The Chosen Goddess

Prologue

Alecia's POV

I’m finalizing all the vendors for tomorrow’s event at work as I get ready for bed. The planetarium in Chicago where I work is hosting an event for the grand re-opening after some major renovations and additions. It’s the oldest Planetarium in the United States! It’s the beginning of July, 1991, and it’s been years in the making for this glorious makeover for the Planetarium. All that’s left to do is pray for clear skies tomorrow, but that shouldn’t be a problem in the summer.

I started working at the planetarium about four years ago, right after I finished high school, before I even turned eighteen. I’ve always wanted to be in a managerial position, and I also love astrology, so what better way to create your career than to combine the two! I was just offered the managerial position a few months ago amidst finishing the renos. They felt after my constant dedication, like helping with the renovations themselves and the ideas I brought to the table, as well as working weekends and overtime, I was deserving of the position. My parents raised me to have a strong work ethic. Even though I was adopted when I was three, they’re my parents through and through.

I was found on the side of the road outside a fire station in Naperville as a baby, so I have no idea where I even came from. I don’t even know my real birthday because the firemen who found me weren’t sure exactly when I was born but guessed I was less than a week old. I was told my “estimated” birthday was July 30th, so I turn twenty-two this month!

I spent the first three years of my life in the foster system. I have an older brother by three years as well, named Aaron, but he wasn’t adopted like I was. My mom had to get an emergency hysterectomy after having my brother and, unfortunately, they weren’t done having children. So, hence my adoption… My parents and brother have brown hair and brown eyes, so I even look adopted! My white-blonde hair and ice blue eyes kind of give it away…

After washing my face and throwing on some pajamas, I finally crawl into bed. It takes a while for me to fall asleep, as I’m too eager for tomorrow to come.

~

The next day, I wake up probably way too excited to go to work. My best friend, Hannah, emailed me this morning asking to have dinner tonight. She’s a very intuitive person and says I’m probably going to meet a special someone today, so I should be out and about in case I “bump” into them. I agree to have dinner after the event, even though I roll my eyes at her intuition. She works at a really popular shoe retail store in the city. She definitely likes her shoes, of all things.

I get ready for work today with a spring in my step. I bought some new business casual clothes because I was that thrilled! I throw on my black pinstripe pantsuit and black stilettos. I refuse to leave the house without heels as I’m only five feet and three inches tall. I like to convince myself that more height gives me more authority. I tie my hair up in a high ponytail and do my makeup as normal. Just some brown lip liner and mascara. I just recently got my eyebrows done to save myself some time in the mornings too. Right now everyone’s eyebrows are pencil thin, but I’m not a fan of the trend, so I got them done a tad thicker than the average girl.

I toss my purse over my shoulder, grab my keys and head out the door. I can’t help but wonder about Hannah’s prediction for me… Most of the time I laugh at her theories or predictions, but I can’t ignore the fact that she’s right about them 90% of the time.

Last week the Spacelab Life Sciences 1 module was carried into orbit by Space Shuttle Columbia, so it’s been an exciting week in the astronomy world. It’s like everyone is giddy lately.

“Hey you!” Says one of my co-workers, Brittany, as I walk through the front doors of the planetarium using my master key.

“Hey. Good morning. You excited?” I ask, plopping my purse on the desk behind the front counter.

“Um, do I like men and shoes?”

“Yes?”

“Then yes! Haha.” She giggles and I shake my head at her.

“The renovations are seriously beautiful!” I exclaimed, admiring the soft neutrals and pastels of the foyer.

“You should see the new 3D theater and second planetarium dome. They’re just amazing!”

“Ooh, I can’t wait!”

It’s silent for a while as we prep for the day, until our boss calls us in for the staff meeting. We all gather in the conference room. You can feel the anticipation in the air and I don’t think there’s not a single staff member who’s not grinning ear to ear.

“We have some new policies put in place to promote the most positive experience possible…” Our boss announces and starts the meeting.

When he’s done, Brittany shows me the new staff room and I pick my new cubby to keep my personal belongings in. I’m making myself comfortable when Brittany breaks the silence.

“How’s your family?”

“Oh, they’re good. My parents are doing the usual… working hard to retire early, of course.”

“And Aaron?” She tilts her head slightly.

“My brother? He’s doing well too. Still in law school. And yes, he’s still single too.”

“How did you know I was going to ask that?!” She gasps.

“Because everyone likes my brother!” I chuckle in annoyance. “Every single friend I’ve had has had a crush on Aaron.”

“Okay, okay. I get it. But you can’t blame me if I’m not the only one.”

“No, no. I’m not mad. It’s just funny to me is all. I see him as my annoying big brother, so I don’t see the infatuation.” I shrug and organize some brochures.

“Well, he can’t stay single forever.” She nudges me with her shoulder.

“Ew, don’t remind me.”

She bursts out laughing and I stick my tongue out at her.

“You can’t either, by the way.” She adds.

“I’m perfectly happy with how my life is right now. I like being single and focusing on my career. Plus, we’re still young.”

“Young means we can be single and enjoy men in a different way, though!” She winks at me.

“You do that. I’ll live vicariously through you.” I chuckle. “Hannah said she’d come to the event today, by the way.” I change the subject.

“Yay! I love her and haven’t seen her in a while.” She claps her hands together.

“Okay, now show me the new 3D theater before we open!” I squeal.

The beginning of the event goes on with zero mishaps! Everyone is enjoying themselves to the fullest and even our staff is just blown away by the turnout and positive reviews. A few times I felt like someone was watching me, but I shrugged it off and kept going about my day.

It’s near the end of the event when we take everyone to the new dome to show the stars as it gets to be dark outside.

“Um… Alecia…” Brittany whispers in my ear as we start gathering customers.

“Yeah?” I whisper back.

Why is she whispering?

“There’s a really hot guy in some cosplay stuff watching you.”

“What?” I blurt slightly too loudly. “Oops… I mean… where?”

“Over there by the back doors.” She points with her eyes for a brief second.

As casually as I can, I turn my head and look towards the back doors. Sure enough, just as Brittany said, there’s a tall, raven-haired man in a weird white costume staring at me. No, not staring. Glaring.

“What’s his problem?” I look away and ask Brittany.

“No idea. Maybe we should go ask if he needs something…?” she suggests.

“As much as I don’t want to approach him, if he’s a customer it’s important that we meet his needs…” I trail off.

“Hey!” Hannah waves and strides over to the two of us.

“Hottie at 9 o’clock!”

“Shh…!” I quiet her. “I’m aware. He’s been watching me, Brittany said.”

“Yeah! Like a hawk!”

“Okay, okay. Be more obvious, would you?”

“Sorry.”

“We already look suspicious standing around and whispering.” Brittany chuckles.

“Kay, you handle the announcements. I’ll be right back.” I hand the mic to Brittany.

“Ugh, why me?”

“Because you memorized everything, just like me.” I smirk and blow her a kiss.

“You owe me.” She glares back.

“Right.” I stride off casually towards the strange man.

Nearly everyone has noticed him at this point due to his interesting attire. I approach him with a friendly smile and the glare remains plastered on his face.

“Hello? Is there anything I can help you with, sir?”

“Does it look like I need help?” he asks gruffly.

“Uh… I just…” I become flustered due to his rude reply. “You just seemed like there was something you needed, that’s all. But if you’re fine, then I’ll leave you to it.” I begin to turn around and he stops me.

“I’m definitely not fine. This is bullshit.” He crosses his arms in front of his chest and leans his back against the wall.

“Excuse me?” I whip around. No one is forcing you to be here. If you don’t like planetariums, then why come to one?” I respond.

“I have no problem with planetariums, other than the fact that they’re a sad example of the stars. It’s you.”

“Me?!” I stammer.

This guy is getting ruder and weirder by the minute.

“Humans. Ridiculous.”

“Huh?”

Now I’m even more confused. Unless he’s some sort of alien in disguise, then that would make him human too.

“Okay, sir. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. We have a zero-tolerance policy for non-family friendly language and verbal abuse towards the staff and guests.” I hold my hand towards the exit doors, showing him the way.

“As if you could tell me what to do. I can do what I want. Especially when the lot of you are involved. Tch.” He clicks his tongue in annoyance.

I storm away from him and head straight to our director who’s standing off to the side of the dome as the customers' eyes are glued to the ceiling. I’m glad no one else heard that rude man’s complaints.

“Excuse me.” I tap his shoulder.

“Alecia! How can I help you? The event is going really well, hey!”

“Actually… I need security to quietly escort a man off the premises. He was extremely insulting when I kindly offered to help him, and he won’t leave now.”

“Damn. Leave it to me. I’d rather not get security involved unless I really must.”

I nod and allow my boss to handle the man. When I look over towards him, he’s glaring at me with an even more pronounced furrowed brow. I can see the vein about to pop in his forehead from a mile away. Seriously, what is his problem?! He may be attractive, but he’s an asshole.

I shrug it off and, with Brittany’s help, climb the ladder to manage one of the projectors for our light show. It’s close to the ceiling, about forty feet up. I take my high heels off as it makes it harder to walk across the grated loft. I’m working the projector fine, until I notice my jacket has gotten hooked on the railing somehow. I tug at it carefully, making sure not to rip the fabric, when suddenly it comes loose. I stumble backwards and then suddenly it’s like everything else that happens from here on moves in slow motion. My back hits the other side of the railing and I reach my hand backwards to catch myself on the metal bar, but my hand misses. In the blink of an eye, I flip backwards over the railing and tumble down to the ground from forty feet in the air. My life flashes before my eyes and the last person’s face to pop into my head is the rude man. I shut my eyes, bracing myself for the impact, when nothing comes. The voice that made the biggest impression on me echoes in my mind. That voice belongs to… him… of all people.

“Tch… What a pain in the ass…”

When I look up, I see someone racing toward me, moving at the speed of the wind itself. Him? Is he really going to save me? How is this possible…? In an instant, he’s by my side. He grabs me and holds me tight, crushing me to his chest. And just like that, we rise up into the air like a falcon riding the wind. No way… He saved me… And I’m still in the air… I’m flying…

“Um…” I say as I look around.

Holding me with one hand wrapped around my waist, he gazes at me like he can see straight through me. I don’t like the way he’s looking at me… The second the thought enters my mind, he changes the way he’s holding me, shifting my body, so I’m facing away from him and my back is pressed against his torso. I cling to his arm, as I can’t reach his neck anymore.

“Hey! I’ll fall if you hold me like this! Please, put me down!” I try to turn around to look at him.

“Tch… Shut up. Stupid woman, if you value your life, stop talking.” His intimidating glare demands obedience.