Can you be Cruel for me?

Chapter 2

DISCLAIMERRR: I MIGHT BREAK THKS UP INTO TWO CHAPTERS IDK. ALSO HAVENT REBISED OR EDITED ANYTHING YALL ARE RAWDOGGING THIS STORY BUT IF PPL ACTUALLY LIKE IT I WILL GO THROIGH AND EDIT UT!!! LOVE YALL

It's been days without water, we are running low on food as we get closer to the harbor. Ronan seems to have planned this out perfectly, I been studying him and he seems to be a lot smarter than he lets on... cunning one could say.
The sun shines brightly over me as I sit in a quiet corner at the back of the ship, watching as the water laps at the side of the boat, glittering In the sunlight. The smell of the sea mixed with sweat and alcohol isn't exactly the most pleasant scent but I've gotten used to it... it's almost comforting to me, proof that I'm far far away from where I came from, that no one can reach me. I close my eyes, leaning against a barrel and allowing my skin to soak up the sun, my hair flying in the wind whichever way it might. I feel my body relax and soon find myself slipping away into the velvety embrace of sleep...

I'm standing on the ledge, looking down at the waves crashing upon the jagged rocks below. The sound is deafening and my heart races in my chest. I turn my head around, watching as the once empty hallway is now showcasing an array of shadows enlarging with every second that ticks by. Motivated shouting and hurried footsteps can be heard over the ocean below me and before I can even think I'm jumping into the deep depths below-
I gasp, waking to a start, looking around wildly only to find myself back in my room with sheets tucked gently around me. I let out a relived sigh before a voice breaks the silence.
"Bad dream?" Says Ronan looking at me curiously, his eyes piercing into mine.
"Were you watching me sleep?" I question frozen in place... not by fear but embarrassment.
I watch as he stands from the rickety old chair and walks towards where I'm laying. His stride is fluid, almost elegant, as if every step is thought out carefully and confidently. And he's quick, one second he's there and the next he is standing over me, his eyes pouring into mine. He's trying to read me.
"So interesting it is," he says tucking an unruly curl into place "to watch how your face twitches," he presses two fingers to my brow "how your brows rise and fall with every emotion you experience in that dreamworld of yours," he drops his fingers to my lips "how your lips part to let out a quick breath every now and then." He pulls his hand back, tilting his head to the side as if trying to see if my face might reveal a secret. "So, what was it that had you so terrified?"
I blink and it's as if I've snapped out of a daze.
"I can't remember my dream, I'm sure it was something silly," I say brushing him off "now why are you here?"

"Right, we will be arriving at the harbor early tomorrow morning, I'm going to take you shopping for some new attire so be ready."
He turns to walk out the door and stops with his hand in the handle. He turns his head to face me "let me know if you do remember." And with that he shuts the door behind himself.
It takes me a moment to collect myself after the encounter, I can feel that my cheeks are flushed and my heart is pounding but I can't understand why. It feels as if I've just plunged into cold water and taken a hot bath directly after. I lay back down in my bed and close my eyes with finally something to look forward to. Clothes.

It's a cloudy morning when we dock, Ronan leads me swiftly out of the harbor, his hand grasping my wrist as he maneuvers through the crowds and onto a much calmer street. Little shops line up and down the road stretching for what looks like miles.
Ronan comes to a sudden stop in front of a boutique, swinging the door open and motioning me inside. I could spend hours in here. Rows and rows of different exotic fabrics, all kinds of prints and patterns. And oh the dresses! I try on about ten before Ronan cuts me off in the middle of the silent debate I was having between the blue silk or the pink cotton.
"Okay we will take all of them," he says gruffly to the clerk.
"Oh uhhh..." begins the clerk, the sun peeks through the clouds shining brilliantly on his balding head. "Are you sure, these dressed are very pricey-"
"How much?" Ronan asks, pulling a sack of coins from the depths of his cloak.
"It'll be 20 of gold and six silver."
Ronan grabs the coins from him bag and places it on the table.
"Bag them up, oh and add that green one in too," he says placing another of gold on the counter and motioning towards a stunning green gown hanging in the back.
"Well yes of course sir, pleasure doin business sir!" Says the clerk with more fervor having earned a months salary in one sale.
"I'll have Ernest collect the bags later, let's go."
I follow Ronan out of the shop and down the street to a small bar.
"Now I know you're not much of a drinker but you will just have to get used to it, water don't last us long on the ship."
And with that he slams his fist on the counter demanding beer, and passes a mug onto me. I take a hesitant sip and he watches me looking amused.
"You have to drink it," he says taking a swig from his own "I already paid."
I groan taking a seat in the corner of the room, watching him knock back one glass after the other.
I take slow sips and halfway through the glass I begin to feel flushed a woozy. At this point I can't really taste anything so I power through and finish off the glass.
The bar seems to get more and more lively, its occupants dancing and cheering and singing together. I slowly clap along, enjoying the rhythm of the song and watching the chaos unfold around me.
"What's your name beautiful?" Asks a man leaning up against the wall for balance, his drunken tone barely heard over the rowdy noises from the bar.
Before I can even get the chance to answer Ronan appears at my side.
"She's with me," He says calmly, placing a hand firmly on my shoulder.
The man quickly scampers away, leaning on tables and chairs to support his escape.
"You ready to go?" Asks Ronan, assessing the empty mug of beer and my flushed cheeks.
"Yesss," I say, "I'm ready to leeeave" my words jumbled and slurred.
Everything around me is blurry and it feels like I'm spinning around and around and around- oh wow
"Look!" I exclaim, pointing at a flower pushing its way through the dirt.
I blink, looking around.
"Hey how did we get here?". I question, taking in the long stretch of the grassy plane that we stand on.
Ronan raises an eyebrow at me "we walked... you don't remember?"
"No I don't.. I can't..." my voice trails off as I look closer, it's not just grass. It's flowers. A huge meadow, untouched by man.
I bend down, smelling a patch of wildflowers and gazing at them lovingly.
"Why are we here?" I question, laying down on the grass and staring up at the stars.
"You said that you wanted to see flowers, you said they reminded you of your mother," he responds, settling down next to me.
"Oh..."
I close my eyes and let the scent of the earth envelop me. My mother was weak. But she did love me, she loved me as much as she could, and though she would never say it aloud, I know she would be proud of the choice I made. The choice that led me here.
Suddenly I'm in her garden and she is humming sweetly next to me tending her roses while I'm digging in the dirt. She scolds me but the smile on her face says she doesn't mind.
I open my eyes and sit up, toying with a piece of grass.
"Can we go back to the ship now?"