"Rebuilt" (a story)

I as heartbroken when Sindee left, but I would never have killed her, let alone even dreamed of doing it!

There was no evidence to suggest I murdered Sindee, but no evidence to suggest that I didn't. Which in my mind, pretty clearly states innocence. But of course, people being people, used that stupid foothold to ruin me AND my career.

Which brings me to where I am today: San Francisco, California, 2025. The rumors about me still on the move. Spreading like a wildfire.

People suck.

I mean, honestly, how do they come up with these rumors? "Shane Granger, Known Drug Dealer." "Shane Granger, Accused of Fraud." "Shane Granger, Gambling Addict, Loses Millions of Dollars."

I restate my claim: people suck.

Though I'm rich, I miss having people to talk to. People to love. Someone to share my life with. Someone to share a bedroom with. A soulmate.

How unfortunate that that's the only thing I can't buy with money.

"Excuse me. Mr. Granger, but you're needed in the front yard urgently," one of my security guards says. I study him for a moment, trying to remeber his name. Black, busy beard, and freckles. Brown sunglasses. A dark tattoo snaking up the side of his neck and right side of his face.

I'm thinking Tom Or...Ean?

"Yes, of course. What was  your name again?" I ask.

A small smile creeps up the guard's face. "Zion Higgary, sir."

I mean, I was close.

As I follow Zion down the stairs to the main floor, I notice how empty the walls are. No pictures. No trophies. No awards. Just a golden banister on white paint. I'll have to hire someone to make this house look more exciting.

The second Zion and I step out onto the driveway, the dozen security guards go silent.

I notice a shnort man i na black coat curled into a ball on the ground. He covers his head with his hands, like one might do in an earthquake.

A lean woman with long, chestnut hair steps forward. "Mr. Granger, thank you for coming. This man was caught tryign to sneak onto the premises. We searched him for weapons, and he's clear, but stubborn -- won't talk to us."

I nod. "Right. And where's the head of security?"

Several of the younger guards snicker and shift their weight from foot to foot. Zion clears his throat loudly, and the boys go quiet.

The girl takes a few steps toward me, narrowing her gaze. "I am. Commander Loren Eena, at your service," the woman says.

Oh. Now that I think of it, she does wear a large badge on her brest that says Head of Security. That would make sense.

I gesture to the man still curled up on the ground. "Bring him to my office and we'll see if we can get anything out of him."

The head of security nods once, but her eyes are still narrowed in annoyance. As I follow her and Zion back inside, I ask her, "What was your name, again?" Zora? Zoey? Zinnia?"

She stops abruptly and I slam into her back. "Loren," she says through gritted teeth, anger seeping through her voice.

Right, Loren. I can remember that.

Hours later, a knock on my bedroom door makes me jump. I pull myself up from the floor, wiping the tears from my eyes. I don't know who on earth would need something from me at 1am, but I creak open the door anyway.

It's the head of security. Dang it.

"No," I say sleepily.

I begin to close the door, but Loren sticks her arm into the small sliver of space between the door and the door frame. "Were upi cruomg?" she asks.

I shake my head, but a shaky, sharp intake of breath and a sniffle call my bluff. Dang. I'm fine," I lie, and try to close the door again.

But Loren is persistent. "I don't think I would be fully doing my job if I walked away right now."

To my annoyance, Loren plants her feet firmly in front of me and crosses her arms. I sigh heavily, and gesture to her to step into my room.

"Shane, what's wrong? I need you to talk to e," Loren says.

I try to ignore the fact that she;s curretly standin in my room.I haven't had any woman in my room at all since 'sindee., who for the record, I did not kill.

I sigh and plop down on my window seat. I don't miss the way Loren eyes the cozy pillow opposite me. A small smile creeps up my face and I gesture for her to sit.

"So," I begin, "That man earlier--"

"I knew it was thatman! Ugh, I should never have let him talk to you!" Loren yells, completely interrupting me. I give her a look, and she murmurs an apologies.

"It's alright. The dude was fine, Just a young guy getting his jollies from pranking ex-musicians. I suppose.He said that he had a message from Sindee -- that she was alive and wanted to talk to me." I have to stop speaking when I choke on my words and tears brim. Not embarrassing at all.

"It's been almost two years since she died," I admit. "I didn't think that hearing about Sindee again would affect me, but it did. Too much. Almost as if that first article accusing me of urder had just been released all over again. People loved the gossip. Added fake facts onto a fake story. It hurt so much that people turned their backs on me just like that. There was literally no evidence that I killed Sindee, and I can assure you that I, indeed did not!"

I look at Loren out of the corner of my eye. She looks like she can relate to what I'm sharing. Either that or she's a wonderful actress.

"I have no idea what I'm gonna do. I've debated going back to music, but can I really make it a second time? I'm not sure how people would respond to that," I sigh.

"Honestly, Mr. Granger, I think you could do anything you wanted to. I've worked for you for 5 years now, and, if I'm not mistaken, you're pretty amazing. I mean, you have terrible decorating skills, and you suck at remembering people's names, but you're kind, and talented at so many things. You can make it far, Shane."

I laugh, because I really can't remember people's names and y house is beyond plain. "Thank you, Loren. That means a lot."

"Shane," Loren says, "Can I be honest with you?"

"Of course. I'll never judge you for being honest."

She exhales deeply. "I have a question for you."

I feel confused and slightly terrified at the build-up she's created, all to ask me a question. "Okay."

Loren leans forward, closer to me. "How does this feel?"

Before I can wonder what she's talkng about, she kisses me. Actually kisses me. I'm taken aback, but I've never had a better kiss in my life, so I lean into it. Loren puts her hand on my chest, and it feels like fire where her hand touches me. Is this real? I thought I knew Loren -- and I wouldn've never thought she would do something like this. Could do something like this. Wow.

I break away from the kiss, but I don't move farther away from her. "What is this?" I whisper.

She closes her eyes. "Answer the question."

"It was the best kiss I've ever had. Honest."

Loren's eyes flutter open, and she searches my face for signs of dishonesty. But there are none.

"Shane, I...I love you. I'm in love with you," she says.

I blow out a long breath, disbelieving. "Has this always been there? I just never noticed?"

Loren's green eyes look deep into my brown ones. "In security, you get good at masking your emotions." She smiles, but it doesn't have tie to reach her eyes because I grab her tight and kiss her again, hard and slow.

I'm not sure when I fell asleep, but I did, and Loren right next to me. I sit up slowly, eyes adjusting to the bright mid-August sun shining through the window.

Stretching, my eyes land on Loren. Knees curled to her chest, face relaxed, the essence of beauty. I smile, but then glance at my clock.

9:15. Oh boy.

Loren," I hiss, shaking her awake as gently as I can. Her head snaps up, due to all her security guard training.

"What's wrong?" she asks, but then takes in where she is and gasps. "I fell asleep."

"Yeah, we both did," I say. "And now it's 9:15. You have to go, or people will be suspicious."

She nods fervently. "Yeah, let's go."

Loren opens the door as quietly as she can and we both slip out quickly. Unfortunately, several of the guards are waiting right outside. "Sleeping in the boss's bed, are we?"

Loren's face flushes, but it's not the first time I've been accused of something along those lines.

"No! I was...we were talking about security policies, but we were both exhausted and accidentally fell asleep," Loren lies. Well, it's not completely a lie.

I nod. "You boys are dismissed."

The guards frown, annoyed, but obey orders. Loren sighs. "Let's just hope they don't spread this," she says.

"It's highly likely," I admit.

She groans. "I mean, I better get to work, but..."

Neither of us moves. Nor speaks. We're both wondering the same thing: What does this mean? What happens now?

"Do you...do you want to take the day off work, and we can do something together?"

Loren gawks at me. "Take the day off? And do what? This will look really bad after we came out of your room together."

I shrug. "I don't mind."

She studies me fore a moment, then her feet. "Sure. Let me change into non-work clothes." A smile creeps up her face as she starts to walk away.

I grin. "Sounds like a date."

Loren freezes in her tracks and turns back to me. "Shane, I don't want you to feel pressure to do anything. Just becaues I feel one way doesn't mean you have to. If this isn't gonna go anywhere, you can tell me."

"I know that, Loren. But...honestly, you are the toughest, bravest, most beautiful girl I've ever met. I'm not sure what will happen, but I thing I want to find out."

One Year Later

"Mr. Granger, rumor has it that you've recently married Loren Eena, one of your security guards," the news reporter says.

I nod. "Loren is my head of security, and she's amazing. Beautiful, smart, brave, tough, and determined. That being said, I'm glad she quit her job. Gives us more time and opportunities together."

"Do you realize what this could do to your reputation, especially after having just re-emerged into the music industry?"

I smirk. "I don't think I care anymore about my reputation, nor what people say or think about me. Loren and I are happily married, and I wouldn't trade that for anything on Earth.

From the Author

Hello! My name is AOhTay14. I love being creative (writing music, playing instruments, acting, reading, and writing)! My hope is to bring laughter, joy, and wholesome, Christian writing into the world, because I think everyone needs some more of that! One day, I would like to sell my books, but for now, I am challenging myself to explore as many different genres as I can! Thank you for reading my work and supporting me! Keep being creative, friends!

More stories by AOhTay14 are available on Booksie.