You're wasting your time Trying to tear us two apart You can't stop our plans We were destined from the start He loves me I love him And even though we're young at heart, see You're the one in denial Tired of creeping around when I'm craving for His kiss Whenever I'm lonely he is the only one I miss You say it ain't right but I think that you got it wrong It's bliss And I love him, yeah, yeah I love him He makes me go ooh-ooh-ooh When he looks at me Ooh-ooh-ooh and it's plain to see
Nothing you can do-ooh-ooh To discourage me And I love him I really love him, ooh You're wasting your time Trying to tear us two apart You can't stop our plans
We were destined from the start He loves me I love him And even though we're young at heart, see You're the one in denial My parents say I'm too good And that he doesn't deserve me My friends think he's not cool enough So they'd rather desert me My sister says her boyfriend has a brother And she'll introduce me But I don't want him, no I've got my man There's nothing you can do-ooh-ooh To discourage me I'm cool with my man's family If you were in my shoes You'd feel differently But you're in denial You're in denial, ooh You're wasting your time Trying to tear us two apart You can't stop our plans We were destined from the start
He loves me I love him And even though we're young at heart, see You're the one in denial-Joss Stone"Young At Heart"

Chapter Four:Heart of a Woman

tap. I stirred and slowly opened my eyes, again another tap I glanced over at my window that night the moon shown in. I saw something flying and hitting my window. Rocks. I sat up, putting my robe on, as I liked usually to sleep in the nude. It made me feel...erotic. I suppose that was from my mother's gypsy side of the family. But how about enough of that.

I crept slowly towards the window and opened it. I peaked out. Looked around, then down. Nothing there. However," Hello." A voice above startled me. There Clopin swung into my room through my window from the roof. I gasped but not screamed. He stood there, wearing a duller outfit then eariler. No mask, so I saw how handsome he was. I stared at him preplexed. I knew he was looking down." Are you naked under there?" He asked me."

My eyes went wide. I must have been bright red. "Yes. Anyway what are you doing here?" I asked.

Clopin smiled," I had to see you sweet lady.I would be honored if you went on a moonlit walk with me." He said.

I blushed then chuckled," I am not dressed yet."

" Then get dress my beauty."

I made my way over to my closet. Picking out a long red skirt and red shirt." Turn around please." I quickly threw it on,I left my hair down and tied my cloak on." Alright you can turn around now." I said he turned to me" You know, I normally would not do this Mister Clopin..."

" Please just Clopin." he interrupted me. He had a serious tone.

" Sorry, Clopin." I corrected. Clopin just smiled and ran over to the window.

" You know if you jump, I will catch you dear Isabelle." He said, Immediately flipping out. I ran over to the window. And stared down.Thankfully he made it on his feet.But then again he seemed to have great acrobatic skills. He proved that one when he came into my window. " Aren't you coming?" He asked. I looked down at him, at his hat with the long yellow feather. I bit my lower lip, then looked back at the door. Expecting father to walk in, but after several moments, nothing happened.I climbed up on my window cill. I took a deep breath and let myself fall. Trusting a total stranger to catch me. I landed right in Clopin's arms.

" There, that wasn't so bad now was it?" He asked me, slowly placing me down. " Come." He offered his arm to me.

" How did you know where my window was?" I asked him. As we walked away from my home.

" You may not realize this, I have been stalking you for quite sometime." He said. I looked at him, he smiled at me again.

" Oh...I'm...flattered...so what time is it?" I asked.

"Exactly one hour before sunrise.Ms. Isabelle."

" Please just call me Isabelle, I am not a countess." I corrected him as he had corrected me.

He paused walking and smiled again.Taking a slight bow, he took my hand," Of course, lovely Isabelle."

I blushed as he placed a kiss upon my hand. ' God! I wish he would just kiss me on the lips.' I thought to myself.See, I really have not yet had the talk. Bewares of men. Mother told me,' You will know when the one came into your life.' It was a feeling deep down. She used to say. Sure I knew the whole brids and the bees thing. And with me at the time,Clopin seemed like he was very interesting me. I figured that when he said he had been stalking me.

But women sometimes.are supposively manipulated , according to father. Thats all he said on the matter of sex and love. Something about it being too uncomforable to speak like that to his daughter. I looked at Clopin, he just stood there like always still smiling at me. Then I at last noticed his dagger cased at his side. My eyes widened. He must have noticed my expression of panic. I slowly let go of his hand.

He slid it out. I gasped as he spoke," You think I intend on slicing your pretty throat." He mused. He came dangerously close to me. Tightly I closed my eyes. And prepared for the worst. I knew I should have listened to father.His laugh forced me to open my eyes.His knife cased once again.He stepped back. I glared at him. But continued to walk with him.

We stopped at the bridge.," Why did we stop?" I asked him.

" For this." Pointing out the colorful sky around us and the rest of Paris. I had nearly forgot that it was sunrise.I noticed the colors of purple, light purple, pink,orange, light and dark blue. All mixed together in their beauty. I had never seen anything as beautiful, at least not with such a handsome man. It was romantic. I believe the propor word is.

I looked back at Clopin he was staring down at me with his dark brown eyes. I smiled at him." You woke me for this? This magic?" I asked.

"No,not only that. Here is more magic."He said, reaching in a little pocket, he tossed what appeared to be glitter into the water below us.My eyes widened. It looked like the stars were right there in the river. They shimmered underneath us." Isabelle." Clopin started." Would you like to see me again?" He asked.

I was surprised, as he blushed slightly. Had he gone shy all of a sudden?" I don't know...I mean yes I am wealthy but..."

He chuckled,"Dear girl, I am a gypsy. I entertain children and host the Feast of Fools for a living. I really have little use for your money."

" Really? Well most men..."

" Isabelle, I am not most men." He said.

I shook my head," No, you are not. Yes. Clopin I want to see you again, but I must get home." I said.

" Then please let me escort you home." I smiled at him and accepted his offer.

It took use about an hour or so to reach my home. We paused out front, the sun was already up. I turned to Clopin." I hope to see your puppet show today. If you have one." I said.

" Of course.You know I'm not really stalking you." He said just as a by the way." Until then." He said and lightly kissed my lips. And left. I stood there, perplexed. Maybe the love at first sight mother talked about tens years ago before she died, did exist. As I could feel my heart beating wildly. I know, I barely knew him, but what I can I saw, I am a woman, with a woman's heart.

" Isabelle!" Father called from his window." What in the name of the Holy mother are you doing out so early?" He asked.
I looked up and over," I was...just feeling how warm it was. I tend to take Jaquelin shopping today."

He looked at me with a suspious look" Get inside!" He demanded. And closed his window. I sighed and wondered to Jaqueline's window. And tossed a couple rocks. I noticed my throw was improving. Jaqueline yawned as she peered down at me," Isabelle why are you down there?" She asked.

" Never mind my reason. Please run down to the front door and let me in. It's locked." I explained.

She did not say anything, I waited for a few moments, and she opened the door. I walked in. She wore one of my old night gowns from when I was a little girl. I knelt down to her," Would you like to go see a puppetshow today?" I asked. And judging by her large smile, that was a yes.