CHAPTER FIVE

THE FACE BEHIND THE ROBE

"Belle.."

"Yes?" I gazed over at him under the shade of the oak tree.

"Why don't you love me?"

I looked at him, confused, and pushed myself up to lean on my elbows, "What?"

"Why don't you love me Belle?"

"Belle?"

I groaned softly, "I'll be downstairs in a minute, Auntie."

"Are you alright, dearie? You sound down..."

"I'm fine, just sleepy." I swore.

I went back. The door was always just ajar and I just walked in.

"So you're back. Sotte." I saw the figure at the top of the stairs, sauntering down them.

I pointed at him accusingly, "I looked up that word. I am not a foolish girl. I'm just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat," He snarled.

"Satisfaction brought it back," I smirked.

"And are you satisfied?"

I paused, "I'll let you know."

"What are you doing here... again?" He stood in front of me.

I wrung my hands together, "Told you I'd come back."

"That you did. What do you want?"

"I've still got questions."

He put his... arms out on both side and said, "Well? I'm waiting."

"No need to be rude."

"You're the one always breaking into my house."

"Touche."

"Ask away. Since I can never get you to leave," he said sarcastically.

"Why do you wear that robe?"

"I told you. I'm hideous," he answered shortly.

"So you said," I paused, "But you're only ever in this house. Never outside where people can see you. You have your privacy here. Why hide?"

"I wish not to scare my poor housekeeper, Emile," He answered, "And there are many mirrors in this house. I could easily see my reflection."

"And you don't want to..." I said softly.

He didn't say anything. He was standing in front of the window, gazing out.

"Can I?"

He was quick and harsh to say, "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" I threw my hands up like a child.

"I thought I made it clear. I'm a monster," His voice broke almost as he spat out the last word.

"As far as I can tell, you're not."

"People run screaming at one glance at my face. If that doesn't make me a monster, I don't know what does."

I sighed, "Looks don't make a monster. They help but – actions make the person. Show that you're a brave one and take off the robe. I won't … run away or scream. I promise." I had walked up to him, trying to peer up into the hood but he looked away. "Please? I promise it'll be fine."

He sighed, hard and long, "Mensonges."

I tried again, "Please."

Slowly he reached up, hand... claw? shaking. It wasn't a hand. It was pronged. He had talons for hands. Anyway, he reached up and took his hood, slowly drawing it down with great slow reluctance.

I gasped at what I saw.

He was human. And male. I could make out a nose, eyes, lips, the basic facial features. But they were marred and twisted by scars. It looked like his whole face was burnt. Red and pink slashes criss crossed on the skin. His eyebrows were uneven like the hunchback of Notre Dame.

I swallowed thickly, trying to hide my reaction from him. I wasn't scared. I was shocked. I reached up to the clasp of his robe. His talon shot out to grab my wrist and I stilled, "It's okay." He slowly let go and I continued unclasping the robe, letting it fall to his feet. He was shirtless but not pants-less. His torso was much like his face. One shoulder was much larger than the other. He looked fit under all the burns and scars. The red and pick slashes were much longer and deeper it looked like. It looked terribly painful.

I looked up into his face again. He was looked down at me curiously and with fear, waiting for me to run away screaming. I slowly lifted a hand to his face and pressed it to his cheek. He was careful not to move, not to react. I looked into his eyes. One was the brightest blue of the ocean waves with specks of green in them like salt. The other was the darkest pool of blue I'd ever seen. Both, were beautiful.

"Your eyes..."

He chuckled bitterly, muttering, "Incroyable. I show you how ugly I truly am and all you notice are my eyes."

I didn't say anything. I just ran my thumb up and down his cheek like my mom used to do to me. After a moment of silence, "Am I the only one who you've shown yourself to?"

Slowly he shook his head, "I showed my fiance. When I was first cursed. She screamed. Called me a monster. And then left."

I had to fight tears. Seeing him this way, hearing his story. It got to me. "That's hideous. Not you."

He laughed with disbelief and malice, "Sotte."

"What did I say? I'm not foolish. I'm curious."

And for a moment there, I thought I saw him really smile.

When I got home, it was late. It took me a while to convince him that I wasn't afraid of his looks. I still don't think he believed me. Maybe when I go back, he'll get the message.

"Where have you been?"

I whipped around to see Hannah-and-Cathy crouching by the front window. They were trying to spy on me. I glared at them, "None of your business."

They stood with their hands on their hips, "You're going out and seeing some guy aren't you? Wait until dad finds out!"

I scoffed, "Yeah because he does so much about you two. And no, I'm not going out to see a guy. We're not all sluts like you two."

I heard them gasp behind me as I walked away, into the kitchen. "Hey, Aunt Silvia. How was your day?"

She smiled at me, "Just fetching dearie, and yours?"

I shrugged, "Got a lot done."

Hannah-and-Cathy marched in, "Aunt Silvia, Belle's sneaking out to see a boy!"

Aunt Silvia laughed at them as I got out a cup of coffee and answered, "Okay, firstly, I didn't sneak out. I walked out of here like I do every morning. Secondly, I don't date. And thirdly, why do you care so much about where I was?"

Hannah-and-Cathy one pointed at me and looked at Aunt Silvia, "See? She's getting all defensive!"

"Well of course she is!" Aunt Silvia said loudly, "You two are giving her the third degree like she's been out with every boy like you two are known for. And no one's given you much grief about it, much to my utter horror. Why, I believe I shall have to do something about that while I'm here."

Hannah-and-Cathy's mouth dropped open. Hannah-and-Cathy two shouted indignantly, "You can't do anything!"

"Well I believe I can," Aunt Silvia replied without much malice or interest, "You are under my supervision this summer and some things will have to change."

I smirked into my coffee; finally.

Mensonges Lies

Incroyable Incredible

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