Mental Love

Chapter 3 - The Letter

January 14th

That I night I found myself dreaming about him. I could see him standing before me with his long black hair moving with the wind. His bright green eyes had a twinkle in them, something I had never seen before. He was standing on a boat, offering his hand for me to join him. I gladly accept. Once we are seated, the boat starts to move although there seems to be no driver. I'm lying against him, my head on his perfectly toned chest, listening to his slow but steady heartbeat. Suddenly the boat stops. The blue water of the river that we are on, starts to turn dark.

A fog appears out of nowhere. It twists and twirls its way up and over the boat. It snakes all around us, pushing us apart. He calls my name but I can't answer. The fog has covered my mouth and I cannot breathe, let alone yell back. Then, somehow, I'm in the water, being pushed under. My lungs are screaming for air but I can't reach the surface. It's like an invisible hand is pushing me down, further and further away from the surface. I can't stand it anymore, my chest feels like it is about to explode.

I woke up suddenly with a start. Sweat was dripping off me and I was shaking. What started out as an innocent dream, turned into a gruesome nightmare. I tried to push the memory of this nightmare out of my head, so i could go back to sleep, but I couldn't. Something about that dream truly frightened me. Was my brain trying to tell me something through my dreams? Is there something about Adam that I don't know? That last one is probably true. I don't even know Adam Mason and yet something inside of me yearns for him constantly. And why did I agree to have dinner with him, a complete stranger? I do not know. I think I love him but I don't know him. Is that wrong? I know what most people would say, "He's just using you for your body or your money." But I think they would be wrong. There's something about Adam that makes me feel and calm and secure. As I'm debating about the lovely Mr Mason, I fall back asleep.

When I woke up, sun was streaming in through the open windows. It was a lovely day. I roll over and see a crisp white envelope sitting upright on my beside table. I opened it quickly and my heart lept. It was an invite to Adam's house this afternoon. I quickly wrote a letter with my reply. I ran to get dressed without the help of my maid. I put on a simple but nice dress and flat shoes. I gave my hair and teeth a quick brush. I grabbed the letter and rushed down the stairs. it was a Friday, so Father would be at work. I ran to the front door and slammed it shut behind me. If I'm quick enough, I may just catch the postman and the morning post. I see the postie at the end of our street. I ran, very un-lady like, to catch up to him.

"Wait, sir wait!" I yell as he goes to turn the corner.

He stops abruptly and turns on the spot. The look of shock on his face is evident, as I'm sure the look of a young lady sprinting towards you in a dress, would shock most people. He manages to find his voice, just as I stopped in front of him.

"How can I help you ma'am?"

 "I was just hoping you could deliver this letter for me this morning?" I was spluttering and stuttering, trying to catch my breath.

"Sure ma'am. 'Tis my job you know." I hand him the letter and he puts it in his satchel. I say thanks and we part our different ways. 

I walk slowly and steadily back towards the house. I was glad that I was able to see him this afternoon, maybe I'll learn a bit more about him. As I reached the front door, I realised that I had nothing to wear for this afternoon. So I went inside, grabbed my purse and started making my to the town square. The town square of Florence is my favourite place to go. It is always very busy but I like the business of everyday life. Shops line the outside of the square. Every now and then, you'd come across a small market stall selling homemade wears. I find my favourite dress shop and walk through the doorway.

The seamstress greets me. "Good morning ma'am, how may I help you?". The seamstress was a middle aged woman with dark hair sprinkled with flecks of grey.

"I need a new dress for an afternoon tea. I need it for this afternoon, would that be alright?" She nodded her head and motioned for me to step onto the small fitting platform.

"Any particular colour ma'am?" I had to think about this one. Maybe I should get a green dress to match my hair and Adam's eyes, or maybe a periwinkle blue one that would look really good against my skin.

"I'll get an emerald green dress and a periwinkle blue one." Might as well get both. A woman can never have enough dresses. The lady grabbed her measuring tape and started checking the length of my legs and the width of my waist.

I stand on the tiny platform, for well over an hour. I get prodded and poked with pins and every inch on me measured. Eventually, the lady stops and brings out the selection of fabrics. I choose a silky green one and a soft blue one.

"The dresses will be ready shortly and sent to you in the afternoon post." I paid for them and left. I didnt need any shoes or jewellery so I decided to call it a day and go home. I got home and retired to my room. I really needed to get a move on with my writing. The next chapter of my book is due at the editors office next week. I grabbed my quill, ink and paper, and sat on my window seat.

I wrote for a bit, but the story just wasn't flowing today. I hear a clicking of the gate and realised that the afternoon post must have arrived. I rushed downstairs and out the door. I went over to the letter box and pulled out the two medium sized packages. As I did this, a small letter fell out too. This is strange, I thought as I bent to pick up the letter. It was quite small, about the size of my palm and the envelope was made of very soft paper. An envelope only a rich man could buy. I walked back up the stairs slowly, contemplating what was inside this letter. Was it from Adam, or was I just getting my hopes up?

I walked back to my room and sit heavily on the bed. I out the parcels in one corner; I'll open them later. I lay on the bed, staring at this haunting envelope. I ran my finger round the edge, the corners sharp and pointy. I lifted the flap and pulled out the note inside. It was on just a simple piece of paper, not one meant for sending letters on. It was folded in half as if to hide the contents. I unfolded it and read the words that were written in a harsh and scratchy form.

Stay away from Adam Mason. He is not as he seems. Whatever you do, do not trust him! Run, run as fast and hard as you can. Once he has you, there is no escape. He will not be merciful to those who don’t obey. I warned you.

These words, these cruel, harsh words, bit and tore into my heart. I felt cold and dizzy; I thought I was going to be sick. This can’t be right! He is so nice and those lovely, warm eyes of his make me feel so safe and secure. They are wrong, whoever they are, they are wrong. They don’t know him like I do. I ripped the note into little shreds and then burnt them in my candle. I knew I had to start getting ready, it would take my mind off this note. And yet, something in the back of my mind was telling me this probably wasn’t the last I would hear from this mystery person.