by Chevoque
Tristan had disappeared and with his return, he wordlessly pulled a blanket over them both, kissed her sleepy face, and whispered, “Please stay forever.” Then there was blissful darkness, followed by a peaceful sleep.
Chapter Nine
Aaliyah woke as warm sunlight began falling in through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the room. Tristan’s embrace was comforting, and his hand smoothed over her side as he sighed in delight. She turned on her back and met his sleepy eyes staring back at her.
He leaned in and laid a kiss on her cheek, then her lips. They both stayed quiet as his hand explored her skin with soft, caressing kneads. She smiled, only to receive the boyish grin she was silently calling her own.
She looked from his handsome face with the gold-flecked eyes and beard, down his neck, and she saw the tattoo on his chest. “Why do you have this?” Her nimble fingers traced down the one, then the two nines and before she was able to reach the three, his quietness made her look him in the eyes again.
Gloominess looked back, but his guard was down. “It was my sister’s birth year.”
She bit her lip. Trying to guide him away from the sadness, she whispered, “It’s mine as well.”
He gave a gravelly chuckle. “I know.” His facade relaxed, and his shining soul showed on the surface once more.
“So, what are you planning to do today?” Aaliyah asked, rubbing her head against his chest and enjoying their tender embrace.
“Do you have anything you need to do? I would like to spend the day with you.” He looked a little excited and it pleased her quite thoroughly.
She blushed. “Madeline and I are getting together tonight.” She didn’t want to admit it was for more drawings, because somehow she felt too shy about it, especially knowing the one that started it all was downstairs. “But…spending some time with you would be great.”
“Well then, after I make us some breakfast, I would like to take you somewhere.” He looked pleased with himself, almost too pleased.
“I’ll first need a change of clothes,” she said. “Are you planning something weird or will it be a normal Saturday date?”
He leaned in and kissed her. It was enough to make her hope they’d be spending the day locked up in his house and continuing to have these sweet exchanges. “It will be whatever you make it to be, but I want to share it with you.”
She was puzzled as he laid a peck on her cheek. He jumped up and out of the bed, much quicker than she herself would’ve managed, and then slipped on some shorts.
“Now, I’ll start breakfast and when you’re ready, you can join me. We’ll go to your…” he groaned for the obvious reasons, “…place and then I’ll take you on the weird Saturday date.”
She chuckled as he walked to the door, stopped, turned around, and faced her once more.
“Oh, the kitchen is to the left at the end of the staircase.” He closed the distance, leaned in for a quick kiss, and then, like a South African child who got to open their presents the night before Christmas, he sauntered away with a smirk. “Let’s hope Isabella hasn’t destroyed the house.”
Aaliyah laughed into the pillow, as the thought of the poor dog made her feel a little embarrassed. She’d probably disturbed her normal routine. When the giggles faded, all Aaliyah could do was sigh in complete delight, stretch out over the bed, and then smile at her situation. But before she could appreciate the moment fully, her mind finally gained back its wit, so she grabbed her bra and underwear, got dressed in those, and dashed out of the room.
Down the stairs, she heard Tristan’s worried question, but at the door she found what became forgotten the moment her lips had locked with Tristan’s. Her handbag, and within it was her phone, which she suspected would be filled with messages from Madeline, worrying where she was. Yet, there was nothing, which made Aaliyah worry about why Madeline hadn’t been freaking out like usual. Aaliyah immediately began a call.
“Is everything okay?” Tristan’s concerned eyes met hers when she turned, still half-naked at the front door and on the phone.
“Yes, I just remembered that Madeline was likely waiting for my call and—Oh, wait.” She turned her back on him as the beep of the message tone sounded. “Hey, Maddy. Uhm…I’m sorry I hadn’t gotten back to you, but, well, Tristan and I are…” she turned and faced him casually leaning against the archway, while mixing something in a bowl and eagerly awaiting her next statement, “…together now. Well, officially at least, I hope.”
He smirked at her, winked, and walked away, which made her cheeks burn. She shamelessly watched his muscular backside disappear.
“So, I just wanted to say hi. I know it is early so I surmise you’re still sleeping, but I’m spending the day with Tristan and I’ll still see you tonight. You seem a little quiet, but, anyway, call, okay? Bye and love you.”
She ended the call and pondered over how Madeline was going to react to the news. Getting her dress back on, she then made her way to the kitchen and chuckled. She found Isabella standing tall enough to see onto the already neatly set kitchen nook.
“Is your friend okay?” Tristan asked with a bite of concern, while Isabella came closer to greet her.
She rubbed Isabella’s floppy ears and said, “I think so. I believe she likely just had a too good of a time with her ex-boyfriend.” The acid rolled off Aaliyah’s tongue as she spoke.
Tristan reached at the spice rack and spiced the omelette he was making. “It sounds like you aren’t a fan.”
“Stating or asking?” she teased and continued, “He’s just…I don’t know, and it’s none of my business, but he does sometimes seem a bit too intense.” Her phone beeped and it was a message from Madeline saying she is glad that Aaliyah had finally officially gotten together with Tristan and that she would see her later that evening.
She set her phone on the kitchen nook and walked to Tristan’s side. His arm easily wrapped around her hip, and he kept cooking the omelette with his other hand.
“Happy?” he asked and it caught Aaliyah off guard, but she smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder, hugged his side, and silently nodded. The moment felt complete as it was.
***
Tristan
Tristan couldn’t help but feel his excitement pour over as he watched Aaliyah’s face when they had first arrived at Point State Park. He remembered she said she had never been, and to show her that he really wanted to be part of her life, part of the special moments, he felt like taking her there would prove that desire in some odd way. It felt strange, such a simple date when he wished to have rather given her more.
But then he was reminded that it was her, the beautiful dark-haired woman who mesmerised him whenever he came close enough to look into her eyes. They were a little watery at that very moment as she looked back at him. The fountain spurted several metres above them.
“Thank you, this is…wow.” She was in his arms a moment later, her supple lips once more meeting his and then her smile broke it. She looked shy for a moment, then pulled away and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Picture perfect. Mount Washington stood mighty to her left, the fountain’s water right behind her and the rivers endlessly pushing on to complete the portrait of her. He felt small in this setting, but greater than ever before as Aaliyah took his hand and faced the enormity with him. There they stood, silent, and Tristan was overwhelmed at how right it felt.
After a while, she said, “Back in South Africa, almost every place with water would have a little kid running around in it. Several on a good day.” She chuckled. “I think I miss the people the most.”
He turned and faced her. “I’m sure some kid is likely to dodge the parents and take a quick run through, but missing home is normal.” He took a quick breath to settle his fear. “Do you plan on going back?”
She squinted like she was thinking awfully hard, and then she began laughing. It was quite unnerving. She held her hand over her mouth and gestured for him to wait until she was done,
which took more time than he appreciated.
“Tristan.” She chucked and had a bright smile. “I’m here now.” Her hands smoothed up his arms, until she laced them together behind his neck, looking him in the eyes. “I don’t want to go back and leave all I have here behind. And for the worry you showed at that thought…I can’t tell you how much I loved seeing that. It might be a little sadistic, but I really do like you, and I wanna be wherever time takes us.”
“Just a little sadistic?” he teased her and leaned in to kiss the cherry lips he ever-craved, but before their lips locked, he whispered, “I like you too.” The tightness of her lips in a smile was evident and as they kissed.
The laughter of a child echoed around them. Aaliyah all but ripped away to see, and there was her moment; the child running around the fountain’s spout while a parent was aimlessly calling. She laid her head against his shoulder—like she had that morning in the kitchen—and sighed in delight, while the word perfect softly sounded in the momentary chaos around them.
***
Aaliyah
Aaliyah wasn’t too enthused when she saw Madeline’s apartment block nearing while the sun set behind them. When Tristan had to take her home, he suggested he take her to Madeline, which Aaliyah wanted to refuse, but the extra time with him was welcomed.
“Here it is.” She pointed toward the brick faced building and Tristan double parked in the quiet street. “Thanks.” She was invaded by sombre feelings.
“Well, I hope you enjoyed our day together,” Tristan said as he peeked at the building. “Should I walk you up?”
“No, I think saying goodbye here would be easier.” She meant it. “I really had a lot of fun today.” After they had been at Point State Park, he’d taken her for lunch to Primanti Bros., where they had sandwiches and it had become one of her favourite places to be. “I especially enjoyed the part where we washed Isabella.”
He sighed. “You really didn’t need to help.” He said it in a way that made it sound like she had complained.
“I wanted to, Tristan.” She took his hand, looked into his eyes, and reassured him his odd notion was unnecessary. “I love dogs, and though Isabella is a bit large, she is so much fun. And she likes me, which is a plus.”
He analysed her for a moment and seemed to settle. “Well, if it counts for anything, you chasing after her was quite comical. It was one of the best parts of the day for me.” The tone of his voice and the look in his eyes were both perfect.
“You should tell me some of the other things when I see you again.” Aaliyah couldn’t believe how flirty it sounded and it boosted her confidence, because this was why she loved being with Tristan. He already made her much more comfortable in her own skin, and it only once bothered her that her birthmark was revealed, but even then it seemed minute. “Well, I should go.” She paused, leaned over, and as she kissed him goodbye, it felt surreal that the amazing day was over.
Once she was out of the car, he finally said, “I’ll call you tomorrow. There is something I want to ask you.”
“You tell me this now, after we just spent the day together?” she teased, but she was curious now.
“I guess I was a little shy.” He smirked boyishly as she leaned forward.
Slanting her eyes, she looked at him and countered, “Yes, sounds like something a mogul would do. I’ll just wonder and make up very elaborate scenario in my mind, until I get that call then.” She gave him a half-smile. “Bye, Tristan.”
“Goodbye, Aaliyah.” He looked how she felt when she closed the door. As he drove away, at least she knew that she would now be able to tell Madeline of it all. Her excitement bloomed once more as she buzzed Madeline’s flat.
As Aaliyah entered the apartment, Madeline eagerly asked questions. Aaliyah, who was equally rapt, answered them all, but something about Madeline seemed off. She didn’t mention anything, but later, as they were discussing what to have for dinner, Aaliyah caught sight of a black bruise on Madeline’s hip when she had awkwardly bent down to get some frozen veggies from the fridge, as her shirt had ridden up.
“Maddy.” Aaliyah could hear the tremble in her tone, as she moved closer.
“Liyah, what on earth? You look downright scared! Like paler than I am.” Madeline was at her side.
Aaliyah took a breath, closed her eyes and opened them again, fighting the fear. “What happened to your side?”
Madeline’s face went blank. She took a split-second to recover and shook it off like it was nothing. “I walked into—”
“No!” Aaliyah raised her voice far higher than she intended. “It was him, wasn’t it? It was Rick? I always suspected, but—”
“Aaliyah…” Madeline looked broken for the first time since she had known her. Her eyes welled up and her shoulders began to shake. “He was mad because I wouldn’t take him back. It was right after you called. I pled with him to just leave, and the next thing I knew, he pushed me down and then I felt his foot holding me there.”
Aaliyah moved closer to Madeline. “Did he…?”
“No. No, nothing like that, he just kicked me a few times and then left.” She took a breath. “It had hurt so much and I wanted to call you, but you had just told me you were fixing things with Tristan and I didn’t want to interrupt.”
“Maddy.” She grabbed her friend into a hug, taking care not to hurt her. “You could never interrupt when it comes to you being safe. Promise me you will never not call me again, okay?”
Madeline sobbed and held tightly onto Aaliyah. “Okay,” she said in a teary reply.
“Don’t you need to see a doctor or something? How much does it hurt? Are you okay? Maybe we should go to the police and report this,” Aaliyah was panicking.
“It hurts, but it’s fine, really. Please just stay here for a few nights. I don’t think he’ll come back, but I don’t want to be alone. My thoughts, they’re…” She trailed off.
The plea broke Aaliyah’s heart, and tears trailed down her own face. She was furious and sad and wanted nothing more than to make her friend feel safe again. “I’ll stay for as long as you need me to,” she promised and held onto Madeline, who was still shaking as she cried. Aaliyah only wanted to hurt the man who had hurt her friend.
Chapter Ten
Aaliyah had only seen the damage Rick had caused the next day, when Madeline was still asleep and her shirt had exposed the area. Why Madeline hadn’t said it was as bad would forever bother her, but numerous darker contact points covered the enormous blue-and-purple bruise.
“Maddy,” she whispered a few times, until Madeline woke up and faced her with sleepy eyes. “Aren’t you in too much pain?”
“Liyah, I told you. I am fine,” Madeline protested.
“Yes, but you could have a broken rib or something? There’s a few bruises that look like they might need a doctor’s attention, which makes me worry, because if Rick just kicked you, how hard did he go? For how long?” Aaliyah knew it was out of line, but she had never seen anything like it and she was frustrated that she wasn’t able to help Madeline.
Madeline got up. She groaned and faced Aaliyah. “Please, it’s over and I just want to forget about what had happened.” Aaliyah wasn’t having it, but as she was about to speak, Madeline continued, “I don’t ever want you to understand this, but forgetting is the only way I can try to not—”
“If I’d been here, it wouldn’t have happened,” Aaliyah said, the words that had made her question everything. That had made her wonder. If she had rather put her own life on hold and came to Madeline, if things might have turned out better, maybe Madeline wouldn’t have gotten hurt? She knew she would then have likely lost a chance of getting Tristan back, but it still outweighed the fact that her friend would’ve been safe.
Madeline came to sit on the bed next to Aaliyah. She sighed, looked at her hands, and whispered, “I was lonely in a way that I was the one who called him.”
Aaliyah frowned. She was shocked and confused.
“I lied, okay?
For the first time he wasn’t the one coming to me. After the call with you, after hearing that you were finally going to do the right thing with Tristan, I didn’t feel so empty. It made me realise that if I ever want to forget about Uzochi, I needed to realise that I deserved better than Rick, who only uses me.”
Uzochi was Madeline’s “the one that got away,” and with her stating just his name and admitting a feeling Aaliyah hoped to never experience, she understood why Madeline had been a little off the last few weeks. He was everything to her when they they’d first met. Aaliyah even remembered that he was on one of the first portraits Madeline ever sold.
She caringly grabbed Madeline into a hug. “I’ll always be here for you, and I promise you that you will find someone that will be a far better person that Rick could ever be.” Pulling away, she caught Madeline’s doubtful smile, so she decided the best way to cheer Madeline up was to distract her, before they both sat sobbing the entire day. “So, how about we get some breakfast? I tell you something about The Marked One, and we get that butterfly portrait done.”
“Thanks, Liyah,” Madeline said. She used the back of her hand to wipe away the tears and got up. “Now, tell me about The Marked One first. It’s like my baby!” Madeline was back to how she always was, and it made Aaliyah realise it was likely more of a safety mechanism and ultimately it made her see exactly why they were fit to be friends.
***
The day had gone longer than she had expected. Madeline had been talking about destiny for most of it, because it had turned out that Tristan was the one who bought The Marked One, which caused them to get together. Then came the tracing of her special mark, which once again took forever, but when Madeline had lined it up to form the butterfly with a portrait she already had of the mark they had done before, Aaliyah could see a quite interesting form, though the end product was still a mystery.
