Crossed Paths

Episode 5

My fingers reached out, moving the strands of hair covering her face.

She had beautiful hair; her face was radiant, shining like the morning sun.

Her eyelids softly shut as a soft sigh escaped her lips.

As I stared into her eyes, time took a bow.

Lost in the moment, I reached out for her face,

my palm caressing it. She melted, responding to my touch,

her eyelids fluttering closed.

I treasured the moment, my thumb tracing the curve of her lips.

Softly inviting, I couldn't resist;

I leaned in closer, my lips against hers.

Her lips trembled beneath mine, sending shivers down my spine

as the wind stood still.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

She looked at me with those sparkling eyes,

searching for truths and confirmation.

Then we threw ourselves into the warmest embrace;

I held her tightly… so tightly.

"I love you, Robert; I have always loved you,

from the very first moment I fell deeply in love with you."

Those words were all I needed.

Silence filled the air as we locked deep into each other's arms.

"I'd give up everything to be here with you," I said,

holding her tightly. Catherine suddenly broke free

from the embrace, her gaze drifting away

like gold particles blown by a soft breeze.

As we pulled away from each other,

Catherine's worries became evident.

The space between us grew,

and I sensed the tension in her demeanor.

Her once sparkling eyes now clouded in fear.

"Did I say or do something wrong?" I asked,

eager to hear her speak.

"No... Robert, I..." she hesitated,

her eyes covered in tears, battling to drop like raindrops.

I sensed fear in her voice

and gently turned her face back to mine.

"You're not in love with me?" I asked,

my eyes welling up with tears.

"I can go to the ends of the earth for you, only you, but..."

she sighed and took a deep breath.

"It's just... Your family, your Mum, your status...

I don't fit in. I'm just a maid."

Tears streamed down her face like a waterfall

as she turned to leave.

I quickly reached out,

catching her hand and pulling her back to me.

"You're all that matters to me," I stroked her hair.

"You're all I want, you're all that I need,

and you fit in just perfectly."

"I know about Lisa," she looked away,

her voice mixed with concern.

I took hold of her hands,

placing them on my chest to reassure her.

"What happens to the proposal?" she asked,

her eyes searching mine.

I gently turned her face back to mine.

"Nothing, Catherine, nothing;

there's no Lisa, and there's no proposal."

"I... I heard everything, the dinner date, and, and..."

"Shh... It is not happening;

I can get it sorted out right now."

"We could go meet Mum...

I could tell her I'm madly in love with you!

And, and, she can stop..."

I was eager, eager to be with the woman I love.

"I am just a maid, Robert," she pulled away from me,

"a maid over the President's only daughter? Now that's insane!"

she chuckled, as tears rolled down her eyes.

"I do not care; I'll choose you a million times over.

Who made that crazy rule?"

I asked.

"I am going in there right now

to tell everyone that I have found the woman of my dreams."

Catherine took a deep breath.

"It's not as simple as it sounds;

What if I get rejected?

What if I get kicked out?

What if I lose my job?

My mum is sick, Robert! It's our only income."

At that point, I could understand her fears...

Catherine's words sank into my soul,

and I was determined to be with her.

"What do you suggest we do now?" I asked,

willing to protect her.

"Let's take it slow, let's keep it away;

when the time is right, we'll let them in."

She walked back to where I stayed,

glued to the spot, drew closer,

and planted a kiss on my lips.

Just as we were lost in each other's arms,

we noticed someone approaching the poolside.

The kiss lasted a moment

before it eventually got disrupted

by the louder sound of the footsteps,

signaling its arrival.

We instantly drifted apart,

trying so hard to act formal.

"Erm... I, I wanted to come to see

if you're doing okay, because I noticed

you didn't touch your breakfast, and...

I also know what you'd like to have for lunch?"

She stuttered, trying to maintain her composure.

"Aren't you the sweetest?" I said,

winking at her.

"Choose for me, I'll gladly go with whatever you decide to make."

"Alright, sir, lunch will be served in an hour," she said,

beaming with excitement.

"Really, Catherine? Sir again? Come on…"

She smiled and quietly left the poolside.

A few minutes later, my thoughts raced back to Catherine.

The connection we had, the moments we shared,

the magical moment! I wished it never ended,

drowning in the memories.

When I suddenly heard a loud cry,

obstructing the serenity of the moment,

I quickly stood up, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice.

"Got it!" I said to myself,

quickly racing down to the garden,

only to find Catherine on the ground, crying helplessly.

"What happened!" I asked, enraged,

but I was hit with disgusting stares from my brothers.

Instantly, I went down to pick Catherine up.

I looked at her and asked again,

"What happened, Catherine?"

I was already burning in rage.

"Sir, I...I...I" she tried to speak

before Jason interrupted her.

"If by any chance you dare to open

that hole in your face, which you call a mouth,

to say anything no one asked you to...

it is going to be the last statement

you make in your entire life!

You Godforsaken maggot!"

"Since you've stopped her from talking, can you now tell me?" I asked,

fixing my gaze on Jason.

"Or what happens if he doesn't tell you, Robert!?" Jayden interrupted,

breaking eye contact.

"What happens? What happens!?" I moved closer to Jayden,

my voice rising.

"I see protector of the universe, defender of the defenseless,

superman on saving the day's duty," Jason sneered,

"You must be dumb to think I owe you or that fool behind you an explanation."

"Jason! Don't you dare! Ever call her names!

You have no freaking right to hit anyone!

Anyone at all, much less a lady! Who do you even think you are?!

"And who do you think you are, Robert?

To tell me what I should and should not do,

how to act and how not to in my father's house?!