True Fate (5 page)

Becca was a joker
she came with them from Cambridge, she was their first office manager and a
fellow graduate. Happy about the move she insisted to stay on with the guys. She
was from Katy, Texas so for her it was just coming home. He couldn't get used
to this humidity in the fall and the summers here, wow it was pretty stifling.

Popping the trunk
open he took out his gym bag replacing it in the trunk with his laptop bag. His
phone buzzed as he was getting in the car, it was Nia and he couldn’t help but
smile. At the end of that conversation he had energy to expend. He had
impatience and anxiety to work out too. In Michigan he rowed to de-stress but here
it was a rowing machine. They had a company membership and it was closer to
home so he went to the gym to get his mind off of Nia for a while at least. One
stop to drop off the presentation for copies and he was on his way.

On the drive to
Leo's from the gym he laughed at himself. Who was he kidding? It's like his
mind has been branded with Nia. He stopped at the store to get the beer and a
Coke for himself. It's going to be a really long night. It was no different
once he got there he wasn't even watching the game anymore, not really. It was
all just Nia, Nia.

Was that green in
her eyes mixed in with the brown? He couldn't help but scoff at his train of
thought. No he was definitely not ready to tell Leo about her, definitely not
yet.

"Hey, I'm
going to get going. I'm pretty tired." He said giving Leo a nudge. "Oh
and I am taking the day off tomorrow. I already moved stuff around."

Leo just grinned,
"Whoever she is man, have fun."

Aaron just glared
at him then laughed "Night." He said as he chunked a deuce and was out
the door quickly before Leo really had him figured out.

Feeling hyper and
fearing he'd never get to sleep. The excitement about tomorrow was all he had
on his mind and not just because he would get to see her again. He had no clue
where they'd be going and he liked surprises. Since he moved here he'd only
been to places around his apartment and job. It would be a great change of
atmosphere and good food he was certain. It was an amazing added bonus that his
guide would be beauty incarnate.

Parking in his
spot in the gated parking garage he popped the trunk and grabbed his bags. Made
sure to lock up the car and walked to the elevator then to his studio
apartment. He fell in love with the Ballpark Lofts close enough to Minute Maid
Park to hear all the sounds of baseball. Plus if he went to a game he could
walk. Once inside he locked the door behind him and looked around at his place.
It really could use some furniture he just hadn't had the time. Aside from the
bed and his black leather Lazy Boy and of course the forty seven inch LCD TV.
There wasn't much to it but it was nice just the same.

He was still
living out of a suitcase except his hanging clothes in the closet. Work had
been everything he was about lately, maybe he needed to reel it back for a while.

'She's
going to love my place.’
he thought sighing, then
laughed.

The burgundy
granite floors complimented the carpet in the medium sized bedroom was plush in
all its beige glory. It had a nice kitchen which was important since he loved
to cook. It was like a release for him. The bathroom was pretty nice too. He
picked up the little bit of trash he had lying around and gathered up the dirty
clothes to his hamper. He put the few dirty dishes he had already rinsed in the
convenient drawer dishwasher. And all too quick there was nothing to occupy his
mind except Nia.

He grabbed a cold
piece of pizza and a root beer and went to stare at his clothes. He was trying
to decide what to wear. If he wore short sleeve she'd see his tattoos. What if
she didn't like tattoos but he wouldn't want to hide them either. He had to be
himself no matter what. He could wear a t-shirt and a thin hoodie and remove it
when he was ready. Okay now, shorts or jeans?

After solving his
clothing dilemma he remembered he'd never sent his address to Nia. He set an
alarm to send it at seven a.m. He turned off all the lights and willed his mind
to sleep. What he ended up doing was staring at the ceiling while his radio
played a song that was rather fitting. Use Somebody spoke volumes of what he
was feeling right now. He definitely wanted someone like her. He smiled in the
dark then he mercifully sank into black nothingness.

Aaron
jolted awake. His eyes focused and there was a girl sitting at the foot of his
bed. He sat straight up startled at her calm demeanor. Her blonde curls
cascaded around her shoulders like spun gold. He blinked and rubbed his eyes
trying to focus. Her eerily blue eyes were almost transparent and patiently
looking at him. Her lily white skin was stunning if not ethereal. She was
wearing a black t-shirt, jeans and converse. Her lips were a crimson red and
her cheeks were rosy. She was smiling at him looking him over.

‘Hello.’,
her voice spoke in his mind. "What the hell?” he said audibly. ‘Who are you
and how did you get in here?’ He thought scooting further up in his bed.
"It's okay." But he was clearly not okay with her intrusion. She
frowned at him annoyed at his reaction to her then got up from the bed and
motioned for him to follow. Aaron shook his head violently, "No way!"
The girl was nearly pouting, 'No male had ever been so difficult.' she thought
crossing her arms across her chest. She was trying to bend his will using her
compulsion out of habit and it wasn't working but why?

"I
have some things I need to tell you, but I would like to get out of your
bedroom. It would also be easier if you weren't only half dressed." Her
blush deepening at the implications of that statement. Aaron nodded and said
"After you, I will just be a moment." He told himself if he went
along with the craziness he'd get rid of her quicker.

The
girl walked like she was floating but her feet clearly touched the ground. He
quickly grabbed a t-shirt and put it on as he walked out of the room. He turned
on a lamp and sat in his recliner. She was pacing and cleared her throat as a
delicate voice spoke, "There is much to share and little time to do it in.
I am risking much coming to you, Aaron."

His
eyes went wide at the use of his name.

"How..."
she cut him off with the raise of her hand as he decided to intently listen.

"I
come from a world within yours. I cannot tell you much more than that as I am
not allowed. Your fate has been intertwined with that of another."

She
held up her hand again before he could say what was on the tip of his tongue.

"The
girl you have been fated to is someone new to your life. Now, I’m sure that is
enough to give a good guess."

Her
smile was one that should have seemed sweet but seemed off to Aaron.

"Are
you talking about Nia?” he asked second guessing if should even be talking to
this eerie girl.

She
clapped her small hands and said, "Yes. Now you must understand, she is
unaware of her true identity and the identity of her mother as well, and that
is all that I may tell you concerning them. I know that your instincts want you
to believe none of this is real but I assure you it is indeed."

Aaron
sat scratching his head clearly confused but taking it all in. "I don't
understand what you mean by fated. Is she my soul mate or something?"

The
girl laughed a tinkling sound, "I am not a fortune teller silly, I’m just
a messenger. I am here to help though. I have instructions.” Her smile widened
with the last part.

 
"What instructions?” he asked with piqued
curiosity but feeling more unsure than ever.

"Well
first of all you are to be with her as often as possible, she will need you
very soon. And before you ask anything else, I will tell you everything that I
can. If I do not address an issue it is because I am not permitted."

Aaron
nodded and bit back the questions, outrage and disbelief threatening to spill
from his mouth. She gave a curt nod and continued.

"I
am bound by an oath to be a guide only, I cannot help per se. But I will do all
that I can, I assure you. You are not permitted to speak of this to Nia or
anyone else, until she has learned who she truly is through the proper
channels. She is precious to so many and anyhow, you will physically be unable
to speak of this.”

She
looked at him wondering if he was really taking it in one eyebrow raised as she
assessed him.

“Should
you try to, your voice would escape you and you wouldn’t be able to form the
words only embarrassing yourself. You are to protect her when the time comes
for it. I will come to you again at that time and bestow a mark upon you that
will fully bind you to her. I will then seal the bond. The reason I am here now
is because I need to begin your markings process. It will not hurt, I promise.
But if you agree to take them you are agreeing to be bound to Nia as her
Guardian. In doing so you will have supernatural abilities bestowed upon you.
What say you Aaron Pierce?" she continued.

The
formality of her words weighed heavy on Aaron making him feel the gravity of
the situation whether he believed what he was hearing or not.

Aaron
thought about Nia just then, if this is real he has to be there for her. He
already couldn't stop thinking about her and this could explain the incessant
need to be around her.

"Although
I warn you, the truth will be a lot to deal with for the both of you. Having
each other will make that easier." She added before he could answer.

Sitting
back a second Aaron closed his eyes, when he opened them she was standing still
as a statue staring at him intently as if she was trying to decide something. He
could feel a buzzing coming from her.

"Why
do I feel like I’m being electrocuted? It’s like something is zapping me."
Aaron said wincing at the dull discomfort and looking at her accusingly.

She
flinched and the buzzing stopped, "What is your lineage Mr. Pierce?” she
asked crossing the room to stand directly in front of him looking at him with
eager curiosity.

"Umm
my mother was Miranda Rhiannon Pruett Pierce she died some years ago. My father
is Thomas Alexander Pierce. Why?"

The
girl cocked her head to the side and studied him curiously as her pouted lips
pursed, "And your mothers mother?” she asked walking towards him to stand
directly in front of him.

Aaron
sighed, "Well I never met her but her name was Rhiannon.” He answered
curious about her question.

“And
the rest? Surely she has more than just a first name.” she countered
expectantly with her arms crossed tightly in front of her.

“Oh,
Rhiannon Nuala Finch Pruett." At that the girl's eyes went wide and she
gasped.

"It
cannot be." She hissed as her hand flew to her parted lips.

"What.
What can't be?" Aaron stood up to pace brush by the now imposing girl, the
situation and cryptic actions were wearing his patience thin. What did his
family have to do with any of this?

'Ugh!
This is so aggravating!' He stopped pacing and crossed his arms waiting for her
response.

"I...
I'm sorry I cannot say much other than you are also unaware of your true
identity." she began tapping her chin in deep thought. "I don't think
anyone is aware for that matter." She was wringing her hands and she
looked almost frightened as the faraway look glazed her eyes momentarily.

"They
will be aware now that you have spoken those names in my presence. I am sorry,
Aaron. You have nothing to fear though as of now, you still do not know who you
are. But after it all becomes clear, well that is another matter isn’t.” she
said shaking her head.

"What
does that even mean?” he paced and she paced until he all but growled,
"Just tell me what you can, please." He said pleading. He was getting
so frustrated with the cryptic conversation and the unbelievable course it had
taken.

He
sat, defeated and put his head in his hands. 'Holy crap! I must be losing my
mind!' Aaron thought to himself shaking his head.