Love of Rose

Chapter 10

After a bad night, Rose sat on a Chaise-loge in the Garden pool area. She felt cosy there, a thick blanket over her legs and a book to read. Being outside helped her to breathe so that she was happy that at the moment the burning sensation of her Lungs seemed to be bearable. After having so much fun with Merlon yesterday she was torn between the feeling of happiness and regret. Between the wish to have more time to get to know him and the knowledge that she wouldn´t have that time and the capacities of energy to deal with that. On the other hand, why should she forbid herself something that nice? But she felt egoistic to do so, knowing the pain to be left behind by someone dear to you. So what to do? Push him away?

Deep in thought, she weighs up her options, at the moment she made her decision, she noticed that her surroundings have changed a big upholstered Chair standing right beside her seating. A small table between the seats, loaded with delicious small bite-sized delicacies. But what really got her attention was a softly smiling Merlon sitting in that chair and watching her. She felt her face turning faintly pink. “Good morning Rose have you slept well?” He asked her with this wonderful warm dark voice of his. Taking a deep breath she pulled all her bravery together and answered ”No, on the contrary, it was a poor night and I´m happy to be alive still.” not waiting for his reaction or answer she continued quickly “I´m terminally ill and I don´t know how much time I have left. But I know two things. First, it´s not that much time. Second I like your company and even if I don´t know why in the whole world you would like to spend time with a stranger like me, I´ll take the time you are willing to spend in my company…” A little out of breath after spilling all that she rose her eyes to meet his and her world seemed to stop by the happiness she met in his eyes. No, no only happiness it was a twirl of emotions, all seemingly positive. He just answered: “What would you like to try first?” His hand hovering over the table with the food. A small smile creeping slowly over her lips she pointed on the bowl of fruit salad. He picked it up and reached it over to her. As she was taking the small bowl out of his hand, their hands touched lightly. This light touch was strange for Rose, yes she has touched persons but it has never felt like this. Yesterday she has called her self a dreamer because rational it was nonsense, but today she couldn´t lie, it was there and it felt good. But being occupied with her thought she paid no attention to his eyes which flashed in milliseconds from grey to a golden glow with slitted pupils, his dragon was near and enjoyed the touch of their one and only.

She always liked the descriptions in old literature, when there was a moment of the first touch, not like nowadays where it gets physical pretty fast. No in this sense she was pretty old fashioned and a little romantic. Strange but the contact with Merlon felt to her like a mixture of an old gavotte dance and solving riddles. To her, this was fun, although not as exhausting as dancing would be for her. Why an old dance you would ask? Simple it was the way of acknowledging each other, the physical and mental way of nearing and parting, like dancing figures around each other. But not in the negative way of going in circles or dancing to another tune, on the contrary, it was light-footed and sometimes near a battle of wits. She ate the fruit-salad and oddly it tasted good but not, as usual.

She couldn't put a finger on it but perhaps it was only another special and fancy recipe for the high -end clients. Even her tea tasted different, there were the usual herbs she could identify like thyme and sage but it was a new blend with a sweet and earthy herb combination that made her nearly moan. Chatting and eating the time flew by and too soon it was time for her treatments. Being all gentleman he escorted her to the room where she needed to be and said to her that he would be here when she was done except when she would object to it. But given her the chance to do so she didn´t object. With a smile and a small wave, she only said till later than and disappeared behind a door.