Masked Love

by Samolu Pearl

  “Er… I need to talk to you about something, uncle…” said Venus, staring at Rey and the others.

  ***

  “So… Rey and the others are a bandit group too…?” asked Jellal’s father after listening to Venus.

  “Yes… But uncle, they did it for a great cause… to save their village… and their people who had lost everything just like us…” Venus pleaded. “We should do something to save them… and Rey… and the others… they can be forgiven, right…? I mean, they haven’t hurt anyone… It was just a way to survive…”

  Rey and the others were silent all the while as the village ladies tended to their wounds, heeding to the village head’s request.

  “A crime is a crime, Venus… and you know it more than anyone else. We need to punish them for robbing…” said Jellal’s father and Venus gasped.

  “Uncle, please…”

  “A group should be sent to evacuate their village immediately. They should leave the village…” Venus squeezed her eyes shut, forcing the tears back before looking at Rey who was staring at the ground, fisting his hands. ‘I’m sorry…’ she sobbed. “They should live here from now on… with all the resources and care they need… Our village will provide shelter, necessities and security to the people and treat them as our own…” Jellal’s father finished.

  “Uncle…” Venus’ expression was shock at first but then, her face lit up with a smile and she hugged him. “Thank you… Thanks a lot…”

  “Your father would’ve done the same thing, Venus… You’ll make him really proud…” he kissed her forehead.

  Venus looked at the others. Peter, Mia and Lilly were hugging each other with smiling faces. Rey was smiling too… but when his gaze fell on her, it changed into anger. He turned and walked ahead.

  “Rey…” The village head called and he turned to look around. “Where are you going…? I told you can stay here as one among our family…”

  “I’m really grateful that you accepted our people, sir… and I really owe you for letting them live with your people… But… I…” Rey dropped his gaze for a second. “I cannot stay here… There’s no reason for me to…”

  Venus swallowed as she looked at him. “Rey… You’ve done a great thing… and as a village head, I must pay you the honor you deserve… Take anything you like from here with you…” Jellal’s father said, very much aware that Rey loves Venus.

  Rey looked shocked for a second, then his eyes fell on Venus’ sad face which seem to try and smile at him. But he smirked and dropped his gaze. “I-you’ve already done a great deal for me… I cannot ask for anything more…” he said and turned around, walking away from her. Venus bit back a sob as she felt Mia’s hand on her shoulder.

  “Go…” Venus turned around to see Lilly smirking at her. “Go now, Venus… He might be arrogant… but he loves you… he cannot live without you… Go and prove it to him…”

  “But…” Venus started but the guys stopped her. Venus nodded and then hurried behind Rey towards the forest.

  ***

  Rey was leaning against a tree, his eyes closed. Venus stood there for a while thinking of a way to apologize to him properly.

  “Er… Rey…” she called and he opened his eyes, startled. “I-I’m sorry… I thought… Hey, wait, Rey… Where are you going…?”

  Rey was walking ahead, his face reflecting anger. “Why do you care…? Just go back… Go back and marry someone else from your village…”

  “Rey…” she sighed, trying to keep up with him. “I’m really sorry… I thought Lilly… I thought she loves you… and she needed you more than anyone else… I thought if I was out of the picture, may be you two could… er…”

  “Me and Lilly…?” he asked in a furious voice and Venus stared at him nervously. “I raised Lilly… since she lost her family… I took care of her ever since she was left alone… I was practically like a father to her… You thought I’d marry her of all the people…?” he fumed. “And, why are you so concerned about her?”

  “I-know how it feels to be left alone all of a sudden… It’s horrible… Every one of us has gone through the same fate… but for Lilly… she feels hard to get used to it… Rey… Where are you going…? Please, listen to me…”

  “As I’ve told your head of the village… I’m leaving this place…” Rey said without looking at her.

  “What…? But where to…? Rey… You can’t leave me… Look, I’m sorry… I’ll do anything to… ouch…” her leg tripped but she straightened herself. Rey turned to look at her for a second, but before she could register his expression, he had turned and was walking ahead. “Rey… Come on…” Venus panted, trying to keep up with his speed. “You can’t make me beg you like this…” she muttered. “I’ve never done this before… It’s embarrassing…”

  He was still silent and Venus noticed that he was narrowing his eyes and fisting his hands in fury. She knew exactly what he was thinking… about him begging her not to leave…

  “Rey… alright… I’m begging you… Please… forgive me…” she tried again, but he walked faster. “Arrgh… Reyyyy…”

  They walked for a few hours, Venus whining and apologizing all the way… and Rey, never seeming to care.

  “Rey…” she called again, and followed him to his room. “Please… Don’t leave…” he held his hand but he just shook her grip off him and walked towards his shelves. He took some clothes and threw them into his shoulder bag. Then, moved towards the other shelves and took some maps and books and threw them into the bag as well. “You’re really leaving me…?” she asked and this time her voice was a little broken.

  Rey turned to look at her. “I have no reason to stay here anymore…” he whispered and continued packing.

  “What about me…? What about-us…?” she asked, in a furious voice.

  Rey snorted and then shook his head. “I begged you… I even told you the things I’ve never told a woman before… You still left me…” Venus walked towards him. “Now, you want me to stay here…? Why…? So, I could suffer alone again…?”

  “I want you to stay here because…” Venus swallowed and then nervously leaned closer, her hands pulling him by his shirt to her. Venus tilted her head and then moved closer to his face, closing her eyes, she brushed against his lips… breathing on to it… she took his lips into hers. “Please, Rey…” she breathed before fisting his hair and pulling him close to deepen the kiss.

  Rey just stood there, his eyes wide open as he stared at her closed eyes and felt her shivering body close to his, before pulling away. “I’m sorry I hurt you… But… I was afraid… I was afraid for your life… I was afraid I might lead you into danger… Then, I was scared of hurting Lilly’s feelings… So, I buried my feelings deep inside me… But not anymore…” she looked at him and smiled. “I want to stay with you, Rey… Will you let me…?”

  Rey looked shocked for a moment. But he recovered soon and then shook his head. “I’m sorry… But I think you’ve managed to hurt me too much… I can’t stay here anymore… I must leave…”

  “Rey…” Venus’ eyes filled with fury. “Stop being such an arrogant kid…! I’m almost on my knees here…” she muttered.

  “Well… I remember being on the same state as you before… Oh… but you didn’t even care about it.” He pulled his shirt off his body to change into another one and suddenly something fell down and rolled to her feet from his pocket. Venus stared at her feet and then stooped low to pick up the ‘thing’ in her hand. It was her engagement ring!

  “Ah… So, that’s where it was all along…?” she gave him a smirk and Rey immediately looked away with a flushed face. “I wonder why you were keeping it until now, then…?” Her smirk changed into a grin as she noticed Rey frown.

  “Take it…” he said without looking at her. “Take it and… leave. Give it to someone who, as you say, really deserves it…”

  “Rey…” Venus’ voice caught up in her throat. Her eyes filled with tears and she froze for a second
. “It’s over then…?” Her face suddenly lit up with a sad smile. “I’m sorry, Rey… for being a bother… I really wanted to- I’m sorry…” she walked towards the door and held the handle to open it.

  But before she could do more than turn the knob, she felt her back pressed against the door, and her hands pinned to her side. “Rey…” she tried but she was stopped as Rey’s lips slammed against hers.

  The tears from his eyes were falling over her cheeks. “Now you know…” he breathed. “How much it hurt me when you left me…” he whispered in a broken voice.

  “I’m sorry…” she held him close. “I’m sorry, Rey…”

  Rey crushed her lips with his, pulling her close to him as he devoured her mouth. He kissed and sucked her lips… gently tugging them with his teeth before taking them into his mouth again. “I love you… I love you, Venus…” he felt her smile and nudged at her lips which parted in reply. Rey drove his tongue into her mouth, and sucked on hers… making her moan into his mouth. Venus’ hands were running over his chest, making him moan, all the while pulling her close to him.

  Rey gently raised her off the floor, making her squeal and then walked towards his bed, placing her gently on it. “Rey… what are you…?”

  “Shh…” Rey silenced her with another kiss. “I don’t want you running away from me ever again… I won’t let that happen again…”

  “What-what are you planning to do about it…?” Rey couldn’t help but smirk at the excitement and anticipation in her voice.

  “Want to know…?” he whispered, leaning close and felt her swallow hard. “I’m going to make you mine…” There was a gleam in his eyes that made her shiver.

  “Rey…” she tried but was soon silenced as Rey’s lips crashed down hers in frenzy. Rey kissed her hard, making her realize how much he missed her. How much he was scared of losing her… Venus felt his hands grip her waist and pull her close, making her feel ‘him’. “R-Rey…” she moaned as his lips traced over her face… towards her neck… kissing and nibbling at the smooth skin there. Venus arched her back as she felt his lips trace down to her upper chest.

  “I hate this dress…” Rey whispered, making her eyes widen. “I hate that you looked this beautiful for ‘him’ today…”

  “Rey… You’re starting again…” Venus said. “I told you I agreed to it only because I was concerned about you…”

  “But you said ‘yes’ when the priest asked you…” he said, slowly raising to meet her eyes and Venus’ eyes immediately filled with fury.

  “You know what…? Just forget it… You’re just an arrogant kid…” She pushed him away from her and sat up. “And, to think of the fact that I’ve run behind you like an idiot all over the place… just because I love you with all my heart… just because I thought I cannot live without you beside me… Forget-” But Venus stopped as she felt his hand around her waist, pulling her close.

  “Say it again…” he whispered against her neck. “Say it, Venus…” His hands moved to her shoulders, trying to make her face him, but she slapped his hands away.

  “No… You just go to-” But Rey pushed her back on the bed and leaned towards her.

  “Venus… Please… Say it again…” Rey hid his face in the crook of her neck.

  Venus sighed and then a small smile lit up her face. “I’m in love with you, Rey… I want to stay with you… forever…”

  Rey shook his head. “Not good enough!” he said, making her eyes widen in shock again.

  “What-?” But before she could complete, Rey kissed her neck, making her gasp.

  “Marry, me… I want you to be the better half of my life… I cannot survive without you, Venus…” Rey confessed.

  Venus was silent for a while and Rey looked at her nervously, praying with all his might that she shouldn’t leave him again…

  “I-Yes...” Venus smiled and Rey couldn’t help the tear that rolled down his eyes. He squeezed his eyes shut and then leaned forwards, kissing her hard with passion…

  Venus kissed him back… and a sudden gasp escaped her as she felt Rey’s hands move over her body… gently exploring her over the dress.

  “Rey…” Venus moaned as his hand reached her curves, brushing and squeezing them all the while nibbling at her lips. His other hand however, managed to reach behind her, slowly unzipping her dress. Rey gently raised her off the bed, pulling the dress down from her body, leaving her in just inner wears. Rey’s eyes moved over the breath-takingly beautiful woman lying there beneath him… The only woman who’d managed to sweep him off his mind completely… the only woman to whom he’ll belong to forever… the only woman to whom he’ll willingly give his entire life to…

  “I love you, Venus…” he whispered before leaning forwards and kissing her with all his might.

  Rey traced a line over her body with his lips… moving downwards to her chest. He gently removed the inner wear, exposing her perfect, white curves to his admiring view. Rey groaned as he kissed them, making her moan and arch backwards.

  Rey gently squeezed them before moving his mouth over it to devour them completely. His lips moved downwards… trailing over her stomach… to her waist… But when he reached below her waist he stopped…

  Rey raised his head to look into her eyes deeply. But this time… there was no confusion and uncertainty in them… And, what he could see there, excited him beyond anything… It was excitement and anticipation… and a bit of anger even, for making her wait like that…

  Rey smirked as he raised himself to reach her face again. He leaned forwards, licking and sucking at her earlobe, making her moan his name over and over again, as his hands gently grazed her body…

  “You ready…?” he breathed against her neck and felt her hands move over his chest and held him close, making him groan and shiver… “You’re driving me, insane…” Rey squeezed his eyes shut. “You are the only person who could do that!” He gave her a frenzied kiss before moving over her… possessing her and branding her as his… for all eternity.

  After a while, Rey straightened himself after kissing a panting Venus. “That was… amazing…”

  “So…? Still feel like leaving here…?” Venus asked between taking deep breathes.

  “If we are doing this often, then… I have no reason to leave…” Rey winked at her, making her blush.

  Venus licked her lips, before hiding her face in his chest. “We will!”

  Rey pulled her close with a chuckle before kissing her again. “I love you… so much.”

  Venus smiled before kissing his chest. “I-love you, too!”

  When Rey and Venus walked out of the house in the evening however, it was to find Peter, Mia and Lilly, sitting on the lawn bench. “You guys…? When did you reach here…?”

  “A few minutes ago…” said Peter. “Well… well… looks like you guys are back to normal…?”

  “I wonder what she did to make up…” wondered Mia, with a smile making Venus turn red.

  “Guys… Come on… We just er… talked through it…” Venus murmured.

  “Before doing what we did!” whispered Rey to her neck, making her shudder.

  “Rey…!” Venus cried before turning towards Lilly.

  “You alright…?” she asked and Lilly nodded with a smile.

  “I was just wondering… I thought you said, Rey when angry is like a bull ready for a fight… But he looks really tamed now… I wonder how-?” But she stopped with a chuckle as she noticed Venus blush furiously.

  “Really now…?” Rey asked, squeezing her waist. “Was I like a bull then…?” he whispered, making her shiver again.

  “No… I didn’t mean it that way… What I meant was… er… Oh… thanks a lot Lilly…” she muttered and Lilly smiled with a ‘welcome’.

  “Er… actually, I wanted to talk to you guys about something…” started Lilly. “Umm… actually a someone.”

  Venus felt Rey froze beside her. “Go on… Tell us, Venus…”

  “Well… there is a guy
who’d told me he likes me… I’ve never really paid any attention to him… But yesterday he kind of proposed to me and he seems pretty serious about it…” Lilly was blushing a little.

  “Wow… It’s great news Lilly… So, do you like him too…?” asked Venus and Lilly nodded. Mia hugged her and Peter patted her hair. But… Rey was furious.

  “A guy…? Who…? Where…? I’ll kill him for trying things with you…” Rey fumed and was about to walk ahead when Venus held his hand.

  “What’s your problem…?” whispered Venus.

  “What’s my problem…? He must be toying around with her… I’ll beat him up if he tries anything funny with her…” Rey said furiously.

  “Like what you tried with me…?” she whispered with an evil smirk and Rey immediately stumbled forward.

  “What…? I- you… It was different… But she’s a defenseless girl…” Rey tried.

  “Oh… I remember being defenseless too… Being kidnapped by a bandit group’s leader… and he was trying his tricks with me whenever he got his chance…” Venus played with his shirt’s buttons making Rey swallow hard.

  “Rey… please, you’ll like him too… if you meet him… Please…” pleaded Lilly and Rey sighed.

  “Well… If you’re so sure of him, then… why not…?” said Rey with a smile and Lilly threw herself into his arms, making Rey’s eyes widen. But he smiled and patted her head.

  “Now… Isn’t that the best way to deal with things…?” Venus whispered to him and Rey looked at her with a smile.

  “Yeah…” sighed Rey. “But… I have another thing to deal with now, don’t I? A bull eh?” added Rey as Venus looked at him confused. Her face immediately turned scorching red and Rey chuckled.

  “I still wonder how these two made up though…” asked Mia in surprise and Rey grinned at her.

  “Like this…” he said as he pulled Venus close to him.

  “What the-?” but her next words were muffled as Rey’s lips crushed down hers. “I love you…” Her eyes widened for a moment… But then, she smiled and kissed him back.