The Mask Of Beauty and Rage (Brahms X Greta)

Chapter 2 - Lie To Me

Greta had awoken from her horrid nightmare. She couldn't sleep, her head was throbbing as she laid up. She yawned, dragging herself out the bed and into the bathroom. She was glad she had her own bathroom in the room. The day was brighter than any other day, it always rained in England, the weather was always so moist and warm most of the time. Finally, the sun was out and shining with life.

Greta brushed her teeth and got herself dressed. Seeping through the cracks of her door, she smelled the sweet aroma of breakfast coming from the main floor. Quickly she opened her curtains to let more light in, then she headed towards the door, making her way downstairs.

Malcom opened his fridge and pulled out another carton of eggs, along with some diced cantaloupe. The sizzling of the bacon spat out hot oil as it bubbled. Malcom set two plates out on the table along with the utensils. He got back to the bacon flipping it once more before tossing it onto the clean plate.

He looked to his side only to see Greta appear from around the corner.

"Ah, the princess has finally awakened." He chuckled. Greta smiled at his joke, and almost laughed at his dumb boyish charm.

"You know, you don't have to do this Malcom." She said putting her hands in her back pockets.

"It's my pleasure." He took the bacon and placed it on the table. "Come sit." He said leading her to the chair as she began to sit herself down.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, about to get up from her seat again.

"All taken care of love, you don't need to worry about a thing." He smiled.

Greta returned the friendly gesture. "You know I can't remember the last time someone cooked just for me." She gave a small nervous laugh.

Malcom walked towards her with the eggs in the searing hot pan. She automatically leaned back letting him put the scramble eggs on her plate, and the rest onto his. Malcom knew she didn't have anywhere near a good relationship in the past with that bloody chap, Cole. He could only imagine what went on in their household. He quickly everted the conversation.

"You know it has its benefits working as a grocery boy." He picked up a piece of egg on his fork as he looked at her happily. "Free food." He smiled popping the egg in his mouth.

Greta breathed out a small giggle at his facial expression.

She put some salt on her eggs and dug into her food. Malcom glanced up every once and awhile to see her face. He didn't want to make it obvious of course, but Greta could feel his eyes lingering onto her. Malcom cleared his throat.

"So... I believe you slept well last night?" He asked as he sat up straighter. Greta noticed this and did the same, but took a short sigh.

"Well.... it could've been better, I mean..." She stopped for a moment.

Malcom's face grew concerned, and worried a bit at her sudden change. He had a feeling he knew what was going on with her, and he hoped he was wrong.

"You had another one of those ghastly nightmares, didn't you?"

Greta looked up at him now. "Yeah, I did. I'm always.... running... in my dreams. I can never seem to just settle." She said taking a hold of the orange juice and sipping it.

Malcom's eyes dishearten a bit as he looked at her.

"It was about him again, wasn't it?"

Greta almost choked on her OJ as she gagged a bit. Her hand reached on her throat and then chest, trying to catch her breath.