We've planned everything for a week.
Ruth has been beautifying my face for an hour already. And I am impatiently following her instructions—even though I stay in one position—ever since she trimmed my eyebrows. I've never done it to myself! All I can do on this occasion is to trust their trend. She lends me a seat in front of the mirror when she's done. Then all my frustrations convert into guilt. I carefully tap my cheeks.
"Ruth... what have you done to my face!?"
"It's our make-up trend. Don't you like it?"
"I absolutely love it! You're so talented!" I rewarded her with praise. She perfectly shaped my eyebrows, the color of my lips is feminine, and the overall make-up matches my skin; resulting in as a humble doll. Plus, my hair is straightened, that's how I realized the length reaches my waist. I almost feel like staring at my reflection and seeing someone else. "I'd like to stay like this forever."
"No, ma'am. That will itch your skin," she warns. The perfume she sprays on my sleeveless girly yellow dress reminds me of the first time I confronted Hessuel. She helps me put it on and lends me an empty black purse. After I thanked her services, I recognized her gloom. "Ma'am, are you sure about this? You have a husband."
"I am. I'm doing this for him too. It's not meant to be a clean betrayal. I'll make sure I won't let that bawdy pirate get what he wants from me."
"You're so confident... Slightly boastful." She's scratching her nape. Meanwhile, I take it as praise. "Your husband loves you so much. I'm really sorry that I can see this as cheating."
"How did you say he loves me so much?"
Ruth gives me an old book from the pocket of her uniform. "I searched for it among the collections of our master's ancestor's journals. I've seen it before you came in our time, but I didn't read it. I just did when I found it lately."
In an instant, rubbing my fingers on Hessuel's penmanship makes me feel him nearby. A piece of a photograph of mine is preserved here for so many years. Written behind this photograph are his genuine words: 'The most beautiful woman who tricked me'. And what the heck was that!? He wanted his descendants to recognize me as a beautiful crook!? I can't blame him after reading the following pages:
'She knew she's my mate. I was searching for the woman I already had by my side. I was naive to ignore the voice of my feelings for her, that I found her. My days with her were a series of happiness in my entire life, but I never knew this would end up tragically. She left me again without a trace.'
"What...?" The past was written, not frozen, while I'm stuck here. Connecting further with his journal drags my feet and chest down the deep mud of his emotions. I never knew that hearing his thoughts can tear my courage apart... or somehow flatters me.
'I miss her. If only my age could wait to see her again in the future. Yet all I could do was add another 7 rooms to remind her of my promise once she comes home again. Albeit none of those were used. I know she will come home again. That's what I keep in Rain and Shine's mind... because I'm afraid I couldn't see her when that day comes lest she visits my grave.'
'I miss her caressing hand on my fur. I miss her scent. I miss the taste of her kisses and neck. I miss her affection. I miss her, including her shadows, her voice calling my name, biting my arm, and I miss her enough to dry my eyes ~ ~~—~ ~-~.'
His latter letters mixed up with creased portions caused by a drop of liquid... and an emotional hand. Now I understand more clearly why Andrew was expecting my coming. Moreover, my eyes dropped the tears on the same page wherein Hessuel could have been through before me. My knees failed and Ruth hurried to assist me on my seat.
He waited...
He suffered...
'I lived my whole life with the twins. They're the greatest memory my love left me. We make things whole together, but cannot be full without her. I've never wanted to attract the same emptiness I felt the first time she left me. This second time may not be her fault, but the emptiness it caused was never, and ever has been, filled again.' (1506-1971)
I cover my face behind this journal as I shed the weight of my chest. Ruth embraces me while rubbing my back—regretting that she revealed the journal to me at the moment I have to be pretty. She says, "He died in this house. He was laying on your bed while waiting for you at his old age and the loneliness made him weaker. But he was assassinated by a werewolf hunter."
And I hugged her back, there are no other shoulders available but hers.
This isn't just about his longing. He deliberately wrote messages directly talking to me about the twins. How he described them as Little Devils, playing with them and with my 7 dogs, retiring from bed early to work to sustain them, seeing them grow, court a woman, and have their own families; these stories make me miss my boys. But I miss every moment with them in this future. I laid the journal on the vanity.
"There's no way I can turn back now, Ruth. I'm not doing this as a cheater, but to redeem my position as a mother and wife. I can't blame you if you see me that way. I'll just consider it your concern."
"I understand you now, ma'am." She's smiling at me. "You both love each other greatly. I will pray for your success in this mission!"
"I'm more motivated than ever... to return to my family... and rewrite this future! Not excluding the name of my twins! How could they be named Rain and Shine!? No, I won't let that happen again once I return!"
"Uh..."
"Thank you for showing me this. We have to go now."
"No, ma'am. You've ruined your make-up. I'll fix it again," she insisted, then I suffered numbness again.
☪ ✧ ✧
Afvshaganifs is on the site, that's what the driver said. Andrew has switched to a busy businessman again and I don't want to bother his daily life either. Where in fact, he's the one who wanted his daily life to be bothered. Ruth is with me until we hop out of the car to a colorful, sparkling city. Clinging on her arm, with astonishment, I walk in the pedestrian lane surrounded by colorful discos, buildings, and light poles. The music is so lively that everyone passing by may feel zealous.
But tension keeps in my mind the plan the moment we stand in front of a classic restaurant. An anchor displayed on the tall wall inside is attention-seeking. It's a luxurious restaurant after all.
A male crew approaches me asking for my reservation and assists me up to my table. Afvshaganifs is waiting. Ruth whispers to excuse herself and entrusted me to the crew. He pulls the chair for my seat while this captain is busy with his smartphone.
He's neater and seductive than his dressing at work, enough to attract other women from other tables and it's insulting my pride! On the other hand, it's my fault for sharing the spell of eternal youth. He finally lays the toy on the table and signaled the crew to serve us. Again, his obsessive stare makes me uncomfortable!
"You look splendid, lady. I wonder what made your acquiescence to my offer. Truly a desperate person will change their mind... and step down from their standard," he mocks. He keeps his cold face when the waiter serves us an individual glass of wine. "I supposed you can't give my condition if you're sober." Then he invites me to drink.
"Hm, maybe I can change the direction of your mind as well."
"It depends how strong the wind is to turn a ship." And he sips wine. "Let's talk about the details. So! Where exactly should I deliver you back? What time? What day? And such."
"No. All you have to do is to give me access to my spellbook again. The rest is mine. Am I demanding too much? You just simply remove your unauthorized hand from the main power you locked."
"And?"
"There will be an erroneous balance of our deal. You're asking for a woman's dignity which is more important than the treasure chest you found. While I am only asking you for a piece of cake. How about—"
"I still want your body."
"..." How scandalous! I laid the expensive ring I borrowed from Andrew on the table. "Not even this would change your mind?"
"I can get my own in a snap. Besides, I told you I have everything I need except the limit of my sex. Don't worry, I'll be gentle with you."
My hand slipped: it poured my glass of wine on him. For a short moment, he remains frozen then smirks. He wipes his face and removes his coat. "You're not easy to get. I like that."
"And why would I hit on a lousy, nasty pirate like you!?"
"Perfect," he moans, and drinks the wine—ignoring the stain on his shirt. "I'm not gonna need this shirt later on. You won't regret it, I will fulfill your revised plea in exchange. So, drink." He fills my glass with wine.
This body is exclusive for my mate insofar he's dead by now. And I don't want to enter dirty intercourses again! However, it's flowing according to my plan. I grabbed and drank it at once. "I will make you regret this instead," I warned.