BOUND BY DESTINY

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Megan led us through a narrow route surrounded by a field of cornflowers on each side, almost as tall as a cottage. I stumbled after her, still holding unto her hand as we ran. A few minutes later we stumbled upon a sea of white and purple orchids and I gasped.

"Wow!" I said as I stared at my surroundings, the peachy scent of orchids filled my nose and I took a step forward, letting go of Megan's hand.

I moved along the stoned-path between the flowers, noticing the little lamps planted at the sides of the path and illuminate the way. The orange-ish lamps coupled with the moonlight, made the place look like one from fairy movies. It was beautiful.

"It so beautiful. I can't believe this place exists!" I said chuckling with amazement after taking a couple of steps forward and turned to face Megan.

She walked towards me a smile etched on her pink lips and stood just inches before me. We were once again so close, just shy of touching each other. The look on her face was one I had seen over dinner when she interacted with her family, her voice was soft when she said,

"It's my sacred place. Somehow, I always find the answers to all my questions in this place. It's like my secret heaven." She said, her eyes trailing around the field. I couldn't help but stare at her, I uttered softly,

"Thank you for bringing me here. It's beautiful." She focused her intense gaze on me for a long moment, then extended her hand to my hair. She ran her hand through my brown locks and tugged a few strands behind my ear and placed an orchid through my hair.

"You are beautiful." She whispered softly in my ear, then pulled back with a smile on her face, her laugh line was deep with a smirk.

I stood frozen on the spot, just staring at the pale beauty before me, and the smirk on her pink lips. I felt the heat on my face and I knew I was blushing like crazy. I couldn't describe my feelings at that moments as I stared. I didn't want to assume things, so I decided the best way to go about it was, to simply ask,

"Megan..." I began shyly, trying not to upset her, but needing to say it "are you.... hmm.... are you flirting... uhh with me?"

She visibly didn't expect me to ask that, judging by the surprised look on her face. She took a step back, running a hand through her hair as she looked away. She had a smile on her face when she looked back in my direction.

"Matter of fact Arielle, I was indeed flirting with you. Is ... that a bad thing?" she stared right at me, pining me with her piercing gaze.

"Oh not in the least and I'm so flattered. I mean you are so kind, gorgeous and absolutely beautiful and I'm certain anybody would be enchanted to be with you, but I..." I trailed off, trying to find the right words to explain.

"I get it, you're not into girls." She said nodding a few times, her hands in her pockets as she looked at me clearly disappointed. I felt like the energy between us had changed. Like how she'd taken a few steps away from me and she seemed closed off. It saddened me, because I knew I was the cause, but I couldn't do anything about it.

"Yeah.... I'm straight and I have a boyfriend.... well I had a boyfriend; I don't really know anymore." I said referring to my missing boyfriend's situation. I turned to look out at the horizon, my mind replaying the events of just a week ago, when I still had most of my life under control, when everything was perfect. How ironic life could be. Nothing is ever really acquired; all can be loss in a blink of an eye.

"What happened?" Megan had regained her place by my side, I didn't even see her move. I was too caught up in my thoughts, not that it mattered really, the evening had already been a rollercoaster of emotions.