The Dragon's Witch Mate

CHAPTER: 9

Smiling as Zara grumbled about how unfair it was that she had been compelled into taking the girls to bake cookies, Vienna headed to the store. She was determined to get the shopping for the week done in one trip and enjoy her time away from everyone.

As Vienna loaded up the cart, she shook her head thinking about how the four girls who were all on the slender side could consume so much food. She sighed when she saw the store manager, Brendon come around the corner. A big smile crossed his face when he saw her, and she realized it was too late to turn around. Biting back a groan as he swaggered up to her, she tried to plaster a smile on her face.

"Vienna." He smiled and his greasy hair fell over his brown eyes as he looked down at her. Brendon stood at about five feet eight inches, which was just a little taller than she was, so even though he was trying to lean in and look impressive, Vienna barely had to tilt her head to look at him. Watching him look over her body while l*****g his lips made her skin crawl, and she had to force herself to stand there. "Brendon. How are you today?"

Brendon's brown eyes lit up as he saw an opening. "Today is looking better now that you are here," he said. Reaching out he brushed her hair back from her face. "My night would be perfect if you would finally agree to go out with me," he said to Vienna.

Stepping back, she smiled politely. "Sorry Brendon, I cannot. I promised the girls we would watch a Hannah Montana movie, tonight." 

Brendon frowned and leaned towards Vienna, stopping close enough that there was no longer any space between them. "You cannot hide behind your sisters forever, and eventually," he licked his lips as he looked at her breasts, "you are going to want a man to satisfy your robust needs." Grinning, he stepped back before saying, "How many other guys do you know who would be willing to take a girl who is raising her four younger sisters, and has enough money to support them? Even looking as good as you do, the list must be very short, I am sure," He said.

Standing up straighter, her eyes narrowed as she looked him over slowly. She stared at his feet, pausing at the hint of a beer belly. Then she continued up to his brown eyes and greasy brown hair before answering, "I promise, it will be a cold day in hell before me and my...lusty needs, need to stoop as low as to agree to go out with you," Vienna said that with utter disgust.

She saw Brendon's eyes flash in anger as he stammered. Her back straight and head held high, she felt his eyes stay on her as she made her way up the path to the checkout counter.

Smiling politely at the cashier as she rang her up, and declining when a young man offered to help her with her bags, she headed out to the car. Loading everything into the trunk, she got in and drove out to see Brendon standing outside leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette. Keeping her head straight, Vienna glanced into the mirror and saw him watching her car as she pulled out into the street.

Listening to the radio as she drove home, Vienna felt a little pain as another love song played on the radio. Realizing that the last time she had gone on a date was just before her parents' death, she thought about how her life had changed that night. Not regretting her decision for even a moment to take care of her sisters, she still sometimes wondered what it must be like to go out and date and have a social life. Vienna's days were spent working, cleaning up after the girls, cooking, helping with homework, and driving them wherever they needed to go, and of course her job as a receptionist at the law firm, 'Theodore, and Associates.' She wondered what it might be like to only worry about clothes, where to go, and which sexy guy she would go out with. Pulling up, Vienna saw Zara getting out of her car, and Tiara and Ziva running in the front yard chasing each other. She smiled seeing that, thinking deep down she would not change this for anything in the world.

As the girls helped her unload the fruits and groceries from the car, Clover came walking up the street. Smiling as she saw her, Vienna started to call out until she saw that Clover had been crying. Telling the girls to take the bags inside, Vienna walked up to Clover and brushed her hair back. "Hey Clover, are you okay?"

Looking her over for any physical signs of her being hurt, she saw Clover nod and bite her lip. Vienna pulled her close and hugged her. "Clover, please tell me what happened. I want to really be able to help you."

Feeling a few tears land on her shoulder, Vienna rubbed Clover's back and her heart broke knowing that her sister was hurting.

"I am never going to fit in, am I?" Clover whispered.

Closing her eyes, knowing how hard it was to feel like the odd one out at this age, Vienna pulled back and brushed the tears from Clover's cheek. "Darling, I will never lie to you. High school really sucks. I hated it, all four years of girls hitting on me and guys making bets to see who could get into my bed." Seeing the look on Clover's face, Vienna smiled at her, trying to be reassuring. "It was hard, but I got through it and you will too. I promise." Kissing her forehead, Vienna led her back to the car. "Now help me unload these groceries and let us make dinner. I have a bunch of ice cream and cookies we can eat later as we talk about how much some people suck." Clover smiled at that and Vienna led her to the house, hoping that she could help her sister.

Vienna took the girls to bed, and hearing Zara and Clover talking in Zara's room, she headed to her room to watch TV in bed. 'The Intruder' rerun was on, she propped herself up on her pillows and got comfortable. She enjoyed the movie. Turning off the TV, she fell into a deep sleep. She started dreaming again...