War of Hearts

06 ~ Painting Love

Erana reached the door and burst out into the rain-drenched evening air. It was coming down in sheets now, and she was instantly soaked. Choking on rainwater and tears, she darted past the Orogon mansion, and was about to race across the street against the light when a hand caught her arm and spun her around.

It was Michael. He was soaked as much as her. "Erana, didn't you hear me calling you?"

"Let go of me." Her voice was shook.

"No, not until you talk to me."

Erana jerked her arm out of Michael's grasp and turned to face him. "What was that? Why were you kissing another girl in there?" She pushed her wet, heavy hair back from her face.

"It was Rosanna," he said, rainwater running off his eyelashes and down his cheeks like tears. "She's Richard's sister."

"I don't care who she is. Why were you kissing her?" Erana yelled.

"I was just," he said, slowly. "I was just kissing her."

All of Erana's rage rose to the surface. "Do you kiss every single woman you meet?"

"What's wrong with that? We never had anything official. You are married and I'm a playboy who messes around with every single woman I meet. There isn't anything serious."

Erana was crying.

Michael put his arms around her and he was kissing her frantically.

She dug her fingers into his shoulders, into the damp fabric of his shirt, feeling the resistance of the muscles underneath, and kissed him back.

"Chertoff," she said between kisses, their wet faces sliding each other. "-knows about us – oh," she gasped as he drew away from her, only far to reach his hands down and put them around her waist. He ducked his head down to look into her face. His eyes, surrounded by lashes darkened with rainwater.

"Let's run away."

"What about your other women?"

"They are nothing when I have you?"

He pressed his mouth against hers. He was moaning softly against her mouth, kissing her harder.

"I'm bearing your child," Erana said and Michael drew away from her, started.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm bearing your child," she repeated.

"What?" he asked again.

She stared at him in confusion.

Michael took a step away from Erana.

"Michael-" She took a step toward him.

"Don't," he said, his voice very rough. "I can't."

And then he was gone, running as fast as only he could run, a blur that vanished into the distance before she could even take a breath to call him back.

* * *

The sea was more than we could ever fathom, it provided us with most of the oxygen, allowing our lungs to function. She wrapped her brine around every limb, like a mother cradling her child, only ever asking for our respect, love and care.

Ever lay on the cold sand in absolute silence. The waves were gentle and calm, swaying silently. There were so many things to think about; Julian, Roop, protecting Angelic, her mother's sin. She sighed deeply, forgetting all her burdens for a moment.

"Ever!" Someone called her name, Ever immediately sat up.

It was Cael. He was holding a wine bottle and two glasses.