Masked Love Read online

  MASKED LOVE

  SAMOLU PEARL

  Prologue

  The bandit stole something precious from her... Her heart!

  Chapter 1

  “Let-go off me!” Venus ordered to the thug tugging at her hair. Her hands were pinned behind her back.

  “Look at this, guys! We got a wild one this time!” he sneered to the other four.

  “I told you… I don’t have anything with me other than the herbs…” she started but he interrupted.

  “It is such a shame… All that for just some dried leaves and creepers?” he stared at the rest of the men. “But… it won’t be that bad after all…” he said staring at her. Venus felt a shudder run through her whole body as the man gave her a greedy look from top to bottom and licked his lips with a cruel smile.

  “No… Don’t!” Venus tried.

  Venus was the only heir of the village head family. She lost her parents in the flood that affected the whole village years ago, and she had to take care of herself since then. Venus took over her family’s medicinal line, about which her father had taught her since childhood. The village people just loved her and always cared for her like she was family…

  That fateful day, she was collecting some medicinal plants in the forest when she heard some noises as if someone were moving towards her, and she was right. Venus had heard that it was not good times to wander off alone as there were bandits roaming in and around the country, robbing, and killing, and even raping the innocents. But she didn’t expect them to show up before her, like this, nevertheless get hold of her!

  Venus stared at the bandit, holding her. His eyes were boring into hers with danger reflected in them. She didn’t even want to ponder over what his thoughts might be at the moment. She tried hard to loosen his grip, but it just got tightened around her. She struggled again sensing him get close to her- close enough to feel his breathe over her face, and suddenly, something struck her hand. She touched it over her pants and realized that it was her knife, which she used to cut the medicinal roots. She didn’t waste a second, as she noticed his face was almost near her lips.

  She drew her knife out and slashed his arm that was holding hers, behind her back. The bandit withdrew in pain.

  “You…! Kill her!” he ordered to the others and they moved towards her holding out their daggers.

  Venus tried backing away, but she was trapped. She shut her eyes tight, expecting a tormenting pain any minute now, as she sensed the men near her with their weapons.

  But suddenly, there were some loud thuds and bangs, and she opened her eyes in a crack to see the men clumsily scrambling away. Venus was surprised to see that and she turned to her side.

  A man – dressed like- a bandit? - was standing near her. He had covered half of his face as well and she could only see his striking blue eyes through them. Venus moved towards him to thank him for saving her life, but he had stepped away… behind the trees! Disappearing into the darkness!

  She walked back home, carrying her bag of medicines, wondering about her mysterious savior.

  ‘He’s a bandit – one among them… but why did he save me? Where did he disappear to…?” Venus strolled, thinking about the stranger. ‘Oh… I wish I had seen his face…”

  Suddenly, she heard someone call her name and turned around in shock. It was Jellal – her father’s partner (the current head of the village)’s son. Jellal’s parents visited her often and were really attached to her.

  “Hey, Venus…” Jellal smiled. “I was going to your home…”

  “Jellal…” she mumbled, still thinking about something.

  “Er… Are you ok? You look tired… Where were you?”

  “I-I was at the forest… collecting medicinal herbs… I’m alright, don’t worry…” smiled Venus. She didn’t dare to tell him what happened as she was sure he’d blow his top over it.

  “So…” Jellal stepped in front of her, near her doorway. Venus was staring at him. “Would you invite me in… at least today?” he asked, leaning towards her, staring into her eyes.

  “Jellal… Come on in… What a question?” she smiled at him.

  “That’s…” he took her hand in his and slowly raised it to his lips. “Not what I meant…” he was about to kiss her finger tips, but she pulled away, abruptly and he stared at her.

  “Er… I don’t think that it would be a good idea…” she managed as she stepped beside him to open the door.

  “Oh… Come on, Venus! We’re engaged, aren’t we?” he pouted and she felt really irritated.

  Jellal’s parents told Venus that she was engaged to Jellal right from their childhood according to her father’s wishes. Even though Venus couldn’t recall her father mentioning anything about it, she didn’t object the idea as she didn’t want to offend Jellal’s parents who were really like a family.

  “My point exactly!” she looked at him. “We are engaged, and I think we must wait until we’re married!” she sounded finalized. “Do you like to have some dinner?”

  He moved closer to her and held her waist. “That’s not what I have in mind, right now!” he whispered as he stooped down. Venus pushed him away and stared at him. She was fighting her anger but managed to smile.

  “Jellal… I’m really tired now… Let’s talk tomorrow… please?” she tilted her head with a cute face and he almost stumbled down. Venus marched him outside and closed the door behind him after wishing him a ‘good night’.

  She sighed as she sat on her bed after dinner. Her mind drifted off to the sparkling blue eyes and Venus wished to see him at least once. And, without realizing, she fell into a deep sleep, filled with dreams about the stranger.

  The next day evening, Venus found herself walking to the forest. Her heart was hoping to see him again. She roamed the forest for the whole evening, but she couldn’t see him. Venus was really disappointed and she decided to walk back to the village, as it was getting really late. But suddenly, she stumbled on something and looked down to see a shiny metal ‘thing’. She bent down and took the ‘thing’ in her hand and noticed it was a golden dagger. She turned it around in her hands and saw a star-like symbol carved on its handle. She shrugged her shoulder and turned to walk away with the dagger. But then, she heard some movements behind the trees and turned to look around with frightened eyes. But there was no one there. Without waiting for any more trouble, she hurried back to her village.

  The days passed away slowly, and Venus didn’t have a clue about her mysterious stranger, and she buried him deep in her heart as a painful memory. Meanwhile, Jellal’s constant bugging was irritating her to her roots that Venus had to check her temper every time he steps in her house.

  “I told you! You must wait till our marriage, Jellal…” she fumed and he told her that he was going to discuss about their marriage to his parents. She could only sigh in reply. ‘Why did father do this to me?’ she murmured to herself.

  One night, Venus was sitting in her living room, cutting some herbs and plants when she heard some loud noises outside.

  ‘What’s going on…?’ she wondered and was about to stand up when she noticed a clatter in her kitchen. Venus cautiously moved towards her kitchen, ready to call out for help. She was hearing the clattering of her dishes clearly now. Venus braced herself as she stepped into the kitchen and looked around. But, there was no one there. She turned around to walk towards her living room, and suddenly with a start, she saw him. A man was standing near her kitchen wall trying to peep outside her house through her window. Venus immediately opened her mouth to shout, but couldn’t. He had moved towards her and was holding her mouth tight.

  “Don’t!” he whispered. Venus took in his form. He was hurt real bad. His forehead and hands were bleeding and his arm was shivering slightly and she c
ould see that he was limping. His jet black hair was falling into his sparkling blue eyes.

  ‘Those eyes…’ thought Venus in shock.

  Chapter 2

  Venus’ eyes widened as she realized the fact. It was the same man she was searching for! The bandit! ‘What’s he doing here? Trying- to rob their village…?’ Her heart even though was wishing to see him at least for once until then, suddenly filled with fury. ‘I won’t let him steal from my village…’

  The man was still staring outside, and he shuddered as they heard a knock on their door.

  “Venus…. Venus, open the door!” It was Jellal, and Venus pulled away from her captor, with a little struggle. She ran towards the door and then turned to look at him.

  ‘He saved my life once…’ thought Venus as he stood there staring at her. ‘But he’s here for a bad cause… - I could’ve died that day… - But he’s one among the bandits who kill the innocent…’ Venus was battling her own mind as she opened the door and stared into Jellal’s ebony black eyes, his friends and a few from the village were with him.

  “We’re chasing a robber and he ran towards your house…” Jellal said, trying to step in. “Did you see him?”

  “I-“ Venus stole a look over her shoulder. “I-didn’t… see anyone.” She managed.

  “Hmm… Are you alright? You’re sweating…” said Jellal, taking a closer look at her.

  “I-was brewing a new medicine… and the ingredients are a bit er… hot.” She said.

  Jellal sighed and asked her to shut the door and lock it from inside. Venus leaned on her door as she heard Jellal and the others stroll away.

  She slowly walked towards the kitchen and noticed him sit on her floor, his eyes closed as if in sleep.

  “Hey…” Venus called, feeling a bit nervous to go near him. “Are you alright?”

  He raised his head slowly and looked at her. Then, he tried to stand up and move towards her, but his leg tripped and he fell down. Venus moved towards him and supported him as he stood up and they moved towards her living room. She helped him sit on her chair before examining his wounds… She noticed him stare at her.

  “Don’t give me that look… I don’t want to save you… I’m just- returning a favor… Now, I really regret it though…” she said as she moved to take some medicines from her shelf. “You are a bandit aren’t you?” she asked and noticed him still stare at her. “You saved me the other day, at the forest… and… I… am just repaying the debt!” He was not replying anything and Venus felt her anger rise to its maximum. “Oh!! I shouldn’t have saved you… you’re planning to steal from our village, aren’t you…?” She was treating his wounds and dressing them. “How can you guys just do all those terrible things? I mean… robbing innocents, and even killing them?” she fumed, and he twitched his head in pain and she noticed that she had dabbed the medicine a bit too hard on his forehead in her anger. She stared at his face, but he was just gazing at her. ‘Oh… why do I even bother?’ she thought and continued dressing his hands.

  Rey sat there feeling her touch over his body, gazing at her beautiful face. ‘Venus’ he thought. ‘The Goddess of Love… The name suites her…’ He took in her beautiful face. Her beautiful dark eyes were moving nervously around following her hands. Her lips were slightly parted and were murmuring now and then. But he couldn’t really concentrate to hear as his mind was mesmerized by the beauty of them! Her long dark hair was covering half of her body and he had a sudden urge to stroke them. ‘Yes… the name suites her perfectly…’ A small smile lit up his face.

  “What are you smirking at?” she asked frowning at him and he just shook his head. “Just stay here for the night and clear off in the morning…” she said as she walked towards her bedroom.

  Venus was lying on her bed thinking about him. ‘Why did it have to be him…? I mean… if he was not a bandit… if he was not trying to rob my village… Oh come on girl… what are you thinking… he’s a bandit! One among the heartless who’d killed the innocents just for money…’ Venus turned to her side, facing the doorway and then slowly closed her eyes.

  Rey was staring out the window for any sign of the villagers. But the street looked deserted. He slowly moved towards the door and held the door knob to walk out. But something stopped him. He turned around and stared at the closed door to Venus’ bedroom, and then slowly walked towards her. Venus was asleep. Her face, Rey noticed, was peaceful. His eyes curiously took in her sleeping form – her eyes closed, lips curled in a slight smile… His eyes slowly moved to her neck… chest… and he realized his heart beats go wild… for the first time in his life… watching her breathe like that was sending some strange vibes down his feet. Rey shifted his eyes to her legs. Her night robe was slightly open below her knee and he could see her calves. He almost swallowed his own tongue as he sensed the smoothness of her flawless skin. A slight smile formed on his lips as he slowly stroked away a strand of hair that fell over her face.

  “Thanks… Venus.” He smiled and turned around to walk away. But suddenly, something else caught his eye. He noticed something shining beneath her pillow and took a closer look. His golden dagger! He missed it in the forest when he tried to save Venus from the bandits and he came to the village, risking his life, to look for it. The dagger was precious to him…

  Rey put his hand beneath her pillow to retrieve the dagger, but before he could pull it out, Venus grabbed his hand. He stared at her face in panic, but she was still sleeping, with his hand clutched tight… to her bosom!

  Rey stood there, his lips parted in shock… feeling the soft curves brush against his rough hand. And, he felt his body heat rise with her every inhale or exhale of air. He stared at her face, which still had the beautiful smile over it. He noticed the feelings rise within him and he was sure that he had never felt anything like that before. Rey, unknowingly, stooped down to reach her face. He gazed at her red, delicious lips and slowly tilted his head to take them into his mouth. But the sudden breathe across her mouth made her open her eyes and stare right into his. Rey was more mesmerized to see the smile in them. She slowly stretched herself, still holding his hand and then looked at him again.

  The smile on Venus face faded immediately. She sat up and stared at his face.

  “What…?” she asked furiously. “What do you want…?” she moved a few inches back and was terrified to see him move forwards.

  “My hand…” he whispered, still staring at her. Venus looked at him confused and then dropped her eyes to where he was staring at the moment. She was still clutching his hand tight to her bosom. Venus let out a small shriek as she let go off his hand and pulled the bedspread closer. Her face was a bright shade of pink and Rey couldn’t help the smirk on his face.

  “You… Pervert!” she fumed and he looked at her indifferently. “What the heck do you want…?”

  “What…? I didn’t…” he shook his head moving closer to her.

  “Stay there…” she raised her hand to stop him. “Don’t come any closer…” she pulled the covers closer and then threw a pillow at him.

  “Calm down, woman…” he tried as she threw another pillow at him which hit its mark on his face.

  Venus searched for something to defend herself with and finally she found one. The golden dagger! She unsheathed it and pointed it at him. “Come any closer and I’ll…” her eyes were burning. “-kill you for sure…” Her voice made him almost believe her.

  “Look… I’m not-” But she had swung the dagger and it missed him by inches. That’s it! Rey held her by her hand which was holding the dagger and then puller her closer. She started on an ear piercing scream, but he held her mouth tight and in his struggle to ‘shush’ her, they fell back on the bed.

  Rey was lying over her, feeling her warm breathe over his hand and face. He was still holding her mouth and he noticed her eyes move around nervously trying to catch his.

  “I’m not going to hurt you…” he whispered and she narrowed her eyes.

  ‘He’
s definitely not the hero…’ she thought. ‘He’s an obnoxious… cruel bandit!’ She tried to struggle out of his grip but it just got tightened around her.

  Rey tried to talk to her but she wasn’t listening to anything he said. Instead she was struggling hard to free herself. The determination and the anger in her eyes induced some strange feelings in his heart. “Look…” he tried. “I’m just trying to get my dagger back, ok?” he asked staring at her and she narrowed her eyes. “Just give it back to me and I’m gone…”

  She stared at him and then looked at the dagger in her hand, covered by his. She slowly nodded her head.

  “Good… Now, I’m going to take my hand off… Don’t scream!” he warned. ‘Man, she can scream!’ he thought as he released his hand.

  She sat straight, gasping for air. And, Rey took the dagger from her grip. “Now, I wasn’t trying to do anything… You pulled my hand and made me-” But she cut him off, her face a high shade of pink.

  “Leave… Now!” she ordered and he shrugged.

  “Thanks anyway…” he said as he placed his sheathed dagger back in his back pocket and then with a smirk, he walked out of her bedroom… house… and perhaps the village.

  The day passed by slowly, and Venus tried not to think about the arrogant bandit ever again. He was such a jerk anyway…

  Meanwhile,

  “Rey… Where were you…?” asked a beautiful, lady with a pair of brown eyes and matching hair. “A-Are you ok?” she asked taking in his wounds and dressings as he sat on a chair, stretching himself.

  “I’m fine Mia…” he chuckled. “Where is Peter?”

  “He’s in the village… Will be back soon…” before she completed, the door opened again and a tall, young man, with hazel eyes, stepped in. But his expression changed as soon as he saw Rey’s condition.

  “Rey… Where were you…?” he hurried towards him with a worried look. “What happened? Was it the other bandit group…?”