Fire - Betrayal

by Amelia Grace

  Then I led them to my car, and drove them to the shelter. I hoped that they would find what they were looking for there.

  Chapter 11

  Moonlight Sonata

  The black car slowly drove by again the next day, observing the people who came to help themselves to the free fruit.

  They did not stop. They just cruised along very slowly, again arousing my suspicions.

  The black car drove by everyday for five days, but then, on the sixth day it stopped. Two rear doors of the car opened. Two tall men, in dark coats and dark sunglasses crossed the tree lined street to the baskets of fruit.

  They did not grab and fill a bag quickly like the homeless people, instead, they picked up each of the seven fruits and studied them in detail – looking at them, smelling them, hefting them, and running their fingers over the skin, then replaced them back into the baskets, and left.

  The men walked back to the black car in silence. Once they were inside the car, its driver slowly accelerated down the street.

  After that, I saw them no more. Obviously, their curiosity had been quelled after they had handled the fruit. The black car and the men in black had made me very nervous. More so because Ben wasn’t here with me, he was away interstate, and had been for some time.

  After the visitation of the Terreans, I found I had gained enough courage and confidence to return to Grandy’s drawing room again.

  I opened the sash windows, and stopped to look at the photographs of Grandy on the mantel piece. How I missed her. We did have such a close relationship. I loved her like my own mother.

  Then beside the photograph of Grandy, I spotted the locket that Grandy had left to me. It had a golden mid length fine simple chain, with a heart shaped locket on it. Inside the locket was a miniature photo of Grandy and Poppy, when they were young. I treasured this gift from Grandy, and I decided to wear it again, with pride.

  I sat on the sofa in front of the open fireplace, and then I let my eyes wander over the old wooden coffee table just in front of me.

  I visually examined the strange teal rock with purple bits that jutted out of it - the memory storage rock. I did not want to touch it again, especially while wearing the seven jeweled ring. The memory of the connection with the mind scanning and the magnetic pull, and Ben leaving me after I gained knowledge through the memory storage rock was still too raw. I knew that it would partially open an old wound, and I did not want to go there.

  I peeled my eyes away from the ‘rock’ and let them wander around the room, settling them on the black baby grand piano. It had been such a very long time since I last played it. I could feel it beckoning me over.

  I sat comfortably on the piano seat, and lifted the lid to the ivory keys. The black baby grand piano was glorious with its shine and its flowing curvy outline.

  Gracefully, I positioned my fingers ready to play Moonlight Sonata, my favourite piece of music that I knew off by heart. It always moved me to the core of my being, and would take me off to an unknown, but peaceful place, making me unaware of anything happening around me as I played. I loved it. I loved how it made me feel.

  ***

  I skipped up the steps to the portico more than excited about seeing Cate again after being away for six weeks. I hesitated before I opened the front door, focusing on the piano music flowing out of the house, unfamiliar with the sound. As I entered the house, I thought that Cate had a CD on. It wasn’t until I reached the open door to Grandy’s drawing room, that I realized that it was in fact Cate playing the piano.

  I leaned against the door frame, mesmerized by her. Although I had known her for a few years now, I had never heard her play the piano. She was good, very good. Her skill level was high, and she played with precision and feeling.

  My heart quickened. I wanted to go over to her and touch her, and kiss her, but I could see that she was totally lost in her music, and I should not interrupt her.

  I delighted at her perfect posture as she sat at the baby grand piano. I admired her beautiful blonde curly hair, which was starting to grow long again. I watched as her elegant fingers moved up and down the keys. And then I took a short sharp breath, hardly being able to believe that she had chosen to love me.

  Then she finished playing the piece of music, and took her fingers from the ivory keys and placed them into her lap. She took a deep breath, before she turned to leave the piano.

  And then got the shock of her life.

  She gasped, jumped and put her hand over her heart. I had unintentionally scared her. But then, as soon as she realized it was me, she ran to me her face pleased. I smiled coyly at her as she wrapped her arms around me.

  ***

  Ben held me off the ground, and then slowly let me slide down his body until my feet reached the floor again. His whole body felt electrified. He burned his cerulean eyes into mine. Then he carefully moved his face closer, brushing his lips over mine until I moaned, and then he kissed me deeply. He pulled away momentarily and whispered my name, before I moved my hands to his face and kissed him again. My head was spinning, and my knees felt weak. I had to stop before I could stand no more.

  Pulling away from the kiss, I slowly opened my eyes and looked into his. I could see the passion that he felt for me, his eyes still burning into mine.

  “Ben, hold me,” I whispered.

  He wrapped his arms tenderly around me and held me close to his body. I could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and his breath on my hair.

  “I love you,“ he said in a low voice.

  “I love you more,“ I teased. I heard him laugh quietly to himself.

  He released his hold on me, and then held my hand as he walked with me to the sitting room.

  We sat closely together, talking about what each had been doing while we were apart. I filled him in on as much as I could, but did not mention the visit from the Terreans. I was sure that I had helped them, and they were getting on with their experience of “pain and suffering”.

  Neither did I mention the black car that had been of concern to me for more than a week. I was satisfied that they were no longer interested in the fruits that they had encountered.

  Ben did not divulge much information about his time away with work, as it was complex, at times confusing. So he just gave me tidbits of information that he was happy to give me.

  The only thing that I knew about his job at Earth Sphere was, that he would go away with a team of professionals in his field, and sometimes they succeeded in their job, sometimes not.

  That night, Ben took me out to an Italian restaurant for dinner. It was in the centre of the city and a very popular place for well-to-do people to dine.

  I wore an elegant black evening dress. The bodice was tightly fitted, while the fluted skirt ended just above my knees, showing my legs, ankles and my gorgeous black high heeled shoes.

  We walked hand in hand into the restaurant, stopping at the entrance, greeted by the waiter.

  “I have a booking for Ben Adams,” Ben said.

  “Yes indeed sir. And your lovely wife’s name is?” he asked.

  “Cate,“ replied Ben, looking at me and smiling.

  “Cate and Ben, we have your table prepared over here. Please follow me,” instructed the waiter.

  I was seated first, and then Ben sat opposite me. The table was small and intimate, adorned with flowers and candles in the centre.

  As soon as the waiter had taken our order for some wine and left, I giggled at Ben.

  “Thank-you husband for bringing me to this fine Italian restaurant. How did you get a booking by the way? It is always booked out for months in advance?” I stated.

  “I get what I want,” he replied smiling crookedly at me.

  We looked at the menu, discussing the finer details of the dishes, before we ordered. When the waiter had left, Ben reached over to touch my hand.

  “Dance with me Cate,“ Ben requested. Then he got up, still holding my hand, and walked around the table to me, his eyes connecting with mi
ne.

  My heart started to beat very fast. I slowly rose from the table and placed my right hand on the side of his face lovingly. Then he led me to the dance floor.

  A small orchestra played slow romantic music as Ben took me in his arms, in the classic waltz pose. But I wanted to be closer to him, so I brought my body closer to his, resting my head next to his.

  “You look absolutely beautiful Cate. I’m having trouble concentrating with you dressed this way tonight.”

  “Good,” I whispered.

  “I just wish all of the men would stop looking at you. I know what they are thinking,“ Ben said.

  “And, what would that be Ben?” I asked curiously.

  “Mmmm, the same thing that I am thinking Cate.“

  “And that would be?” I asked again.

  “Aaah. I don’t think I should tell you, or even show you for that matter. It would break our promise,” Ben replied rawly.

  “But Ben, I am your wife remember?” I teased. I heard him quietly laugh to himself.

  At that moment, the meal was delivered to the table, and so we left the dance floor.

  “Dance with me again later Cate,“ insisted Ben.

  We ate our meals slowly, savoring every bite of the fine Italian food, savoring each other’s company throughout the meal.

  After a short while, dessert was served, just one dessert. We had ordered it this way to share it together, as we often did, from very early on in our relationship, even before the very first kiss.

  It was symbolic to us, to our commitment to each other.

  Then Ben again took my hand in his, and slowly brought my hand to his lips, kissed it gently, not taking his eyes off me.

  I breathed in deeply, moved by the emotion that I could see in his cerulean eyes. My heart pounded and my body ached for him. But I would have to wait.

  Ben led me back to the dance floor, holding me close as we danced. We danced in comfortable silence. I was so deeply in love with him.

  “Cate, I love you so much more that I can express with words, I deeply, deeply love you,” Ben spoke softly and with emotion.

  “And I love you so very deeply Ben, forever,“ I declared.

  “I wish you were my wife Cate, “Ben stated.

  “Why’s that Ben?”

  “So then I could take you home and make love to you,” he whispered into my ear.

  “Ben, don’t say things like that when I am trying so hard to be good. One day it will happen, won’t it? “I questioned.

  “Yes, the sooner, the better,“ he said, “Let’s go home now, I’m not coping with your closeness in public so well. We need to be alone.”

  He led me off the dance floor, left money for the dinner and drove me home. He was unusually quiet.

  He stopped his car at my house, and sat, staring out of the front windscreen momentarily. He did not look at me, and I started to worry, the feeling of dread coming over me.

  Then he got out of the car and went around and opened my door for me, taking my hand as I climbed out of the seat.

  Our eyes met, but Ben looked away, breathing deeply. I hated that. He was avoiding something, but not telling me about it.

  He held my hand as we walked through Katie’s gate to the front door, where we stopped for me to unlock the door.

  “Ah, Cate, I’m going to go home now. I really can’t come in with you. I am feeling absolutely no strength in my self-control with you. If I go into your house with you, I know that I will break my promise to you. This is …very difficult right now,” Ben explained.

  “Ben, “I said concerned. I placed my hands on his chest worried about him. I could see how much he was struggling with his emotions.

  “Will I see you tomorrow?” I asked, doubting whether I would.

  “I hope so, I mean, I want to, but the way I am feeling right now…Aah, I really have to go!”

  He turned quickly, not looking at me and ran to his car. He sat there for a moment before turning on the ignition and driving away, screeching the tyres.

  I entered the house alone, and upset. I wanted Ben to be here with me.

  I went to bed, worried about Ben. Normally, his self-control was 100 per cent indestructible.

  Chapter 12

  Proposal

  Ben arrived at my house at the break of dawn the next morning. I was up harvesting the fruits from The Magnificent Tree for the hungry people, placing them in baskets in the back yard.

  From the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of him jumping the fence, and then jogging towards me. But, he stopped when he saw me. I looked at him, and he took my breath away. He was wearing a sleeveless body hugging white shirt, revealing his muscular build, and black shorts with a black belt. I watched as he turned around as if he was about to leave. It was strange feeling high at the sight of seeing him again, to feeling disappointment that he may leave, and then confusion as to why he was reacting to me in this way.

  “Hey,” I said to him, watching him for his reaction. He stopped in his tracks.

  “It’s a beautiful morning Cate,“ he said, his face unreadable as he turned to face me.

  I looked at him again. “Yeah, “I smiled. He was closer to me now, and looked into my eyes deeply, but I looked away. I felt a little uncomfortable with him this morning.

  “I am sorry about almost leaving when I saw you Cate. I was thinking of me, but then, I didn’t want to punish you because of my lack of self control. I am sorry Cate,” he explained.

  Then he lowered his head down to look at the grass as he walked even closer to me. When he lifted his head again, I was standing there, staring at him with a compassionate smile. He smiled back shyly, shaking his head.

  He looked into the baskets to see which fruits I had collected, and then went to The Magnificent Tree to collect more. As he was reaching up to twist the fruit off the branches, I walked up behind him and hugged him and felt his heart skip a beat.

  “Benjamin Adams, I love you!” I said. Then I let go of him and went back to collecting the fruits.

  When the basket was full, Ben carried it out to the front fence on the house. I walked closely next to him, holding on to his shirt. Together we gently placed the fruits into the seven baskets hanging off the front fence. No sooner had we done this, that the people started coming to collect their fill.

  I could feel Ben’s eyes on me as I interacted with the homeless, offering them advice, encouragement and words of wisdom. I glanced over at him, and he pointed to his eye, his heart and me. I interpreted it as I love you. And while I was placing the last of the seven fruits into the baskets, the black car parked a little way up the street, the exact same one that I had observed recently. The expression on Ben’s face changed from happy and content to one of questioning and suspicion.

  I noticed that he stood out of sight of the car, but still able to see it clearly himself. He watched the occupants, dressed in black, walk carefully to the fruit baskets, and then take one of each of the seven fruits. They did not talk and they did not make eye contact with anyone.

  Then, Ben watched as they returned to the black car, which then accelerated slowly, turning around to head back in the other direction. They intended for their car not to be seen. As the black car drove slowly away, I saw Ben memorizing the number plate. I knew that he would investigate it when he returned to work.

  I wanted to discuss that black car with Ben. I could see that he was as perplexed about the incident as me, but he did not mention it to me. So I pretended that I did not see anything that happened. Surely, he would give me information about the black car once he had investigated it.

  He returned to the back yard before I did. I found him sitting under the garden gazebo. His eyes were closed as I quietly went over to him. He didn’t outwardly show that he had heard me coming, but I knew that he was aware of me standing next to him. He always knew. He could sense my nearness much more acutely than I could sense his. He was a Terrean after all.

  He opened his eyes to my happy face
looking down upon him.

  “Thank-you for helping me today Ben,” I said, smiling at him.

  “Would you like to stay for breakfast?” I asked.

  “I would love to stay for breakfast Cate, and spend the entire day with you. I promise I won’t go running off because I can’t control myself like last night Cate. I am sorry for ending our enchanting evening together like that…please forgive me?” he said, searching my eyes for forgiveness.

  “And what if I don’t forgive you Benjamin Adams? “ I asked.

  “Then I would have to chase you, capture you and tickle you until you give in and forgive me Cate Adams!” he said teasingly.

  “Mmmm. I like the sound of that, but, I have to admit, I am finding it hard to forgive you!” I teased back.

  And with that, I took off at top speed, and he pursued me. He could have easily outrun me with his Terrean build and athleticism, but he was enjoying the chase as much as I was.

  I surprised him with my agility, and of course I had a better knowledge of the garden than he did. But still, he seemed amazed every time that I outmaneuvered him in some tricky situations.

  Finally though, he had outwitted me. I found myself cornered and backed up to the wall of the house behind me. There was no escape for me this time, and I knew it. I watched Ben’s every move scrupulously, watching and waiting for my chance of escape. But it did not come.

  His eyes never left mine as he moved slowly towards me. I could not move left or right, up or down. He was coming in for the tickle, and I hoped that it would not be too painful.

  He stopped at a very short distance from me. He placed his hands on either side of me on the wall of the house.

  “Do you forgive me Cate?” he threatened.

  “It depends Ben,” I replied.