"Till we meet again... till we meet again..."
The monotone of the song sang this day was wearing down in sadness and sorrow on everyone's face. Each individual was dressed in black, a color complementing the occasion. The hall was full almost to a breaking point. The song brought memories and teary sadness that weighed on everyone down. She wished Ethan was here, hoped he would show up, she prayed her sorrow reached him, believed her loneliness would hurt him. Samantha missed him dearly; she loved him more and more each day. Her heart hoped, a glimmer of hope, he'd come. She wished he'd come and comfort her, his warmth, his voice, his eyes would give her the light she needed. However, the arms that wrapped around her shoulders weren't his; they were Mark's, her fragile body couldn't support herself. She leaned into him, searching and searching for Ethan. All those moments she'd spent with him seemed like a fairytale, a dream she just woke up from. He'd said he didn't love her but Samantha refused to believe, it was all a lie, he loved her, she knew it. She had engraved him in his heart, she could never forget him, in this life or in any other life, she was his, always his.
"May the late Natalie Alec Merlin's soul rest in peace; Psalm 131:1,2, "David sang, 'O' Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things, too great and too marvelous for me." May the Lord accept her humbled soul and rest her in His arms, "But I have calmed & quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast, like a child that has quieted my soul." Natalie has finally rested in the arms of the Lord; may the Lord hold her and may all of you let the grief of your heart be rested upon the Lord." The old priest completed the summon and as the black casket was being lowered to the ground, Grace broke down in tears calling her mother repeatedly, Miranda cried and cried, Elizabeth wept but they held each other in Lady Ada's arms. As for Samantha she recalled on the day her father died, the scenario was the same, she was alone, the day her mother died, she was alone, today Natalie died she was alone. Forever destined to mourn alone. She had cried alone, still crying alone, no comfort, no warmth, no support. For the first time Samantha felt envious of Grace, how she got all the support she needed, how she didn't even beg for it. The funeral ended in sadness, in her peripheral, she'd seen someone with green eyes, just like Grace's. However, her mind was too exhausted to think.
*. *. *. *.
He stared at the falling sunset along the beach, its orange rays had been reflected upon the water thus creating a nostalgic view. Albatross and gulls flew above the water trapping fish and crabs. The wind blew gently tossing his hair up and about. The beach was warm however, Ethan's heart was cold, deprived of something. He stood staring at the water, stooping down to pick a small rock and throwing it in the water,
"Gurdian, why do I feel such sudden weight and heaviness in my heart, as though I left something important behind?" Ethan asks staring at the vast sea. He looks at him, tenderly before responding, "You did leave her behind, shattered and broken and don't you dare forget that feeling, remember it till you drown in madness!"
"What did you want me to do? Tell me where were you when my father was pushing me in a corner, do you think I wanted any of this?"
"Madness is far better than thoughts! After all, why does it all matter? Why did people matter altogether? There is this perfect loneliness, so lovely, fresh and unexplored. Really, what mistake you have made? Thinking you wanted people! Why should you pretend to have anything to do with human beings at all?" Analyst says directly staring at him.
"You made her obsessed with you, only to abandon her like the rest of them, you left her in nothingness' after promising her eternity. You gave her a glimmer of hope only to shatter and break her. You were obsessed with her to much that you drove her to the brink of madness. You are guilty my dear friend!" Child says looking at him.
He knew he was pathetic so they were just rubbing salt into his deep wounds. Yet their words hurt more than his actions. He wanted to absorb her, into his blood, his veins, how he wanted to consume her like a meal. Ha! How he'd marked her, licked her, whispered into her ears, just how he was toxic just to have her. It was so real as to how she drove him to the brink of insanity. Ethan's obsessive nature was his downfall, his madness. Hà! Ha! She was a paragon of perfection, flawless, innocent and sweet. Yet why does he feel this way, why were his reigns on the brink of damage? Why was the chessboard in shambles? Why were all the pieces so far away? NO! NO! This was not happening; Andrew Hawkins Masters was to blame!
"Your free to go son, go to Samantha, comfort her, tell her she'll be okay, go Ethan Duke Masters, I dare you." He had said with a gleam of satisfaction, not as a threat, rather than a statement. It was a threat, the instant he flew back to Natalie's funeral, she'd be gone by the time he arrived. What madness was this? Why was God punishing him in this way? Why was life so sinister and cruel? Why did he have her as a weakness? Just why? Before all this, he was fine being a puppeteer while they were all puppets. So why were the strings cut? Where did it all begin to crumble? He remembers how he'd gotten drunk with Mark Matthews Merlin, he cried just like a child. How pathetic, how worthless he was to beg him to care of her. Ethan behaved like a woman with a broken heart. Why was he so shameless to ask another man to care for his woman! He pushed his hair back and laughed, laughed like a madman, laughed like a happy king, he laughed like a man who owned the world, he laughed and laughed... "I am the JUDGE OF YESTERDAY." He thought bitterly and painfully before Analyst held him and a tear dropped from his eyes, this was the moment it dawned on him, 'He was in love with Samantha Alec Merlin.'
*. *. *. *.
Arthur Justin Miles wished he could celebrate; however, the death of Natalie did not allow him. Everyone was still in mourning. He was sitting on a chair beside Samantha who was deep in sleep. Her chest heaved up and down slowly as though they danced to a certain tune. Her lips were soft, a delicate peachy pink. When he touched her hand, her fingers were smooth and feathery. As she lay recumbent, she was beautiful, her auburn strands dangling around her face. He couldn't resist; he reached out and tucked a strand behind her ear. It was so silky, seeming like a flowing river. His fingers couldn't resist, the touched her lips, he was amazed at how fantastic they felt. Her dark lashes touched her cheeks. The temptation was far greater than he thought, he bent down and kissed her gently. He pulled back and he was on fire, burning and exploding on the inside. His heart was beating faster than usual, she whispered, 'Ethan'. It drained blood from his face, annoyance covering his eyes. That bastard was miles and miles away yet he still posed a threat. Damit! OH! He hated Ethan so much, so much that he was overjoyed when he left. He'd left her, a broken doll, shattered in pieces only for her not to forget him. What right did Ethan have to toy with people's feelings? What right did he have to make Samantha fall for him then leave her? That sick jerk did he ...did he devour her? NO! NO! There should have been signs! There should have been, He couldn't have! Had he made her bloom under him? Ethan was sick in the head, he couldn't have, never...because he would have boasted on his face. The bile in his stomach settled for a minute, there was a prideful smile on his face, furthermore there was time, a lot of time. Arthur Justin Miles would make her fall for him, she would fall head over heels for him, she would only belong to him, only him. Deib was right, things do happen with time. Ethan's departure was his arrival, with Samantha's broken heart and his presence, he would be that pillar, that pillar that would serve as a key to open her heart to him. It was his time to rule her heart, no matter what crimes or atrocities he would commit, he wouldn't be guilty, he was the one who would save her. He stretched out his hand and whispered, "You would be mine Samantha Alec Merlin." He thought wildly.
*. *. *. *.
It was evident that months had passed since Natalie's death, yet Lady Ada still seemed reluctant to make the decisions that would be best for her grandchildren. Grace had completely been hopeless and the sadness that wore her down was consuming her. She needed a new place, a new environment and a new scenery to change her mindset. Thus, the Lady of the house decided Grace would head to Canada, have more opportunities and perhaps, it might spark something in Ethan's heart. There was still a bright and happy future for our dear Grace, she was still young and beautiful, just a little push and encouragement would bring her back on track. As for dear Miranda, she was a pillar of hope to Grace, however, there was still a whole life ahead of her for her to be stuck to Grace. Since Deib Noles Miguel and his brother Rafael Noles Miguel had decided to join their parents in France, the old lady came to the conclusion that Miranda would be perfectly fine in leaving with them. Additionally, Elizabeth had supported the decision that her daughter would be fine with the Miguel's family. Confirming that she would have more opportunities and chances to make her life better. As for her grandson Mark, he'd decided he'd stay in Peterborough, continue with his studies and join Geralext University and study business management and finance. After all Mark could aid in running the family business, he was intelligent and smart. All was said and done and she prayed not a misfortune would befall their family. Camil, William and Joanna continued to work at the Merlin mansion while Sei decided to quit her job and head back to her hometown in the backwater. Inspector Pescoli hadn't gone further with the investigations even after three months thus the case was closed. Deemed as suicide and Ada wondered why such misfortune followed her family. From her husband Dorian, to her son Richard, to her two daughters-in-law, Tabitha and Natalie. Just how much did death want to take from her? She wanted to protect her family and keep them safe, her restlessness had settled down, all was in the hands of fate and destiny.