The sun had already shone above the tree tops, the huge rays catching the high gables and towers of the big house. Flinches were outside the windows busily chirping tunes only they knew. He lay prone on the bed happily observing the two birds. Days had passed after the night party and something had changed in Ethan. That night, was a night that made a blush creep up his cheek. It was a memory he held dearly. Child jumps on the bed beside him and he grins,
"You look happy, since that day, can you tell me more about what little Sammy did to you to make you blush." He says suppressing a laughter.
"Ooh, he's still happy about that night, y'all missed on how he blushed till he turned red. Just like a tomato." Gurdian says his grin widening.
"Just shut up, you guys really don't get it, that night I eloped with Samantha, we ran across the vineyard, then crossed a small river. We ended up landing in a forest full of chestnut trees. Yeah, we sat under one of the trees. Alone, then Samantha pulled her dress up to untie the white, crystal heels that were strapped around her ankles. I couldn't stop myself so, I f**king reached out and my fingers touched the delicate flesh of her leg. Oh! Oh! I think I went insane, it was so soft, so flawless, so smooth. Damn. Her skin was like melted butter! We sat in silence as though our thoughts were one. " Ethan completes and a huge smile appears on his face. Analyst looks at him, somewhat worried.
" Then, do you know what happened next, Ethan asked Sammy, " where did you get the diamond dress from?". Gurdian says happily.
" My mama, she had knitted it, saying one day I will have a stage and shine on. " Gurdian adds impressed." Do you wanna know, what happened next, ahh." He chirps some more.
"This is just too cute, I think am getting a nose bleed!" Child says sarcastically, " then what's more."
"He looked at her so damn softly, then he said, " You look like an angel, "that killed me. Like seriously! " Gurdian says and they all burst out laughing at how he holds his heart.
" She did blush, more than fifty shades of red, it was sweet to see that color on her face. A gentle wind blew and when she shivered, rubbing her hands along her arms, do you know what Ethan said... Do you wanna know?" Gurdian says cheekily winking at Ethan.
" What happened seriously, Ethan, because it seems like Gurdian is never going to finish this narration. " Analyst says impatiently.
" Chill dude, what's the fun in just rambling about a long boring story without suspense." Gurdian admonishes. " Ethan said, " your seriously shivering, I don't want you falling ill." "Awww that was so sweet that if I was Samantha I would fall head over heels with such a gentleman. But that's not all, do u wanna know what Sammy said? Nah, Nah, Child, Analyst, do you wanna know?" He jokes.
"If you don't wanna spill the beans then am out." Analyst says annoyed.
"Fine bro, fine, I always forget how short tempered you are." " Samantha said, you'll be cold too so why don't we just share if you don't mind." I think that's when Ethan's mind exploded like a bom ' boom! boom! Rataratataaa!' " Gurdian says and Child bursts out laughing.
"Just stop it, stop it honestly, are you writing a romance comic, perhaps a romantic novel." Child says in between laughter.
" I think a good name for the novel should be,' Ethan's romance or maybe, I will fall for you more- Gurdian cuts off Analyst and adds, " no it should be something like, Just how much I love you, Am obsessed with you, Ethan's life line, You belong to me... They all burst out laughing before Gurdian continues,
" So Ethan gently patted a stop in between his legs, like (in - between - his - legs), Sammy made herself comfortable and he draped the coat around both of them, they were like a real couple!!"
"There is still more, like geez there is still more Ethan just how far did you go??" Analyst asks curiously.
"Pause, just pause, let's breath in coz you guys are killin' me. Is Gurdian exaggerating or this is what happened, then why the stress in 'in - between - his - legs' like what happened in between his legs?? What are you really referring to? " Child asks confused and they simply laugh at him.
" Let's proceed, Samantha shouted, " Look! Look! A shooting star, she giggled like a child and it was so adorable, in the sweet shallowness and uniformed self-interest of delightful immaturity, guess what happened?... " Gurdian asks child and Analyst.
" Don't tell me, sh** she closed her eyes and made a wish. " Analyst concluded and they all held their hearts as though they were in that moment with Ethan.
" I think I wanted to cry but still that's not all, Ethan asked," What did you wish for? " Do you know what Sammy did? Who wants to know? "
" Can you stop pausing am dying of cuteness." Child says sheepishly.
"If I tell you it won't be a wish anymore." Samantha had said, while sticking her tongue out, just imagine the level of cuteness on her face. Moreover, Ethan laughed, a rich, velvety that rumbled through his body. " Gurdian says and they all fall silent looking at Ethan.
"Ethan Duke Masters laughed?? I think am dying of a heart attack tonight. You seriously laughed." Analyst asked still shocked by the revelation.
"Your too shocked while I was left speechless but that's not all, this is what happened next, " What did you wish for? "Sammy asked. Do you know what Ethan said," I didn't wish for anything, all I need is right here with me. " Gurdian says and they all clasp their heads and their hearts.
" I didn't think Ethan was this romantic, like he is too romantic, that's why women are on their knees." Analyst says pridefully.
" It doesn't end there, for Sammy said, " I wished for you to never leave me behind. " Gurdian concludes his story and they all exhale. That party night, Ethan's brown irises met with Samantha's silver irises, his hand instinctively moved to tuck the silky strands of her auburn hair, her breath was warm and shallow. He could see how long her lashes were, how delicate her face was. A dreamy expression had occupied her eyes; temptation overcome, it grew greater he couldn't resist it. Those peachy pink lips, a feathery touch that ignited sparks in his heart. So relaxing, it seemed to melt, to flow into him as if she were some infinitely warm and precious suffusion filling into his veins, like an intoxicant. Her arms were around his neck, he had kissed her and held her perfectly suspended, she was all slack and flowing into him and he was the firm strong cup that received the wine of her life. She lay cast upon him, stranded, lifted up against him, melting and melting under his kisses, melting into his limbs and bones, as if he were soft iron becoming surcharged with her electric life. As he lay in bed this morning, reminiscing the flower-like face, a lingering kiss that sill creates a thrilling wonder, not an ounce of guilt could fill his conscience. The only thought that filled his mind was he was the judge that would sentence Samantha Alec Merlin to obsession the way he was obsessed with her!
*. *. *. *.
Natalie Alec Merlin looked around her surroundings, no one had followed her, no one was watching her. Her head was covered in a black scarf although some strands of platinum - blonde peeked through the back. Behind the black glasses her eyes were hidden out of anyone's view. A black dress, with a floral design, fishnet type leggings and a black leather bag. Her hands could not be seen for she had covered them with black satin gloves. She had a shade of dark red lipstick, matching with scarlet red stiletto heels. Her hips moved attractively as she went down the streets while her heels clicked down the pavement as her steps became hurried. She was certain that no one was following her before taking a left turn in the dark alley, passing through an arcane and making another left turn. There was a small pub in the corner and there stood a man; tall in stance, deep dark dreadlocks hanging low on his shoulders and pretty much bulged in muscles. A loose fitting shirt and his jeans hanging low. He had a beaked nose with a curly tickly mustache on his chin. Natalie paused and removed her wallet, handing him some few dollar bills with a card written 'benzene', he smiled before letting her in. Jeremy Malcom De 'veers look was guarded still alert in every movement. She surveyed the pub and spotted him in the dark, crumpled corner of a booth. The music was too loud, the air too stuffy with a mixture of shisha, Marijuana and cigarettes. He was sipping a short glass of Jack Daniel's before she slipped into the booth and sat next to him. He was dressed in combat trousers, probably with a loose fitting black shirt and a baseball cape to hid his hair.
"Why did you pick this spot today, it creeps me out." She snaps at him, however, he pulls her in for a deep kiss before releasing her. Natalie thought the taste he left behind was whiskey with a mix of cigarettes and medicine.
"I missed you Natalie, can we not be together in public, I mean Richard already f**nk died, it's been so many years, babe." He says in a German accent, grabbing her and sniffing her neck, "you smell so f**kn good babe." He slurs while trailing kisses down her neck, going towards her shoulders.
Natalie pushes him aside before looking into his green eyes, "am sorry but we can't be together in public yet, honey, yes it's been years but still, the society still has prejudice, then lets not talk about that, I came to see you, I missed you too."
"Let's go to my pent house." Jeremy says pushing his tongue into her mouth.
*. *. *. *.
The holidays were over and it was time for the schools to resume. Every student was catching up with how their holidays were. Others were still hangover from the break, some were already dozing off but the school library was always quiet. With very few students using this room, that's why he appreciated sitting here. Ethan sat staring at his book, stuck at the same chapter for over an hour. His thoughts were directed to Samantha, simply because she was finally going to be in the same school with him. Mark who sat beside him thought there was something different about this bachelor. He was somewhat in this bubble of sweet and charming. Mark stared at him intently, there was this smile he never had on his face. As he sat sprawled on the chair, absolutely in his own world. They had known each other since their childhood, Ethan was a chill guy, who spoke less or spoke more when needed. Even though his presence occupied the room it was rare to hear his voice. He was egoistic, possessive, prideful and most of all Machiavellian. Nothing occupied his attention unless he was interested. Ethan Duke Masters had this resolve, a resolve that didn't flatter or break. Mark was envious of his resolve, a 'resolve ' that made him untouchable and unhinged. He ignored everything and everyone ;engaging and disengaging. Keeping friends far and enemies closer. Making new friends yet treating them like strangers. Sometimes, Mark felt as though he knew he so well, only to find out he doesn't at all. At first he thought that when Ethan saw Grace, finally he'd stop having that kind of look and that so called attitude. However, the girl only made his ego bigger, his resolve worthwhile, only emphasizing on how heartless he can be.. The girls existence was illegal, a sin in itself.
" Ethan, what do you think about Grace? " Mark asks curiously.
He smiles and looks at him, " She is beautiful, absolutely stunning, completely compelling, any man would fall for her, if she had boys as siblings, they would sin by now. Unfortunately , I am not any man Mark Mathews Merlin." He responds casually, with lofty unconcern. Mark still couldn't understand Ethan's words.
" Why do you phrase it as though 'you are not any man'? " Mark was more curious, Grace had everything any man could ask for in a woman, so why did Ethan had a very repulsive view on Grace?
"She's too simple, a typical woman, without any spotlight to shine on she's nothing. Every man will simply love her at first sight, because they really don't understand that without them Grace becomes an ordinary woman. If I were to put it in simple terms, I want a woman who people will look at, yet they can't touch, reach, possess, claim or take because she is also obsessed with me. " His tone was smooth, rather gentle and sweet. Mark realized just how spineless Ethan was, he was blunt yet sarcastic. In school he had seen just how he entertained other girls only to get a reaction from Grace, he pushed her buttons, just to see how far she would go - this utterly entertained him. Mark knew that Ethan wanted to be in control of everything, it was as though, he was the queen of the chess, while Grace, Miranda and every other women were sacrificial pawns, pawns in the choreographed game he enjoyed. Tormenting others just to spawn his excitement and entertainment. Mark knew Ethan was evil, perhaps hiding secrets worse than death or torture. From the fact that he knew Grace was in love with him, yet he just wanted to make it a game, were he controlled the pieces and moved them as he desired. Ethan was ruthless and one fact Mark was sure of is the fact that : this boy only manipulates people's feelings, just for experimentation.
" Ethan, how about Miranda, how do you view her?" He asked not knowing it would be far worse than Ethan's perspective on Grace.
" Oh that girl.!" He says uninterested, " Miranda is just like Grace, they can be classified as fish on the same boat but there is only one difference. " He smiles cutely.
" What makes that small difference?" Mark asks interested in Ethan's intelligence and smartness.
" It's quite simple really, take this example: As a boyfriend friend you can do all sorts of things to keep your girlfriend with you forever isn't it? For Miranda, it works the same, Miranda Mathews Merlin, I like her, pretty much to the point it disgusts me. She has this pride that she must never come first, she can only come second in order for Grace to be first. There is no day in her entire lifetime can there be two people on the first position, so that one friend has to take second and Miranda is that second place. She is either with her or against her, her pride is that pride that is only sparked by Grace's presence, her pride hides the stems or jealousy and hate do you get why she disgusts me?" Ethan says carrying this cruel look that sent chills down his spine, this boy was a monster he had never met. It made him wonder what he thought about him, Rafael, Deib and Arthur. His pretense, sarcasm, his actions were top tier. This was a prodigy of something far worse than human! They were best friends yet somewhere in between Mark was terrified of Ethan Duke Masters.