Book Three--The Rival--first three chapters

[This is likely the final edit of these chapters. One never really knows until it is finished altogether, but I post it here for your perusal, comment and critique, etc. Enjoy. Pardon the lack of italics and other amenities. It seems the blog program has suddenly taken a disliking to them. The final version will have that and more. Please do comment, whether good or bad. It helps me to make a better story.]


Chapter 1

It was in many respects a party like any other that she had previously attended; posh neighborhood, nice home, large rooms to accommodate the entertaining of guests, many of the same faces that had frequented other parties that she had been to. Again Jenna was surrounded by the typical suitors who had vied for her attention in the past. She was a beautiful woman and she had an attractive power that drew men of all ages to stare at her in rapturous delight. Many seemed stunned to silence or became babbling fools in her presence. She both loved and hated this attention. Loved it for the obvious reason--every woman wants to feel beautiful, attractive and be appreciated. Every woman wants to be to be popular, to be the center of attention now and then. She hated it for perfectly legitimate reasons, too. Other women alienated and resented her for her loveliness because they found it so difficult to compete. Jealousy from others was all too easy around her. Developing friendships with other women was difficult at best. It also made friendship with men difficult. None wanted to be just friends. They all became so enamored of her that mere friendship was the furthest thing from their minds. At times Jenna Smith wished she were plainer in features--just an ordinary looking woman.

So, here she was in what had become a very common situation for her, with the majority of the men surrounding her and the majority of the women gravitating to the edges of the room where they could quietly and secretly hate her, in groups or in private. Even within the few legitimate couples that might remain together, the men often shot furtive glances at Jenna that female counterparts may or may not let on that they had noticed.

Jenna was just a breath away from excusing herself and leaving the party with a firm vow to never attend one again. In fact, she could easily be on the verge of becoming a recluse, she told herself. Then it happened. One man stood beyond the circle that surrounded her. He stood slightly apart from the others, as though with the intent to make himself more visible. His face reflected a slightly amused look, rather like the Mona Lisa in effect. His intense blue eyes caught her attention and held her firmly. A connection had been made and a rapport seemed to be promised. At least he did not have either the ravenous hunger in his eyes or the mindless awe written on his countenance that many of these others did.

As Jenna admired this blond Adonis, so well dressed and self-assured, he silently nodded his head to the side in the direction of a quieter and more private place, signifying that she should follow, and he began to walk toward the door of a small parlor area of their host's home.

Jenna took the cue, knowing this was her perfect excuse to break away from all the attention that now burdened her. Sweetly and politely, she asked, "Would you gentlemen please excuse me for a short time? I should be back...."

Her words were interrupted when through the crowd pushed a man with dark hair like her own, though slightly unkempt. He looked out of place, not dressed for a party of this sort. He was not unpleasantly attired, just not appropriately so, being clothed in denim jeans and a T-shirt. He said not a word as he nudged and shouldered others aside, keeping his eyes on her and her alone. His whole gaze bespoke a man with an important message to deliver--a message of grave importance. And suddenly, there he was, directly in front of her. Without so much as a brief hesitation or even the slightest of introductions, he quickly leaned toward her and whispered into her ear for a few seconds before again standing straight. She had been almost expecting an uninvited kiss when he had come so close and her heart was pounding from the surprise, both that she had expected it and that he had not delivered. Though he now stood fully erect in front of her, he never took a step back from what would usually be understood to be her own personal space. He handed her a pen and paper, waiting silently and never taking his eyes from hers. She stared back, stunned with the intensity of his dark eyes and resolute demeanor. She gasped softly, realizing that in the depths of the moment she had involuntarily held her breath, but regaining her composure somewhat, she closed her opened mouth and began to write on the paper. Still looking slightly disoriented, she then handed back the paper and pen to this mysterious man as soon as she had finished with them. He smiled warmly, winked at her and silently departed as smoothly as he had entered, the questioning crowd moving aside as he left. She followed him with her eyes until he was nearly gone from her view, hesitating only to shoot a glance directly at her and vanish from sight.

For a second time Jenna excused herself and this time it was she that was pushing her way through the gathering in a desperate attempt to follow the man who had so recently exited the room. Hurrying through the assembled men and rushing out the doorway, Jenna came to a complete stop and scanned the new room, then continued on through the next doorway and into the front yard. Again, she halted and searched in all directions. Her eyes stopped as she saw her denim-clad messenger sliding swiftly over and disappearing behind the stone wall surrounding the yard. Her heart raced as she stood staring foolishly at the wall, as though expecting him to again pop over the top and answer her numerous questions. She chuckled softly to herself at the thought when, lo and behold, he did indeed peer over the wall and grinning widely, blew her a kiss and again dropped out of sight. Jenna's heart jumped again, pounding so hard she thought it would be readily apparent to anyone who should stand near her. Her hands instinctively went to her chest and she privately grinned at her behavior, so out of character and unexpected. 'I'm twenty-five years old and acting like a high school girl with a crush', she told herself. 'I don't even know his name, for pity's sake'.

It suddenly occurred to her that she had neglected to write her own name on the paper before handing it back. Though he now had her phone number, he still did not have her name. What a strange turn of events, she thought, still staring fondly at the spot where he had vanished. Her silent reverie was interrupted by a male voice from behind her.

"Having second thoughts?"

Startled, she jumped visibly and turned quickly to face the source of the voice. It was the gorgeous blond who had caught her eye earlier. Inelegantly, she answered, "Huh? Sorry, about what?"

"Well, I had thought we might be alone for awhile, but I went one way and you went another, so I thought perhaps you were having reservations and had decided it more prudent to escape." The good-natured humor was still apparent on his face.

"Oh, that," she mused. Her hand came up and waved a quick dismissal to his comment. "No, just a temporary distraction, that's all." She found herself looking again toward the stone wall, as though a magnet drew her attention involuntarily.

The new suitor followed her gaze, a more serious look now replacing the previous humor. "No problem, I hope."

"Oh, no! No, none at all." She swung swiftly back to face him and smiled passively.

Returning the smile and offering his hand, he replied, "My name is Perry."

"Jenna. Jenna...." She stopped suddenly short of giving her last name, not certain that she felt thoroughly comfortable in doing so.

"I assure you, Jenna-Jenna, that I do not bite." He made a joke out of it to alleviate her discomfort, emphasizing the last three words good-naturedly.

She laughed softly and responded, "I'm sorry. Is it that obvious?"

"You positively radiate nervousness," he replied with a warm smile.

She relaxed a bit and starting again said, "Jenna. Jenna Smith," extending her own hand in return. The raised eyebrow of suspicion he gave made her laugh again. "And I assure you that Smith is my real name, okay?"

"If you insist. Shall we?" He suggested they return to the party, motioning toward the house and offering his arm.

Though she took it, the first urge was to run for the wall and bolt over it herself, no matter how unlady-like it might appear to do so. She fought the feeling, thinking it strange that she would regret one unknown man not knowing her name, yet hesitate to give it to another, having had virtually equal exposure to both of them, socially-speaking. And especially when she knew literally nothing about either of them, that she would even be having such feelings at all was quite extraordinary.



CHAPTER 2

Two days had passed and Jenna was beginning to feel a letdown. No call yet from the mysterious young man who had crashed the party. It was the only logical conclusion--he was simply a gatecrasher. No one knew him or had invited him. He would have been forcibly ejected from the party within minutes had he not left when he did. It was all so daring of him and she was dieing to know who he was and why he had done it, but now she was starting to think he'd done it simply on a whim or as a dare and that in the end he would never call her at all.

But, perhaps the party was not a total loss. She had, after all, met Perry Rollins. He seemed a nice enough man--polite and gentlemanly and so good-looking. It could be that he, too, would understand the curse of beauty as she did. Still, something inside her yearned to again see the dangerous, exciting man who had her number, but not her name. Well, if he waits too long, I shall be very angry indeed, she thought. Perhaps I should be angry even now--this is no way to treat a lady. Yes--yes, I shall tell him off and hang up on him when he calls...if he calls. She corrected herself and was surprised to find her heart sink at the thought.

Within seconds, it rose again dramatically as the phone rang. She surprised even herself with the speed and the unthinking response. The phone was at her ear almost before she was aware of it.

"Hello?" She stood breathless and awaiting an answer--a male voice. Please let it be him.

"Are you alone?" came the voice on the other end.

It was him. She froze a few seconds before answering. "Yes...yes, I am." Her eyes closed involuntarily, as if to shut out the world and be even more alone than she already was. "I thought you'd never call," she said demurely.

"That would be no way to treat a lady, now, would it?" He said it matter-of-factly and she laughed silently, eyes still closed, to hear him repeat what she so recently had been thinking.

Her free hand rose to brush back her hair and then came to rest at the base of her neck, just above her breasts. She was breathing shallowly and rapidly in anticipation. "Who are you? Why did you ask for my number?"

"Why did you give it to me?"

Confused, she answered hesitantly. "I don't know. Something about the way you spoke, I guess. I thought you could be trusted--can you?"

Many seconds of silence went by before he answered pleasantly. "A bit late for that now, isn't it?"

"Yes, I guess it is. My name is Jenna. May I have yours, please?"

"Sure; it's Tom. When can I see you?"

"Tom what?" she asked, trying to maintain some degree of control in the situation. It was unexplainably difficult and she hated herself for that.

"Does it matter, really? What's in a name? A rose by any other name, as they say...." He stopped and waited.

"Shakespeare--what a surprise. An educated gatecrasher," she shot back. Suddenly surprised by her own insolence and inwardly wincing from the pain she may have just caused him, she waited silently for what seemed ages before he responded, holding her breath and hoping he would not hang up.

"I wanted to take you to a nice place I know of, but if you would rather not...." He again waited without finishing the sentence.

Her mind was racing. What should I do? What do I say? Jenna blurted out her answer from instinct rather than premeditation. "Try me!" Oh! So stupid! How ungraceful.

"Alright, seven o 'clock tonight, then. What's your address?"
Silence again as he waited for her response.

Why am I doing this? Jenna's thoughts were positively whirling, but before she could think rationally, he had her address and had hung up the phone. Jenna sat down heavily, exhaling in resignation. Tom--that's all she knew. His name was Tom. I must be mad, she reasoned and shook her head before placing it firmly between her open palms.

The phone rang again. A second time her hand shot out to bring it to her ear. "Yes? Tom?"

"Tom? No, this is Perry. From the party, remember?"

"Oh, yes. Of course I do. How are you, Perry?" It was a strange anti-climax when compared to the feeling she had felt a brief moment ago.

"Fine, thank you. I wanted to say how much I enjoyed talking with you the other day. You are a very charming woman. I had hoped to ask you out and get to know you better. Tonight, perhaps?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Perry. Tonight is just not possible."

"I see. A date with Tom, I take it?"

"Umm...well...yes, actually. Could we make it another time?" she recovered.

"Yes, of course. It would be my pleasure. Tomorrow night, then?" He never missed a beat.

Alright, Perry. Tomorrow at seven, I will be ready. My address is..."

"I already know your address, Jenna." Her silence told him she was stunned, afraid or both and he rushed to reassure her. "I asked our hostess, that's all. She had seen us talking so pleasantly and she thought it no breach of trust to tell me where you live. Was I wrong to ask?"

So smooth, she thought. Not, 'was the hostess wrong,' but 'was I wrong?' Very smooth indeed.

"Little we can do about that now, so I'll see you tomorrow at seven, okay?" Her inference was that she was a little peeved at him, but willing to forgive. The truth was that her irritation stemmed from the letdown after the initial adrenaline rush from talking to Tom. There was a danger, a mystery and the excitement of the possibly taboo there. It was over all too soon and back to the mundane. She was drawn to Tom, she knew. That's all she knew about him--just Tom. It was all quite maddening.

Perry, if he noticed, chose to overlook her implied resentment and simply continued. "Fine, then I will see you in a little over twenty-four hours. 'Bye for now" and he disconnected.

Startled, Jenna looked at her watch. He was right about the time, which meant that she had little more than an hour to be ready for Tom. She dropped the phone sloppily and ran to prepare herself. There was a shower to get, her hair to be done and just the right dress to choose. Makeup, fortunately, was a small issue for one blessed with such features as she, but tonight Jenna fretted over it as never before, all the while feeling foolish for doing so and yet unable to resist.

The appointed hour came and the minutes ticked by--five, ten, and now fifteen. Excitement and anticipation had begun to turn to frustration when the doorbell finally rang. Though expected, it still startled Jenna enough to make her jump in the midst of her incessant pacing. Her hands fairly shook as she opened the door and her eyes met his.

"Please forgive my tardiness. I wanted this wrapped properly before I gave it to you." He handed her a small box with a bow on it and a single red rose tucked through the wide ribbon, adorned with Baby's Breath and the fragile fern greenery that completed the magic. It worked on Jenna, for all thoughts of resentment vanished like the frost beneath the sun.

"Oh...," she stood breathless and melting.

"Please, allow me." Tom took the rose and began to pin it to her dress before she knew what he meant to do. She shivered at his touch as his hands deftly pinned the corsage above her left breast. Frightened and excited simultaneously, she thought he spent a bit too much time pinning it to her.

"I must be careful. Can't have the pin harming such perfectly lovely skin, can we?"

Jenna could feel her face begin to heat and was certain she was beginning to blush. "Uh,....shall I open this now or later?" she changed the subject.

"What would be your preference?"

Eager to change the mood, she dove into the task of opening the box, only able to nervously smile where she felt she should be saying something eloquent to show her gratitude. Each time she tried, she saw that his eyes never left hers and she nervously retreated again into silence and to the task at hand.

Finally, with the ribbon untied and the lid removed, Jenna saw a roll of paper inside, held by a ribbon of the same color as the outer one, but more delicate and befitting of this new task. "What is it?" she asked, looking directly at him this time. A brief smile graced his lips and his eyes sparkled, nearly laughing. Jenna felt drawn into the dark depths of those beautiful eyes. She saw they’re a warmth and passion, hidden just out of reach, which was there for the taking by the right woman.

"Please, read it." His eyes now looked to the roll and again to hers, expectant and waiting.

Jenna turned to the nearest table, set the box down and opened the roll of paper by sliding the ribbon off one end. As she unfolded the parchment, the text and feel of it all struck her in a manner she could not explain. It seemed as if she were about to get a revelation of some sort. There was a feel of great antiquity to it and a spirit of its own that she could somehow sense. Around the corners were graphic adornments, penned in a fragile and delicate hand, adding a sense of romanticism to the entire presentation. The text was in black ink and bore the look of calligraphy or quill penmanship. All of this told her it was exquisite--and this before she had even read a word.

Startled at her feelings, she began to read and as she did, she also began to melt from the passion of these written words. It was a love letter and she knew suddenly that the feelings of its antiquity were no accident. This was the genuine article. She looked again at the wooden box. It, too, was not of recent construction and she now noticed the handcrafted and delicate details of it that she had failed to see before. "I don't understand...." she began and ended.

"Read on and you will." Again his eyes motioned to the paper and this time stayed there.

The words were the sincere and passionate words of a man deeply in love. They were rare and beautiful words of the heart, spoken to the woman of his desires. She was a precious jewel to him and he left no doubt of that in every phrase he penned. Everything about it was surpassingly magnificent. His heart ached to be one with her and Jenna felt that he would die if it could not be so. Jenna caught her breath and shaking her head in disbelief, told Tom, "You can't give this to me."

"It's mine. I can give it to whomever I choose," he spoke softly and firmly.

"No, you don't understand. I can't take it."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but a moment ago you were the one claiming not to understand. Now you're saying it's me? Aren't you a bit confused?"

"No...well, yes, but...." Jenna closed her eyes and hoped the confusion would all go away. When she opened her eyes, Tom was gone. Just as quickly the puzzle was solved when she heard him again, now from behind her.

"Would you like to sit and discuss it?" He had silently walked around her and now stood beside her couch, as though in no hurry to leave.

"Mmmm...you know, I think we can talk this over later. I am rather hungry all of a sudden," she lied.

"Shall we?" Tom offered his arm to her and she felt no choice but to accept.



CHAPTER 3


The restaurant was a quiet and intimate little place; unpresumptuous, but charming. Jenna could not recall ever seeing the place before and would have sworn there was no such place, if asked in casual conversation. Yet, here it was.

"This restaurant is wonderful. How did you find it?"

"Yes, it is wonderful. I'm glad you like it. I found it one evening when I was walking the streets and feeling sorry for myself. I've come back every now and then since that day."

"Sounds ominous. You come here to feel sorry for yourself?" Jenna asked half-jokingly.

"No, nothing of the sort," he laughed. "There were a few couples here that first night and I watched them from the safety of my little corner. They looked so happy and they gazed so deeply into one another’s' eyes that I vowed I would one day come here and bring with me someone I might feel that way about."

Jenna tensed and before she could stop him, Tom had taken her hand in both of his and held her firmly, forcing her to look into his eyes. "Jenna, listen to your heart. You don't want to be afraid, do you?"

Her head was swimming. "This is all happening far too quickly, Tom. I need time to think." She tried to pull her hand back, but he was firm.

"Time to talk yourself out of the only true and complete happiness you ever wanted in your life?"

She pulled her hand again and this time she was free. "This is insane. I don't even know you and you don't know me." She was standing up and preparing to retreat when he answered.

"Yes, you do know me and I know you! Examine your heart--your feelings. Do you want the plain vanilla boring life you've led until now?"

Her head was shaking in confusion and all she could say was, "I have to go now." In seconds she was gone and out the door.

On the street Jenna walked in silence, quickly and staring at the sidewalk. With no idea of where she was going, she suddenly froze with fear at the sound of a bus horn, seemingly inches from her. A hand grabbed her and pulled her onto the curb. It was Tom. Jenna was shaking like a leaf and made no attempt to resist as he took her into his arms and held her close. Uttering not a word, it was several minutes before she stopped trembling and he said simply, "Let me take you home." She nodded wordlessly and they turned to go to his car. He said not a word to her and they rode the few miles in utter silence.

At her apartment, Jenna again reflected confusion when the door was opened and she needed to step in. Sensing her dilemma, Tom answered her unspoken concern. "I have to go now. You get some rest. You have a lot to think about." His hand brushed her hair back affectionately and his soft smile caused her to relax a degree.

Nodding assent, Jenna entered the apartment and closed the door, leaning her head against it and listening to Tom's fading footsteps in the hallway. I'm tired, she thought. Turning toward the table across the room, she now caught sight of the box and the scroll of parchment. The thought of chasing after him to return it was overwhelming at the moment and Jenna simply unfastened her buttons and walked to her bedroom. Tomorrow is another day.

But Jenna got very little sleep that night. She had just had her first date with Tom and still did not know his last name. Add to that the fact that he had given her a very precious, but very confusing gift. And to top off this whole mix was the fact that he had quite likely saved her life tonight. Emotions ran high and she had disturbing dreams, when she did manage to doze. Please, let morning come, she thought. How had her life become so complicated in so short a time?