Hidden

Pains

Tom lay on his bed with his eyes blankly on the ceiling. He had been on bed for thirty minutes. Isabella said she was on her way and this was something he detested. He could hear the music blaring as the celebration went on. He had attended briefly and she whispered to him to come and wait for her. He was tired and sick of this and something had to be done. On  that day he had gone to see Rose at their usual spot and did not see her only to see Isabella following him. He could not express how shocked, angry and scared he had been at that moment. He was scared about her finding out about Rose or Rose finding out about his clandestine relationship with Isabella. He felt like a play boy, toying with the hearts of two ladies but deep down, he felt his conscience exonerating him.

He was with Isabella basically for security and welfare and later it transformed to lust but the lust vanished since the day he fell in love with Rose and each time he was with Isabella on bed, he felt as if he was being r***d. He would imagine it was Rose he was making love to. He was also trying to protect Rose and her family because if Isabella got suspicious, she may not hesitate to throw them out and that was just the mildest reaction she could express. She may do anything to clear Rose off the way and that meant taking her life. The fact had been established that Isabella could kill anyone coming between her and him.

At that moment he saw Isabella riding towards him, his major prayer was for Rose not to appear. He did not want to hurt her or lose her trust and was going to happen so immediately Isabella came over, and started kissing him, he knew she would not mind having s*x with him there so he asked them to leave the place. Unknown to him, Rose was watching everything.

As they rode away, he wondered how long Rose would come and wait for him there. This hurt him so much and he could not hide his worries.

He still gave Isabella the impression that he was still scared of Wellington and was not free. She still asked him not to bother but he reminded her of the close shave they had when Wellington came to the cabin as they were having s*x.

Isabella did not let him go until they spent a lot of time in their farm love nest and he knew there was no way he could go back to Rosa on that day.

The next day which he hoped he was going to see her at the factory was futile because he was sent on an assignment and came back in the afternoon so he went to the spot as usual but did not see her. She never came and he was tempted to go over to her house but declined. He did not want people to know about their relationship because this might get to Isabella.

It was the next day he saw her at the factory but they usually did not talk about personal issues there so he went to the spot again in the evening but she did not come. He waited for two hours without seeing her.

The next day, he did not see her at the factory so he used his position as an excuse to ask after her officially. Her mother said she had stopped coming because she worked there no more.

Tom could not understand this. He asked why and she said Wellington was at their house and gave them new offers so rose was going to start working as a cook.

Wellington?

Why would he do such a thing without notifying them? And Rose never told him. What was going on? There was something fishy about this. He remembered how Wellington had reacted the day he saw Rose, and now Rita and her husband have been missing for days.

Was he trying to get Rose closer to himself? That would not surprise him but the fact that Rose never told him worried him. Was she lured by Wellington’s money and power? Did she stop seeing him because Wellington went to their house?

“Is it just her or all of you?” Tom asked the mother.

“I thought you were aware. It’s her and Abel.”

“Has she resumed?”

“She would resume today. I hope she would be done packing by now.”

“Packing?”

“Yes, I meant her clothes. She will be living there and come for weekends.”

There was no doubt this was fishy. Tom had mounted a horse and rode directly to their house. He met Abel and Marcus but rose was absent.

It was then he was told how Wellington paid them a visit, and the kinds of gifts he brought. Marcus told him everything and Tom was now sure that Wellington was up to something.

“Did you and Rose have a fight?” Marcus had asked as they were alone.

Tom gave him an astonishing look.

“I know you two keep it secret and she tells no one who she sees but I know it’s you.” He chuckled. “I see how she acts when your name is mentioned but….the day Sir Wellington came; she went out in the evening, came back earlier than normal and ran inside her room crying. I asked her what was going on but she said it was nothing and wanted to be alone. Rose could be secretive and stubborn so I let her alone. It was the that day she accepted.”

“Accepted what?”

“The job offer. She declined at first and said she would think about it. But after she went out and came back, she said she would take the job. Father was angry that she was turning down a wage of two thousand pounds. You know father loves money so much.” He chuckled. “He is called Stephen Goldcoin In our town.” He giggled.

“When exactly did Sir Wellington come?”

“On Sunday. We just came back from church and were having lunch when he showed up. We are now rich. I wish we could go back to our town this rich. My friends used to look condescendingly on us. I should have looked them in the face and say, see us now?”

On Sunday!

That was the day Isabella had followed him to the farm. She came and went back crying and accepted the job afterwards.

It all added up. She did not accept the offer for his sake, and wanted to come and tell him but saw her and Isabella.

She saw them!

Oh my God!

She was broken and ran back crying and accepted the job. That explained a lot. Tom had ridden back home and that was about the time Gaius sent for Tobias.

*****  

Tobias was very slim, tall and had a very long neck. His eyes were hollow and had prominent cheekbones and thick lips which sat under long hooked nose. He stood before a mirror, checked his new clothes which he was planning to wear on Christmas day which was just a few days away. He had to wear it after he saw Rose and was told that she was coming to work in the house. He knew sooner or later, he would be sent for as the one to show her round, take her to her bunk and tell her rules of the house.

He had never seen a girl like in the house and there was something different about her. Was this love at first sight? He never asked any girl out in the house but not this time. He was going to be with her.

He carried his diary and wrote: On this day, 15th day of December, 1526 I met my future wife; I had to wear my Christmas clothes before the date. Funny but it is worth it.

He opened the door of the room he shared with two other servants and came out, walking with about 30 degrees turn; left and right which he felt was the most majestic steps in the world. He had seen a famous drama star walk like that he practiced it, hoping to use it one day.

He saw Gaius and Rose standing.

“Tobias, Master asks me to present to you, Miss Rose Stephen, the new Chief cook and her quarters is Red Block Bungalow.

Red Block Bungalow?

That was one of the luxurious buildings which was used to host some of Wellington’s friends. Who was she? She was just a cook.

Tobias smiled, then dramatically waved his hand, touched his chest and bowed. Gaius smiled at her and left.

“I am Manager Tobias Masaya. A product of a warrior father from Murantas and an sss mother from Dransvalle. You are highly, serenely welcome to the castle of Sir Wellington. As a new employee, it is my duty, and a privilege to have me officially cap your employment protocols by carrying out the final and most important stages. In my capacity as the chief induction officer, and employment manager of the castle of Sir Wellington the first and last, I will show you round but firstly, I will take you to your bunk..sorry your bungalow and then your place of work. After that, I will read out the rules of the house as monitored by me…..”

While he talked, none of them saw Farmon, one of the guards who had seen Rose and fallen for her. He knew Tobias may take advantage his position so he had to act fast.

He appeared suddenly, wearing a very stern face, his hand on the edge of his sword and stopped with a pose.

“Good day Tobias. Did any intruder pass by here?”

Tobias knew he was here for the girl.

“Do not be incompetent, Farmon. If we saw any intruder, I would have had him caught myself before calling you any guard. I may not be a soldier here but I am the son of a Murantas warrior and you all know my mother.”

Farmon smirked.

“Yes we know your mother. She made a name when she saved caught a ten year old that was sent to poison the Duke.”

“She was an amazon.”

“No one disputes that but you act like she was a warrior...”

“No intruder passed by and I am in the middle of an important assignment.”

Rose found the scene childish and funny, pressing the urge to laugh.

“I am special soldier Farmon miss. You are welcome. I may have to tell you about the security measures later.”

“Can you just show me my place of work and my room, please?” She said to Tobias. “I don’t need any of these long sermons.

Tobias smiled.

She is taciturn but they always start like that. Sooner or later she would fall for him. In fact, she only acted like this because of Farmon.

It was at that point Tom appeared.

“Rose.” He called and she turned to look at him.

“Master Timothy.” She said.

“I need to speak with you for a moment.”

She looked at him and shook her head.

‘I don’t think we have anything to talk about.” She said and smiled at Tobias. Tobias nearly melted. That smile could only mean one thing: love.

She ignored Farmon, snubbed Tim but smiled at him. This was going into his diary: the first smile my Rose gave to me.

*****

 Tom was still on his bed, recollecting all of these and the subsequent events. He tried to get her talk to him but she refused until a day before Christmas when she said, “I am not angry with you. I have forgiven you for coming to toil with my heart. If there is anything I have always guided and guarded, it my heart and you were the first person I gave it to and you did not break it but shattered it. I am still hurt beyond imagination but not angry with you. If anger can come into this, then I should be angry with myself for letting you into my heart within such a short period of time. I loved you like I never loved any soul. You lied to me. You are into a relationship with Madam, your cousin and your master’s wife. You are not trustworthy and you disgust me. Please leave me alone. You have done enough damage already and there is no need to exacerbate it. I wonder what you have to tell me, Tim.”

“Please just listen to me.”

They were in front of her bungalow.

“What do you want to say?”

“I just need you to forgive me…”

“I said that already. I need to wake up early for Christmas food preparation so I need to go and rest.”

“It’s not what you think. I swear I love you and there is nothing I love like you. I know what you saw but it’s not like you saw it.”

She giggled.

“Funny.”

“I am a lost soul. I fell into her hands when I had no food to eat or where to sleep. I did not even know who I was and she is not my cousin…”

He gave her a briefing on how they met and what led to their a******y but skipped details. He did not tell her that he came from another world and was here on a mission.

“From the time I fell in love with you, I tried to avoid her but my situation is complex. That is the reason I kept our relationship a secret. She is obsessed with me and could send you guys away if she knew I was in love with you…”

“You have said it all and I think there is nothing more to say. You and I can’t be together and that is the fact. I don’t want to be with you again.”

“I am afraid Wellington has bad motives.”

“That is none of your business. I was not forced here. I came because I wanted to. Good night and I think it all ends here. If you have any issue concerning food, you can talk to me but remember, I don’t work for you now so you can tell your mistress to talk to me. Goodnight.”

She went inside and locked the door. As he left, he saw Wellington coming so he hid behind a tree. He saw him knock at her door, she opened it and he went inside and closed the door behind him.

This was the worst sight Tom ever saw and his most painful moment. She was now dating Wellington!

He was tempted to go and knock and shout at them but calmed down. He left dejected and could not sleep that night no eat. He saw Wellington pass by same time the next day she came back from Christmas break and the third time, he could not resist trailing him. He knew he was going to witness what would hurt him but he could not stop himself. He hid in the darkness and saw Wellington knocking at the door. He knocked for over ten minutes but she did not open the door.

“Open this door Rose.”

She opened the door and quickly came outside and stood . Wellington was astonished.

‘We should go inside.”

She shook her head.

“I told you sire that I can’t sleep with you. Is this why you employed me?”

“No my love. I love you.”

“But I don’t love you.”

“No woman has ever rejected me. I am Wellington…”

“I am concerned with who you are. I am not a w***e and if you come to me again, I will leave this house. Please sire, I respect you and you should keep that respect. Money and power can’t buy respect and love. Respect can only be earned.”

Wellington had been so shocked. No woman ever spoke to him like that. He had never even condescended to sleep with any of his servants but here was this girl, who should have been glad to have him come to her, talking to him like a piece of s**t.

Wellington had said nothing, turned at walked away. She stood still for a while even after he left while Tom watched the scene with a big relief.

He was about going back when he found himself walking towards her. She was now going back to the room when she heard steps and turned swiftly with band in her heart.

She recognized Tom.

“Tim?”

Tom said nothing but kept walking to her. She wanted to run inside and lock the door but she could not move. He came to her, still said no word and they stared at each other.

Tears rolled down her eyes and he close the gap between them and hugged her.

At first, she resisted but she could not deny the fact that she felt so secured with him. She hated herself for this weakness but could she fight it?

Love was powerful.

“I am sorry my Rose.”

He kissed her and she reciprocated. They kissed for a while before he used his hand to wipe off her tears. He held her hand and they went inside before she locked the door.

Tobias who was watching from a far distance bit his lips. He had been watching Wellington come to her because he was constantly stalking her since she warned him to clear off her way. He was glad she rejected Wellington but what he saw now broke his heart.

But he was not the only one who saw this. Wellington who she thought had gone stopped when he heard voices and came back.

What?

He saw them kissing and went inside. He wanted to leave but could not. What was going on? He snuck back to the bungalow. He felt ashamed doing this but what could love not do?

He moved silently to the back window and confirmed his greatest fear.

He heard her moaning as they made love for the first time.

Wellington was mad. He felt like going to bang at the door and chase them away but hesitated. That could be scandalous and she may expose him. He had to play it cool, in his own way but he knew she could not go free of him.

The way she moaned! He could feel himself getting so hard and horny. He swore to get her at all cost. That would be tomorrow after the anniversary!

He would kidnap her, put her in a dungeon and turn her to his s*x slave for life. That was what she deserved. He had wanted to treat her with respect, pave way for her to make money but she destroyed her chances.

He walked away with one of the worst humiliations he had ever faced. He will send for Drood, the head of his secret killer squad first thing in the morning. As he walked away, the hatred for Tom precipitated with a passion. He would deprive him of her. He knew there was something about that boy he did not like. He was just putting up with him for Isabella’s sake. Imagine the i***t coming to give slaves more conducive working conditions and raising the cost of production for no just cause. Whips and punishment could improve productivity of slaves. That was not the main reason he disliked him but he just felt something about Tom that disturbed him even though he could not figure it out.

Now that he saw him making love to the girl that he craved for made him detest him the more. He still could not believe any girl could talk to him like that. She humiliated him, rejected him only to allow Tom come to her. This showed that they were secret lovers. Okay, the first way to punish Tom was taking her away from him for the rest of his life. He closed his eyes and imagined Tom with her. That hurt!

Now  Tom was on the bed waiting for Isabella. His love affair with Rose was back and stronger and she understood his situation. She even confessed that she noticed his expression as she came and it was obvious he was just been force but the shock and jealousy took hold of her.

Isabella came in and locked the door. She was elegantly dressed and Tom wondered how she had the heart to leave the party ground and sneak to him.

It was their tenth wedding anniversary and they had a lot of guests. It was also the night Wellington planned to kidnap Rose.

“It is your anniversary.” Tom said. “Can’t we skip today?”

She smiled, pulling off her clothes.

“Can’t you see that it is a special day? Such things make it sweet my love. Having s*x with your loved one on your wedding day, anniversary day, on your husband bed, while he is sleeping and you are with your loved one in the same house…adventures  my love.”

Ten minutes later, she was moaning and this time, she lost control and was screaming too loud.

“Isabella.” She heard Wellington’s voice as he stood before the inner door, with his thin vicious eyes on them.

******