Cuts and Romance

Chapter 9: Trust is a Big Word

We drove in silence all the way to whatever place he chose. His agitation seemed to have lessened during the long drive. I felt the need to say something just to break the silence.

"Nathan im sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." I said quietly.

He looked at me with a soft expression and i knew that i was forgiven. "Mary it's not your fault. I shouldn't have lost my temper." He said in a melancholic tone. "It's just.... You're not like anyone i ever met." I dropped my gaze and blushed a bit. I was about to ask something but he said "We're here."

He parked the car with expert skill. I raised my eyebrows and asked "Are you showing off?"

He just smirked and said "Maybe." We got out of the car and as my eyes surveyed the surroundings i looked at Nathan with awestruck eyes.

"Its beautiful Nathan." The place was truly breathtaking. a river silently flowed under a wooden bridge leading to a small peice of land with two trees growing slightly sideways away from each other with intertwined branches that almost formed a perfect heart shape.  underneath it, hanging from the two strongest branches in each tree, was a swing big enough to hold two people. Nathan went to my side and held out his hand. He said "Let's go." i smiled at him and didn't hesitate to hold his hand as he led me to this little paradise.

His hand felt warm against my own, And as i held his hand I felt a strange feeling wash over me, a feeling i longed for since my life became a ruin. A feeling that i forgot what it felt. Safe. He made me feel safe. Like nothing could ever hurt me while he was there with me. It was then i knew that even in the very short time we had, i knew that i can trust him with anything, even All my flaws and mistakes. We crossed the bridge and approached the swing. The swing was old and worn with weathering but still sturdy. Nathan as gentleman as always bade me to sit first then he followed.

"What do you think?" He asked with a warm smile.

"It's amazing. Where are we?" Returning his smile.

His smile grew melancholic as if remembering some painful memory.

He sighed and said "This is private property. Mine actually. This whole land is mine. So its somehow our little paradise since i want to share it with you. You're actually the first person to go here."

For the first time in my life i put my head on his shoulders and held his hands and said before i could stop myself " I liked it when you said 'Our little paradise'." He laughed and held me close. And we spent a few hours together on this swing in this perfect moment at our very own little piece of heaven.

It was a while before i had the courage to ask. "Nathan? I hope you dont get this the wrong way but. Can i know your story?"

To my surprise he  looked at me in the eye and said "Ask the questions and I'll answer."  Then he gently put my head back to his shoulder then stroked my hair. I lifted his arm and raised the sleeves and turned it over revealing the criss cross pattern of scars on his arms. "What happened here?" I whispered.

He released his hand and looked at me. "Before i tell you my story i want you to know that even though we have only met like for three days. Somehow in a weird way i trust you. So please listen. And after what i tell you, you can either run screaming away or leave and say that you never want ro see again. Because this is something that me and my family only know. This is my story."