Red Wine

Part 1

In the Beginning

Today...

Was going to be different.

Today...

Things were going to change.

“Hello?” I answered my phone as I walked quickly through the airport to get to the baggage claim.

“Did you arrive safely?” my mother wondered on the other end of the phone.

I shifted my carry on bag higher up my arm and looked at my watch. That was a record time for my mom to call me. “Yes Mama, I just got off the plane, I am heading to the baggage claim now.”

There was a sigh of relief on the other end of the phone followed by a cough. “Thank God.”

“Okay, well I'm getting my bags now so I'm going to let you go,” I stated as I went to hang up the phone.

“Wait, Rena,” My mom interrupted. “Your Grandmother should be there picking you up.”

“I know.”

“Also, your belongings have already arrived at the manor and have been set up,” She continued.

“Mom, you're telling me things that I already know,” I groaned.

“Okay, okay, just look for a small old woman holding your name on a card.”

“Mom, I'm hanging up now.”

“Alright darling, I love you. Be good, alright?”

I smiled. “Okay, bye mom.”

I shoved my phone back into my purse and grabbed my roll-away suitcase from the conveyor. I turned around and looked around for my name written on a card, or maybe just the little old lady.

When I found my name, it most definitely was not a little old lady.

The guy who was holding my name was unique. That was the only word that I could come up with in the moment.

“Okay,” I whispered to myself as I walked up to him and smiled. “That's me.”

He looked at me, then back at the card.

“I'm pretty sure that I am looking for a girl with glasses and freckles, a mess of blond hair on her head, and a style that the devil would sneer at,” He stated looking at me. “In which none of that applies to you.”

I groaned. Of course my grandmother would think that of me.

“Nope, that's what I looked like when I was five,” I stated. “Contacts, dye, concealer, and, well, for my style, I am sure that my grandmother would still sneer at it,” I replied. “Though I don't think any of that really matters.”

His eyes glistened with what I was guessing was him suppressing a laugh. “Okay.”

I turned around and once again took in the house that I would be staying in for the summer. Something that my parents were extremely against me doing in the past. Something about how my grandmother was overbearing and always tried to push her ways on others.

Will picked up most of the bags, the ones he left behind being my purse and my rolling suitcase that was already in my hand. He started up the walk, leaving me a few paces behind him.

“Will,” I called and he stopped. “Where is my grandmother?”

He exhaled a large breath and nodded his head in the direction of the house. “How about we walk and talk so I can get you out of this heat?”

I smiled as I caught up with him. “Alright.”

“Now, I don't know how much you know about your grandmother, but she is a very busy woman. Even at seventy-five, that woman is still running like a steam engine,” he chuckled. “But right now, she is actually at a town meeting.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Wait, why?” I wondered.

Will stopped at the front door and hit a little red button on the side of it, causing the door to swing open. “Well, because that's what Mayors are supposed to do,” he stated.

I paused for a moment. No one had told me that my Grandmother was the Mayor. Why was that little detail left out?

Will walked in and placed the bags on the floor. “Simon, can you get these bags up to Miss Rena's room?” He commanded.

I glanced into the door and saw an darker gentlemen nod and pick up the luggage.

“She's the Mayor,” I repeated.

William turned around and nodded. “I'm surprised that you didn't know that.”

I shrugged. “My parents don't talk much about her,” I answered honestly as I started to scan the room I just walked into. It was magnificent.

There was a double stair case that winded up each side of the foyer with a large crystal chandelier in the middle, the floor was a white marble with black in lay.

“Holy crap,” I whispered.

William handed back a paper that he had signed to another member of the staff and turned to me. When he saw me looking at our surroundings. “Yeah, Mrs. Sarai really does strive for the best.” He then started to make his way towards the left staircase. “Alright through this door here we have the living room. Or Mrs. Sarai's version of one. Where you can also reach the Study. To your right, through that archway is the dining room.” He started to walk up the stairs and then took an immediate left.

“What are all these rooms?” I wondered as we passed the doors.

William exhaled. “Well, we got a theater, sitting room, pool, garage, nine bedrooms, and twelve bathrooms,” he paused. “There is more but we will have to take a tour later.”

“I don't remember this place being this big,” I whispered.

William stopped at a a large pair of oak doors and smiled at me. “Well, this will be your room for the duration of your stay.” He then turned back to the door and opened them. He paused for a moment as he scanned the room. He clicked his tongue then continued in. “This whole suite will be yours.”

I stepped in and just had to stop. There was no way that this was a bedroom. A small apartment sure, but a bedroom, there was no way.

“Let me give you a small tour," he said with a chuckle.

“Of my room,” I clarified.

He shook his head and smiled. “Yes, Mrs. Sarai wanted to make sure that you were comfortable.”

“And I would never want to leave,” I stated more as an observation than a fact.

“What we have just stepped into here is your own sort of living room,” he stepped next to a leather wrap around couch. “As you see, it has a fire place, seventy-five inch TV, and surround sound,” he walked over the plush white throw rug and walked to the back wall. “Here you will have two doors going out to the back yard.” He opened up the door and walked out onto the back porch. “Down these stairs will lead to the patio, off that is a small pathway that will lead to the beach that the residents are only aloud to use.”

I had followed him out onto the patio and just had to take it all in. This place was nothing like the penthouse we had in New York. This place was, without a doubt, a palace.

William turned around and walked back into the house.

“Though Mrs. Sarai never does go down to the beach,” he stated, “the groundskeepers keep it up like she uses it every day so I don't see an issue with you using it.”

“Why doesn't she go there when she lives right here?” I wondered.

“She says that she doesn't like the noise of the other people. I am sure she tried to buy the beach but the town wouldn't have it.”

I couldn't help but scoff. Was she really one of those ladies?

Coming in through the patio door, William took a right and walked past a bar. “The bar is fully stocked,” he stated without a thought as he passed the partition. “In here is your bedroom.”

I expected him to put my bags down but he just kept walking.

He opened up another door revealing a ginormous bathroom. There was a wall to wall shower With both the wall shower heads and the waterfall coming from the ceiling. Directly in front of that was the jet tub that could no doubt fit four people easily.

“Isn't the hot tub a little overdoing it?” I wondered aloud.

William shrugged. “Mrs. Sarai wants what she wants.”

“That's putting it lightly.” I stated.

William chuckled and continued walking into the bathroom. “Here is where the toilet is,” he pointed to the glass door. Then he turned to another set of double doors and opened them, reveling a walk in closet the size of my room back home.

To the left of the closet was a lounge chair and to the right was a normal bench.

What was I going to do, lounge in here?

William finally placed the bags down. “Now, Mrs Sarai has gotten your size from your mother and purchased you some clothes that you can wear when you attend parties with her,” he pressed a button on the wall which caused the part around the lounge chair to rotate. “As you can see, there are a lot of clothes.”

“Wow,” I whispered.

“Yeah.” He walked over to the other side and pressed yet another button. “This is your shoe closet.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Seriously?​”

William yet again nodded. “There are a variety to choose from.”

I started to laugh. “This is unbelievable.” I whispered. “My dad is a famous actor and I don't even have stuff like this at my house.”

William started to walk out of the closet and into the bathroom. “The tour continues, Miss Rena.”

“Okay,” I stated as I walked up behind him.

“There is a small fridge that has a different variety of wines. You will find the classes up here.” He pointed at the silver platter that was placed on the counter. “They do change them out everyday.”

“I'm only fourteen,” I stated.

He raised an eyebrow. “And you have never had a drop of alcohol to drink?”

I turned away.

He smiled. “This right here is a towel warmer.” He pointed to a hamper looking thing between the bath and shower. “Some people have mistaken it for a hamper. Please don't.”

I nodded. “Towel warmer, got it.”

The shower has a heating lamp in it so there will be a change in temperature from the shower and out here. But the floor is heated so there shouldn't be a problem.” He walked past me and back into the bedroom.

I followed closely.

“The maids will clean your room once a day if you would like. There is a switch that you will flip to tell the maids that you are ready for them to clean it.”

“Okay,” I answered.

William looked around to see if there was anything else that he should point out. “Don't worry about your clothes in the closet, the maids will come in and put them away. Also the path to the beach is a shared one, the house shares it with the lovely family next door. So don't be surprised if you run into others.”

I gave him a confused look. “Why would I be surprised?”

William looked at his watch shrugged. “Some people would be bothered by that,” he sighed. “Mrs. Sarai should be home soon and I need to get dinner started.” He looked up at me and smiled. “Dinner is normally served around 6 o'clock. But we do have chefs that are on the clock till nine and some even on call. So if you get hungry, feel free to give them a call.”

I was not going to get used to this waited on hand and foot thing. Maybe that's one of the reasons that my parents had kept me away from my grandmother.

“Alright, do you have any other questions?” William wondered.

I shook my head.

“Then I will leave you be,” he stated as he walked out of the room and shut the doors.

When I was finally left alone to my own devices, I walked out onto the balcony. I needed some fresh air. This whole trip was surreal.

I leaned against the railing and sighed as I looked out onto the ocean. Why was I even here? Why were my parents being so secretive about their conversations before I went? I closed my eyes and exhaled and I played the last week in my head. From when it all started.

~♥♥♥~

Both of my parents were famous in their own aspects. My father had been an actor for many years, my mother a manager. Originally, my mother and father met while she was interning for the guy who was my father's manager. They both say that it was love at first sight, but my mom played hard to get because she didn't want to fall into the world of the rich and famous.

It didn't work. My mother fell head over heels for the one named Grant Sarai. Four years after they got together, they married on the beaches of Hawaii. A year and a half later, I was born.

My parents worked all the time, but never failed to show me the love and affection that I needed. Showing up at my recitals, and chaperoning dances and such. It was only within the last year my mother started to get cold. She stopped showing the love that she once had and started to fold into herself. Even my father was having a hard time getting her to come around.

She started staying later and later at work to points where she wouldn't come home till morning. I could see the strain on my father. He was getting bags under his eyes and just seemed like he was losing a lot of weight.

A week ago, everything seemed to crash around me.

I had walked into the kitchen, ear buds in my ears and my favorite song playing. I had just gotten back from a jog and was super thirsty, so I was on the way to the fridge. I didn't notice her at first, but when I grabbed the water and turned around, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

There my mother was, perched at the breakfast bar with a bunch of paperwork littered all over the counter.

Through my years of living, I had learned never to look at my mother's paperwork. A lot of it was information on new and upcoming stars. So I ignored it and stared at my mother.

I looked at my watch and back up to the woman who was engrossed in reading a paper and didn't even notice that I had entered the room.

“Hey Mom,” I greeted as I removed my head phones. When she didn't answer, I snapped in her face. “Hey earth to mom,” I whispered. “You with me?”

She finally looked up at me and gave me a weak smile. That's when I actually looked at her for the first time in weeks. She looked just as tired as my father did. She looked like a skeleton in the face and just had a listless about her.

“Oh good morning darling, did you just wake up?” she wondered as she started to tidy up the papers.

My eyes flicked to the clock behind her and it was a quarter to five. What the hell was going on? “Mom it's almost five in the afternoon.”

She looked at me then turned around to look at the clock. “Wow, look at that.”

I was starting to get worried now. “Have you been sitting here all day?” I wondered. “Did you not go to work?”

She packed the papers into a folder and held it to her chest and stood up off the stool. “I uh,” she looked around like she had lost something. “Actually had the day off today.”

With that, I knew something was definitely up.

“Rachel?” My father called as soon as he walked through the front door.

Without taking my eyes off my mother, I answered my father. “We're in here.”

My father walked into the kitchen like he was late for something. He gave my mother a once over then looked at me. “Rena, can you give your mother and I a moment please?”

I nodded and started to walk out. Once I was out of listening distance, or they thought that I was, I heard my father start to talk.

“Did you find out?” he wondered.

My mother must have answered, but I couldn't hear her.

“Well we will get a second opinion and a third, if we have to.”

Silence again on my mother's end.

“Rena will have to stay with my mother while we figure this out,” my father stated. “It's final.”

~♥♥♥~

I opened my eyes again and looked out to the ocean and took in the view in front of me. That's what led me here. Secrets, and lots of them.

I turned around to walk back inside when the sound of laughter stopped my in my tracks. I looked down the path and saw two girls carrying umbrellas and towels. One of them was even carrying a cooler. Were they heading to the beach? Looked like my kind of fun.

I stretched my arms and sighed. Did I want to follow them like a creeper or keep my distance? I sighed. Keep my distance.

I once again turned around to walk inside when I heard a snap and curse.

I looked down the stairs and saw the blonde on the ground. She had fallen.

“Hey,” I called down to them. “Are you alright?”

Both girls looked up at me. The blond got up and dusted herself off and smiled as she held up a peace sign. “More than okay!” she seemed to be energetic.

“Okay,” I stated.

She gathered the stuff into her hands and looked back up at me. “Are you new here?” The other girl grumbled something next to her, but the blonde shushed her.

I raised an eyebrow. “Uh yeah, I'm here for the summer visiting my grandmother.”

The blonde's eyes widened. “I didn't know Madam Mayor even had a granddaughter.”

“I haven't really been here all that much,” I stated honestly.

“Are you doing anything right now?” she wondered.

The other girl groaned.

“Uh no,” I answered.

“Great, you can come down to the beach, get to know some of the kids around here,” she said happily.

That sounded amazing. Then I looked at the other girl who didn't look happy.

“I don't want to impose,” I answered a little let down.

The blond shook her head. “You're not.”

“Um, okay. Let me go get my suit,” I stated as I walked back into the house and once out of sight took off full sprint to the closet. I didn't know that I was going to be meeting kids my age so fast. Were they all girls? I didn't care. I just wanted something to do and I think I found it.

Once I changed and grabbed a towel I walked out the door to the blond who was perched on the railing.

“This place really is amazing,” she stated.

“Thanks,” I stated with a smile.

She got down and held out her hand. “My name is Fa'ay Zana.”

I looked at her for a quick moment and took in her appearance. Hey blond hair was pulled up into a high pony tail her heart shaped face, green eyes, and red lips just added to her beauty. She wore a one piece that had the sides taken out and connected with a silver jewel in the middle.

I reached for her hand and smiled. “I'm Rena Sarai.”

Her eyes widened. “Are you really Grant Sarai's daughter?”

I nodded. “Yup,”

“Is he as nice as they say?” she wondered.

I chuckled. “Even nicer.”

She started to walk down the stairs.

That's when I noticed the other girl was no longer with her. “What happened to the other girl?” I wondered.

“Oh, Pixie?” she wondered. “She went ahead to tell everyone else what was going on and why I was taking so long.”

I'm sure that's what it was. For some reason I got the feeling that she didn't want anyone else to come.

“So Rena, how old are you?” Fa'ay wondered as we started down the path.

“Fourteen,” I answered.

Her eyes lit up. “So am I!” She squealed. “Oh this is just perfect!”

I raised an eyebrow.

She looked at me. “Well, we've always been four and two, with you it's getting a little more even.”

“Okay?”

“You'll see, trust me.” She skipped ahead of me and disappeared down some stairs.

I walked to the top at the rickety looking railroad tie stairs that rook you down to the beach. I glanced down the beach and saw Fa'ay placing down her stuff next to a couple guys who greeted her then looked over at me immediately. My heart stopped. I literally just walked into a Calvin Klein photo shoot. This couldn't be real.

Fa'ay looked over at me and smiled skipping back over to the bottom of the stairs. “Come on, girl. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

I nodded slowly and walked down the stairs, once I hit the bottom Fa'ay grabbed my hand and lead me to the two boys.

“This is Raithe Zana and Damon Dragoste,” Fa'ay stated.

I looked at Raithe who seemed to be stuck in frozen mode staring at me. He was blond with shoulder length hair, green eyes, and a lean torso. He looked just like Fa'ay. They were no doubt related. Then I looked over at Damon who was no longer interested in me and looking at his phone. He had shaggy Raven colored hair that shined blue in the light, was it dyed or maybe natural? I was betting on dyed. His eyes were the color of a hazy morning. Not quite blue, but light enough to be grey. He leaned back on his forearms and stretched out his toned stomach, his swim trunks resting low on his hip. He was definitely my type, I wasn't going to deny that.

“Raithe and Damon are two years older than us. If you haven't noticed, Raithe is my brother. The only reason Damon is here is because he is Raithe's best friend,” she stated. “That or he just doesn't have a date today.”

Damon shrugged. “Got to take a day off now and then,” he stated with a bit of smugness in his voice. He looked up at me and winked.

I rolled my eyes.

Damon chuckled.

“Damon is our resident player,” Fa'ay stated as she turned me around to look at the rest of the group that was playing volleyball. “He doesn't date girls our age. He's more of a more experience type of guy,” she said with a chuckle.

“Not bad to look at,” I heard from behind me. I was guessing that it was from Damon because when I turned around to look at the two boys, Damon was smirking with sunglasses covering his eyes.

When did he put those on?

I was gonna reply when something hit my legs. I turned and looked down at the ball that was at my feet. Quickly I dipped to pick it up, as I stood back up I saw feet in my peripheral vision. Slowly I looked up at the boy who was now standing in front of me. He had to be a full half a foot taller then me and I already stood at 5'2. He had beautiful pale skin that was already covered in some tattoos. His hair was also the raven color. Was everyone dying their hair here? When I got to his eyes I had to catch my breath. They were so blue. Oh so, so blue.

“Is this yours?” I wondered as a smile crept across my face.

He didn't move at first. Probably looking me over just like I had him. It made me wish that I had decided on my sun dress to cover my swimsuit instead of shorts and a tank top. Finally his eyes reached up to mine and he smiled a half smile that made me weak in the knees. Was this that puppy love that the grownups were all talking about?

I held out the ball.

He reached for it and brushed my hand.

The spark that went through the both of us caused us to completely stand still, just staring at each other.

“Uh, Haven,” Fa'ay whispered. “You need a re-boot?” she wondered.

Haven finally looked down at the ball that was still sitting in both of our hands and pulled it towards him. “Uh, no,” he staid with a chuckle and shook his head, causing his hair to fall into his face.

Fa'ay looked over at the other boy that was standing behind Haven and winked at him. “Well while you guys have a pause in your game, how about I introduce you to my new friend.”

The other boy and Pixie walked over and stood next to Haven.

With them standing next to each other Haven and the other boy looked almost exactly the same. IF I didn't know any better, they were twins or just brothers.

“Alright,” Fa'ay started. “This is Haze and Haven Ero,” she introduced. “Before you ask, yes they are twins,” she stated. “They are a year older than us.” She looked over at Pixie and gave her a smile. “And you have already met Miss Pixie Lynn,” she looked back at me. “Everyone, this is Rena Sarai. She is staying with Madam Mayor over the summer.”

I smiled and started to play with the strands of my hair. “It's nice to meet you all.”

They nodded. Haven keeping my gaze for a little longer before his brother pulled him away.

Fa'ay grabbed me by the hand and lead me over to the blanket where Raithe and Damon sat. “Here sit.” She said with a smile. “Lets get to know one another.”

I looked at her, “okay.”

“When is your birthday?” Fa'ay wondered.

“Uh, Halloween.” I answered.

Fa'ay's eyes went wide. “Seriously?”

I nodded. Why would I lie about that?

“Okay,” she sat back and started to think. “So your sign is compatible with Capricorns.”

I nodded. “Says the books,” I whispered.

She smiled, and beside me, Damon scoffed.

Fa'ay looked over at him and frowned. “What's that about?”

“Trying to hook her up with one of the boys? You just met the poor girl, how about you let her choose for herself,” he looked at me and smiled. “She could be a lesbian.”

I rolled my eyes. “I'm not,” I stated.

“Shame,” he whispered.

Fa'ay touched my hand. “Don't mind him. He's a bit lascivious.”

“I can see that,” I stated.

“Well what I was getting to was that Haven and Haze are Capricorns,” she said with a smile. “Haze, the one with the longer hair is my boyfriend. Were gonna get married I tell you,” she sighed.

“They have been together since they have been in diapers,” Damon stated beside me. “They will probably get separated and not be together in the next year or two.”

I turned to Damon and raised an eyebrow. “Not a romantic?”

He laughed. “Naw, I don't need to be.”

“You know Damon, one day there is going to be a girl that you want and won't want you because of your attitude,” Fa'ay stated as she examined her nails.

“I'll let you know when that happens,” Damon stated.

~♥♥♥~

After that the day went by so fast, it made my head spin. I learned a lot about Fa'ay. She was beautiful inside and out. She loved animals, and played the drums like a beast apparently. Pixie finally came over and sat down. Once she found out that I didn't like Raithe she opened up. By the time the sun was taking a dip into the ocean we were cleaning up and making our way up the stairs.

“I still can't believe that you live in New York,” Fa'ay said with a smile. “I would have never guessed. You don't have an uppity aura about you.”

“I'll take that as a compliment,” I stated with a laugh. “I wasn't actually born there though. So maybe that's why.”

Damon walked up next to me and bumped me. “Let me guess, he touched his chin. You're an Arizona girl?”

I couldn't contain my laughter of surprise. “How on earth did you know that?”

He shrugged and walked forward.

What a weird guy.

Fa'ay threaded her arm through mine and smiled. “Don't mind him. He doesn't really like new people joining the group.”

“That is not the vibe that I am getting from him,” I stated. “Does he not realize that not every girl he meets wants to jump his bones?” I wondered seriously.

A laugh broke behind us, an absolutely musical laugh that sent chills down to my very core.

Both Fa'ay and I turned around to see who created this laugh, even though in my heart I know exactly who it was.

“And what do you find so funny Haven?” Fa'ay wondered as she pursed her lips.

“Just realized that I have been wrong about Rena this whole time,” he stated with a smirk.

“Is that right?” I wondered.

He jogged up to catch up to as and smiled. “Mind if I walk you home?” he wondered.

I looked at everyone that was still behind. All their faces showed surprise. It made me second guess my answer. God I really just wanted to say yes.

“You don't have to do that Haven, I'm just right there,” I whispered running my finger through my hair.

Haven held out his arm. “Well it's a good thing that I don't have to, and I want to.”

I paused for a moment, then smiled. “Okay,” I threaded my arms through his and let him lead me away from the others.

~♥♥♥~

Haze walked up next Fa'ay and watched as Haven and Rena disappeared into the trees. “Well that was nice of you to actually bring another girl in to the fold,” he whispered as he threaded his fingers through the blondes. “Though I do remember you pretty admen that you were not going to allow a summer girl to join the group.” He touched his chin. “Something about them not sticking around.”

Fa'ay smiled. “Well there was something about her when I saw her earlier. Something told me to invite her to join us, and I was right. Did you see the way that Haven reacted when he saw her?” she leaned into her boyfriend. “I have never seen him taken with anyone,” she whispered. “Whether they be male or female.”

Damon chuckled. “Well the boy is not blind. The girl is very attractive.”

Fa'ay slapped Damon's arm. “She's fourteen, remember you don't go for girls my age. You made it a rule.”

Damon shrugged. “Maybe I can make an exception,” he sighed. “Man, maybe I should have just walked her home,” he stated in a teasing tone, knowing full and well that he would have never gone to that length.

Fa'ay rolled her eyes. “Now that's something that would just never happen.”

Haze went to reply when he stopped. “Wait,” he said, pulling Fa'ay to a halt. “Did you think that Haven was gay?” He wondered.

Fa'ay shook her head and started to chuckle. “You know, now that I think about it, I always saw him as a fluid. I don't think he really sees genders, what he finds beautiful is their mind and body.” She paused and shrugged. “Maybe that's just my fantasy though. The boy has almost as many one night stands as Damon.”

“But doesn't,” Damon pointed out.

Fa'ay scoffed. “So not the point Damon. It's not a feat to be a player. There are no awards given out.”

“So you are not okay with me hooking up with the new girl, but you are okay with Haven hooking up with her?” Damon wondered. His voice sounding a bit wounded as he grabbed at his chest. “Ouch.”

Fa'ay sighed. “That's not it. Haven can be fixed, he just has to find the right girl. You have found the right girl, over and over. You love em' and leave em' that's just the kind of person you are.”

“You guys.” Raithe groaned. “You are talking about a fifteen year old.”

Damon and Haze both looked at their friend with a look of disbelief on their faces, causing Fa'ay to have to stifle a laugh.

~♥♥♥~

The walk back to my house started out as a quiet one. I didn't think in my wildest dreams that I would be walking next to a boy the first day I was in Rosewood. In fact I thought today was going to be boring. But it wasn't.

“So how long are you staying for?” Haven wondered as we neared the house.

I shrugged. “The summer, I think.”

He looked over at me with a smile. “You think?”

I nodded. “Something was going on at home. I guess I am going to stay here until it gets figured out.”

“Oh,” Haven looked up at the door to my bedroom. “That doesn't sound ominous at all,” he whispered.

I smiled. “I don't think that it is as bad as the media is making it out to be.”

Haven looked at me. “The media already smells blood?”

I nodded. “The day I left the airport, there were reporters asking if my parents were going to get divorced. Wondering if that was the reason that I was being sent away.”

He stayed quiet.

“But I don't think the reason they sent me away has anything to do with their relationship. I think my mother is sick,” I whispered.

Haven's eyes widened. “Should you be telling me this?” he wondered. “What if I was the son of a reporter?”

My arm dropped from his in an instant. I didn't even think about that. God, I was so stupid.

Haven chuckled. “I'm not,” he stated.

That didn't make me feel any better. Here I was pouring my heart out to people I didn't even really know.

He noticed the change in my attitude and touched my face, causing me to look up at him. My heart felt like it was going to fall into my stomach as I got caught up in his eyes. I could tell that he was about to say something but he closed his mouth. The moment we stood there felt like everything else around us fell away. Something I thought only happened in the movies and books.

“Rena?” I heard my name being called from behind us.

Just like that, the spell was broken.

I took a step back and looked around Haven, who was not looking down at his feet.

“Hi grandmother,” I greeted.

“Is that you Mr. Ero?” my grandmother wondered as she walked up to us.

Haven turned around and put on a smile. “How are you Madam Mayor?” he wondered.

“Oh I am wonderful,” she said with a smile as she straightened her suit. “I see you have met my lovely Granddaughter.”

“I have,” Haven stated as he rand his fingers through his hair. “Purely on coincidence though,” he added.

My Grandmother just nodded. “Well, Rena it's time to say goodbye. You have already missed dinner, but I will have William put something out for you,” with that, she turned and started to walk back into the house.

I exhaled a breath that I hadn't realized I had been holding. “Well, shit,” I whispered as I placed my hand over my chest.

Haven turned to me and started to laugh. “I never thought that meeting the Mayor in person would be so nerve-wracking.”

I raised an eye brow. “You have never met?”

He gave off another nervous chuckle. “Oh we've met. My parents are pretty big socialites in this city. It's just I never met her while wanting to kiss her granddaughter,” he answered honestly.

“Big socialites?” I repeated then looked up at him. “Wait, you wanted to kiss me?” I wondered.

He smiled and leaned down pressing his lips against my cheek. “Now I just did,” he then started to walk away.

I lifted my hand up to my cheek, the place he touched still burning.

This was definitely going to be the best summer of my life.

~♥♥♥~