Chapter 2: De Raps
Aileen's Pov
"You know, you never did tell me your last name," I remember asking Pierce this as if it was yesterday, though that conversation is more than 3 years old now and it hadn't come up until now.
"That's because it isn't important," Pierce had huffed stubbornly, he turned to our dinner cooking on the fire; a silent way of saying he was done with the topic. 'Well too bad,' I thought,' because I'm not going to budge.'
"I told you my last name even though it's not important," I grumbled going out of my way to face him with folded arms.
"Why do you even care," he threw up his arms defensively.
"Because, you are my best friend and I tell you everything," I clenched my jaw, "and I'm supposed to be your best friend Pierce, how can I be if you're not even comfortable sharing your life with me?!"
"God why is this so important to you? Can't I keep some stuff to myself? Or do you need to know every little detail about me?" I seethed at me.
"It's just a name Pierce," I mumbled accepting defeat, "can't you even trust me with a name?" I said softly, I'm not even sure it could be heard.
"De Raps," he gave me a long stare and I knew it as his apology, "but you are wrong, it isn't just a name, never was. It's a death sentence," I spit, "and it'll kill you and me both if it's ever spoken, do you understand me?"
I nodded solemnly.
"Don't ever talk about, no one must ever know that it belongs to me, no one can ever hear you say that name," he declared, and kissed my forehead, "not even me Ail, not ever."
"Thank you," is all I could manage to say as my throat dried up from his intensity. He brushed locks of hair from my neck affectionately.
"We're ok, you and me," he smiled, "now and forever."
+ + +
"We'll tell me boy! What is it?!" my father brawled at Pierce, whom stood there utterly still and obviously out of ideas. I shuffled my feet.
"Uh Sir," Pierce fumbled, "I..."
"It isn't difficult! Just tell me your bloody name! Have you forgotten it?!" Now my Dad's face was red and he was yelling.
"Dad calm down!" I hissed. Pierce was still drawing blanks; it was terrible I'd never seen him like this before. He was always so quick on his feet; it scared me to see him like this. It dug up the mystery I'd never worked out about him for all these years, that last name and why is so lethal. Until now it was just a question at the back of my head, but thanks to my dad today it would be answered.
"De Raps!" my Dad growled, "is it De Raps boy?!" Pierce was now a ghostly presence in the room, but his unfurled to a phantom portray of horror.
"So it's true," my Dad's eyes opened as he looked between me and Pierce. His eyes narrowed to slits, "how do you know this...this...Scum?!" my Dad pointed towards my very upset love.
"Mr. Excoilion I can explain-" Pierce started but was cut off.
"No! None out of you!"
"Dad when you ugh... when I left..." stumble through my Dad's rage, "I was sick and alone, I was dying Dad." My eyes splintered with tears and my hands shook. "He saved my life," my voice was so low I wasn't sure if he'd hear it. "And he's looked after me since, without him I would be dead," it was like reciting the alphabet to say it, I'd always known it, without Pierce I'm barely alive.
"Get out," Dad seethed, his rage directed to Pierce.
Pierce bristled, but simply nodded. I was glued to the floor, I felt like a supernatural force was preventing me from objecting as Pierce made his way to the door.
My Dad then turned a pointed finger at me, "Do you know why your beloved step mother showed up today?!," I trembled at his stare, "she came to warn me that the De Raps runt was lose, that if he showed his face I was to turn him into his brother or kill him and dump the corps on their door step! It was a threat my dear! I was so bluntly informed I would die too for harboring the ba$tard. Did you know that you've been living with the underground cities most wanted?! For you though ill let him leave, if he's smart he'll run, I don't care how you feel about him you'll let him go." My Dad's eyes were softer now and he took a deep breath.
He called over his back, "consider this payback for taking care of my daughter; it does not go without appreciation as you can see."
This seemed to be a braking point for Pierce, he slid around on his foot and snarled, "she doesn't smile unless you ask," he said and I didn't follow his thoughts.
"She broke her finger smashing a window open four years ago," he continued this time with a smile, "she has this weird obsession with birds, she can just stare at them as they fly for hours on end, it's not like bird watching more like...admiration." His grin grew in thought, "and she sings, when she thinks no one's around and she can't be heard, but I always heard her, I meet up with her late because I'd spend 15minutes behind a tree just enjoying her little concert, she'd dance too...Sometimes...if I was lucky." His face dropped, "she has major trust issues, and she has a birthmark on her left knee, she folds her right arm over her left; never vise versa."
My Dad seemed to hesitate, unsure of what to make of all this information. He seemed to be almost jealous. While I myself was so surprised by all these small details he knew about me.
"She cuts herself you know?" A tear reached his nose, his watery blue eyes looked like they were made of glass, "she started when she came home, below her collar bone, she so high strung, this sudden wealth, this new life you've put her in... it's hurting her," Pierce said, "and if you won't allow me to help her cope and stay happy, then that's just a couple things you should know."
With that Pierce turned to leave, "oh and she never asks for what she wants until it's offered and she craves beef around that time of month," he mumbled on her breath as he traveled out of the room, "she like is rare almost raw..."
By now my Dad and I were in a trance, staring at each other, tears in our eyes, confusion on our faces.
"Get back here boy," my Dad gave in.
+ + +
Pierce's POV
"You're going to be one hell of a menace boy," Mr. Excoilion chuckled.
"I still can't believe you'd take me in Sir," I nodded in respect not really sure how to act around him. "I'm not going to be easy company exactly," I warned.
"Haha it's not a problem! Elaine is probably throwing a tantrum knowing that you're here!" he couldn't restrain his laughs, "but I've been out of the gang business for years son I don't know whether my contacts are of much use anymore."
I nodded solemnly, "well my contacts were proven unreliable, selling Raps info on me, ugh."
We bonded like that for awhile, I felt like a young soldier back from war talking to a retired one. I never spent so much time around an old bloke like Ail's Dad before. Despite being a jack a$$ he was quite ignorant and cocky but he was quite decent. I hated the way he called Ail 'Leena', but he treated me like a human and that's all I needed.
"Are you screwing my daughter?" Rupert asked so bluntly I was a little shocked.
"No sir," I shook my head quickly and cursed my blushing cheeks.
"If you get her pregnant I'll skin you alive!"
I gulped, "Sir I... I love her, she's young, and I'd never take advantage of her like that, "I stood up straighter," from what I know Ail is still a virgin."
"Ail?"
I ducked my head. There was a knock on the study door and a maid walked in, "your room is ready." She whispered. Gladly, I followed her out.
Aileen's POV
I heard the maid lead pierce to the guest room so I leaped to my closet. It was pink is all and gross. Rummaging though it became quite a pain despite its large quantity I had stuffed all the unbearable items from my room into it and it was now cluttered. I set aside the boxes, bags, shoes and other junk to clear a path to the air vent. This air vent was wide and at a young age I learnt that it made a wonderful trap door. It lead to underground tunnels and every room in the house, I used to use it as away to snoop around and spy on the happenings of the house. I used to watch my step mom I knew all her secret, all her lies. She probably sensed it and saw that as a threat.
After a good 15mins of skimming through vents I was looking out the over head vent above Pierce's bed. He looked quite miserable laying there, his head in his hands. I'd taken him from everything he's ever known, lured him to this fancy posh place, he must hate me for it. He'd used to talk about travelling, seeing the world, but he came here with me instead.
'Why am I here even?' I asked myself, 'I guess it's because I believe in second chances, maybe it's because I'm so sick of struggling.'
I unhooked the air vent and ungracefully fell to the bed. Shocked, Pierce gazed at me; his eyes looked like a storm at sea. He gently removed the loose strands of hair from my face.
"How?" he wondered.
"The air vent leads everywhere," I explained my voice a soft whisper. His arms fell around my drawing me against him, I felt a lower presence against my thigh and a tingle erupted in me.
"So what happens now?" he asked.
"Well I'll attend school while you, you I don't know what you'll do," he looked heartbroken.
"But once I'm 18 we'll loot my inheritance and run." A playful smile fell on his face, his lips dragged across my cheeks and neck teasing me.
"Very positive, but that's years from now"
"We spent 6 years with no home or money,"
"Good point," he agreed and gave my nose a sloppy kiss. I giggled and tugged his lower lip with my teeth. His lips seemed to melt against mine and it felt amazing. His touch was rough against mine. Our hand entangles our legs a mess. We grinded together; no matter how close we were, we never seemed close enough. His hands travelled my body and found their way to my hips. While he wasn't concentrating on starting a rhythm I hitched his shirt up and he complied chucking it over his head.
His eye bore into me as he gently removed the blouse I'd changed into after the party.
"I love you," he said, with this his eyes travelled down my body compressing me with the intenseness, "god your beautiful" he huffed sexily. I bit my lip at that then pulled his head towards mine demanding his attention to my wanting lips. I ran my fingers along his muscular torso and felt like crying with relief. We were here, together and as long as we have each other we'll both be ok.
++++++++
Author's note:
Ok firstly sorry this is so overdue!
Secondly I'm sad -and sort of relieved- to say only 3 or 4 chapters left.
Now I have many ideas on how to end this so majority wins
Here are the following options:
A) Happy ending J
B) Tragic death ending
C) Intense uncompleted but still romantic ending
D) Open ended
If you have a preference please comment and let me know J