The next few weeks drifted by. Richard came back every few days, usually only for one or two nights. Those nights were precious though and we'd spend every moment together. He showered me with love and affection, as I did him in return. People got used to seeing us together, and after a while it was common knowledge that we were very much together. As a result of this, I found people opened up to me much more, and clearly accepted me more. Things subsequently improved from a social perspective, which helped the time without him go by.
It was interesting to see peoples reactions to us. Most were quite surprised, commenting that they hadn't known him be with anyone before. I got the impression that Ben didn't like it. Richard was the one person that didn't have to answer to him, and he probably felt that his authority over me had now been compromised. He enjoyed trying to embarrass me with sarcastic remarks, and could never find a nice word to say. I didn't let him get to me though. Being with Richard was worth any hassle that came with it. At the back of my mind was his apparent immortality, but I did my best to block it out, as there was really nothing we could do about it, and thinking about it just stressed me out.
Richard started to take me on day trips to other parts of the island. Usually to the beach as I loved it there so much, but sometimes into the mountains. I felt safe with him, and he would teach me the different survival skills that seemed to come so naturally to him. He even let me try shooting a rifle which was a laugh. Once we camped overnight in a valley, under the stars. He was still adamant that he didn't want me going off alone though - even for short walks, and obeyed him as I didn't want his disapproval. It also touched me that he cared about me so much.
One night, when we were drifting off to sleep in my bed, he threw me with a question..
"If I could get you off the island, would you want to go? You don't need to answer now, but I want you to think about it."
I was rather taken aback.
"This is hypothetical right?" I asked, knowing that it was anything but that.
"Of course." He lied.
"Would you come with me?" I queried.
"No. I couldn't do that." He said, after a pause.
My mind was racing. Was I absolutely off my head? He had basically just offered to get me off the island, and subsequently back home, but I was lying there preparing to turn him down.
"Then no." I answered firmly.
I couldn't leave him. No matter how many things there were that I disliked about being here, and no matter how uncertain I felt about what the future would bring, I just couldn't bring myself to be parted from him.
He didn't say anything. But I knew my answer had made him happy, as he turned to me and claimed my lips with his, before making love to me with with so much passion that I felt like I would burst.
He was the first thing I thought about when I woke up each morning, and the last thing I thought about when I went to sleep at night. He was my everything, and I knew I was the same to him.