Hello. Wow! It has been so long, I know. I have been struggling to write again for some time, but I got my shit together and finally decided to write something down. I hope you guys like this and thank you for enjoying my fanfiction. Peace
P.S. A little spoiler for you. This story is going to extend outside of the Titanic, so if you guys think like "oh this girl is going to just copy off from the movie till the end". I promise it won't be like that. Now stay tuned. Bye!
Cal watched Rose intently as the redhead sat on one of the offered chairs. She sat in specific way that intrigued him dangerously. Her legs were folded almost near her chest with her back properly straight, and her sketchbook rested on her lap – almost like a standing table. Her skirt was long enough to cover her ankles, but every time she leant to the other side – to stare at the diamond necklace that she placed on a stool near her side – her skirt lifted a little, moving with her to the point Cal can see a tiny glimpse of skin.
He admired the way she worked. A few loose tendrils fallen before her eyes. But she left them be in peace, her eyes narrowed the more she stared at her work, then relaxed when she leant her back to rest, biting on the waist of her sharpened pencil in order to take a moment to think.
Like an animal being tamed by a cruel instructor, Rose was aware of Cal's deep interest on her. If he was behaving this way in public, there would be no reason for her to fret. On the other hand, danger is alerting since she's alone in a room with him.
Money is a temptation, however. Luck may not be easy to catch by one round of a card game. Titanic was her greatest luck. But another one will be difficult to come across once her feet touch the grounds of America for the first time.
Her style of working with her drawings usually takes an extended amount of time. But she rushed through what was needed to structure the missing pieces for her artwork because she wanted to go back to her "world" – already his people must carry a misunderstanding what she is to Cal.
Once the sketch was finished, she positioned herself to a proper sitting positon. With both her feet pressed onto the floor, and her eyes low to the paper, her surroundings were irrelevant to her, what was the main focus was her work and her work only.
Since her art tools were left in her room, she had to manage the after effect of the piece with the lead of her pencil. Cal watched her as she took her time pressing the pencil one minute then the next pressing it lightly, then rubbing the paper with fast movement of her fingertips.
He didn't distract her much until he decided to poor himself a drink. She bit her lower lip as she heard the natural music of his actions: a glass hitting lightly against another as Cal grabbed it by the waste; the dropping of one ice cube then another onto the surface of the glass; the uneven pouring of a drink that hit the two ice to the point they hit each other on every corners of the inner anatomy.
"Would you care for a drink?"
"Never bother an artist with food or beverages. It's distracting."
Even without looking at him, she knows he is smiling. "You describe art to be more of torture than something to be valued."
"Something valuable and beautiful as art has a cost, Cal." She spoke almost rebotically as if she prepared these words without any thought. "A bride eats nothing on her wedding day to look thin. A ballerina practices till her feet turns blue. A composer writes his music whether bride, deaf, or ill. And.."
She lifted her eyes at last from her artwork. There was no smile on her lips but she gave an innuendo to Cal with an ambiguous sign of feeling proud: an arch eyebrow with a small curve on the corner of her mouth.
"a artist, Cal, drowns herself in her work and embrace the world of a beautiful complication that are delivered only by the use of a hand and paper: consistency, accuracy, imagination, and abstraction. That is a beautiful torture for me."
The two stared at each other for a short moment. But the looks exchanged from their eyes were appreciated.
Cal's interest for Rose was only skyrocketing by the minute. Rose, on the other hand, thought differently – he is customer to her, whether he is a pervert or a gentleman, he will do as long as there's money kept full in his pockets.
~ A full two hours passed. Between the hours, Cal's henchman interrupted them at least five times, reminding Cal his presence is wanted for service. But Cal dismissed him every time. Eventually, Rose at last finished and handed her work to Cal.
When he examined her work, she poured herself a drink. She held the glass to her lips and looked stood beside Cal as she proudly looked at her artwork while taking big gulps of her drink. She squinted and took a moment to savor the strong after burning effect of the drink.
"This is quite good. Looks very realistic indeed."
"That's what I do. Now, money time. I got have my schedule; you obviously have yours. Let's get through this quickly so the two of us can return back to our regular lives."
He crossed his arms and turned to her. "Our regular lives?"
"Yes, regular lives, Cal, as in I return back to third class and you attend to that service. God should never be chosen last."
"When was the last time you ever attended church, Rose?"
"I lost my touch to religion a long time ago. Eh. But I suppose you can say that I occasionally make a prayer if I come across a beautiful cathedral or a church. Huh! Europe is so beautiful; it has the power to do anything, like giving me a reason to pray in beautiful buildings."
He chuckled. Rose sighed when she felt his hand cup her cheek.
"Does the idea of traveling to Europe again more independently intrigue you, Rose?"
"More independently? What do you mean by that?"
She was fully aware of the answers to those questions. But her plan to finally make it clear to Cal of her complete interest toward him confirm her conclusion to her little game with him is not meant to be made just this very moment…yet soon, after he pays that can afford possibly more than a year or two of rent for her future apartment.
"Your talent should be exposed to the world. Not hidden away in the streets."
"If I want to achieve fame I would make that possible without anyone's help. But actually my plans for art is strictly exploring the world and embracing other works because I'm still a student; I learn from life and the curiosities and simply pour them all out onto a piece of paper. That's my achievement and I succeeded on that, Cal. So, no, I have no interest having my talent exposed to the world. Thank you very much."
"Others only pay little for your work. As for me, I can pay so much more."
"How much will you pay me for this, Cal?"
"Tell me your price."
"If I tell you my price, it would overwhelm you. Believe me."
~ Jack left the service room and headed to Cal's residence. Kathy's mother was too agitated of Cal's absence; she couldn't find any way to convince the others who acknowledged his absence that Cal is preoccupied about something important.
When Jack arrived, his henchman was there standing before the door. The old man stood a little straighter and responded to Jack's presence with a stiff nod. By the look of him, Jack could tell he was frustrated.
"What is Cal doing in there?"
"He instructed me firmly that he wanted no interruptions. There is a guest inside, you see, sir."
Rose. God, what is he doing to her in there?
"Open the door."
"I cannot, sir."
"I said open the God damn door."
"My orders were clear."
"It's either you move or I'll make you move."
The henchman stood his ground the longest he could. But once he detected Jack's threat was no bluff, he opened the door and allowed Jack to enter. When Jack entered, he found Rose counting bills carefully with Cal closing the door of his case.
All eyes went to Jack when the henchman closed the door behind him.
Rose weakly smiled at Jack and waved to him. Jack smiled back; he was truly happy that she was in her clothes and unharmed. But that smile was immediately tucked away from existence when Cal came closer to him.
"Sorry, Jack. I lost track of time. How much did I miss?"
"The Reverend is starting his sermon. We can still make it if we leave now."
"Alright. How mad is my aunt anyway? Hot headed like the devil?"
"More like the sun. Come on, let's go."
Cal took his shoulder and gestured to Rose. "Wait a minute. I have a guest here. Jack, you remember, Miss Bukater."
Rose beamed. "Hello."
"It's good to see you again, Miss Bukater." Jack responded.
"Miss Bukater fulfilled a personal request for me. An art piece of a jewelry I'm planning to give to Kathy. You know which one I speak of: the sapphire." Cal said.
"Right, I remember. I would love to see it after service. We really have to hurry, Cal. Good day, Miss Bukater."
Rose nodded to him. "Good bye, gentlemen."
She retrieved her father's coat from the chair she was sitting in from the pass two hours, then exited the room.
Cal took his half empty glass and drank from it. Jack waited impatiently but Cal made no effort to leave.
"Extraordinary isn't she? But very difficult to be with; she's a tough one."
"Yes she is. Come on, Cal, we need to go."
"But you know there's one thing that intrigues me. Why do you pretend you know her so little in my presence?"
Jack's impatience ended there and now he panicked. Cal knows.
"What are you talking about?"
"I had my henchman follow her the other night after she excused herself from the table. He informed me you were with her the entire evening. He even described how you two had an enjoyable time together. Quite a scandal you could have caused, Jack, if anyone caught you. Why did you take such a risk? Tell me, Jack. Or is the reason that you are just as interested in her as I am?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Well, it's only natural for an opponent to ask the enemy of such a question. Capturing that woman's heart is like pulling teeth, Jack. It's a challenge. And another competitor only enhances that difficulty."
"I never loved Kathy. You know that. I..I couldn't help myself, Cal. I couldn't."
"I suppose that answers my question. You are infatuated by her."
Jack turned around and headed to the door. "If you're not going, then I am."
Cal went after him and grabbed him by the arm before Jack laid a hand on the door knob. He turned Jack around and had him face him.
"Listen, Jack, whether your infatuation deflowers or not, make it a quick affair. You can't afford any scandal. Your engagement to Kathy is the only thing that is keeping your life together. Your family will never survive without my family's money. Get your thoughts together and remember who you are. You are an engaged man. You either choose wealth or a future of poverty. It's all in your hands, Jack."
He padded Jack hard on the back. Then he leant closer to Jack's ear then whispered softly. "All in your hands." He ended with a chuckle and finally exited the room.
~ Jack thought fiercely over Cal's words. He was right that being with Rose had a vast cost. Was losing wealthy worth being with someone he only meant 70 hours ago?
By the end of the service, Jack continuously remained quiet and lost in his thoughts. Kathy soon grew agitated by him, no matter how many times she called for his attention, he resumed back to being drowned in his thoughts.
Kathy and her mother walked ahead of Jack across a rail. Cal walked pass Jack and padded him hard on the back that only angered Jack. Within a few moments, Jack paused and stared straight across, watching the three preoccupied over their conversation. This was a perfect opportunity to flee.
He took delicate steps backwards till the sight of the three grew smaller and smaller. Then, he turned his heels and took a run for it.
He needed to find Rose. He was desperate for his answer. Can he choose Kathy for wealth, or Rose for love?
~ Rose was not difficult to find. She was sitting on the public seats, smoking a lighted cigarette. When she saw Jack madly run towards her, she stood to her feet. Quickly she dropped her cigarette to the floor and fought the singed fire off from the end with the pressing of her shoe. Before she can say another word, Jack grabbed her by the hand and took a run for it.
"Jack! Where are you taking me?! Jack!"
"We have to talk."
That was all he said until he found a safe empty room in first-class – the gymnasium. He was ignorant that many familiar faces saw him run pass them with Rose. But what mattered most was to get his answer: who will he choose?
The two took a moment to catch their breaths. But once their breathing was steady, words were ready to be spoken.
Jack still held firmly onto Rose's hand. She looked down at their locked hands, and tried to let go. But Jack refused and pulled her close. He was confused by the worry masked on her face when he cupped her cheek and leaned a little closer to her pale face.
"Jack, what are you doing?"
"I needed to know, Rose, I needed to know."
"Know what, Jack?"
He looked deeper into his eyes. It saddened him that her concern didn't wear off, but the intimacy at this moment was too beautiful, he did not want it to end.
"Rose." He closed his eyes and rested his forehead to hers. "I have a confession to make. Rose, I – "
Rose pulled away from him and shook his grasp on her free. "Don't you dare say it. L-Look, Jack. It's not inevitable. We can't be together like that. W-We just can't okay."
"I tried so hard to figure it out, Rose. But I want to be with you."
"I'm not rich, Jack. I won't be able to support you. I..I'm not Kathy, damn it. She's a bitch, but she is your future. Not me. Huh!" She bitterly laughed. "You wouldn't be able to endure what I go through. There are days when I don't eat anything just to say some money to rent a room for myself. I've been cheated on and abused for making quick cash in the street, Jack. That's your world. That's not where you belong. You belong somewhere else."
"I'm aware that I'm taking a risk. But I can't get you out of my head. Maybe it isn't love, but it is something that I haven't felt for so long."
He approached her but he was heartbroken that she only stepped back the closer he came.
"Jack, if this situation was different – if everything was easy, then I would gladly accept you. But that isn't the case right now."
"Then you do feel the same for me. You do, Rose. Don't run away from it."
Tears pooled her eyes when he took both her hands. "Jack, please don't make this any harder," she whimpered and closed her eyes tight.
Rose happily counted the bills Cal was willing to pay for. Cal smiled as he watched her lick the tip of her thumb to count the bills faster.
"Are you that happy?"
"A portrait I make for my customers cost ten cents. Of course, I'm happy. I found an exceptional customer."
"An exceptional customer? Hmm. Can you also consider me a loyal friend?"
Rose laughed and shook her head. "Loyal? That's a strong word, Cal. Let's stick with friend."
"Very well. As a friend, is it appropriate for me to ask if you're as happy as you are like last night?"
She folded the cash in half and gazed at Cal. "You recall what happened last night that dinner party wasn't exactly a treat for me."
"I do recall that. However, I was referring your time with Jack."
"Damn, you are a sneak, aren't you? Did you have your henchman follow us?"
He nodded. "I was curious about you. But when he reported to me what happened, I was surprised. I never thought Jack would do such a thing, with the situation he's in, a mistake is too priceless."
"The situation he's in? What are you talking about? Is Jack in trouble?"
"His family is almost in bankruptcy. His engagement to Kathy is the only thing that's preventing that. Loveless or not, Jack's family will be well-off, protected by the Petrove family."
"I didn't think Jack was in that much trouble. But at least it makes sense why he would marry Kathy. I mean no offense to Kathy, but she's unbearable."
Cal laughed. "No offense taken, Rose. She is a pain in the backside at times. But she knows how to behave herself."
"Only in public, unfortunately. But why are you telling me this? I think it would be more appropriate for Jack to tell me about this himself. This is his personal matter anyway, not yours, Cal."
"I have a strong feeling that you have grown quite fond of Jack. But for his sake, I strictly wanted to inform you this as a warning. If you care for Jack, you'd make the right decision to avoid seeing him again."
"What's the point whether I do or not? It's a loveless marriage. Why try to cover that when the truth is so obvious? I've seen a depressed person like Jack all my life, well, from a rich person like him, I didn't think there would be anything to be depressed about."
She flinched when his hand took her by the arm. "Money is a sacrifice, Rose. It never sleeps. Jack has a family and a family business to safe. My family is the only way to save them. Depression is only a small sacrifice."
"But he smiled when I was with him, you know that? When was the last time you seen him smile, for real not by force?"
"So you make him happy? But Rose, you are only pushing away from the opportunity for him to part of my family. You have to let him go. Or else Jack will be just like you: wild and poor. Can you imagine that bastard like that?"
"Money does tempt me I admit. But I was raised that way like a machine, Rose. My family never learned the meaning of what love is. But I want to learn what it is, when I'm with you, I feel it: it's just natural when I'm with you, and I can finally smile."
"No, Jack."
Her eyes opened but she couldn't find the courage to meet his eyes again. Cal was right. She needed to let him go. What good will Jack's life turn out the longer he attaches with her?
"Please just listen to m- "
"No, Jack. My answer will be the same no matter how much you plead."
His desperation now blossomed and it pained Rose for him to feel this way. But there was no possible way for her to end this painlessly.
"If you think our friendship is not enough, th-then.." She slowly freed her hands from his grasp. "..we're over Jack. We can't do this."
"Rose, please."
"Goodbye, Jack."
She quickly turned her heels and ran to the door, leaving Jack speechless and hurt. When she was out in the fresh air, she breathed in breathlessly as if oxygen was foreign to her. The tears refused to stop coming down from her eyes. And her legs wobbled like a weak twig, but she continued to run regardless of her condition. She needed to leave, somewhere far where Jack will be unable to see her or hear her crying.