Chapter 11: The Guiding Light
Barcelona
~
Chun Li and Cammy waited on the stone walk. They noticed a small crowd already begin to form at the sight of Vega's boat. A gentle breeze always swaying the woman's ruffled dresses and braided hair. The air carried the sweet sound of children's laughter and an old man's heartfelt acoustic guitar playing. Cammy unlike Chun Li seemed rather unmoved by the sight, she gave Chun Li a grave look and slowly shook her head. Then Chun Li realized what she was so upset over, the fear of being recognized, or news of their arrival reaching the wrong ears. Chun Li's worries then escaped her mind as she watched an eager little brown haired girl standing on her toes trying to get a glimpse of Vega. Chun Li smiled at how the girls brown eyes light at he sight of Vega approaching. Vega took the little girl's hand and walked past Chun Li giving her a smile, obviously very pleased with all the commotion he was causing. Cammy and Chun Li waited a distance behind the crowd of eager hand shakers and women kissing Vega's cheek and offering roses. After a while it became apparent that the news of Vega's being back must have traveled fast because woman hurried over with pen and paper ready to be signed. Chun Li could hear Cammy muttering curses about the shrieking woman flocking around them. Then Chun Li looked ahead at the large villa that was Vega's home a short distance away. Vega's mansion was bathed in golden sun and cradled next to the countless sparkles of the water. Finally when they reached the gates and his servants shuffled within Vega said his good-byes and nudged Cammy and Chun Li inside his estate. However the small girl was still accompanying them on the path lined with trees and gardens towards his door. Vega then handed the girl the bunch of roses that he collected from the welcoming villagers. Vega then gestured to one of his servants, which came with one of Vega's suitcases. Vega reached inside and pulled out his wallet. After pulling out a few bills Vega handed them to Cammy.
"You're sure you don't want to take a rest here first?"
"I had plenty of rest on that damn boat. . ." Cammy took the money. "...But I need some clothes, I can't be wandering around in Chun Li's all the time." Cammy gave him a clever smile. With a roll of his eyes Vega reopened his wallet and gave her a few more bills.
"There's a good lad." Cammy turned and made her way over to the waiting car to drop her off at the airport. She gave Chun Li a wink right before she closed the door. The servants began taking the bags into the mansion. Chun Li joined Vega who was talking to the little girl, obviously talking about her by the way their eyes kept glancing at her. The little girl chimed a reply that made Vega laugh. He then kissed her hand and bid her goodbye. Chun Li watched the little girl leaving, but the child stopped and stuck her tongue out at Chun Li when Vega wasn't looking. Chun Li smirked in response to the jealous antic by the girl who held her head high and walked away. Vega led her into the house and waited for the servants to leave before he spoke.
"That little girl...it never fails she always seems to find me."
"She didn't seem to like me very much."
Vega laughed seemingly knowing this even before Chun Li spoke. "I know, she has decided that she wants to marry me."
"If she only knew" Chun Li sighed then began to feel rather strange.
She looked around at this enormous place filled with expense, bouquets, mirrors and artwork. It should have been impressive ,instead it was cold, and the foreboding sadness seemed to suffocate her soul. She followed Vega up the seemingly endless flight of stairs that led to his bedroom. Then as she reached the peak something within made her turn and look over her shoulder. Her lips parted at the sight and her eyes moved over the large detailed portrait that hung within a golden frame close to the high ceiling as if it were only meant to be looked upon from that precise point. Chun Li inhaled almost shocked at the beauty of the picture. The woman was wearing a strapless satin red dress tight against her except at the base where it bellowed in loose lace ruffles. Chun Li's eyes focused on her delicate hands that rested in her lap, accented with treasures of rings and bracelets, holding a single red rose. A short necklace that had a gold snake hung on it's chain and rested in her chest. Elegantly pinned up very long blonde hair draped over her shoulder so pale against her tan Spanish skin. Chun Li took a step forward unable to blink as she looked up at the painted face, looking at the full subtle smiling lips. The face a near exact mirror image of Vega's, except only it lacked Vega's cold expression. Her blonde brows arched over fascinating sapphire eyes that rested on the rose below. Chun Li felt her heart sink as she looked into this woman's blue endless eyes. Chun Li shook her head slightly trying to break away from the allure of the portrait. But she found herself looking back at the woman's sad blue eyes, Vega's eyes...
Vega leaned in the doorway watching Chun Li focus on the portrait.
"The portrait doesn't do enough justice."
Vega's words startled Chun Li as if she had been under a spell. He slowly walked over to her side and looked upon the painting with her. "Doesn't show the glow of her skin, the shimmer of her hair, the way her eyes sparkled. . ." He could think of a million things that he missed about his mother. His voice however fell to silence, not ready for Chun Li to knows those matters yet. Vega turned to watch her, enjoying how in awe she was at his mother's beauty.
Chun Li couldn't help but let the honestly escape her "You have the same eyes, I was just thinking about how you have the exact same eyes." Chun Li turned her head to look at his eyes again. Then wished she hadn't, his eyes seemed to be drawing her in with its secret temptations for her.
Vega took a step away. "We did have the same eyes."
Chun Li listened to his somber tone, it was the same tone her own voice had when she spoke of her father. She did not need to ask if his mother was gone too. She could only think of one thing to say.
"I'm sorry."
Vega at first seemed amused at her gesture then his face showed some guilt. Chun Li had no idea how the simple words were affecting him inside.
"You should never apologize to me Chun Li." Vega's words no longer quiet. They sounded more like a warning.
Thoughts of the past drowned Vega's mind and he could no longer look at her. He walked away into his bedroom and walked over to his dresser. He looked into the mirror above it. Just watching himself loathing the look of guilt on his usually confident face. She didn't realize how she tortured him. Apologizing freely when she had never done anything wrong to him. Not knowing why but he couldn't do the same, after all he had done still he could not give her a simple sorry. He wanted too but the awkwardness kept him silent. He wondered how she became the way she was, so full of sympathy and forgiveness, how could he ever do the same if he didn't understand how.
Chun Li slowly walked into the room keeping her concerned dark eyes on Vega as she moved toward the bed where her suitcase lay. She half heartily opened it and began to sift through it contents. She pretended to be looking for something but all the while she watched him. Vega looked into the mirror at her reflection to see her eyes dart back towards her suitcase, she had been watching him, and he knew it. Vega knew what she would not be finding in that case. The file he gave Remy in exchange for his help. Only now was Vega beginning to feel that perhaps he made a clumsy move. He knew she still did not trust him, no matter how forgiving she seemed at times. He knew he would have to play his next move carefully. He thought of the last thing he wanted to do, and knew that's what she would have wanted. The very thought made Vega feel sick within. He turned from the mirror and walked beside her. Chun Li waited to hear him explain why he had got upset about the apology, however that was not what she was about to hear.
"Chun Li there is something I have to tell you."
At Vega's words the room darkened with the setting sun as if in tune to his very mood. Chun Li glanced over at him at her shoulder. "What is it?"
"I took you're file on Gill back in London, I gave it to Remy, that was the price for his aid in getting Cammy. That's why I didn't wait for you to help me, besides I knew you couldn't do something like that anyway."
Chun Li brows lowered not expecting these words from Vega. Her deep breaths were now becoming audible. And her skin began to go hot with anger. "You're right Vega I should never apologize to you."
Her voice was too calm for Vega's ears. He knew she was furious.
"At least I didn't unpack yet." Chun Li zipped up the suitcase. "I knew you are a lot of things but for some reason I never thought you were a common thief along with every other revolting thing I know about you." Chun Li's voice was a dangerous whisper.
Vega took a step back at her words that lashed like a whip from her lips.
"Chun Li I'm..." Vega's lips remained parted as he was still trying to apologize. Yet the words never came. "I can do anything to make it up to you." Vega tried his best to be sincere but the words come out like just another conceited remark. He realized this too late after he spoke. Vega reached for her hand hoping that was not the last time he'd touch her warm skin.
"Then get me a flight back to New York." Chun Li snatched her hand away and stared at him with her dark eyes before turning away refusing to keep looking at him.
Vega's lips parted as he was about to attempt an apology once more. Still he decided against it.
"If that's what you want." Vega spoke quietly, still not letting the pain within show in his voice. He walked to the door but before he left, he looked at her, standing there, angry but still beautiful, in his home. The picture was almost perfect. Vega shut the door and leaned against it suddenly feeling weak in his soul. He knew it was over.
~
The cold marble stung as Vega's hands brushed away the dead leaves and petals that littered his mothers grave. His blue eyes closed in response to the freezing breeze that edged pass. After the wind subsided Vega slowly opened his eyes and raised his hand from the marble. He peered through his long blond bangs in horror at his blood soaked hands. He stumbled back as he saw the scarlet blood all over the white marble. Vega kneeled down and closed his eyes hoping it would all go away. Trying with everything within to grasp sanity again but it seemed so beyond his reach.
"Closing you're eyes wont hide you from you're own mind." Rose's voice echoed quietly.
Vega kept his eyes closed and refused to answer.
"Vega." Rose lay her hand on Vega's shoulder not only to comfort him but to let him know she was real.
"I saw blood."
"Did you?"
Vega nodded and shivered as a cold breeze passed.
"There is no blood Vega."
Vega opened his eyes and looked down at his hands turning them over and back again. Not understanding what was happening to him. "You're doing this aren't you?"
"No Vega you are...I'm only allowing you to see it."
"I don't understand."
"You don't understand a lot of things Vega." Rose removed her hand from his shoulder and let him think about her words.
Feeling somewhat insulted Vega got up and turned to look at her. Rose's purple eyes glittered in the moonlight. Rose looked up at the clear night sky. Reading the stars like words in a book.
"I see you're single path has divided into two."
Vega watched her not knowing what she was speaking of. Still not wanting to admit that he didn't know.
"I see a unlikely alliance between former enemies."
"Yes as short lived as it was, Rose you are telling me nothing." Vega watched her in cold defiance.
Rose finally lowered her eyes from the heavens. "Do you know why you saw blood Vega?"
Vega watched her with cold eyes, the awkward knowledge that she knew his thoughts infuriated him.
"You saw it because of the guilt that is now infesting you're soul. It will continue to reside there until you confess!"
"Confess what? There is nothing to confess I have not denied to her what I have done."
"I do not tell you to confess the obvious Vega. Confess that you regret it!"
"She knows!"
"Yes she does...tell her anyway! Choose not to and she will be gone tonight."
Vega shook his head in response to her advice.
"You're choice is before you I have done my part."
"What do you know? Nothing Rose!" Vega lashed at Rose feeling sick with how much she knew.
"Still too arrogant to listen. Look at you Vega. Leaving her there alone without the truth from you."
"I did tell her the truth."
"You think so simple Vega! Tell her what's in you're heart. Or go home to you're empty mansion alone and spend the rest of you're life that way, lonely and hiding!"
Vega's expression changed. Rose could see the fear in his eyes at thought of his future alone.
"I cannot change the past-"
"The past bores me Vega!" Rose waved a hand dismissing him. "I'm interested in the future."
"Is there a future Rose?"
"That's not what you really want to ask me. You want to know if there is a future with Chun Li."
Vega hesitated at first but there was no denying what Rose already knew. "Yes."
"My only desire is to help you Vega, you are the ally that knows Bison's secrets, the very ally Chun Li needs. It is her destiny to destroy him. And it's you're destiny to be with her. If you do not help her... the past will repeat itself." Rose placed her hand briefly under Vega's chin in a gesture of reassurance.
"What do you mean the past will repeat itself?"
Rose pointed at the grave behind Vega. He turned and glanced at the grave and looked back at Rose in disbelief. Wanting to know who and what she meant. Then it all came into light and Vega felt as though he couldn't breath at the very thought.
"No."
"That's what I want to hear. Do not stand by and allow life to pass by with a whisper. When you can serenade it with the truth. Go home Vega, tell her what's in you're heart, stay by her side. Death, Vega it looms ever so close to us all, time is short, and you're time to tell her you love her is running out."
Vega closed his eyes thinking about her words. Still not knowing truly what she meant. When he opened his eyes Rose was gone.
"I'll die before you Chun Li..."