Chapter 13 - The orangery

Joanna and Macaroy Sherman arranged a meeting in the public orangery. It was a big greenhouse, with the most exotic plants Joanna had seen grow in this part of the world. Of course, it was only thanks to the heat and technological systems in the greenhouse that this was at all possible.

The most amazing scent hit Joanna in the face as she stepped into the orangery. Apples, bananas, unknown flowers, herbs and the warm smell of humid air. She found that she had dressed herself to the climate of the world outside this greenhouse and that it was in no way appropriate for the weather inside the greenhouse. She pulled the blouse off so she was only wearing the thin tank top she had been wearing underneath. It was the one she used for sports, which was why she had been wearing it underneath her regular clothes. She found that having one's workout clothes easily available and ready was the most motivating thing - or at least it got rid of another excuse not to do it.

"Miss Charleston!" Joanna turned around to see Sherman walking briskly towards her. He tipped his cute brown hat at her and grabbed her hand to kiss it. She didn't have the time to object or bid herself free of this act before his lips were pressed against her knuckles. And it felt so familiar, she thought, so soft and gentle. Joanna! She shouted to herself. You promised yourself that you would have to avoid people almost kissing you... and now...

Sherman stood up but didn't let go of her hand. "My heart's desire is fulfilled now that I see you again, miss Charleston."

"Mr Sherman?" Joanna didn't know what to say, she had been baffled quite profoundly. She straightened her clothes as she gathered herself and cleared her throat before she spoke again. "Mr Sherman. I arranged this meeting so we could have a few things settled."

Sherman smiled and nodded, as he pulled her closer. "I'm glad we agree about that."

Joanna didn't know what he meant by this but considered it wiser not to ask. "Yes. Well. I would like to begin with the time we last saw each other."

"I would like to as well, miss. I must admit you surprised me."

Joanna stopped him by putting her finger on his lips, "wait. First of all. I must tell you that I can't recall anything about that evening from the time I got into your car."

Sherman blinked a couple of times and frowned before he nodded and made a few odd sounds. "Yes. Okay. That changes a few things..."

"Might I ask why?"

"Well... I suppose you would like me to tell you what happened?"

"Yes."

"I thought so," he paused. "You see... I don't know if I want to tell you."

Joanna blinked a couple of times to have the words sink into her brain. "You… don't want to?"

Sherman smiled kindly and shook his head. "No. You see, I think we're similar in many ways and therefore you might understand, that I have the upper hand only when I'm in control of your missing memories." He took her under the arm and started walking her around in the orangery. "I want to keep you under my control to some degree you see – unless we can come to some sort of arrangement?"

"Arrangement… I'm listening."

"Darling, you have no other choice but to listen."

"Unless I didn't care that much about my memories…" Joanna tried to fake her motives, but Sherman just smiled.

"No dear. I know you care." He pointed towards a tree with purple-pinkish flowers, "do you know that tree?"

Joanna shook her head.

"Neither do I. But that hasn't harmed me so far… Still, now that I see the tree, I want to know what I'm looking at."

Joanna rolled her eyes at his attempted symbolic example. "I fail to see your point."

"My point is, we desire knowledge as soon as we discover there is something we don't know, but not before – and I saw that in you from the first evening I met you."

Joanna lifted her eyebrows and took her hand out of his. "Unless you get to suggesting this arrangement you have planned or get around to telling me what I wish to know, I'm leaving. I have better things to do."

Joanna was starting to get annoyed with Macaroy Sherman and the feeling of starstruck she had felt when she first met him, was starting to wear off – probably as a result of the secrets he was hiding from her. She supposed Mina had been right about 'meeting your idols', it wasn't always a success.

"It will be my pleasure, miss Charleston…" he paused, "however, please allow me to take my time, as my suggestion is of a delicate nature."

Joanna observed the orangery as Macaroy took his time to put his thoughts into words. The sun gleamed through the giant windows, making it so that there were almost no shadows inside, though there were thin columns all over the orangery for the support of the glass ceiling. The arcs between the columns were detailed with carvings and cutouts in circles, florals, and sunlike circles. If you could look closer one might notice some old symbols, Joanna thought, but she would have to let that curiosity go, as they were far too high up. Though, she could consider obtaining a pair of binoculars and return to the orangery when she had the time to spare.

"And therefore, miss Charleston," Mr Sherman said, stopping their walk and walking in front of her. "I find myself utterly charmed by you, and find that the only way I can do you justice would be…" He paused and got down on his knee. "To ask you for your hand in marriage."

Joanna opened her eyes wide as she looked at the stunning, glamorous golden ring with a blue jewel shining in the middle, surrounded by smaller jewels of a lighter blue color.