Chapter 21- The Farewell of a Dream

Albert had pretended that his memory was still clouded, which indeed made him feel extremely guilty. Albert was tormented with the decision he took to pretend his continued ailment, while allowing Candice to care for him. Yet, he still contemplated the possibility of staying with her. He was torn with the choice of his return to his life of chains or the life of freedom he had lived with Candice for more than a year. Yet Albert's reality was clear. He knew Candice was in love with Terruce Grandchester and not with him; therefore the choice to leave became a more obvious one. He was certain Candice saw him with friendly eyes, as a close friend to another friend in despair or even simply as a nurse to a patient.

Albert thought of his dear Aunt Cora Elroy, the other family members, and the business that needed his immediate attention; there were too many people that depended on him and his return home. Albert contacted his family immediately and his good friend George Johnson after he realized he could not run away from the great responsibilities he was assigned. The sudden news of Albert's whereabouts was received with jubilance. Cora ordered to receive Albert with a great feast upon his return. Yet Albert gave his aunt the news that his return would take some time due to some pending responsibilities. Cora easily agreed with Albert on whatever he saw fit. She was consoled, while tears of happiness flowed through Cora's eyes.

While Candy resumed her life trying to overcome the rupture of the relationship with Terruce, she became displaced from her current position at the hospital. According to her employer, the good reputation of the hospital and the staff had been at risk due to Candice's imprudent choice of cohabitating with the unknown patient that had been released from the facility. Candice was able to find a job assisting the same doctor where Albert had been taken after he had been struck by the fleeting driver.

"I have such urge to tell Candy what I feel for her, what she has made me experience living with her, and even who I am truly to her. If I could only foresee her reaction as she would learn about my truth, I would say it all without hesitation of causing her any more disarray. I must at least try to show her or even say something in regard to my feelings. If I keep quiet any longer my mind and heart would not withstand it." Albert thought to himself.

Albert's hidden love for Candice would be shown to her by simple gestures and ambiguous statements. While attending a picnic Albert stated the wanton desire to share with each other their life issues as he symbolically gave Candice half of his sandwich while he deeply yearned to share his entire life with her. However, Candice's preoccupation with work, Albert's medical needs, the pain of the recent death of a close friend, and the break up with her boyfriend would not allow Candice to dissect Albert's words or actions.

Several months went by as the news about Terruce Grandchester's disappearance from his acting career was published. Terruce had left the invalid Susana Marlowe, his fiancée, to go in search of Candice in the Chicago area. Terruce unfortunately took a turn to drinking alcohol in order to forget the deep pain the break up with Candice had caused him. As by chance, Albert saw Terruce inside a bar causing an unpleasant scene. Albert entered the bar and tried to calm the drunkard Terruce. Albert found himself short on patience in regard to his Terruce's rowdy drunkenness. The encounter between friends ended up in a fist fight. As soon as Terruce gave up the fighting, Albert carried him outside of the bar and took him to see Candice.

Albert's heart was racing as the thought of Terruce and Candice's encounter. Instead, Albert took Terruce to a distant area that oversaw the clinic where Candice worked. Albert spoke honestly to his friend wishing to persuade him to return home to Susana and his acting career.

"Over there Terry, look ahead, can you see Candy from here? She possesses a great capacity for overcoming hardships and she has found a way to cope after the rupture of the relationship you both once had. Candy enjoys the nursing field and taking care of the less fortunate; her work sustains her financially and also psychologically. I can assure you that she is fine and will continue to be well. Candy is such an amazing woman and I admire her deeply. Her strength, her intensity, and her determination are limitless. Candy has matured before my very own eyes. She has turned my life into an amazing learning experience. You should take her as an example and return to work and your home. I assure you that Candy is well looked after." Albert said.

"Dear God man! You love her as well, do you not? I can see it flowing in your words and shining in your eyes!" Terruce exclaimed.

"When did this happen? You betrayed my friendship, my trust? I allowed Candy to live under the same roof with you in order to help you and this is what you do? I must see her now. I insist!" Terruce continued to state.

"Have you looked at yourself Terry? You are not in any condition to see her or even offer her companionship at this time. Do you want to disappoint her?" Albert replied as he placed his hands on Terruce's shoulders.

"All I know is that I am lost without her and this torturous love is consuming me." Terruce said. "How do I carry on without her? How do I find peace within my being after losing the love of my life?" Terruce replied with tears in his eyes.

"Time is a healer of deep wounds. I know this for I have lost so many special people in my life." Albert said as he took a step back from Terruce.

"Compose yourself and I will arrange a meeting between the two of you. Terry, I promise that you will see her again." Albert said with sadness in his eyes as he glanced at Candice's direction.

"Albert you love her as well, yet here you are willing to hand her over to me. That is a greater love that I could never posses. Do I even deserve her? Just look at me, and the mess I have become, I am hopeless. Could I really make her happy?" Terruce stated and then became silent for a few seconds.

"Is Candy aware of your feelings?" Terruce replied as he took a step back while he wiped his eyes and cleared his throat.

"She is not aware of my true feelings. I cannot display my affection freely since I believe she is still in love with you." Albert said looking ahead at the clinic where Candice worked.

As the days came to pass, after Terruce's unforeseen visit to Chicago, Albert finally had made up his mind. He was to return home to his beloved family and his responsibilities. Albert's heart was once again in pieces for the fact that there would be a meeting between Candice and his once good friend Terruce. A future reconciliation between the previous couple was eminent to Albert as he later arranged a surprise meeting between Candice and Terruce in Rocktown.

On his way to the shared apartment with Candice, Albert could only think to go back home and find refuge in the beautiful area he was accustomed to visit during his days of sadness. Albert remembered the spot where he had met the small girl with the lovely eyes and the sweetest laughter many years ago. The laughter of the children, the green woods, and the songs of free birds invigorated him.

"All that I truly want cannot be bought with money. All I want is for love and happiness to remain, but at the mere taste of its sweet nectar it leaves me desolate and in sorrow. Whatever I am destined to face I shall take it head on, as Candice would do, but along with me I shall take each and every moment lived with you, Candy, as my foremost treasure in my adult life." Albert thought to himself as he approached to open the door of their apartment.

Albert circled his way through the apartment as his memory would take him back to some unforgettable moments.

"We lived as if we were a real happy couple. We seemed to get along so well without clashing views. It all seemed to be as if we were truly married, of course for the exception of sexual intercourse. It took all my strength and will power to not allow myself that pleasure; this was an exhausting task at times. We shared our daily routines with enthusiasm, overflowing joy and much laughter. The days never went without a joke or prank, a funny tale from work, or a smile on her face. Oh for instance, as we washed dishes together in that sink, the water fights that we held every so often were phenomenally fun, leaving all our clothing soaking wet. So incredibly wet that I could see her full breast and her perked nipples through her delicate light colored dresses. She is so naturally beautiful, so easy to talk to, and so easy to fall in love with. I will miss my life of freedom with Candy; she knew how to treat me and even more, how to excite me. I can only dream she would have allowed me to come near her with my hidden passion. I wonder how Candy would have responded if I was lesser of a gentleman during those nights when she would tickle me while I lay in bed. Would she have allowed my hungry mouth to kiss her and to wander around her whole curvaceous body? Would she have resisted my touch and become lost with my caress and lose herself in my arms? Would she have surrendered her body and become lost in lovemaking with me? That I shall never know. But what I do know is the feel of her hands as she teased my body, it definitely could have let me loose to ravage her uncontrollably; my abdomen, my chest, my arms and my sensitive neck could only take so much teasing.

Oh and those irresistible nights after her waking up with night terrors, forcing her to crawl into my bed for company. The feel of her warm body against mine was always hard to resist. My being a man, with a natural excitement for a woman, such as her, made it hard to sleep; therefore my back had to face Candy during those sleepless nights of carnal desire, otherwise Candy would have been mine many times over. The soft morning kisses she gave me to wake me up as she would get ready for work. Those kisses should have been returned on her lips, instead of her hands or forehead. Sometimes I wished that I were not the gentleman I am, and that my word did not have any value; otherwise, I would certainly not have kept my promise to Terry and allow them to meet again. I am lost in desire and in true love with her and can no longer play the brotherly role another day. This has become too hard to bear. I have reached the verge of losing self control; my body wants to have her and my heart yearns for her love in return. How did I get this far in my thoughts? I should stop torturing myself and begin with our last dinner arrangement; she would be pleased to eat what I am making her, a special treat for our last night together in this apartment." Albert said.

As morning came Albert had all his things packed without announcing his departure to Candice. He felt leaving without an advanced notice would be better for him since he knew that if Candice pleaded him to stay he would be too weak to refuse her offer. Albert composed a farewell note after preparing breakfast for her the morning of his departure.

August, 2 1917

My dearest Candy,

I must say that with your help and care my health has been at its best. Such good care have I received from you, and such dedication you gave my case, even more after the madman ran me over with his car, which finally led me to regain my complete memory. Please forgive me for not letting you know sooner, since my fears of being thrown out from your side were far greater. What excuse could I have given to remain living with you if I was better? I shall forever be indebted to you. I will never forget your kindness. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You certainly must know how much I treasure you and all the time we spent living in this apartment. But in case you ran a blind eye, I will tell you. I loved every moment I spent by your side. I loved all the kidding around, all the laughter, the outings to the park, and even more, I loved the nights when you climbed in my bed.

I know you will be fine, you have proved that to me many times. Keep your head high, and your spirits up, soon you will see the one you love.

Love,

Albert

As soon as Candice read the note Albert left her, she dropped to the floor crying. The shock of Albert leaving her overwhelmed her tremendously. Candice had grown accustomed to their living arrangement and enjoyed having Albert by her side at all times. She ran outside looking for Albert. Needless to say, he had already been picked up by his driver and was on his way home.

"Oh no, oh no! Oh heavens no!" Candice said hysterically as she ran up to the apartment.

"Why did you leave me Albert? Having you here gave me a reason to live. You added some normalcy to my life. I do not want you gone, I need you here with me, please come back. What am I to do without you? You promised to share everything with me and that you would not go. No, this cannot be!" Candice said staring at the apartment door.

She felt such pain and anguish as she ran back inside looking for anything he might have left behind. All she could find was his scarf which still had his scent. Candice held it tightly and breathed in his scent as she cried out loud for Albert.

"Why did you do this to me? I had managed to forget the pain caused by my previous relationship with Terry. To then start falling for you and now losing you too. Am I not meant to be happy in this world? All whom I have loved some way or another leave my side." Candice cried as she buried her face into Albert's scarf.

"My heavens, I do not even know where to look for him. He did not leave me an address, or even sign his last name. Albert, I am so devastated and disappointed that you left me." Candice said.

As Candice calmed down she began to walk around the apartment remembering many unforgettable moments shared with Albert.

"Our kitchen, so many good meals we prepared together, and so many funny things we shared. Oh like the chicken incident when you took the whole chicken and turned it into a puppet and chased me around the apartment with it. Oh and the time when you decided to hide in the bathroom as I took a shower, you took a handful of flour and blew it on my wet face, I looked like a ghost and I screamed bloody murder when I saw my face in the mirror. We had some fun times. We seldom experienced a day of gloom together. When my relationship with Terry ended, and after Stear left us to go to war you tried your best to cheer me up, and you succeeded. You just knew how to make me feel better. I need you Albert, I guess I did not realize how much you truly meant to me before but I do not want to live my life without you. I knew you loved me, it showed through your unspoken actions, and knowing so made me feel sure that you would never leave me. I should have said something, anything to give you hope that I was beginning to care for you as a man, as a companion. I tested you so many times to see what you were made of, and all I found was a true gentleman who respected me at any given moment. Even though, at times, it felt as if I tested my own self control. You are so intriguingly handsome, you possess the most beautiful physical attributes. Your gentle blue eyes easily express what you feel inside, love and kindness for me always. Oftentimes I had the uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch your body and caress you, but all I could think was to approach you with tickles. I could not have been that forward and that daring. It was already a task to keep serious while I had to examine you and check your vitals.

Oh I will never forget the glorious morning when you and I raced to the bathroom at the same time. We had overslept during a work day. It all happened so quickly, you simply began to undress in front of me. You took off your pajama shirt while you faced me, then you turned around and removed your pants swiftly and cover your bare bottom with a towel. You might have thought I was already accustomed to seeing naked bodies due to my field of work but it was always different with you. There was always something about you that just sent chills down my spine, and rushed the blood to my face. The nights when I could not sleep due to nightmares were my favorite as it simply gave me the excuse to jump in bed with you and wrap my cold feet around your warm legs. I wished at times for you not to be such a gentleman when we were lying in bed together.

What could finally put me to rest on those restless nights was the thought of you facing me, kissing me and ferociously making me yours. I am but a woman made to long for a man, and my true desires were to be with you. It was so tempting to just do what some perverted minds thought we were already doing. But it is all over and I shall have to endure yet another suffering. I was a fool to not speak up about what I was beginning to feel. I had discontinued speaking about Terry since the pain from the break up, and the hurting I felt due to his lack of courage had subsided. Terry did not take a stand for our relationship, he did not even beg me to stay as I was leaving; instead he chose to be true to Susana's needs. He made his choice clearly. What could have made you think I wanted to be with Terry after all that had happened? He had his opportunity once. Since then, the one man that truly completed me in all areas was you Albert; you just made it so easy for me to fall for you. I do not want Terry. I only want you…" Candice said sobbing on the couch.

"Oh Albert… I need you...I have fallen in love… with you." She said lastly as she began to fall asleep with Albert's scarf wrapped around her neck.

Several months had passed after Albert left the apartment he shared with Candice. He often received news about Candice's wellbeing and her whereabouts. Yet to Albert's surprise, Candice did not reestablish an amorous relationship with Terruce. Albert often wondered what had happened between the couple and if things would have taken a different turn if he had stayed put until Terruce and Candice's meeting took place.

Once again on a day of gloom, Albert visited the green pastures and the hill, which he learned to love even more after his return home. He visited the area daily to find peace and to remember the days lived with Candice.

"I miss you Candy, removing myself from your side has been harder than what I had expected." Albert said as he admired the beautiful view.

One day Albert felt the irresistible urge to purchase the land where Pony Hill was located. He wanted to be the owner of the land so he could freely walk through it without having to hide among the trees. Albert's desire to buy the land made him send out a representative on his behalf to enquire about the land and the orphanage. But the women in charge, Miss Pony and Sister Lane, had declined the irresistible offer in fear of disrupting the normalcy of the orphanage.

"Mr. Ardlay, the fear of the women is that they think once the land does not belong to them the new owners would do away with the orphanage. I even included a clause to protect Pony's Home from being disrupted, but the women will not negotiate." The representative stated.

"Do not go back and disturb them with any other offer. But do make sure all their monetary needs are met along with any maintenance due to the facility and the land, but only do so if they do not feel threatened and if they do not decline my assistance." Albert replied.

"Have you any word from George Mr. Ardlay?" The representative enquired.

"Oh yes indeed, he is due back next week. He is one happy newlywed." Albert replied.

"We shall see him with his new bride by his arm." The representative said.

"Indeed we will see them. Emily is such a lovely lady with great qualities; besides, she is quite a beauty." Albert stated.

"I am glad she has managed to settle our George down. He had been alone without a female companion for too long a time." The representative replied.

"Yes, I believe you are correct. George had concentrated on working that he had forgotten how great is to have the companionship of a lady." Albert continued to state.

"With all due respect Mr. Ardlay, the same statement applies to you as well." The representative said.

"You have spoken with truth. Yet, at the moment I am not ready to settle down. Besides, there is so much work to be done, I should continue to look after the financial report you brought me earlier." Albert replied with evasiveness towards the subject.

George Johnson had met Miss Emily Watson while returning from the travel from Africa in New York back in 1914. They had met in the dining room of the Vanderbilt Hotel. George was taken aback by her beauty and her spectacular singing voice. She had been invited to sing in a celebration held at the hotel. Miss Watson was a widow since April 15, 1912 when she and her husband, Alfred Watson, had boarded the Titanic for their twentieth year wedding anniversary. Emily never got the courage to board another ocean liner and remained in New York for the past two years. She was forty-one years old. Emily had dark brown hair, large blue eyes, fair skin and small delicate features. Emily was a very loving person.

She was never blessed with any children of her own, due to her husband's lack of virility which on account of his suffering from a major sporting accident in his adolescence. The attraction between George and Emily was mutual and soon developed into a long distance romance. They courted for three years and then married in October 10, 1917. Eventually, Emily, at age forty-five, and George, at fifty-five, would parent a son of their own in July 25, 1918. They lived happily in the Lakewood estate as established in Mr. William Ardlay's testament.

to be continued...

I thank you all for your interest in my fiction, for your wonderful feedback and for all your personal messages. It is amazing to know that my creation has kept your interest. I hope you continue to follow it as future events unleash.

The following chapter is to be posted by Monday February 11, 2013 Chapter 22- Alienable