9. Chapter NineFiona
Chapter Nine
Fiona
T oday was the day Christian and I set aside time to let him see my painting. I talked about it singularly, but whenever Christian mentioned it, he gave off the impression that I had a collection.
I did have a collection, but nothing compared to the butterfly in the painting. The butterfly at the time of the painting was done to signify freedom. In a way, I was free, given how I was fired from my waitress job then.
With too much free time on my hands, I made the painting to signify how free I felt. Now, looking at the painting, it has come full circle. I am happy now. My job with Christian felt secure.
I was slowly freeing myself from that worry. I didn’t wake up every morning wondering if this was the day Christian was going to fire me. I had come a long way.
When Christian saw the painting, he would realize what a lovely painter I was. He’d see that I was really multi-talented.
The doorbell rang, and I threw a white piece of fabric over the canvas and hurried to the door. I took a deep breath before opening it, a smile on my face as Christian stood there with a bottle of wine in his hands.
“Hi,” I greeted and moved to the side to let him in.
“Thank you for having me and showing me your lovely painting.”
“You don’t know that it’s lovely,” I said and ushered him onto the sofa. The entire event was starting to feel very formal, even though we wore very casual clothes. I was wearing sweatpants and a white shirt.
Christian was wearing a black shirt and black shorts. The baseball cap he had on now sat next to him on the sofa.
“If it’s done by you, then it’s the prettiest thing in the world.”
It was amazing how he was able to pretend that he could see the canvas.
“And you have nothing to worry about; it’s just me.”
I nodded because he was right. It wasn’t like he was an art appraiser. It was just Christian. And that was the reason why I was so nervous. He was Christian, and there was nothing just about that.
I left the living room and returned to the kitchen to grab two wine glasses. When I returned, Christian was now aware of the canvas because he was looking directly at it.
“Alright,” he said after I poured out the wine. “Time to see it.”
“Promise not to laugh.”
“I won’t.”
And I believed him, like that would surprise anyone. True to his words, he didn’t laugh. He stared at the butterfly painting, and I wondered what it was about it that had him speechless.
Maybe blue and brown weren’t good colors to combine. Did the butterfly look weird? Did the painting even look like a butterfly?
“It’s pretty. What does it represent?”
I looked at the butterfly. “Freedom.”
When I looked back at him, he was nodding with a smile on his face. He patted the space next to him, and I dragged myself over to him. When he handed me my wine glass, he clicked his on it.
“Here’s to freedom.”
I took a sip of my drink as did he.
“So, where are the others?”
“Others?”
“Bring all the paintings out, I want to see everything you’ve got.”
“This is the only good one.” I protested, trying to hide my nervousness.
“I don’t care,” he shot back, his determination unwavering.
The more I argued, the more insistent he became, and I found myself powerless against his resolve. Reluctantly, I brought out each piece, my heart racing with every revelation.
To my surprise, his eyes softened as he examined each painting, a genuine smile spreading across his face.
“These are pretty,” he murmured, and I felt my cheeks flush at his praise.
With every compliment, my heart warmed, melting the last remnants of my resistance. His unexpected admiration made me see my paintings in a new light, and for the first time, I believed in their worth.
*****
The architecture of the farmhouse was not short of my expectations. It stood tall and mighty among a fine bush and had a wide expanse of mowed lawn in front of it. Far off, the mountains elegantly stood, representing the background of the delicate nature.
This is the last place I expected to find myself. But Christian was away on a business trip that he insisted didn’t need my presence, and I should take the time to rest. And I would have been resting if a text hadn’t come from his mother asking me to meet her at the Carrs’ farmhouse.
Nothing good ever came from meeting Melissa alone, but there was nothing I could do about the situation at this moment.
I made the long walk into the farmhouse, refusing a ride from one of the men at the gate. My excuse was my desire to see the scenery when, in reality, I wanted to delay seeing Melissa. The woman terrified me, the mother of my best friend, and boss or not.
“Welcome!” Melissa must have seen me from a distance as she walked briskly to meet me halfway in her fine summer clothes.
“I hope you are not too tired. It’s been such a long time since I saw you!” She cried, pulling to the porch. “You’ve grown so well. Who’s older? You or Allison?” She made me sit on one of the cozy crimson sofas.
“We’re the same age,” I responded.
“Ah, I used to think you were younger than my Allison.” She commented.
I quietly dismissed her.
She had not experienced the tiniest change over the past ten years. She was still the always excited, and often, condescending type of woman.
Fortunately, neither Christian nor Allison took after her in character, but they both strikingly looked like her. Allison was like her mother’s twin.
“It’s quite nice outside. The weather is cooler today.” She beamed.
I wryly smiled.
“I have just baked some cookies, and I’m sure you’d love them.” she childishly chuckled and dashed inside the house.
I found her behavior too phony for a woman I knew never actually approved of my relationship with her children.
Though she had never voiced her displeasure, her attitude betrayed her most of the time.
I thought the wrap-around porch was like a scene in a whimsical movie. The rainbow of cozy sofas, warm rugs, colorful terracotta, glazed pots of Philodendron, Begonia, and Snake plants, and the choicest antiques uniquely adorned it.
A swing made of rich oak hung in a corner from the ceiling, and a vintage rocking chair stood not so far from the swing.
The wooden railing was festooned with a medley of large and small bright petals, and the beauty added to the glory of the daydreaming effect the entire place had on one. A wave resin table graced the center of everything.
Melissa returned with a beautiful tray of freshly baked cookies and a fancy teapot.
“Yunnan,” she said, smiling.
I smiled to myself, remembering Christian and that fateful morning I brewed the tea for the first time.
“It tastes very nice.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” I appreciated gently sipping from the ornamented tea cup.
It was indeed nice.
When I thought I had been welcomed enough, I asked her the real intention of inviting me over.
“Allison mentioned that you now work for Christian as his assistant…”
“Yes, ma’am,”
“I decided you’d be of good help since you used to be inseparable from both Allison and Christian.”
Where exactly was this woman heading to?
She cleared her throat, slightly altering her countenance to make her seem more serious.
“I need you to speak to Christian; I need you to convince him to take back Aurora,” she eventually said.
My heart sank.
So I had come from Laketown to this countryside to be requested of such a diminishing favor?
This woman was totally incredible!
“I can’t possibly do that,” I refused.
He didn’t even love Aurora!
“Melissa, I don’t think it is right to manipulate your own son like this,” I stated firmly.
“Even if I think it is what is best for him?” She frowned.
“He is an adult, and he can make his own decisions.”
“But he’s making the wrong ones! This decision is both healthy for him and the company!” She exclaimed.
“The company?” I scoffed.
“Ye-yes,” she sheepishly stuttered.
It was obvious she was doing all of these for the company and the company alone. She apparently was not putting her son’s feelings into consideration.
“Why act stubborn? Just do what I say!” She cried.
“ But-”
“If you could just talk to him, I know you could make him see reason. He must know that his marriage to Aurora is critical to the company.”
Marriage?
I was beginning to get irritated.
“I am not comfortable with it. If you truly care about Christian, you won’t try to control his feelings, let alone his decisions. Since we are talking about Aurora, you should know better.” I confidently said, preparing to take my leave.
Melissa looked frustrated.
“I’ll leave now. You bake really well; thanks for the hospitality.” I said and walked out of the porch.
The sun was shining resplendently in the sky, lightly burning my skin as I made my way out of the property.
*****
As the driver rode past, I thought I might have seen a sports car resembling Christian’s.
It was possible it was his since I had not gone too far from the farmhouse.
Since it was a Sunday, I thought about church. I had not listened to a sermon in a while now. However, church made me think of the cemetery and my father.
The church cemetery possessed an unmatched serenity.
It was one of the places people would never naturally think of visiting, but it was a prominent landmark in my life.
I remembered I had read a passage where an author had written something like; I fancy three settings; the firmament, the earth, and the grave.
It was unusual, but it struck me differently.
A sense of peace enveloped me; the only sound I could hear was the incessant chirping of the birds.
I could see many old and weathered stones in the trajectory that led to where I could faintly remember where my father was buried. On the other side, however, lay a plethora of fresh, pristine stones.
The distance ahead of me rolled up to the magnificent structure of the church, its spire piercing the azure blanket of the sky.
My father’s headstone was well-weathered and shrouded in lichen. Nevertheless, the inscription was very much legible. It read;
Here lies Adam Alexander Reece, beloved husband, father and friend. May he rest in peace.
There were no flowers at the base of the stone, but a couple of dried leaves made a crunching sound when stepped on. I hadn’t premeditated my visitation, so I didn’t have any flowers.
However, I thought I could pick a couple of flowers from the bushes bordering the cemetery and hold them together with a firm twig, so I went ahead.
I picked the flowers, the very best ones I could find, humming to myself. I wondered sometimes how different our lives would be if my father had been alive. Would we have remained at Laketown? Would we have been happier if we stayed?
It didn’t matter, I thought to myself as I placed the flowers and a kiss on his headstone.
“We’re doing really well, Dad,” I said. “We love you.”
I turned away and headed home, making a mental note to check up on my mother when I got home.
******
When I arrived home, I thought it wise to let Allison in on everything that had transpired between me and her mom. So, I gave her a call.
“Mom’s seriously gone overboard,” she sounded agitated. “And she’s really being selfish. She and Dad. I’m very sure that Dad knows about this.” She continued, annoyed. “I hope she wasn’t rude to you.”
“No, she was quite desperate, so she was nice.” I honestly said.
“Have you told Christian about this?”
“No,” I responded, staring out of the window. The lights in his duplex were out, so I felt he was not yet back.
“Do you plan on telling him?”
“I think I should.”
“Yes, Christian definitely will not appreciate you keeping such a thing from him.” She agreed, sighing. “I think I may have to return sooner than planned.” She added.
“Oh, when will that be?”
“I will ask for some time off work tomorrow. I should be in Laketown by Wednesday.” She responded.
“That’s okay. Christian will be happy to have you here.” I commented.
“I just hope I can help him get rid of that woman as soon as possible. I can’t help but think Dad is selfish, seriously. Everyone knows Christian is already pressured by the affairs of being the company’s CEO and living up to his expectations, but he is still not satisfied. He wants to control his love life as well!” She groaned, infuriated.
I had always known Christian and Allison to be protective of each other, so I was not the least surprised that she appeared more concerned and upset about the situation than Christian.
“Everything will be resolved.” I tried to sound assuring.
“Hopefully,” she sighed again. “I’m boring you with our personal issues, aren’t I?” She cried.
“No, not at all. I also want the best for Christian.”
If only she knew how precious her brother was to me.
“Thanks, babe, for being there with Christian.” She purred.
“You are always welcome.”