Casa de Carvalho

Prologue

The dusk was weaning and darkness was settling itself with a hint of an impatient breeze gently blowing now and then. Actually, she had hoodwinked her friends at the resort to attend this private art exhibition. Although it was arranged by someone from the high strata of the church for a few exclusive guests she had managed to get access through a local guide.

She seemed to be preoccupied in her thoughts. She didn't feel herself this evening. Save for an elegant peacock shell necklace that came from the ocean, she was dressed in a relaxed fit mini shift peacock green cotton dress, having a drawstring around the waist, sleeveless with a round neck.

The tall handsome artist was unaware of all the secret attention showered on him. He's perfect, she thought. Young, good looking, decent, shy and someone who wouldn't ask questions...not even the humdrum ones. She had him on her mind for quite some time and this seemed like the perfect moment. She meekly walked over to him and asked to be dropped at the resort, he did feel odd but saw no harm in helping a young, beautiful lass.

The drive by the sea offered a mesmerizing view with the crashing waves adding to the dramatic effect. No words were spoken till they reached their destination. She turned to him and invited him for a cup of tea with a warm alluring smile he couldn't resist. Inadvertently he followed her to her suite.

The suite was dimly lit, the butter and grey colour palette gave the room a restful vibe. She swiftly opened the tall glass windows overlooking the graceful ocean giving way for the restless wind outside to enter and play with the wind chimes changing the atmosphere of the room.

As he made himself comfortable on a nearby sofa, her gait had changed as she approached towards him and sat beside him.

She had already decided what she wanted and he couldn't resist the amorous effect of her charming face. He tucked a curl behind her ear and the feel of his touch made her shiver.

"Let's enjoy every moment together until it's our last." She said.

He agreed as he gazed into her eyes, his expression tender and full of longing.

"Yes. I feel the same." The words sounded so reverent they could have been a prayer.

The aching anticipation knew no bounds. They seemed to share each breath, each heartbeat. It felt as if the universe disappeared and all that remained was the two of them, holding each other close.

When she wakes up, he's still lying with his face buried in her hair. She runs her fingers through his tousled hair for a while and gently slips from under him and out of the bed, puts on her dress and silently leaves glancing back one last time.

On the bedside table tucked under the peacock shell necklace laid a note that said,

"Thank you dear, I'll never forget this day."