Samira wandered around the newly renovated village in Rio De Janeiro with Dave at her side, as they took in the renovations that had been completed. It had been a very long flight from Los Angeles to Rio De Janeiro shuttleport. Dave had already had someone make reservations at the most expensive hotel in the city and so they had refreshed themselves there. They had eaten dinner at the hotel restaurant as both of them were tired from a long flight and it was only in the morning that they started out for the village when they were refreshed. Even though they had slept on the flight they were still tired when they arrived.
"Looks good," Samira said she saw construction workers finishing off the last of the minor details that would give the village its ambience.
There were large trees everywhere and they led into the jungle there were pathways for people to wander down with a guide. It wasn't recommended you go without one as there were many dangers within the jungle. The foliage was wild, huge leaves and flowers full of brilliant colors. The flowers perfumed the air. These flowers were nothing like she'd ever seen before. They were a multitude of colors pink, purple, yellow, red, blue and more she couldn't even name. There were vines hanging from the trees and she was also sure that there were snakes that could squeeze you to death if you weren't careful. She didn't intend to go anywhere alone as she didn't want to become a meal for some kind of predator. The village was quaint but also very nice and she was sure that there would be shops and a restaurant where people could come when the renovations were complete. Somehow Dave kept the charm of the village as the buildings looked like they been there for decades instead of it being new construction. That was on purpose Samira knew. Some of them might even be original to when the village was first built and people had actually lived here.
"You've managed to keep that old world charm which I know was on purpose," Samira said. "I have no doubt it will be a great tourist attraction once the renovations are done. I'm sure it will also be expensive to come here as you'll have to transport people in by helicopter unless they want to drive this route from the shuttleport."
"They could drive it or fly in as it'll be set up for either one either coming in by helicopter as you've deduced or driving the entire route which will take much longer. There will be signs posted when it's ready to open so that people can find it without too much trouble," Dave said.
"The few people I've met that have always lived here were grateful for you taking an interest," Samira said. "They were struggling to make a living and couldn't afford to move either and now they won't be. You change peoples lives Dave and that shows me you're a good person."
"I have told you several times what's the point of having money if it's not shared or used to make peoples lives better? You were right about the people that have lived here all there lives were struggling to put food in their bellies. I wasn't lying when I said this was practically a ghost town when I bought up the village. The ones that could afford to move had a long since gone elsewhere. The village was dying until I rediscovered it and decided to preserve it."
Dave wasn't bragging just stating fact. Actually, Dave wasn't the type to brag about all he'd done to improve peoples lives or save businesses or even entire villages like this one. So many men would a brag about what they done, the money they'd spent and Dave wasn't like that at all. He just quietly went about improving peoples lives. A lot of rich people were selfish and only used the money for themselves or maybe their families. They never gave to charity for example or if they did buy a failing business they didn't improve the life of the employees. In fact, a lot of times that business was downsized by the new owner to where people lost their jobs, their livelihood. Rich people did think about the fact that their employees depended on them for their paychecks.
"Why don't we go back to where we're staying as I'm really hungry," Samira said. "I'm also not used to the heat. It's kind of like a sauna. It's more of a baking heat then the heat I'm used to in Los Angeles."
They were staying in the guestroom of a woman who had refused to move away from her home when most people were leaving. She had welcomed them with warmth and genuinely seemed happy to have them there.
"I'm not used to this kind of heat either," Dave said wiping sweat off his brow with an embroidered handkerchief from his pocket. The handkerchief had silver lettering in one corner that simply said D.R., which stood for David Rossi. He and Samira walked hand-in-hand towards the small house where they were guests. "I'm so glad you came with me on this trip. I'd like to show you the world a little bit at a time."
"That sounds wonderful," Samira said smiling, even as the two of them walked back to where they were staying.
The two of them were dressed for the environment that they were in short sleeves and shorts. Samira thought Dave looked kind of weird in shorts as she had never seen him in anything so causal just expensive slacks. She did however appreciate the view of Dave's long legs, which were well muscled and tanned just like the rest of him. It was clear he spent a lot of time in the sun unless it was an artificial tan like a lot of people had. Samira thought that Dave was very handsome in his light shirt and shorts made of much cooler linen. Samira also wore clothes that were also made of linen though she wished she could take off of her shirt at least as the heat was really starting to get to her. She was soaked with her own sweat and her shirt was sticking to her skin.
The two of them stepped inside the house where they were staying and immediately felt cooler. There was no air conditioner of course, but at least it was several degrees cooler inside than the outside.
"I have some lemonade all prepared if you two would like a glass," came the voice of the host Camila. Camila was a tiny woman with skin so dark she was nearly black having spent all her life in the Brazilian rainforest. "I know that you are bound to be hot, as you and Master David are not used to how hard the Brazil heat can be on you.
"That sounds wonderful," Samira told Camila with a smile, even as she and Dave entered the kitchen.
"Yes it does thank you very much for your hospitality Senora Moreira. You have been a great help getting this project off the ground," Dave said.
"You are saving this village from ceasing to exist so I will always be grateful to you. My family has been here for generations my father, my grandfather and my great-grandfather and for many more past generations. Life might've been simple and sometimes hard but still, this was our home. We get most of what we need from the jungle and what we can't produce ourselves we either do without or get it from the close by city. We might not have much but what we do have is much more valued for that reason. We are not spoiled with possessions like a lot of people so that we do not appreciate what we have."
"You have a lovely home Senora," Samira said. "I didn't grow up being spoiled, though I won't say I ever did without something I really wanted. I had a lot of brothers and sisters that my parents had to provide for. I simply found ways to earn the money for whatever I wanted or did without it."
"This is good," Camila said pleased. "Our upbringings were not so different. We grew up unspoiled like so many young people of today. We appreciated everything we were given and earned anything else we wanted."
"And then I got involved with this guy," Samira said as she ran a gentle hand over Dave's bearded cheek causing him to grin soppily at her. "I now have more than I ever dreamed of as this guy spoils me rotten."
"True love is rare in this world and that is the way it should be," Camila said smiling at the pair. "Some people really don't know how to love anyone, not even their family, their spouses, even their friends. It's clear you two are heading towards being one. You remind me of my husband and me when we first met."
"So where is your husband?" Samira asked quietly.
"He's been dead for over 10 years," Camila said quietly. "He was killed out there in the jungle by a python that landed on him from one of the trees. At least the children were grown when that happened. My Anastacio was a gentle man and loved this village with his whole heart. This is where he is buried out in the cemetery. Being here I feel closer to him then if I would leave to make my life in some big city. Here, I know he is watching over me."
"I can understand why you didn't want to leave Senora Camila," Dave told her gently touching her on the arm to give her comfort.
"I am an old woman, so where could I possibly find a job if I were to leave? Most employers don't want somebody as old as I am for any position, except for something like a nanny to a bunch of children."
"You're not that old," Samira protested.
"And how young do you think I am young Samira?" Camila told her guest with a slight smile. "I am over 70," she added before Samira could answer.
"You sure don't look it," Samira complimented her when she knew their hostesses real age. "I would've put you at no more than 40."
"Thank you for the compliment," Camila said dryly with a smile. "Part of that is just being out in the sun all the time, doing chores. Part of that is just good genes. Finally, the last ingredient is, being happy with your life and when you are means less stress which can age you beyond your years."
"I certainly hope I look like you when I'm your age and have your energy," Samira told Camila sincerely.
Camila might have admitted to being 70, but she sure didn't look it. Her hair was still mostly black with only a few thick streaks of silver, while her face was lined was still relatively smooth and still looked soft. Of course the Samira knew that there were many products that could keep you looking young but she didn't see Camila going to all that trouble when she saw no one.
"It's time for us to head out," Dave told Samira and Camila as he finished his lemonade. "It shouldn't be much longer before the renovations are complete, as it's mostly down to cosmetic details now."
"I'm looking forward to those tourists Master David," Camila said. "I hope you and your love will come back when you have time for more than a short visit."
Samira blushed at being called Dave's love but since it was true she said nothing.
"I don't see why we can't come for a longer visit," Dave told her. "Maybe once the village is in operation and there are accommodations that are being built for the tourists to stay."
Camila looked happy and nodded not asking for Dave to pin down an exact date as she knew that he was a very busy man.
Dave had already called for the copter that had brought them here and they should be here within 15 or 20 minutes.
"This was a really good experience Dave," Samira told her boyfriend once they had left Camila's house. "Emily's gonna want all the details once we get back stateside."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself as that was my intention," Dave offered.
"I did, though I was embarrassed when Camila called me your love," Samira said.
"Why? It's the truth," inquired Dave with a slight smile. "You should take it is a compliment because that's the way she meant it."
"Well, for one thing for all she know I could've just been someone you brought because I was interested in investing or I could've been just a lady friend of yours that was interested in seeing what you had created and tagged along with you. It's not like we announced we were in love when we entered her home."
"But to some people it's obvious as nose on your face if you know the signs you're looking for," Dave told Samira with a small smile. "I don't believe that Camila meant to embarrass you. She was just acknowledging that she knows we love each other. Deeply and truly love each other not a shallow love that fades over time."
"Well, I suppose we did share a bedroom while we were here," Samira said.
"Yes we did, but it was also the only free room as one is being used for storage and the other has not been cleaned. We did arrive unannounced so she didn't have time to dust and vacuum and things. She would have if we had insisted on two rooms but since we didn't..."
"It would've been rude to ask her to go to so much trouble when we were only staying overnight," Samira said. "I suppose sharing a room, instead of asking for a separate one, would've told her we were at least lovers."
"I'm sure she could tell we are more than merely lovers. It is a love that is never ending and will last all our lives. It's likely why she called you my love, because that's what you are and she was merely acknowledging that fact. I suspect that she believes we'll be married next time we visit and who knows we might be," Dave told her smiling slightly with his dark eyes twinkling.
That was a very good point, Samira admitted as they both heard the sound of the helicopter arriving to pick up its passengers.
~~~Dave and Samira~~~
The two of them had gotten even closer over the last few weeks ever since the visit to the village in Rio de Janeiro and Olympia. It was as if Dave showing her around two of his major projects had settled her doubts about their relationship being solid and lasting.
To Samira it showed her that Dave trusted her to not let out the details of his projects so that some competitor could swooping in, even if one of those projects was already in operation except for certain sections. He had never concealed anything from her when she asked a question he did his best to answer it.
Of course, most of the time she didn't know what question to ask as she hardly kept up with the news and all of Dave's projects and businesses. Dave was always on the news as he was always buying failing businesses and revamping them. He saved peoples livelihoods and made those lives better. Of course the incompetent were either transferred to another position or fired.
She would be a fool if she broke it off with Dave now. She had never considered herself foolish. The two of them were constantly together as Dave proudly escorted her to numerous parties and events.
Now though, the two were just relaxing in Dave's very comfortably appointed living room. The two were very tired from going out nearly every night and from their whirlwind romance. It had also been a lot of fun and Samira at least had experienced a lot of things she never imagined she would.
"Samira you know where I want to take our relationship," Dave said after a lengthy silence where the two sat with their legs twined together on the couch. Dave was laying at one end with his head resting against the arm while Samira was laying against his chest with his arms holding her gently. Dave was gazing at her with an intense expression.
"Yeah so?" Samira asked if she turned her head to look at Dave curiously noticing his espression.
"It's just that I've been meaning to tell you something for the last few weeks but I could never find the right time," Dave said, as he held his love against his chest gently kissing her hair.
"Well, we've been going out somewhere nearly every night and sometimes in the afternoon too if I happen to be off work," Samira said. "I've enjoyed everywhere you've taken me, but we could've stayed home if what you have to tell me has to be done in privacy. I don't need to go all these places all the time as nights at home sound heavenly sometimes."
"Yeah, it does need privacy," Dave agreed as calmly as he could. "Have you noticed anything unusual about me," Dave asked instead of telling her directly.
"Not really," Samira said wondering where Dave was going with his question. "Other than you're very generous with your money, which in my experience is unusual, especially for men, but then, I suppose, you can afford to be generous when you have so much of it. I know you save peoples livelihoods when you buy a business that has been badly mismanaged or simply can't be maintained due to lack of imagination and originality of the owners and employees. I know you go out of your way to help others."
"Do you remember when I cut myself on accident several weeks ago?" Dave asked when Samira didn't continue.
Dave had been opening an invitation to a party he had been invited to and Samira had believed she saw him accidentally cut his finger with the letter opener he had been using from his desk. The letter opener was a nice expensive one, the blade made out of real silver which was actually sharp. Most letter openers were not that sharp, they didn't need to be. The hilt was wrapped in old, cracked leather with silver wire on the pommel. There was actually what looked like a sapphire the size and shape of an egg embedded in the hilt and the Samira wasn't sure if it was a real sapphire or a fake one. When she had looked closely at Dave's finger however, there had been no cut and no blood at all to tell her that he had ever been injured. She had been all prepared to doctor it and wrap it in a bandage. When she had seen no blood, no cut at all she had dismissed Dave cutting himself as her imagination.
"When you were opening that invitation, but when I looked more closely there was no cut on your finger and no blood."
"The reason you didn't see a cut is I am immortal and I heal very fast, especially from minor injury like that. As for the blood I quickly wiped it on my pants when you looked away for a second. You were all prepared to get the med kit and wrap it up after putting some medicine on it, which I knew was unnecessary. My pants were black so you couldn't tell there was even a stain unless you looked closely. Because I acted casually when it happened you weren't suspicious. I threw the pants in the recycler as soon as you went home and made sure they had been disposed of. I didn't need you asking questions at that time and the blood wouldn't have come all the way out, so I just gave up those pants as a loss."
Samira sputtered, as she stared at Dave not sure if she believed him or not.
On the other hand, Dave had never lied to her, as far as she knew. Also, she was sure she had seen Dave cut himself with that letter opener totally on accident. When there had been no cut and no blood she had the dismissed it, but maybe she shouldn't have. The cut on his finger had been relatively deep, but still minor and it should not have just disappeared in the space of a few seconds. It should've had to be doctored and then wrapped up so it wouldn't let germs into the broken skin. It would've healed within few days.
"Samira, sweetie, say something," Dave said finally holding her prisoner against his chest. He didn't want her going anywhere until he was sure she accepted his words.
"I knew I had seen something when I thought you cut your finger, but since there was no injury and no blood I dismissed it," Samira said finally still in shock. "I haven't thought about that incident since. So you're telling me that you did cut yourself but it healed within a few seconds and then you wiped the blood off on your dark pants."
"That's exactly what I'm saying," Dave said cautiously relieved at Samira's calm tone.
"If this is true why tell me? It's got to be the biggest secret in the universe," Samira said.
"I would think that would be obvious," Dave told his mate. "I told you a while back that I wanted to marry you and you can't keep such secrets in a marriage."
"Alright, next question," Samira said she relaxed against Dave chest. "Why marry anyone as any woman you get involved with will continue to age until they get old and eventually die while are still young."
"Well for one thing, I'm basically human," Dave told Samira gently. "I need what everyone needs, companionship, love, happiness, fulfilling work to do and all the other emotions you can think of. I want children to and I'm not gonna turn just any woman immortal to have them. It has to be someone I truly love. Also, most women would never believe me when I told them I was immortal and then I'd have to appear to die once rumors started, start somewhere else under a totally different name. I'd have to move somewhere far away shave off my beard, change my hair, my eye color. I would have to lay low as there's only so much I can do to change how I look. It would be at least 300 years before I could change back to my original looks and get out in society again."
Dave was painting a rather grim scenario but Samira could also understand it. He was a man of extreme wealth and almost everybody in the world recognized him though not necessarily on sight. At the least everybody knew his name and he'd have to change that as well for at least a generation maybe even two.
"As to your assumption that you'll age and I won't well there is a way to fix that," Dave said.
"How?" Samira asked immediately.
"It's simple," Dave said smiling at her. "I told you I was using a condom so I wouldn't get you pregnant until after we married. While what I told you was the truth, it wasn't the complete truth."
"So you're telling me that me absorbing your semen will make me immortal," Samira said catching on immediately.
"Within a few months," Dave confirmed smiling at his mate's insight.
"OK, you still really haven't answered my question. Why would you ever want to marry any woman and yes, I know you gave me the spiral about companionship, love, children and things that any normal person wants, but that still doesn't answer my question. You could have those children with every woman you date and have sex with, even if they would be illegitimate. As for the rest yes I understand where you're coming from, but this isn't your run-of-the-mill secret."
"You're asking why I chose you?" Dave said finally understanding the question Samira had asked in a roundabout way.
"Yes," Samira agreed. "I mean you could have anybody, as I'm sure you could find a woman that believed in immortals, someone with money and breeding."
"We've had this argument before several times, but something is stopping you from letting my words sink into your mind and believing them. Even if there was supposedly another woman that would accept my immortality that wouldn't be greedy and clingy I wouldn't feel about her the same way I feel about you," Dave said while looking into Samira's eyes. "The truth is, that I would never risk telling you my secret except for one factor."
"And that is?" Samira asked curiosity clear on her face.
"Every immortal supposedly has a mate. Someone that will accept everything they are, their faults, theirs weaknesses, their strengths, their good and bad points. Someone they can trust with any secret, argue, love, play, laugh with, have children with and simply put form a life together, as one entity, one soul. What I told you when I first saw you on that very busy sidewalk is that I had been looking for you, even though we only met for a few seconds that first time. I knew you were the one I had been looking for, for a very long time. I also know you've had massive doubts about where our relationship was going, if it was going anywhere at all, but I would never marry anyone else. Nor would I have children with anybody else, as I'd start to turn anyone immortal if I didn't use protection. Congratulations, you drew the short straw."
"Why do you say that?" Samira looked at Dave in surprise. "Why do you say I drew the short straw?"
"Because you can't seem to accept everything I've given you. You keep telling me I could find someone better when that isn't true at all. Love is not logical Samira. It's not safe. It is feeling for another so deeply that you never want to be anywhere else but at their side, because you feel as if you'll perish without them. It's like being out in the blazing hot sun without enough water to replenish your body's supply."
"That's how my parents feel about each other," Samira said quietly looking deeply chastised. "My father went against my grandfather's wishes and married my mother because to him she was his soulmate. My grandfather wanted him to marry somebody he knew, but had no attraction to. The two have never made amends and I've never met my grandparents on my father side."
"If that's the case, then you grew up in that environment, which means that you shouldn't argue with the fact that I love you and I want to marry you. You should just accept that I do love you and will never stop. You also need to accept my gifts without thinking you are unworthy," Dave told her.
"I love you too," Samira told him softly. She turned her head and kissed him directly on the lips. "I'll try to quit arguing with you about your love for me. It's just that my imagination keeps supplying me with images of imaginary women that would be much better for you than myself. My mind keeps telling me I'm not good enough for you and that you'll eventually see that. Imagining you with another female however, just makes me want to scratch that woman's eyes out just so you know."
"Cat fight!" Dave said in a playful voice, but inwardly he was relieved. "Can I watch?"
"Pervert!" Samira said poking him in the belly playfully.
Dave didn't deny it simply cuddled Samira close.
"You accepted I was immortal much easier than I thought you would," Dave told her after a lengthy silence.
"If I hadn't seen you cut your finger heal then I would've called you crazy. I still want a demonstration though," Samira told him.
"Easily done," Dave promised easily. "I have an old fashion gun one with old fashioned bullets. If you want to shoot me I'll come back to life in a few minutes."
"We don't need to go that far," Samira shivered at the lengths Dave was willing to go to prove he was immortal. "I'll just watch you cut yourself more deeply on the chest or something, maybe on the arm and then watch you heal. If you cut yourself deep and it heals with no medical intervention then that'll be proof enough for me."
"If that's what you want," Dave agreed with a smile that was tinged with relief.
"That's what I want," Samira told him decisively.
"Then that's the way it shall be," Dave intoned hugging Samira close to him.
~~~Dave and Samira~~~