Steal My Heart

Chapter 1

“Not this again, Takakura!” I pushed back from the table with a loud scrape of my chair. The old man who had always been like an uncle to me looked at me sadly.

“Jill, it’s just that I promised your father I’d look out for you and make sure you were successful. And one of the things he always wanted for you was for you to get married.”

I rolled my eyes, snorting. “Whatever…besides, there’s nothing but geezers and dweebs in this whole stupid valley. Yuck.”

Takakura cleared his throat. “Vesta’s brother Marlin is a very nice young man…”

I cut him off. “Who’s in love with Celia. I’m not breaking up a happy relationship just so that YOU don’t have to feel guilty over things you promised to my dead dad. And that’s low anyway, trying to bully me into things by mentioning him.” I glared down at him, then started to turn to go.

Takakura sighed heavily. “Jill, just come back to the table and finish your dinner. I won’t talk about it anymore.” I hesitated, but turned around and sunk down into the chair, eating my food angrily.

That evening, I stared at myself in the mirror as I washed my face. My long, chestnut brown hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, as usual. I guessed that you could call me pretty…people had always said so. But personally, I didn’t think I was much to look at. I was rather plain. I was secretly envious of girls like Muffy, the barmaid at the Blue Bar, who oozed sex appeal and looked uber feminine. But no matter how I tried, I just looked like a plain old tomboy. I sighed, and turned into bed.

The next day, I worked out in the fields on my farm. It was mid spring. I had only been working on my family’s old farm for two weeks. My mother had died when I was young, and it had always just been me and my dad on this farm. As a result, I was pretty handy with all things agricultural. When I was old enough to live on my own, I chose to move to the city and get away from farm life. Unfortunately, after only two years had passed, my father died suddenly, leaving his farm to me. I wanted to just sell the land, but the idea of it had about broken Takakura’s heart. I finally gave in, giving up my apartment and job at a clothing store in the city, and moved my things to my childhood home.

So here I was, trying to make a go of it as a farmer. Granted, I had a lot more experience than people that were trying to jump into this for the first time in their lives. I already knew how to use tools, what crops grew in what seasons, and everything else necessary for farm life. Did I like it? Not so much. But, it was too late to turn back now, and it brought me to where I was, planting potatoes and cursing the hot afternoon sun.

When I finished my work, I headed out for the Blue Bar. Another good things about having spent my childhood here was that I already knew everyone. It had been a while since I’d seen them, but everyone was happy that I came back, and I was grateful to have good neighbors all around. I stepped into the cool, dark building, smiling at my friend Muffy as my eyes adjusted to the dim light. She sashayed from behind the bar, setting a drink down at a table occupied by Gustafa. He was a newcomer since my childhood. Apparently, he was a traveling musician, and he sat and plucked absentmindedly at a guitar as Muffy served him his drink. Sitting next to him was another newcomer, Nami. She was also a traveler, though not a musician. The two of them hung out with each other most of the time.

I moved straight up to the counter and took a seat on a stool. Griffin, the owner of the bar, smiled at me through his heavy eyebrows and facial hair. “What’ll it be, Jill?”

I smiled back. “A Blue Goddess.” He fixed the sweet drink for me, and I sipped it appreciatively.

He observed me while he polished some beer mugs. “It’s just so strange to see you at the counter, drinking. It doesn’t seem that long ago that you were toddling around that farm, just a little thing in pigtails.”

I laughed. “Well, it was a long time ago. That just shows how old you are,” I said as I waggled my finger at him.

“I’m not that old,” he chuckled deeply to himself. “Well, I suppose you’re right. Time does fly.” These comments made me think of Muffy. She had been my babysitter when I was young. I remembered her being in her late teens when I was just a little thing, and now I was twenty one. Yet she claimed she was only 29...by my calculations, she should have been closer to 35…or maybe even 40. But of course I never called her on it. If saying she was younger made her happy, then who was I to say anything? I just continued to sip my drink.

It was a busy time of day for the bar, and townspeople continued to stream in and out. Gustafa and Nami vacated their table just as Marlin, Celia, and Vesta arrived, having apparently finished their work on their farm. I was a little jealous of how huge and successful their farm was, but I reminded myself that there were three people working on it, plus it had been established for far longer. I gave them a little wave as they sat down, which they all returned. Celia stood once again and came over to me. We chitchatted for a few minutes, and then she returned to the others. I smiled after her. Celia was such a nice girl. How could Takakura even suggest that I try to move in on her man…and besides, honestly, Marlin was sort of boring looking. Not my type.

What was my type? I mused it for a while. I didn’t really know. I had had boyfriends in the city, but they were all various kinds of guys. None of them ever really clicked with me, and the majority of them ended after one or two awkward dates. I had never really been serious with a guy, because I just had never really felt a spark. Maybe I was just too picky…did you really have to have a “spark” anyway? Maybe boring, safe love was the answer, I thought as I watched Celia and Marlin. They seemed to have it figured out.

The front door opened once again, and I turned slightly to look, then groaned and turned back to my drink. It was Rock, the valley’s local “player.” Or so he thought. His blond hair was parted in the center, waggling and bouncing into his eyes as he swaggered around. He actually wore, of all the stupid things, a large gold medallion around his neck. How cheesy. He thought that he was the Goddess’s gift to women, and he floated around town, giving out unwanted compliments and trying to throw himself on anything with breasts. What was really sad was that my friend, Lumina, had always cared deeply about him. She loved him, I knew that, but he kept pushing her further away by flirting with other girls. His flirting was always unsuccessful, so he ended up alone. If he would cut it out, he could have Lumina, heart and soul. But instead, he continued his futile attempts at romancing women, just driving Lumina further away.

I gritted my teeth as he sidled up next to me at the bar. He had bothered me constantly since I had moved back to the valley. I remembered him being a dork when I had lived here, but it was 100 times worse now. I closed my eyes as his voice piped up. “Hey, Jilly babe. You are looking fine tonight! I swear, there must be something in that city water that made you get twice as beautiful.” He waggled his eyebrows at me, and I just scowled. Seriously? Did he think that the things he were saying were sexy? “City water”? What kind of compliment was that? It made me think about the city sewer system.

“Beat it, Rock,” I growled.

He looked hurt. “Hey, babe, I’m just trying to reconnect with my old childhood friend!”

I shoved my hand to my forehead, moving my bangs out of my eyes and leaning exasperatedly on my palm. “Rock, we weren’t really friends when we were kids. And another thing, are you aware that Lumina really likes you? You ought to be at her house, flattering her instead. All this flirting with other women is pissing her off.”

Rock’s face wavered. “Nuh uh. She doesn’t mind.”

I sighed heavily. “Yes, she does, dumb ass. I know. She’s my friend. And one day, when you grow up and get a brain, you’re going to seriously regret hurting her.”

Rock still looked at me with a puzzled expression on his face. “You’re weird, babe.”

“Whatever,” I grunted, sipping on my drink. Rock just sat like, well, a rock, next to me, and I gave him an annoyed glance. “Why are you still here? Shoo!” I waved my hand at him in a signal to leave.

Rock pouted, jumping down off the barstool, and heading somewhere else, presumably to bother someone else. I didn’t watch where he went, but by the sound of Marlin’s annoyed voice rising a few minutes later, I assumed that he had made an attempt on Celia. Fool.

I finished up my drink, paid, and headed out. It wasn’t terribly late, so I decided to pay Lumina a visit. She was one of my closest friends in the valley. I walked up the steps leading to mansion she lived in with her grandmother, Romana. I admired the beautiful marble fountain out front as it tinkled water lightly in the quiet night. Lumina was really lucky to have such a beautiful place to live. My old farm house was a rickety mess. I couldn’t wait until I had made some money farming, and I could fix up the place.

I knocked lightly on the door, and it was answered by Sebastian, their butler. He ushered me in, leading me up to Lumina’s room. She was laying on the bed on her stomach, reading a book. She looked happy to see me, and we chatted about various things. She turned the topic to Rock, complaining about some harebrained thing that he had done earlier in the day. I told her about his behavior at the bar, and she shrugged in defeat. “I’ve just about given up on him. That moron is not worth my time. If he wants to be a horny sleaze ball, fine, but I don’t want to be a part of it.” She looked a little sad, and I comforted her.

She smiled sadly at me. “You don’t have a guy either. At least that makes me feel a little better.” She sighed. “I wonder if we’ll ever meet any decent men?” We ticked off the unmarried men in the valley, and came up with the same conclusion that I had when arguing with Takakura. They were all old enough to be our father (or worse) or there was some other fatal flaw, like Rock’s womanizing ways or Daryl the scientist’s apparent insanity. I giggled when Lumina suggested that we would have to send off for mail order husbands.

We talked and laughed, until we realized it was almost midnight. We quietly walked down the stairs, still whispering back and forth. She bid me goodnight, worrying whether or not I would be all right walking home in the dark. I assured her that I would, and that I had my hammer in my backpack that I could wield if I was in danger. She reluctantly agreed, and I started to exit the house when she suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Jill, did you hear that?” she hissed at me.

I stared at her, wide eyed. “Hear what?”

“There!” She pointed towards the dining room. “There’s someone in there.”

I raised my eyebrows, a little surprised at her. “It might just be Sebastian. Or your cat.”

“No, I have a feeling that it’s not. Okay, I’ll go to that door and you go to the other, and we’ll see who’s inside. My grandmother said that she got a note from someone who calls himself ‘The Phantom’, and that he’s coming to steal some of our stuff tonight. Grandma just thought it was a joke from Rock, but maybe it’s for real! We could totally catch him!” Her eyes glittered.

“W-what?” I spluttered. “I don’t want to confront some thug! Forget it!”

She looked at me, exasperated. “Fine, I’ll go myself.” I pleaded her not to, trying to reason with her, but she stalked off for the back entrance of the dining room. I sighed heavily, and then reached into my rucksack and fished out my hammer. What had I gotten myself into?

Just then, I heard Lumina’s voice cry out. My heart pounded, and I was scared that my friend was going to get hurt. I tightened my grip on the hammer, my eyes focused on the front entrance of the dining room. I was shaking, terrified of the burly killer in a black ski mask who was sure to pop out any second.

I was not prepared for what I saw next.

The door swung open, and a man breezed out quickly but casually. I stared at him, dumbfounded because he was the exact opposite of what I expected to see. He was tall but slim, wearing a loose silky leopard spotted shirt and tight black pants. His silvery hair was long, swishing over his eyes, and he carried a sack, presumably full of stolen goods, over his shoulder. I was too surprised to move as he rushed past me, wafting the exotic fragrance of curry over me.

He paused, looking back at me over his shoulder and giving me the peace sign. “Well, hello beautiful,“ he purred at me. I tried to scowl, because it sounded like some cheesy line that Rock would say, but I found myself fighting back a smile instead. It was different when it came out of the mouth of someone who wasn’t a dork. Just then Lumina barreled out of the dining room. “Gotta go,” the mysterious man whispered, winking at me. He moved quickly out the front door, Lumina close on his heels. I broke out of my trance and ran outside after the two of them.

He was making long strides away from the mansion, and Lumina stumbled after him, yelling. “Come back! Thief!”

Surprisingly, he stopped and faced her. “Now, now,” he clucked admonishingly. “Don’t let such raw anger steal away your beauty.” I rushed up beside Lumina, as she spluttered for something to respond at him.

Instead, she just blushed and squealed. “What a smooth talker!” she cried, her hands on her cheeks. I was shocked that she was so bowled over by him. I mean, he had just stolen a bunch of her stuff and she was going gaga for him!

I glared at him, starting to say something myself. He narrowed his eyes at me, giving me a little smirk. “Sorry, but I’m a bit pressed for time.” He turned to go, but addressed me over one shoulder. “The name’s Phantom Skye. I’m sure we’ll meet again…” his voice trailed off as he made his exit.

We both just stared after him, then Lumina started running, trying to catch up with him. I just stood still, wondering what the hell had just happened. Lumina returned a moment later, panting for breath. “He…got away from me…” she wheezed. Her eyes looked dreamy and sparkly. “Wasn’t he cool…?” she breathed.

“Uh, yeah, but…didn’t he just steal stuff from your house?”

Lumina waved this trifling matter away. “We’ve got lots of stuff. Who cares!” She sighed happily. “He said I was beautiful…”

I snorted. “He said the same thing to me, before you came out of the dining room. He’s just another Rock, a stupid wannabe ladies man. We oughta call the police on him.”

She wailed, grabbing at my arm. “Don’t you dare! I don’t want him to go to jail!”

I stared at her. “But he’s a thief. That’s illegal. If he steals stuff, then he deserves to be punished for it.”

Lumina turned her nose up at me. “If you call the police on him, I’ll never speak to you again.”

I sighed. “Fine. But don’t come complaining to me when he’s stolen everything you have!”

She bit her lip. “He can steal anything he wants from me…”

I rolled my eyes at her. “Whatever…” I groaned as I headed back home. As I snuggled down into bed that night, I suddenly remembered the scent of curry in the air as he rushed past me. I grumbled to myself. Now I’m hungry…