Surprise
Avery bounced out of her apartment with a smile on her face. She’d started the week off staring at her apartment thinking she needed a change. She’d had it decorated like that since she’d first moved in two years ago. Now, with a recent raise at work, she thought now was as good a time as any. As she waited for the elevator, Avery pulled on her red and burgundy knitted cap over her long brown hair. When the elevator dinged, she moved forward pressing the lobby button. She hummed along to the music as the elevator started to move.
In the lobby she rushed to open the main door for the older couple that just reached it from the street side. “Morning Mr. and Mrs. Arnold.” she said as she held the door for them. The couple was a cute older couple that had welcomed her when she’d first moved in as their floor neighbor.
“Avery, we told you to call us Kate and Lance.” the woman said with a smile as she and her husband shuffled by. Avery figured they had to be in their late eighties but had never asked.
“Oh, of course. Do you need help?” she asked as she took note of the grocery bags they carried.
Lance chuckled a little, Avery sure he would’ve waved a dismissive hand if he’d had a free one. “Of course not. We’ve got it.” There was the slightest hint of a British accent left to his voice even though he’d lived in New York ever since he’d chased Kate back more than sixty years ago after a summer they’d spent together. Another reason Avery believed they were in their eighties.
“Okay, well, I’ll press the button for you.” she hurried ahead of them before Lance could say anything, smiling as she waited for them to get closer before pressing the up button.
“I’m baking cookies tonight. You’ll be there, won’t you?” Kate asked as they waited for the elevator.
“Mmmm, yes! I love your chocolate chip.” she all but purred out.
“How about five? You can have dinner with us then.”
“Gladly. I’ll see you then.” Avery started back to the main door when the elevator opened for them. She gave a quick wave before hurrying outside and down the street. While planning for her decorating she’d decided she wanted a chest at the foot of her bed to hold her comforters for the end of winter. Luckily enough there was an antique store nearby and after calling she’d been told they had several for her to choose from. And she could have whatever she picked delivered to the apartment.
It was only a ten-minute walk and she found herself in the shop looking at the three chests they had. They were all at least 100 years old and a little on the expensive side. But she finally chose one that had been used as luggage and had the stamps and stickers of all the countries it’d been to still on it.
While walking to the front another chest caught her eye. It wasn’t as big. Probably six inches wide, twelve long and about eight high. It looked slightly newer because of its condition and a little on the plain side. But there was something about it. She hesitated before reaching out and lifted it. Avery carried it with her to the counter. “How much?”
“Fifty-five. But we can’t get it to open.” the clerk said as he frowned at the chest. “It actually just appeared here, I swear. There’s no key in our inventory for it.”
“Oh? Well,” Avery hesitated before shaking her head. “I’ll take it.” she said, realizing after the words had left her. She hesitated before sighing out a little. After paying she filled out the forms to have the larger chest brought to her apartment before leaving with the smaller one tucked under her arm. She still couldn’t decide what she’d do with the thing when it wouldn’t even open.
Once back in her apartment she took a better look at it. It’s brass fittings weren’t even worn with age and there was no lock on it to show why it couldn’t be opened. She grabbed the latch, testing it out. Sure enough it was stuck tight and refused to budge. It must have warped or caught to be unable to open.
Tilting her head as she thought before grinning as she hurried toward her bedroom. She hurried back carrying a canvas tote bag. After digging around for a minute, she pulled out a flat head screwdriver and started to try and pry the lid up. “Come on.” she hissed out as she struggled with it for a minute before pulling away with a huff. “Damn you.” she muttered, glaring before she was digging through her bag again. A hammer was produced next, turning it around so the claws could be used on the crease to try that. After another unsuccessful try she walked away muttering a few choice words. “Maybe it just doesn’t open.” Avery sighed as she filled a teapot and put it on the stove to boil.
Returning to the table she glared at the trunk, hesitating before reaching out to try the latch again. She honestly doubted it’d work. More like wishful thinking really. But when the lid creaked open she let out a growl of frustration. “You stupid piece of sh...” she cut herself off when she saw what was inside. Tucked nicely in the velvet padding sat the most gorgeous piece of metal work she’d ever seen.
If Avery could remember correctly they were called lamps. This one seemed to take up what space was in the chest. It’s lid was held on by a chain from the top to the handle. Beautiful floral like patterning had been engraved into the metal and the handle held a spiral patterned cut to it. She breathed out a little as she reached out, fingers starting to stroke lightly over the metal. She couldn’t believe it was warm to the touch. As her fingers moved over the lamp it seemed to grow warmer. She jerked her hand back with a gasp as smoke started to seep slowly from the spout. As more leaked out it grew faster, starting to form from floor toward ceiling in a spiral effect.
As it burst out and cleared, Avery stopped breathing at the sight that greeted her. A man looking to be in his mid twenties stood before her in a black suit, white shirt showing under it. “Master,” the man said, head bowing as he spoke. “What wishes can I grant for you?” the minute his deep brown eyes connected with her reddish brown ones, Avery’s head began to spin. She did something she’d never done in her twenty-six years of life. She fainted.
The screaming of the teapot jolted Avery awake. She groaned as she grabbed her head. Shifting on the couch she turned into the back and pressed her face into the cushions. When the whistling of the pot stopped she jumped up, staring for a minute before point at the man in her kitchen who’d paused in the middle of pouring the water into mugs. “Who the frack are you and why are you in my apartment!?” she yelled out as she stared a little wide eyed.
One of his brows shot up, taking Avery aback. Who ever thought a move like that could be called sexy. “You want tea correct?”
“I..umm. Uh. S-Sure.” she whispered as she frowned. “Well?” her arms crossed her chest as she stared him down.
“Well what?” he asked as he poured her some tea, dipping the bags a couple times before moving toward her with both mugs in hand.
“Who are you and why are you here.” she snapped out, getting annoyed with him.
“I’m your genie and I’m here because you summoned me.” he said as he held out her ‘Sexy Kitty!’ mug to her.
Avery’s mouth opened and closed a couple times before she was able to squeak out a quiet ‘what’.
He sighed as he set the mugs on her coffee table. “I’m...not actually going to repeat myself. It’s annoying.”
“Alright. You need to take your drugs and go.” Avery started toward the front door, shrieking when the man appeared in front of her with a slight puff of smoke. She turned and shrieked all the way to the kitchen. As she flung herself at the phone she whimpered when her knees connected with the cabinet door.
“Nine-one-one! Nine-one-one! Help!” she yelled as she grabbed the nearest object, the still steaming teapot, and chucked it at the man before grabbing the phone to dial.
Avery cried out when the phone was jerked from her hand. She stared wide eyed at the taller man. He had to be at least six-three which towered over her own five foot three height. She let out a small sound and stepped back and into the counter. “Don’t hurt me.”
He actually rolled his eyes and set the phone aside. “I’m not. It’s impossible for me to injure a master.”
“Riiight.” she breathed out as she stared at him and started to inch away along the counter.
He let out a small sigh. “You want proof of me being a genie right?”
“No, I’d rather you go away.”
“Well, I can’t until you make your wishes. So make them and I’ll disappear.”
“I’d rather not. So you can just go.” she flashed him a nervous smile.
“Look lady, I already told you I can’t go anywhere!”
“Oh god, I’m having a bad dream. I must have fallen down the stairs again. Or hit my head on the coffee table.”
“Wait. Fallen down the stairs again?” There was laughter in his voice as he spoke. “How many times have you done it?”
“None of your damn business.” she snapped out at him. When he started laughing her gaze turned into a full on glare.
“Oh god, that’s priceless.” he said as his laugh turned into a chuckle.
“Oh, go jump off a flagpole, ass.” she hissed out as she reached out and tried to shove him back. She frowned when he didn’t budge, breath catching when she realized how toned he was under his suit.
“You’re not so bad looking yourself.” her hands jerked back at his comment, shooting him another glare.
“Whatever. I was not checking you out. Now , leave already.”
“No can do, Sweet cheeks.”
“What...did you just call me?”
“By the tone of your voice, I think I should say nothing.” he muttered as he took a step back.
“Damn right.”
“Okay, how about I just show you I’m really a genie and get this over with so you can start your wishing.”
“Fine. Have at it.” Avery crossed her arms over her chest and stared as she waited for him to demonstrate.
“Well shucks, I can’t do nothin’ with you starin’ at me like that.”
Avery actually wanted to giggle considering how bad the southern accent sounded with his own accent. It was just horrible. “Just do it.” she said as she bit down on the inside of her cheek.
“I saw that.” he said as he pointed at her before turning toward the counter. He pulled a glass down from the cabinet and set it down on the counter before waving his hand. There was a pop and another puff of smoke. When the smoke cleared a malt shop shake glass replaced hers. Inside it held a strawberry shake with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
Avery’s mouth hit the floor, struggling to breath. “I...believe mortals require to breath.”
She sucked in, starting to pant a little as she turned away. “Oh god.” she managed to get out after a minute. “Dream.” She tried to tell herself.
“Come on.” he muttered, rolling his eyes as he steered her toward the couch. He waved his hand over her tea, warming it before handing it to her. “So, now you know I’m real. What are your wishes?”
“I...don’t know. It’s not exactly something you come prepared for. Can I think about it a little longer?”
Avery watched him frown and look away. “Whatever. You’re my master after all.”
She shifted a little, frowning at her mug. “Um, what’s your name?” she asked before frowning. “And I’d wish you’d.....” she froze and sucked in her breath, peeking up at him.
He raised a brow, laughing and sitting on the coffee table. “What? What do you wish?” he asked with a small smirk.
“Nothing.” she said with a frown. “Your name?”
He let out a small snort and dropped his shoulders. “Don’t know. It’s been so long since it was last used I forgot it.”
“Well, I can’t call you Genie or Slave.” she said with a frown.
“Why? Everyone else did.”
“Because it’s wrong. So, I’ll call you George until you remember.” she said with a smile.
“George. Really?” he said as he frowned at her. Avery could’ve sworn it was a glare she saw in his eyes.
“Yes. You didn’t suggest anything and I need something to call you.”
“Whatever.” he said as he stood.
“Avery.” she said with a smile. “You can call me Avery.” she said with a small nod.
“Avery.” he said as if testing it before he gave a bow. “As you wish.”
“I didn’t wish it and don’t do that. It makes me nervous.” she turned away and sipped at her tea as he let out another of his deep throated chuckles. “Jerk.” she muttered and shot him a glare when it turned into a laugh.
“You’re a raging ball of fire under that innocent exterior.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You could always wish me away.” he said, grinning as he moved to lean over the back of the couch and toward her.
Avery leaned back, blinking at him before she jumped up. “No. I have a feeling I should think my wishes through thoroughly before I dare speak them aloud.” she said as she eyed him. After she was sure he wasn’t going to move she grabbed his untouched mug and hurried to the kitchen. “How long have you been trapped?” she asked as she peeked over at him.
“I’m 3068 years old. I believe 1996 was the last time someone called on me.
“Holy ....Um. Wow. You’re so...old.” she smiled as he let out a small laugh. “I thought you could only be called every 100 years after each master?”
He raised a brow at her. “You know about genies and yet you freaked and refused to believe I was one?”
“Only a little. From what I’ve read in books and seen in movies. And it’s not the same as reading about your kind.”
“I see. Well, that was something we made up to give ourselves a break between masters. It also keeps them from handing us off to someone they can control after their three wishes and then getting us right back again.”
“Oh, I see. Wait. Us?” she asked as she paused in washing out the mugs.
“Yes. You didn’t think I was the only one did you?” he’d moved to pick up the teapot, waving his hand at the wet spot it’d caused in the carpet. When it disappeared he brought the pot to her.
“Well, no. I guess not.” she frowned as she took the pot from him. “How’d you become a genie?” Avery paused at the look he gave her, shifting when he looked away. “Oh, never mind. You don’t have to say. It’s personal right?”
“I wished for it?”
“What? You can do that?”
“Yes. I thought it would....Well, I thought I would be all powerful. I mean, I am. But I’m a slave to the lamp. To the person who calls me. We don’t have control over anything.”
“Oh.” she whispered as she took the pot from him. “I’m sorry.”
“What for? It’s not your fault. I got greedy with my wishes just like every other dipshit who’s called me over the years.”
“So it is true. About there being consequences to every wish.”
“Damn right princess. You’re the first person to realize that and actually think about your wishes. Just don’t let them get to your head. There’s always something that happens badly after a wish.”
“Should you really be warning me?” she asked with a frown.
“No, but I can tell you’re smarter than the other yahoo’s who’ve been called master.”
“Thanks. I think.” she said as she turned back to the sink.
“Just don’t take too long with them.”
“Why? Missing your lamp already?” she asked as she shot him a smile over her shoulder.
“Something like that.”
“Well, I’m having dinner at my neighbors tonight. Want to come?”
He seemed taken aback by her question, but gave a hesitant nod anyway. It was the first time he’d been invited to something since he’d become a genie. Even the two masters he’d considered good had only really called on him when they wanted
