Our eternal affairs

"You heard me correctly, Anna." Truce said with a hint of accusation in his voice, his eyes never left his computer.

Anna stood in his office, after the arrival of her cousin in Long Island.

There was a small silence in the room, before she chuckled nervously. "Cliff's... not my boyfriend, we're cousins and he's a good friend." She said, and he lifted his eyes from his computer on his desk.

"So you kiss all your cousins and let them touch you like that? Wow! I'm impressed Ruby."

Anna had a confused look on her face, as she realized why he was acting this way. This man's just full of surprises; stifling a chuckle, she explained. "Oh no, it's not what you think, sir. He was just–"

Jealousy rose to the surface again and he didn't let her finish. "Not what I think? Not what I think?!" He stood up from his seat, circling his desk, "Anna Gabadon... no sane man in his senses would look at you and not want to touch you. We've agreed about the bond, and I'm a very jealous man, Anna!"

Anna stood in the middle of the room, confused and clueless. His confessions burrowed deep into her being, and she squirmed in apprehension.

Truce came, and stood before her, obviously not done with his confessions. He tenderly brushed a stray tendril of hair away from her now flushed face, his fingers grazing her skin as he escorted the errant strand behind her ear. His eyes met hers, the intensity made her swallow a swelling heart. He said quietly.

"You have no idea... what you do to me." A small silence lingered as he drew close. "When you're around, I'm not the same man, Ruby. You spark fires within me. No woman has had that effect on me for centuries." He brought his hand down and tucked it into his pocket, his eyes not leaving hers.

"Um..." Anna started after a long pause. Seeing she remained silent, he flashed a captivating smile at her that made her heart skip, then he leaned in, and grazed her cheek with a gentle kiss. With one nod, he walked out of the office, leaving Anna frozen and lost on her feet.

Later at dinner, Anna was unsure of where to sit, she finally settled between them. Cliff, after sensing her unease, kept the room lively, throwing dad jokes about, making Anna laugh despite herself. Truce on the other hand, was quiet the entire time.

"Mister Truce, I'd like a word in private, if you don't mind... Sir." Anna declared after dinner and Truce escorted them to her room. She still felt uneasy, but was determined to speak her mind.

"What did you want to talk about, lady Ruby?" He asked with his back on her, as he inspected her room. Then he began tapping away on his phone, unaware how nervous Anna felt. She was still constructing her words in her head when his eyes left his phone, and landed on her.

His eyes looked so blue, under the room's subtle lights, and the intensity in them turned her hands and feet icy. A shiver ran down her spine. 

"Uh... I wanted to take a moment, to express my gratitude for saving my life, after the party. I... I'm deeply indebted to you... And I'll be leaving with Cliff tomorrow, to Boston. I'm really grateful to you, thank you so much." She said, clasping her hands together.

Truce raised an amused eyebrow at her, smirking coolly. "How's the arm?" He suddenly asked from nowhere.

"Huh?" She tilted her head with a surprised look on her face.

"You don't remember? You had a deep bullet wound on your left arm that night," her hand instinctively went to her arm. He continued.

 "You've been seen with me in public, Anna, and now, you are a neat target. They won't care about what they do to you." He paused, allowing unsaid words hang in the air. 

"If you think it's safe to go back home with your perfect 'cousin', be my guest." He moved close to the door, "You might as well find yourself another healer." With that, he walked out of the room.

Anna dropped on an armchair, gloom appearing on her face. Talk about her new grade in foolishness!

Early the next morning, she escorted Cliff to Southampton bus station. She hardly slept at all last night, recurring her conversation with Mister Truce, she couldn't risk her life. Her dream after her visit to Doctor Luke, made room in her consciousness.

Before Cliff entered into the Express bus, she bade him goodbye, causing his smile to falter. "You're not coming?" He asked with concern in his voice.

"No, I'm not coming." She bit her lower lip, and continued."It occurred to me that for the last few days, I haven't had my medications, and I feel perfectly fine. I need to be over with this phase, Cliff."

Empathy shone in Cliff's eyes, a small smile appearing on his face," you're falling for him, Anna."

"What?! No." She defended. "You know that!" She crossed her arms over her chest. Cliff shrugged, his dark-green coat in one hand. "Whatever you say, princess." 

Charlotte opened the front door to the estate, exclaiming excitedly. "Sweetheart, I thought you left already."

"Run away from your apple pies? No way!" Anna said and they laughed, hugging each other.

"It's good you're back, I was wondering how I would send your stuff over." Charlotte explained as she directed Anna to her room.

"My... Stuff?" Anna froze when she entered her room. Her room was transformed into a treasure trove, with glittering shopping bags scattered across the bed and floor like confetti, with heaps of new clothes dumped on the bed. She had never seen so many clothes in her life. All these for one person? Had he bought out the entire central mall? 

Charlotte warm, rich voice whispered in her ear, "he's in his room sweetheart." Accompanied by two gentle taps on Anna's back, she slipped out,leaving Anna stunned and disbelieving.

After standing there for what felt like an eternity, Anna shook off her trance and turned around, marching to Mister Truce's room. Who did he think he was? Talk about domineering!