CHAPTER 13- THE SCHEME

It was mid evening. Gaius was sitting in his favourite place in the mansion. He was sitting on the white bench under the apple tree. It gave off a most lovely fragrance from the flowers that blossomed on it. Whenever it's fruit was in season, all it's branches would be bent almost to the ground with lovely red apples.

It was very cool underneath it's shade during the hot days, and it seemed to be quite warm when it was cold too. He always spent his free time here, reading a book most at times, and he loved the peace and quiet, for it was in the most secluded part of the mansion.

He and one other person usually shared this secret spot. The planter of the tree- Adriana's grandmother, and Gaius were very close. Sometimes, when they were both free for long periods of time, they would spend hours chatting about nothing in particular. That was before she died.

But ...now,it was a different time. Gaius closed his eyes and breathed in the lovely scent of the flowers.It was nice, but... different. The flowers smelt just like lavender ointment. Wait a minute!The flowers smelt of apples, not lavender! Someone else was here! Gaius thought.

There was only one person he knew who carried that scent. Priscilla!

Gaius snapped his eyes open, and there she was, sitting at the far end of the bench. She probably didn't notice he was there too, or maybe she chose to ignore him. Her face looked radiant. She as well seemed to enjoy the fragrance of the flowers, and as the wind brushed through her long blonde hair, a mixture of coconut and honey tickled his senses.

He was mersmerized. He gripped the edges of the bench in other to stop himself from being dizzy. Priscilla had been very cold towards him ever since that incident, and often avoided seeing eye to eye with him as much as she could.

He shouldn't discard such a valuable asset as herself in his war against Bren Gaius suddenly realized. He needed as many allies as possible. He would patch things up with her, he decided. He put the book he was reading gently on the bench, and approached Priscilla, the smell of honey, lavender and coconut getting stronger with each step.

Gaius now stood directly in front of her. She still had her eyes closed, but she seemed to sense that someone was in front of her. Pursing her lips, Priscilla peeked at him from under her long lashes. Gaius saw her gasp at the sight of him, and then she stood up to leave immediately. Reflexes anticipating such from her, Gaius gripped her arm and pulled her back to stop her from leaving. "Don't touch me!" she yelled drawing her arm away and taking a few steps back.

''Please priscilia, I have something I would like to say to you." Gaius said hoping that that would make her wait a little bit, but it didn't. "There's nothing I would like to hear from you." priscilia replied and turned away from him. She would've gone, but Gaius blocked her way with his huge hulking frame.

He then grabbed her wrist gently, but she began to struggle. "Let go of me! Let go of me Gaius!" They tackled each other to the ground, and Gaius quickly rolled on top of her, pinning both her hands above her head on each side of the grass."Priscilla! Priscilia, listen to me!" He said trying hard as hell to ignore the sensual feeling of her soft body writhing underneath him as she struggled. "Get off me!" "No I won't!"

"Get off me!" Priscilla screamed louder.

"Look Priscilla, this is the most secluded place in the manor! Scream all you want!No one is going to come." Gaius said stubbornly. She rammed her knee against his side, knocking the air out of his ribs. Gaius groaned, but he didn't as much as loosen his firm but gentle grip on her wrists. "Get off me Gaius! what if someone sees us?! Get off me you crazy psycho!"

"Only if you agree to sit down and listen to what I have to say."

"You're crazy!I don't want to listen to anything, especially from your lips!" Priscilla said struggling again.

"Then you'd better get comfy cause I got all day!"Did She think she was the only one who could play stubborn? he mused. Priscilia tried to lift herself from underneath him by raising her legs, but he pressed them back down with his longer pair. She blinked her grey eyes angrily. "I'll listen!" she finally said between gritted teeth. "I don't believe you..." He whispered against her neck. Priscilla looked away from Gaius, trying as hard as she could not to be fascinated by those topaz eyes.

"I will...I promise...get off!" she said bucking underneath him again. Gaius slowly let go of her hands, then got up, straddling her on his knees. He offered his hand to help her stand up, but she ignored it and nearly knocked him over when she stood up.

They sat on the bench, facing each other. "Look, I know you probably don't want to listen to what I have to say, but..."

"There's nothing to say." Priscilia interrupted. "You've said it all before, remember?" she flicked her hair. "You made it clear that you want nothing to do with me, and.... now, I'm actually okay with that. So What more do you want Gaius?" When he didn't reply, Priscilla chuckled. She stood up and her back to him. "All's said right? Can I go now?" She moved a step forward.

Gaius grabbed her hand. "Priscilia, don't go." This time, when she turned, there were tears in her eyes. "Just... give me another chance Priscilla. Losing you these few weeks has made me realize that I can't do without you." She pulled her hand out of his. "Who do you think you are to just play around with my feelings this way Gaius?!?" she said, her voice a little lower than a yell. "Oh, I see. You think you can just leave and come back whenever you like?!" she said pushing him a little. "You're a hypocrite, and a liar!"She shook her head. "I don't believe a single word of what you're saying." Priscilia turned to leave. This time around, Gaius didn't stop her from leaving. He just let her go.