A LOVE NEVER FADING
Chapter Six
Cal could barely believe his eyes. Just two
decks below him stood his dead fiancée and the horrible little guttersnipe that
had stolen her away. "My God, she looks horrible," was all he could
think as he watched her. Rather than make a scene by yelling from where he was,
Cal decided to walk down to the steerage section and retrieve Rose. He would
make it very clear to her how things were going to be, and then everything
would be back to normal. Cal started down to steerage.
*****
The song wound down, mostly because of Jack
and Rose's giddiness. Then they both let out a long sigh. They dwelled in a
lovely silence for a moment. Then, Jack turned Rose around and took in all of
her. "My God, you look beautiful," he said. Rose thought that was an
odd comment, considering her disheveled attire and matted hair. But Jack
couldn't be more sincere. Jack shuddered. Rose realized he had only his thin
shirt on. "Oh, Jack, you must be freezing." She wrapped her arms all
the way up his back, and he wrapped his arms around her but underneath her
coat. They snuggled, and did not leave a single inch of air between them as
they kissed passionately.
As Cal approached Jack and Rose, he was
appalled to see them in such a lewd act. "Well, isn't this a pretty
picture," he stated bitterly. Rose and Jack pulled away from one another.
When Jack saw Cal standing there, he was ready to sock him.
"Well, Rose you've had your fun. Now
it's time to grow up, and return with me to where we belong. Come on." he
walked up to Rose and attempted to grab her hand.
"No," Rose stated very calmly.
"No? What do you mean, telling me no?
For God's sake, look at yourself. You look awful, and you're running around
with this scum. I'm giving you a life here, Rose. A second chance. Everyone
thinks you're dead."
"Well, I'm alive. How awkward for
you." Cal began to speak again, in a very demanding manner.
"Rose..." But she held up her hand
to silence him.
She was going to end this now. "Please
don't. Don't talk. Just listen. We will make a deal, since that is something
you understand. From this moment you do not exist for me, nor I for you. You
shall not see me again. And you will not attempt to find me. In return I will
keep my silence. Your actions last night need never come to light, and you will
get to keep the honor you have carefully purchased. Is this in any way
unclear?" As she spoke Rose fingered something in her pocket.
"What do I tell your mother?"
"Tell her that her daughter died with
the Titanic." Rose pulled the Heart of the Ocean out of her coat. She
stared at it, amazed, for a moment. Then, she held it up. "I believe this
is yours."
Cal stared at it. He remembered purchasing
it. The brilliant blue diamond in the center had reminded him of Rose's eyes.
After this experience he wanted nothing to remind him of Rose, the woman he
really loved but never realized it until after he had lost her. "Keep
it." Both Jack and Rose were floored at Cal's response. He stood there
stricken with emotion. "You are precious to me, Rose."
"Jewels are precious. Good-bye, Mr.
Hockley." With that last bitter remark Cal turned and walked out of Jack
and Rose's life. Forever.