Chapter 20: Dreams & Rumors

If a perfect day exists, it was this. Blue skies, soft winds, clouds that easily mimicked marshmellows dancing in their own world above, and a harmony that couldn't be exactly placed- all at once. Alexander found himself getting lost at the beauty of it all, absorbing it all in.

One moment, he was in his car, drifting off to sleep to the sound of the creatures running and flying just a few feet from him, living in the world they had always known. In the next moment, he was there. His troubles appeared to melt away and all the worry, concern, and fear was as a long forgotten tale.

He brought his hand before his face. He felt as if a perfect cool breeze like bubble laid on his skin. His temperature never growing too warm or too cold. He was perfectly safe from the troubles of his past, unable to remember them.

His shirt billowed in the wind, the ties of his collar tickled his chin, and even that felt more gentle than it would on a normal day for him. This wasn't his world, he knew that, but he felt that it could be. It could be if he made a necessary choice.

Everything was soft where he stood. It felt as if pain didn't exist there.

Yet an understandable curiosity took hold of him. His eyes scanned his surroundings, but between the lack of people, buildings, and even little critters- he held no idea as to where he was. It was as if with his problems, society had also disappeared.

Moving his hand through his hair, he returned his attention directly ahead of him.

Squinting his eyes, he stared forward. He could see two people sitting under a tall, vibrantly green tree. The overstretching branches successfully kept them under its shade, with only a few streams of light peaking through the leaves.

A woman sat beside a man who was noticeably taller than her. Her face was beaming and her parted hair could be seen gently pulled back from her face, as the wind tugged it behind her.

The man beside her wore a peaceful expression on his face, enjoying her company. He wore a long white robe. Something that he found to be rather unique as he couldn't think of a time that he wore such a garment. He hadn't seen anyone wear that attire in their day and age.

He studied them for a moment. They spoke like close friends, family even. And he had the strong desire to sit near them if they'd allow it. He had a feeling they would.

Their laughter could be heard from afar as if the wind carried it to where he stood. And it didn't take long for him to realize that her laughter in particular was one that he recognized.

Yet his mind was temporarily distracted as he noticed something tickling his knuckles. The fuzzy object was cool to the touch. Glancing down, he noticed a tall golden flower had perched up on his hand. As if it was a domesticated animal, he pet it gently, but he felt an urgency to walk toward the two people beneath the tree.

Each step he took seemed feeble as the meadow grew in size. In amazement, he searched about, realizing that this meadow seemed to be unending and it only expanded as he went.

Tension around his ankle began to form and Alexander could feel something tugging him backward. Puzzled, he attempted to figure out what it was. Each step he took resulted in a tug.

Left foot, tug.

Right foot, tug.

And soon a strange noise jostled him. Startled, he looked for the sound, taking shallow breaths as he did. The comfort he felt moments before seemed to be stolen from him as he sought out the reasoning for this new obstacle.

As if his eyes were a lense, they began to zoom out and take in the image of the tall bleak building. At the bottom of it laid a thick, sturdy chain. It appeared to be heavier than one man could bare on his own. The size of one link could take up his forearm with ease.

Alexander began to tug at the chain, pulling with all his might to remove it from his leg, but each pull was a failed attempt of freeing himself. Desperation filled his heart, a feeling akin to sinking.

The chain began pulling him backward, tugging him away from the peaceful image before him. It lacked mercy and feeling altogether. The warmth of tears began to flow down his face as the warmth of his heart grew colder.

"Please-" he cried out.

"Take my hand." He heard a calm, yet powerful voice speak to him. It reminded him of a flowing waterfall.

In shock, he looked toward the man in the white robe.

How he reached him so quickly, Alexander didn't know, but gratitude wasn't a big enough word to express how it made him feel. He gazed at Alexander with a small smile and glanced at the chain pulling at him.

"It will continue to tug you back there, but I can free you from it. Take my hand." His words were calm. He clearly felt no fear or worry toward the chain link behind Alexander.

Alexander glanced back once more. The tall building puffed smoke which caused him to furrow his brows and the chain tugged him once more. In fear, his eyes widened. He looked back at the man willing to save him and then his hand.

His hand, where a hole laid. He looked toward the other hand and saw a similar hole.

"You're... you're him." Alexander whispered, feeling his body flood with warmth.

"I Am." He replied. His eyes seemed to glow as He smiled back at Alexander.

He grabbed His hand and the chain fell off of his leg, collapsing into its own puff of smoke. In that moment, Alexander collapsed into His arms and cried like the boy in him never could. Not when he had to be strong all the time, but in this moment, he could be weak. He could be weak and rely on the One who stood before him.

"You heard me. You heard me and you came. You... you came." Alexander spoke in amazement.

"I did and I will never leave you nor forsake you if you follow Me." He answered him gently.

Alexander didn't want to look behind him again at the pressures of the life that he left.

"Do you promise?" Alexander asked. His voice strained, not wanting to be abandoned again. He felt like the young boy who had lost his mother, pleading with her to stay, but as he grew older he knew that she couldn't. But this was different, he knew that He could stay and He would stay.

"My word is true. Now, live for me." Jesus said.

"I will. I will." Alexander cried. A warmth enveloped his chest, he could feel the hole in his heart being filled. An electrical current seemed to flow along his body and for a split second he saw the woman kneeling behind Jesus.

It was Arielle. He could see she was in deep prayer, but it wasn't until she was much closer that he could hear what she was praying... It was a prayer for him.

Jesus looked back toward Arielle and smiled before turning his face back to Alexander.

"She meets me here early in the morning to talk to me. I invite you to do the same." Jesus told him.

"How do I come back here?" Alexander asked as he stared around him at the beautiful world that seemed to be hidden away from the human eye.

Jesus smiled at him, with a twinkle in His own eye. "Pray. You may always come back to this secret place with Me. Just pray. Abide in Me always."

In shock, Alexander woke up. It felt as though a jolt of electricity flew threw his body for a short moment. He stared out of his car. He was back in the parking lot. The sun could be seen dipping below the horizon. He had been at the park all day. He checked his phone and saw the few missed calls. One from Arielle, two from Vincent, and one from Susan.

"Hey cousin are you alright? Sue, said you were just going to grab some food." Vincent had sent an hour earlier. Alexander shook his head, chuckling with tears in his eyes. It felt unreal, but he saw Him. How could he put that into words?

"I'm okay. I just needed a moment away." He replied shortly and put his car into drive. It was time to go home. He wanted to pray and he knew that he wouldn't be alone. He felt the presence of God before, but now even while he drove, it felt as though Jesus sat in the passenger seat, watching him. It was as if His presence had become tangible. The amount of love that flowed over his body brought him to tears as he cried on the journey home.

The ride home felt shorter than usual, likely due to his own excitement. Jesus. A name he used to hear during the major holidays now meant more to him than ever before. It meant more to him than any other name, including Arielle's.

"I want to know you." He whispered quietly as he turned down the windy road that would lead to his oversized home. It was too large, and so empty. As he pulled in, his phone buzzed once more. It was from a number he hadn't seen in a while.

Devin.

"Hey mate, you alright there? Did you forget about me? Did Claire do too much again?" Devin spoke as soon as Alexander answered the phone.

Alexander sighed. It wasn't Claire, it was everything. He had hardly even spoken to the workers in his estate. He was sure that Greta and Richard were doing just fine, but he did miss speaking with the pair.

"I- I'm sorry man, I've been busy. Busier than even I can keep up with." He apologized as he sat down on the edge of his bed.

"You sound like you could use a break, a moment of normalcy. Want to come by the cafe with me? Claire won't be there this time." Devin answered back. The sound of pots and pans clanging in the background meant that he was home and likely craving one of the only two meals he cooked for himself. Grilled cheese and ramen.

"I don't know Devin. I'm tired and I have to-"

"Please. I- I didn't want to worry you, but I've been struggling. Something happened a few weeks ago and I've been trying to deal with it, but I feel like..." There was extended silence, but Alexander waited patiently. Not willing to interrupt him. Devin spoke again, his voice thick from tears causing Alexander's entire body to stiffen in shock. "I feel like I'm drowning." He said.

"I just need a friend." Devin continued quietly, nearly whispering on the line.

"Which cafe? I'll be there." Alexander answered quickly. He supposed that he could be of use to some people. If none else, then it only made sense that it'd be his long term friend. A friend that was like family to him.

Arielle walked into the cafe shop alone. Julia and her mother were both at work, leaving her on her own. A day spent alone inside, when the outdoors were so bright, seemed silly to her. Especially when she had the option to visit the cafe and go on a long walk to the nearest park.

But now, the sweet aroma of brewed coffees and teas mingled with the pastries wafted up to her nose. They beckoned her to make a purchase, a purchase that her stomach grumbled for. She scanned through the options on the chalk board menu, with excitement she was ready to ask for their dark chocolate croissant until the bright red letters below it alerted her of their absence. Sold out, it read.

With a small pout, Arielle held her bag closer to her and decided to walk away before the next available employee saw her. She didn't want to take up their time on such a busy afternoon, proving that she wasn't the only one with ideas to get outside.

Her bag had been slightly heavier than usual, but still light enough to carry on her bike ride there. She hummed quietly, enjoying the calm of the cafe-bookstore hybrid. They played instrumentals all day long, which was preferred for when she began to do some light creative writing.

Pulling out her water, laptop, and Bible; she began her process.

Thirty minutes had passed until the bell rung again and then again. Arielle's eyes glanced up out of habit and then back down. Humming as she wrote, her mind was focused on the topic at hand. But that's when she realized-

"Jeremy..." she whispered. She thought she knew that tuft of ginger hair from somewhere. Jeremy walked into the cafe with Stella in tow. The two were lively chatting, laughing at a joke from moments before it seemed. They pondered their orders, just as she did earlier.

Arielle thought to say hello, but then what would she follow it with? She wondered. Itching her forehead, she glanced at her food-less table. She could get up and try one of the other croissants on the menu. The cafe was very experimental with their menu options, having everything from breakfast sandwiches, sushi, and mango filled croissants.

Surely, there was something. Right? With a sigh and no craving for any of her options, Arielle stayed put. She decided that if they noticed her, then so be it, but if not, she would leave them to their day.

Her mind was filled with ideas. Almost too many. She mused and continued to write quietly, but their voices would pull her attention every few seconds. The door to the cafe continued to open and close too, causing occasional gusts of wind to grasp her oversized sleeve, gently pushing or pulling at it.

Arielle hummed to the recognized instrumental. It was from a Christian song that she played more times than she could remember.

Finishing up her journal entry and poem, she closed her laptop, turning her focus to her Bible. She had began her day with scripture, but she craved more of it. Wanting to read something that would feed her soul which only ever came from the Word of God.

Finding her way in Psalms and Proverbs fairly quickly, Arielle read one chapter from each, jotting down notes on a small notepad as she did. She would think on the verses more later, when she could be alone to meditate on them.

"Arielle?" A woman's voice spoke in disbelief.

Arielle snapped her head up, surprised at her own shock. "I guess they were bound to see me," she thought.

Stella's golden eyes were large and bright as she took in the sight of Arielle. Arielle momentarily felt like a deer caught in headlights. This should have been easy right? Just catching up wih old friends, but she sat there frozen while smiling. In the midst, of her stare, it wasn't hard to miss that Stella's afro had grown in size at a record speed.

"Hi Stella, Jeremy." Arielle smiled, finally returning back to earth.

"I knew it was you! You look different, did you lose weight? Gain weight? You know what, scratch all of that, how have you been!?" Stella practically squealed as she dipped into the booth, sitting across from Arielle.

"Oh!" Arielle replied in the midst of giggles. The two girls laughed for a moment, but as their laughter dissipated, the overwhelming silence from Jeremy became deafening.

Jeremy stood beside the booth, itching the back of his neck. He continued glancing between the two women. His friend and his ex-coworker. Arielle didn't know it at the time, but his mind was going one thousand miles per second.

He hadn't seen her in weeks. He noticed that she appeared a tad bit slimmer, although not by much. He tried to ignore the quickened pace of his heart or the sweat forming by his brow, but seeing her again only seemed to reactivate everything he felt when he first met her.

Her abrupt leave from her work struck him as odd, but he took it as a good thing because this... this didn't feel good. Unrequited emotions such as this one left him feeling awkward, uncomfortable, and parched.

Shaking his head, to pull himself from the stare he had gotten lost in, he forced a smile. "Hi Arielle. It's nice seeing you again." He spoke calmly. Arielle smiled at him briefly and returned her attention to Stella.

While she looked away, Jeremy pinched the bridge of his nose, not knowing what to do. Jeremy and Stella were meant to come here before their meetup with other friends for their city tour, but here they were- his once clear mind now boggled with her again.

And to make things worse, there were only two more available seats, one beside Stella and one beside Arielle. The one besides Arielle would be much too close, she would possibly hear his rushing heartbeat, but sitting across from her meant that she would likely see his demeanor.

"I'll just-" he pointed awkwardly to a stack of chairs in the corner, catching their view once again. Arielle rose her brows, genuinely confused by his sudden continuance. His heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his and he felt the need to escape.

Before saying another word, Jeremy dipped away from the two women toward the chairs, feeling grateful for the ability to breathe again.

Stella gazed at Arielle looking puzzled, but Arielle simply shrugged in return. She couldn't think of much else to say. The sudden arrival of the pair surprised her through and through.

Arielle cleared her throat while reaching for her water bottle. "You look really good in yellow. It's like the color was made for you." She complimented Stella. A beaming Stella touched her yellow headscarf that held her afro in a high puff and smiled gratefully.

"See this is why I missed you. Jeremy hardly notices anything about me," she said jokingly through her pout.

Arielle laughed louder than planned and shook her head, "You have always been such a character, Stell."

"That I am," she replied while raising her shoulder. "So tell me," she began as she glanced back at Jeremy. Leaning in, she gave Arielle an intense stare, "How have things been between you and the boss?" She whispered.

Arielle's eyes widened. "Me and the boss?" She repeated.

"Well, yeah..." Stella answered, seemingly confused. "The rumors at AMI have been circulating. They say that you two have had a secret relationship and that journalist said something in the paper about romantic tensions between the CEO and his intern..."

"What?" Arielle's body stilled. "When was that published? Who's been- Alexander and I don't have a romantic relationship." Arielle finally concluded, but Stella did not seem convinced. Her golden eyes searched Arielle's for a few moments before she spoke again.

"Alexander. You two are on a first name basis?" Stella asked, pushing her lips forward.

Arielle sucked in a breath, realizing her own mistake.

"We... I- Yes. Yes we are. But we do not have a romantic relationship." She insisted.

Stella rose her brow, "Are you sure?" She asked, her voice lower than before as she practically bore her eyes into Arielle's. Arielle felt slightly taken aback by her questioning.

"Of- of course. What would have given you the impression otherwise? Merely rumors?" She asked hoping to get further insight as to what else may have spurred this on. Or maybe that paper had been enough along with a tale or two from those around them.

"Well, yes-" She pouted. Arielle gave her a deadpanned look which encouraged her to explain. "Well since you arrived, there have been litte whispers, but when you left it exploded. Everyone's seen Mr. Marquee's attitude shift. He's hardly ever at work and when he is, he's out of. He's no longer big and intimidating to much of the staff now, you know?" Stella finished.

"Huh." Arielle responded mindlessly.

Stella simply watched Arielle for another moment before they were interrupted by the waiter walking up with coffees and pastries in hand.

Jeremy could be heard walking toward the table too. The chair he held loudly clashed against the tables behind them causing the women to jump.

"Are you okay?" Arielle asked, genuine concern in her eyes.

Jeremy wished that she wouldn't look at him like that, that she simply wouldn't care. He shook his head quickly and sat down quietly. They continued to talk as he kept to himself.

To Arielle, life was as normal as it could be, at least that's what Jeremy thought. She seemed to have the perfect life to him. She held a high potential position in the company, she won the hearts of people nearly instantly, and she left on a paid leave- the reason he knew that, he couldn't share with others without getting himself demoted or fired completely.

Her leaving caused him to feel oddly forgotten. She continued her life, never checking in to see how he, or even Stella was doing but now here she sat, laughing like no time had passed.

Jeremy took a deep breath. His crush had grown more than he'd like. He thought her being gone would have caused it to go with her, but as soon as he saw her again it grew back instantly, even surpassing it's size from before.

He watched Arielle turn her laptop toward Stella, showing her something that made them both smile. But Arielle's smile seemed to glow. Uncomfortable he shuffled in his seat and leaned his head to the side, finding it better to look away and that was when his eyes widened.

He instantly snapped up straight. A blush spread on his cheeks, but due to anxiety and possibly fear. Alexander Marquee stood at the entrance of the cafe with another man standing close beside him. If Jeremy were bold enough to stare longer, he would likely recognize him since Alexander wasn't known for his many friendships.

Jeremy heard Arielle grow quiet for a moment, and her large smile slowly faded as another look came upon her face. One Jeremy had never seen her give toward him or anyone else before.

It was as if she was entranced by his arrival. Arielle looked at Mr. Marquee the same way Jeremy looked at her and he felt something new forming within him. Something dark.

"I'll be going." Jeremy abruptly announced. His statement pulled Arielle out of her daze.

"You will? So soon?" She asked in shock. He had been quiet for so long, but his mood shifted abruptly and Arielle couldn't figure out why.

Jeremy's head snapped toward Arielle and for a moment, his brewing negativity took a halt. Her large brown eyes captivated him, pulling him from it, but he soon shook his head, regaining his focus.

"I've got some things to catch up with. It was nice seeing you." He answered quickly, but as politely as he could without exposing the way his heart seemed to bleed for her.

Stella looked between Arielle and Jeremy, but Jeremy already began on his departure causing Stella to awkwardly come to a stand. "I'm so sorry," she began. "I don't know why he's being like this, but he was my ride here. It was really good seeing you again." She urged with her arms outstretched. Arielle nodded eagerly in agreement, also coming to a stand, briefly giving her a hug.

"It was amazing seeing you. Hopefully we can catch up again soon?" Arielle wondered.

"Oh yes, here," she reached for one of Arielle's pens that laid strewn out on the table along with the napkin nearby. "Here's my number and here's my payment app. Request the cost of my food and I'll pay you. I promise." The sound of an engine caused her eyes to widen. "I've gotta go. Text me!" She yelled as she practically ran out of the cafe.

The encounter was strange and she couldn't help but wonder why Jeremy would have to leave so abruptly and why he had been acting so weird to begin with, but before she could ponder it any longer, the sound of approaching footsteps yanked her from her thoughts.

"Arielle," Alexander's familiar and warm voice spoke. It was comforting, like her surroundings. And if a voice could be shaded in like the world around her, his would be the shades of an amber brown with highlights of gold swirling within it.

"Arielle?" Alexander repeated. Amusement danced in his eyes, causing her to quickly look away.

"Yes, yes-" she cleared her throat. "How have you been?" She asked.

"Better now," he spoke softly. It was so quiet, Arielle wondered if she heard him correctly.

"What?" She asked in shock.

"Better now," he repeated loudly with a boyish smile forming on his face.

"Oh-" her cheeks soon were painted a different hue, one she hoped would remain unnoticed. "Well, I was about to leave, but I hope that your day will continue to be better." She smiled toward him as she found the ability to move yet again. His gaze had held her hostage longer than she'd like. She found it hard to look away, but she thought it'd be wise to.

Although she fasted and prayed for approximately a month's time and then continued to pray afterward to be sure, it remained to be confirmation after confirmation. Even her mother had been given a dream from the Lord about the two and her very own pastor offered to join in on the prayers. All three people had received the same answer and she thought to wait until at least two months of asking, but she remembered an important component rather late.

Telling him.

Arielle had to have the courage to tell him what God told her. Thankfully, He provided the necessary courage, all she had to do was ask.

And the rumors swirled in her mind. Was his infatuation with her that noticeable? Arielle sighed as she shuffled everything into her bag. Maybe she should tell him,  but not alone.

"Well I should be going, but were you free sometime this week? My mom is making one of her favorite dishes tomorrow night and she always loves to host." What she didn't add was her mother's constant questioning as to when he would return to their humble abode.

Alexander seemed taken aback by this request and the door dinging grabbed his attention. Behind them stood Devin, decked out in a boy's-next-door outfit. The light blue denim jeans paired with a white t-shirt and red and white flannel seemed to hide his wealth particularly well from any random onlooker, but the bags under his eyes confirmed that what he said on the phone was true.

Alexander's heart sank as he witnessed his beloved friend fight to put on a smile. Alexander waved and briefly turned back to Arielle.

"You can message me and let me know the time I should show up and I'll be there," Alexander assured her. Arielle smiled and nodded.

"I see you have to go. I have to meet up with the waitress to pay for our order so-"

"Let me. Just enjoy your day." Alexander insisted.

"Alexander I couldn't_" she began.

"Please, I insist." He continued.

She searched his eyes for a moment before nodding in agreement.

"I can pay you back," she assured him.

"You don't have to. It's on me." He smiled.

Arielle smiled in return, his own bright smile being too contagious to not return. Giving him one more appreciative look, she made her way out of the cafe.

Devin's eyes followed her out as she exited, as did Alexander's, and she recalled the rumors that Stella brought up. She could easily see how they came to that conclusion. And she wondered if she was always too blind to notice it herself. She knew about how he felt because he told her, but others knew how he felt because they saw her through his eyes.