Chapter 1 . The Note in the Book.

A insecure and very troubled young woman finds a startling note in her book during a visit at her local coffee shop.

“I think you’re gorgeous, and the way you read your book with a quiet determination is an untold beauty that deserves to be treasured. I would love to see you again, but fear that my seeing you is merely serendipity playing with my heart. I leave with you my phone number, perhaps, you could call and enchant me once more? - Leo.”

.

.

.

I pick up the phone.

I put it down.

I pick up the phone again.

I put it down once more.

This ritual continues for such a long period of time, I’m unwilling to admit it to myself.

I pick up the phone.

I put it down.

I take a deep breath and dial the 10 digits he left me.

It rings.

Oh my goodness, ring, I shouldn’t have called, ring, this was a mistake, ring, what if he’s some crazy stalker, ring, who likes to-

“Hello?”

My thoughts are interrupted by a calm yet strong voice.

I hesitate to reply.

“Hello?” he questions again.

“Uh,” I stammer. Smooth.

“Is this, uh, is this Leo?”

“Yes, who may I ask is calling?”

“Its, um, its- uh…”

Do I give him my name? What do I say? Dangit I should have planned this better.

“Its the chick from, uh, from the coffee shop.”

In the second between my words and his, my mind developed countless questions, including:

What if it was a joke?

What if he does this to woman all over the place?

What if-

“Wow. I- well. I was so busy convincing myself you wouldn’t call that I completely disregarded the idea of what I should say were you to pick up the phone and dial my number.”

He spoke just as he wrote, like his life was a poem he was writing by the second, a poem written in the most beautiful caligraphy.

Laughing nervously, he continues.

“But, I am most delighted that you called, truly, I am.”

“Uh, yeah, I, uh… yeah.”

I practically could hear the smile in his voice as he asks “So, my enchantress, what do you call yourself?”

Enchantress? His enchantress?

Doubt and self loathing begin to bang on the door I had locked them behind. A negative thought slips through the keyhole and seductively wraps itself around my ear whispering how I was no where near good enough for someone like him. I shake my head, hoping to dislogde the thought, but it holds on strong as I reply “Briar. My- uh, my name is Briar.”

“Ah, like Sleeping Beauty?”

I give the wall a dirty look, it would have to suffer my gaze in his place.

“No, it’s not Briar Rose, just Briar.”

“Well, ‘just Briar’, once again, I am so very pleased you called.”

I roll my eyes at his cliché and accidentally scoff audibly.

I quickly cover my mouth, as if that could keep the noise from penetrating the air in mockery of my impatience with his unoriginal statement.

I feel his smile grow wider. 

“A dislike for over-used phrases, huh?”

An apology forms on my lips and begins to spill out into the phone, no doubt soaking him with my guilt. I think he is about to drown in it when he laughs and says “No need to apologize, Briar dear, that phrase is used too much in media. Now, I have to ask, though you have introduced yourself as ‘just Briar’ I know you have if not a hyphenated name, a middle name that pairs well. My curiosity has honestly gotten the best of me, would you mind telling me what it is?”

I open my mouth but he interrupts my budding statement with “How rude of me! My name is Leo, darling, Leo Raphael Matthys. This is the point where I’d graciously but firmly shake your hand, were we to meet in person.”

He chuckles quietly to himself.

“Mariella,” I mutter.

“Oh, how beautiful!” he exclaims a little too loudly, “Briar Mariella. It rolls off the tongue and flows through the air. Lovely. I am quite pleased to make your acquaintence, Briar Mariella. Now, I am not one to beat around the bu- ah, haha. I always quickly get to the point, so, would you do me the honor of meeting me at the coffee shop at your earliest convenience?”

The thought still clutching my ear cackles maniaclly.

I shake my head harshly once more before uttering a very firm “Yes.”

Author's Note

I would appreciate any and all feedback, this will be ongoingly (is that even a word) edited, so check back to see corrections and changes and such.

Reviews

[Erica Marie]

This is fantastic! I usually don't read longer posts but this one caught my eyes with the first quote that you put in the beginning. So sophisticated and entertaining. Love it!

[Cupcake.]

Thank you so much, it means a lot! :]

[Jenn]

i'm so excited to read more of this!!