Electus (Regnum Series Book 1) (9 page)

“Anyone there?” Fera questions, from the other side of the door.

“Just a second.” She double checks herself in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, she opens the door for Fera.

“Sorry, I was in the bathroom. What a great surprise, though.” She latches on to Fera, momentarily.

Fera enters her room and declares, “Well, I just thought I would drop by to see if you wanted to grab lunch. I didn’t realize you were still sleeping. Figured we would celebrate your victory yesterday. Nice work, by the way.” She smiles, throwing pretend punches. Tia ignores how dorky Fera looks and returns the smile. Unfortunately, Tia’s eyes give her away.

“Is everything okay? You seem a little upset.” Fera examines Tia’s face.

“To be honest, I’m not doing so well,” she admits. Tia decides to open up to Fera about the stress of the Electus and her fights with Quade. She confesses everything, except Javan. He is the one part of her life, she is not ready to share yet. Especially since she is not quite sure if there is anything to share.

“The Electus always appears scarier than it actually is, sweetie.”
Easy for her to say,
Tia thinks.

“I think you are doing wonderful. No one even remembers that whole vomiting incident, now that you won your fight. Remember, people thrive on the latest gossip. They will soon forget about the first day. Especially once they see how wonderful I know you are.

“As for Quade, you need to work on your approach.” Fera advises. “If you are really his friend, you should hear him out about his feelings for you. Playing defensive, then jealous is giving him mixed signals. That is even harder to handle than being turned down.”

“I don’t want to leave things the way they are now. That’s for sure,” Tia mumbles.

“Can I ask you a question?” Fera sweeps Tia’s hair back from her face.

“Sure,” Tia sniffles.

“If the Electus never existed, would you see yourself with Quade?”

She ponders Fera’s question. “I’m still not sure.” Tia plops her face in the palms of her hands.

“Maybe that is something to mull over, before you talk to him.” Fera continues to rub Tia’s back, attempting to comfort her. “Just don’t wait too long. You might only have three more days to end things right. But, enough moping, let’s go grab some food. I want to hear all about your fight.”

Fera treats Tia to lunch at a small, nearby restaurant. It has a diner appeal to it with booths and burgers. After last night’s activities, Tia could really use some food and a friendly face. The hostess sets them at a table near the back, since they are rather busy this time of day. Fera and Tia order drinks and glance over the menus.

“A cheeseburger sounds delicious, right now,” Fera remarks, practically salivating.

“Hmm, I’m thinking maybe a chicken sandwich,” Tia responds.

“Good choice.” Fera sets down her menu. “So, your father says hello. He was rather upset that he missed out on lunch. Mr. Avery apparently needs him for a special project today. That man is all work, no play.”

“I understand,” Tia replies, a little disappointed. She peers up at the entrance of the restaurant and watches an elderly woman enter, with a cane. Behind her is a man with dark hair, holding the door for her. He is dressed in a white collared shirt and black slacks. It’s Javan.
What is he doing here?
she thinks.

He surveys the restaurant, his hands in his pockets. Before his eyes catch Tia, the hostess approaches him. Javan is gesturing to the hostess, describing someone. Just then, a short man, with white hair, enters the restaurant. Him and Javan shake hands. The hostess walks them over and seats them at the booth behind Fera. Javan sits down on the side that faces Tia, just now noticing her. His mouth forms a slight smile.

“What are you staring at?” Fera pries.

“Oh, nothing. I thought I saw Mina’s grandmother, but I was mistaken.”

Fera darts a puzzled glance in Tia’s direction. “I thought her grandmother died.”

Before Tia responds, the waitress brings over their beverages and takes their orders. Fera describes down to the last detail how she wants her burger. “Onions, but only if they are red onions, please. Also, if you have that brown mustard, that would be wonderful. I don’t like regular honey mustard. It’s too yellow. Don’t you think?” The waitress stares at her, then glances at Tia. She shrugs at the waitress, taking a sip of her water.

“Anything else?” she inquires, picking up her tablet. Fera completes her order with a side of curly fries. Then, Tia gives her order.

“Coming up, girls.” The waitress moves on to Javan’s table.

“Don’t hate me, but I’ve been talking you up to Mr. Avery.” Fera grins at Tia.

“Oh?” Tia’s stomach begins to knot.

“Yes, he seemed impressed with your performance yesterday. He mentioned this morning that since you are part Pruden, he may consider you. Just depends, you know, on how everything else goes in the Electus. I kind of told him you were the top of your class. Hoping it will help. He seems pre-occupied lately, but I think I got through to him.”

“That’s great, Fera. Thank you for having so much faith in me.”

“It would be so nice having you working with us, and you could stay with your father and uncle. Oh it would just be fantastic!”

“I’m trying not to think too much about it. I know I don’t have a choice. It would be nice, though, seeing you guys still.” Tia wonders why she feels a slight dissatisfaction about this news.
Isn’t that what I wanted?

The waitress serves her and Javan’s table, their food. Tia catches Javan’s eye again, he mouths
hi
. She smiles, then peers down at her plate, realizing it is not what she asked for. Instead, it is a cod sandwich on rye bread.
What kind of dull person orders this for lunch?
Tia wonders. Fera doesn’t notice a thing, she is engrossed in her double, bacon cheeseburger.

Javan excuses himself for a moment, advising the man at the table that he received the wrong order. He approaches Tia’s table, startling her.

“Miss Trumble, how nice to see you here.” He acts surprised that she is at the diner.

Fera’s mouth agape, she wipes her face on a napkin.

“Hello, Mr. Leporem. Are you enjoying your meal?” Tia asks, suppressing a smile.

“Actually, I think they screwed up my order.”

“Was it fish, by chance?” Tia questions, lifting her plate.

“Yes!” he exclaims, handing her the plate with her sandwich, “Chicken, nice

choice.” He smiles at Tia and glances over at Fera. “Pardon my manners. I’m Javan Leporem,” he extends his hand.

“So nice to meet you, Mr. Leporem. I’m Fera Johnson.” She shakes his hand and nearly melts. Tia is not surprised, Fera is the type to get star-struck easily.

“Are you a relative of Tia’s?” he asks, politely.

“Family friend, actually. But I’ve known her since she was a child.” Fera bats her lashes. Tia has to cover her mouth to hide her snicker.

“I must say, she is an impressive candidate this year.” Javan grins.

“Yes, she is a terrific girl.” She flashes a smile, her cheeks pink.
She is like a school girl with a crush,
Tia thinks.

“Well, it is nice to meet you, Fera. Miss Trumble, I look forward to your demonstration this evening.” He returns to his seat with his plate.

Fera is speechless, only momentarily. “He seems rather friendly for a leader of a capitol.”

“Yes, he is polite with all the candidates so far,” Tia responds, sipping her water, hoping Fera drops the subject.

“He is so young, too. I wonder how old he is. They didn’t announce it on the news. Too much media about that mysterious death of the old one. Fantastic body though. How do you concentrate during the Electus?”

Tia rolls her eyes. “I can’t imagine how I can keep my eyes off him while I’m being judged to see what Capitol will enslave me.”

Javan keeps his attention on the gentleman he is sitting with, except for small moments where he sneaks a peak at Tia. She eyes him as well, when she can, hoping no one will notice.

Fera and Tia return to the hotel room to chat a little while longer, before she returns to work.

“Thank you for lunch, Fera. It was just what I needed.” They enter the room, and Fera sits down on the couch. “No problem sweetie. Tell me something, though.”

“Hmm?” Tia responds.

“What is really going on between you and Javan Leporem?”

"What do you mean?" Tia stands in front of Fera, nervously playing with the hem of her shirt.

"Seems a little odd he would stop to talk to a candidate,” Fera raises her perfectly shaped eyebrow.

Tia turns her focus to the ground before responding, “He had my sandwich, there wasn’t much choice.” Tia perceives that Fera is making a huge deal out of nothing. If she knew that Javan asked her to dinner the night before, it might be justified.

“Yes, but he also referred to you by your nickname. Tell me, what was that about?” Fera folds her arms and leans back onto the couch.

Shit,
Tia thinks for a moment, wondering how to talk her way out of this awkward conversation.

“At the dinner, I advised him, as well as the other leaders, that I preferred to be called by my nickname. It was an attempt to break down barriers with the leaders. Perhaps help my chances after the first day’s blunder,” she responds, rather impressed with her own lie.

“I see,” Fera nods. “See why you were top of your class. You know how to grab their attention.”

Tia shrugs. She always feels a little uneasy when someone mentions that. Fera raises from the couch and embraces Tia. “I must be leaving, unfortunately. I need to get back to work, before Mr. Avery finds out I didn’t bring his lunch and has a stroke.”

Tia walks Fera to the door and thanks her once more for the meal.

“Just a reminder, Tia, Javan isn't supposed to be really conversing with the candidates outside of the dinners and meetings. It's written in the Electus rule book. Be careful if he approaches you again.” With that note, Fera exits.

Tia feels faint. She forgot about that rule. In school they were told that the candidates may only associate with the leaders at the formal dinner occasions, until the bidding is complete. Even at the formal dinners, they were only allotted a certain amount of time with each candidate. All decisions were to be based on the performance of the the different stages and the meeting the day of the bidding.

Tia leans against the back of the door, wishing she could start the whole week over again. On top of worrying about losing her family and friends, now she is stuck in the middle of a scandal.
But it’s not really a scandal,
she thinks,
there is nothing going on that shouldn’t be, and it’s not as though I sought him out for points.

She wonders what would happen if Quade told someone about last night. Tia would end up in Letum for sure, only not as a guard or janitor, but as a prisoner. Quade would never hurt her on purpose. However, last night he was rather drunk and angry. Tia paces the floor of the hotel room, strategizing on how she will hide the evidence.

Reaching under the bed, Tia grabs the box and pulls out the dress and heels, throwing them in her suitcase. Next, she takes the wrapping and tosses it in the trash. Tia enters the bathroom, holding the note.
I could just flush it down the toilet,
she thinks.

Then, Tia glances at the note once more. A smile creeps up on her face at the sight of it. Part of her would like to hold on to it, as a reminder of the night. The fact that he sought out her company for the evening.
Me, the girl from Urbi, was approached to share a private dinner with Javan Leporem.

She decides it is best to discuss what is going on, with Quade, in hope for peace before tonight’s event. Also, Tia needs to insure he won’t spill about Javan. She knows the sooner they make up, the better. Tia knocks on his door.

"Quade, I just wanted to check and see if you were alright. Maybe discuss last night. Please." Tia stands hoping he will answer. She hears some noise from within the room. Continuing to knock, Tia senses there is someone else in there with him.

Finally, Kira answers the door in a bath robe. "What about last night?" Kira asks with a smirk. Tia finds Quade lying on the bed, still passed out, with nothing but a sheet around his waist.

"Nothing." Tia turns around, striding along the hallway. She keeps a steady pace, down the stairs. She has no clue where she is heading, or why. All she knows is that it needs to be far away from Kira, Quade, and the Urbi hotel. Before long, she is standing in the lobby.

Tia feels as though she may suffocate, so she walks outside for some fresh air.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
She sits down at the nearest bench and inhales, deeply. Her eyes are burning, as she fights every urge to weep. Then, Tia envisions Kira and Quade in bed and can’t hold back much longer. Her eyes glow pink and she begins to sob. One woman just stares as she strolls by, towards the entrance, but doesn’t say anything. Then, a man approaches her.

“Are you alright, miss?” the gentleman asks.

“I’m fine. You know, stupid boy problems,” she answers in-between sobs.

“I have a hanky, miss, if you would like it,” the gentleman offers. She peers up at him. It is the older man from the restaurant, who had lunch with Javan.

“Thank you, sir,” she accepts his gesture, as he sits down beside her. He is even older than Tia originally assessed. His hair is completely white, and there are wrinkles cradling his gentle eyes.

“You know, I have a granddaughter about your age. Very beautiful, intelligent girl. Too brilliant to waste time with boys. You have to remember, my dear. It’s not wise to let someone get the best of you, when when they can’t see what the best of you truly is.”

Tia wipes her eyes with the handkerchief and sniffles. “That is something I never thought of.” Her nose is stuffed, and her eyes are now swollen.

“I’ve been watching the last few days, the Electus, I mean. I remember you. You were very impressive yesterday.”

Tia tries to smile, “Thank you, sir, I still feel weird, people congratulating me on beating someone up.” She forces a small chuckle.

“I wasn’t talking about your fighting, my dear.” Tia glances up at him, confused. His eyes are warm and welcoming. Tia imagines he makes a great grandfather to someone.