13 Chapter 13 (1/2)

Life here was different to any life that I had known before. There was no noise it was just peaceful. Too peaceful. I was getting better by the day as I could limp on my own. The bruises that I had were

Lucas never pushed me much or gave me more than I could handle. He was understanding which unnerved me a bit.

He never bought up the topic of the painting. It was so here, one would have to go down to the stream to cool down. The water felt so nice and refreshing.

I go back to the farm house and I find that he is not here. Which meant he had gone painting. I go, and I decide to start on lunch. Lucas often came back hungry and I was also kind of starting to get hungry.

”Smells good” as he walks in. I feel a bit proud of myself, I was learning how to cook properly. He sits down and I serve him some juice and a sandwich with mince and some potatoes on the side. ”Thank you” he says as I sit across him.

”You provided the food and I cook it so there is no need to thank one another.” He doesn't respond as he bows his head and he does his usual prayer.

I begin eating and when he is done. He smiles at me. ”How was your day?”

”It was okay I guess.”

”We can go have a picnic later on tonight. I know of a beautiful place.”

”Okay” as I look forward to it.

We both turn when we hear someone walking in. Was it an intruder or a person who was lost? ”Lucas do you know how much I have missed you, you old bas” before the stranger can finish his sentence. He emerges, and he looks puzzled to find me sitting there with Lucas.

”Bernard” as Lucas arises from his chair and he walks towards him, he hugs him in a brotherly manner which meant that this man was important to him.

I get up so I can clear the dishes and also use it as an escape to leave them catch up as the two of them.

I scrape my chair back and before I can take the plates. Lucas turns to me as he grabs my hand and pulls me next to him.

”I would like you to meet someone who is special to me.”

”Of course.” As Bernard puts on a smile that I can already see that it doesn't reach his eyes and its all for show. He must have known or heard about me. ”This is my wife, Olivia.” As he is gleaming at me. ”And Olivia this man is like a brother to me. Bernard”

I guess this is the part where I play house and the good wife. I plaster on a smile. I reach out my hand ”Afternoon, it is nice to meet you.” He extends his hand a bit reluctantly and he takes mine. ”It is nice to finally meet Lucas's wife. I was beginning to worry when he was going to get married as he has been saving himself for the right one.” His last word has a cutting edge to it.

He lets go of my hand. ”I will let you two catch up” as I take the plates from the table to the kitchen sink. I can feel his eyes boring into my back until I am out of sight.

Why did I feel so suffocated in there? I can't help but remember the way that he had looked at me. Why did my heart feel heavy at the thought that he would obviously speak badly of me? Would he sway Lucas? Would I end up being thrown out?

Whatever I had to clean up in any case. Whatever happened I would take it one day at a time.

”Sit” as I show him to the living room. I see that he is carrying a bag, so it meant he was going to be staying a bit. He unshoulders the bag and sits down. I look him over and he has a beard that has grown. It doesn't look like he has been taking care of himself that much.

”Why didn't you tell me you were coming?”

He looks at me grimly ”I would have. I got to your house in the city and to my shock and horror I found new people living there. So, I thought long and hard where you might be and I came to your farmhouse. I thought that something had happened to you or you were heartbroken.”

”I see” as I hear Bernard's point.

”But here you are. Well and alive and even married. It seems as if I had been worried for nothing after all.” As the words come out of his mouth in a bitter fashion.

”I missed you too Bernard. I was going to tell you all about it.” As I smile at him. He was genuinely concerned for me. I hadn't gotten the chance to send him word.

”When are you going back to the city Lucas? It is a bit hard to get a hold of you here.” As he leans back on the chair.

”Never. This is my new home and I plan on having a family here.”

”Is it because of Olivia?” as he uncrosses his leg and leans forward.

”Yes, it is. I plan on living here with her for the rest of my life.”

”Lucas you are like a brother to me and I am saying this out of concern, but you don't know girls like her. Do you really think she will live with you forever?”

”I know Bernard, but I will get to know her, and I will love her like a husband should.”

”Make me understand. Why her of all people? I did warn you in the city to stay away from her, but it seems to me that you just did the opposite.”

”I couldn't let her go. I knew when I saw her that I was going to marry her.”

”What if you end up wasting your time and this does not go anywhere.”

”It will. She is the one that the Lord chose for me.”

”You are too pure for” as he searches for a word.

”I will finish it for you Bernard. Too pure for someone like her?”

He spits out the words ”Exactly. I just want what's best for you. And she is not what you need. Its like you are from two worlds apart. You deserve better.”

”No, I don't. You don't even know what she has been through all her life.” As I try to make him understand.

”I have all I need to know, and she is not worth it.”