Rose's Thorns

Compensation

The day had started beautifully, the sky looking bluer and Marina brighter, even the swelling on her eye had gone down a lot and the pain was almost insignificant.

She sang as she took her bath and wore a flowery gown she had found in the wardrobe, the guard had told her she could use the clothes in there. It was obvious it had not been specially bought for her seeing how big the were but they were clean and comfortable which is all that matters.

She smiled to herself as she ran her fingers through her hair disentangling them.

Who knew all she needed to chase her nightmares was a cold night air and a beautiful sight ?

Oh she couldn't wait for the night to come, she would plead to go out again to catch sight of her own personal dream catcher. The thought of it made her so excited.

Soon, a knock came on the door and without waiting for another, she ran to get the door. It wouldn't do her any good to be on his bad side.

"Here." He said handing her a flask, she thought of returning the other one to him but she dismissed the thought.

What if he saw it as disrespectful?

But it's unhygienic to keep it.

If only she had some liquid soap, she wouldn't even need a sponge.

"Sir the other flask, what do I do with it?" She asked unable to stop herself.

He eyed her for a while before he grunted.

"Go get it."

She smiled at that and rushed inside to get it but the faces she saw once she returned wiped the smile of her face and dampened the joy in her heart.

Who is this?

There was a black car packed in front of the room, and a man had just stepped out. The streaks of grey on his hair and the slight wrinkles on his forehead indicated he was probably in his sixties yet that was not the striking thing about him.

He didn't have to say anything for her to cower, he was radiating disgust for her, his face in a tight frown. As he walked, two hefty guards behind him the other guards greeted him respectfully.

She didn't need to be told, this is David Orson, Judge Orson's father. Apart from hearing his name multiple times on TV, on the streets and on the papers, his son was a softer version of him.

While the son made people bow to him, the father made people tremble in fear, while the son held a bewitching beauty and stormy eyes, the father could be best described as a graceful ruthless villain with black eyes.

Why is he here?

He obviously wouldn't come all the way simply to say hello.

"You must be Marina," he stated, his eyes raking her from head to toe.

If only she could deny it....

"I am." She managed to say, her voice surprisingly stable.

"Just Marina?" He asked and the mockery in his voice was everything evident to anybody that cared to listen.

"Yes sir." She replied, clenching her fist.

The smirk on his face told her everything he didn't say. She was nothing, a child of the street, worthless, an error, all of the insults she had heard before and even more.

"You should know, my son is off limits. I dont wish to have to deal with the likes of you but if you force me to..." He paused and looked at her, made sure she understood his unspoken words then he added by

"Have a good day."

Said the man that robbed her of the smile she had newly acquired, said the man that pointed out her lack of parents so casually, said the man that had just treated her worse than the dirt below his shoes, said the man that she could not even get angry at because just like he had pointed out, she is worthless.

Slowly, she went back to her room, her excitement now replaced with hurt she refused to allow herself feel. He wasn't worth her pain, so she would not elevate him by feeling it.

Choosing to stay nonchalant, she switched on the television, raising the volume to the highest she could afford, letting the noise drown whatever remained of her feelings.

*******

Theodore had not said anything since his proclamation of wanting to take a bath, he had done exactly that, ate his breakfast and went back to his study just like every other day, so every other person thought it was normal except Ellis.

It was difficult to read his emotions because of how good he was at remaining nonchalant but Ellis had known him for 20 years. He knew what could make him angry and what could make him happy and he knew when he is trying to bottle it all in.

Today had definitely annoyed him, maybe he was a little embarrassed too at the incident with the guest but he was more of annoyed. The thin frown lines on his forehead, the eerie silence around him indicated that.

His father had literally taken everything in his own hands, he had made decisions for him and had refused to give him a listening ear and as if it wasn't enough he had threatened the person Theodore held himself responsible for.

He also does not like the idea of her staying anywhere close to his boss but threatening her will only strengthen Theodore's resolve to keep her and would also make him pay more attention to her which is what everybody should try to prevent.

He watched as his boss traced every word delicately, his brows coming together in a tight frown. He did that until they were informed it was time for lunch which he stood up to go eat. Soon after, he returned and continued until the sun had set completely.

"I wish to be in the garden." He announced suddenly standing up from his seat.

Ellis nodded a relieved smile on his face, if he was going to the garden, then he was about to let go of all the anger. That place had a magical hold on his boss, no matter how downcast or angry he was, an hour there seemed to dissolve everything.

As they walked, Theodore in front, Ellis realized he was taking the longer route that had them passing the guest's room.

Was this intentional?

Once they arrived at the room, he saw him c**k his head slightly to the direction of the room, his voice almost a whisper,

"Is she outside?"

He knew she wasn't, the sound of the television giving that away but he wished she was, it would be easier that way.

"No Sir." Ellis answered grateful she wasn't.

Before anybody could say anything, the guard assigned to her had volunteered to call her and without waiting for a reply had proceeded to bang on her door.

Ellis winced at his overzealousness, the i***t would need more training.

Theodore bit his lip, nervous for the first time in a long time. He had thought to ignore the incident and allow it to die down but for some reason, he found himself unable to.

It probably had something to do with his rebellious side but he had almost prayed she will be outside so that he would have an excuse but the guard as if coming to his rescue had not allowed him refuse his service. He heard the click of the door, her quiet voice and an even quieter footsteps. The television now off or probably mute and as she approached, he could pick up her scent, something close to jasmine, a fainter scent .

"Sir," she called and maybe because he was looking for a scared voice or even one muffled with tears, her stable one surprised him and to an extent impressed him

"Do you want to see the garden?" He asked, his hesitance peeking in his voice.

Ellis watched from behind unable to do anything even though he did not like anything about what was happening , he knew he shouldn't interfere, not today.

She seemed to think about it as her answer came after quite a while.

"Am I coming with you?"

He didn't reply to that but simply raised an eyebrow forcing her to explain.

"I'm supposed to stay away from you."

"You are." He affirmed nodding.

Maybe he should have listened to the part that had told him to simply ignore, atleast he wouldn't be embarrassing himself right now. Gracefully, unlike how he actually felt, he began walking away but her voice stopped him.

"I'd love to go if I can put the blame on you though."

It took him a few seconds to process her statement and another few to hide the smile it caused him. When he was sure, he had done all that, he turned to her the said.

"If you will take it as compensation for whatever emotional damage the morning incident had caused you then yes, I had come to you."

It took a few seconds before her reply came but this time he could almost touch her feelings, they were so apparent that they almost choked her words in. She was glad, glad and grateful.