Secrets in the Dark

Secrets in the Dark - Prologue and Chapter 1

It started with a single touch, a taste and then a kiss. Her life was forever turned upside down. His touch was gentle as silk, his lips with a taste so irresistible and a bite completely desirable. The man had her completely enchanted by his dark silvery eyes and his lush body. Though for all this, she would have to trade one thing. When you say one thing, it makes it sound worth it, but truly this one thing… was her life.

Cascata Cole had a rather small audience assembled before her, Though even the small number of people had her mind racing. "What would they think?" She pondered to herself. Taking a deep breath she smiled. "We’re waiting. I don’t have all day so make it quick." Her boss said. "W-well." Cascata stuttered out, "What I have here is a new species of plant. It grows all year round except for spring. When all other flowers bloom, this one wilts and dies. Therefore I have decided to name it Velvet star." Cascata said. She took the sheet off the glass to show the flower. It was soft like a rose, blue in color but shaped like a star. "Very creative Cascata. I would like to see you in my office after this," her boss said getting up and left the room. Everyone else followed after him.

Walking in to the boss’ office she took a seat. "It is a very unique flower, in fact, if you could grow enough we could be making a large profit. I can see it being a big hit. I want you to learn as much as you can about this… flower and make me money. If you do not succeed, I am firing you. I will give you five weeks to make me at least a dozen. Understood?" Her boss asked in a big rush. Cascata’s eyes widened. "Sir, you can’t be serious..." She replied. "I suppose if you think me not serious about this, you’ll think me serious if I say pack your things." Her boss said with a smirk. "Sir, I accept your request. I’ll get on it right away." Cascata said, turning to leave. "Oh one more thing, I’m promoting you. Don’t make me regret it. Now go home and get to work." He said. Cascata smiled. "Thank you, Thank you." Cascata said.

When she arrived home, she went straight to work. Right up, until the moment her phone rang. "Hello?" She answered. "Hey girl. I was thinking tonight we should all go out for drinks. You in?" Her friend Lyra asked. Cascata pondered it for a moment. After she agreed and hung up, it was to the closet she went. Picking out a short black dress, she quickly curled her hair and looked in the mirror. "What am I doing?" She asked herself with a sigh. Cascata hadn’t been out and party since… while ever.

Lyra and her boyfriend were parked outside. "Hey girl. Long time no see. Hop in so we can get a move on." Lyra said. Without a word, Cascata got in. Stories were traded between the three. Cascata missed the days of going out with friends and such. Maybe now that she had pretty much five weeks off, she would make more time for herself.

Arriving at the club, Cascata looked around. She looked to Lyra whom seemed pretty excited. "Come on, let's not just stand here. Who knows maybe you’ll get luck and find a man." Lyra said with a wink. With that, she was gone, along with her boyfriend. Cascata sighed. "Wonderful. Stuck by myself." Cascata thought. Walking over to the bar, she sat down. "I’ll have a Pepsi with rye please and thank you." Cascata said. After the bartender handed her drink to her. Cascata yet again scanned the club. What had she been thinking? Was coming here, really that great of an idea.

Finishing her drink, she got up and walked to the dance floor. She spotted a rather handsome man who had been staring at her since she’d arrived here. Walking over to him, she smiled. "Care to dance, or would you rather keep looking?" Cascata asked. The man smiled at her. "I’d love to dance with you beautiful." He said. As he grabbed Cascata’s hand, she led him to the dance floor. Cascata had to admit, he was a rather amazing dancer. Suddenly a slow song came on. She bit her lip slightly. Dancing slow with a stranger wasn’t her thing. Not even close. Yet somehow, she found herself twirling around the dance with this man.

After a while and a couple of drinks, Cascata allowed herself to go outside with the guy. "So, you live around her pretty girl, if you do maybe you and I can go.. Hook up." The guy said with a smile. Cascata understood fully what he meant. "I uh.. Live to far away." Cascata said. The guy grabbed her and pulled her close. "Then maybe you’d like it if we did it here and now." The guy said. Cascata was about to protest, but the guy covered her mouth and dragged her to the alleyway. He pushed her roughly against the wall. "Now you’ll do as I say and we’ll make this as painless as possible." He said. His lips collided roughly against Cascata’s. She had no clue what to do. She heard footsteps approaching.

The guy pulled away and looked down the alleyway. "Hey dude she’s mine, so stop being a peeping tom and get your tail end out of here." Said the guy. Down the alleyway was a tall, lean man. Cascata tried to move away, but this guy's grip only tightened. "Be smart and let the girl go." He said in a deep voice and oh god, the man had an accent. The accent caused Cascata’s knees to go weak. The guy let go of Cascata and walked down the alley towards the man. "I said get out of here." The guy replied walking down the alley. Cascata took this as her chance to sneak down the alley.

Cascata had high tailed it as far as she could. After about four blocks, she took a breather and fished out her cell phone. Calling a cab, she sat down on the steps of a building. A man suddenly came up to her. It was the same man from the alleyway. "Are you okay ma’am?" The man asked. Cascata nodded. "I’m perfectly alright. Just a little shaken up. Thanks for asking." Cascata said looking the man up and down. He was tall and lean, with beautiful silvery eyes and auburn hair.

"Name's Ryan and yours is?" The man asked. "I’m Cascata, pleasure to meet you Ryan. Though I’m sorry it’s on such... Poor circumstances." Cascata said. Ryan frowned. "I’m used to poor circumstances. Will you be alright to get home?" He asked curiously. Cascata pondered it and then nodded. "Unless of course the cab driver plans to jump me." Cascata said. Ryan’s face dropped and Cascata couldn’t help but laugh. "I’ll be fine. Thank you for worrying stranger." She said. Ryan’s mouth quirked up slightly, though it wasn’t a complete smile. Cascata began to wonder if the guy ever smiled. Just then the cab pulled up. "While, goodbye good sir." She said. Getting into the cab she waved goodbye and off she went.

In bed that night, her mind kept wondering about the man. He was rather gorgeous, though that didn’t mean all of them were as polite or sane as they seemed. Cascata had learned that first hand tonight. It was most definitely something that would haunt her for a while. Dating was definitely not for her. Getting up, she went to the kitchen to water her flowers. Making herself a cup of tea, she sat down on the couch and watched the TV. Her mind was reeling too much for her to sleep. Watching a romance movie, she sat cozy in her blanket. Finally, when her mind was at rest, she fell asleep.

A week had passed since her encounter in the club. She had refrained from her friends invites, to go out and drink. Cascata much preferred the safety of her home. It was much to dangerous for her to be out. Or so she mind told her anyway. Sitting at her computer, she typed up her work. With a yawn she looked at the time. It was late, but she was restless.

Getting her coat on, she went outside. The air was cool and the streets were empty. Making sure she had her cell phone, she walked down the street. Humming quietly to herself, Cascata went to the park. Sitting down she pulled her legs up. She wondered about Ryan. She hadn’t talked to him much and was already enhanced by his dreamy looks. She wondered if he was gay. No guy could look that hot and be straight. Pushing the thoughts out of her mind, she rose. Coffee would most likely be good and make her tired.

Once she was done with coffee, Cascata returned home. She hated how empty her house was, though she didn’t really care. It was the best she had. She had no time for cats or dogs. Going to her room, Cascata relaxed and dressed into PJs. Going near her bed, she plopped down and closed her eyes. She was tired. Rolling to look at the ceiling, she made a decision. From now on, she would push away her fears and face them. Though at the moment, going to sleep was her best option and so she did.