly.
I sighed and rested on hands on my bathroom sink. This was the fifth time I was throwing up in one night. I tried to analyze the cause of this. Was it the delicious pasta I had for dinner? Have I developed some food poisoning? Since I had ordered the meal from a new restaurant that I haven’t previously eaten in? Or was I allergic to something in their meal?
I walked out of the bathroom into my bedroom. I saw Hannah, my bestfriend and roommate sitting on my bed with a concerned look on her face. I grabbed an hair tie from my counter top and gathered my hair in a ponytail, pilling it all on top of my head.
“You’re alright?”
I nodded and climbed into the bed. Hannah pulled the covers over me and then touched my forehead. She yelped. “Lexi, you’re burning up!”
I sighed, “I don’t know. I just feel really, really tired.”
“And this is the 100th time you’re throwing up!”
I rolled my eyes at her. “Stop being such a crisis actor Han. It’s probably some food poisoning. I think I already threw up all of the pasta. I just need some sleep and I’m sure I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure about that, girlfriend?” Hannah said with a worried look on her face. She was always one to look out for the smallest of things and sometimes, exaggerate too.
“I’ll be fine in the morning after some good sleep. Goodnight Han.”
I knew she wouldn’t let the matter slide and I wasn’t interested in welcoming her antics so, I turned off my bed side lamp and rolled the other way, facing the wall, away from her.
She sighed and then walked away. I heard her hesitate before climbing into her own bed. We shared the same tiny apartment that had one large bedroom fit for two people, a small living room and an even smaller kitchen. Hannah and I had been friends since the very first day in Grade One.
She had been the, tall, strong, exceptionally pretty, extroverted brunette everyone had gravitated towards. Yet, she had taken an unlikely interest in me; the smallest, skinnest and most introverted kid in the class. With her urging, I had come out of my shell a bit more and began to interact with other children in class. Yet, she was always my preferred hangout buddy and it wasn’t surprising how we have become inseparable ever since.
Now, I can't even call Hannah a friend, she is my sister. Always looking out for me. She claims I am one careless girl and she wouldn't let me ruin my life. I could see the look of fear on her face. She has a lot of questions to ask but wouldn't know how to let them all out.
My mind was filled with warm thoughts of our friendships and Hannah’s goodwill towards me as I drifted into sleep.
I woke the next morning to my alarm clock blaring and my head pounding like someone was hammering down my temples. Hannah was glaring down at me, fully dressed with my arms crossed. I stared around a few minutes, a bit disoriented. I tried to open my mouth to speak but I felt weak to my bones. I tried to speak again and instead began to cough. I sat up quickly still coughing. Hannah went away and reappeared with a glass of water which she handed to me. She sat beside me and patted my back as I drank the water. I emptied the cup in my stomach surprised at how thirsty I was. I wiped my brow and my hands were slick with sweat. I stared at my clothes a bit confused, the air condition was on yet I was sweating.Hannah cleared her throat. She had a serious look on her face, the kind she always assumed when she wanted to say something she felt I might not like. “You have to see a doctor Lexi and you’re calling in sick at work today.”I said, “No, I have tons of things to do at the office.
ALEXIS’ POVI opened my eyes and the brightness of the sun alerted me that it was probably nearly ten o’clock. I took in my surroundings and saw that I was sitting on a plus leather chair with all the upholstery black in a car. The chair was thrown back and I was in a relaxed position. I tried to sit up and felt warm hands guide me up and adjust the car seat. I stared at a face that felt vaguely familiar. He had brown hair, properly styled and gelled away from his face and piercing blue eyes. There was something kind about his eyes and familiar about it. It felt like I could trust him with my deepest, darkest secrets. “Are you alright Miss?”I nodded. “Yes, w-what happened?”He handed me a bottle of water which I opened and finished in one gulp. I stared at the bottle, amazed at how thirsty, I was. He handed me another bottle and I finished it too. “You fainted, Miss. Should I take you to the hospital?”“No!” I shook my head vehemently and fighting another wave of dizziness. What i
Alexis POVI had grown up in this quaint little house with its tinted windows and charming seclusion. The next house was about ten minutes away. The interior of the house was pretty much the same even after all these years, a plush center rug for the table in the middle of the living room, a beautiful fire place, a dinning area, a couple of sofas, and a door that led to the kitchen. There were still the small marks I’d left on the white walls using my crayons all those many years ago. I couldn’t help but smile at the marks. The living room was still decorated with a large dose of my pictures. There was a wall filled with pictures that chronicled my growth from being a baby up until a few months back, the picture I’d taken at my company’s Christmas party last December. Mum had the picture printed and frame and she’d hung it on her collection of memories with me and of me. There was the picture I’d taken when I was eight with Mum. It was still my favourite picture ever. Mum had hugged
MAX’S POVI sat in my office unable to concentrate on work. It was a little past 2pm yet I couldn’t get my conversation with John Rhodes out of my mind.I’d spoken to the private investigator he recommended and I’d scheduled a meeting with him by 3pm. He was also coming with a professional sketch artist, someone who could have a composite sketch of my mystery red haired. My phone beeped and the caller ID revealed that it was my mother. I hadn’t spoken to her in a while so I decided to take the call. “Hi Mum.”“Hello Maxwell. I have to say that it’s been a while. A long while.”My Mum was a woman of few words so she never minced them. She was always direct, precise and straight to the point. She was never one to beat around the bush. I sighed. “I know Mum but I…” I couldn’t go further. How was I to explain the events of the last few weeks to her? Even I was still grappling with these events. I still haven’t unraveled it or understood it myself.“Come home Max. You’ve been away for so
ALEXIS’ POV“Alexis, Alexis, ALEXIS!” I heard Hannah calling my name but I didn’t have the heart to respond. I heard her footsteps as she walked towards my bed and yanked the covers off my body. “You need to get out of bed Lexi. Get up.”I didn’t relent. I took reached down to grab hold of the cover and return them to my body without bothering to look at Hannah. Instead, Hannah grabbed my hands and said, “What’s wrong with you Lexi? You’re scaring me! You’ve been in bed for five days straight barely getting up for anything else except to puke and pee and you’re not even eating. You’re not talking to me and you’re not working too. That’s very unlike you. Please talk to me. I am bothered about you. Your Mum has been calling nonstop and you’re not talking to her too. What is the matter?”I pulled my hands from Hannah’s grip and curled deeper into a myself in a fetal position. After I got out of my Mum’s house a few days ago, I’d called work to use up my leave days and then I’d spent th
ALEXIS’ POV It was two days after my big discussion with Hannah. She had finally left my side after taking out two off days just to be with me and ‘take care of me’. Her choice of words not mine. We’d talked about the pregnancy, eaten some good food which I always ended up puking, saw movies even if I always dozed off on her and then just had a really good time. My mood was lifted and I felt better. This was what was powering me up for the big decision I was going to take today. I was going to the doctor to get an abortion. Hannah already booked my session with one of the best Doctor’s in town. However, this particular hospital was actually a maternity hospital. I didn’t see how that would be a problem. It only made it evident that the doctor was skilled in cases of childbearing, pregnancy and abortion. After Hannah left for work, I got up and took a nice, long warm shower and then pulled my pale looking body into a white dress. Once again, I couldn’t bear to see the other colours
MAX’ POVI couldn’t contain my restlessness. Kyle Bowen was on his way to see me. I’d pressed him for news over the phone but he wouldn’t relent. Only saying that it was something we could discuss only when we saw. This was why he was coming to see me. I tried to do many things to calm myself. I drank some tea which Penelope brewed, stared out the window, tried to do some calculative work to numb my brain, tried meditating, tried counting backwards and forwards. Shit, I even tried listening to music but for reason, nothing was working. My mind was still jittery. Penelope must have sensed my anticipation because she sent Kyle Bowen in without calling me to ask if he should come in or not. Once again, Penelope got points for efficiency. Kyle smiled warmly at me as I shook his hands. We sat on the sofa in my office, still taking up the last positions we’d sat in the previous time he’d come to my office. I didn’t bother beating around the bush. “Tell me Kyle. What’s the update please?
ALEXIS’ POVI was on my way to dinner with John Rhodes and his beautiful family. I particularly had something to celebrate; for starters, Rhodes Co-operation was back in business with FunDeets under the clause that I would remain their sole contact in the deals. They’d also bought into my idea and were going to do things like I’d said. Secondly, I was going to dine with the awesome John Rhodes and his family! I’d made an acquaintance with a multibillionaire. That was awesome. I was particularly looking forward to meeting his daughter who from her photos reminded me of myself when I was younger. I pulled into a simple black gate and was scared for a moment that I’d gotten lost. However, GPS said I was on track with the address I’d typed into it. The gate pulled open and I drove in. A smiling security man waved me in and I was amazed at the simplicity of John Rhodes’ house. I don’t know what I was expecting but whatever I was expecting did not measure up at all to what I was staring a