One Year Later
There was nothing like coming home, to find rose petals spread across the floor, in a trail leading to the...bathroom? Shyla found herself slightly confused. She knew Liam was up to something, from the minute she stepped inside their small flat. She saw a trail of rose petals, and couldn't help but smile. She took off her coat and purse, setting them on the desk by the door. She slowly followed the trail, expecting it to lead to the bedroom and yet it lead to the bathroom door.
A funny thought crossed her mind. Perhaps he'd been spreading them, and suddenly had to go. She tapped on the bathroom door as she heard light music playing, "I'm home."
"Come in." She heard him say.
She bit her lip and hesitated for a moment. She could imagine a million scenarios behind this door and let herself relish in the possibilities. Eventually, she moved her hand to the doorknob and slowly opened the door. Inside her eyes lit up. The entire room was covered in candles and there were rose petals all around the tub. She could see steam rising up from a hot bubble bath, and saw Liam holding a plate of chocolates, surrounding a...ring. It sparked in the candlelight and she froze.
Her breath caught in her throat and her heart skipped a beat. This should be one of the happiest moments of her life. This last year had been amazing. From the moment they'd taken off from the airport, they'd hit the ground running. The world was their oyster and there wasn't anywhere they couldn't go, nor anything they couldn't do. At first they just looked at various architecture.
Shyla was a little worried that Liam might change his mind, about coming with her, or want to call his family, but he was so caught up in the beauty and excitement of everything that he was able to keep his promise. She loved watching his eyes as he studied the infrastructure and various masterpieces. He'd spend days sketching and painting. They had to stay on a budget, and he wasn't used to that. For the first time in his life, he knew what it was, to want something he couldn't afford.
She tried to keep things as low key as possible. She transferred banks more then once, and took out her cash limit. After that she only went to the bank, when it was absolutely necessary. Once she got her cast off, she took them to one of the busiest cities and insisted they only travel by backpack and hitch rides after that. They'd stay in hostels and never the same one, for more then a few days.
Liam thought it was all part of their "adventure" but she covered their tracks, whenever she could. Sometimes they'd even use fake names, for the "fun of it." She might have been overly paranoid, but there was always a chance Rotham might find them. To this day, Shyla hadn't told Liam what his brother had done to her that weekend, nor that she had been an escort. They lived in kind of bubble and got lost in their own world.
After a few months, they got the opportunity to go somewhere remote. They spent a few weeks in an ancient village, high in the mountains. The views were breathtaking, but it had been chilly. They opted to go somewhere warmer next and traveled to a small cluster of tropical islands. They quickly fell in love with one place, called Caluso.
They spent several days basking in the sun. They'd go on long walks and explore the older architecture. They learned to surf and she never felt so close to him, and yet there would always be secrets between them. She told herself she was okay with that. She just wanted things to stay the way they were forever.
One night there was a massive storm in Caluso. The entire island nearly went under and they could have died. After it passed, most people sought to escape, but they stayed along with a few other tourists, and offered aid wherever they could. Liam got assigned to help with rescues. His knowledge about architecture came in handy, and he was able to assess which structures were safe. Shyla took up first aid. She was taught how to fix minor injuries, then helped organize and hand out supplies.
Some days they were beyond exhausted, but they also never felt more alive. They got to know the locals and stayed longer then they should have. They felt like they were actually doing something. They almost stayed, but Shyla got worried, after she found out the disaster had been on the news, and they'd been caught on camera. There was always a chance someone might recognize them and it could get back to Rotham.
They kept going and she began to wonder if she'd always be looking over her shoulder. Would they ever be able to settle down or have kids? She couldn't run forever and yet she knew she couldn't stop. She had seen the look in Rotham's eyes. She had been lucky to get away once, let alone twice. She did not think he'd let her escape a third time, not without a fight. She had to do something, but what could she really do against a man like Rotham? She tried not to think about it. She just kept going, hoping one day she'd figure something out.
Recently they'd been renting a small flat. Liam had been doing street art, selling portraits in various mediums. He mostly got couples and tourists. He also sold a few paintings he'd done on places they'd been. Shyla had taken up various crafts, making blankets, scarves, hats and jewelry. She also baked cookies, but found she needed a food license to sell them so she'd been giving them away for free. It helped bring people in, and they made enough to get by, though it wasn't always easy. She could tell Liam was missing his family. He'd been mentioning them more, but also said he never felt more in control of his life.
The other day, someone traded Liam a guitar for one of his paintings, and she joked about getting a tambourine so they could start a band. He said he was probably just going to sell it, but he'd been messing around with it, and was actually pretty good. She loved listening to him play at night, and suggested he do it on the street, in between paintings. He played some yesterday and actually got some decent tips.
This morning he'd given her some money, to go to the market and get some fresh fruit, bread and cheese. When she got back ,she thought he'd still be in bed, yet here he was in the bathroom. He looked at her now, with such love in his eyes. She knew he was waiting for her answer.
She bit her lip, then asked, "How long have you been in here?"
"Not long." He smiled.
She could see he was beginning to worry. She knew she should say something. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, there was no doubt in her heart. This last year had been amazing!
Yet logically, she knew things were problematic. She had a past and Rotham would always be a thing. She might be able to avoid him for a few more years, but eventually-
"Shyla." Liam's voice cracked with emotion.
"Sorry," she said. Her eyes welling up with tears. "Just taking in this moment. I don't want to forget a second of it."
He smiled but still waited for her response. She bit her lip and thought of what would happen, if she said no. Things would probably be over and she didn't want them to end. Yet if she said yes. She closed her eyes and a tear escaped down her cheek. She felt so torn up inside. She opened her eyes then looked into his, and made a decision. She was terrified of what this would mean, but was more scared of losing him.
"Do you even have to ask!" Her voice broke with emotion, "Of course, I'll marry you."
He lit up and clearly forgot he was surrounded by candles as he nearly knocked a few over. She rushed to him and steadied him.
"Careful now," she said.
"Always." He said back and they kissed.
They held each other for a long moment. Then he picked up the ring, from the plate and slid it on to her finger. Once it was secure they popped a few chocolates into their mouth. Then he put the plate down on the floor and insisted. "Let's get in before the water gets cold,"
"You're joining me?"
"But of course." He said.
She smiled and it didn't take them long to get undressed. Taking a bubble bath was nice, but taking it with the one you loved was amazing. He got in first and laid back, then she got in and rested her back on him. She loved feeling, the heat of the water and the closeness of their bodies. He also had some wine ready to go, two glasses. They dank a full glass each, before she even looked twice at the ring. Her eyes widened as she noticed how big the center stone was, and that there were several other stones as well.
"Is it real!" She gasped more to herself then him. She hoped not!. More then anything she hoped it was a fake! She knew how crazy that sounded. Millions of women no doubt wished a stone this big was real, and yet she dreaded it. For if it were real, it would mean he had access to money again, and had no doubt been in contact with his family...Rotham!
"Yes," he said, "Do you like it?"
NO! Her heart sank, but she pretended to squeal with delight, "Love it!"
He was so happy and she didn't want to ruin it. He poured them another glass and she threw it back in one gulp. He didn't seem to notice as he cooed, "I love you so much, Shyla."
"I love you," she said still staring at the ring. Several tears escaped her eyes as she threw her head back against his chest. Now was not the time to lose it. No if anything, she needed to do damage control. How long had he been in touch with them? How long did she have? Was there anything she could still do? She cleared her throat and tried to sound natural as she asked. "How long have you had this?"
"A few weeks! I swear it was burning a hole in my pocket!"
Weeks. WEEKS! Her horror intensified, but quickly turned to confusion. If it had been weeks and Rotham still hadn't barged into their life...then maybe just maybe, things were going to be okay? NO! She could still recall the intensity in his gaze and the desperation in his grasp. This wouldn't ever be over for him. He was a man obsessed! So what? Had something happened to him? The thought made her heart soar.
"Have you-" She began to ask about Rotham. Then wasn't sure if she wanted to know. If something had happened to him the nightmare was over, but if it hadn't, then just what was he up to?
"What's that?" Liam asked
"Uh," she drank her wine then went for it. She really couldn't afford to put this off. She might as well rip off the bandage "Have you been in touch with... your family?" Her back was to him, she couldn't see his expression, but she felt his body tense, "Liam?
"I-" He let out a heavy sigh then said, "Yes. I know what you said, but my mother would never forgive me if I didn't call her on her birthday."
"Oh."
"Yeah. I know how you feel about my family, but I promise things are going to be different going forward. I made it clear they have to accept you or they wont have me in their life. I also talked things out with my dad and he wants us to have a better relationship."
She wanted to be happy for him, but it was hard. "What about Rotham?" She asked.
"Mother said he was pretty upset. He hired a private investigator and everything."Liam chuckled. "He was half convinced, you killed me and buried me in some unmarked grave. I guess he missed me."
"Hmm," said Shyla before finishing off her wine. He had no idea. He had no idea.
Liam could tell she was upset. He poured her another glass and she quickly downed it. He poured her another and she joked, "Just give me the bottle at this point."
"I know you're upset, but honestly Shyla they are my family. If your parents were still around, it would be hard to stay away from them, even if you weren't always on the best terms."
"Right." Shyla let out a heavy sigh, then continued, "I just. I just wish you had discussed this with me before you contacted them."
"It was kind of spur of the moment. I realized what day it was and called without really thinking about it."
"Right," Shyla sighed unsure of what to do. After a minute she leaned her head back against Liam. She supposed it might be time to talk. "When we- When we get out of the tub, we should talk."
"About," asked Liam. He gently kissed the top of her head.
She closed her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek, mixing with the water in the tub. "The future, and the past."
"Okay," said Liam, "We can do that. Do you want talk before or after dinner? I made a reservation."
"Reservation?"
"Yeah, I figured you'd want to celebrate."
"So you have access to your money," she sucked in her bottom lip as she opened her eyes.
"Yeah, my dad is just happy I called. He says we can work things out later."
Later right. She wasn't sure about later. She wasn't sure how anything was going to go after they talked. The doorbell suddenly rang. They both froze for a second as it rang again and again. Whoever was at the door seemed persistent.
"Are you expecting anyone?" asked Shyla.
"No." said Liam. "Are you?"
"No. Maybe they'll go away."
Liam laughed, but tapped her shoulder and nudged her forward slightly. She moved and he got out of the tub. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off as he said "It could be important. I'll check the door, then we should get dressed."
"Aw, we just got in," said Shyla, sitting back in the tub. She splashed some water about, then gathered up some bubbles and blew them into the air.
Liam laughed as he threw on some boxers, "It's been like half an hour,"
"No way!" she said. It hadn't felt like half an hour.
The doorbell rang again and again. Whoever it was, wasn't giving up.
Liam groaned, then ran his hands through his hair and shook his head, "I'll get rid of whoever is at the door. You get out, blow out the candles and drain the tub. Then get dressed in that little black dress, you know the one I like,"
"Oh, telling me what to wear now that we're engaged, bossy," Shyla teased.
"Not bossy, I just love looking at you in that. Of course, nothing beats the outfit you've got on now."
"Really, well then I have an idea," she said, sitting up in the tub. She reached out to him as he was throwing on a shirt," You come back to the tub, we'll finish up our bath and I can wear this outfit for you all night long."
"We'll miss our reservation,"
"Will we?" she seductively teased.
He chuckled and gave her a kiss, but ultimately grabbed his pants as the doorbell persisted. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" he said as he opened the bathroom door.
"You could be cumming," she pouted, falling back in the tub.
"Later," he teased back, "I promise, we both will,"
He left shutting the door behind him. Even thought they had been in the tub a while, the water still felt warm…safe. She didn't want to get out...didn't want to start what could be the beginning of the end. She knew this couldn't last forever that the bubble would have to pop eventually but still. The door bell stopped ringing and she let out a heavy sigh. She finished off her drink, then set it on the floor thinking she might as well get out. She didn't want to keep Liam waiting. She glanced at her engagement ring, then popped the plug in the tub and started blowing out the candles.
***/
At the door, Liam stood frozen. He probably should have checked the peephole to see who it was, before he'd opened the door, but the doorbell had been driving him nuts. He had a lot of plans tonight and there was no room for interruptions. He thought it might be a package at first, or wrong address, maybe even a neighbor, but as they kept ringing, he worried it might be the police or fire department. It definitely had to be something important, because most people would have given up by now, thinking they weren't home. Of course his brother wasn't most people.
Liam's jaw dropped as he took in Rotham. He hadn't seen him in a while and he looked... different. He looked like he'd lost weight, his cheeks were sunken and his eyes seemed a bit warn around the edges. Maybe they always had been and he'd never noticed, or maybe Rotham was getting older. His hair was also unkempt and his designer suit was wrinkled. It was so unlike Rotham that Liam wondered if something was going on.
He hadn't expected to see him so soon and here of all places. He'd barely given out his address. His mother had insisted just this morning. She'd been asking for weeks. When he told her that he was going to propose tonight, she demanded an address, wanting to send a congratulations gift. She must have told Rotham, but for him to get here so soon, he must have dropped everything and caught the first fight he could get, which was rare for him...especially when it came to Liam.
Rotham smiled at Liam as he strode into the apartment. Liam just stood there for another second or two, taking him in. Rotham quickly looked around, and did little to hide his displeasure at what he was seeing. He no doubt disapproved of Liam's lifestyle. Of course when hadn't he. Liam let out a heavy sigh and nodded to himself, this seemed more like the Rotham he knew.
"Rotham?" said Liam, shutting the door.
"Liam," said Rotham still looking around.
"What are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?" Liam demanded.
"As I recall we share the same mother," Rotham said, not looking at Liam.
Liam sighed just as he's suspected, "Of course, I asked her not to,"
"And when has she ever listened."
Liam nodded and let out another heavy sigh. Rotham just kept looking around, anxiously so as if he were searching for something in particular. Beer bottles perhaps, but Liam had managed to stay sober. He still had the occasional drink, but for the most part he'd been clean. Maybe it was because he hadn't felt like a constant disappointment in quite some time. For once, he really loved his life and hoped to keep it that way.
"Are you busy?" Rotham asked, pulling Liam from his thoughts.
"Busy? Yeah, kind of." said Liam "We're just about to head out,"
"So you've done it then," said Rotham, "Proposed."
"Yeah."
"And."
"She said yes."
Rotham got a strange look on his face, one Liam had never seen before. He wasn't sure what to make of it. Rotham cleared his throat then looked around again, "So this is where you've been living."
"Not the whole time, we moved around a lot, but we've been here for a little bit."
"Hmm," said Rotham. Liam doubted his brother cared where he'd been. He wanted to ask him why he was here and now. Just what did he want and most of all could it wait? Before he could, Rotham continued, "It isn't much, is it? This place. Then again you've always had simple taste,"
Rotham put his hands behind his back and started to walk around. He glanced at Liam's sculptures, then turned to his paintings on the walls. Liam doubted Rotham would take an interest in any of it. He already knew how his family felt about his "little artworks" as they called it. He doubted his time away had changed his brother's opinion, yet Rotham suddenly froze as something caught his eye.
Liam turned to see what it was and his stomach dropped. He realized Rotham had honed in on the picture he'd painted of Shyla...in the nude. It had to be one of his best works to date and he couldn't help but hang it up, wishing to admire it. Shyla had protested about him hanging it in the living room, but had eventually given in, when he pointed out they had no visitors and the light in this room was just perfect.
He looked at it now, realizing how vivid it was...a bit too vivid. He'd been pleased when he'd gotten her proportions just right. The hardest thing to capture had been the look in her eyes. He'd spent days sketching it out, before he was finally satisfied and it still hadn't come close to the look she'd get, when she said she loved him.
Liam loudly coughed as he crossed the room and took care of it. He took it down and turned it around before setting it on the floor and leaning it against the wall. Hopefully Shyla would never find out Rotham had saw it. Going forward he'd probably should just keep it in their bedroom. He turned to face his brother and finally got to the point. "Can I help you or what? Was there something you needed? Or did you just fly thousands of miles to insult me in person?"
"Insult you? No. Forgive me brother that was not my intention."
Liam's eyes went wide. An apology from Rotham was like seeing the planets align. He wondered now if something was wrong. Had something happened to their father? His mother had said he'd been ill as of late. What if something had happened and they hadn't told him?
"You're getting rather good," said Rotham. "I see this time away was beneficial to your talent."
"Is father dead?" Liam asked.
"What!" Rotham snapped.
He gave Liam a look like he was an idiot, but in all their years, never….not once as far as he knew, had Rotham ever given him such a complement. Surely their father had died for his brother -
"No," said Rotham, narrowing his gaze. "He is very much alive."
Liam nearly choked on his own breath as he let out a sigh of relief.
"Could YOU not insult me," said Rotham, giving him a look of pure ire. "I've come here to make amends, the least you can do me, is the kindness of listening."
"Amends," repeated Liam. "You've come to make amends?"
"Yes brother, I realized…we haven't been as close as we should be. I- while you were away I missed you. I take it you did not."
"Missed me." Liam sputtered dumbfounded.
To be honest he hadn't really thought about his brother...at all, given their strained relationship. He thought Rotham would only be too happy if Liam disappeared for good. More then once, he'd told Liam he'd wished he was an only child. Yet here he was saying he'd missed him. Liam didn't know what to say. He opened his mouth then closed it.
A second later the bathroom door opened and both men turned to see Shyla stepping out, in nothing but a towel. "Who was i-" She froze mid question, staring at the two and then only at Rotham. A look of utter horror crossed her face, to no doubt be caught out and about in just a towel.
She brought her hand up to her mouth and let out a gasp. She quickly turned and rushed into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She was not going to be happy about this. Liam hoped it wouldn't ruin their whole night. It looked like they might miss their reservation after all. "Great." said Liam. "Just great."
He turned his attentions back to Rotham and saw a tear escape down his cheek. Was Rotham seriously crying? There was no way he'd missed him that much. Liam began to feel a little bad that he'd barely thought of him...of his family. He'd just been so caught up with everything, finally getting to live his dream, traveling and studying art first hand. Shyla had been the best part of it all. Every day he swore he fell in love with her more and more. He really did want things work. He didn't want to lose his family, but if they wanted any chance with him they had to fully accept her. He thought this might be the fight of his life asking her to marry him, but seeing his brother crying changed things. Perhaps enough time had passed that they would listen to him and things would be different. |
