Till the Star Blooms

Chapter 8 - Challenged

It was dark by the time I had folded up all the sheets ready for tomorrows ironing. Locking up the mansion I made my way back to my little cottage. Something caught my eye. Turning I saw my orchid in the hands of that stalker thief.

As quietly as I could I crept up behind him ready to pounce. There was no way I was letting him get away again. I leapt out but he swerved out of the way catching me with one arm before I fell.

“Careful there darling, don’t want that pretty face getting hurt,” he smiled gently. Standing up I tried again with no luck. “Oh so now you want to catch me?” he laughed and gracefully dodged. This was pathetic. “And here I thought you had fallen for my charms.” He held up the orchid to the moon light to get a better look.

“As if I would fall for someone who steals from a beach party. Give me back my flower… please,” I asked hopeful.

“I bet I could,” he argued lowering the pot plant for closer inspection, totalling ignoring my request.

“Could what?” I wasn’t following as I eyed the glowing bloom.

“I bet I could make you fall for me, others like you have,” he laughed flicking his hair from his eyes.

“Not if I catch you first,” I said taking another attempt of tackling him to the ground but failing once more.  I turned giving up ready to walk home.

“Well then my dear Cameo, why not make this a challenge,” his smooth voice call.

“Excuse me?” I asked again not comprehending.

“Why don’t we have a little challenge to see if you can catch me or if I can wash away the walls of your heart,” he flicked a vicious grin at me. Was he serious? Though I was intrigued on where he was heading.

“What do I get when I win?” I asked making sure to put extra emphasis on the word ‘I’.

“What would my so be capturer see as a fitting prize?” he asked. What did I want? He was such an interesting character with an equally interesting occupation. If that was what you called it.

“I want to know why thieves become thieves. Like what goes through your head when your stealing. Like do you feel guilty when you steal?  How far below societies morels have you slipped?” He gave a questioning look.

“Wouldn’t you prefer a bracelet or a medal or something instead?” he asked.

“What? Stolen by yours truly? No thanks. Also there should be a time limit, because I don’t want to spend possible years on a silly bet. Not that it will take that long for ‘me’ to win,” I again making it known that I would be victorious. He didn’t seem fazed and continued with his little bet.

“Fine, how about the challenge goes until this flower’s next bloom.” He suggested. I nodded, that would give us at least a year, but there was one little problem.

“What if I kill it?” I asked a little concern for the delicate thing in his hands. He burst into laughter.

“If it dies, you lose. But with Green Fingers around, I highly doubt he’d let the plant fizzle and burn,” he looked at the flowering orchid once again. “It is a rather gorgeous flower, but it is being outshined by its owner,” he handed the orchid over as his eyes locked onto mine

“Thank you,” I took the pot and drew my eyes away from his and gave a quick check over to make sure the plant was ok, as if I was some sort of expert. I hadn’t noticed that he was holding my hand until he lifted it and kissed it. I could feel my face redden as I stared down at him. He looked up from my hand with a smug smile.

“Don’t fall for anyone else while I’m away my maiden,” he winked and let go of my hand and smiled before strolling off down one of the many paths of the garden. I was so glad it was usually dark when he was around I would hate him to see my blushing face. I quickly escaped to my cottage and set the orchid on my window sill.

“One year to catch a thief,” I mumbled to myself. “What have I gotten myself into, you idiot?”