The Everlasting Rose

Okay, I got a review asking if Lee and Mariah were siblings. Yes, they are....I couldn\'t fit anybody else into the part except Lee, so lol, sorry about making a strange arranged marriage.
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Chapter 9- Professional

Mariah felt the warmth of Ray’s breath consume her face. She wailed unhappily at the state things were in. Mariah closed her eyes as a cool tear fell down her cheek. She had just run from the top deck and down to the steerage level to find her heart’s desire ragged upon the cold floor.
“Ray,” Mariah stated from inside his chest, she could feel it move up and down. “Lee tried to touch me. It was horrible.”
Ray groaned in pain from Mariah’s forcefulness on his chest. Mariah quickly lightened the weight and looked up at Ray.
“This is all my fault.” She moaned sadly. “I should’ve never bumped into you that day.”
Ray looked down at her in shock.
“How could you regret that?” He asked. “Mariah it was fate. Don’t worry yourself over these matters. After this trip, we’ll run away together, just you and I.”
Mariah smiled and nuzzled into Ray.
“In the United States we’ll ride horses, but promise me you’ll ride the proper way and none of that sidesaddle stuff.”
“But that is dainty.” Mariah laughed. “You want me to ride like a man?”
“Yes, if it means not riding that way!” Ray joked as he put his arm over her. “We’ll go to an amusement park and ride the Ferris wheel and we’ll see the Grand Canyon.”
Mariah smiled warmly at the comfort and turned toward Ray.
“I wish that day were nearer.” She stated fondly of the idea.
But suddenly reality struck her. She and Ray were sitting in the hallway and Ray was bloodstained.
“Ray,” Mariah quickly asked. “Why don’t we get you cleaned up?”
Ray nodded and glanced over to where Kai had been, but surprisingly he had left. His spot was bare of any existence.
Mariah gingerly grabbed Ray’s arm and pulled him to a standing position. The two wanderers walked down the tunnel slowly. Ray tried to lighten the weight on Mariah’s shoulder. He didn’t like showing he was weak and needed a woman’s help to walk.
The two weary travelers walked to the top deck. Ray staggered feebly trying not to slow down the caravan.
Mariah could feel her heart pound in her chest. She thought it was ironic that they were returning to where she had so fondly run. She could still see Lee’s drunken smile and his mad eyes staring her up and down. She shivered, how could she stand such a person? But if she knew Lee, which she sadly had to admit, he would be at the bar now.
Mariah growled to herself just imagining him holding up such a foul drink and laughing stupidly with his idiotic friends made her angry. Mariah knew where her mother would be now. She was supposed to go to that dinner party tonight as well, but despite her own non-presence, her mother wouldn’t miss it.
Mariah opened the dorm door with caution. She poked her head through the crack in the door and glanced around searching for any animate objects. After listening to complete silence for a few moments, Mariah grabbed Ray’s arm and gently pulled him into the room.
Ray marveled at the dorm. He had never seen anything so charming and quaint. The wallpaper was new and didn’t smell of rotten cheese as his did and the room was filled with love seats and tiny sofas.
“Sit here Ray,” Mariah stated, as Ray lied on the couch she was referring to.
Ray watched Mariah curiously, as she walked into another room. Within minutes she returned with a first aid kit. Mariah stood up and examined Ray immensely. His side was injured and his arm was cut severely.
She smiled at him and looked down at the kit. She quickly pulled a bandage from the kit and then she gingerly grabbed Ray’s wrist. With Ray’s help, she wrapped the dressing around Ray’s arm.
“That’s better.” Ray smiled as he marveled at her handiwork.
“It’s my first.” Mariah stated. “Ray how’s your side?”
Ray looked down to his left and touched it gently. “It’s fine.”
Mariah nodded and quickly cleaned up the kit, as she walked back into the main room, she smiled as she caught Ray admiring a painting on the wall.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” She cooed, as she walked behind him.
Ray turned around. His cool grin showed his content.
“It’s amazing, see how he mixes the colors?”
Mariah smiled.
“The blues and purples outline the valley so well. And look at the field, the yellows and greens.”
Mariah nodded and suddenly a spontaneous idea appeared within her vast mind.
“Ray, can I show you something?” she asked, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Ray smiled at the grin and stated. “Of course you can.”
Mariah led Ray into her room. His eyes widened as he entered the elaborate dorm.
“I could get used to this.” Ray laughed as he sat on the bed, making himself comfortable.
“Ray, can I ask you a question?” Mariah stated, as she walked to her dresser. She opened a small box on her dresser and pulled the blue jewel necklace from the box.
Ray looked up, confused and stared at the necklace enchantingly. “Sure.”
“Can you paint me?” Mariah asked, her eyes stared at him through the mirror. They watched Ray as he walked behind her, his eyes brightened with joy.
“Of course.” He stated.
Mariah grinned. “Ray, I want you to paint me like those French girls.”
Ray’s eyes widened.
“I want to be wearing this.” Mariah continued, while holding up the necklace. “And only this.”
Ray nodded. “I’ll get an easel ready.”
Mariah smiled and closed the door behind Ray. With much enthusiasm, Ray set up a love seat and an easel in the middle of the room. He quickly grabbed a drawing pencil and began to lightly sketch the couch. Within minutes, Mariah walked from her room, wearing a light robe.
Ray smiled. She looked to be somewhat of an angel. Her hair was pulled from its normal up do and her hair fell to her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled innocently and her robe hung loosely over her pale body.
“Your seat, madam.” Ray stated, as he watched her glide across the room.
Mariah smiled and reached the couch daintily. As soon as she was by the couch, Mariah pulled the robe from her soft body. She could hear Ray’s breathing begin to quicken and she could feel her heart beat faster as he stared at her naked body.
Ray gawked at her bare body. Her slender figure was so innocent, so young and so untouched. Ray could feel his hands begin to sweat and his eyes examine every curve. He had done so many naked pictures; only this one was far too different.
The silence in the room left Mariah uneasy. She felt the weight of the necklace pull at her neck. She watched Ray’s amber eyes stare at her strangely. Mariah could feel the inside of her melt. She looked deeply into Ray’s eyes for reassurance. Ray quickly glanced up at her and smiled.
“You’re beautiful.” He stated, while smiling. “Now why don’t you lie down here.”
Ray pointed to the couch and quickly seated himself at the easel. Mariah, still feeling out of place, quickly obeyed and lay on the seat. She stretched herself to the side.
“Lift your arm to your head and relax.” Ray ordered, as he looked down at the paper and back up.
Mariah did as she was told. It was strange to watch him work a masterpiece. Ray worked diligently and looked up every so often, as all artists should. He seemed to in touch with the painting, it seemed he wasn’t the same person.
He didn’t look to have goose bumps as she had. He looked like a man she had just met. He wasn’t Ray; he was Raymond Kon, struggling artist painting a picture of a woman, not his girl friend. It seemed he would never actually paint his girl friend. Mariah couldn’t think of a word to express how he was, only that he was professional.
Ray sketched a figure on the paper. He could feel the drawing pencil move between his fingers steadily. This was what he lived for; he felt excitement rise within his stomach as he looked up again. He quickly drew a womanly figure on the page. Her arms were stretched over her head. They looked angelic, as did the figure’s face. Ray added light details to the face, including innocent eyes and a stout nose along with large lips. Ray quickly moved down to the body of the figure. He lightly sketched what looked to be larger breasts. He looked up every now and then to confirm the size. He smiled as he lightly sketched some shadows under them. Without much hesitation he finished the drawing with the shading of the frail legs and slim stomach and the necklace dangling around her neck.
“Done.” Ray stated, as soon as he inscribed his initials on the paper.
Mariah quickly sat up and pulled the robe over her shoulders.
Ray held the picture out to her, as she did.
“It’s beautiful!” Mariah cooed, her eyes fixed on the beautiful picture. “You are such a professional.”
Ray smiled. “Think so?”
Mariah blushed and lovingly pushed him. “Yes.”
“Well, you are an excellent model!” Ray smirked.
Mariah turned to open a safe. “How much do you want for it?”
Ray glanced around from staring at one of the paintings on the wall. “No really, Mariah, I don’t need your money.”
Mariah rolled her eyes. “Nonsense. I insist.”
She quickly shoved a few bills in Ray’s pocket.
“Keep it!” She smiled, as she glided by him.
Ray shook his head as he counted the money. “Mariah, this is too much!”
“Buy something nice!” Mariah giggled.
Ray smirked at her grin and shoved the money in his pocket. Mariah smiled at him and closed the safe door.
Ray walked behind her and gently whispered in her ear. “Now that, that business is done, what are we going to do?”
Mariah’s amber eyes watched as Ray gingerly pulled the collar of the robe from her body.

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Well, I guess I can say the next chapter is a lemon....lol. Well, Please review!!