I stared into his eyes, shock written all across my face. "Hello...Thomas..."
His eyes were sad and broken as his lips twisted into a painful smile. "We have much to talk about."
My mind flashbacks to the first time I met him...
---
Walking through the park, the sun was shining and it was my second day back in France, I smiled at all the familiar surroundings; the leaves just starting to fall off the trees. It was beautiful. Suddenly though, my mind was interrupted by a deep voice behind me, his British accent thick and heavy.
"Good morning." I turned around to find a dashingly handsome man smiling at me, sitting down on a bench, a thick jacket on. It was rather cool outside, a fact I had decided to neglect, in my plain T and pants.
I nodded politely, "Good morning."
"Don't you think It's a bit chilly outside, darling?"
The pet name sent my pale cheeks pink and I looked away shyly, "I suppose I didn't think ahead, now I'm paying the price."
He stood up and tore off his coat, wrapping it around my shoulders gently. I looked up at this tall man.
"My name is Thomas." He offered me a quick smile.
"My names Magnolia." I smiled back, this man's happy attitude was contagious, or? Was that the scent of the exotic cologne on his sweater?
"That's a nice name, I like it. Would you like to take a walk with me? We can go get some tea, coffee?"
I nodded softly, "I'd like that."
---30 days later
A loud knock on my hotel room door woke me up and I yawned, stretching quickly before hopping out of the bed in my thin, short nightgown, wrapping a red robe around me, and opening the door to a smiling Thomas.
"Good morning love!" He kissed my cheek quickly and waltzed inside.
I giggled and rubbed my eyes sleepily. "What are you doing Tom? What time is it?"
He sat on the king size bed, his legs spread, elbows on his knees, and his chin on his hands, just staring at me softly.
I blushed under the emotion he emitted through his gaze, "W-what?"
He let out a light chuckle and took my hand in his, standing up to wrap a long arm around my thin waste and pull me close. "I was just marveling at thou's beauty. How far it doth exceeds all others."
His face came close to whisper in my ear, lips grazing the sensitive skin, my cheeks burning. "O-Oh..."
He laughed softly, "But that wasn't the reason why I came, come on, get dressed and hurry. I have a surprise for you!"
With that he left me alone and ran out the door, I marveled at his enthusiasm.
-
After I had gotten dressed in warm clothing, Thomas blindly led me to an unknown destination. When I was finally able to open my eyes, I found us surrounded by a grove of tall green trees, birds chirping loudly from branch to branch.
"Where are we?" I looked around, slightly confused.
He took my hand and smiled brightly, "It's called the Forest of Imitation."
I tilted my head, still confused.
"Heh, here, watch this." He took a deep breath, and in a hypnotizing and beautiful voice sang, "Mary, Mary, Oh contrary, you are far by the best. Mary, Mary, you are very beautiful to me." His eyes locked with mine the whole time.
Suddenly, after the last word was sang, the birds I had heard chirping before began to whistle the tune of the song, exactly and perfectly.
I gasped and smiled brightly, which caused Thomas to laugh with joy. "W-Wow! They're mimicking you! Th-They're imitating you!"
He bent down and kissed my lips softly, "Of course, my dear."
I sang a few words and the birds mimicked me precisely, which caused me to jump with joy, it was one of my most treasured memories.
---21 months later
Thomas had been staying in my hotel room the last couple of months and was even paying for my stay, he was everything any woman could want...which was exactly why I could never have this perfect man.
One night, on my last night in Paris, France, I had all my things packed at exactly 2:00 in the morning, I left a small note that read; "I've gone, be safe, find happiness, fall in love. - Magnolia", and I quietly snuck out of the room, flying back to America.
---Present Day
I nodded slowly, heart breaking and aching at the sight of him, "Y-Yes," my voice cracked, "I suppose we do..."
