Chapter 2

It was quite pleasant indeed.  Chloe couldn’t help but notice the subtle differences in her conversations with Phillip versus those with her parents. She did not have anyone telling her to sit up straight or explain to her the correct topics of conversation that a young lady was to engage in.

Chloe felt at home with Phillip and realized for the first time in her life that she finally felt like she belonged somewhere and not to someone. They dined together the second night of their journey and Chloe was delighted in the pleasant company she found in Phillip. They talked about her life and the circumstances she found herself in. About the last minute decision she made to take her life into her own hands even if it was just for two weeks and Phillip commented on how brave she was.

“Well Chloe I do believe you took your own life into the palms of your hands and that, my dear, is quite courageous of you. Trust me this is just the beginning of your journey, for I do not believe you will be content back home with mother and father after this trip.”

Chloe pondered this and wondered if he was right. Would she be able to live a fulfilling life after this trip? Would it be torture to her or would she be content on this one journey she had given herself?

To Chloe at this point in her trip she felt this was going to be the best part of it and she would be sad when it was over. She didn’t ask Phillip what he was going to do in Galisha as she was terrified to bring up the end, afraid it would break the wonderful spell she was under.

She yearned to caress his face as she did the first night when she felt his forehead but she held back. It wasn’t proper and it was much different thing to do when a man was actually awake. She felt this undeniable strong pull that seemed to have a hold on her. As each minute passed that found her unbearable close to Phillip she felt as if she was being lured into his arms, as if she belonged in those arms.

The second night of her journey found Chloe actually in Phillips arms. They had been eating dinner in the Dining car when they found themselves in the middle of a serenade. Every dinning couple got up to dance and of course Phillip asked her to dance. He took her arm and led her to the small dance floor that also served as the buffet area. Phillip took Chloe into his arms sliding a gentle hand around her waist and pulling her tightly to his body. She looked up at him startled and a bit confused as she felt a large hand at the base of her back.

Looking into his eyes she swirled around the dance floor finding herself falling head over heels for a man she had barely meet less than twenty four hours ago. The dance stared of to a sweet melody by Mozart. It began in a slow mixture of string instruments and they glided over the dance floor sensing that there was something boiling in that sweet melody. Chloe gazed around the room afraid to look Phillip in the eyes, afraid that her own would betray their secrets. Slowly and steadily the percussion instruments roared up from the core of the melody pounding deep and steadily in the air.

Chloe felt as if the center of her being was being pulled up and caught up in the beat swirling in and out of the car’s lights running around and around the dance floor. With the beat of the drum her heart took flight basking in the joy of the night they were experiencing. Chloe could never have imagined the journey she was on. She could never have imagined that she would feel the hands of a man on her back. It amazed Chloe that she created this on her own. When she took her life in her hands she gave herself this rare and pleasurable happiness.

“You should see your face Chloe. The radiance from your eyes causes your face to glow. And may I say that you are extremely beautiful when you’re happy. I shall make a note to take you dancing when we arrive in Galisha. “

All Chloe could muster was a deep blush that grew to her entire face. There was nothing that she could do for she knew nothing of these matters of life. Being locked up and taking care of her mother and father left her with no social ability but of what she learned from her sister.

The song ended as quickly as it began and Chloe found herself being led down the corridors of the train. They were headed back to their cabin.

As Chloe waited in the hall of the train while Phillip rustled around in the cabin she found herself remembering the warm sensation of Phillips hands on her back as they had danced and almost immediately her back began to tingle in remembrance of the touch.

The door of the cabin opened and Chloe let out a quick gasp as she was startled by the suddenness of the door.  With the gentle rush of the door being open Chloe smelt a strong odor of jasmine that blanketed her and beckoned her into the small cabin. Chloe stepped through the cabin door and was amazed at the sight before her. Phillip had transformed to room into flower garden. Jasmine flowers lined the walls, the center of each white blossom bore a brilliant yellow star that danced like fireflies with each sway of the flower.

It seemed like Phillip had grown the endless vine of jasmine in the brief time that he was in the cabin alone. With the amazement on Chloe face Phillip puffed his chest out in a show of pride for what he had done.

Phillip took Chloe’s hand into his own and gently led her to her side of the cabin. He had folded up their seats and made each bed that folded out on either side. Sitting her down on her bed he pulled down the folding table and placed a long, white candle on it and lit it with a lighter or match that was just out of the sight of Chloe’s vision.

With the candle lit and glowing Phillip crawled up next to Chloe instead of taking his place at his own bed. This caused Chloe’s heart to quicken and she felt her face redden in embarrassment. Terrified of his intensions Chloe quickly shot up from her seat and spun around to face Phillip, anger quickly replaced her embarrassment and Chloe glared at Phillip in defiance.

“You are sorely mistaken sir if you believe anything was going to happen in that bed.” Chloe spit the words out with such venom she surprised herself.  “I cannot think of anything I have done this evening that could have even hinted that I would allow anything but friendly conversation to take place and I am quite appalled that you would insinuate at such things sir.”

The look on Phillips face seemed to melt away any feelings of anger and accusations that Chloe held. His eyes held a deep pain and it looked like he was on the verge of tears at the sudden anger in Chloe’s voice. This tore at Chloe’s heart and she had that overwhelming erg again to fall into his arms and caress his perfect face.

Clearing his throat as if to say something Phillip just sat there staring at her and then lowered his head and let out a sigh. “The thought would never have come across my mind my sweet Chloe.” Phillip said in a hoarse whisper as he fought back the tears that were threatening to break through.

He sat there staring at the floor and Chloe realized that she had hurt him in a deep way that she could not understand. She had just met him. How can these two days bring him to care for her so that her accusations would break his heart? Chloe just stood there looking at the poor man twisting her hands in a nervous manner.

“Then can you explain to me sir why you thought it was ok to crawl into my bed?” Chloe tried to keep the accusation from her words deciding he needed a chance to explain himself.

“I thought that we could play a game of chess and seeing as the candle takes up what little room there is on the table the only way to play is on the bed. You jumped up so fast I didn’t have time to take the game out from behind you.”

Chloe’s eyes immediately found the box exactly where he had said, right behind where she was sitting. At the realization that she had just hurt this man with her wrong accusation Chloe closed the distance between the two. Taking his face in her hands she lifted it up to find tears trails leading down his face. She wiped each cheek with her hands and looked into his eyes.

“Phillip I am truly sorry that I could ever believe you would do such a thing.” She said in a hushed whisper and gently kissed his forehead.

It seemed that was all Phillip need and he wrapped his arms around her legs and buried his head into her abdomen. Chloe placed her hands on his head lacing her fingers in his brown hair holding him to her.

Chloe stood in that position for a long time relishing in the fact that she was once again in Phillips arms. She could feel his breath on her skin through the fabric of her blouse and loved the warmth that it left.

With a deep sign Phillip slowly rose from his position and unlaced Chloe’s fingers from his hair and looked up into Chloe’s face. A mischievous smile crept to his mouth and Chloe couldn’t help but let out a giggle.

“So, how about that game of chess Miss Chloe?”

“I think you have earned at least one game sir” and with that everything was forgotten and they ended their night after several games of chess in which Chloe won each and every one. Chloe settled down into her small bed and lay awake dreading the next morning. Eventually her body overcame her mind and she drifted into sleep.