By the moon, I swear

TRISTAN

The shopping mall was sensory overload just magnificent with a moving platform running along all the walkways in both directions just like the airport. I hated shopping that was a fact but that day just for once I was willing to overlook it. Normally I would just write up a list and get one of my workers to do it for me and that is if they didn’t anticipate my need in the first place. Looking around a crowd was forming. I had been there earlier but I was so indecisive on what to buy. Everything was available yes and all I need was just a little but I needed the very best. When it came to her nothing was good enough. My eyes drifted shut for a moment as I let I my mind roam to the memories of that morning.

For a while I had been a late riser wanting nothing more than to hide myself in my room. Days to me were God’s way of being monstrous towards me and I loathed them with steamed passion. Nights were more of what I became accustomed to, a time when I felt free to roam around the shadows freely without meeting anyone. That day however morning couldn’t come soon enough. I tried to shut off my eyes and force myself to sleep but nothing happened. Accepting my cursed fate I rolled around and faced her. She was beautiful. A beauty that I thought I didn’t deserve yet couldn’t let go. Her body looked relaxed, softened and peaceful so entwined into one. Her thick long black lustrous hair tumbled past her shoulders caressing them softly. Her lips. Ohh her lips would be my undoing, so wet, plumb and desirable. The tenuous hold of my control threatened to snap as need and raw hunger flared in my body making me want to cuddle her in my body. God knows it took all I had to keep my hands frozen in place.

That night she was stifling sobs in the midst of her sleep and when I leaned in closer to provide comfort she unknowingly pushed me. It didn’t require mind reader to know she had gone through a terrible ordeal and just the fleeting thought of what it could be made me frown. I was desperate to make her nightmares end to wipe all the horrors of her past but all I could do at that moment was take another drink of my saliva as I watched in desperation at her struggles. It went on for a while but eventually, her breathing steadied and she slept peacefully. After a long while I too joined her into deep slumber which in my case was short lasted.

Unwillingly my jaw clenched tight as a muscle jumped in the back. I growled as I quickly jumped out of bed put on the shirt and jeans and stormed out. Good Lord, 24 hours had barely zoned out and I was barely holding on by a thread in more ways than I could handle. God she was just so beautiful so compelling that my eyes hurt. Everything I felt was plunging in me with sheer force that at some point I thought I would just shatter once and for all. She was here with me and I was happy though I would have been happier when she accepted me just a little. Well, at the very least she was here and that would have to do for now.

 Shaking my head and bringing my thoughts to the present, I Resided to seek assistance of one of the professionals smiling at the corners of each row, I walked over to one and described exactly what it was I wanted. I even indicated a tip if the service was up to my expectations. Deep down I knew a long and hard task waited me but with my heart in it I was more than determined to help her create new beautiful memories which might I add would include my presence in every angle. Selfish but real smooth.

AMBER

With the heavy curtains I slept more than I intended. I guess my body needed rest but still I was more than embarrassed. First of all it was new day at work and my boss had already awake probably hours ago. I mean for Christ’s sake it was 10 o’clock in the morning not even a tortoise sleeps in that long. I bolted out of bed and ran into the bathroom hoping to wash away my embarrassment. Using the shampoo and the unopened bath stuff I cleansed myself fast and then bolted out of the bathroom with an intention of repeating my clothes. Well so far I hadn’t picked mine yet and sincerely I wasn’t sure I wanted to either. Relieving the memories of that place was something I dreaded.

Getting back into the room my eyes glittered with amazement. There was an impeccable expensive red pencil outfit that had been laid out on the bed accompanied with a lingerie, matching accessories and shoes. On its side a note written in capital letters saying ‘WEAR ME.’ Having no choice not that I was complaining, I put the cloth on, slid my feet into the gorgeous black heels, combed my hair letting it fall back then turned to check myself out in the lengthy mirror on the wall. The clothes hugged me to perfection bringing out my curves as the color accentuated my skin. I don’t know how the buyer knew my size but they were good and I wouldn’t mind seeing their hand more often in my wardrobe. Of course given that I would have enough money to buy me more. Wanting to spend no more time on myself I strode outside looking for Tristan. He was my boss after all and apologies were necessary.

For a house with a bunch of servants it was awfully quiet and the only sense of livelihood in the house came from the kitchen area. There was laughter. The type of laughter that came from deep down ones heart and rumbled through their chest. Having no queue on where to begin looking, that seemed like the perfect place.

The room had paranomic view outfit that let light flow in beautifully. All eyes turned to stare at me and it took all I had to keep moving my feet forward. In the kitchen counter were William and Gabriel – their nanny. She was the first person I was introduced to when I got into the house and the person I was advised to respect the most. She raised them since they were little and was therefore officially became a member of their family the day their parents met with an accident leaving them dead.  My guess from the way they worshiped her and everything she said is that if it were up to them her feet wouldn’t even touch the floor. She was their goddess and everything she wanted happened but then she’s too stubborn for her age. From the moment I saw her I had a feeling we were going to get along perfectly.

Behind the counter was Tristan humming while preparing breakfast – pancakes to be precise. He had his phone tucked in his pants and an earphone on his left ear listening to music. The other ear of course was to keep to the present with the stories being told. Without restrain my eyes flitted towards him scanning him from head to waist which was just about how far they could go from the position I was standing as my mouth dropped just a little. I ignored the smirk he was throwing at me for sleeping in. I mean embarrassment aside, the view was enjoyable. Apart from his pants his other body was bare. His masculine chest covered only by the apron. After all he had put me through the previous night forcing me to share a bed with him when all I wanted was some space to put my life back in track, I was sure amazed as my anger walked out of the door of the house leaving me completely alone at the mercy of my desires. Good God, I knew I should find a naked boss creepy even though it was only half way naked, considering it was my first official working day there but the shiver that went down my spine at the sight felt as if someone lit a burning torch inside me.

No sooner had the beautiful emotion appeared than the face of the man whose my eyes were so intent on changed completely. All my anger, my frustrations from as far as I can remember were cause by him. Even then when I had personally ensured that no human would have to bare the sight of him again, he still found a way to torment me. I was looking but I was no longer really seeing because in my eyes the man before me was now my father and I could already taste the loathe on my mouth. Letting out a sigh of frustration I pushed back all my despicable thoughts trying to focus on the other two seated down as I strode inside to say my Hellos. It was just too soon and though my body acted insane, my mind just wasn’t ready yet.

I love the Almighty despite all I have gone through, no doubt about that. Yes our relationship had and still is going through some rough patches but we still had a relationship. Sometimes though he always has the profound need to give the devil a lee way too mush my buttons just way too much. Apparently when anger walked out the door it didn’t pull embarrassment with him, he decided to remain behind and cling onto me more. The thoughts of my late scumbag of a father must have been too much for me to bear as I felt the wet liquid which I was struggling to keep from falling begin to slide down my cheeks unstoppably.

‘Amber?’ Tristan whispered as he moved towards me. He was staring so intently at me as if he was stripping my mind bare trying to read my thoughts. I swallowed hard trying to answer him but no response came to my mouth. It got stuck somewhere in my throat. What exactly was I going to say? Was I going to pour my miseries down flat to all these people? To Tristan who had his own share of problems?

‘Amber? Tell me what’s wrong,’ Tristan demanded his voice hard like I had never heard before since I came to the house. Though I must admit his eyes gave him away for there was a trace of concern there so immense for someone like me who had just met me.

Swallowing hard I answered the first thing that came to mind. It wasn’t a lie though it wasn’t the sole reason for my tears, ‘No one has ever treated me this kind before and it smells so delicious in here.’

‘That’s it? Oh my dear come and have a seat. I have a lot of plans for us today,’ he responded leading me to the seat next to William before he proceeded to the kitchen to serve us. My plate looked delicious and giving in to my hunger I immediately dug in. halfway the plate I looked up to see the others faces pale. They were watching me while struggling with their food with difficulty. The pancakes on their pates looked hard and burnt. It was obvious the chefs of the different plates of food were different. I felt pity for them though did not wish to exchange plates.

Guilt taking toll of me I leaned over to Tristan’s plate, quickly trying to cut the pancake before he stopped me. As much as I loved my plate, he also had made an effort and every dish deserved appreciation besides how bad could it be. Having tasted prison food I was sure I had seen the worst of culinary skills. Bracing myself for his angry roar, my face remained clear masking the fear gripping hard. Cutting the dark tanned pancake was almost impossible. It had been almost impossible. My ‘a second’ theft turned to three long minutes of self-embarrassment. Washing down the pancake on my throat took three glasses of water and a ton of saliva.

No wonder they looked as if they were being strangled. The food was horrible to an extent I betrayed my principles and kept quiet when William sprang out of seat and dumped the contents of his and nanny’s plates into the dustbin then hid it under one of the kitchen table which had a table cloth when Tristan went onto the cooking area of the kitchen to refill everyone’s cup of coffee. Unfortunately he took my theft and grin as a sign of enjoyment and added two more pancakes of his making on my plate. This time though he did not miss the horror look I had and I took the chance to open my heart. Furthermore, if I was to stay in that house I might as well be honest from day one. Trying to find a way to lay the news to him took a bit longer about 6seconds but finally I managed to say what was under my tongue, ‘Thank you for the breakfast sir and to show my appreciation tomorrow I will make us breakfast.’ Not missing the look William was giving me I continue, ‘errrrr with your permission of course sir,’

After what seemed like a century of threatening glares form each one in the room, Tristan finally spoke, ‘Come with me.’ and with that he got out of the seat and started walking out of the kitchen. Putting strength to my already weak knees, I obeyed the command silently. My stupid mouth had just vomited words without even thinking about the consequences. How had I felt so comfortable that first with these people forgetting that I’m just a servant and are new one at that. If William was that bad and I still had a feeling that I hadn’t experienced his full wrath yet, my ego would no choice but to take a fall for the team for I was mortified about the punishment that awaited me. Williams’s eyes when he spoke the words was full of so much mystery which at that point was not very encouraging. The look on the others were horrifying increasing my fear.

What I met in the barn after unleashing a girly scream when he commanded me to get in was shocking. It wasn’t even by far what I was expecting. Truthfully I thought he wanted to unleash his anger on me for what I implied about his food and I wouldn’t blame him at all. The room was covered in balloons of different shapes ranging from giraffes and dogs in all rainbow colors with neon lights flashing everywhere. The floor was covered by jasmine flowers releasing beautiful fragrance into the barn.

A lone tear made its way down my left cheek unwillingly caressing it. My whole life it has been me and the girls against the whole world and with the parents we were given everything always spiraled in a short circle. No one had ever stopped for a while and cared for me on a personal level apart from my sisters that is. Ever since I ran away, though my heart still refuses to let people let in I’ve met people who had shown me kindness. First it was Gabriel and now Tristan. Though with Tristan am yet to figure him out. My lips formed a thin line trying to compress the feeling of joy that was almost overwhelming me. Happiness has never been my friend and with Tristan I’m afraid I was getting used to getting it. What if he one day let go and I woke up to reality?

‘You did all this?’ I asked peering his way absolutely impressed.

‘There’s a lot of sadness in your eyes and I wish to wipe it away. I don’t know what the problem is but I want you to know that you have a friend in me.’ That said I couldn’t help but smile. Apart from my sisters, no one has made an effort to make me smile before and it meant a lot to me. Maybe my fate was finally looking up.

‘I don’t know what to say?’

‘Don’t say anything just a smile and all will be well. Here,’ he said handing me a string with about twenty balloons joined together. ‘I want you to close your eyes and think of all your sorrows then push them all into the balloons and let go.’

He was right. I needed to let go. If I were to start a fresh, to be able to help my sisters I had to let go of the past and be a better person. Slowing my breath I tuned into my anger just as he had proposed, embracing the unpleasant warmth to it, my mind conceding to torment. It felt as though my blood had become acid burning around my innards like scorching fire. Taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh, I released the balloons into the sky. To be honest the simple act made me feel so much relief like a burden had been lifted off my shoulders. I felt peaceful like all the injustice that I faced had been rubbed off. I intended to repay the same amount of kindness if not more than what Tristan had shown me. I didn’t know what his demons were all I knew was that my job was to make him happy and though at first I felt as though I was being pushed by the world, by William; right there and then I decided to be there for him from my heart. Not out of necessity.