Chosen Heart (8 page)

Watching him with her is
sweet.  He’s very assertive, yet incredibly gentle.  I know I’m
prying, but I can’t turn away.  Past the frailness and tattered surroundings,
I finally see her face and see her crystal blue eyes.  His eyes. 
This must be his grandmother.

The elderly woman stares at her
grandson as she relinquishes the dark, letting the happiness return to her
face.  Her eyes no longer glossy and dazed are now fixed on the beautiful
man kneeling before her.  Lifting her hands, she cups both sides of his
face.  “Alexander, my boy!” she places a small kiss on his forehead. 
“Where have you been?  Are you hungry?  Do you want me to make you a
peanut butter and banana sandwich?” 
Peanut butter and banana? 
Thanks Grandma!  You just gave me something new to ask him.

“Hi Nana,” he smiles childlike at
her, placing his hand on hers.  She is so tiny and feeble compared to him,
making me yearn to help her.  He turns his face, kissing the palm of her
hand, before answering.  “No, you don’t have to make me anything. 
I’m fine.”

“Why do you look sad?”  She
traces his frown lines with her index finger, barely able to hold up her hand.

“I’ve just missed you,
Nana.  Now take your medicine, so I can help you to bed.”

She hesitates, but after a few
moments she resigns to her fate.  Taking the pills from the woman
lingering nearby, he places them in his grandmother’s mouth.  Grabbing the
cup from the side table, he assists her with drinking two small gulps of water
and wipes away the escaped droplets from her chin with his thumb.  A small
smile appears on her lips and Alex doesn’t hesitate to return the reassuring
gesture before reaching down to help her stand.

With a glance in my direction,
her face brightens before asking, “Who is this?”

“This is Ms. Elyssa Hart.” 
Smiling, I raise my hand in a small waive.  Even with her age, her bright
blue eyes still glow with such life and vigor.  Gripping her arm tight, he
continues helping her to her feet.

“She’s pretty, Alexander!” 
He smiles and nods.  “Is this your girlfriend?”

“You’re right Nana, she is
beautiful.”  His eyes meet mine, but for just a moment, before returning
his attention to her.  “Now let’s get you to bed, okay?”  Growing
impatient, he lifts her into his arms and carries her into the adjoining room.

My only companion smiles at his
gratifying gesture before retreating towards another bedroom down the
hallway.  “Goodnight, Ms. Hart,” she yawns, before reaching her door.

“Night,” I whisper with a
wave.  Standing in utter amazement, I’m left alone.  I wanted to know
more about him and if only for one night, my wish has been granted. 
Meeting his grandmother is huge.  Not only has he given me a glimpse into
who he is but I also had the chance to observe him in one of the sweetest
moments ever.

My earlier assumptions have
completely come full circle and now I’m even more fixated on him.  He’s
arrogant, impatient, and completely confusing, but he’s also protective, sweet,
and caring.  One moment he’s ready to throw down in a bar and then the
next he’s caring for his ailing grandmother.  Not to mention the fact he
called me beautiful. 
He thinks I’m beautiful…

Anxiously waiting for him to return,
I suddenly hear a guitar strumming and a muted voice on the other side of the
door.  The serenity I felt a moment ago has been washed away, making me
feel uncomfortable, like I’m witnessing something not meant for me. 
Having nowhere else to go, I listen in on his powerful voice bellowing from the
adjacent room, but can’t make out the song.  My knees begin to shake and
I’m thankful there’s a half step I can sit on, because I can almost feel myself
shatter. 
He is better than my fantasy.

Sitting on the half step, rocking
to and fro with my chin resting on my knees, he shuts the door quietly behind
him after ten minutes, startling me into a readied stance.  He must know I
heard him singing.  But, I would never bring up such an intimate moment,
not unless he spoke of it first.

With his index finger to his
mouth he whispers, “Shhhh…she’s finally asleep.”  Releasing his tension he
looks to the ceiling, exhaling as he brings his hands up to rest on the back of
his neck.  “Sorry for subjecting you to this,” he whispers, as he lowers
his hands.

“This is yours?”  He nods
warily, trying to gauge my reaction.  It doesn’t matter that I’ve never
been privy to this much luxury before, because what I’ve observed tonight, a
loving home with a loving family, it’s more than money can buy.  And, if
this exorbitant home is his idea of comfort, and it helps in his reality, I
can’t fault him.

Trying not to give anything away,
I look at him with sincere empathy.  “And, your grandmother lives here
with you?”

He hesitates before answering. 
“I know what you must be thinking and…”

Raising my hand, I stop
him.  “You should be proud of yourself.  Not many people would do
what you’re doing.”

He sighs and his face
softens.  “Shall we go?”

“Is she gonna be okay?”  I
never knew my grandparents and I wouldn’t know where to begin to care for
someone, especially someone who’s so dependent.  I know I don’t know this
woman, but I want nothing more than to make sure she is safe.

“She took her medication and will
be sleeping for the rest of the night.  Plus, Delores is here to watch
her.”

“Delores?”

“The woman who was in here
earlier is her live in nurse.  That reminds me, I need to speak with her
before we leave.”  She must have been the one who called him.  “Wait
here and then I’ll take you to your car.”  I nod, but as he turns to walk
towards the adjoining room, I finally hear his words.  I guess we aren’t
finishing our little trip to Red Rock.  Disappointment brings a frown to
my face, as I reach for my ring, twirling to make the ache subside.

He briefly talks to Delores
before making his way back to me.  Before holding out his hand, he
searches my face, just as he did his grandmother’s.  My ego is wounded,
but I refuse to show my disappointment as I reach out for his hand and plaster
a smile on my face.  I shouldn’t be acting this way.

Not in a rush on our way out, I
get a better opportunity to admire his artwork.  “Everything is so
beautiful.  Are they all from the same artist?”  His hand tenses as
we stop in front of a hand blown glass bowl.  It’s a stunning flower, with
blue and mauve textures running through the frame.  The intricacy of the
piece, with the colors and the shape, must have taken quite some time to
create.

Pausing, his crystal blue eyes
deepen with sadness.  “My mother created most of the work.”  I wasn’t
expecting that answer, and based on the pained look on his face, I know not to
push any further.  He doesn’t say anymore, and I don’t ask. 
Squeezing his hand for reassurance, I motion towards the door.

Remembering his words, the walk
out to the car is somber.  As he holds my door open, I gently climb in and
look up to find him staring into my resigned face.  Before retreating to
his side, he continues to stare, looking longingly into my eyes.  I’d die a
thousand deaths for him to continue to look at me this way.  Five seconds,
ten seconds, not long enough.  Not able to say what he’s thinking, he
closes my door and moves around the car to join me.

“I know I said I was going to
take you to your car, but I’m not ready to...”  Not able to finish his
sentence, he shakes his head.  “Are you still up for Red Rock?”

“Yes,” is all I can muster as I
bite my lip and slink into the passenger seat.

~~~~~

Las Vegas at night is absolutely
spectacular.  I know it’s only lights, but to actually see the vastness
and to know how many people really live in the city is overwhelming.

“I come here to think,” he
marvels, breaking our silence as we both stare at the deserted beauty in front
of us.  There’s sadness in his voice as he continues.  “Sometimes
it’s hard to make sense of things with so much happening around me, so I come
here to find solace.”

It’s beautiful up here and the
comfort of this perfect place does something to you.  It calms you, but
more than that, it consoles you.  Staring ahead in amazement, there is
something I have to disagree with.  “You seem so…put together.  I
would have never pictured you as someone who needed to find peace out in the
middle of the desert.”

“Constantly playing a role is
exhausting,” he admits, looking over at me with a smile.  Breaking my
concentration, I return the look, but not before my breath hitches.  Why
does he have to be so perfect?  Besides, what role is he talking
about?  The only role I can see him playing is the sexy, achingly
beautiful V.P.; oh, and that of a sweet, attentive grandson.

Realizing my confusion, he helps
me out with an answer.  Pointing to himself, “Mr. Cool, Calm, and
Collected V.P., remember?”  Prying his eyes away from mine, he continues
to stare out into the vast sky.  It’s hard to tell with him, but it
appears he’s let his guard down, giving me a small glimpse into who he truly
is.

“I can’t imagine.  It’s hard
enough just living, let alone putting up a façade.”

“I’m sure you don’t have to put
up any type of guise.  You’re kind and smart.  I’m sure you’ll have
no problems moving your way up in all aspects of your life, career included.”

Looking out the side window, I
blush at his compliment.  He has faith in me, which is sweet and
intoxicating.  But, he doesn’t know me well enough to know what I’m really
capable of.  All I’ve ever wanted is to earn a living that will allow me
to give Rachel back what she gave up.  Hopefully, there will be a time,
and a place, for that discussion.  But, it’s not tonight.

“Let’s hope I can live up to
that.”

Silence is upon us once again as
we both stare out at the glistening lights of the strip.  Peeking over at
him, I notice he’s no longer looking out at the infinite skyline; instead he’s
looking down at his hands.  A man of few words, he has a habit of losing
himself in thought quite frequently.  I silently wonder if it has anything
to do with his grandmother.  For someone who has to take care of another
person, he seems to be handling it well, but I can see the heartbreak on his
face.

“You know you have your
grandmother’s eyes?”  He looks at me with a slight glimmer of
happiness.  “You’re very sweet to her.”  His grimacing face alerts me
that this discussion may be headed down a road that he is not ready for.  
Sometimes it’s best to leave well alone.  But, I guess I’m still learning
that lesson.

“It’s the least I can do…” His
voice trails off as his brows furrow while he remains deep in thought.

“How long has she been…?” I pause
searching for the words to describe her condition.  Still staring at the
neon lights in front of me, I catch myself playing with my ring and have to
stop myself.  I’m not nervous, anxious, or otherwise.  This feeling
is new. 
Content?  Happy?  Alive, maybe?

“She has her good moments and
some bad.  Tonight was obviously not one of her best.  She responds
to me still, but the doctors say her memories are slowly fading and soon she
won’t respond to me either.”  His voice lightens, trying to remove the
depression from the conversation.  “But what do they know right? 
It’s just me and her against the world.  They’re fucking kidding
themselves if they think I’ll ever let them get close enough to restrain her.”

His last comment stings and I
imagine this is a part of what’s been bothering him tonight.  His conviction
is unwavering and in that moment I realize that he’s fighting for not only his
sanity, but also his grandmothers.  Refusing to allow anyone to treat her
any less than the woman she is, even with her deteriorating health.  It’s
no longer his perfect face and toned body that has my breath quickening. 
I’m realizing my attraction to him has grown more than I could ever imagine.

Breaking our moment, my phone
chimes as I receive a text. 
Thank God for distractions.

*Ely, I know
you’re angry. But please know I’m only looking out for you. Please talk to me.*

Ugh!  Cole is
so…so...persistent sometimes.  I glare at my phone.  I thought I was
pretty clear on wanting to have some space.  I refuse to deal with him
right now, not when I’m less than a foot away from my fantasy.  Tonight
has been unexpected, and I won’t let Cole ruin anything.

“Let me guess, your ex?” 
Agitated, he turns his head facing the driver’s side window.

“He’s apologizing for an argument
we had,” I explain, hesitantly.  I wouldn’t dare tell him what we were
arguing about.

“What were you arguing
about?  Let me guess, he wants to work things out…get back together?”

“What…no…we haven’t been together
in forever.  He’s my friend.  Well, not at the moment, but…he’s been
my friend for years.  As far as the argument, he was just upset I stayed
late the other night at work.” 
Shit…didn’t I just say I wasn’t going
to tell him?

“Upset that you stayed late?” he
asks, confused.  But, it doesn’t take long for him to figure it out. 
“Wait, the night you were with me?”

I don’t want to talk about my
argument with Cole, but I’m finding it difficult not to be honest with
him.  “Yes, but it’s a long complicated story.”