A TWIST OF FATE
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bathed and dressed, Rose felt a lot better
and a little of her spirit returned. However, she still felt defeated and
bewildered by Cal and his actions. She sought some solace in the drawings that
Trudy had given to her, hoping to see some kind of message in them from Jack.
They were a mixture of scenes and a couple of her in various poses, walking in
the park, smiling at some flowers. They were all happy pictures but they hardly
mirrored life for her at the moment. But they gave her some hope and comfort. How
could she have doubted Jack? He was the most honest and sincere person she had
met. He had promised to help her, willingly of his own accord.
She was lost in the drawings, lost in Jacks blue eyes. She followed the line of
his pencil, realizing that his hand had brushed the paper. Almost, she could
feel the warmth of his hand still there. Rose hadn't noticed Cal had swept into
the room, glancing round to ensure all had been cleared up and restored.
Everything was as it should be, including his wife.
"You look radiant darling" he smiled his approval. He noticed she was
looking at the some drawings and he presumed they were the ones delivered by
Dawson a few days ago. Whilst this once would have angered him, he now felt
totally at ease. They were the last drawings she would see from him.
"I thought we would have dinner out tonight" he smiled. "I want
tonight to be special"
"I'm not very hungry Cal" Rose replied.
"Well I'm sure by the time we get there you're appetite will have
returned." Cal leaned over and kissed her cheek. He looked over her
shoulder at the drawing she held.
"You know Rose, these are really rather good." He turned a few over.
"I have an idea Rose, why don't you wear Le Coeur de la Mer tonight? I
will get it from the safe. After all, it was my engagement present to
you."
So everyone knows I am your property, Rose thought bitterly.
"As you wish Cal" Rose forced a smile.
"I do wish. " Cal smiled, almost triumphantly.
Dinner finished, .Cal poured her a glass of champagne. Rose sat feeling like a
doll, dressed in a blue dress Cal had chosen, the heavy diamond hanging like a
lead weight from her neck.
"Darling, I did want tonight to be special." Cal looked at his
beautiful wife, tendrils of red hair framing her face. Lights danced and played
from the jewels around her neck. He felt so very proud of her.
"Do you realize, it's two years today since we were first officially
introduced?"
"I had no idea Cal" Rose smiled sweetly. Inside, the memory of that
day had long been blotted out.
Cal put his glass down.
"Things have not been easy Rose. I meant what I said earlier today about
things being very difficult for me too. I did what I did because I love you.
You must understand that. We have everything before us. We are royalty and I
want you to be my queen." He leaned over and kissed her gloved hand.
"Open your heart to me Rose and I will deny you nothing. I do really love
you Rose. "
Rose looked at Cal. His dark eyes were almost pleading. He could be very
charming when he wanted, Rose had fell for this in the beginning. Maybe the
champagne was going to her head. He seemed like the old Cal, who had courted
her so politely and treated her with respect, not the monster who came from the
engagement gala. Rose had to pinch herself to restore some reality to her life.
This was the man who beat her and locked her in her room! Don't fall for it,
she warned herself taking another sip of the champagne.
"I think sometimes you forget how hard it is for me." He continued.
Typical, thought Rose. I almost believed in him. He thinks of nothing but
himself.
"I am going to Pittsburgh tomorrow afternoon, after a meeting in the
morning. I would like you to accompany me"
"You normally prefer to go alone."
"Well this time, I want us to go together. We need to spend more time in
each others company."
Rose detested Pittsburgh. To her it was the start of her misery.
"Very well Cal, what time do we leave?"
"After lunch tomorrow"
Good, thought Rose. That will give me time to see Jack in the morning. She
smiled at Cal.
"Very well, I will be ready"
Cal smiled hungrily.
"We have a long day tomorrow then. We had better leave for home now and go
to bed early."