Chapter 9

• Nicholas
• Eliana sat on a white wooden bench in their backyard, chewing while staring into space. Despite the beauty of the garden with perennial beds and a short meandering walk, her mood remained sour. I approached slowly, pocketing my hands in my slacks. Somehow I knew she wasn't going to lash out at me.
• "Have you thought about what she went through after her husband of more than 20 years was murdered, leaving her with her only child in search of his killer?" I started sitting beside her. I left a small space between us, not wanting to get any ideas. Ever since I saw her the first day I went to meet her mom, she intrigued me. Her natural beauty had me hooked, and despite reminders to myself of her young age, I couldn't stop wanting her.