This is a very light chapter, please tell me if you wish to see more like these.

"A person is, among all else, a material thing, easily torn and not easily mended."

- Ian McEwan (Atonement)

Rose's POV:

As young kids, we had been told that monsters live in forests. Monsters live in abandoned, in dark, in dreary as they feed off innocent, pure humans.

But I knew they were lies, because true monsters live in our minds. Inside us. We all have a monstrous side. Humans were the true monsters.

Some could control it and some couldn't.

The truest and the deadliest ones were the ones who were aware of their sins. The ones who didn't repent.

I was living with a monster and bearing our child- but I knew....

Deep down....

He wasn't the monster the world had made him out to be..... I had no idea why I thought like that.

Warm.

Fluffy.

I groaned, my leaden limbs refusing to obey the commands of my brain. They were relaxed, well rested- judging from their heaviness; I could tell my body wanted more rest.

I clicked my tongue in my mouth, trying to break through my sleep barrier and concentrating on coming back to earth from my sleepy land. I turned at my side, my eyes refusing to open.

Should I sleep a bit more?

I am pregnant anyway, so I get a pass.

"I know you are awake..." A voice rasped, making me groan for the second time, "Wake up."

"Lemme sleep..." I mumbled as I pressed my face into the soft and warm pillow.

This smells nice. So good.

I want to eat it.

I felt a hand on the back of my head, stroking my hair gently. I sighed as I tried to get back to sleep.

"Rose?"

"Hmp?"

"Wake up."

I stretched my arms, a yawn escaping me. It was a good night's rest and the best thing about it was I didn't have any nightmares today.

Maybe my mind was way too exhausted too conjure up the goriest side of my subconscious mind, to summon the monsters that lived in me in the form of memories or maybe it was too relaxed.

I blinked my eyes open, squinting as the sunlight hit me. It had to be around 8.

"Slept well?" The bed shifted beside me as I felt a presence in my right side.

I rubbed my eyes harshly, hoping to get the sleep off as I turned to the source of the voice. Marienne sat at the very right, staring at me wordlessly. He wore a loose white shirt, the top three buttons were unbuttoned, allowing me to feast on his gorgeous olive toned skin, his tattoos peeked from underneath it briefly.

Sipping a cup of piping hot tea as he observed me, Marienne leaned on to the bed post. He sat at a respectable distance, much to my relief.

I felt my baby stirring in my belly. Maybe, he too, was waking up.

"What's the time?" I mumbled as I sneaked my hand under my pillow.

"Quarter past eight..." He mumbled as he took another sip from the aristocrat looking cup, "I want to take you somewhere."

The words hit me, awakening me completely in the process. I sat up, staring at him.

Take me somewhere?

"Where?" I questioned, eyeing the cute cup.

I want some tea too. Preferably with milk and cream.

He nodded as he put away the cup on the nightstand. Grabbing a tissue from the tissue box, he patted it around his lips a couple of times.

Wait....

I looked around.

Huge room, red and gold themed, huge balcony..... a bed fit for king, paintings....

An undulation of curiosity washed over me as I fixated my gaze on the wall across the room, where I had seen pictures of him and..... her on my last visit.

Shock coursed through me as I found the wall empty.

Why did he take off their pictures?

They were beautiful together.....

"What are you looking for?" He queried. I looked back at him, only to find him eyeing me with unadulterated humor.

If I say "Oh you know those pictures I saw of you and Madeline hanging on the wall? I was just looking for those! Oh, how did I know about them? Well, Lindy once let me out when you had me captive in that small room of yours! Not once actually, five or six times but of course you don't have to know...." Would it be okay?

Expressing my inquisitiveness wasn't probably the best way.

I sighed as I rubbed my temple, averting my gaze. "Where are you taking me?"

"It's a secret-" He trailed off playfully, "But I think you will like it."

I pinned him with a bored stare.

He smiled at me, his dimples making a grand appearance.

My gaze travelled downwards, to his hand. Thankfully, it was bandaged, I could see a subtle hint of red through the white piece of clothing.

"I took care of it-" He stated as he noticed me eyeing the bandage, "This morning."

I gasped. How careless!

"This morning?!" I yelped as I scooted closer to him, "Oh my god I should have done it last night!"

I took his hand on my lap, frowning as I examined it. The bandage was tied loosely around his hand, another indication to his carelessness.

"How did you wrap it?" I looked up at him questioningly. His eyes matched the clear sky, the purest of the blue that was out there.

He smiled, "I daubed on some iodine cream and patched it up with gauge."

"And you didn't sterilize it?" He stopped for a moment and then shook his head ever so slowly.

I rolled my eyes, "Aren't you supposed to be intelligent?" I began to unwrap the piece of clothing gently.

"It didn't come to my mind-" I could hear the frown in his voice, but I was too riled up to look up at him, "And do not question my intelligence. Do you know my MENSA score?"

"Yet, you fail to take care of yourself," I sighed with disappointment, "Go, bring the first aid kit." I took off the white cloth which was soaked in brownish Iodine cream and his dried up blood and threw it in the basket beside the bed. He nodded wordlessly as he got up and disappeared behind the glass doors of what I assumed was the powder room.

A sigh left me as I took in my next to wrecked appearance in the mirror that was across me. My hair that was tied up neatly, was now messy. A strand or two escaped the ponytail, making me look like a witch. My breasts were unusually heavy and they were aching. A shock of blush began to creep up my cheeks as I noticed how protruded my nipples were.

One could clearly see the outline of my bosom through the silk beige nightgown. Although they weren't big, but pregnancy made sure that they weren't small either.

I looked down at them, studying them intently.

To think that Marienne had his gaze fixated on my face the whole time....

At least he wasn't being a pervert.

I heard a cough resonating through the room. I yelped, feeling scandalized, my eyes darting over to the source of the sound who was now looking out of the window.

"Uh- the first aid kit-" He stuttered, lifting up the red box slightly.

Goodness gracious! I am so stupid!

"Uh- yeah-" I sibilated shamefully.

I slowly licked my lips as brief flashes of memories from that night passed through my mind.

He took his time to pay special attention to them as he pounded into me like a animal in heat as I moaned and begged for more.

Call me a horny bitch, but I was pregnant.

He looked over at me, still not meeting my eyes as he walked over to me. Taking his previous seat, he dropped the surprisingly light box over my lap ever so silently.

I opened it, none of us daring to utter a word. Shame and embarrassment engulfed me as I rummaged through the box; looking for alcohol.

A sigh of relief escaped me as a blue bottle came in my sight. I squeezed some liquid out of it on a piece of cotton, dampening it.

"So-" He voiced, hints of lingering embarrassment rang in my ears, "About the place-"

"What about it?" I articulated, taking his slightly quivering wounded hand. It was beginning to bleed again.

"We will be leaving shortly after breakfast," He muttered, "Please wear something warm. I have asked Lindy to pack our lunch and dinner. We only have to take the medicines..."

"Lunch and dinner?" I intoned, taken aback, "How long are we going to be there exactly?"

I pressed the cotton on his wound gently, making him hiss in pain. "Stay still-" I mumbled as I wiped of the dirt.

The wound was deep, but not deep enough to stitch it up. "We are coming back tomorrow-" He breathed.

"Tomorrow?" I applied an anti-septic cream and wrapped it up with a soft linen. "Wherever we are going- are we to stay-"

"Yes.." I looked up at him, he was observing me intently.

"Okay.." I let myself out of the bed, shivering as the cold wind hit me. My feet was aching, it was swollen.

"Why are you stumbling?" Marienne frowned as he observed me. His gaze licked over my form once, making me shiver.

His eyes....

"I'm fine-" I smiled as I strode into the bathroom. My bladder was about to burst and I couldn't hold it back any longer.

"Roseline-" Marienne vociferated behind me, "If you wish to take a shower, feel free to use mine. I will have Lindy fetch you some clothes."

Take a shower in his?

My cheeks heated up as I relieved myself. The bathroom was humongous, it was probably the size of my apartment in Oxford.

I wanted to take a bath, so I filled the bathtub with lukewarm water. Rummaging through the cabinet beside it, I found a row of bath salt in different flavors. Most of them were either too sharp or too odoriferous.

I threw a pink one in the water and let myself soak.

A groan of appreciation escaped me as I leaned back in the spacious bath- enjoying the water. I didn't remember the last time I had taken a bath. My back pain lessened exorbitantly as my feet felt at ease. My bulging belly stuck out obnoxiously from underneath the bubbles. It looked like a balloon almost.

Comfortable.....

"Rose?" I jolted upon hearing the familiar voice of Lindy. Instinctively, my eyes darted over to the bathroom door where the older maid stood with a smile ornate face. Her hands held some articles of clothing.

"I knocked.." She beamed as she let herself in the bathroom, working quickly to arrange the clothes neatly over the rack, "You weren't responding so I thought...."

"It's okay.." I mumbled.

"Here's some dresses.... Marienne asked me to fetch you some warm clothes."

I nodded as she bowed, making her way out of the luxurious room. A sigh escaped me as I let myself out of the water, draining the water on my way out.

Lindy had brought a long sleeved white dress and a black gabardine pant to go on with. I put it on, drying my hair with the dryer that was plugged in.

Suddenly, something on the mirror caught my eyes.

Naked shock coursed through me as I took in the crack that ran down the middle of the mirror. Speck of dried blood was splattered across the mirror, although it seemed like futile attempts of wiping them out had been made.

My heart was palpating- in what? Despair? Grief?

It had to be done by Marienne.

Which made me think, this was probably the place where he let his pain out.

My eyes darted to the farthest right corner of the sink, a nasty crack ran along the ceramic.

This is the place where he let his monsters out.

I sighed as I dried my hair and let myself out of the bathroom, my cheerful mood dampening instantly.

His breakdowns.... they must have been bad....

But the question was, if on one of these days, he lost his control- if he lost himself; would I be able to handle him?

What if he stops being the man he is being?

What if it harms.....

I pressed a hand over my bump as the cool air of his room hit me. Birds chirping could be heard in distance- otherwise it was mostly silent.

"Ready?" His gruff question broke my thoughts. I nodded timidly as I let my gaze linger over him.

"I have asked your mom and your friend to come over here..." He muttered as he began to walk out of the room. A feeling of perturbation and astonishment ran through me as I pondered over his words.

"Why?" A strange sense of amiability rested upon my heart as I smiled to myself.

At least he was trying....

"I want you to be comfortable here...." I felt his gaze weighting upon me. We were walking side by side now, a strange sense of being used to each other washed over me. Our presence was comforting- to ourselves and each other.

"Thank you-" I muttered, not looking up.

I couldn't meet his eyes, I didn't know why. Was I shy? Was I scared? Scared of what?

Of his generousness? Of this kind side of his?

Like small bird fluttering it's wings, my heart was fluttering too. Never in my life I had had this kind of generosity from a man. And now that I was receiving that, it was from a man who had been my torturer.

I was scared.... scared that his persona might ebb- might disappear behind the horizon just like it appeared.

"Roseline?"

"Huh?"

"Look at me."

My heart another nervous thump as I slowly stared up at him. His eyes were already on me, drinking me in.

Marienne was extremely tall compared to me if one didn't consider my five foot three form to be short. He was almost a foot taller than me.

He towered over me, gazing at me. His eyes shone like a sea of glowing pharos.

"Are you okay?" He questioned.

We stopped in in front of the elevator- ready to see ourselves out, but, he only stood there with his questioning gaze upon me.

I nodded.

Why is he being so cordial? Is it all a pretense?

Why was he being so gentlemanly? Why?

I was scared that he might change his color. They all did.

I was scared after my son, he would just discard me and throw me away.

This baby was of importance to him, but me? I was the woman who was carrying this child....

I averted my gaze, gulping. I was in dilemma. I didn't know what to do. What if I leaned to live with him and then he left me?

Fear of so many things.....

None answered.

I felt a hand over my head, a shiver ran down my body as I nervously looked up at him. He led us into the elevator, smiling at me.

"Stop overthinking."

I pursed my lips in defiance and looked away. Soon, we arrived at the lobby and were letting ourselves out.

"Did you take your medicines?!" Lindy clamored from the kitchen. Marienne replied with 'yes' and led us out of the manor.

Warm air hit me as I let myself in his car. I could only hope that we reached there as soon as possible.

"Tie your seatbelt-" He handed me a box, making me look up at him in confusion. "I had my breakfast when you were taking bath. Eat up."

I opened the box, my stomach grumbling in anticipation and hunger. The tantalizing smell of freshly baked buns immediately wafted around the car, making me drool.

"You can sleep for a while if you wish to-" He stated as he drove out of the gates, "It would take almost five hours to reach there."

5 hours?!

"That's a lot of time..." I commented as I took a bit out of the bun, savoring the taste.

"It is. We should reach by 2 PM. Have your meds." He extended a small packet to the backseat. I took it, grateful that he had remembered about them.

"Marienne?"

"Yes?"

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. I could see the trees passing by us as the car ran down the road.

How would he take this question?

"Why are you being so nice to me?" I beseeched, eager for an appropriate answer.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you being this nice?" I gulped as I looked down at my half eaten bun, "I know that you are anything but nice, so, why be nice to me?"

He let out a small laugh, startling me. "That was very rude, chaton. Who said that I am 'anything but nice'?"

Heat crept up in my cheeks as I tried to compose myself, "I mean-"

"Roseline.... you are bearing my child, you are someone who is far more than just another woman for me. How am I supposed to behave?"

I am scared-

"But still..... you are sharing your past with me, you are letting me see more than I should, you are treating me, taking me to places- why?"

"Sharing with you makes me feel light-" I heard him sigh, "I take pleasure in sharing these things with you. You don't judge me for my past and listen without an opinion. You encourage me and you bring out the positive side of everything, that's why I share with you."

"So..... you trust me?"

He straightened up, his back going rigid for a while. Suddenly, everything became awkward between us. The tension in the air could be felt in every pore.

"I don't. I can't even if I want to."

His words hurt me more than I could have anticipated. I knew it was only logical- he once said that he had moved on from Madeline; but I ailed to know the whole story. He also had paranoia, which didn't help his situation.

"Why don't you try?" I smiled at him through the rearview mirror, "You will find it easier this way. All you need is a bit push and a tongue that can share."

He seemed taken aback for a moment as he stared at me with that baffled expression in the mirror. My heart jumped into my throat as we stared at each other.

A moment passed.

Averting his gaze he focused on the road.

"I don't think I can. I might try, but at this point I have given up."

"That is all I ask-" I closed the box and pushed it aside, focusing on him, "To try. I know you like to share with me. If you wish you can share more, maybe I can help."

"You are too kind, Rose-" He sighed, "It bothers me."

A yawn escaped me as I smiled at him, "This is all I have. I could say the same thing about you- for letting me stay at your home."

"Me and kind?"

"Uh-huh..." I looked out of the window, feeling my eyes dropping.

"You are clearly out if your mind."

"Whatever you wish to think..." I yawned and closed my eyes, feeling sleepy all on a sudden.

"Sleep, Rose. I will awaken you when we reach there."

___________________________________________________

"So, can you guess where we are?" Marienne questioned as we walked through the lush greenery. It was almost afternoon- we had reached the place later than we had anticipated and Marienne still kept it a secret.

"I don't know-" A yawn escaped me as I took in the scenery around me tiredly, "You tell me?"

"Okay.." He stopped in front of a beauteous gate, I could see the buildings behind it. but most of it was forestry, "We are at Carnewas."

My eyes widened as I heard the calming call of the roaring sea from far. We were indeed at the beach and this place was also known for it's clear sky.

"I thought you would like it..." He trailed off as I took everything in. He led me through the gate and the beach and the sea came into my view.

It was beautiful.

The sky was painted in vermillion, purple and bright orange- creating an ethereal hue. It's shadow fell over the garrulous sea- that expressed thousands of words through it's noisy influx.

I stopped for a moment, the surreal scenario tugging a cord of my heart.

None of us spoke, we only took in the beautiful picturesque horizon- where the music of the sea met the paints of the sky.

"I...." My heart fluttered, with joy? With the overwhelming beauty that was presented in front of us? "It's beautiful Marienne.."

"Wait till the stars come out-" He stood beside me. I looked up at him, taking in his nacarat bathed form. Orange hue fell over his face, accentuating his features. His dark hair flew along the wind, as he tilted his head and looked at me.

His eyes were an weird shade of brown under the skylight, but they were breathtaking nonetheless. He observed me with an unidentifiable look in the depth of his turquoise eyes.

"It's more beautiful..." He whispered, gazing into my eyes.

I looked at the sea, not being able to look into his eyes furthermore. We basked in silence, but it was a comfortable one. We were being with each other as the sea waves roared- we were being each other's healer- silently, but surely.

"Marienne?" A gust of wind blew as twilight fell upon us, summoning the stars. I looked up at him as he did the same.

"Why did you bring me here?" I questioned as another roaring wave hit the shore, making the water splatter all over.

He looked shy as he averted his gaze, a soft hue of pink grazing his ears.

"Today is my birthday."

My mouth fell open as I stared at him, a sense of elation and surprise coming over me.

"You didn't say anything!" I gasped as I scooted closer to him, "I could have prepared a gift for you!"

He let out a laugh, making my heart stutter. "What would you gift me?"

"Uh-" What could I possibly gift him? This man probably has everything he wishes.

"I can cook?" I pointed out nervously.

"Really?" He raised an eyebrow as he gazed into the horizon, "I have to taste it one day."

"I will make you something as soon as we go back tomorrow-" I stated, excitement burning in my veins.

"That would be great thank you..." He took my right hand, making me freeze.

I looked down, feeling jittery all on a sudden.

I felt so excited, it was a beautiful feeling.

I looked up at him, to find him smiling at me.

And suddenly, I couldn't wait for what the night had to serve.

I

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