Chapter 1
The Rockwood Cemetery
It’s that time of the year again. Lucy could feel the heat emanating from her car's leather seats. Her nape starts to prickle from staring at the paved walkway through her windshield. She never got used to this place no matter how many times she comes to visit. Today is different though because it’s the first time she’s visited in a long time. Somehow that familiar gaping hole creeping in her chest is heavier. Hungrier. Ready to swallow her whole from the minute she pulled up by the roadside. She closes her eyes, takes in one deep breath, summons all courage and swings her Camaro’s door wide open.
“Awww! Watch it!” A disgruntled voice pushes back.
The next thing she saw was a grimacing tall, blonde lady gripping her right wrist, hobbling near her headlight. Lucy’s jaw drops open. She hops off her car and asks, “Are you alright?”
“You think?!?” The lady retorts. Her eyes narrow. Her face is all red and stuffy.
“I am so sorry! I didn’t see you!” Lucy scans her ‘victim’s’ face intently while her hands hover close.
“No! You weren’t looking!” She says, flicks her wrist then grips it again.
“Please stop flicking your wrist. That will only add to the injury,” Lucy says, unfazed by watery, sharp eyes drilling a hole in her forehead. “I know a clinic nearby. I’ll drive you there. Get you checked?” She offers.
“No need! I can handle it,” sniffing as she squares her shoulders and pivots to leave.
“That really looks awful,” Lucy calls her out in a shaky voice. “And I don’t want you to leave knowing how much it hurts. Please?”
“Don’t bother!” She pauses in her tracks, gives Lucy a dismissive look and says, “Next time, check for pedestrians before showing off your fancy car.”
Stung by the snide remark, Lucy pouts, drops her shoulders and watches the stranger walk away. “Ruthless,” she says to herself. Ruthless but damn gorgeous…