“Sorry…I tend to speed when I’m upset…” Oberon muttered.
Rhiannon relaxed a bit but didn’t know what to say or do to get him to open up about what she’d just said. After fifteen long and silent minutes, Oberon spoke.
“So…you don’t want to marry me?” Oberon said, with a rasp to his voice.
Rhiannon felt like she’d been punched in the gut at the clear sound of hurt in his voice and speedily replied,
“Yet! I’m just not ready yet!”
“I just don’t understand how everything could change so quickly…” Oberon replied.
Rhiannon looked out her car window and tried to think of the best way to get him to understand how she’s feeling without hurting him further.
“Does he have something to do with this 180? Did he do something to you?” Oberon asked with a more venomous tone.
Rhiannon didn’t want to lie but didn’t want to make things worse either, so instead, she decided to tell him as much of the truth as possible without bringing up everything that happened between her and Kalen.
“Honestly, the whole situation that caused me to almost kill him is what’s changed my perspective. I realized that I almost did something unforgivable to an innocent person at the orders and urgings of other people. I can’t live my life like that. I need you to understand that this decision didn’t come because of anything you did wrong, or anything that I did wrong for that matter. But on the day you get married, and your bride is walking towards you, don’t you want to know that she chose you not that she was forced to be with you?” Rhiannon pleaded inwardly for him to see her point of view.
Another moment of awkward silence fell over the car as Oberon kept his jaw clenched and drove the rest of the distance to the bank. When he pulled into the parking lot, he remained seated for a while, staring ahead of him as if lost in his own turmoil. When he did move, it was to slap the steering wheel and growl like a fierce panther.
Rhiannon flinched away but lifted her hand and reached out towards him, wanting to offer some comfort. Oberon turned towards her, and seeing her hand grabbed it and said,
“Okay. I promise you’ll choose me. Just as I’ve chosen you every second of my life. You’re it for me, Rhiannon. I need some time to process all of this, but I will show you just how much I love you – and how much you love me.”
The intensity in his eyes sent a jolt through Rhiannon as she thought over what he just said.
“I…I don’t know what to say. Thank you for hearing me out…and for trying to understand me. There is something else that I have to tell you, though.”
“Better or worse than what you already told me, because I don’t think I can take another blow?” Oberon replied with his voice much softer than before.
“Better! Much better!” Rhiannon said as she pulled her hand away from him and reached for the photograph inside her file.
“This is my house! I don’t know if you remember it, but it’s where I lived with my parents before coming to the academy, and I guess I had a full inheritance left to me including this house,” Rhiannon said through a forced smile, hoping that the more positive news would help segway their conversation to a new direction.
“Your house,” Oberon began, “Yes, I do remember it. So…you’re going to move here or what?”
“Yeah! Your mom and I talked about everything, and she said it’s a great idea for me to gain some independence, and she showed me this file with everything my parents left me. I’m excited! And of course, you can come to visit me as often as you’d like,” Rhiannon replied.
“Ah, visit, of course. Well, that sounds…great. And hey…maybe with the privacy of your own house, we can get closer a bit faster,” Oberon determined.
“Eh…yeah, but like I said…I want to let things happen naturally, okay?” Rhiannon answered.
Considering everything, Oberon responded, “Well, technically, you aren’t my betrothed anymore, right?”
“Yes…” Rhiannon answered, feeling nervous by the sudden twinkle in his eye.
Reaching across the center console, Oberon leaned into Rhiannon and placed his hand on her thigh and began rubbing it.
“So…all the old rules are out the window…which means,” he said as he slid his hand higher up her leg, “…we can do what we want.”
Rhiannon slapped his hand and pulled it away, then replied, “But this isn’t what I want, I’m not ready.”
“You didn’t seem to mind me touching you like this the night you first dream traveled,” he responded pointedly as he put his hand back onto her thigh with more strength not allowing her to pull it away this time, “In fact, if I remember correctly, you liked it as much as I did. And if we hadn’t of been interrupted, we would have finally kissed…and maybe more.”
His grip on her thigh was painful and not at all reminiscent to how Rhiannon remembered that night. He placed his other arm around her shoulders and held her tightly as she wriggled uncomfortably.
“Please stop, Oberon, you’re making me uncomfortable,” Rhiannon stated as her anger at the situation began to bubble up.
What the hell is wrong with him? She thought as she reached for the doorknob planning to escape out of there.
“Don’t!” Oberon shouted as he pulled her towards him and forced his lips onto hers.
Rhiannon let out a muffled scream as he kissed her. The moment was as far from romantic as it could be, and while his lips were pleasantly soft and pillowy, she couldn’t enjoy it as he kissed her passionately and she remained straight lipped.
Rhiannon pulled back with all her strength and slapped him hard across his face leaving a red mark in the shape of her hand.
“Are you serious?” She yelled as she finally got the door open and got out.
Oberon hurried out the car and to her side and grabbed her arm.
“Let me go right now! I just told you that I wanted to take things slowly and let things happen naturally, and you do this?” tears threatened to spill as Rhiannon spoke, “that was our first kiss, and you just tainted it!”
“Rhiannon, please, please! I’m so sorry. I don’t know what that was, it’s like I was possessed. I’m so afraid to lose you, I just love you so much and with everything…it just seems like you’re getting further away from me. I panicked. I wanted to be your first kiss so desperately that I acted without thinking,” Oberon pleaded, not letting go of her arm.
“I understand that you’re upset, it’s a lot to take in, but this? This isn’t the answer. You say you love me, but do you respect me?” She asked as she looked at her grasped arm.
Seeing her gaze, Oberon dropped her arm and wiped his hands on his pants.
“It’ll never happen again. I promise if I ever get the chance to kiss you again, it won’t be like that. I do respect you, I just got caught up in all my emotions. If you forgive me, just this once, I will show you that I’m not that guy,” Oberon said with tears in his eyes.
Rhiannon felt her heart soften as she saw the emotion in his face and the welling up of tears in his eyes. And she couldn’t deny the guilt she felt when he said he wanted to be her first kiss – that was already given to Kalen.
This is problematic, but I’ve known him all my life, and he’s never done anything like this before…he deserves one free pass, I guess...
“Okay…but if you do something like that again – it’s over. Everything between us. I mean it,” Rhiannon replied with authority.
“Thank you. And you have my word, never again.” Oberon said relieved as he tried to inconspicuously wipe his eyes.
“You don’t own me,” she said, enunciating each word with force like a hammer hitting a nail.
“I got it. What can I do to make this up to you?” Oberon pleaded as he rubbed his face where he had been smacked.
Rhiannon winced as she saw the hand-shaped welt that was forming on his face.
“You can help me clean my house and move, deal?” Rhiannon asked.
“Deal! Absolutely!” Oberon s
aid as his face brightened and he lifted his arms to flex, “These guns are all yours milady, consider me your servant! I’ll do anything!”
“Okay, okay calm down,” Rhiannon said chuckling, “first things first, just wait out here, and I’ll take care of stuff in the bank. I’m not sure how long it’ll take, so if you want to go run some errands of your own, I’ll call you when I’m done, and you can come back and pick me up. Sound good?” Rhiannon asked, feeling a bit better now that the previous situation seemed to be resolved.
“Works for me! I do have a couple things I need to go pick up at the store. Good luck in there,” Oberon replied as he thought about giving her a hug but then decided after what just happened, he had better keep his physical distance for a little while.
“Alrighty, I’ll see you later then,” Rhiannon said as she turned away from him.
Oberon turned towards his car to leave and decided to go to the flower shop and pick up the biggest bouquet he could find to help with his apology.
Rhiannon entered the bank feeling relieved that Oberon wasn’t coming with her, she needed a little space even if just for a little while, so she could try and shake off the icky feeling that clung to her after what just happened.
Kissing Kalen felt nothing like that…
Chapter 5
Oberon drove in silence to the flower shop, not bothering to put on any music as he contemplated what had just transpired between himself and Rhiannon. On the one hand, he felt annoyed by her and all that she had sprung on him, and on the other hand, he felt annoyed at himself for how terribly he had handled the whole thing.
Our first kiss was supposed to be unique and romantic, and I completely ruined it, he thought to himself disgusted.
When Oberon finally arrived at the flower shop, he had successfully given himself a mental beatdown as he degraded himself for his poor judgment and horrible timing.
Rhiannon deserves better than that, I have to do better! He decided as he made his way into the store.
Looking around at the assortment of flowers, Oberon couldn’t help but feel guilty as he realized that this was the first time he’d ever bought Rhiannon flowers and he had no clue what her favorite type was. He passed by all the roses as he assumed that she wouldn’t be interested in such a cliché gesture and went straight to the florist to ask for advice.
“Excuse me?” he began, attempting to get the clerks attention who was busily arranging a stunning bouquet.
“Yes, how may I help you?” The florist asked as she turned around to greet him, her beautiful red hair flowing down her shoulders and catching Oberon’s eyes.
“What type of flowers should I get that would signify that ‘I’m really sorry, I love you, I want to spend the rest of my life with you’?” He asked eagerly.
The florist smiled at his boyish charms and replied,
“Well, first, I’d say that whoever is on the receiving end of these flowers is quite lucky. Secondly, I’d say that the flowers you are looking for are purple hyacinths. They are the perfect flower to symbolize your deep regrets for your actions and to tell someone that you are truly sorry.”
“I’ll take them! Make me the largest bouquet of them. I have a lot to be sorry for…” Oberon said.
“Right away!” she replied with a wink as she turned towards her refrigerated area to get the supplies she would need.
As Oberon waited, he looked around idly at the flowers around him and thought, Rhiannon, is prettier than any flower. Then chuckled to himself for his sappy thought. He was looking forward to making things up to her when his phone rang.
Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw that the person on the other line was his father. Oberon briefly played around with the idea of letting it go to voicemail, but immediately thought the better of it knowing that his father would call back again and be furious.
“Hello?” Oberon answered.
“Where are you?” his father replied sternly from the other end.
“Just out running some errands,” Oberon said carefully.
“Just out running some errands,” his father began in a mocking tone, “Well, that’s interesting because you’re supposed to be here right now shadowing me so you can learn more about the company before you officially come to work with me. Or did you forget?”
Oberon felt his face go ashen and his hands go numb as he tried to think of something sensible to say that wouldn’t make things worse. Coming up with nothing, he decided to go with the truth.
“Rhiannon showed up on campus, and she needed a ride somewhere. I didn’t want to risk her not coming back again so I thought I should take her and keep her in my sights,” Oberon said slowly.
“You’re done being her chauffeur for the day. Tell her she can use one of our drivers if she still needs a ride. You need to get here right now, or you will regret it.” His dad said icily.
The tone of his father’s voice showed that there was no room for argument, but Oberon hesitated at the thought of leaving Rhiannon on her own. He’d told her that he’d be back as soon as she was ready, and now he was going to leave her in town high and dry.
At his silence, Oberon’s father spoke again,
“NOW! You don’t want to test me, boy.”
“Okay…I’m coming. I’ll call Rhiannon and let her know. I’m on my way right now, sir. I’m sorry for forgetting.”
“You will be sorry.” His father said menacingly before curtly hanging up the phone.
Oberon walked back over to the front desk and quickly called to the clerk,
“Can you hold those for me? I’ll be back for them tomorrow, but I just had a family emergency come up, so I need to go.”
“Of course, just write your name and number down on the notepad on the counter and I’ll give you a call tomorrow to remind you,” she replied courteously.
“Thank you,” Oberon said as he quickly scribbled down the requested information.
Rushing out of the store, Oberon picked up his phone to call Rhiannon.
When she didn’t answer, he left a quick message as he clambered into his car, ready to speed off to his father’s company.
Hey, I’m so sorry…I’m always sorry it seems…my dad called, and I have to go to his company for the rest of the day, so I won’t be able to pick you up from the bank. If you call me back or text me and let me know what time you’re done, I’ll have one of my drivers come by and get you. Sorry…I’ll try and come by tomorrow to see you. I have a surprise for you.
Oberon cursed as he started his car and drove away, feeling disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to see Rhiannon again that day and give her his apology flowers. As he drove, he felt the dread growing inside the pit of his stomach the closer he came to his father’s company – and the closer he came to whatever punishment his father would deem fit for his actions this time. His shoulder still ached from the last time it was dislocated through one of his ‘reprimands,’ he just hoped that his father would at least target his other side this time.
Better brace myself for another ass kickin, he thought to himself glumly as he pulled into the parking lot.
As he rode the elevator up, he dared to hope for a moment that maybe his dad wouldn’t lash out at him since there were in the company and there could be witnesses around.
His hopes were quickly dashed as the elevator doors opened to the top floor and Oberon locked eyes with his father as a marble ashtray was thrown aimed directly at his head.
Chapter 6
Rhiannon walked out of the bank in a daze, gripping tightly her file that now contained paperwork from the bank. She felt her phone buzzing in her pocket but decided to let it go to voicemail as she wandered down the sidewalk, thinking about everything she’d just learned.
I had no idea it would be this much money…the banker said that interest had been compounding on it over the years, but still…what do I do now? She wondered.
Rhiannon walked further and decided to check her phone and see who called. Upon looking at her phone, s
he saw that she had a message from Oberon letting her know that he wouldn’t be able to pick her up. She considered getting a driver to come get her but figured she’d be happier to have some time alone.
As she walked further, she realized that the library wasn’t very far away and determined that it would be wise to go and use their computers to do some research on everything that needs to be done to set up her house.
Rhiannon entered the library, breathed in deeply and enjoyed the smell of all the books around her. She always felt so peaceful and at home in libraries. She found the first open computer and went to work. She compiled a list of places and stepped outside a few times to call them and set appointments to have services set up at her house. Her tummy flipped a few dozen times, and she found herself almost bouncing as she walked back towards her computer after each call. For the first time, she felt as though she were taking control of her own life, and it felt terrific.
Feeling satisfied with her list, Rhiannon left the library and sat outside on a bench to start making all the necessary phone calls. After about an hour on the phone with different companies, she’d successfully set up to have various service providers to come by her house. When the final call was complete Rhiannon stretched happily and looked up to the sky, enjoying the sunshine and fluffy clouds that gracefully floated by.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, she thought up to the sky, thank you for making sure I was taken care of and for leaving the house in my care. I’ll try my best to make you proud, I love you, and I miss you so much.
Feeling content with all that she’d managed to check off her to-do list, Rhiannon stood up and walked happily to the bus stop so she could head back to campus and start getting some packing done. When the bus finally arrived, Rhiannon’s eyelids felt heavy and her body sluggish. She boarded the bus and paid her fee, then plopped into an empty seat in the back of the bus where she closed her eyes and fell promptly asleep.
The nap was dreamless and refreshing, and when Rhiannon woke back up, she felt as though she’d had a full eight hours of sleep. She looked around, feeling a bit disoriented and then remembered she was on the bus heading back towards campus. She panicked momentarily as she looked out the windows to decipher her surroundings and hoped that she hadn’t passed her stop.
The Dream Deceiver Page 4
