12 Fire on the mountain

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After seconds of thinking I took his hands and followed him gently. I wonder what must have gotten into him.

When we came close to the art gallery I said "Do you know anything about the paintings in the gallery?, Diane wouldn't tell me anything about them".

"Do you want me to show you something?"

"Yes sure" I said not knowing what he had in mind.

He pulled me into the art gallery,sat me down,took paper,brush and some color palette and began to paint. I noticed he was trying to do a painting of me.

"Relax but don't move too much"he said as he continued. He must have seen how nervous I was.

He kept looking at me and then the paper. After some minutes I was tired of sitting still so I asked him we would continue with the portrait another day and he agreed. He suggested we go to the garden outside.

We then went to the garden " I never knew you were into arts,did you paint all those portraits?" I said as soon as we sat on the bench.

He giggled,this was the first time I'd see him doing that and it looked good.

"I used to be in love with painting ,I still am actually but dad stopped me from painting because he wanted me to oversee his business. I did all those paintings in there when I was about 15".

I was amazed at how talented he was.

"15?,that's unbelievable". You are very talented and I think you should be given a chance to follow your dreams". I said as if advising a friend.

"Painting wouldn't help him feed his family" Someone said from behind. We both turned almost immediately to see who it was.

"Father!,since when have you been listening?" Damien asked getting up from the bench,I did the same as well.

"I came to clear my mind and happen to see you both enjoying yourselves here.

Alright take your time father Damien said as he signaled me to leave. I left the garden and went to the room.

Getting to the room I took my bath wore my pajamas and retired on the couch. Damien came in few minutes later, he started unbottoning his shirt to change his clothes . I quickly got up and was about heading out to give him some privacy like always.

"Where are you going?" He asked

Still backing him I said " I'm leaving the room for you to change your clothes like you always ask me to".

He walked up to me,his shirt unbuttoned to his mid torso and said

"What type of wife leaves when her husband changes his clothes"

He took my hand gesturing me to sit on the couch.

Did he just say "wife?"

I sat down trying as much as possible not to look at him, strange enough I heard him chuckling.

He lay on the bed and then stood up all of a sudden and told me to come sleep on the bed.

"You want me to sleep on the bed with you?" I questioned with my eyes wide open

" Yee....ess " He said still not understanding what I meant.

I repeated the question and he said "Oh I'd sleep on the couch if you aren't comfortable with it".

He said as he left to sleep on the couch. I tried declining but he wouldn't have it.

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I woke up feeling good the next morning,I slept like a baby. I got up to check on Damien but he wasn't there. 'He must've gone to work' I thought.

Recalling all that happened the day before made me wonder if Damien was possessed by a good spirit. He didn't shout at me or speak to me rudely,he even offered me his precious bed!

I decided to go check on Diane in the west wing. I got to her room but she wasn't there,I then continued to walk down the hallway and I heard;

"I trust you son,I know you have a plan on your mind to make that girl suffer even more. You're trying to make her fall for you right?. He paused and continued. I was glad I was able to convince the elders to pair her with you and not that foolish best friend of hers".

"You didn't have to go to that extent" Another voice said.The voice sounded like Damien's. But didn't he leave for work?

"But how else would you have gotten your revenge from her,if I didn't act that way. You should have seen how happy you were when I told you you'd get your revenge if I paired you with her" The first voice which I presume to be the mayor's said.

I couldn't believe my ears. Strength began to fall me as my legs gave way, I stood there feeling like a fool. I was here wondering how nice Damien has become not knowing it was a plan right from the beginning.

I walked backwards and accidentally broke a vase.

Damien and the mayor both came out of the room looking shocked to find me there. I kept looking at Damien with contempt as tears ran freely down my cheeks.

"It's not what you think Seraphine. I....." I didn't let him finish his sentence before I got up and ran down the hall. I got to the garden and started sobbing

Damien walked up to me and pleaded" pls

give me a chance to explain"

"Why!,why!,why!" I said pushing him backwards.

"Don't you dare touch me" I said sternly.

I went to the room, changed my clothes into a jean trousers and a nutmeg colored top. Got all my clothes from the closet into my box. I determined that I would leave the Daniels for good.

Damien got into the room preventing me from leaving.

"Let go of me Damien" I demanded but he wouldn't budge. He called out for mother and Diane as he stood by the doorstep still.

Mother came rushing in and was surprised at what she saw. I told her all that I heard and I saw how disappointed she was with Damien.

"Why not stay with Diane tonight,it's dark right now and I can't allow you leave all by yourself " She said. I agreed and followed Diane to her room.

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