Chapter 51: Chapter 51

Chapter 49: The return

Scrambling around waiting for the right moment or push to approach him. She felt nervous, Faith always felt nervous in Thomas presence. No wonder she made a full out of herself most of the time. Her nerves got the best of her only resulting in her displaying a bad defensive attitude. That wasn't her at all. She could be caring, likable, generous and pleasant to be around. Having a change of heart, she wanted to apologize to Thomas. He did not deserve that. He did not deserve to be ill-treated in the manner that she did. Today was a special day, she would earn his forgiveness and hopefully start a friendship afresh. Faith was aware that Thomas still loved Merri, that was alright. She'd simply be a good friend to them both...maybe just Thomas... and wait for their separation.

"Are you busy Thomas? I won't be long." Thomas stopped what he had been doing. Standing up straight, sweat visible... she could not help but admire how hardworking he was. He never complained even when overworked, he was always cheerful. The kind of attitude anyone should have towards life.

"Not at all." Thomas said out of breath after having spent nearly an hour packing stack of hay and packing them accordingly.

"I—"

"Is that for me?" Thomas questioned at the cake. It had no frosting but it still looked yum and he was hungry he'd take anything.

"Yes, it is." Faith grinned. "Happy day of birth Thomas!"

A little taken aback. He smiled. "I had forgotten, I do not celebrate it much. There isn't much to, I suppose."

"There is a lot to celebrate such as your presence and that there are people... like me... who're grateful for your existence. This plantation would be nothing without you Thomas."

He smiled.

"Thank you Faith."

"I remembered, when we were kids you told me and I never forgot the day."

"What a good memory you have!"

"Yes." She replied shyly looking away. He sat down on a mini stool just outside the stable indulging the whole mini chocolate. He was famished, so famished he could eat a horse. Faith was happy to see him enjoying her cake, she had been excited to make it. It had been a good idea to make it.

Also it wasn't Thomas day of birth, he wouldn't know that. Slaves hardly minded their dates, if they even knew them. They were counted as ship and it did not matter. They only knew their age when they were being sold and counted from then onwards.

Thomas birthday had been the week before but he wouldn't know that as long as it was October.

"Thomas, I actually wanted to speak to you about something..."

"I'm listening?" He said eagerly enjoying the cake.

Faith noted, food was the way to a man's heart. Suppose maybe just Thomas!

"I was thinking... Merrigold will be horridly upset. Infact, she will not forgive you. I can only imagine from a women's prospective—"

"I will still not be with you!" Thomas interrupted, it hurt but she composed her face and still remained and acted unfazed.

"...I know..." she sighed. "All I'm saying is, you do not have to tell her. I won't either. I only want you to be happy and I've noted how much you love Merri and I want you to be happy. It's better we leave our night of fall from grace behind us."

"Do you think so?" Thomas asked thoughtfully. "I do not like hiding anything from Merri. I think it would be better if she knew. I'd feel awful..."

"Then she will go back to Austin because you would have disappointed her."

"...oh..."

"Do you not want her back...?"

"Ofcourse, with all my heart!"

Faith wanted to vomit with jealousy.

"Then it will be in your best interests to keep quiet."

After a long given thought. Thomas replied... "You're right Faith, you're very smart!"

She smiled.

"But what if she finds out?"

"She won't? How will she find out if the two people involved don't say a word about it?"

"...yes!" Thomas nodded now understanding this logic. Faith also nodded, she did not want Thomas to tell because she would be the one to break the news when it was convenient for her. She would spill the beans just when Merri and Thomas become comfortable. This time, she'd have Thomas and there was nothing stopping her. The only people getting married would be her and Thomas. She had waited too long on the sidelines watching, it was her turn to play. After that night, how could she not fall even deeper in-love with Thomas. The way he held her as he pummeled into her. It was nice... feeling every inch of his body and touching his muscular strong arms. She could not wait to do it again. Thomas was easy. He was a walking adolescent. Just a stroke and he was already hard. He'd say no all the while enjoying it. Regardless of him only carrying for his own climax, it felt nice to have him inside. She felt as if they were connected and it felt so personal and special. Although she would have liked him to go slower, it was something she'd later teach him. He was so fast paced, he only lasted a few minutes but to Faith it felt like it had been longer. She wanted him again and she'd have him.

Thomas was sitting by his stool and Faith standing in front of him when he saw Merrigold from a distance, at first he thought it was just his imagination but it was really her. His heart leapt with joy, putting the plate down with no warning he ran for her, Merrigold ran for him too. Faith turned back and saw the little prostitute was back. Thomas lifted Merrigold off her feet, that was how happy he was to see her. Squeezing her tight around her waist, she started crying. It seemed she had been begging for a release, she had been begging to cry.

"Aww Merrigold, I missed you just as much. I could cry too." He kissed her cheek then kissed her lips all the while Faith was watching from afar with her arms folded.

"I'm sorry..." Merrigold cried. She knew what she was speaking of, she knew her guilt. She knew why she was sorry.

"No... I'm sorry Merri." Thomas replied within their tight embrace. "I'm sorry, I pushed you away. I could never be without you. That was a mistake, I was being idiotic. There is no woman I'd rather be with."

"Really?" Merrigold asked, she had expected him to still be mad at her like before but things had changed it seemed. As if it was punishment, her vagina ached with discomfort for the many times, Austin had taken her.

"Ofcourse!" Thomas grinned kissing her again.

"I'm so happy to hear that!" Merrigold kissed him back but it felt foreign. It did not make her wet or wanting for more. It simply felt like an exchange of saliva. Merrigold told herself to suck it up still. With feeling Merrigold's body against his, he was already hard with want.

"...I need you..." He whispered putting her down. She felt it, but felt nothing, at least not the same feeling of want.

"Can we?" Thomas questioned.

It took everything within her to nod and smile. She was still sore even after a day of being with Austin. He was an animal, even if he went soft and slow... she still felt sore, she still felt the need to complain. Merrigold hoped there was no sign of Austin on her body. She hoped his nibbling on her breasts down to inbetween her thighs had healed.

"But where?" Merrigold asked looking for an excuse.

"Honestly anywhere with you..." Thomas chuckled. "I missed you dearly and I promise by November you will be my wife."

"Really?" Merrigold gasped, then hugged him tighter. "I'd love that!" She kissed him again.

"Mrs Malundi, fits perfectly!" Thomas told her.

She grinned, from the corner of her eye, she saw Faith watching them closely but Merrigold did not think much of it.

"I plan on moving to the commune once we marry..." Merrigold told him. "I want to be your wife, cook for you, wash for you, satisfy you, give you kids. I love you Thomas and I do not want any distance between us."

"You have no idea how relieved, that makes me. It would kill me if he took advantage of you again. You can not be anywhere near him..."

"I won't..." Merri replied. "He said he will move back to his home uptown Manchester. He can not run the plantation any longer!"

"That is great news!"

"Yes!" Merrigold smiled.

From afar Austin was watching them. He had rushed to the only place he'd assumed she'd run back to. He was afraid for her but here she was.

"I hope your trip went well Master Austin.." Faith greeted.

"It did."

"They can never get enough of each other. I wish someone loved me that way."

Austin and Faith watched as Merrigold and Thomas embraced and spun around and laughed with so much joy. He was itching to go removed that nasty nigger's arms off his woman, off his. Faith wished Merrigold could die of poisoning... which was possible. Austin had just arrived as fast as he could. He did not know what he would have done if he had traveled all the way here and did not find her. In seeing her, he felt some relief. She was alright. She was safe and sound even in his arms. He cleared his throat and walked back to the house. Ignoring Faith who was walking behind him blabbering a whole lot of nothing. Austin could only think this woman, Merrigold is a rebel. How had she even gotten home with patrolling literally everywhere and no owner to her name. She was such a force to be reckoned with. She did all that just to get away from him?

"They're going to make more babies."

Austin came to a halt.

"Excuse me?"

Intimidated, Faith could only point in the direction of the two lovers going into the barn. Thomas locked it from the inside. Not knowing what got into him, tired he still took long strides there. Faith was relieved. Austin would not be allowing anyone to touch his woman. She was off limits. Thomas was simply overstepping the boundary.

Banging hard on the wooden 8ft wooden doors. Thomas was too excited to be with Merrigold again he ignored it. Merrigold felt nervous, she wanted to but she still felt sore.

"Thomas, open up!"

At the sound of that voice, Thomas and Merrigold both came to a halt. Merrigold had not expected him to be here at all. She'd assumed he'd take just as much time traveling from Manchester.

Terrified, Thomas ran to unlock the bars of the double wooden doors. Sitting on a stack of hay, Merrigold looked away slowing buttoning the last two buttons of her dress that were open.

"Well iconic isn't it? Just like the first time we met. Only difference is someone isn't a virgin and has been with two men." Austin said sarcastically. Feeling a lot of anger growling within her, Merrigold stood up, shoved Austin aside and walked past him. Thomas was shocked, she could do that? She was allowed to do that? Austin bit his lip then smirked at Thomas. "We will be back, my wife and I are having a conflict, a mini tantrum."

"Your wife?" Thomas questioned.

"Yes, my wife. Do you have a problem?"

"It's just... even if it were possible, I'd like to assume Merrigold would not approve." Thomas replied. "Besides as much as you may claim to love Merrigold you can never be together and that's honestly a benefit on my part!"

"If you don't close your mouth, I will close it for you!"

"I'm only stating the truth. You two will never be together, be it I'm here or not. I'm not a threat, the law is and the illegal indulgence of being with a woman of color. Anyways let me get back to work Master Austin."

"I will make you eat your words." Austin hissed then turned around.

"Tell that to the police patrol that will be sentencing you for indecent behavior and immortality!" Thomas chuckled. He was not smart enough to know these but Grover had let him in on a little secret while they were gone.

"Merri will always be yours never feel threatened. Let him behave however he chooses the truth of the matter he they can never be together. The law is against it. It will never work..."

Austin could only turn around and swing his arm at Thomas. He knew it was true, it hurt more than his knuckles that had hit a hard jaw. Thomas nose immediately started running with blood. Faith immediately came to the rescue, Austin walked off in hope to fix things with his woman.