Chapter 21
The sun was setting in Collinsport, Barnabas had just woken up. He was standing at his balcony, looking out to the increasingly smaller shrivel of the sun. Barnabas looked up to the stars in the sky, remembering when he used to tell Angelique about all the different constellations. He told her of stories he had read about, greek gods and myths that they had recorded in the stars.
He thought he saw a glimpse of movement to his right and slowly turned his head. Angelique was leaning on the balcony with her hands gripping the railing. He wondered why he hadn't noticed her, she must have been there the whole time. Her platinum blonde hair gently swayed in the gentle wind. She didn't seem to notice him at all, her head was still permanently placed foreword. He admired her for a second, looking over her features. She had always been a beautiful woman, there was no doubt about that. Even when she was a servant Barnabas would have guests comment on their servants. They meant Angelique, of course.
She definitely looked different than he remembered her though. Her long, nearly black hair exchanged with light blonde. Her softer features replaced with harsh, vibrant ones. Not meaning to say that she should return to her old self, her appearance resembled her personality now almost perfectly. She was strong, smart and cunning. Just like always. He thought about how she must have had to gradually change over the years, and all the different stages in her life.
He tried to picture her pregnant. That was probably one of the most difficult tasks he had ever brought himself to do. He almost felt sorry for her for a moment, having to go about life all alone. Giving birth to a child and starting a business all by herself. Barnabas wondered how she could just give up a daughter so easily to another family.
He remembered mothers always being extremely protective of their children, even risking their lives for them. But not her, she just dropped her daughter off somewhere far away so she wouldn't have to deal with her. In some ways he understood this, he would never had let her try to raise a child anyway. There was no way anyone would trust her. That was a sad thought, knowing that no one trusts you. And you don't trust anyone else. All alone in the world, with no one on your side, no allies at all. But then he remembered that she did that to herself.
She slowly turned her head to face him. He suddenly wondered why she was in his house, she didn't live there anymore.
"Why is it that I always find you in my home, Angelique?", Barnabas questioned. She turned around and leaned her back against the railing. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light off the house.
"I had to talk to Cassandra", Angelique said blankly. Barnabas stepped next to her. The wind picked up a bit and she shivered. He kindly asked,
"Are you cold?". She looked up into into his black eyes, to find them solely compassionate. She scowled at him.
"Since when do you care?", she questioned both parts coldly and sarcastically. He frowned at her,
"When have I not?", Barnabas stated. She looked at him sternly.
"Maybe when you tried to kill me, or when broke my heart. Both times", Angelique scoffed.
"I had reason to do some of those things", he countered.
"What reason did you have to leave me? The first time...", she looked deep into his eyes. He looked down to the floor, thinking of a good reason. But he didn't have any.
"I did not", Barnabas stated. Angelique tossed her hair over her shoulder and tried to process his remark. Angelique thought about asking why but she already knew the answer. He was a cold hearted, backstabbing, soulless bastard. She still didn't have any good reason for loving him. But the same could be said for him.
"I should not have done that to you, I am well aware of that now", he confessed and swallowed. Barnabas stepped even closer to her. Angelique didn't move, thinking about his comment. He had gotten what he deserved, and she wasn't sorry.
"I am sorry Angelique", Barnabas admitted. Her eyes shot up and looked at him with a combination of confusion and frustration. He slowly exhaled and moved closer to her. She leaned into him but partway into it she quickly backed away. He leaned back and scowled at her. Angelique turned her head towards the house.
"I'm not doing this again, Barnabas. I don't believe you", Angelique snapped. Barnabas watched her turn her head back to him.
"Doing what?", he asked.
"I'm not going to fall for you again, just for you to break my heart. The third time", she continued. He pondered over this for a moment.
"Just because you have feelings for me doesn't mean I have to too", Angelique sneered at him. He tilted his head at her.
"How do you know I have feelings for you?", Barnabas questioned. She chuckled,
"So you don't?" Angelique said.
"I did not say that", he responded. After a moment of glaring she said,
"Kiss me and tell me you have no feelings for me", Angelique taunted. He glared at her,
"Why?". She responded,
"Because it would prove that you don't, and you would win our bet". He smirked at her and pecked her cheek. She laughed at him.
"If that's what you call a kiss, you're really losing your charisma", Angelique countered. He scoffed at her, knowing she was right. He sighed and leaned in to kiss her. She didn't hold back and kissed him back passionately. After a few seconds she slowly released him and stared into deep brown eyes.
"Know look into my eyes and tell me you have no feelings for me whatsoever", she purred. He exhaled and looked down at her unsurely.
"I cannot", he admitted, "I would be telling a lie".