Their Obsession Rose

Rose : The gift

As my eyes wonder across the room, something catches my attention-a small red gift box sitting neatly on the chair beside my mirror. The white ribbon, perfectly tied, catches the sunlight making it shimmer ever so faintly in the morning light. It is a small thing, but the sight of it hits me like a wave and pulls my breath tight in my chest.

It's been a while since I have seen anything like it, a gift so carefully wrapped.

It reminds me of my mother.

Of her quiet smile, of the way she used to surprise me with little things just to see me smile. She's been gone for some time now, but the ache still lingers. A constant companion, I've learned to live with.

I hesitate for a moment before walking over to the chair. My fingers hover just above the box, tracing the outline of the white lace ribbon, so delicate, so familiar. I gently lift it, feeling the smoothness of the paper beneath my touch, as if the box itself holds a piece of her-a reminder that she's still with me,even if in this small quiet way.

I sit down on the edge of the yellow rocking chair, the gift now in my hands and wonder for a moment if it's meant to be a sign or if I am simply grasping at something that's no longer there.

My fingers tremble as I tug at the ribbon and it slips undone with surprising ease. For a moment, I forget to breathe, the air thick in my lungs as I slowly peel back the wrapping, my heart pounding in time with my movements.

The paper gives way, revealing the gift beneath. My hands hover over the box for a beat before I open it, lifting with a soft creak. Inside, nestled among layers of delicate tissue, is a piece of fabric that takes my breath away.

I slide my fingers over it, the smooth, velvety texture startling me. It's unlike anything I've ever touched before. So soft. So luxurious. The sensation feels almost foreign, as though my hands aren't quite worthy of it.

I carefully lift the champagne-gold material from the box and as I pull it free, the weight of it settles in my hands, warm and rich. My eyes widen as I recognise the shape as the fabric slivers through my fingers.

I let my fingers trail across the fabric, astonished by how it simmers faintly in the light, catching every glint of the sun like a secret.

My eyes widen as I recognise the shape.

A pelisse.

My breath catches again, but this time in awe as I am know that only the cream of the crop can afford such an exquisite piece of clothing.

The fabric is so fine, it almost feels like a dream. I drape it over my shoulders, the luxurious weight of it spilling down my back in a perfect cascade. The hood, edged with soft off-white fur that feels like velvet against my fingers, rests lightly over my head.

The pelisse falls effortlessly, almost brushing the floor, its gentle sway making me feel as though I've been transformed into something else-something royal,something worthy of being admired.

It's a perfect fit, as if it was made for me, though I can't imagine who would have known. It's absolutely gorgeous, beyond anything I could ever imagined. I stand still, caught in the sensation of its beauty, letting the weight of it settle over me like a gift from another world.

Beneath the pelisse, there's another smaller gold plated jewellery box, its design foreign to my eye, nestled carefully against the fabric, as though it's waiting for me.

Alongside it, a letter crafted from luxurious parchment with a soft textured finish, adorned with intricate gold seals and foreign script that hints at a distant land. Its elegant calligraphy and royal hues of deep crimson and rich gold lend it an air of nobility, while its unfamiliar symbols suggest a foreign heritage.

The elegant script appears intricate and unfamiliar, the ornate design suggests its importance, but the words themselves are beyond my comprehension.

A smaller letter, one that I failed to notice slips on the floor. As I pick it up, I notice the handwriting, bringing a wave of nostalgia and a sense of warmth as i hold it in my hands.

"My darling daughter, the day I found you, nestled in the womb of the forrest, wrapped in this very pelisse, was the day my dreams came true. A gift from the forrest. Your father and I raised you as our own, loving you all our heart.You found alongside this foreign letter and a delicate jewellery box, both carefully tucked inside the pelisse. The way i found you tells a story of its own. Parting with you must have been immensely painfully for the one who left you behind. I'm sure they stood watch until you were found.

Happy birthday Rose, I know you will find your inamorata, the one that loves you endlessly and passionately and the one you will love till the end of days. Love you always, Mom."

I can't breathe. The letter falls from my hands, fluttering to the floor as I sit down hard, the world spinning around me. Everything I thought I knew about myself-the life I've lived, the love I've been given-crumbles into a thousand pieces. I was adopted-found and picked up like a stray dog?

Who am I?

The question seems to taunt me, trying to drive me crazy.

The weight of the truth crashes down on me as I struggle to comprehend what I just learned, my mind reeling with the sudden overwhelming emotions.