Storm at heart

Chapter 5

Marianna loved this hour when the sun was about to rise. She sipped at her coffee on the patio, took a deep breath inhaling the sea breeze and relishing in this exquisite silence before the day began. 

She hadn’t slept well. Something, which was often the case since Alexander‘s arrival. 

She was always an early riser and was now, more than ever, determined that nothing would change that.

She put her cup on a small round table and took a seat admiring the colours of the sky and their reflection on the water. She wasn’t pleased with the presence of Alexander Stone. On the contrary. She felt nervous and tense around him. It was like she was in a constant battle with him and herself. 

When she first laid eyes on him, in his grand office, with his costum made suit, it was easy for her to distance herself. She couldn’t relate to the imposing building and lifestyle which accommodated it. But now, all of the sudden, he was walzing around with a simple t-shirt and jeans. He had invaded her space, her life and she was thinking about him again! 

 «Why did you stop painting?» his deep voice took her off guard.

She turned her head and saw with terror that Alexander had uncovered her paintings once more and was looking at them.

«The light at this hour is ideal for your works», he added without taking his eyes of them.

Marianna was surprised.

«This is true, because I always used this light to paint.» she answered him while walking towards him. Her satin robe hang loosely around her body and moved fluently around her legs with every step of hers. Her long, chocolate brown hair framed her face in messy waves, revealing that she had just got out of bed. 

She placed her hand tenderly over the painting in front of her. It was an image of a clearing in a forest. 

It was somehow ironic that the only person who had guessed her secret was Alexander Stone. No one, not even her friends and teachers had guessed that she painted always at sunrise. They concluded that the light and intensity of her colours where a result of mixing hue.   

 «Well, why did you stop?» he asked her again. His eyes where now fixed of her. 

« Why do you assume that I have stopped?» 

«Because you put dates on your paintings and there isn’t any of this year.» He smiled and leaned towards her stating the obvious. 

«You are right», Marianna couldn’t suppress a giggle as she turned to face him. And there it was. As soon as their eyes met, she felt like she was hit by electricity. His eyes hypnotized her and she couldn’t register anything else but the endless blue and at the same time she had the feeling that he was entering her mind, reading every thought of hers. 

Immediately she looked away and returned to the table. He followed her and sat on the place which once was mister Dimitris’s seat. 

«You still didn‘t answer me», he also gazed now at the sea in front of them.

«And you haven’t answered any of my questions either.» Marianna had regained control over herself and was able to look at him. She playfully brought the cup to her lips without taking her eyes off of him.

« Right!» It was Alexander’s turn to laugh.

«I will abduct you today!» he stated blandly, examining her face.

She lost her composure once more.

«I have arranged everything with Mano, he will take over today and we are going to Monemvasia!» It was an announcement, a matter of fact that she was to accompany him.