THREE: The First Meeting

CORNELIA WAS DONE. It was the longest first day of her entire high school career. She was walking home with her best friend, Abigail Crockett. While the two girls shared several common traits, their looks stood at opposite ends of the spectrum.

Abigail was tall, 5'7 was very tall compared to Cornelia's 5'2. She also had beautiful mocha skin, her eyes were green, a very dark shade of green. And her chestnut hair was always in tight curls.

They looked nothing alike, but somehow they were pretty similar. Cornelia could safely say that Abigail was the only person who knew the most about her. Not everything, but we'll… nobody just tells someone everything. There's always a shaded, protected, and a very hidden part of ourselves that we tend to keep in the shadows of our minds, hearts, and souls.

"That's a nice car." Abigail said with an admiring whistle when they arrived in front of Cornelia's house.

Cornelia knitted her eyebrows together. He didn't know who the car belonged to and as far as she was concerned they were not getting any guests today.

"Hey." Abigail called then rushed to give the black car a closer inspection. "Isn't that the same make and model of the car Jessica told us about?"

Cornelia tried to remember what Jessica said, but it was always hard, considering she never really paid any attention to her. Cornelia always played nice with Jessica. Well, she played nice with everyone. But something about Jessica always set her off.

Jessica Crawford was a spoiled, annoying, bratty bitch. Popular with her model-like body, her bitch-ness, and her amazing talent at handball. But, Cornelia found herself recalling that event.

"... The two of them are like seriously hot. Old and all but it's part of the charm."

Cornelia recalled that part of the conversation. Jessica had been way too excited when she told them during lunch about the newcomers to their small town.

"I think it is."

Cornelia confirmed Abigail's question, walking closer towards her. Amarok. The last name echoed in her mind from the memory of what both her father and Jessica told her.

Abigail looked at her with a raised eyebrow, "But what are the newcomers doing in your house?"

Cornelia shrugged her shoulders, "Beats me."

What she found strange though was that her father had told her they would meet at the office, and it was much earlier in the morning. Of course she didn't tell anyone about what Jerry had told her. It was like an unwritten rule between her and Jerry, anything she hears about his job is something she can never repeat again.

Cornelia headed into her house as quietly as possible. She hoped to slip into her room without being noticed, but no such luck. Once she closed the front door behind her, she heard her dad's voice. "Lia, sweetie, come here let me introduce you."

She stifled a groan, or perhaps a whine, she then plastered her perfect smile and walked to her dad's study. The door was already open so she walked in, "Hello dad." She greeted him.

She noticed the two men sitting there opposite her dad. However, one in particular caught her interest especially after he turned fully to look at her. Mother of all that's holy and graceful! She thought to herself, hoping that her gasp was only audible to her own ears.

Soft brown hair, it was very soft that she wished her pale fingers could just pass through it. A few strands fell to his forehead, and her hands etched to put them away.

His thick eyelashes framed his dark brown eyes, which seemed cold in a way, yet they regarded her with a look she couldn't understand and it almost set her body on fire. It didn't make sense.

His lips were… sinful? She wondered if that would be the word to describe them. It might be, if her desire to have a taste of them is any indication. She knew she had to stop assessing him that way, especially when she began to hear Jerry's voice in the background.

But his broad shoulders, his bulked muscles that seemed about to rip his shirt, his hands, everything about him. Seeing him reminded her of that dream she had the night before.

The stranger seemed to elicit the same feeling from her. Desire, hunger, yearning,... In fact, Cornelia wondered if that was the same guy who had been haunting her dreams.

"Lia!" Her dad's voice startled her that she jumped a little. Her heart was beating erratically in her chest, and her mouth was way too dry as if she was about to die of thirst.

"Yes?" She replied shakily. She pulled her gaze from the man, who was shamelessly staring at her with a newfound smirk on his face, and towards Jerry.

"I was introducing our guests to you." Jerry said with a mixture of confusion and scolding. He gestured to the man who she had been staring at, "Mr. Lucien Amarok and his friend Mr. Daniel Darwin."

Cornelia smiled at the two of them politely, gulping her nervousness and trying to swallow that strange feeling she had. "Nice to meet you both, I'm Cornelia."

"Nice meeting you as well, Ms. Cooper."

Jesus Christ! Even his voice is heavenly. Cornelia thought, but tried to maintain the smile that was on her face.

She nodded, her head politely then excused herself with the promise of tea for the guests. Once she closed the door to the study she almost slumped to her knees. She didn't understand what was happening, but she was sure the way she felt wasn't normal.

She had seen her fair share of good-looking men, but none of them had ever estranged such a reaction from her. Something about Lucien Amarok was different, and Cornelia wouldn't rest until she finds it out.