Story Three: Remnants of Reality
Chapter Six
By Heartfire
~*~
"What the hell do you mean?!"
The harsh scream tore through the peaceful castle and nearly made Quatre drop the bun of bread he had smuggled out of the kitchen- of course, with the cook's knowledge… after all, he's been taking bread from the kitchen ever since that one morning when he saw that bird.
"I don't care!!! Find them!!!"
Quatre's frown deepened as he neared the source of the screaming frenzy. 'Trouble in paradise…' Sad and badly as it seemed, he could feel glee dance around his heart at this person's demise. Truth be told, the weeks he had spent in this little house had shown him how ruthless Morley could be… Servants who got themselves in his way when he's raging mad would be helplessly beaten… food that wasn't cooked to his liking would be blamed on the chef and kitchen staff who would get punished instantly… so many- not to mention that his 'assigned servant' had been filling him other details.
"Sir, calm down."
'Ah… the right hand man…' Quatre bent down act as though he was just innocently tying his shoes. Morley was quite free to release his anger because Yvan was not around- she's off practicing once again. So… he wasn't required to play the good guy.
His anger sparked a little as he remembered that conniving woman… Oh he had seen enough to give him reasons as to why she wants Morley- power and fame… not to mention, wealth. Almost every week, he had seen Morley shower her with expensive furs, jewels, and everything else that could make a woman swoon- or so his sisters often told him. And she never batted an eyelash, silently accepted the gifts, her face as if forever plastered in one excruciating unexpressive look.
'What do you care, Winner…' He stood up then patted his slacks, trying every trick in the book to look like an innocent bystander who could not hear what was happening inside Morley's office. 'It's not as if you want someone like her, right? I mean… you've seen, been, and shooed girls like her…'
"How could a dozen people get past a whole base and line of fire?!"
A banging sound accompanied that furious yell and Quatre silently congratulated whomever it was that had gotten past what Morley had bragged- 'the best militia system'.
"Do you think it's the rebels who escaped a few years ago? Maybe they're-."
"I don't care who they are! I'm not going to sit idle in here and let them wreck my plans!"
The sound of nearing footsteps bid Quatre to hide behind a large, emerald vase. His palms became sweaty as he watched the two leave the study.
He wasn't discovered… Good!
With Morley out of the way- and his right hand- it'll be easier to nose around… With a heart lighter than it had been the previous weeks, Quatre walked back to his room… Finally, he's going to get somewhere!
…
The aide nervously twisted his hands together, already fearful of Morley's anger, he tried his best to appear cool and confident. "Sir, if you are going to the North Base… what about Mr. Winner and Ms. Matfei?"
Morley placed a hand on his temple as he tried to think of a plan. "I will just have to ask both of them to try to get along better and look after each other. My Vanyah will do whatever will please me and Quatre is an honor-bound man who will not allow his host to be disappointed in him."
"Er… but sir… Aren't you… gambling a chance? Ms. Matfei is a beautiful woman… Mr. Winner is a man…" He needn't finish his sentence but his voice still quivered as Morley turned and glared at him… then, to his surprise, Morley started to laugh.
"I feel quite safe leaving my Vanyah with Mr. Winner, Yorel." He turned away from the insignificant fool. "I have done my homework about Mr. Winner… Let me see… He's never seen in public with anyone but his sisters. He's always with his personal bodyguard- a man- who would never be seen without him, and he never dated more than once or twice. What conclusion does that leave you with?"
The way he phrased the sentence… Yorel frowned. "You mean… he's…"
Morley nodded, an amused smile on his lips. "Yes. He is. What man of power does not go around and pluck waiting flowers from a meadow? Ah… poor Mr. Winner is, sadly, not a man. He is the weakest of all the Gundam pilots and the one who has the most public life." He shook his head. "I will feel quite safe leaving my Vanyah with him."
Yorel nodded, though rather hesitantly. "Yes sir. As you wish."
…
"You want me to look after a… a spoiled man?!"
For the first time in his life, Morley saw complete distaste in Yvan's eyes. Good… he doesn't have to worry about her. "Just until I come back, my darling."
Yvan's hands balled into tight fists… She shouldn't get mad… she had put up with him all these years… she shouldn't be mad… a few more months and she would have everything she needed from him… Then look who would be sucked dry… 'Oh Daddy… the things I do…' Yvan turned away and nodded slowly. "Fine, James… I will look after him… I will try to be a good hostess."
"Good. You know Arche as well as I do. He will have a wonderful tour guide." His eyes followed the curve of her back, that arch of her ivory neck and he couldn't help the excitement that ran through him… She was a woman that men could only dream of… No one gets close- but he was determined to break her and make her his… Two years and they never made any physical contact except when she lets him hold her hand, or on his shoulder because he was her escort- or to stop his lips from kissing her… He loves a chase. He'll win… sooner or later, he will win… but right now, he must restrain himself.
A knock resounded in the room and James knew exactly who it was. "Quatre, come on in."
Yvan bit her lower lip and slowly turned around, her eyes met his as it had done so all these agonizing weeks that they've been living under the same roof… The tiny fluttering in her stomach amassed into a tumbling avalanche… Oh… she doesn't want to be stuck with a man whose eyes could make a woman forget who and where she was… but… she just sealed her fate a little while ago… Not to mention that he had probably categorized her as a gold digger… She supposed that it was her fault, especially since she wanted him to stay away… Now, whenever he looks at her, she could feel an invisible wall between them. Not that she cares…
Oh no! She's been doing her research about this man from whatever little bits and pieces she could get around the estate. His name was linked with a string of other women. A gigolo… a playboy… someone who played around with women's feelings, and no wonder…! With his boyish, innocent air… what woman wouldn't feel something tug at her-
"Vanyah?"
Yvan blinked and looked at James. "I'm sorry… I think I'm more tired than I thought I was… What was it you said, James?" She saw his smile and it made her shiver… He was one calculative, intelligent man… He knew when to bid his time… that was why she must end this soon…
"I'm sorry, dearest. You are tired. I just said that Quatre has agreed."
"Yes, of course. He doesn't have any choice, after all." The last sentence was said under her breath while Morley poured drinks in a glass so he didn't hear, but Quatre did.
He raised an eyebrow towards her direction and Yvan saw pity and odium directed towards her… Not that she didn't play a part in it. She had done her best to cut him in his sentences, argue with him, and so many more. Of course, most of the time, they just end up staring at each other in frustration because no one would give up the argument. But… this was what she wanted. No one would take Morley away from her. She needs him…
Quatre walked towards her- darn but her trapezoid shaped lavender eyes were so intriguing… "You're right… I didn't have a choice… so let's just make do of the situation, Ms. Matfei." He said it as softly as he could and saw her shrug.
"James…? When are you leaving?"
A slight exhilaration coursed through James at her inquiry. Yvan saw and almost felt sad that she was just playing with him but… All is fair… in love and war…
"Tonight, Vanyah. My flight is tonight."
"Oh…" She faked a yawn that Quatre saw right through. "I'm sorry, but I really am tired… You take care of yourself, alright, James?" She sent a calculated seductive look to his way. 'I don't want anything happening to you just yet.'
Quatre looked away.
James nearly dropped his glass. "O-of course… Good night, Vanyah."
Yvan nodded then slowly sauntered out of the room.
"Now that is a woman…" Morley sat down on the chair and stared at the door.
'Poor man…' Quatre shook his head as pity filled his heart for the man in front of him. No man should be subjected to something like this… His train of thoughts fled him as he reminded himself that this man was a killer.
He had learned a lot from his servant Pietro while he talked haltingly, nearly fearfully, about the other side of Arche- the one that was full of misery, disease, and over worked, over exhausted poor people. Pietro had called it a bad sovkhoz, it was a good thing he was able to find an old dictionary from the study to look up its meaning. Then there was also Pietro's talk about people just suddenly disappearing… No evidence was ever linked to James, of course, but… one could always just imagine…
Morley offered him a glass of iced water and, as they have done so almost every day since he had been there, they shared a toast. The man was leaving tonight, that is what he is grateful of.
…
The strong sea breeze fluttered their clothing against their skin… strands of hair went this way and that while water lapped against their bare feet.
"Where would you like to go?"
"It's up to you. You know this country more than I… I trust your judgment."
"Are you sure you want to trust a charlatan?"
"I did not say that you were…"
"Your eyes, however, said differently, Mr. Winner…"
Yvan raised her hands to her side as she faced where the wind came from. She had wanted to go to the beach, and, having been assigned to show Quatre the wonders of Arche, it gave her a good excuse.
Unconsciously, Quatre turned to look at her. She seemed less winded up… as if being out of Castle Morjho had stripped her of the disdainful air. 'I wonder how long her hair is…' He had been wondering ever since he saw her… but every day, her hair would always be in a bun- as a ballerina would have it.
As if Fate heard his musings, Yvan's hands went up to her hair and unpinned it. The strong wind quickly blew it back and Quatre was once again, mesmerized… It looked like red silk, fluttering against the wind… having it in a bun so long had created the soft waves here and there through her silken strands and her hair was so long! If there were no wind… it would probably have reached her waist…
Sensing his stare, Yvan turned and Quatre saw a very different girl from the one he'd seen before. Uncertainty showed in her lavender eyes and the wind had turned her usually pale cheeks to a glowing pink, while her luscious bowlike lips had turned red.
"I hope you don't mind. You've probably been to many other beaches before." She motioned to the ever-expanding scene of water, thinking that Quatre must be looking at her for some conversation, at least, as to why she took him here.
Quatre shook his head. "No… I don't mind… Nature always makes it so that each beach has a distinctive quality…"
She turned to face the sea and Quatre saw her figure wrapped by the clothes, pressed against her skin while strands of hair playfully touched her side viewed face.
"That's good, that you appreciate nature, I mean… So few does…" Having Morley out of the way… A small smile passed on her lips. It feels wonderful to be away from that cursed castle. She even forgot that she was angry at Mr. Winner. "I like going to the beach… it reminds me that this place was once part of the great, vast land of Soviet…"
"Yes…" He was probably gaping at her… and his hands itched to hold her. Instead, he pushed them inside his trouser pockets and tried to focus on something else—an intelligent conversation. Yes. Of course! "Funny how the lands on this world could be put together like a jigsaw puzzle and made whole… Some naturally made… others the byproduct of human mistakes…"
"Even so, if people could only see that these lands were once a part of each other… then it is a basis of unity…" She had never talked like this to anyone before… Why was she doing so with him? Was she trying to impress him?
Quatre grinned. Her logic made sense. Complete and happy utter sense, and not only that but, she had spoken of one of the things he had been working so hard to achieve- unity. "You're right."
She smiled happily after she heard him agree… She stared at the vast blue ocean and felt the strength of the small waves collide against her skin. It was so open… "Glassnot…"
"Excuse me?" The whisper reached him, but the word was unfamiliar to him.
"Oh… nothing… it's just the Russian word for openness… I was just wishing that people are more…"
Her sentence trailed and she seemed to be in a mental struggle with something, but Quatre didn't push her. She was talking to him like a normal human being… that was enough for him.
Yvan quickly shrugged then glanced at him. "My father used to say things like that. The idea didn't exactly come from my own piece of mind. "
"Yet you still think it so…" He breathed in deeply… His next question might be too inquisitive but he would like to know more about her… It seemed as if Morley's absence had created a relaxed air around the castle, and with the two of them. "Ms. Matfei, are you an only child? Would you mind… telling me more about yourself?"
Yvan looked up at the gray, cloudy skies. She didn't really mind the questions-
"If you don't wish to answer, then you don't have to." Quatre quickly added.
She shook her head. How funny of him… It was a rare indeed to find a person on this land to be as sensitive to other people's feelings, as Quatre Winner is. "No, it is alright. I'm an only child, Mr. Winner… My mother's at home… my father… He's been dead for over two years. I'm sure he's in heaven."
"You loved your father, didn't you?" He saw a woman of strength as she brought her shoulders back and chin higher when she answered. But he already knew that she was strong.
"Yes." Does she need to elaborate?
"So did I." Quatre turned to face the sea and saw the waves churn and grow larger.
Yvan quickly turned to look at Quatre. He wasn't looking at her but… She could almost see sadness in those expressive eyes… She never knew… Of course, she never asked. But… She had… she supposed she had always thought that he had the perfect life… that… he was unfeeling… Oh, but the three words he just uttered had so much emotion that-
Quatre turned to her as felt her gaze on him. Their eyes met yet once again, and it seemed as if they had laid down their differences right then and there… Just with that one glance…
"I think it might be time to go back." She didn't want to end the day yet, but she needs to… She needs to. Without her usual vigor, she turned away and started back to the car.
Quatre followed after her. When he saw how she loved her father and missed him… does he not feel the same for his own father?
All too much…
Ah death… an event in life that could tear people apart… or bring them together…