Emerald Seas

Chapter 30

'I will consider it?!' Kate had to hold herself from almost crying out, but she kept her voice soft. The gold fabric of her dress fluttered across the wooden floor, making a sound everytime she turned around to pace in the opposite direction while pacing up and down the fireplace, it was obvious she was in distress.

Cutler watching her had rushed out of the dining room some minutes ago, following her to his office. He had excused himself to see if his fiance was alright. It was silent for quite a while, only the sound of her heels clicking in a quick rhythm took away the silence that filled the office. There was a soft breeze that came from the darkness outside the beach, the open doors of the balcony revealed an inviting view as the stars of the night were clearly visible in the sky.

'Cutler, you can't do this' Kate watched him not responding, he seemed uncertain of what to say. His face was hidden in the shadow as it was slightly tilted to the ground, as he raised it the bruise on his right side was visible in the light, still the blue of his eyes was dominant.

'Are you really considering this? Is this something you want?' Kate's voice was firm but gave away a feeling of despair.

'No, it's not' Cutler whispered in return with a slight hesitance in his voice, but it too showed care and it was clear he was in battle. His palms cupped her shoulders trying to show her he meant it by gently holding her while gazing into her eyes. Kate moved her hands to her long red hair that was in a beautiful updo, holding her face with her fingers for a moment she emptied her lungs with a loud sigh.

'Don't you remember how once we were slaves? How they almost worked you to death?' barely able to move the words from her lips Kate's eyes turned watery. But she hid it well by removing her sight from his, hugging her chest she turned it toward the flames of the fire. Her thoughts drifted to years back, when they themselves had been forced into a life of slavery by the pirates that held them in captivity.

It seemed to surprise Cutler when a small fragile tear moved down her perfect porcelain rosy cheeks. It made his stomach turn and it was only then he realized how much this meant to her. Kate's fingers were still buried in the silk of her sleeves hugging her chest. Waking up her head turned sideways as her teary eyes now watched Cutler standing beside her, he seemed numb.

'I do remember' Cutler's calm voice spoke almost unintelligible, his eyes slowly raised when she turned to a position so that she was standing before him again, looking up.

'But you don't understand' Cutler whispered once more, by his words Kate felt her hands tremble, again she turned away her body from his reach, and so his attempt of soothing her with his warm hands failed as her eyes lowered onto the crackling logs inside the fireplace. Now she strolled across the office where her eyes met the darkness outside.

'You have no idea what this man is capable of. He will take everything from me once I do not do as he wishes, believe me, Kate' Cutler stubbornly marched in front of her again, her eyes lit up by the light of the candles as their faces were only inches apart now, his arms beside his body.

'He can take from us whatever he wants.. I will not be a part of something so horrible!' Kate continued walking, now past him, reaching the rail of the balcony where her fingers met the cold wood.

'He will take everything from me' Cutler repeated watching his fiance from the doorway of the entrance to the outside.

'Including you..' Cutler whispered and Kate quickly raised her head from staring at the waves of the ocean in the distance. She immediately understood what he meant by that, she already had come to the conclusion that Lord Penwallow indeed was able to take everything from Cutler, his company, his status and wealth, but she never considered he was able to take her away from him. Cutler had accomplished a lot by his help, he had started out with nothing. Lord Penwallow had the power to move Cutler and his Company elsewhere, for instance, the other side of the world if he wished. She might be protected by her father, but Cutler was dependent on Lord Penwallow's will. It was the power he had over him she was so afraid of.