Story Three: Remnants of Reality
Chapter Five
By Heartfire
~*~
Quatre felt the healthy sunshine that spilled from his window to warm his face… then a hearty song from outside slowly called for him to open his eyes. What could be more peaceful than waking up to this?
He stood up, wiped the sleep out of his eyes, then walked to the window and opened it. "Hey there, little bird… thank you for your song…" One should always be grateful for little things such as these. The bird looked at him quizzically then, as if it understood, nodded.
"I'll bring you some crumbs later." He wanted to reach out and touch the small creature but he knew that he might scare the poor bird away… Momentarily, he glanced down and then did a double take.
The view below was stunning. The forest that outlined the vast estate held the colors of gold and green, but what really caught his eyes was the woman, stretching languidly, though methodically, on the stone steps below.
He propped his chin on his hand and watched as she placed her hands over her head and bent down-
'My… but she's got a wonderfully heart-shaped bottom…'
The thought came out of nowhere but Quatre couldn't stop himself from entertaining it, and blushing. She does have it… She did other stretching exercises that brought her small shirt up her stomach to give him a glimpse of ivory skin, at the same time, emphasize her breasts without truly knowing it and he…
He ogled… plainly and simply stared, unable to look away. He watched as she did a few plie and half twirls then the sound of a door that opened and closed shattered the moment. She stopped and turned while Quatre slanted his eyes at the sudden intrusion of the show.
'I should have known… Morley…' The dictator came into view and again, Quatre saw the indifference Yvan had shown him the previous night. Morley was clearly infatuated with her… was it because she was playing hard to get…? Ah well… That wasn't his business.
He turned and gave a sweeping look around his room. He was very tired last night and instantly went to bed, but he had already noted where the various spy cams were hidden in his room.
'Honestly! Did he expect me not to notice them?' He grabbed his towel and headed for the bathroom. 'I wonder if he has some in Yvan's room too…' Quatre pursed his lips and shook his head. He should not entertain such thoughts!
He reached breakfast just in time. Wearing a fresh blue shirt and cream pants, he was as handsome as they go, and more.
Yvan's eyes slowly traveled over him and she couldn't stop herself from comparing James' constrictive, navy government suit to Quatre's light clothing.
"Now, what could we show our guest today?" Morley cut the omelet on his plate.
"The Proto-Slavic museum of Gharsten is a wonderful place to visit." Yvan suggested while Quatre just let the conversation pass him by, digesting the words, but not truly aware of them.
"Are you busy today?"
Quatre saw Morley's hand hold Yvan's and nearly shook his head. Surprisingly, Yvan didn't take her hand away from him.
"Yes, I am. I have to run to the theatre to practice."
"That is too bad. I have to deal with some last minute issues that was just thrust on me this morning… And I do not trust my incompetent aide with Mister Winner." He turned apologetic eyes to Quatre who just smiled.
"Please, don't worry about me. You both seem busy with your schedule. Just give me a good book from the study and I will be fine."
"Are you quite sure?" The curious caring look James gave him was as fake as his smile.
Quatre quickly nodded. "Yes. Actually, I'm still a bit tired… Jet lag, I suppose… I just might go to bed right after breakfast."
A condescending look flashed over Yvan's face. So… she wasn't wrong… He was like all the other rich young men… Lazy. "You will be missing a wonderful day, Mr. Winner. A person can accomplish a lot of things in one day." She sipped her juice.
'I know...' Quatre nodded. "Yes, they could. But if a person does a less than perfect job because he isn't perfectly fit for it, then what is the use of doing the job?"
"Wonderfully said, Quatre." Morley agreed with a swish of his glass.
Yvan raised her eyebrow. James was actually approving laziness?! "The point of the matter, Mr. Winner, is that it could be a productive day."
Quatre couldn't help but retaliate. "The point of the matter, Ms. Matfei, is health."
James watched as the two stared at each other, neither seemed willing to back down from their position. He needs Quatre's support- financially. With a boom in the industry, he would be able to gain hold of more money. Yet, with his Vanyah getting Quatre angry… "Vanyah, my love,"
Yvan faced James after he touched her hand.
"Why don't you go and get yourself ready?"
Her anger raised a notch. Oh she knew exactly what he meant! He wants her to leave and accept defeat by default! Money… that's all he cares about- and if this man was from abroad, a guest of the government, then he was a wealthy man… A man wealthy enough to catch James Morley's attention so he could suck him dry… Disgusting. Her back stiffened. "Excuse me, gentlemen. I seemed to have lost my appetite."
The two men watched as she pushed back her chair and… glided to the door. James smiled apologetically at Quatre. "Women."
Quatre, invigorated by the small chat with Ms. Matfei, only hid a smile. "Yes, of course… Women."
…
He was given complete permission to browse through the study. Surprisingly enough, he didn't find a single spy cam in the room- not only that, but there was a computer…
He knew that checking his files would be unproductive… But he still hoped – ah well… James wasn't stupid. Of course, he still would have to use that computer… it might even be linked to something else…
Quatre took out a small device from his pocket. The silver mechanism was smaller than his fingernail, then he gingerly placed it on the table. Without making a noise, he took apart the central programming unit and, after studying the wirings, strategically placed the device inside.
A knock from outside the study interrupted him and he quickly dropped the covering back in place. Telling himself that he'd screw it later. He ran back to the chair and grabbed the nearest book. "Who is it?"
"Sir, a telephone call from Mr. Morley."
Quatre sat up. "Come on in, I was only reading." He crossed his fingers at the lie while one of the servants came in with a phone on a tray. He waited until it was deposited on the table next to him before he picked it up. "Yes, James? Is there any trouble?"
"I'm going to have to stay longer at this meeting, Quatre. Would it be too much trouble if you accompany one of my drivers to fetch Vanyah?"
Quatre frowned as he wondered what Morley was doing at that moment. "No, it isn't any trouble… I'll take care of her."
"Thank you. Excuse me for not being such a good host."
Quatre grimaced. "No, you are, James. You are." You gave me enough time to check where all the hidden cameras were without you around…
They hung up and he walked to his room while he absently whistled a tune. The camera in his room- thankfully, there were none in his bathroom- was very well hidden… Too bad it wasn't hidden well enough.
By the time he walked out of the bathroom, he was dressed, newly shaved, and his hair was combed in place.
"Time to pick up Cinderella… as Duo would say in this situation…"
…
Arche Performing Arts Center
He watched her from the sidelines, basking under one of the many covers of shadowed walls to hide his presence. He could tell that everyone in the theatre loved her… and she loved them. When a chorus girl fell down, she was the first beside the injured person to quickly administer care. When she sat down, a drink would be instantly offered… and now, she was teaching a little girl how to do the basics of ballet. When they finished, the little girl hugged her hard, and so did she…
Quatre's eyes squinted through the dim lighting of the theatre as he saw her hand something to the little girl.
"Tell your papa to take care. Buy him some hot bread and lofa for his back tonight, all right, Rayah?"
'What an intriguing woman this Yvannyah Matfei is…' The little girl only hugged her once again-
Someone poked him from behind, a hard, meaningful jab.
"Whoever you are, I am armed so don't bother to run away. We don't like stragglers in our theatre."
The voice was menacingly low.
"Walk towards the light, boy. Lets get a better look at you."
What else could he do but follow the command.
"Anah! We saw him spying on you!"
Quatre nearly cringed in embarrassment… All right, so he was, in a way, spying on her… but the way this burly man- or at least he thinks he's burly- pronounced it held a different meaning!
He waited for Yvan to face him and to frown at him while he gave her a little embarrassed smile. "Er… Hello…"
"Mr. Winner…! What are you doing here?" She jumped down the stage with grace and walked to him.
"You know this man, Anah?" He poked Quatre once again.
Yvan held up a stopping hand. "Clauz, stop. He's James's guest."
The whatever-it-was-that-was-poking-him disappeared and he gave a gracious smile towards her while he gave a thankful smile towards 'Anah's' bodyguard- a very burly, heavily bearded man. "Thank you."
Yvan shook her head, distaste for him so evident in her eyes. "There is nothing to thank me for. If James ever finds out that you were hurt, I don't know what might happen."
"I didn't know that I was that important to him." Quatre innocently commented as he rubbed the sore spot where he had been poked. His eyes followed Yvan as she put on her boots.
"You are the very first visitor to be willingly accepted by the government. That, in itself, means you are important."
She spoke so recklessly… as if… Quatre frowned. "Do you know who I am?"
"Of course." Yvan gave him an irritated look. "You are Mr. Winner, honored guest of James Morley."
"You don't get outside news in Arche, do you, Ms. Matfei?"
She tied her ballet shoes together and faced him. "No, we do not, Mr. Winner. Only James is privileged to have that power."
"Oh, I see…" And he does… He's in a country where no one knew of his status and level… only that he was the honorary guest of the dictator. Was this a blessing in disguise? Why is it that he knew he was in the middle of a dangerous country, but he felt… better and the knowledge that nobody knew him was making him giddy? How ironic that he actually feels… free…!
"So, Mr. Winner. Why are you here?" Her question, phrased in that irritating, haughty tone, jarred Quatre.
"If you truly want to know, James asked me to bring you home." He offered his arm to her, slightly bowing at the same time.
"He never did trust his servants… I wonder why he trusts you, a stranger in this land…" She placed her hand on his arm and felt the hard muscles under her palm… hidden under that soft cotton fabric…
'So… she's fully aware of her position to James…' Quatre glanced at her. Her walk was proud, almost like a princess… "Why do you sound so disdainful?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Yvan feigned innocence as she looked ahead. This man was trouble. She could feel it in her bones… Whenever he looks at her, she could feel something different… a fluttering in her stomach and she couldn't seem to look away… The episode that morning during breakfast… What was she thinking! If she gets James mad, she'll be out of the house! Then what?
Quatre stopped then turned her around. Why he would like to know… blame it on curiosity. Blame it on trying to figure her out. His eyes searched her lavender ones… She met his gaze at first then… looked away.
"You do not like him but you still put up with him…" Quatre whispered, his observation stated plainly and clearly.
Yvan didn't answer… She couldn't… He was merely stating the truth. "Mr. Winner… What about you?" Intelligent eyes tilted and met his gaze once again. "You seemed irritated by Morley… I am sure that you are aware that Morley wants something out of you… and yet… you still choose to stay here and let him swindle you out of whatever it is he wants. Whether it be your brain for ideas or money for finance. So… tell me, what about you?"
Quatre's eyebrow shot up… She had hit him right on the mark. How was she able to do that? "You are knowledgeable, for a ballet dancer."
"I am not a stupid woman, Mr. Winner. I have eyes, and I have ears… I was born and raised in this country and you were not. If I seem knowledgeable… is there anything wrong with being so?"
The light in his eyes made her want to touch them… They were only an arm's length away from each other… a dim lamp to guide their path… What's wrong with her? The moment she laid eyes on him, something happened… but what?! She couldn't look away…
"No… nothing is wrong with that…" His voice went a notch lower while the hands on her shoulder squeezed her lightly. He knew he was flirting, something he never did, yet around her… "It is actually… intriguing…"
Yvan's eyes widened and her bowlike lips dropped open. Did he just… give her a compliment?
Quatre grinned at the cute expression on her face. "Don't look so shocked, Ms. Matfei. Is there something wrong with a man who finds an intelligent woman fascinating?" My God! What is wrong with him? His tongue was running away! Stop… stop… stop!
"N-no… there isn't… I mean…" A tentative smile touched her lips. "It is a rare treat to find a man who does."
"Why, thank you, Ms. Matfei… That was the first nice thing you've said to me." Quatre wanted to shut his mouth- sew it close! Anything!
The tentative smile on Yvan's lips turned seductively wide. Whether she knew it or not, Ah, Allah, help him!
"Mr. Winner, what an ego… Did I say that you were such a man?"
"No. I just decided that you were talking about me, that's all." What was it that Rashid usually blames when something goes asunder? Ah… Witchcraft! There is witchcraft around here… Fairy dust… Maybe that's why James was so infatuated with her… She's looking lovelier by the minute and her lips… more inviting…
Yvan breathed in deeply… She's drowning in his eyes… Oh, to flirt with him was heaven but… She shouldn't… She couldn't… She mustn't… Collecting her scattered wits, she looked away and decided to set him straight. There may be something between them, something that could erupt if kindled, like a fire… Her mother had told her all about it… but she will resist it! Resist and stop it right here, right now. "Mr. Winner… Do you know why I put up with James?"
The sudden change of topic surprised him out of that soft place he found himself only a few moments ago. "No. Why?"
Yvan looked up and stared right into his eyes to show him her cold sincerity. "I want him, Mr. Winner… I want him more than anything in the world and nobody is going to stop me."
Her answer stunned him but he could feel her determination… he could feel that she's telling the truth… He could feel her passion and the strength of want… She's a woman on a mission to get her man… Yet, at the same time… she was hiding something… She was one tough… exciting woman. That much he could give her.
Quatre let her go but continued to meet her gaze. "Then you know the reason why I put up with Morley myself, Ms. Matfei…"
Confusion enveloped her clear lavender eyes. A strand of red hair fell down on her face then swayed with the wind. 'What do you mean?' The question repeated itself in her head… He doesn't know anything… Not a single thing…
"We should get back. It is getting late." Quatre turned and offered her his arm once again. The mood was broken, and he should be happy but he wasn't.
She tentatively placed her hand over his arm and, once again, felt his hard muscles under her palm that sent shivers from the tips of her fingers, up her arm… 'My God…! What is happening to me?'