Welcome back, readers! Hope you're ready for a new chapter filled with more drama! Thank you for your kind words and support, it is greatly appreciated :) Without further ado, please read and enjoy! :D
Kira had been ushered to her room, party guests told she was just so overwhelmed by Felix's proposal that she felt unworthy as a potential wife, Gene trying to save face. It seemed to be working, as the guests were offering their sympathies to him, saying how beautiful, wonderful Kira was and that she was more than good enough for Felix. When they left, Felix was still sitting down, his head in his hands.
"Felix... no need to be down, son." Gene said, helping him to his feet. "I'll talk some sense into her. You just go home and get some rest."
He nodded, turning to walk over to the door, stopping at the frame to glance back at Gene. "I already knew I wanted to tell her someday how... how I feel." He sighed. "I just didn't want to do it this way. It's like... trying to use wood to build that hasn't completely dried yet, sir. Doesn't make for smooth cutting. It wasn't the right time."
Gene puffed on his cigar, going up to pat Felix's shoulder. "Don't think that. The earlier you start putting that little thought in her head the sooner she'll come around. I'll have a talk with her, straighten things out. You just go home and clear your head, you did what you were supposed to."
Felix nodded, walking out the door and down the stairs, going into his room in the penthouse. He was one level below them, and he sighed as he flopped onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. He felt awful, knowing he had just helped burst the one bubble Kira had to keep her shielded from the harsh reality of life. At least, so he thought.
Kira was laying on her own bed, her head resting on its side to stare aimlessly out the window. She didn't react when she heard her father come in, setting down a chair which he sat in backwards, leaning his arms on the back of the chair.
"Get up, Kira. There's something I've got to make you understand and you're going to get it through that air head of yours whether you like it or not." Gene said in a serious tone. When her only response was a saddened sigh, he tightened his lips, pinching her shin with his thumb and index finger. Kira squeaked, sitting up quickly and nursing her leg. "Who do you think you are? Am I just a painting on the wall?" Gene asked.
Kira glanced over at him, a spark of anger in her eyes. "I could do that, if you like... make a painting of you. That would be more enjoyable company than the model for it."
Gene hissed, pointing a finger at her. "Now you listen to me, young lady. I don't know who you think you're talking to but I'm no pushover. I have provided for you your entire life so you'd better start showing me some respect. And the first thing you're going to do tomorrow is march downstairs and say you've changed your mind."
"Oh, you've provided for me..." Kira said sarcastically. "... you barely aknowledged my existence until mother died!"
"What? Do you have any idea what it is to run a business, how much time that takes? That's what you HAD your mother for, you can't expect a man to raise children when he's got work to do! Besides, that's got nothing to do with the situation at hand."
"Father, I'm perfectly fine with Felix how we are now! Why does the love we share have to be bound by marriage? Why can it not stay simple?"
"Because you need to learn your place!" Gene snapped. "You are not going to be some looney artist that does finger paintings for a living! Are you trying to make a fool of me, to be the embarassment of this family? You are going to get married and have children and raise them, and help your husband upkeep MY assets as well as his!"
Kira's eyes widened, shaking her head. "You did this... I knew Felix didn't make such a confession of his own accord... you set him up!" She flew out of bed, about to leave the room when Gene grabbed her arm and tugged her back harshly, throwing her back on her bed.
"Now don't you think of stepping a foot out of this bedroom!" Gene shouted. He then dug into his pocket and pulled out a few crinkly bills. "See this? You know what this pays for? A ticket back to the west village!" Gene shook the money in her face before throwing it at her, and Kira slowly looked back up at him, furrowing her brows. "I brought you here to make you happy, but if you're going to act like a spoiled brat I'll just send you back until you're ready to appreciate what you have here.
"And what do I have here, father? A life of confinement? Of great burden and heavy responsibility? A life without freedom?" Kira's voice shook.
"You will be more wealthy than anyone on the island!" Gene threw his arms up in the air. "What more could you want?"
"But wealth does not bring happiness! Perhaps for you, but not to me!"
"You stubborn-..." Gene closed his eyes, shaking his head. "You're going to end up like your mother... her head was always in dream land and it got her killed."
Kira became angry then. She was very sensitive about her mother, she loved her dearly. She got to her feet, her arms tense at her sides. "Her dreams did NOT get her killed!" She shouted. "You do the same to me as you do to her! You forced her to always be involved in your business transactions, instead of letting her do what she loved! You confined her to the apartment where she was miserable day after day! She wanted to dance, she wanted to be free of your tight grip over her life and she died because she would dance any chance she had, even in the middle of the steet!"
Gene grit his teeth, glaring at Kira. "You hush up right now, you will do what I say and that's final!"
"And what if I don't? I am not some metal for you to parade around on your neck until you pass me to a bachelor to do the same thing!" Kira shouted. Gene'd had enough, and in a fit of anger, he reared his hand back, slapping Kira so hard that she fell back, having to use her bed to break her fall. She nursed her face, slowly turning to look back up at him, a hand mark already appearing where he had made contact. "You're an animal." She muttered barely above a whisper.
Gene stared daggers at Kira, taking another puff of his cigar. "Be prepared to tell Felix tomorrow you accept his proposal. If you do not... then you will pack your things immediately and board the next train to the city." Without another word, Gene turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Kira was still nursing her face, her face scrunching up as she let her face plop into her pillow, her sobbing muffled as she clung to it. She wished she was a bird, and that some merciful being could open the door of her cage and set her free from this misery.
Felix was just finished getting dressed, smiling sadly as he glanced at a picture of himself and Kira as children. The photo was a bit worn, but he always loved to remember the old days. It was a simpler, happier time, as childhood should be. He still felt awful about the night before, his heart sinking knowing he had upset his dearest friend; and to add to it, that his true feelings, whether they were part of a setup or not, were rejected. His day dreaming was broken when he heard a knocking at the door, placing the photo down and adjusting his tie before opening the door. He smiled a bit nervously when he saw Gene and Kira there, her head bowed a bit.
"Oh, good morning... please, come in." Felix said politely.
Gene gave him a nod, heading inside and closing the door. "Well, Felix, my boy... last night certainly came as a surprise to us all." He ignored Kira shooting a glare out of the side of her eyes. "But I've given Kira time to let your proposal sink in and I've brought her here to give you an answer. Go on, Kira. Speak now."
Kira avoided Felix's gaze, staring at her feet. This was not what she wanted in the slightest; her friendship with Felix was the only thing her father did not control, but now he would be able to through their marriage. Before this trip, she could boldly say it was the one thing in her life other than painting that she looked to for comfort, for happiness, and now it was ruined.
However, there was one other thing that came to mind...
The creature in the forest.
Kira sat up straighter then, her eyes widening a bit. If she said no now, she would have to return to the city, and her chance of ever seeing the Keeper again would vanish. She realized that the mysterious occurrence was well worth giving up her pride, because it was still something she could escape to, as Felix had once been. Her decision made, she looked into Felix's eyes, exhaling sharply.
"I accept your proposal. I will marry you."
Felix blinked for a few moments, the corners of his lips poking into a smile. "R- Really? You will?" Felix stood up, pacing excitedly. "You will!"
Gene stood up, laughing heartily as he firmly shook Felix's hand. "Congratulations, my boy! It's an excellent match indeed!" Kira did not share their enthusiasm, getting up to leave the room. When Gene noticed this, he snapped his fingers at her. "Kira, it's rude to leave someone's home abruptly, sit back down."
Kira turned, glancing at Gene. "I'm sorry, I'm feeling a bit tired. I'm going to go rest, I can come back later. Goodbye, Felix." She avoided his gaze, walking out without another word.
"Sorry about her, Felix... she's been a bit on edge lately. We'll meet soon to discuss wedding plans." Gene pat Felix's back, who stared sadly as Kira walked out. His heart sank, realizing that though she had accepted, it was most likely not by her free will and she now hated him for helping to put her in this situation. He sunk into a chair, sighing lightly.
"I'm such a spineless fool..." Felix groaned, rubbing his forehead.
Some time had passed, and Kira was about to lose her mind from boredom. She got up, grabbing her purse and heading to the door.
"Where are you going, Kira?" Gene asked as he sipped on a martini.
"Oh, just to town to get a few things. I'll be back in a while." She replied.
"Ask Felix to join you. The two of you should start to make wedding preparations." Gene said.
"Well... see, I was going to go to Mary's Marvelous to get him an apple pie... if Felix comes it won't be a surprise."
"Ah... clever girl, Kira. Very well, just don't be gone too long."
"Alright." She was about to turn out the door when Gene took a step forward.
"Kira... you know I hate to scold you. If you would just cooperate, I wouldn't have to. Just listen to what I say from now one, and we won't have problems."
Kira exhaled sharply, trying to keep a friendly face despite the insult of her father's so called apology. "I forgive you, father. I'll see you later." She headed down the stairs, the anticipation settling in as she hurried straight towards the forest, straight to her escape. The troubles weighing her down were broken like chains once she entered the trees, feeling light as a feather on her feet. She slowed to a casual walk when she was a few yards in, breathing in the fresh air and looking around. "Keeper?" She called out, weaving through the trees, her curls bouncing when she turned her head to and fro. "Are you about?" She continued to venture deeper, daring to migrate farther and farther from the clearing. She heard heavy footsteps suddenly, smiling and turning to greet the Keeper. "Oh, I knew you had to be around here some-" Kira's eyes widened when she looked upon the sight when she turned around, her joy melting into sheer panic when it was in fact not the Keeper who stood before her, but a grizzly bear. She gasped lightly as the bear stood on its hind legs, snorting lightly and emitting a threatening growl. She backed up slowly, but lost her footing when she stepped on a small twig, making it snap and she fell down. Her eyes widened more, scrambling back as the sound made the bear growl ferociously, slamming its front paws to the ground and swiftly moving forward to swipe at her as she scrambled back. She dodged it, screaming as she soon felt the bark of a tree at her back, her hands reaching back to cling to it as tears began to roll down her cheeks. "Please, please don't hurt me!"
As the bear charged at her, she closed her eyes and cried out when she heard its front paws slam down very close to her again... but this time, she heard a different growling. She opened her eyes, and stared in fascination as she saw not the bear before her, but the back of a man. He was a very large man, at least seven feet tall, with a wide build and had feet and hands larger than his head. His apparel was worn and torn in some places, and she could see the muscles in his back tensing as he approached the bear, growling threateningly. The bear roared back, and the man grunted as the two began to wrestle, the man taking a harsh swipe but it did not stop him as he shoved the bear back, crouching lowly as he stared it down. The bear's growl was lower now, one of annoyance rather than hostility, realizing this was a battle it would not win. It turned, slowly retreating as it snorted. Kira was frozen in both fear and excitement at the scene, and she looked up at the man when he turned, knowing that this was she had been waiting to see since she first discovered the creature in the forest- no, he was not exactly a creature, as she saw now, but a man.
"You're safe now." The Keeper said to her.
Kira slowly got to her feet, blinking as he started to walk the other way. "Wait! Please, stay and talk with me." She said, the man stopping where he was but did not turn. "I... I want to know your name."
"I've already told you my name." He replied.
"Well... it would be very tiring to call you 'Keeper of the Forest' all the time... that's more like a title, rather than a name."
He turned around then, and she had a better look at his face. His face was oddly smooth, not scruffy, and his eyes were hidden by light brown hair that swayed lightly in the breeze. He did not appear filthy or have an offending odor, he had an earthy scent. "What would you prefer I be called, then?"
Kira thought for a moment. She knew if she was to give him a name, it had to be very special. She remembered her mother saying once that she thought when she was pregnant, she was having a boy, and had a name planned. When she had a girl instead... well, it was history from there. She smiled lightly, memories of her mother always giving her a warm feeling. She looked up at the Keeper, knowing this name would always bring a smile to her features just the same.
"Ralph." She nodded, enjoying the sound of the name being spoken. "Yes... Ralph suits you very well."
"So be it. That is what you will call me." He plopped down with a thud, opening his large hand to reveal a cluster of assorted nuts. He took one, using his teeth to crack it open and spit out the shell, munching on the nut inside. He cracked open a second one, extending his hand out to Kira. She smiled lightly, going over to sit by him, quietly thanking him and accepting it, munching on it.
"Hm... this is good." She smiled. "So... do you have any other visitors?" She asked.
Ralph shook his head. "You are the first human I have revealed myself to."
Kira was a bit shocked of this. "Why? Why... me?"
Ralph thought for a moment. "I do not sense any harm from you. You have a heart that is open." He replied. "Why do you live with those other humans that have destroyed my stump?"
Kira bowed her head. "They are my family. I am sorry they destroyed your home. I... I didn't want this, I... I just wanted to be somewhere I could be at peace. It's so beautiful here."
"It is a beautiful place. As long as you are here, I will protect you."
Kira smiled, but it faded when she noticed the sun was past midday. "Oh dear... I must head back. Father will be expecting me."
Ralph stood slowly. "I can help you back. It will be quicker."
"Are you sure? I mean, I can just find my wa-aaaaaay!" Kira squeaked as she was suddenly lifted off her feet, and Ralph swiftly moved through the trees, able to jump from branch to branch without falling or breaking any despite his weight. Kira felt exhilerated, laughing as she looked around at trees, leaves, and various animals whisk by her, and she took a few moments to regain herself when Ralph set her on her feet. "Thank you." She smiled at him. "I... I will try to visit when I find the opportunity."
Ralph emitted a soft grunt, smiling lightly as in a flash, he was gone, retreated into the forest. Kira smiled to herself, still excited from her experience as she fixed herself up, quickly heading into town so she wouldn't create any suspicion.
And so she finally meets the Keeper- er, Ralph! I hope you enjoyed, and please keep those reviews coming! By the way, a fun little fact; there is an actual "Mary's Marvelous" shop in the Hamptons on LI, so it's a perfect fit for this fic! :D