The Followings of a Red Beret

The Continuation of Lament and Change

Slow time was a blur as memories sped by.

Though recently introduced, my new friend "lament"

Snaked through my heart with bitter arsenic,

Sinking poisonous guilt into my blood. 

A thin girl with an auburn bob and sorrowful eyes.

Materialized next to me, out of reach.

We are two souls alone, together

Wallowing in intimate misery. 

With a jolt and a cry, she recoiled from a bullet's force,

One hand on her bleeding heart and the other reaching for the unattainable mirage of joy,

I returned the favor and in the moment the past caught up,

But truly the snow white petrel was far from home, and truly I am alone.

****

Maël grinned and opened the door for me, gesturing me inside. "Ladies first."

I smiled back sweetly and chimed, "Thank you!"

I could only say that the me at the time was so foolish, dreaming still of the "knight in shining armor" who will bring me my "happily ever after". Maël seemed to fit that description so perfectly, with his dashing looks and gentlemanly personality. Although our future marriage was arranged by our parents for the formation of a business partnership, I grew to fancy him more and more as we spent more time together. I thought so highly of his virtues that I was blind to his vices. 

As I stepped into my house, I noticed Petra, timidly waiting for me like she always does. She had a worried look on her sad face. I opened my mouth to call a greeting to her, but Maël's words cut me off.

"Ahh, it seems like the dog has been faithfully awaiting its master's return, as always." His voice was always cold when directed to anyone other than me and his parents. It never bothered me too much, but for some reason those words sent a chill up my spine.

Petra flinched and bowed her head, "I-I'm sorry!"

Maël blinked and sneered haughtily, "Ha! Cowering like the dog that you are! Begone, I wish to be with my fiancée."

Petra glanced at me for support, but then realizing that she won't be getting any, she ducked quietly away.

My eyes followed her but Maël turned my chin towards him. "You should be focused on me, not your servant-dog."

We were so close that my face began to feel hot. "Yes." I whispered quietly, my eyes focused on his demanding hazel eyes.

Our eyes were held in a deadlock for quite a while until Maël smirked and said, "That's a good girl," drawing back from me. 

I was still blushing from the expectation of a kiss. Observing me silently, Maël laughed and said, "I should be on my way now. The weather is predicted to take a bad turn today."

He reached his hands to me to fix my beret. "I shall see you tomorrow."

I finally found my tongue when I realized that he was leaving me soon. "It was very kind of you to walk me home. I greatly appreciate it. I shall anticipate our next meeting."

Maël grasped my hand in his and gently kissed it. Then, turning around, he opened the front door to the DuCorbeau mansion and departed without glancing back. 

Petra found me staring at my hand rather stupidly. "Elise?"

"Ah." I faced her, still a little pink, "What is it?"