Chapter One: The Rose Garden

"Well that party sucked" lleana said to herself as her black stelletto heels clinked along the sidewalk. For a mascarade ball it was pretty boring, so she decided to leave early. Her black shawl started to slide slowly but she quickly caught it with her left hand, while her right held her purse and mask. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a nearby rose garden. She decided to go in and relax for the moment. She walked in and made herself comfortable at the bench in the center of the garden. The moonlight shone all around her brillently causing her to have a slight glow about her.

 

lleana Cortez, the daughter of Edward Cortez of Cortez law firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts and the most toughest female lawyer has ever seen. Minus her tough attitude, lleana was quite a beauty. Long black hair with dark brown tips, carmel skin that would glow in the sunlight. Her lips hold a slight pink color but is over powered by their carmel color. She always kept in shape, keeping her curvacious yet athletic body up to par, but that isn't what attracts most men to her. She may be a very gorgeous woman, but her eyes are what sets her apart from most if not all. Her blue green eyes captivates anyone who comes across her, and what makes up the rest of this hispanic beauty.

 

Sighing she stared up at the moon, her once blue green eyes now slightly changing more to a sea blue color but they still held their emerald color as well. She let her mind wander off, forgetting all of her troubles for that moment. Unknown to her a young man was coming closer to where she was.

 

Darius sighed as he strolled along the dark street, his car had broken down a few miles back and he still hadn't found a phone or a repair shop and now its was starting to get dark. "Of all the nights to break down and of the places," he heaved his shoulders and kept on walking, hoping for any sign of life when he noticed a shadowed figure across the street.  He turned, about to raise his hand to call out when suddenly the figure turned and entered into a garden off the side.

He wasn't about to let the figure get away, this was the first person he'd seen since his car broke down.  He ran across the deserted street and into the garden looking for the figure. He walked through the first row of bushes and plants, looking around every which way, "Hello? Is anyone here?"  He continued to walk through the rows of hedges and bushes, slowly turning to look everywhere as he moved deeper toward the center of the garden.  He stepped into the center with his back to the middle as he looked back the way he'd come, making sure he hadn't missed anyone, "I was sure I saw someone . . ."

 

lleana heard someone's voice and let out a small sigh. She heard his footsteps coming close to where she was, hoping it wasn't one of the suitors her father was trying to set her up with.  

"Are you looking for someone?"

 

She asked, seeing the figure come into view but had his back turned to her. From what she could see he was about 6'0, and had shaggy black hair. It seemed he had on a black leather jacket, a pair of dark blue jeans, and black boots. 

 

Darius spun on his heel when he heard a woman's voice behind him, he spun and saw her sitting on a bench dressed in a flowing black gown, glowing faintly in the moonlight looking quite stunning.  In fact he was so taken aback by her that he almost forgot why he'd followed her,

 

"Umm . . . well . . you see . . my car broke down several miles up the road here and um . . . I was sorta hoping you had a phone or something so I could call AAA for some help, uh if you could that is?"

 

"Um, yeah I should have my phone" lleana  glanced down to her side, fumbling with her purse a little, before pulling out a black razor. She got up and walked over to him, her heels clinking against the pavement "Here you go"

 

Darius smiled a little as she fumbled to get her phone out, then nodded gratefully as he took it from her, "Thank you very much."

He opened the phone and dialed the number off his AAA card adn waited as it rang . . . and rang . . . and rang . . . then finally it picked up and an automated voice spoke,

 

"Hello you've reached AAA roadside assistance, all of our operators are busy at the moment, but if you remain on the line we'll get to you in: 2 hours 15 minutes.  Again we're sorry for the delay and we appreciate you trusting us with all of your roadside assistance needs,"  the voice disappeared and was replaced by some frustrating 'elevator' music.

He swore under his breath and pulled the phone away from his ear, "Typical, the one time I need AAA everybody else does too, just great."

 

"Your welcome" lleana gave him a smile back. She looked away for a moment, giving him some privacy as he was on the phone. She did sneak another glance, taking note of his beautiful blue eyes and muscular build. He is very handsome She thought to herself. He had the rough guy look going, and it was something that attracted lleana. Once he was done, she turned to face him "What happened?"

 

Darius rolled his eyes and pointed at the phone, or more specifically the AAA system on the other end of it, "I'm going to be on hold for over 2 hours before I can talk to anyone!  Hell if I knew it was going to take this long until they could get me I'd have just slept in the car till morning . . ."

He sighed wearily and looked over at the beautiful woman, "Just been one of those nights you know? Do you mind if I wait to get through to them now? I'm not exactly looking forward to walking all the way back to my car at this time of night."

 

lleana nodded "Well, no sleeping in your car, that isn't exactly safe. But yeah I know what you mean. I would, but I don't think my battery will last that long.....sorry"

 

Darius glanced at her phone and saw it was already down to half power, he sighed while he closed it and handed it back to her, "Oh yeah, you're right thanks anyway though."  He looked back toward the street then back to her, "Oh I'm Darius by the way, sorry never told you my name.  Now do you know where there is a place to stay around here?  Just for the night until I can get my car fixed."

 

"Your welcome. And I'm lleana, nice to meet you" lleana replied as she put her phone back in her purse.

 

"Hmm if your looking for cheap places no"

 

Darius smiled, "Thanks for the help lleana."

Then his face fell she replied to his question, "Oh man, well something will come up, it always does."

He noticed the mask on the bench she'd been sitting on, "Oh where did you come from?" If she came out here for a party or something she must have some type of transportation.  If I get on her good side then maybe I can get a lift into town. Of course Darius had to admit to himself that he had other reasons for wanting to get to know such a beautiful woman.

 

"Your welcome Darius" lleana smiled back but noticed his face fell when she said there weren't any afforable places around.

"Hmm?" She asked glancing back at her mask "Oh a mascarade ball" she answered looking back at him.

"Why do you ask?"

 "I was just thinking, um . . well I was wondering if you could give me a ride into town?"

 

He winked, "If you would be willing to help out a stranded traveler that is."

 

lleana smiled and nodded "Hmm...well you don't seem like a serial killer, so yes I will give you a ride" she teased him lightly, taking note of his wink. She turned and walked over to the bench, grabbing her mask and shawl.

 

"Follow me" she said and walked passed him and heading out the garden

 

 

 

Author's Note

It still is a little rough since this is the second book I have written or started too have written so criticism and help is greatly appreciated. Chapter two: A midnight love is coming soon!

Reviews

[Forist.johnston]

Overall it is a very good introduction to your Characters. A bit repetitive in some parts, but presented well enough. Keep writing, can't wait to read chapter 2! =]