Page 99 of Painting Her Fate

After getting caught up with Claire about her trip to Guatemala, plus having yet another sweet treat and kicking myself for it, I decide it’s time I take my leave and head back to the city.

It’s time to mend a heart I hurt, then mend it even more.

As soon as I open the door to my flat, I find an envelope with my name on it. I know that chicken scratch anywhere.Alexander. I drop my tote bag in a chair at the breakfast bar, set the box of treats down, and go to the sofa, envelope in hand. I can't get it open fast enough but at the same time, I hesitate in wanting to read it.

No, you want to read this, so quit stalling, hop to it.

Flipping it open I find old fashioned typewriter font on the single page, further adding to the sentimentality.

For my Lili,

You’re fields of colorful delight

Soaking in the rays of sunlight

Passion doesn’t begin to tell

How heavenly my life is, belle

Fragrance that smells divinely sweet

Nothing within the world can beat

Flames of desire rush higher

Not a chance this man will tire

This spell I’m cast forever in

I’m accepting my wicked sins

Below the poem, he wrote in his own penmanship. It took me a minute to clear away the tears pooling in my eyes to read what he said. This man needs a class in handwriting. Smiling to myself, I decipher the hidden encryption within.

I am here for you, Lili. Always and forever.

He isn’t scared of the monster I unleashed onto him. I want to call him, tell him to come over, have him hold me. I plan to do just that.

I find there are messages for the past six days that I have purposely left unopened: all the same messages.-Good morning beautiful.

He’s kept his promise.He promised me he’d tell me I’m beautiful, every single day.

Do I message him back? What do I say?

Should I tell him I’m ready now? I want to tell him everything, let him in, let him know about it all. My monster doesn’t like that idea.

Taking a deep breath, I think of the simplest way to begin.

Thank you for the poem. I love it.

I will wait to tell him about the feelings I have for him when He is here in front of me.

After making myself a nice cuppa, I pad to my art studio, locate a smaller canvas and immediately know what the name of this piece will be. ‘Monster Slayer’ is the perfect name for this piece.

I see the girl sitting on her knees, the shadow beast looming behind her, spitting hate, despair, and misery. Her oversized gray hoodie spills over her, the golden locks of her hair peek through her hood and hide her face from view. She holds a poem in her hand, unknowing to her that there is a man in front of her, holding his hand out for her to take it in his.

Take his hand, girl. Take it and never let go. I won’t let you go.

My monster is quiet tonight; good. Take that you wanker. I check my mobile for the time. It’s nearly ten pm and no new messages from Zander. I decide to make a new playlist and send it to him, one that tells of my affection for him, my hesitance, but now my eyes are wide open and full of life for this man. Sleep comes easily without the aid of my pills, the first time in quite a while.

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