Ch.3 Wine

Chapter 3

As if the universe could sense her arrival, the phone on her bed began to ring as soon as Birdie picked it up. She tossed her wet towel to the side as she tightly tied the strings to her bathrobe around herself before checking the ID on the screen.

"Yes?" She said as she placed the phone on her ear.

"We have plans tonight." Adan said on the line.

"I know," Birdie said. "I didn't forget."

"Making sure you didn't."

"Have I ever forgotten before when we had plans?"

"No, but you have been late," Adan laughed.

"I won't be today."

"I don't trust you."

"That seems like a you problem."

"I'll pick you up?"

"No!" Birdie gripped the phone and moved it off her shoulder. "Are you crazy? I thought we already agreed that I would meet you at the restaurant."

"Like I said," Adan spoke slowly. "I don't trust you to show up."

"Can you please get off the phone?" Birdie clicked her tongue. "I'm trying to get ready."

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

"It'll be your funeral," Birdie muttered, earning a laugh from Adan as he ended the call.

Tossing the phone onto the bed, Birdie picked up her wide tooth comb and began to detangle her long silver hair. She grabbed the blow dryer and started on styling her locks, letting them call against her chest with the ends curled out. Satisfied with how they looked, she hurried into her closet and pulled on a mini baby blue silk dress and a pair of white heels with laces that wrapped around her legs. By the time she finished applying mascara and lip gloss, the clock by her mirror showed she was well ahead of schedule.

Birdie stood back and observed herself in the tall mirror leaned back against her wall. She tried tossing her hair up into a bun to eliminate how the silver stood out against the blue of the dress, but having her hair up meant exposing her long giraffe-like neck. Flinging the hair tie across the room, she flipped her hair over and shook it out in hopes of some more volume.

"This will have to do," she said, eyeing herself in the mirror.

The more she stared, the paler she appeared. Birdie grabbed the blush off the vanity along with the brush and applied another layer, making the apples of her cheeks appear peachy and glossy. She whipped the gloss off her lips and settled for a red tint to add some color to her features. When she stood back once more to look at herself, her eyes fell on her neck.

"Why?" Birdie frowned, letting her shoulders slump as she reached up and placed her hands around her long neck. "Why? Why? Why?"

Walking back into the closet, Birdie pulled out the scarves and tried to match one with her dress. She didn't care about the mess she was making as silk and wool scarves fell to the floor around her feet like snow. Unhappy with her choices, Birdie walked back out and wanked open her jewelry drawer.

Very carefully, she ran her hand along the neatly placed necklaces and looked for one dainty enough to suit the dress while also taking the attention away from her neck. She was about to pull out the constellation necklace her great grandma had gotten when something flew into her palm from the back of the drawer.

Birdie hissed as the hot metal burned into her palm, making her arm buzz as if she had just hit her funny bone.

"What in the world?" Birdie muttered as she pulled her hand back and stared at the gold key. "Shit."

The key looked just as it had the very first day she had seen it two three years ago. Birdie turned it around on her palm and held it up to her face.

The day she had found the key Nora and Hayden had announced they were pregnant. In the excitement of the new baby, Birdie had shoved the key into her back pocket and forgotten to ask her mother about it. Somehow it had made it into her drawer and now, almost three years later, it had resurfaced once more.

"Persistent little thing," Birdie said, turning it in front of her face and holding it up to the light. "Mom?"

I'm in the living room, Maya answered back through her mind-link.

Birdie headed out into the hall and turned towards the stairs. She held the key firmly in her hand, feeling it warm as if it was a heater in the middle of winter.

"Hey, mom," Birdie turned the corner and walked into the living room. "Do you know what this Key is for?"

Maya looked up from the book she had been reading on the sofa. Heyder sat beside her with his feet on the coffee table and Maya's legs on his lap as he looked over the papers Ali had forcibly given him from court.

"What is that?" Maya asked, squinting her icy blue eyes.

"I found it a few years back in your study...." Birdie stepped forward. "I completely forgot about it just until now."

"You found it in my study?" Maya asked, holding out her hand.

"Yeah," Birdie placed the key in her mother's palm.

"Why is it so hot?"

"I don't know," Birdie shrugged.

"I don't remember this," Maya turned the key in her hand. "What is it?"

"That's what I'm asking you!" Birdie said.

"Oh wait!" Maya's eyes suddenly lit up. She placed her book down on her lap and laughed. "I remember this now."

"What is it?" Birdie asked.

"I found this at court," Maya said. "I don't remember why I took it though."

"You've been to court?" Birdie asked skeptically.

"Yes," Maya laughed. "Baba and I were married there, remember? I think that's when I took it."

"What is it for?"

"No idea," Maya shrugged. "I didn't even know I had it for so many years."

"How strange," Birdie's eyes fell on the key. "So it's just been here and no one thought to throw it out or something?"

"Would you two shut up?" Heyder looked up. "I swear I read the same paragraph four times."

"It's not our fault you're a terrible reader," Maya nudged him with her feet.

"What are you two hefas going on about?"

"What does this key do?" Maya held up the key.

"It unlocked something."

"What does it unlock?" Birdie asked.

"How am I supposed to know?" Heyder shrugged. "It's a key. It only has one job."

"It's been in this house for years and no one knows what it's for," Maya said. "And no one at court has said anything about a missing key?"

"I don't deal with petty theft," Heyder closed his eyes and pinched his nose. "I deal with important things."

"What important thing?" Maya snorted. "What type of jasmine tea to serve at court at the next gathering?"

"Yes, if you must know," Heyder laughed at his wife's teasing. "Amongst other things."

"What other things?" Maya asked.

"Hafsa," the jinn sighed, running the back of his neck. "She came to the morning meeting today."

Maya slowly sat up, "What did she say?"

"The usual," Heyder shrugged, chewing on his bottom lip as his brown eyes settled on something at the fireplace.

"She asked about Noor?" Maya's eyes narrowed.

Heyder nodded.

"Zuri?"

"I didn't give her a chance to."

"Is there no way to move her away from court?"

"Even if there was, I don't think we should," Birdie chimed in, seeing the worry and tension on her father's face.

"What do you mean?" Maya looked up at her daughter.

"Keep your friends close and your enemy closer," Birdie said. "If we send Hafsa away from court, who knows how many of Maaz's followers will seek her out and restart another group."

"Birdie's right," Heyder said. "As much as I don't like Hafsa, it's better for us if she stays at court."

"Did you tell Hayden?" Maya asked.

"No," Heyder shook his head. "He doesn't have to know....not yet."

Maya slowly nodded her head. As she opened her mouth to speak, the doorbell suddenly ran out.

"I'll get it," Birdie said as Maya and Heyder looked up.

Turning on her heels, Birdie walked over to the heavy wooden doors and grabbed the oversize handlebar. As she opened one side of the double doors, Adan looked up from his phone and grinned.

"What are you doing?" Birdie's eyes widened as she immediately pushed the boy back.

"I came to pick you up," Adan said, amused by the amount of tension in the girl's silver eyes.

"I told you not to!" Birdie whispered before looking over her shoulder. "Go away."

"No can't do," Adan placed his hand over Birdie's head on the door and pushed it open.

"Adan, no!" Birdie tried to push him back. "Stop it."

"I love it when you tell me what to do, baby," the boy teased, looking down into her eyes as he leaned forward and pushed the door open.

"Birdie?" Maya's voice came from the living room. "Who is it?"

"Ah..." Birdie looked at Adan and then back down the short hall to the living room. "Um...."

Adan cleared his throat and took a step aside, "It's me, Maya."

"Ooooooooo," came Heyder's voice.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Birdie shut her eyes and groaned under her breath.

"Adan!" Heyder appeared at the entrance. "No wonder Birdie rushed over to answer the door so quickly."

Adan gave a short laugh as if he was uncomfortable. Birdie rolled her eyes as he took a step forward to shake her father's hand.

"How you been?" Heyder asked, gripping the boy's hand tightly.

"Good," Adan said, holding the jinn's hand just as tightly as he held his.

"Hey baby," Maya walked out into the halls, her bare feet making a soft pitter patter sound on the hardwood floor. "So nice to see you after so long. I feel like you hardly ever come by."

"Hey, beautiful," Adan smiled as Maya wrapped her arms around him. "Your hair looks beautiful. What did you do?"

"New highlights," Maya reached up and touched her locks. "At least you noticed. Heyder couldn't tell what was different."

"I told you, I think I'm color blind," Heyder said.

"How's Margo?" Maya ignored the jinn. "And Caspiana?"

"Mom's good," Adan nodded. "She's been busy with helping grandpa transiting everything to her name."

"Just a few more months," Maya laughed. "And then you're the crown prince of the seven seas."

"Oh god," Adan rolled his eyes. "No."

"How's Caspiana taking it? And Zaki?"

"They're good," Adan laughed. "You know Cassie is eating it up. Zaki is just along for the ride."

As Maya and Adan spoke, Heyder's eyes suddenly fell on Birdie lingering by the door.

"Are you going somewhere, pumpkin?" He asked.

"Yes," Birdie commanded herself not to look at Adan. "I'm meeting a friend for dinner."

"A friend?" Heyder wiggled his brows and looked at Adan. "Like this friend?"

"No," Adan laughed and shook his head before Birdie could say anything. "I actually came to see you."

"Oh," Heyder's face fell. "How boring."

"Dad wanted me to drop off s-" Adan started when Heyder suddenly straightened up from the wall he had been leaning against.

"No! Nope!" He said, turning away. "Tell Ali I'm off the clock."

"He said it was urgent."

"Leave a message at the beep," Heyder walked off.

"Heyder," Adan called after the jinn. "This needs to be checked before morning prayer at court tomorrow."

"Tell your dad to do it," Heyder called from somewhere in the house.

Adan looked at Maya.

"Leave it with me," the witch said. "I'll have him look at it."

"You're an angel," Adan leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Birdie rolled her eyes.

"Come drop it off in the kitchen," Maya said. "I was just about to make dinner. Join us."

"Ah..." Adan stood where he was. "I actually have to go meet a friend too."

"Are you two going together?" Maya looked at Birdie and then at the tall handsome boy with thick curly hair and a sharp nose.

"No," the two said together.

"I'm going towards California," Adan said.

"I'll be going to Paris," Birdie added.

"Oh...okay," Maya shrugged. "Have fun you two. Don't worry about the papers. I'll make sure they are looked at."

"God damn it Maya!" Heyder yelled from the back of the house.

"Thanks," Adan said. "I appreciate it."

"Mom," Birdie yanked the door open. "I'm leaving."

Adan looked over his shoulder at the stubborn girl. He kept his face neutral as she narrowed her eyes at him and pressed her lips into a thin line.

"Have fun, babe," Maya waved her off before turning for the living room.

"Wait for me outside," Adan whispered to Birdie as he turned to follow Maya.

"Fuck off," Birdie raised her middle finger and walked out of the house.

_________________________

"Some more wine, ma'dam?" The waiter asked in his smooth Italian accent.

Birdie looked up as the man's eyes lingered over her silver hair. She could see the way his pulse quickened from the veins on his neck as her eyes lifted and she smiled sweetly.

"Yes," she nodded. "Please."

Setting her glass down, Birdie leaned back in her chair as the waiter began to pour the dark liquid into her nearly empty glass.

"How many glasses have you already had?"

Birdie did not look away from her wine as Adan's voice came from behind her. She smiled at the waiter as the man stepped back and pulled the chair back for the new guest joining the beautiful girl at the table by the balcony.

"This is my first glass," Birdie lied, raising her glass and taking a sip.

"Lies," Adan shook his head from across the table.

Birdie lifted her lashes and watched him over the rimp of her glass. She arched her brow as Adan pulled her legs in between his under the table.

"The tips of your ears get red when you drink more than two glasses of wine," the jinn said.

Birdie suddenly sat up as her hand flew up to her ear, "Shit."

Adan watched as she pulled her hair from behind her ears and shook out her head to cover them.

"It's cute," he laughed.

But Birdie didn't think so. She suddenly understood why the waiter was acting so weird around her...why all the other guests at the restaurant kept stealing glances towards her.

"Are they showing?" She asked, moving her hair over her ears and spreading it out.

"No," Adan shook his head.

"Can we please leave?"

"I just got here."

"I've been waiting for over an hour for you."

"This is not the restaurant I texted you," Adan said.

"I like this one better."

"Then why do you want to leave?"

"Because...." Birdie rolled her eyes and scratched her forehead, forcing herself to not move her hair behind her ears out of habit. Her body tried to sink down into her seat but she cleared her throat and sat up, biting down on all the jittering inside of herself.

"More wine?" Adan asked, picking up the bottle the waiter had left behind.

"You know how I get with more wine," Birdie shook her head.

"I like that Birdie," Adan winked. "She's not so mean....and she likes to touch me a lot."

"Goodness," Birdie rolled her eyes once more and turned away. She couldn't tell if her cheeks were burning up from the wine or from the way Adan's eyes watched her and his legs tightened around hers under the table.

"Did you order?" Adan asked, his eyes locked on Birdie as if his leg wasn't trying to make its way in between her legs.

"No," Birdie took in a deep breath and cleared her throat.

She picked up the menu as her eyes darted to the table cloth. She made sure it was long enough to cover the secrets underneath. The corner of Adan' mouth curved up as he watched Birdie's eyes checking.

"Why so tense?" He asked, his hand suddenly grabbing Birdie's leg under the table and pulling it up on his lap.

"Hm?" Birdie bit down on her bottom lip as the jinn's hand spread over her skin and he began to move his fingers up and down her leg.

"I'm so hungry," Adan gripped Birdie's leg, making her gasp quietly. Adan lifted his lashes and grinned, "For pasta."

"Yeah..." Birdie cleared her throat once more and relaxed her shoulders. "My mouth is just...."

Adan's hand stilled on the menu as he looked up at Birdie through his lashes, waiting for her to continue.

Knowing she had him right where she wanted him, Birdie leaned forward on the table and rested her chin on her wrist.

"My mouth is just so ready...." she said, her voice low and slow. "I can't wait for my lips to part -"

"Are we ready to order?"

Birdie bit down on her bottom lip and leaned back as the waiter smiled down at her.

"Hi again, Matteo," she batted her lashes.

"H-hello, Ma'dam," the waiter, Matteo, smiled.

"What's going to please my lips?" Birdie asked.

"Ma'dam?" Matteo looked flustered.

Adan leaned back in his seat and watched Birdie as she messed with the poor man's heart.

"What's going to please my lips, Matteo?" Birdie asked once more and then pointed to the menu. "I'm famished."

"I recommend the ravioli di ricotta," Matteo couldn't look away from Birdie's eyes. "It's fresh pasta and creamy rico-"

Adan had no idea what the man was saying as all his attention landed on Birdie. The way she batted her lashes and bit down on her bottom lip made some very important muscles in his body grow tense. Adan knew the girl would give the man a heart attack if he didn't step in and stop her.

"Birdie," he tugged on her leg, making her chair scratch against the floor as it moved forward.

"Yes?" Birdie turned towards him innocently as Matteo looked down at the chair.

"I don't like anything on this menu," Adan said.

"Then what menu do you prefer?" Birdie tilted her head.

"The check for the wine please," Adan handed the waiter the menu.

Birdie didn't say anything as Matteo looked at her for a second before walking away.

"What?" Adan asked as he took a sip of her wine.

"Are you jealous?" Birdie asked.

"No," Adan laughed.

"Of course you were."

"I'm a jinn, Birdie," Adan said. "I can't lie, remember?"

Like a dark cloud, Birdie felt a blanket of irritation fall over her mood. The smile from her face dropped as she took back her wine and turned to look over the balcony.

"What?" Adan asked, watching her sudden mood change.

"Nothing," Birdie shrugged. "Let's get the check."

"I asked for the check already," Adan said.

"Of course," Birdie said, sipping her wine. "Of course, you did."

"Was I not supposed to?"

"I'm actually hungry," Birdie looked at him with irritation. "I'm not in the business of having just wine for dinner."

"Okay, jeez," Adan laughed. "Relax."

"I am relaxed," Birdie pulled her leg away.

"Calm down, we'll get you a happy meal or something," Adan teased.

Birdie didn't reply as she finished the rest of her wine and sat staring at the city outside as Matteo arrived with the check and Adan handed over his card.

What do you think of Birdie so far?