Concubine and her Protector, The

Part 4-Charming and Secret

In the morning Gisella awoke and went to the dining area. Much to her surprise breakfast had already been made. 

She sat down and began to eat the bun of whole wheat bread from a basket. 

Erique walked in and smiled.

"Did you rest well Gisella?"

"I did Erique, thank you."

"I was thinking of walking to the market today, with you accompanying me."

Gisella was surprised that he'd offered her to accompany him somewhere.

"I will come."

"Wonderful."

He went into the closet and brought out a pink and purple dress. Gisella gasped at how lovely it was.

"I was hoping you would say yes. I'd bought it last night and was keeping it a surprise until the time was right."

Gisella laughed and took the dress from him. This time, instead of a intense shock exchange they felt a strong warmth. Quickly Gisella moved away from him and went to try the dress on.

Erique sat down and started to drink a glass of water; rather gulping it then drinking it. He only held the dress and she took it. Yet warmth, the type that comes from a bath was felt between them. Was it all in his head?

Gisella returned and Erique nearly knocked over the glass he drank from. The dress suited her perfectly.

He offered her his arm and she looped hers in his. Again, that same warmth was felt. Erique knew than that this wasn't his mind playing tricks on him.

At the market...

Gisella hadn't thought her situation being a concubine would turn out like this. She'd heard the stories, namely in places such as East Asia. Most were simply horrible, but could some have had happy endings?

As she walked with him she realized that Erique was a very charming man. He didn't appeared rude or shady. 

They walked until they reached the antique store.

"Tell me have you ever been in a store such as this one?" He asked as he opened the door for her.

"No."

"Really?"

"I only heard of them through my family." 

He started to wonder about her family and wanted to know more about them.

"What does your family do?"

"They do philanthropy and their main profession is selling goods of high quality."

Erique was shocked, her family not only were charitable, they had wealth.

"Really? Please tell me more?"

"Well, the goods they make are food not grown in the States nor in New Britain. They have collected seeds and silks from other countries through their travels. When people started to learn this their wealth immediately grew."

Erique than wondered of her involvement with Fredrick Jefferson. Ironically, he happened to be in the store with a friend of his.

"Oh! Erique!"

He notice Gisella with him.

"How are things between you and Gisella?"

"They're very well."

"Has anything else happen?" He nudged his arm and winked.

He looked at Fredrick strangely.

"No."

Immediately Fredrick was irritated.

"Well, I think I better go." He signaled to his friend and they both left the antique store. 

Erique watched as they left and wondered what had caused such an quick departure.

"Hello sir, can I help you with anything?" The store clerk asked.

"Yes, I have some items I would like to be shipped to my plantation."

Gisella notice a waiting area and motion to Erique she would wait for him there.

She waited for Erique as he spoke with the store clerk and overheard a conversation going on outside from the stain glass window. She listened closely and it was Fredrick and his friend talking.

"Why is it so important that Erique and her live together?" His friend asked.

"Listen, I NEED their concubinage to work, okay. Erique has a vast amount of wealth and I plan on keeping my business with him."

"Wouldn't he have to pay you for having her live with him?" He asked.

"Of course!"

Gisella knew Fredrick would do anything for wealth.

Erique came and notice that something was bothering her.

"Is their something the matter?"

"Erique, can I go back to the plantation alone?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She walked away with a dejected look on her face. Erique knew from the corner of his eye that something made her sad.

While she walked Gisella tried to hold back her tears. Why was she feeling sad? Was it the wickedness of Fredrick? Or more about what she was feeling for Erique?

"GISELLA!"

She turned around and saw Erique running up to her.

"I'm sorry, I knew you wanted to go back alone. I, I did like walking with you today. I hope I am not annoying you by my insistence."

"No, I was actually going to wait until you appeared." She confessed.

He smiled and offered her his arm and they happily walked back together.