Chapter 10
Thursday
"He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."
Emily Bronti
As I woke, I knew from the feelings within me that I was in Ariston's arms. The feeling is as unmistakable as his body is to me, no matter how few the times he has held me were, I knew this man as well as I knew myself; the funny thing about that, was that each time I am with him, he reveals a new part of me while I discover something beautifully novel about him. I smiled and felt him caress my back through the silk of the pajamas I wore, his pajamas. I opened my eyes to look into his. We did not speak, just looked into each others eyes. The rain had stopped and the morning sun was shining; I could hear birds singing outside as I sighed.
"Good morning." I said softly, gazing into his incredible eyes.
"Good morning." Ariston greeted with that smile of his; he breathed a sigh as he watched me while the only thought going through my half lost mind was, How is this moment real? "I should warn you; I could get used to waking like this." Ariston told me with a wonderful smile and an airy laugh left my lips.
"So could I." I admitted.
I laid my head on his chest again; my elation only seemed to expand at the thought of waking up every morning like this, I could not imagine living life any other way. Even though he was not ready to be with me, just being with him like this was enough... he felt like he was created of a potent magnetic attraction that could draw my soul to his, no matter the distance. Being parted from him would be like... there were simply not words and in this moment, separation was simply unimaginable; too soon a thought came to me, and all I wanted to do was groan and bury my face back in the curve of his neck.
"How long before school starts?" I asked, wondering how much time I had left with him before I would have to go back to my dorm and prepare for school.
"A half hour." Ariston told me, I sighed, not happy with that answer.
"I suppose I should be going then." I said and looked up into his eyes, no part of me wanted to go but I could see no way around it.
"Spend the day with me." Ariston said to my surprise, and I could not speak for a moment.
"What about school?" I asked.
"Kallisto is going to teach in my stead today and I am going into town. Come with me." Ariston almost begged with a smile.
"Ariston, as much as I would love to... I have never missed a day of school in my life." I told him, already feeling myself giving in.
"Then you are long over due to take a sick day." Ariston said with that smile. His eyes were far too persuasive for my own good. "And it is not as if you do not already know what they will be teaching." Ariston added, and looking into his eyes, I knew I could not say no; I wanted to be with him too much for that.
"I do believe you are a bad influence on me." I stated and he laughed.
"Is that a yes?" He asked hopefully, playfully.
"Yes." I said and his smile grew, making mine grow in response.
"You are welcome to use my bathroom again if you wish." Ariston told me.
"I think I will take you up on that, I do love your pool. Thank you." I said, his smile grew. "What about you?"
"Mera, I have more than one bathroom in my house. You use mine and I will use one of the others. I insist." He told me.
"Alright, thank you." I said.
"You are very welcome." He replied.
A few minutes later we finally found the will to get up. Ariston gave me my clothing, cleaned and dried from yesterday and once again left me in his bathroom. I bathed in the waterfall and could not help taking another swim in the pool before getting out and drying off with those amazing towels of his. I felt like I was walking on air.
I put on my blue crewneck long sleeved shirt and riding breeches and used the hairbrush that was on a self. I sent a text message to Margret, telling her that I was okay and that I would be gone for the day. I came out of the bathroom and went through his bedroom and to the hallway. I heard music playing, accompanied by the familiar sound of Ariston's beautiful, rich singing, as I walked towards the kitchen. A laugh left my lips at this incredible feeling flowing through every cell within my body. I had to wonder if Ariston was feeling as wonderful as I was on this beautiful and breathtaking morning. How is it possible to feel this wonderful from simply spending one night in his arms? When sleep was all that happened and yet I felt such a connection to him; it has only strengthened since I first caught sight of him.
Ariston was making breakfast when I entered the kitchen. I could smell the blueberry pancakes. He was dressed in dark blue dress pants with a pure white button down shirt tucked in; a few of the buttons undone, as was his fashion, and his sleeves rolled up past his elbows. He looked amazing and the colors complimented him perfectly. He looked to me and his smile grew, while I could only watch in wonder as I melted inside.
"Breakfast is almost ready." He stated.
"It smells wonderful." I said, taking a seat on a barstool at the island to watch him work.
"Is there anything in particular you would like to do in town today?" Ariston asked.
"Not that I can think of." I told him. Except be with you.
Ariston slid onto each plate four stuffed blueberry pancakes, then sprinkled fresh raspberries around it and added in slices of banana and poured two glasses of orange juice for us. He put the plates and glasses on a tray and picked it up.
"Come with me." Ariston said with a smile.
I followed him into the living room then up onto the balcony where a table was waiting for us. I gasped at the view, Ariston was right, you can see for miles around on a clear day. Two rainbows hung in the sky, one right next to the other. I smiled before turning back to Ariston, he was holding a chair out for me. I sat down, still smiling, and he sat across from me and put his napkin on his lap before beginning to eat, never once taking his eyes off of me.
I placed my napkin on my lap and began eating the pancakes, they were stuffed with blueberries, just the way I love them. The flavor was incredible!
"How did you know?" I asked him.
"Know what?" He asked as he took a bite.
"That this is my favorite breakfast?" I asked, he shrugged with a smile and I shook my head and took a bite. Ariston continued to watch me, as if he were afraid that at any moment I would disappear.
After breakfast, Ariston took care of the dishes and unrolled his sleeves. He put on mother of pearl cuff links then slid on a dark blue blazer that was the same color as his pants. He looked even more incredible; I so do love his sense of fashion.
"I feel so frumpy." I said with a laugh. Ariston looked me over with a smile.
"I will have to see what I can do about that then." Ariston said with a twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his lips that told me that he had a plan. I was about to ask what he was thinking when he spoke. "Come, Blueridge awaits."
I followed Ariston out to his midnight blue car, and he held the door for me before getting in the drivers seat. The ride was wonderful as always, we spent it talking, and laughing at things that were not even funny. Not long after, we arrived on Main Street in Blueridge, the two story elegant brick shops lined each side of the road beyond the cobblestone sidewalks. Ariston parallel parked next to a maple tree, then quickly came around to open my door.
After closing the door behind me, Ariston held his arm out and I smiled as I wrapped my arm through his; we began walking down the flower lined sidewalk together. The fact that I was really there with him still did not cease to amaze me.
We came upon a store, Zaliea's Boutique was its name, Margret shops there from time to time. The dress in the window caught my eye. It was a knee length dress with an A-Line skirt, a low square neckline and spaghetti straps. The dress was made of white eyelet lace with dark blue embroidery and a turquoise tie around the waist. It was beautiful.
Ariston led me into the store, it was filled with racks of beautiful high fashion clothing in light beautiful colors. I wondered what Ariston would want in a woman's clothing store, but suddenly I had a sneaking suspicion. I looked at Ariston and he smiled to me with that twinkle in his eyes. I was about to speak when a woman interrupted me.
"May I help you?" The woman was middle-aged and a few inches shorter than me, with close cropped dirty blond hair and pale blue eyes with elfish features. Her name tag said Anna.
"Yes, you can," Ariston replied, pointing to the dress that caught my eye in the window. "I would like that dress in a size four for my beautiful companion." I looked at Ariston in surprise, not only out of the fact that he knew what size I am in high fashion.
"Of course." The woman said and walked away.
"Ariston, what are you doing?" I asked with a smile as he turned towards me.
"Buying you a new outfit," Ariston stated as if it were nothing. "Surely you do not want to wear the same clothing from yesterday."
"Here you are, miss." Anna said with a look in her eyes as she held the dress in her arms.
What she must think, I thought. Apparently Ariston was thinking the same thing because he laughed when I did and a blush painted my cheeks. I followed Anna back to the changing room and tried the dress on, it was a perfect fit.
"Do I get to see the dress?" Ariston asked. I laughed and opened the door to see him standing there waiting for me. He looked me over with a smile. "Perfect." He said, shaking his head in amazement.
I walked over to the huge framed mirror and admired the dress and the way it looked on me, hugging my curves to my hips before flailing out to about my knees in an elegant way. I had to admit that I did absolutely love it. The price tag was pinned to the side of the dress, I looked at it and my eyes went wide.
"Ariston, this dress is $1,650." I told him.
"That is nothing compared to the way it looks on you." He said, bringing a blush to my cheeks.
"This is generous, but I cannot let you buy this for me." I told him.
"That is too bad, I will not take no for an answer, not in this." Ariston stated, crossing his arms, a stubborn expression on his face.
"Ariston," I began, yet he cut me off before I had a chance to voice my opposition.
"Mera," Ariston said, walking up to me and taking my hands in his, looking into my eyes. "The money is nothing, I have vast amounts of it and nothing to spend it on. Please, let me buy you this dress, I see how much you love it." The way he said it and the look in his eyes made it impossible to say no. "Please?" I sighed.
"Alright." I conceded and his smile grew.
"Good; now for shoes." He said, I shook my head and laughed.
I went over and found a beautiful pair of strappy turquoise heels that fit perfectly, and Ariston insisted that I get a dark blue clutch to put my phone in. Ariston left me for a moment as I put my new shoes on, I looked to see him at the jewelry counter. He came back with his hands behind his back.
"I have a gift for you." Ariston said.
He held out a beautiful antique bracelet. The gold was cast in the design of a climbing vine with purple and white glittering stones in the shape of jasmine flowers and butterfly's fastened into the metal. Ariston held his hand out and I placed mine in his. He clasped the bracelet onto my left wrist with the greatest care then brought my hand to his lips and kissed it.
"It is beautiful, thank you." I said to him. Ariston nodded with a beautiful smile. He paid for my things with his Black Visa Credit Card and we brought my old clothes, which were now in a bag, back to his car. I felt better in my new dress walking next to this incredible man; even though he made me feel comfortable in every way while exciting at the same time.
"How about lunch?" Ariston asked as we walked down the sidewalk with my arm through his.
"I would love some." I said with a smile.
Ariston held my hand on the car ride back to my dorm. I smiled as I sniffed the full, dark red rose in my hand, its fragrance was as sweet and as rich as a rose could be. As Ariston and I were walking through town after lunch we came upon a flower shop, it was completely open to the outside. We walked through it and I sniffed the flowers, treasuring their fragrance and beauty. I turned to look at Ariston to find him holding a single red rose out to me. When I took it, our hands met and the storm flowed through me.
I sighed and looked at Ariston in the drivers seat, he looked into my eyes for a moment before looking back to the road. I smiled and bit my lip, feeling that familiar indescribable warmth spread through me.
Once again, the car ride was over too soon as Ariston pulled up front by the gardens in front of my dorm. Even though I have spent last night and today with him, it only felt like minutes and I craved more time with him.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Ariston asked. It saddened me to see a plan in his eyes.
"I am going to New York with Margret." I told him. He nodded and I wanted to apologize for having plans right away, while wishing I could stay with him.
"When do you leave?" Ariston asked.
"Right after school tomorrow." I told him. "We are coming back Sunday afternoon unless Margret makes me shop all day Sunday as well and we return late that night or early Monday morning."
Suddenly the thought of being away from him for the weekend felt unbearable. How could I not have thought of that? I was almost in a panic at the thought of being parted from him for so long.
"I will miss you." Ariston said. I smiled at his words, my heart fluttering.
"I will miss you too." I told him and he brought my hand to his lips.
He kissed my hand tenderly. Will you just kiss me already? I thought as I looked into his eyes, my breaths coming faster. A moment later, I brought his hand to my lips and placed a kiss on the back of his warm hand then held it to me with both hands. His eyes lit at my doing this, a fierce mixture of longing in his eyes as he looked deep into mine, into my very soul.
I have more care to stay than will to go. Romeo's words rang true for me in this moment, in every moment I am with Ariston these words are true. I did not want to let go of his hand, I did not want to leave his side, it felt wrong to do so.
"May I walk you in?" Ariston asked. I nodded, anything that would give me another moment with him I longed for.
Ariston got out, came around and opened my door. The air was surprisingly cool when I got out, I wrapped my arms around myself. Ariston saw my doing this and took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. I thanked him and we walked through the gardens and into my dorm.
I did not fail to notice how every student stopped to stare at Ariston and I as we passed, I looked at Ariston, and he just smiled, a smile I returned. When we got to my apartment, I unlocked the door and Ariston came in behind me; I could only guess Margret was away since she was not curled up on her favorite spot on our couch. I closed the door and placed my rose and purse down on the table, then placed his jacket on the arm of the couch. I turned around and looked at Ariston where he stood a few feet from me, looking into my eyes while I was gazing into his.
"Thank you for last night and today," I said to him. "It was just what I needed."
"I am happy to hear that." He said with that crooked grin of his. "We should do this again."
"I agree." I replied right away and his smile grew. "When I get back from New York." Ariston nodded to me his agreement, and we shared a smile for a moment then he glanced away with a sigh. I could see something was difficult for him. "What is it?" I asked him. It was a moment before he spoke.
"It is... difficult for me to allow myself to want things." Ariston said, looking back into my eyes. "To allow myself to hope. Hope always seems to lead to disappointment."
"Do not give up on hope," I said with a smile. "It will not always lead you astray." His eyes were filled with unsaid words.
"There is so much you do not know about me." Ariston said softly, his voice filled with meaning. "Who I am, where I come from."
"I want to know you Ariston, so much so. But you are not completely right on that, I do know who you are." I told him, he looked puzzled. "You are kind, and warm and genuine and loving. You always put others first; you love your family, your daughter. You are the most extraordinary man I have ever met. I also know that you hurt far more than you would ever let anyone know." Ariston looked away and I closed my eyes for a moment before looking at him again and speaking. "I know that it is not easy for you to open up to people. Ariston, I am willing to wait for you to trust me enough to let me in. Just do not pull away from me anymore, my heart cannot bare it." He looked into my eyes.
"Mera, you must understand that it is not that I do not trust you." Ariston took a deep breath. "Anger, hatred, sorrow, fear... you name the dark emotion, I have lived it to an extent few can imagine after losing my wife and sons. Long ago I cut myself off from feeling any emotions, it was the only way for me to survive, but in doing so I also cut myself off from joy, and love." He took a deep breath and looked into my eyes with a slight smile. "Being with you brings everything I have bottled up to the surface, and it is difficult for me to open up to all of that." I took a step closer to him and raised my hand, placing it on his warm cheek, as I did so I could see the guards coming down in his eyes as he looked into mine.
"Ariston, I care for you, immensely. Whatever you have been through, whatever is going on in your life, I am here for you if you will let me be." I looked deep into his eyes. "I could not change my feelings for you if I wanted to."
"Do you want to?" He asked. I shook my head with a smile and stepped closer to him.
"Not for the world. You mean far too much to me." I told him, meaning it with all my heart, with all my soul. He smiled, I leaned in to whisper in his ear. "You are not alone anymore." I kissed his cheek tenderly and lingered with my cheek against his, my eyes closed at the feeling.
Ariston let out a sigh and wrapped his arms around my waist and held me close. I placed my other arm around him as my hand slid into his warm curls. He leaned his warm cheek against mine.
I do not know how long I stayed in his embrace, there was no place on heaven or earth I wanted to be more than in his arms. At some point he kissed my cheek and I melted into him more, to the point where I was not completely certain where I ended and he began.
"I know you care for me Ariston, I feel it." I said softly to him while holding him close. "If this is all you can give right now then I will take it. As long as it means being with you it is enough." I told him.
"Mera," Ariston whispered, his hot breath caressing my ear. "I..." He let out a deep breath. "We have much to discuss upon your return." Ariston sighed and stroked my hair. "I will miss you more than you know this weekend."
"And I you, Ariston." I told him, a part of me wondering what he almost said. "I do not want to leave you."
"It is alright." He said softly. "I want you to enjoy yourself and your time with your friend. I will be here waiting for you when you return." I smiled and nodded.
We held each other for what might have been minutes or hours, I was far too lost in his embrace to count the moments. Time had no meaning, all that mattered was that I was there in his arms. At some point he pulled back and looked into my eyes. He raised his hand and caressed my cheek with such hopeless affection in his gaze. He sighed and his smile grew as he leaned in and placed a lingering kiss on my forehead before he removed his arms.
"I will see you tomorrow." He said, I nodded, not being able to find words.
He looked at me for a moment more before going through the door. I stood there for a moment in wonder before sinking onto the couch. Half of me wondered if this could really be, if he could really, truly care for me as deeply as he does. I felt beyond lucky at the possibility that he could want to be with me as much as I want to be with him, I felt blessed. I curled up on the couch and wrapped his coat around me again. It smelled of him, mint and vanilla.
"Ariston." I sighed his name and for some reason a light laugh escaped my lips. I shook my head.
My bag was on the table, I took out my sketch pad and graphite pencils and began drawing with quick precision different views of Ariston from last night and today, from him sitting across from me eating pizza, to my views of him while we read poetry to each other by candlelight, to when I was laying on his chest and watching Spaceballs. I drew so many more, such as Ariston handing me the rose today. I also sketched what I saw of his home. I was lost in a dizzying swirl of thoughts of Ariston when Margret walked in with Jack.
"There you are." Jack said with a smile. I looked up at the both of them with a smile.
"Jack, I will see you later." Margret said, turning to him.
"I will pick you up at eight." He said, she nodded and they kissed. Jack walked out of the room and Margret looked back to me.
"Who's jacket is that?" Margret asked. I smiled and she smiled. "You were gone all night." Margret said with a smile as she sat down next to me
"Nothing happened," I told her, her face held a dubious look, as if to say 'Yeah right.'
"You were at his house, alone with him, all night, and you expect me to believe that nothing happened?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "I have seen the way you two are around each other. Not to mention, you are glowing." I blushed.
"Really, nothing happened. We went on a trail ride during the rain and got soaked, so he brought me back to his house and gave me a pair of his pajamas and made dinner for us, he is an incredible cook," We sat there for the next hour and I told Margret about the whole night, from reading to each other to today's wonderful events.
"And that was all that happened? Not so much as a kiss?" Margret asked, still not completely believing me.
"It came close... but no." I told her. "But oh, just being together as we were was... beyond words." I sighed and Margret smiled her knowing smile, then bit her lip.
"Did you know he has a grown daughter?" Margret asked as if she was letting some big secret out. "She taught his class for him today." I laughed.
"Yes I know about Kallisto," I told her. "He told me about her a while ago." Margret sighed in relief and smiled again.
Author's Note: Happy Sunday to you all! I hope you enjoy this chapter of Beauty In Itself! With time, there will be more, and more! Have a wonderful week ahead! I hope some of you have time to leave me a review; I do miss getting them! Love you!