Page 11 of See No Evil

Suddenly, the man traveled his gaze around the classroom, and she almost gasped when his golden-green eyes landed on her.

And stayed there.

His lips curved in a slight, tilted smile, and the top of a dimple, barely visible past his thick beard, made an appearance along his cheek. He was stunning, but also had a distinctive look that one didn’t see every day. Tattoos covered all along his arms and neck, and he had a thick, well-trimmed beard, heavy eyebrows, and full, nice lips.

She quickly looked away, and took a good gulp of water.I know I’m not over here acting thirsty. Fuck a man. They ain’t good for shit but causing stress, and making babies they’ve got no intention of loving and taking care of. I said I was done after the last go-round. I’m focusing on me and my child. Period.When she dared to place her gaze on him again, he was back to listening to the teacher.

Good. Well, if nothin’ else, class should be interesting today. I’m fixin’ to enjoy this.She turned to a fresh page in her notebook.We’ve got a famous sous-chef comin’, and two new students. One of whom I can ogle for long while. From a safe distance of course.

She glided her tongue along her upper gum line, then bit into her lower lip. Soon, the guest speaker arrived, and he went through an interesting spiel about his career, how he got started, and how he learned his skills originally in France before moving to California, then Vegas. Every once in a while, she’d take a look at the back of Legend’s head, wondering if he was taking good notes, or writing anything at all. After the speech was over, he didn’t ask any questions to the guest.

At last, class was officially dismissed, and everyone gathered their belongings to depart. She debated on trying to sneak a picture of him to show her friends, but decided against it. She had a habit of leaving the flash on when she thought she’d turned it off.

He sat there for a bit, then placed his textbook in his bag, along with his iPad and notebook. So she lifted her chin, sucked in her stomach, and walked past him, headed towards the door, but was distracted by his cologne. Her eyes literally fluttered when she inhaled the air around him. She had a damn good nose, and knew her perfumes and colognes, especially since she made homemade soaps. It was definitely Colonia Quercia Acqua di Parma, and it smelled so good on him.

As she exited the class, she heard heavy thuds approaching. Looking over her shoulder, just enough to take a discreet peek, she noticed him now almost right behind her.Either he moves like lightning, or I move too damn slow.

“Well, ain’t you pretty as a peach?” he said in a deep voice drenched in a rich Southern pride.

She turned to face him, but he’d already turned around, walking in the other direction. Just as she thought maybe he wasn’t talking to her after all, he yelled out her name.

She quickly spun around and looked him in his eye.

“Yes? What is it?”

He was several feet away now, walking backwards, away from her. A slick smirk on his face.

“I heard the professor call your name when you asked that French guy a question.”

“And? Is there something you need?”

I don’t want this attention. I don’t want this attention! I don’t want this attention!

She lied to herself, almost convinced of her own fabrications.

“Nah, I don’t need anything, pretty lady. I just wanted to tell you it’s a nice name is all. It suits you.”

“Thank you…”

“You’re welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow, Desiree… And don’t be so mean. I’m just bein’ friendly, beautiful. Enjoy the rest of your day.” He winked, then walked off just as smooth as he pleased…

Chapter Four

“Mama, I don’twant this, and I don’t need this. Why do you keep giving them to me?” Legend angrily tossed the gas station job application in the overflowing trashcan before walking out of his mother’s kitchen, into the living room that was filled with trinkets and photos of people he barely knew.

Mama’s house often smelled like bacon grease and strawberry potpourri. At that moment, he found the mixture rather nauseating. He plopped down on the soft blue couch, biding his time, hearing some rustling about in the kitchen, and the woman talking under her breath.

“You need to get a job.” She came around the corner, her platinum blond and gray wavy hair pinned up in a sloppy bun. Sitting across from him, her coffee and cigarette in hand, she blinked a few times before taking a taste from her green mug.

“Ihavea job. I’m also in school. I’ve told you that at least ten times now.” He reached in his pocket and lit a cigar.

“No. You work for Axel. You need to do you, a personal thing. A job of your own.”

“Workin’ for somebody else? You think I’d own the gas station for the application you just gave me? Or the retail store one you gave me two weeks ago? That’s not how this works.”

“I know that, Legend!” She gritted her teeth, as if she wanted to curse him out but was restraining herself. “I’m saying though,you’d be independent from your friends. Somethin’ just for you. Pullin’ yourself up by the bootstraps.”

“What does it matter if he helped me or not? Work is work, and at least he’s someone I can trust. I don’t know what this shit is ’tween you ’nd Axel. It’s been going on since we were kids. You acted funny around him, like it was some personal vendetta. Truth be told, he kept me out of more trouble than I would’ve been in.”

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