Randle's Princess (21 page)

“Your finest wine please,” Thomas then told him.

“This is exquisite,” she whispered out to him.

“Nothing but the finest for my wife,” he assured her.

They dined and Lia felt this was the most fun she has had with him yet.  She couldn’t believe how comfortable he made her feel and how quickly she had adapted to being with him.  All the fears she had before the wedding seemed to quickly vanish.

Back at the apartment they again sat and cuddled on the sofa watching tv before finally turning in for the night.  She was so enthused about her new surroundings but she could hardly keep her eyes open.

“I really think I need to turn in,” she finally admitted with a yawn.

Thomas laughed at how cute she was.  “I’ll take you to bed,” he then teased as he rose from the sofa and scooped her into his arms.  Lia giggled again as he playfully carried her up the stairs and carefully placed her on the bed.

“I guess I’d better get changed,” she then stated as she pushed his playful body off of her and stood then reached for one of her bags that she still hadn’t unpacked. 

“It won’t take me long.”

Thomas watched enviously as she grabbed her purse from the night stand as well and disappeared into the bathroom. 

“It had better not,” he yelled out jokingly.

Lia fumbled through the bag this being one that she had packed and let Randle ship here for her.  Then she suddenly stopped feeling her small revolver below and now remembering she had hid it there before she left knowing full well she would never be able to sneak it to Venice with them.  She thought for a moment then carefully slid it into her purse.  No need to mention it she thought making sure she zipped it closed so Thomas wouldn’t know she had it.  She was afraid he might take it away from her and felt now if she was going to be on her own in this great city she would feel much safer with it along. 

She quickly changed for bed and re-entered the room.  Thomas had already changed and was waiting for her beneath the blanket.  As soon as she slid in next to him he turned off the lamp and cuddled closely to her.

“Lia, I need to return to work tomorrow.  Are you sure you’ll be okay here?”

Lia looked slightly disappointed but understood the man had to make a living.  “I’ll be fine…I promise.”

He rubbed the side of her face gently and kissed her.  “I just feel bad about leaving you so soon,” he then admitted.

“No really…it’s okay.  I wanna check out that park anyway.  I have a feeling there’s plenty to do around this town to keep me busy,” she replied with confidence.

“I love you Lia,” he then whispered out and kissed her again.

“I love you too Thomas.”

The next morning Lia was a bit nervous watching Thomas dress knowing he was about to leave her alone for the first time.  And for the first time ever in her life she would be completely alone and free to roam as she pleased.  It was the weirdest feeling she had ever had and now she was having second thoughts.  The last time she ventured out by herself was Vegas and things didn’t turn out too well.  And what if someone out there still tried to use her against Randle?  But he too had assured her that she would be fine.

She rose and followed him down the stairs and they now stood just inside the front door, Thomas dressed in his snappy business suit and tie carrying his briefcase in one hand and his car keys in the other.  He too seemed a bit nervous.

“I really feel bad leaving you alone so soon,” he repeated.  “But the office keeps calling and I need to take care of a couple of my biggest clients.”

“I’ll be fine.  I already told you that,” she answered with a smile but had knots in her stomach at the same time.

He kissed her good-bye at last and left.  Lia turned and strolled into the living room and sat on the sofa only to stare and the blank tv trying to think what to do next.  Then she rose and made her way back to the window and again looked out at the beautiful park below her. 

I just don’t know if I can do this she thought to herself staring down at its beauty and seeing all the small figures of people walking and some jogging for exercise.  She made her way back to the sofa and turned on the television and started flipping through the channels.  Finally she found a movie that caught her interest and decided to watch it first then she would decide whether or not she would venture out.

Two hours had passed now and another movie came on.  She made her way to the kitchen and scavenged through the refrigerator and gathered up enough ingredients to make her a sandwich, poured herself a glass of iced tea, then returned to the sofa and ate as she watched it.

Before she knew it she heard the front door open and Thomas was already returning home from work.  She jumped from the sofa and ran to him feeling elated to see him.  She wrapped her arms around his neck before he could place his briefcase on the table next to the door and hugged him tightly.

“I missed you,” she exclaimed as if he had been away for a week.

Thomas chuckled out.  “I was only gone a few hours,” he answered.

She finally let go of him so he could put his things down and he followed her back to the living room.

“So how was your day?” he then asked as he came to sit next to her.

“Oh…kind of boring.  But I managed,” she stated a little sullenly not wanting to tell him she was afraid to go out and just couldn’t force herself to do it.

“Well, did you go to the park like you wanted to?” he asked seeming a bit surprised by her answer.

“No, I started flipping the channels and found a good movie then another and next thing I knew the day had passed,” she admitted trying to make it sound as if the park could wait.

Thomas looked slyly at her now.  “Now look, I told you it was okay.  Nobody’s gonna hurt you here Lia, I promise.”

She stared nervously back at him.  “I know.  It just didn’t feel right though.  I promise tomorrow I’ll go.”

He kissed her gently.  “I really think it’s a good idea that you do.  And the sooner the better,” he then insisted.

“Why’s that?” she asked a little confused.  Why should it matter if she ever goes out? she now wondered.

“Because, you’ve been practically held hostage all your life and that’s not a good thing.  The sooner you make yourself do it the sooner you can finally start living a normal life,” he then explained as if he really understood all she had been through.

“Oh things weren’t that bad, really,” she insisted suddenly feeling she needed to defend her past now.

“Maybe not, but I want my wife to feel free and enjoy every day,” he insisted again.

“Okay, tomorrow I’ll go, I promise,” she finally answered feeling now he was right.  Now she felt she had the courage and would make herself do it.

The next morning Lia again saw Thomas off to work but this time ran back up the stairs to get her purse and keys to the building.  She made sure her gun and phone were safely tucked inside and at last made her way out the front door and down the elevator.  She slowly walked to the front door of the apartment building and peered out at the street filled with cars and people passing by on the sidewalk.  Gently she pushed the door open and found herself standing out on the concrete and looking all around.

What a beautiful day too she thought looking around at the clear skies above and feeling the cool wind blowing around her.  She finally started making her way down the sidewalk and in the direction of the park.  Finally she made it and began making her way down a tree covered pathway thinking this place felt so peaceful as well as beautiful.  But still a case of nervousness made her jerk and look every time she heard an unfamiliar noise, looking and scanning her surroundings to make sure she wasn’t being followed by anyone. 

Finally she found a row of benches lining one of the pathways shaded by rows of trees and decided to sit for a while and soak in all the glory this place had to offer.   She looked all around and could see children playing at a distance.  Then an occasional jogger would pass her by and couples in love hand in hand strolling on their way.  This is awesome indeed she thought now finally calming herself and knowing she could live like this forever.  This is what she had always dreamed of, serenity.

Then she decided to walk further and came to a beautiful arched bridge reminding her of their honeymoon in Venice.  She walked to the top of it and leaned over to glare into the water below and could see her reflection and much to her surprise she could see the wide smile on her face and new at that moment that this was her destiny.  Thomas was her destiny and she would stop at nothing now to make sure this marriage lasted.

Before she realized it again, it was after five o’clock and she knew Thomas would be home soon and wanted to make sure she was there to greet him.  She quickly made her way out of the park and back down the sidewalk to their apartment building.  Just as she reached for the front door of the building she felt someone grab her arm from behind and she screamed as loud as she could and spun around in fear.

“Calm down honey, it’s just me,” Thomas stated as he dropped his briefcase to the ground and grabbed her up and hugged her tightly against his chest.  He could feel her body trembling against him.

“Are you okay?  I’m sorry,” he went on still holding her.

“I’m okay,” she finally answered looking up at him now.  “I didn’t see you there is all.”

“I had just pulled into the parking garage and saw you coming down the sidewalk so I came out front instead of taking the elevator so I could catch up to you,” he then explained to her.

She was still panting slightly.  “Oh, okay.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to cause a scene,” she replied with much embarrassment now as she looked around to make sure the passing crowd wasn’t staring at them.

“You didn’t,” he assured her.  “Now c’mon let’s get you inside.”  He reached down to pick up his briefcase then opened the door for her and they made their way back up to their apartment.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked again as they made their way back to the sofa.

“Yes I’m sure,” she replied finally completely calm again.

“So…how was it?” he then asked.

“How was what?” she asked now teasing with him.

“The park, did you finally go?” he asked curiously.

“Yes.  And you were right again.  That place is beautiful, and so calming.”

“I told you it would be,” he then boasted.

“I still haven’t seen it all though, it’s just too big.  I’ll more than likely go back tomorrow but I think I’m gonna do a little shopping first,” she then exclaimed.

“Shopping is a girl’s best friend,” he stated with a laugh as if fully supporting whatever she chose to do.

“Well, it’s not
just
to go shopping,” she started.  “The weather is much cooler here than I’m used too and I nearly froze all day,” she then laughed out.

“It was not cold today,” he insisted.

“Maybe not too you but I’m from Texas.  I’m not used to this climate,” she then insisted.

Thomas kissed her forehead again and laughed at her.  “I fully understand.”  Then he went on to give her tips where to shop and which stores he thought would be her favorites.  She loved the way he seemed so intent on taking care of her.  But mostly she loved the way he trusted her to be out alone.

The next morning Lia had called for a taxi to pick her up out front and finally started on her first ever shopping spree in this great city.  Excitedly she made her way through the fancy department store again thinking Thomas to be right.  This store was perfect for her with all its stylish fashions.   She made her way into yet another dressing room to try on another outfit and suddenly she froze again hearing her cell phone ringing from inside her purse.