Bad Blood - Chp 9

Chapter 9

I tried my best to ignore the car parked outside the complex and made my way up to my apartment. I froze when I heard voices coming from the other side. I made out my dad's voice and someone else I couldn't really pin point. It wasn't Jerry that was for sure. I turned the key and the voices lowered. Uneasily I made my way into the apartment. Standing the middle of the room was a man I had never seen before. His skin was unusually pale and he was dressed in winter wear. Something that was really strange considering the weather was in the 90s.

"Oh, Bille," my dad greeted me. "Glad you're home! How was school?"

"It was fine," I lied. "Who is this dad?"

"Oh sweetie, this is Antonio," he introduced the tall man. "He owns our building."

I thought back to Ellisa. She has said her family owned most of the buildings here on the beach and in the city. I looked into his cold dark eyes and wondered if this strange man was her father. He smiled at me warmly which surprised me. He had an icy feeling to him as if he weren't even alive.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Billie," he said. His voice was low and deep. Almost seductive in the way he formed his words. "I have heard so much about you."

I laughed nervously. "Good things I hope!"

"Yes, my daughter speaks highly of you," he said with a low bow. "Well, Corey, I better go. I'm sure my wife wants me home by now. Tell Jerry I said hello and do not worry about the rent. For you, we'll lower it. I make enough as it is. I don't have to bother you with such technicalities."

My dad said goodbye to Antonio as I rushed off into my room. I really didn't want my dad, Mr. Protective, to know about Ellisa. Now everything was blowing up in my face. I guess it was true what mom used to tell me about lying. She would look at me and say, "Bille, lies are no good. They always blow up in your face; remember this lesson so you don't end up with a cheat for a man!"

I locked the door behind and poured into my school work. I figured thinking about factions and cells would keep my mind off the twisting pain in the pit of my stomach until I had to eat dinner. It was doing the trick until my dad knocked on my door. "Bille, you have a phone call! Why don't they call your cell phone? Isn't that why we pay for it?"

"Sorry dad," I called to him. I was wondering who was calling me. All of my friends, including the new ones, had my cell number. I opened the door and told him that I would take the call in my room. He nodded his head and walked back to the kitchen. I made my way over to the pearly white phone that was on my desk. I picked up the receiver and told my father I had the phone. He hung up to give me my privacy. I had to love my dad for that.

"Hello?" I answered nervously.

"Bille," the voice on the other end was Ellisa. I could never mistake that seductive cool calm tone in her voice. It was deep but still feminine and had me falling over onto my bed. I was completely weak with lust.

"Ellisa," I smiled ear to ear. "How did you get this number?"

"My father knows your father," she said slowly. "I'm sorry for the visitation. I've told dad not to risk his health but he never listens to me."

"His health, Ellisa, what's going on?" I asked her. My voice came out rushed and I think she could tell my face was flushing even over the phone. I could feel as if she knew what I was doing when I was doing it.

"Dad is raising the rent on a lot of the properties but I guess since I talk about you a lot, he decided to give your dads a break even though he can't go out in the sun for long periods of time. It makes him unwell."

"I guess that explains why you guys are so pale. Do you have the same problem? I mean, I only see you at night too," I asked.

"Yeah, you could say it's genetic. Listen, I wanted to know if you wanted to see me again tonight. No one has to know."

My stomach did back flips. "Um, sure, I don't see why not?" I said unsurely. One night sneaking out was bad enough but to do it again? I wasn't sure.

"Come out to dinner with me. I'll have you home before your dads miss you."

Somehow I couldn't turn her down. The sun was already lowering itself in the sky so I was wondering when we would go out together. We decided on an hour. My stomach was rumbling. It might have to do with the fact that I barely ate lunch.

I did nothing much of importance until the hour was up. I excitedly waited until I thought my dad and Jerry were distracted with the television and I began to make my exit outside. I was so close to the door. The car keys clutched in my hand, my purse hanging low on my shoulder as I inched closer and closer to the knob. I was about to place my hand on it when I heard dad's voice call out, "Where are you going? Dinner is almost ready and it's a school night Billie."

I smiled nervously as I turned my body around to face my dad. He was standing still in our small entrance hallway with his arms crossed over his chest. He was in the stance that I knew as 'you have explaining' to do stance. I tried to think of something but nothing came to mind. There was really no explanation as to why I was leaving at this hour.

I sighed and dropped the innocent little girl act. There was no way my dad was going to take that to heart. That wasn't really his thing. He could read me so much better than my mother. I could lie to mom through my teeth and she wouldn't really think twice about it but my dad was a different story.

"Dad, I'm going on a date," I told him. "I didn't want to tell you because I really didn't want to get a hundred questions about the girl."

"That's no excuse Billie," he said. His mouth frowned at me and his eyes looked disapprovingly. "I need to know who you are going with and when. You have a curfew and even though I haven't there much, I'm still dad."

"I know," I sighed. "I'm sorry dad. It's just I'm still getting used to this. You know how things were with mom. She didn't really mind me doing these types of things back in New York so I guess I'm just used to living up those rules."

"I know but you are in Miami Beach now, not New York. I'm your dad not your mom. I have my own set of rules here kiddo. You got to get used to that. I'll let you go this time but don't let this happen again. No going out on school nights from now on."

I nodded my head in compliance. There was nothing else I could do. He was at least being lenient with me this time. Dad was always the hard ass. My mom was the relaxed one who was a bit spaced out. I guess it had to do with who they were when they were my age.

Dad was drafted into the military while mom was a peace loving hippie enjoying wood stock. They were destined to fail from the start if anyone were to ask me. Not that anyone really would ask me something so callous. I hated to say it but they were different. Two extremes always pitted against each other. I think that my dad's time as a closeted man in the military was the thing that set him into tight ass territory.

While it took a while to get used to, sometimes I think that the divorce was the best thing to happen to them. I tilted my head at my father and told him I would be home by midnight even if it was a little after 7 now. I rushed out the door and down the hallway. The keys to the my car, my house and my life were clutched in my hand so tightly that I felt as if my blood were completely staled under my skin.

The elevator down took forever on its ascent upwards to come get me. I stepped inside the elevator and couldn't help but to hop around excitedly. Was this really a date? It had to be. She asked me out at night to dinner. She was coming to get me and it was so much classier than Roxie's attempt.

The silver doors opened up to reveal to me a world painted black. The streetlamp in front of the apartment complex had blown out. I looked around for the single headlight that after only a few times I was used to seeing. I wanted so desperately to see that light come towards me and stop on a dime. She would come and sweep me off my feet.

I looked around then down to myself. For a moment I had to evaluate the way I was dressed. I had on a black low v-neck shirt showing what I felt I needed to for her. I had on a skirt. Something I never wore unless I wanted to impress someone. I was a very laid back girl wearing only the things that made me happy but tonight it wasn't about me.

Well, it was about me but I needed to do something for her. If she liked me that much and wanted to see more than this was the perfect thing to do for her. My fishnet stalkings extended into my black Mary Jane slip on shoes that were decorated with little pyramid studs. I wanted to match her edgy style and attitude.

I became a little despondent when that single headlight didn't come near me after a few seconds. I looked around until I noticed twin headlights shining brightly at me. They flashed twice. I walked cautiously towards the car. I didn't really recognize it. As I got closer to it I noticed how fancy it was.

A black, sleek and luminous Mercedes-Benz with very dark black tints stood before me. It was as if I was in some modern fairy tale and the prince I had been waiting for was just inside the vehicle. I was so happy that dad didn't really ask who I was out with because when Ellisa stepped out I was sure that he would have disapproved of her.

She wore the lowest cut dress I had ever seen. My eyes were drawn directly to the lines of her heavenly cleavage. She looked perfect as diamonds and pearls hung around her neck in the classiest manner a woman could wear a necklace. She looked like a million dollars quite literally. Her legs covered in elegant black stalkings. They accented her legs in all the right delicious ways.

I examined her body. Each detail was in place. Each accessory was placed to impress and in comparison I felt foolish in what I was wearing. Her heels were high and her toes were perfectly painted along with the long claw like nails on her hand. All painted in a deep red color that brought out the red in her lips.

Her makeup was flawless. Her body moved with a grace that I couldn't describe. She was reigning in my desire. She was pulling me closer and as I got closer the only thing I could really muster was, "Wow! You look gorgeous! No, more than gorgeous! There isn't a word for it!"

She smiled at me sticky sweetly. Her teeth gleamed under the dark of the night. Her eyes seemed to trace over my body and I noticed that she was paying attention to what I had wanted her to. She traced up and down the length of my long legs. That made me grin.

"You look amazing," she said slowly. She was taking me in and I wondered why when she looked a hundred times better than I did. I grinned wider.

"So, what did you have in mind for tonight?" I asked her coyly.

"You'll see," she replied. She walked around to the side of the car and opened the passenger side door wide for me. She helped me into the car and my eyes scanned each and every part of the luxurious car. The interior was more magical than the exterior. The tan leather seats were flawless. A high class GPS was working in sync with a music player which played soft pop jazz I had never heard before.

The smooth romantic female voice washed over me as I settled into the seat. She sang about finding love and losing it just as quickly. She spoke about how she leaving because things weren't exactly going the way she wanted to. It was so sad but so romantic at the same time because in the end she forgives who she's singing to.
It was beautiful. Everything was just the way I would read about it in some of the romance novels I was so shamelessly addicted to. She made her way around the car. She slipped in elegantly to the driver side completely flawlessly. The song was soft and slow now as it changed. Her hands lightly gripped the steering wheel.

The lyrics came out over head talking about wanting to be held by that special someone. I looked over to her and caught her looking at me with a twinkle in her eye. They weren't red as they were before. I assumed she ditched the edgy look for our date which I was thankful for. It didn't bother me but tonight seemed like it had to be perfect.

She said the name of a high class Italian restaurant I only knew of because I overheard Jerry telling dad that he wanted to take him there when he got the money saved up. My jaw dropped and I felt instantly terrible. I had to keep this little tidbit from them. I knew that dad would get jealous of me if my date who was, wait, something hit me. I had no idea how old Ellisa was.

I looked over at her. I studied her features and she looked like she might have been my age but at the same time there was something older about her. Her eyes were on the road but every now and then I caught her glancing at me. I wanted to ask her how old she was but that seemed awkward. However, I was awkward so it happened. "You never told me how old you are," I said off handedly.

She laughed at this and leaned in her seat. "Well, people sometimes have two ages to them," she explained. "I guess you could say physically I'm only 18."

"Eighteen huh?" I chuckled. "So how does it feel being with a little girl like me?"

She smiled half way at me. Her eyes were playful when she replied with, "it feels pretty damn good."

She asked me about my parents so I told her the gist of the situation. She asked me why I moved from New York here, so I told her that as well. Her eyes gleamed under the street lights as we rushed past them. She drove so precisely. In and out of the traffic she rushed as if she had no regard.

"What part of Manhattan are you from?" she asked.

"Lower east side," I replied.

"Really?" she beamed. "So am I. I was born there."

I smiled brightly at her and we spent the rest of that perfect car ride talking about the local scene there and how much we both miss it and how it compares to the Miami scene. "I used to be a musician," she revealed.

"Really, did you play for a band? Anyone I might have heard of?"
She shook her head. "I did play for a band but not for anyone you might know," she explained. We reached the valet parking to the restaurant and with a fluid motion she was out of the car and next to my door. She reached for the door handle and before I knew it I was on my feet. Her ice cold hand found my hand as she guided me up to the door. I hadn't even seen her give the valet the key but she did.

I noticed the grin on her face as she opened the door for me. I felt like I was in Cinderella's story. It was the most surreal experience in my life. I was wondering if this girl was the one. I was so naïve. I was only seventeen and here I was wondering if I was going to marry this girl because she was so just so perfect. She made it so hard to breath.

We walked into a darkly lit room where the hostess greeted us with a wide smile. Her eyes were fixed on Ellisa and with flirty eyes she asked us if we had a reservation. Ellisa smiled brightly and told her that we had one for eight o'clock for the table in the far corner. I looked past the hostess to see which table Ellisa was pointing to.

It was all the way in the corner completely away from the light, what little there was, in the place. It was creepy and eerie as I peered at it. There was one red candle in the center of the table that glowed with a sense of romance and fear. We followed the hostess to the table and she continued to flirt with Ellisa. I couldn't help but to feel my face flush.

I felt a rush of jealously. What was this girl thinking? She was mine! I glared at her until Ellisa pulled out my chair. I took a seat and the hostess left without much else. It was strange. It was as if a light went off in her head. She walked away much like the police did that night at the beach. The only thing I could really remember from that.

I still wondered where my thoughts had gone that night and I wondered if she had anything to do with that. I brushed the thoughts away. If there was going to be anything between me and her, I had to have trust. That was a hard thing to do when I had someone so gorgeous with me. I felt so plain compared to her.

Her black hair gleamed under the candle light and I watched in fantasy as the flame reflected her eyes. I sat there completely enthralled by her. She didn't open her menu at all. There wasn't much interest in eating and I cocked my head at her. Her slender hands were folded over it. Great, now I felt fat with her too. That was all I needed.

I was gazing at the menu and the prices floored me. No wonder Jerry was wanting to save up cash for this. Each plate was forty dollars or more. As I was scanning the menu, I felt warm breath run down the side of my neck. "Don't worry about prices, just order anything you like," she hotly whispered into my ear. "It's not like I'm going to be eating this food. I have something sweeter in mind."

I turned my head to peer into her eyes. She was smiling at me baring to me perfect white teeth that seemed to gleam under the low light. She appeared to me like a panther waiting for its prey. For some reason, instead of running from this, I was drawn to it. I had no idea as to why this was happening to me.

I put the menu down. I wasn't sure what I was doing or what I was eating but I couldn't concentrate on the food anymore. I placed my hands on the menu and smiled nervously at her. This wasn't supposed to be so hard. She was a girl just like my ex. Right, I mean, there was nothing different, was there? Somehow I knew the answer to my own question.

This girl was something else. I couldn't stop kidding myself. As I stared off into the distance I felt her cold hands caress the top of my hands. She was soft even when the waitress came to take my order, she didn't stop. The waitress gave us a sideways glance but she kept herself professional. She took my order and took Ellisa's order to have a class of wine. I found it odd that Ellisa got away with such an order without getting carded. I guess that's how it was when you are rich.

I wasn't sure what to talk about with her. She just sat there close to me. Her foot found my leg and she playfully rubbed her toes along the length of my leg. She was freezing cold to the touch but I couldn't get enough of it. I gulped for a second and smiled nervously. It was that smile I got when I was really nervous.

"So," I said awkwardly. "How'd you get away with getting wine?"

"My parents are friends with the restaurant owners," she replied in her sultry voice. She ran her fingers over mine and intertwined them. "I can get you whatever you want."

That's when she leaned into me and started to bite on my neck.