Keeping Secrets

She opened the door and was greeted by a rush of old memories. She slowly walked in, looking around, everything single thing reminded her of her past. The small bed, the flower curtains. Her dream destroyer.

She picks it up and examines it, it was still in good shape but it was turned off. Her mother gave her this, to wake her up every morning to work. Tears swelled in her eyes but refused to fall.

She drops it and picks up a picture of her father, her fingers traced his features, then the tears fell. She wished she could have her dad back but he was gone. Then reality hit her. She was pretending to be a different person, her mother, she would have shed so many tears believing her daughter was dead, it wasn’t right.

She sighed and looked at the picture, at her dad. She walks to the mirror and sees his reflection, he gives her his warm smile, a smile that could make any woman fall in love and one that renews strength.

“I love you dad.” she whispers, tears staining her face,

“I love you too Arianna. Be strong for me.” Dirk winked at her, making her smile. She closes her eyes for a second then opens it only to meet her reflection. She wipes her tears and looks at the picture once more, the resemblance was much, and so was the love.

She drops his picture, smiling to herself. She picks her photo, and takes a good look at herself in the mirror. She compares herself to the photo, she had really changed. She flips her head to one side and traces her beauty mark, she looks at the photo, the mark was still there but no one noticed it, plus, her hair always covered it.

Her thoughts went to when Rob kissed it, her cheeks turned a bright pink. She smiles to herself, letting her thoughts wonder off to what would have happened if she had let him have his way.

“what are you doing here?” her train of thoughts were interrupted by his words. She flips her hair back and coughs,

“um, I, just got curious about this room. You know, no one stays in it.” she managed to give a reason out of the blue. He advanced towards her and she scratched her head out of nervousness, something she still did till today.

“I see you’re holding her picture.” he collects the picture from her. She mentally sighs,

“who is she?” she asks, looking away.

“Arianna.” he smiles to himself, “she was my favorite.” his words stabbed her in the middle of her heart, she felt bad that she had hurt him like this, she never wanted to but she had no choice.

“what happened to her?” she didn’t know why that came out of her mouth but she felt she had to.

“she tried to kill me by poisoning my tea.” his words stung her yet again, tears swelling up, she couldn’t believe he actually accepted the lie that Eleanor blew, “but I know she wasn’t the one, she could never do such a thing.” a small smile involuntarily formed on her lips, “she begged me to believe her but I didn’t. now she’s dead and it’s all my fault.” he wanted to know her reaction after that sentence, she came face to face with him,

“it’s okay. Everything happens for a reason.” she said. No matter who she said she was, she was still her, and nothing would change that. His eyes glistened and he smashed his lips against hers, holding her tight in his arms, not letting her go. She throws her arms around his neck, intensifying the kiss.

Tongues wrestling, emotions sparking, the need for each other was extremely high at that moment, they’ve been holding back for too long but still certain things will not allow them proceed to love making, it was a sad truth.

She broke the kiss for breath and to look into his hypnotizing blue orbs. She’s always loved blue eyes and wished that someday one of her kids will have those precious stones, and embedded in it, a lot of love. Just like Rob’s. His eyes were beautiful, but they were also sad, she could see it very clearly, so she decided to ask,

“what’s wrong?” her voice tender with love, she could see different emotions flying around in his eyes, but he hid it so well,

“how long will we do this Diana?” he asked with a sad tone, “I love you a lot Diana, please, accept me.” his fingertips brushed hair from her face, she gave a puzzled look,

“what do you mean, my king?” she wasn’t understanding him clearly,

“I want to make love to you.”

She immediately withdraws from him, staring at her feet, he wonders why the sudden reaction and then realizes he’s hurt her feelings. But then, a voice cuts through the air,

“your majesty, the king of Oricoln is waiting for you in the dining hall.” Ruby stood there patiently for his reply,

“thank you, I’ll be with him right away.” he turned to look at Diana who still had her head down. His expression saddened, as much as he wanted to finish their chat, he had to go see Keven. Maybe he would talk to her later.

He exited the room, leaving the two maids. Ruby walks to her and grabs her arm,

“come on breakfast is ready! I’m sure you’ll love it!” she dragged Diana all the way to the maid’s quarters with a smile plastered on her face. She forced her to take a seat and served her breakfast,

“what’s all this for?” Diana joked with a grin evident on her face,

“be quiet! I made this specially for you and all you can do is question my good deed. Don’t they say ‘thank you’ in the forest?” Ruby made Diana laugh, that laugh sounded so sweet to her ears. She smiles at Diana, waiting for something. She takes her time to say it, then,

“thank you.” she smiles at Ruby,

“don’t thank me, it’s your welcome breakfast!” Diana laughed at her joke,

“okay if you say so.” she grinned and took a spoonful of custard, “mmm, this is amazing.” she savored the creaminess and the sugary pleasure of the delight in front of her. She licked her lips and went in for another spoon, then abruptly stopped, “what about you? You aren’t eating?”

“I’m not hungry.” she dismissed the idea,

“well, I’m certainly not eating this heavenly treat alone. Put your rear on that chair and join me!” she forced her to sit down and pushed the bowl to the middle. Ruby giggles at her rhyme and picks up a spoon, she scoops some of the custard and puts it in her mouth, her cheeks tingle from the sugary pleasure and then she laughs,

“tell me more about yourself.” she inquired. Diana smirks and licks custard off her lips,

“well, I have a sister named Rava, I fart when I’m scared, I chew my own hair, and, I’m looking for a nice man.” Ruby laughs at her statement, almost choking on the custard,

“I saw the two of you.” she deposits more custard in her mouth,

“pardon me?”

“how did it feel?”

“how did what feel?”

“the king’s lips on yours”

Diana chokes on the custard, she quickly grabs a glass of water and gulps it down, she wipes her mouth with a napkin, acting all lady like for the first time in her life.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.” she composed herself and saw Ruby having a smug grin on her face,

“and what do you mean by that? You both seemed very much in the moment, you should’ve let him have his way with you.” her words made Diana cough and her grin broadened, “should I stop?”

“that would be very much appreciated,” she drank more water and turned to her, “please don’t tell.” her voice low and gentle,

“don’t worry, it’s our little secret.” Ruby held her hands in hers,

“already keeping secrets huh?” Elaine had killed the moment with only her presence. The two didn’t say anything and she just sighed, “ugh! I come here and both of you start acting dumb. Anyway, the king needs your attention Diana.” with that she left, obviously irritated.

“wow, what a bitch!” Diana said in a British accent making Ruby laugh,

“that wasn’t very nice!” she sang,

“but it’s true!” she grinned, “thanks for the custard, um, your name?”

“Ruby ” she smiled,

“a very beautiful name indeed. Thank you, Ruby.” then she left. Ruby was happy she had time to bond with her sister, she smiled and looked down at the custard. She grabs a spoon and fills her mouth, she’s happy that she’s still alive and soon everything will be alright.

Diana’s heels clicked on the wooden floor as she went straight to the dining hall to see Rob. She wondered why he was calling her, what could he possibly need right now?

“yes my king?” she awaited his command. He turned back with a suspicious smile,

“um yes, can you please get us some juice? we’re really thirsty.” she nodded and was off to do his bidding, she scoffed, being a personal maid wasn’t easy.

“is that her?” Keven asked immediately she was gone and Rob smirked in approval,

“yep, that’s her.” he relaxed on his chair,

“dude, personal maid or personal babe?!! She’s hot!” he hailed Rob which made him laugh. Keven gave him a grin, “so have you made that kitty meow?” he did the idiotic grin and Rob gave him a disappointed face,

“I’m not like you that would screwed every girl you came across.” he chided,

“hey don’t come at me again! That was then, Meghan’s made me repent. She’s the queen of my heart.” he placed his hand on his chest and Rob gave an eye roll,

“so stop eyeing my babe.” he warned which made Keven’s eyes pop out,

“I knew it!” he pointed a finger at Rob, “something did happen between you two!”

“stop it Keven, nothing happened.” they both immediately kept quiet as she came back with two glasses of juice,

“anything else my king?” he shook his head and dismissed her, Keven stood up to catch a little bit of that stuff while Rob glared death at him,

“ooohhhh I sooo dare you to make her meow!” he sat back and playfully elbowed Rob,

“forget it Keven, there is no way I’m going to transform into you.” he took a sip of his orange juice and licked his lip,

“aw, I can’t believe you don’t want her to scream your name,” he drank out of his juice, then, he gave him a smug grin, “or maybe’s you’re just afraid that she might slap you." Rob spat out his juice as he heard that, “ha! I got you!” Keven teased him so badly he had to retaliate,

“I’m not afraid!” he pushed back,

“if not then do it!” Keven pushed harder, getting all pumped up,

“I’m not doing it Keven!” he folded his arms and refused. Keven slouched back on his chair,

“man, where’s the Rob I knew back then? You must have lost your balls.” he sounded disappointed,

“what did you say?” maybe he didn’t hear correctly,

“you heard me, you lost your balls.” Keven took a sip of his juice still disappointed,

“take it back!” he wasn’t joking, he always hated being called a coward and Keven was using it to his advantage,

“if you haven’t lost your balls, then I dare you! No I double dare you! What the fuck! I triple dare you to do it!!” he slicked his hair back in a ‘mad man’ manner, already pumped up again. He was practically leaning on the table,

“fine I’ll do it!!” Rob gave in and he congratulated him. Rob sighed, “why do I have a friend like you?” he asked him,

“I don’t know! Why am I not a lawyer?!” he gave him a crazed victory smile which made him even sigh more,

“what do I get if I do it?” he was talking business. Keven thought for a while,

“you remember those pink boxers that Meghan bought me?” Rob nodded in affirmation, “I’ll wear them for a whole week!”

“that’s pretty risky,” Rob grinned heavily, “but it will do.”

“but if you don’t, you have to shout to everybody that you lost your balls!”

“deal!” they said in unison and shook hands.