523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1HIdnadQs
On the way to their destination Amelia's mind was stuck on tiresome thoughts. Ones that couldn't keep away even if things were seemingly alright. Warren touched her hand to make sure she was okay but she knew she wasn't. Maybe letting him do so much for her is getting to her head. Perhaps she needed to figure out life on her own.523Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MVpQt85gB
But she was a part of him now, so much more. He opened up to her and the emotional part of him was so touching. She wanted to protect him from pain. Losing someone he loved dearly, he hadn't had an easy time living with the reality of his mother being gone. Amelia understood that, she never met her mother, and she didn't have a choice in the matter. Her mother didn't exist in her life. Was she alive? Breathing somewhere quiet? Living her life away from responsibilities? Amelia didn't know the answers. She had more questions than anything.
She felt movement and looked at Warren as he rolled down the window separating the front to the back of the car.
He whispered something to the driver who nodded while and sat back with a content smile.
Amelia stopped staring but couldn't help herself. Warren had a smile full of sunshine. When he smiled she wanted to be closer to him, just to ask him how he does it so easily. She wanted to be near his happiness. Whatever was making him smile, the curiosity got the better of her. But she didn't bring it up, just observed the scenery out the window.
"It's starting to get cold. I didn't realize it was already fall."
"Yeah, this year just flew by. And I would know."
Amelia laughed slightly. "The place where I lived, it was extremely hot or just bitterly cold. Guess I never noticed how beautiful the fall is."
"What part of the city did you live in?"
"Crown Heights." she mumbled.
Warren shook his head.
"I'm sorry. Well, I'm glad you're finally away from there. I've heard terrible things about that place. Long Island, even in its worse times, was hardly close to living there."
Amelia fidgeted. Even saying where she lived was making feel her uneasy. She changed the subject.
"Where are we going?"
Warren understood why she wanted to shift topics. Plus he never told her where they were going.
"A place where we can relax…I hope you'll like it."
Amelia's nose twitched. "I can't keep letting you spend money on me. I just think you should save it." She said, bravely.
She wanted to say this for a while after he went and bought her a closet full of clothes; more than she's ever owned.
Amelia was used to saving and pinching when it came to money. She didn't expect Warren to be throwing his money at her and she didn't want him to go too far just for her well-being.
Warren sighed, he wasn't annoyed that she was insisting he stop spending his money, it's just at this moment and for her, he finally wanted to. He didn't want to smother her with it either. Money is a necessity, it was obvious to her. She didn't live in privilege like he had. To him, he viewed it in the same manner since recently. And yet he grew up the complete opposite way, now that he's an adult, he became well aware of how privileged he actually was. And he'd grown more responsible than he was in past experiences.
"This is something I want to do for you. I know you didn't ask me. I already told you that you don't need to pay me back because these are things you need. And I always help my friends who are in need, always. In fact, I know I probably do it too much. But with you, I sincerely don't mind paying. You're actually the only person who doesn't expect me to do it. But you don't need to worry about me. Honestly..." Warren said, his voice getting quieter by the end as his wings twitched in their straps.
It felt like he wanted to cover her in his wings but it was a good thing they were extra tightened.
Amelia kept quiet. She didn't want to fight or make him angry. She sighed quietly and bit her tongue before any more words came out. He was angry and it was her fault. She shouldn't have said anything.
Warren noticed she was sitting close to the window, looking outside and not near him. Was he too harsh? He didn't think so. Amelia thought that she owed him something back for all the expenses. He'd hardly been around a person who acted this way when it came to money. People were confident with their money in his world. It was practically a commodity, a common source of how you were "in" with society. It was second nature far as he was concerned. If he didn't have it, he didn't have a notion he really existed. But he knew he was more than that. Amelia probably saw that and perhaps he stepped a little outside his charity. Or maybe his delivery was the problem. Maybe he was a little too direct. He smiled sullenly, attempting to turn her attention back on him.
"I'm sorry...really. I don't want to dispute this."
Amelia faced forward, turning her body still, almost rigid. "I don't want that either."
"Do you trust me?"
She slowly looked at him, behind her glasses, her eyes glowed a sky blue. But it was wrong. She knew it was all wrong.
"Yes, I do." She licked her lips, biting her bottom lip as she continued. "I guess accepting this is harder than I thought. I'm sorry. I just-it's hard."
"Why is it hard?"
"To...it's not easy...my life has been. I'm sorry..." Amelia stammered, feeling the words lost to her emotions, her iris following through.
Warren watched her struggle to express herself. This has got to be hard for her to take. Knowing from the beginning she couldn't trust anyone, let alone allow anyone to help her financially. This was a first for both of them. Money was no conciliation to him. It doesn't matter, possibly because he has it. She doesn't. But regardless of the truth, what he has is now hers. If he could make her understand then maybe some of the worry wouldn't be there.
"Amelia, my purpose right now is you. And it's going to be you because I want you to be able to feel safe."
She sighed, he was right. She nodded without saying a word.
She kept quiet for the rest of the ride. Warren checked his planner and marked something down before the driver had pulled into an underground parking garage. Warren rolled up the windows as his driver pulled into one of the first parking spots on the turn.
When the car came to a stop Warren opened the slide door to tell his driver something. Amelia kept to herself until she was spoken to. She didn't want to make Warren mad again, maybe if she kept silent he would forget about her little outburst over money. It was embarrassing to say the least. Warren knew how poor she was and how she could probably never pay him back for everything he's doing for her. She still didn't feel it was right, she didn't feel like she earned it.
Maybe she didn't feel like she earned him. They still don't know a whole lot about each other and yet they are living together. Amelia can't seem to wrap her head around that.
"Are you OK?"
Amelia broke the daze and turned to Warren, staring at her with worry lines. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't hear you..."
"I asked if you were ready to go now. My driver was just going to follow us up to the lobby, you don't mind if he does, right?"
Amelia didn't feel like it was her choice to make. It seemed like this was protocol for Warren to do every time he left the house.
"No, I don't mind. Umm..." She moved to fix her jacket and clicked open the door.
She wanted to ask if his driver was also his bodyguard but she bit her tongue back unless he told her this information. Even though it might be a little obvious it still wasn't her place to ask him.
Amelia leaned against the trunk of the shiny, black car staring off into space. She felt Warren's eye on her but wasn't sure if she should look. He may still be perturbed at her and she didn't want to spoil everything by talking; she chose to believe he'd get over it fast.
"Hey?"
Amelia pulled out again, she wasn't sure if she was still stuck in the haze or not. "Hmm?"
Warren offered his hand for her and she almost hesitated before taking it. She needed to pull herself out of this weirdness before he started asking questions. His eyes were already scanning her face as if she were hiding a secret. It was a good thing he couldn't see her naked eyes because then he'd know how she was really feeling. Maybe he wouldn't see anything.
But she didn't have any secrets. She was sure she didn't. She just wanted to accept this life Warren had given her. Accept it and be done with all this anguish.
"You know, I can remember when I was just like you, I mean, your thoughts. Remember when I told you about how I used to struggle to accept who I am?"
Amelia nodded.
"Well it's real, it's still with me, and it really never left. But I am more welcoming of it. Yes, I live in secret, I can't openly do the things I want to do because of who I am; but I had to look past that. I'm still here. I'm going to make the most of what I have right now. I know you probably want to do this too. It doesn't take much to notice somebody going through the same things I did. I think it could be a little easier when we're not alone, and we aren't, right?"
Amelia slightly smiled, looking down and back at him with agreeing eyes.
I hope not, she thought. I hope you don't find something you don't like about me and force me to leave. Maybe I deserve it. Thinking this could be anything more than what it is. She couldn't help from thinking this. Luck wasn't her friend when it came to anything good happening to her.
Warren and Amelia walked hand in hand out of the parking garage, his driver tagging along behind them. Amelia ignored him and focused on her behavior, holding in her worries, trying not to bombard Warren with any outward suspicions. She had nothing to worry about, she could just let go of the thoughts that manifested and feelings that aren't there.
When they walked outside, Amelia noticed they were walking down the streets in the upper parts of New York, near the ritzy, posh restaurants, condominiums, business buildings all coincided and commencing all at once. She's heard about this town but could never set foot in the area. These people weren't too welcoming of outsiders. Most of them held a reputation for looking down on people who weren't born into wealth so it was ironic she'd find herself here of all places. Not even in a million years did she ever see such a...clean life. There were no broken bottles, mounds of dirt, mud tracks, filthy sex shops, urban liquor stores around. It was all very commercial looking. You could lay down on the street and not worry about catching any diseases.
Warren led Amelia to a corner cafe right across from a French Italian restaurant that looked the most crowded of all the businesses. She watched people outside and in waiting to be seated, while a shiny, silver Bentley pulled up and turned the other direction, through an alley back way.
Amelia averted her eyes and kept them back on Warren as they walked to front entrance of the cafe. This was extremely immaculate to be a casual cafe. Amelia was afraid to sit down but Warren insisted she did while he went to go order them something warm to drink. He said he was going to bring her the drinks so she remained quiet and didn't refute his doing another favor for her.
Her eyes wondered around the cafe, randomly looking at the customers that came and went, a few people settling in their tables as if it were routine for them to come inside such an expensive place. She didn't look at anyone in particular but at one point they landed on a man with auburn hair that was in his eyes and red, almost ruby colored ray ban sunglasses, wearing a tight and worried expression on his face. Amelia stared at him off and on; he couldn't be no older than she, sipping something warm in a medium sized coffee mug. He seemed to be in deep thought until someone sat across from him; he looked surprised when he turned his head up. She had a perfect body, the kind of body society accepted; her long, strong red hair flowed like soft rain down her back. She began to sit down and he looked even more concerned. He started to take off his glasses but stopped instantly.
"Hey, what are you looking at?" Warren asked, oblivious, almost staring in the direction Amelia was but stopped when she turned to him.
"Nothing, just, I've never been here before..." she said, avoiding bringing up what she was really looking at. "I mean, it's so, warm, it feels nice."
Warren smiled. Finally, things were becoming more positive. He was going to keep it that way. She looked genuinely better since they came outside.
But the day wasn't over yet. He had more surprises for her to come. He wanted this to be at her pace. He didn't want to bombard her with lavishness right away.
"Well I'm glad. I like it here. I come here because it's pretty casual. I know it looks crowded but this is their calm hour. Plus, the manager knows me well."
Apparently a lot of people know Warren. She was beginning to think he was some kind of celebrity; it's not hard to believe. She couldn't ignore the looks he was getting from females around the cafe. She wondered if she felt out of place with all the attention he was getting, even if it was subtle. Thank god nobody bothered them. Amelia wouldn't know how to handle it. She felt like a part of Warren belonged to her, even though it wasn't realistically true. She wanted it to be.
"Are you friends with her?" Amelia asked, nodding to the middle-aged woman standing in front of the cashier's till.
Warren looked behind and as if by magic, the manager picked up her eyes and waved to Warren. He just gave a small smile in return and turned around to Amelia who had an amused look on her face.
She looked down before Warren caught her look, raising his eyebrow. "What? Oh, yeah, they know me. I grew up around this way. This place is so old they remember my parents before I was born."
"It must be nice knowing some people remember you at all. I mean, it feels wonderful." Amelia sipped her drink, taken by how rich the flavor was and looked back at the blonde in front of her.
Warren had a far off look in his eye. "It is, if I ever have a family of my own I want the same people who know my face to remember theirs too. Whoever is in my life will get the same treatment that I do. I guess..." he paused, collecting himself, maybe now is a good time to start telling her, "you probably noticed my life may be a little more...affluent than what you're used to."
Amelia nodded and put down the mug, giving him her full attention. His tone sounded like he wanted to say more.
"What I mean is..." He trailed off the words.
Warren thought it best to just show her since his words weren't quite forming right, and in case she'd heard and didn't believe him. He was an only child but people have pretended to be the long lost cousin of the main family. Warren was better proving it than anything, he felt secure in telling her, she after all, knew the real Warren.
He went inside his wallet and pulled out his personal credit card, looking at it for moment before placing it on Amelia's side of the table.
Amelia followed the gesture and took a moment to register what he did. She looked at the card then at him. He placed his driver's license right next to the card, showing a picture, a slightly different pose of his look. Maybe a little somber, but it was still him.
She licked her lips for a second, unsure of what to respond with. She looked at both cards, they said Warren on them, revealed his picture, that meant he is who said he is. He didn't lie about that. She didn't know what else to say about this...she scratched her temple and opened her mouth, finding her voice.
"I don't understand, they both say you're Warren, right? What am I supposed to be looking for?" She said, searching Warren's eyes but all she found was shock.
Was she supposed to know something? Warren looked at her speechless but cleared his throat, he was going to have to be more organic now.
Just do it. She's important to you. You want her to trust you, she won't care, she has no clue and the truth is right in front of her face.
Warren rubbed his face and the back of his neck before taking a deep breath. He made direct eye contact with her, but softened his features.
"Have you heard of Worthington Industries? The firm corporation, I mean." Warren said, waiting for a reaction, all he got was another perplexed expression.
"I was sure the name would get some kind of reaction. Um, well, basically..." Amelia's hand rested gently over his, channeling him to relax slightly. "I'm sorry, I just don't know how to come right out and say it."
Amelia sat back quietly in her seat, waiting for Warren to continue. When he didn't, she thought she might say something brief to come his obvious nerves.
"Warren, what you are doesn't compare to who you are. Honestly, you could tell me you came from royal blood and it wouldn't change how I feel. Because, to me, that's only a piece of you. I still see you the same. I know, saying all of this might sound too soon or even normal, but I don't think we were made to be normal. Whatever you need to say, it won't change anything." Amelia spoke earnestly.
"You think so?" He asked, playing with the napkin nervously.
"You're an amazing person, knowing anything else about you is a privilege."
His mother used to tell him people who never bring up the value of money around him are worthy of everything. Warren's body was starting to settle down followed by his thoughts.
"It really won't change anything?"
Amelia almost laughed but grinned instead. "No, it won't."
Warren bit his lip, amused and relishing in the fact that for the first time he can tell someone who knew his real secrets something that appears almost trivial.
He took a deep breath and started, "My father's business, rather practical heirloom family business, spanning generations, deals in stocks and trades. I am the sole heir to my family's monetary accumulations." He paused, watched her face for a moment, then continued. "And the total sum of the heir is worth...billions."
Amelia slowly leaned her chin on her hand, waiting until there was more he had to say. Warren's face went still, he looked at her in shock with his mouth open agape. No response was never a good sign.
She raised her eyebrow.
"That's what you were afraid of telling me?"
Warren forced himself to relax, "Yes, I was."
Amelia stood from her seat and walked to the seat right next to Warren. She touched his knee and blushed. She suddenly grew nervous around him but she mustered courage to bring the back of her hand across his cheek.
For a moment she was lost in his eyes. Unaware they were in public, she ignored the world and moved closer to Warren as he brought her hands to kiss them softly, taking his time while staring at her. Warren leaned close and touched his lips to Amelia's. She responded to his gesture by cupping his face and moved slightly away when he slowed down the kiss to press his lips to her forehead. He put his arms around her body and brought her close to his chest.
"I'm so lucky to have you in my life. It doesn't matter what you own, who your father is, what happened in your past, I don't care. If it went away tomorrow, I would still be here with you." Amelia picked up her head to look at him. "Would you still want me to?"
The corners of his mouth curved. "Yes, I would."
Amelia touched her lips to his in a sweet manner briefly, pulling away to look in his eyes. It was hard to seem them through her shades.
Warren hesitated before he reached to touch her sunglasses. "Let me see your eyes. I have to."
Amelia slightly panicked out of old habits. She forgot they were in public.
"Warren, no. What if they see?"
He reluctantly gave in; almost forgetting they were near people who would judge who they are. What if Amelia wanted to free Warren's wings from the straps suddenly? It made sense. He considered another way.
"Well, OK, what if I peek? Just a small one. I want to see your eyes. I want to see you looking at me. I have to." He said, unable to control the shakiness in his voice.
Amelia slightly blushed, "OK, just a peek."
She allowed Warren to slip down her glasses so he can view her eyes at an angle he was sure no one can see.
He did a double take. They weren't pink; or any color, they were her real iris color. Warren looked in complete surprise. He was sure she would show a color. He was expecting it as it was a part of her.
"What's wrong?" Amelia asked as her heart almost raced.
Warren settled his expression to one where she wouldn't look at him in the way she was. "No, it's just. I don't see it."
She waited but shook her head.
Warren leaned close to whisper near her cheeks. "I don't see your eyes glowing any color."
Amelia reacted seconds after he said this as he moved away from her. "How is that possible?"
In that moment, Warren wanted to tell her what Moira said about she being able to handle herself but he just couldn't. She had said Amelia would be improving with time, growing stronger, more efficient. She wouldn't need protection. And that wasn't what he needed to hear.
He wanted more time. He wanted more time with her. He couldn't let her go. He wasn't ready. He didn't think he'll ever be ready.
It's already starting. Even someone just like him, a mutant, would leave him if they knew the truth. Even though he trusted her, he had a feeling her reaction would cause her to become a recluse. Good-bye wasn't an option for him. As selfish as it sounds, deep down he still doubted himself.
Would telling her the truth help or hurt her? Warren wasn't a dishonest person. His mother instilled her ethereal words to him when it came to lying to people that he cared about. This wasn't going to last long. It was a risk to tell her everything and he owed her that for all she's been through.
She deserved to know and the longer he waited to reveal the truth, the riskier it's going to get.
Just tell her. Even if it means good-bye. Look at how she's looking at you. She trusts you. Don't abandon this because you're so selfish you don't want to live alone with your secrets. Maybe she could still stay.
Amelia sunk back into her seat, glasses completely off her face. She knew Warren was telling the truth because she picked up the steel spoon and looked at her reflection just to make sure. She put the spoon down, she should be happy, why was she confused?
"Does that mean it's gone? Where did the..." she lowered her voice upon saying the next word, "my mutation go?"
Warren couldn't believe her eyes weren't flickering a color. She looked and felt very much distressed right now. He believed her emotions were linked to her mutation.
It was strange seeing her normal color. Amelia was far beyond normal and this is what made her special. Since her mutation is passive, it almost felt like it was gone completely when she'd removed her sunglasses. She felt relieved coming to a strong, potential realization.
"I honestly don't know. Maybe..." Warren said, looking at her sincerely, "maybe you have more control over your abilities than you think."
Amelia hesitated before staring at Warren almost pointedly. She came out of the daze and covered her face with her hands. She didn't expect this to happen, never in a million years. Warren had many years to come to terms with his gift. But that was the thing. His was a gift. Was hers a gift too?
"You really think so? I mean..." she placed a hand over her chest, feeling for her heart. "I've never felt my heart beat so calmly. Normally it's erratic."
Warren covered her hand on the table with his. "You're beginning to see your value. You're finally believing in yourself."
Amelia's eyes nearly watered, she wasn't used to looking at the world through her natural eyes. She wouldn't have been able to come this far if it hadn't been...
"Because of you...I needed someone to help me." Amelia replied softly. "I don't know what to say."
"Amelia, I..." Warren began but she continued. He let her, reluctantly.
"Maybe all of this means something. Perhaps I can control it." She shared a look with him.
He stared at her silently and she returned it back as he felt something in his trench pocket.
Warren's phone vibrated and he looked at it.
"It's my aunt. Wow, haven't heard from her in a long time."
"Is everything OK?"
Warren sent a reply and put his mobile away. "Yeah, she, well, she's my mom's sister. She's not a Worthington. I do miss her."
"Oh..." Amelia couldn't relate, but she guessed being a Worthington wasn't a completely positive thing. "What's she like?"
Warren smiled slightly, when he thought of his family in a calm light, he always came back to his mother's side. There was no way he could hide who he really was around the two most important people in his life.
"She is, well she's the best Aunt ever. I don't think there's anyone else in my family that cared about me other than my mom."
"Has she come to see you?"
Warren cleared his throat, he felt embarrassed admitting this. "She insists I come over to her place. She likes it when I'm there so she can spoil me." Amelia smiled and looked down. "But, you know, not to the degree that I'm a kid in a toy store, because I'm not, you know, a kid anymore."
"We're both not kids. When I look at you I don't see a kid."
Warren leaned over close to her face to cover his blush. "You don't have to flatter me."
He kissed her cheek and moved back to his seat.
"You know what I mean, right? You look like someone I could trust. Something about your face, your eyes. There isn't anything unkind about your features. It's more than just aesthetic. It's deeper." Amelia said, softly.
There was a gentle beat between them, a comfortable silence that took over. Amelia had to look down from his strong gaze.
"I can't believe I can really see you. Finally, it felt like the whole time I was looking through a neon flashlight and a tinted shade."
"I didn't know it was really like that. I'm sorry."
Amelia nodded knowingly leaning back in her seat. "And I didn't know I could control it." She shook her head. "It's weird, my emotions are even. I don't feel like they're going to get the better of me."
Warren stared at Amelia for a moment. Suddenly, his father's voice came into his mind. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be in here. Amelia should occupy his thoughts. Warren might be worried about facing his father after that long winded, intimidating message he left. This wasn't the time or place to worry about all that. Warren has handled his father before and he will do it again.
"I'm really happy for you. I feel like it's only going to get better from here." He said, smiling at her.
It seemed to change her mood instantly as the sadness melted away from her features. She looked at him wondering how he always seems to look on the bright side of things. Even with being a mutant, it almost seemed like it didn't matter. Life can still be better. Her life can be better. Maybe being in his life could change everything. Maybe she could add some meaning in his life. She felt comforted in knowing that. Him being rich was only a piece of him, not the sum of his parts.
"So is this it? This is who you are? There's not anything else I should know about you?" Amelia asked, more in a teasing manner.
Warren rolled his eyes, staring directly in her eyes. "Unfortunately that is the worst of it. I find it so amusing how you didn't know. My dad's entire life revolves around that firm. He promotes the firm every chance he gets. He'll personally feel insulted if no one knew about the company or at least heard the name."
"Well, I didn't know about it, sorry."
"That's alright, sometimes I think none of the colleagues know much these days."
Amelia finished her drink and stood to throw it away but Warren caught her before she could. She smiled as he went to the back of the cafe to throw away their cups. When he came back he asked if she was ready to go and if she wanted anything. She shook her head and they stood up and walked out of the cafe.
Amelia was behind Warren but she was fixing her jacket before she walked to the door. It was one of those jackets that had two zippers going in opposite directions. Warren watched her struggle for a for seconds before he asked her if she'd like his help.
Again she shook her head but Warren's hand came over hers.
"Let me, it's OK." He said softly, connecting her zipper and moving it up close to her chin.
"Thank you." She said, pulling her hair out to cover her cheeks.
She was staring at him again and he caught it this time. He took a few moments before he came out of his gaze and held out his hand.
She held onto it as if she needed to, and she did, so badly in that moment. Warren was like out of a dream; some kind of crazy dream that only happened to beautiful people. She almost believed she was one of them when she looked at him. She could no longer hide her emotions, even if her mutant powers risked revealing themselves. Amelia couldn't explain how she looked at Warren.
And he knew that look. It was the same look she gave him when she said she needed him.
"We're outside; we can't keep doing that...or at least, maybe wait until we get back to my place."
Amelia blushed, looking down to smile, moving hair from her eyes. "Oh, sorry..." She looked at him. "To be fair, I'm glad you said you do it too, so I don't need to feel embarrassed."
Warren smiled and led Amelia to the nearby park while his driver stood close behind them. He signaled for his driver to move a bit back to not freak her out. The driver backed away a little but still kept his eye on the couple walking down the cobblestone park path.
"What park is this?" Amelia asked, looking around, trying to piece together where she was. "I don't remember seeing this before."
Warren looked around for a sign; he knew what the park was he just forgot what it was called.
"No idea. There should be something here that describes it. Everything here looks way too old to not have a sign. Oh there it is." He said, as he found a brass slab with letters and images engraved on the front.
Amelia followed him to what looked like the entrance of the park. It seemed like the old scenery had more than one pathway to go inside. It was a wonder why they had missed it.
She stared in bewilderment, not sure if she was dreaming or reading something that held precious history to the memory of the park. It made sense why everyone around them was in their own element.
Amelia traced the top of the engraving as she read the title aloud.
"Pure Imagination…a place where ideas and dreams live on forever." She read, pausing to give attention to the picture below the inscription.
She shared a glance with Warren, he held his focus on something that made his brows concentrate and suddenly relax.
"What makes the sky so beautiful is our inability to perceive it all at once." His read aloud as his fingers followed the letters that made up the sentence.
Warren took her hand in his but not before making eye contact. He looked back and saw something on the left corner of the slab that piqued his interest; his brows rose slightly.
"It's a symbol, they put an angel there, but it's a human angel. "
Amelia gazed at the image and smiled before looking at Warren who was still taking in the picture. She knew who it really was and it made her feel safe that she had someone in her life that wasn't just an image. She made sure it was real when she touched his hand.
"I remember barely paying attention in school, but, I did like Greek Mythology stories. When I was in high school I would read those stories and keep reading. It was like there was a never ending path that I kept searching for, but all I got were more stories and the lessons behind them. Do you know about Icarus?"
Warren turned his attention when she asked him a question. "Hmm? Oh, I think so. I went to a private school and I remember learning about Greek myths but I don't remember taking it seriously."
"He had his own story and morality lesson…there's the Icarus complex from what I read, some people apply it to life." She said, biting her lip. "I'm sorry, am I boring you?"
He shook his head, "No, not at all."
"Well, the way the story goes is Icarus was the son of Daedalus, he was skilled inventor and innovator. He created the Labyrinth actually. Daedalus and his son, Icarus were held prisoner by King Minos of the island of Crete in Greece because he defied his orders. Basically Daedalus creates wings that are made of wax to escape from the prison. He made them for both himself and his son, Icarus. Daedalus warned his son not to fly too high because of the sun or too close to the sea because the dampness would destroy the wings. But Icarus didn't listen to his father. He soared through the sky and because he was so happy he didn't notice that his wings were disappearing. Because of this, he fell into the sea and drowned. Most historians believed Icarus represented personal over ambition. They were comparing the story to people who have a fascination with danger, like fire or something ominous."
Warren almost hesitated before clearing his throat, "That sounds sad. What happened to him, I mean. It's a far cry from actually being attached to wings. Though, I could remember a time where I really didn't want them there anymore."
"There's usually a big lesson in all the Greek Myth stories."
Amelia felt something on her face and brought her hand to her cheek, "Uh oh."
"What?"
Little by little drizzles of rain fell on their faces, hair and clothes and soon it was raining properly on the patrons of the park.
Warren took Amelia's hand and they ran back to the other side of the exit leading toward another posh cafe. They didn't get wet but they looked at each other, embarrassed if any of the rain wet their clothes.
"I was not expecting that." she said, feeling herself grow redder by the second.
Warren looked up from where he stood then backed up under the roof of the cafe door.
"I knew it was cloudy, I'm sorry, these parts of the city get pretty wet, sometimes out of nowhere. Even on hotter days it just starts to rain like we're in the tropics."
Amelia smoothed her hair but it was slightly damp so there wasn't much she could do to fix it. "It's alright. I've been rained on before. It doesn't bother me much."
"It looks good on you."
Amelia looked at him, blushing when she moved some hair from her eyes. She still couldn't believe her eyes weren't glowing.
Warren's cell phone rang again making him wince at the sound. They pulled apart as he took it out, looking at the front screen.
"Oh, it's my aunt." He said as the ringtone loudly rang again and he debated whether to pick it up. "Um, is it OK?"
Amelia nodded as Warren took the call, smiling a thank you at her. She backed away, giving him privacy as he began talking.
She tried not to listen in but Warren's voice had slightly risen in volume when on the phone.
The conversation was short as Warren said his goodbyes and hung up the line. He looked at his phone for a minute and closed the screen.
He placed it in his pocket and turned his attention back to Amelia's curious face. "Yeah, she, well, she called. It's been a long time since we've seen each other like I mentioned. She invited me over tomorrow for brunch. I mentioned you."
"You did?" Amelia asked with wide eyes.
"I did, you want to come with me?" He asked her, hopeful. This wasn't her business but he wanted to involve her in his life in any way he can.
"Oh," she paused. "Are you sure it's alright?"
"She knows about you now. She said it was up to me. I say yes, I want you there with me." Warren's eyes twinkled upon saying this.
She smiled. She felt like she really belonged when she heard someone else say they still wanted her here.
"Does that smile mean yes?"
"I'd go anywhere with you." Amelia said, meaning every word.
Warren leaned down to give her gentle hug. "I'd let you, forever."
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