Flores Vitae: The Flower of Life

Chapter 9: Am I a Prisoner?

Matthias

I was and am a very patient man. When you know you will live forever, there is very little reason to hurry anything. But the slow progress with Rose was driving me insane. I was cocky enough to believe that she would easily and automatically succumb to my charms like any other woman. That once I explained that we were destined for each other, that she would let go of all reservations, and we would be planning our wedding. But Rose was not like any other woman. She was cautious about everything, and she observed everything silently. She could go all day without saying a word, and then flatten me with a sharp question.

So it was as she sat stirring her tea in the morning. She looked at me across the table with those deep, brown eyes, and asked me directly, "Am I a prisoner here?"

"Absolutely not, Rose." I answered dismissively, but her question caused me anxiety.

"Are you sure?" She leaned forward across the table, accidentally giving me a perfect view down the front of her shirt to her ample bosom. "Because since I came here, you have never once mentioned my leaving. There are guards outside my door twenty-four seven. Someone follows me everywhere, and I am never alone."

"The only thing I want, Rose, is to ensure your safety. You have little understanding of how much danger you are in if you step outside these walls. I must protect you."

"Right." That flush of anger was blooming high across her cheekbones. "You want to protect me so that I will have your baby." Her voice dropped a dangerous octave. "What if I don't want to have your baby, Matthias Black? What if I don't want to stay in your castle?"

I leaned closer to her, so that we were nearly nose to nose across the table. I couldn't help myself, the scent of her arousal', even in anger was pulling me in. "I will never force you to do anything against your will, Rose DeIglesia. I asked for your consent before I brought you here, and you can leave any time you choose. I am sorry that I have even mentioned to you the possibility of a child, because now you think that is my only motivation." I reached across the table and took her hand, though she was stiff and resistant. "But before I let you leave, Rose, I will get down on my knees, if necessary, and beg you to stay. Outside of these walls, I can not protect you. I would try, so help me God. I will never stop trying. I have been searching my whole life to find you Rose." I searched deep within her brown eyes. "Please do not leave me, Rose."

The strangest expression crossed her face. She was thinking thoughts and feeling emotions that I could not identify. The hand which I held trembled involuntarily, and her brow wrinkled up. When she took her next breath in, it hitched in her chest. "That's too intense, Mr. Black. You don't even know me."

I reached across the table and brushed a lock of her hair out of her face, stroking her cheek as I did so. "I've known you your whole life Rose."

She pulled her hand away from me and sat back, and for once, her eyes avoided me. She looked down at her plate. "I can't just stay here forever in Never-Never land, eating your food and wearing your clothes." She said sharply. "I need a job."

My mouth fell open. After 2000 years, you would think that there wasn't much left in the world that could surprise me, but my Rose was a never ending source of amazement. "My dear... I do not mean to boast, but I am a very wealthy man. Everything which I own is at your disposal. You have no need to work."

She raised her chin. She was so proud, it was adorable. "Yes I do have need. I need to be independent. I need to have my own money."

There was fear in her eyes, fear and worry. I felt there was something more here that she wasn't saying... it wasn't really about money, was it? I studied her eyes, wishing I could see her thoughts.  She was afraid that she would get dependent upon me, she was afraid that she would get comfortable here, and then I would make her leave... the way she'd been pushed out and moved on her whole life. Oh my dear Rose, how will I convince you? How will I earn your trust?

"In that case, my dear, I think you should focus on your art work."

"My what?"

"I have a friend with a gallery in New York. I showed him a photo of your drawing of Charlie. He is quite interested to see more of your work, perhaps put together a small collection as part of his new artist show in a few months."

Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?"

"Almost always, Rose. You have a unique talent. Now you have an opportunity to explore it, without being constrained by worries of paying bills or making the rent."

She was chewing her bottom lip the way she did when she was troubled and deep in thought. Her hands, which always needed to be touching something, were tracing the spoon beside her cup. I watched her delicate finger tips and wondered when they would touch me like that. When would they explore my body with that sensitive touch. "Yeah, okay. I guess I could try that."