Fruit of Misfortune Read online

  “If you’re using your charms…” David warned him. “Don’t you dare.”

  Eros hissed. “I’m your friend, and I’m offended that you would even think it.”

  “It’s never stopped you before.” David locked his hand with mine.

  “That is a matter I don’t discuss openly.” Eros’ mouth tightened. “But for your peace of mind, Isis, I will say this—I’ve never inflicted harm on anyone.”

  “That depends on how you look at it,” David said. “What about Veronica?”

  “Low blow, my brother.” Eros’ nose flared. “There’s no need for this in front of her. Besides, I’ve told you many times I had no idea that would happen. Everything I know, I discovered and learned on my own. I had no teacher or parents to guide me, like you did. But I don’t expect you to understand.”

  The room filled with an inaudible scream of tension. Eros and David held each other’s stare, neither making an attempt to look away. I decided to step out of the room to let them settle their disagreement privately. I loosened my hand from David’s, but he tightened his grip in return.

  “I’ll leave,” Eros said, at last, picking up his coat. “I can see my visit will be a problem.”

  “No. It won’t,” David said. “I was out of line, and I’m sorry. Please stay.”

  After a moment, Eros put his coat down again. “I’ll take my old room, if that’s okay?”

  “Have you ever had to ask?” David placed his hand on Eros’ shoulder. “Welcome home, brother.”

  ***

  David invited Eros to come sightseeing with us, and I was relieved when Eros declined. He said that he was too exhausted from traveling. As David drove down the hill, I wondered about Eros’ past. Why had he looked like David had kicked him in the groin when he brought it up?

  “Can I ask you something?” I asked, and David nodded. “What happened to the girl named Veronica that you mentioned?”

  David’s lips pressed together in a flat line.

  “You don’t have to tell me. I understand if it’s a guy pact thing or whatever.”

  “Yes, but I think you should know. It’ll help you understand the reason behind my protective behavior.”

  “I’m sure you mean jealous behavior.”

  “No, I mean protective.”

  “Sure,” I said, unconvinced. “So what happened to her?”

  “You see, Eros fell in love when he was rather young. In human years, he must’ve been about fourteen. He was a very mischievous boy, always going against the laws, but finding ways to evade punishment because of his young age. The Council saw him as a victim of circumstance because of the absence of his parents, and pardoned him time after time—until the incident with Veronica.”

  “That bad?”

  “You decide after I tell you the story.” David glanced at me, and then turned back to look at the road. “A very long time ago, during an age that man has no knowledge of, Eros met Veronica in the country known today as Spain. She was human and of the first civilizations to live on Earth, called Aetherius.”

  “Cavemen?”

  “No.” David smirked. “I’m sure that even then Eros had better taste than that. The caveman came much later in time. The Aetherius were a very modern civilization.”

  “That makes Eros a lot older than you.”

  “He is.” David nodded.

  “So what happened when Eros met Veronica?”

  “Eros tried to flatter Veronica with gifts—flowers, precious gems. But being sixteen and older than Eros, she refused the gifts and refused him, as well. Eros was furious that she, being human, would deny him—the god of love and lust and who no girl could resist. But she was different, and this is what drew Eros to her.

  “Not knowing how his gift affected people, Eros used it to woo her. What Eros didn’t know was that if love wasn’t meant to be, there was no way to make anyone love another by force.

  “Day after day, he visited her, using his gifts, pouring his charms in her heart. Until one day, the side effects of Eros’ invisible potion changed Veronica.

  “She began to despise Eros and love him all at once. She was in an emotional limbo that later grew into an emotional void. She sat and stared into nothingness for months. Eros was devastated, but he didn’t dare pray for her health. He was afraid that Deus would punish him for misusing his power.

  “Every afternoon, Eros would visit Veronica under the willow tree where her parents set her chair—wheelchair. Eros’ power was the cause of her vegetative state.

  “One day, as Eros approached the tree, he saw that her chair was empty, and Veronica was nowhere in sight. He sat under the tree and waited, assuming her parents were late in bringing her to meet him. As he sat there, he rested his head against the bark of the enormous tree. Eros noticed an object swinging in the branches above him—Veronica’s limp body hung from a twisted rope tied around her neck.”

  “She killed herself?” I gasped.

  “Yes. Unable to love, to laugh, to cry, or to fear, she felt she had no reason to live.”

  “So he really didn’t know what he was doing?”

  David shook his head. “And she wasn’t the only one that suffered that fate. For a moment I thought he was doing the same to you.”

  “You’re his friend. Why would he do that?”

  “The nature of his gift makes women downright senseless. Of course, he loves the attention. He really loves the attention. But then what do you expect? He’s the embodiment of lust and love.” David parked the car. “Eros isn’t a bad person. It’s just all beyond his control.”

  I wasn’t convinced about that last statement. Eros had lived too long, too much, to not understand the power he possessed. To me, it sounded like Eros was a coldblooded killer. David’s attempt to justify his friend upset me.

  “Surely, he must have some control over it by now,” I said. “He’s had too long a life not to have mastered his gifts. And the fact that he’s Cupid-in-the-flesh doesn’t excuse him, either. I mean, there are morals and principals that a person lives by. He should be setting the example.”

  “In his defense, he’s changed. But old habits die hard.” David faced me as he turned off the engine. “Which leads to the next subject. You will not go near him if I’m not present. Do you understand?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t go near him.”

  “Because you don’t trust me?”

  “I do. It’s Eros’ charms I don’t trust, and for that reason, I want you to keep your distance from him. You’re not immune to his gifts.”

  “What do you mean?” I knew very well what he was referring to.

  “I saw the way you looked at him.”

  “David, I didn’t—”

  “Yes, you did, Isis,” David said. “You find him attractive, and that’s something out of your control. His presence is overpowering to any female, and that includes you. That’s the way he was born.”

  I was aware of the intense energy that ignited my attraction when Eros looked at me for the first time, but it didn’t mean I would act on what I felt.

  “You know, it takes two to join into an agreement of any kind, including a relationship. I’m not interested in Eros. I’m sorry you don’t think better of me.”

  “Please don’t make this a trust issue.”

  “Whatever,” I said. “I find it hurtful that you would forbid me from speaking to another guy because you think I’ll jump him as soon as you turn your head.”

  “That’s not what I was trying to say. You’re misinterpreting my words. I’m asking that you refrain from speaking to him when I’m not there, that’s all.”

  I glowered at him. “Only him, or all guys?”

  “I’m not trying to be controlling.” His knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel. “I’m trying to protect you. You’re overanalyzing everything that I’m saying.”

  “And you are overreacting. I’ve never told you to stop talking to any girl. But you…”
/>   “Isis!” He hit the steering wheel.

  I jumped.

  “Why do you have to be so difficult? All I’m asking is that you…” He breathed in sharply and dropped his head back. “Do whatever you like.”

  David pushed open the car door and slammed it, using such force that both the car and I shuddered. I noticed the lopsided steering wheel as he walked around the car to my door and opened it. If he thought this was over, he had another thing coming.

  “I’m your girlfriend. You should have a little more faith in me,” I said, stepping out of the car.

  “I don’t want to talk about this anymore,” he said.

  “Could you tell me if there’s anything else I’m not allowed to do without your permission?”

  “Isis, please…” David closed his eyes.

  “Are you going to keep me from speaking to my friends, as well? Or does this rule apply to the general public?”

  “Enough!” The thunderous tone of his voice startled me.

  People passing on the street stopped and stared. David had never before expressed anger toward me. It hurt, and I was embarrassed at being made a public spectacle, even if it was only for five seconds. I felt my eyes start to burn, and I turned my face away from him.

  “My love,” David said. “I… I’m sorry.”

  He wiped my tears and hugged me, but I didn’t return his embrace.

  Once I calmed down, David and I walked to a historical museum a few blocks from where the car was parked. David continued to apologize the whole way there. I accepted his apology, but the wound was still hovering over the surface of my emotions. Before we entered the museum, the tears threatened to spill again. I lowered my face as we walked through the glass doors.

  Age-old Greek relics and statues occupied the National Archeological Museum. I listened as David gave me accounts of the time period to which they dated.

  “They’re no longer with us.” David pointed to two of the statues whose nude bodies were sculpted in the image of the artist’s perspective of perfection—at least that’s how David had explained it. “The faces of deities were never depicted with exactness,” he said in a quiet voice.

  “And there…” He pointed to another statue. “There’s one you might find interesting.”

  The longhaired statue of a young man with a morose and despairing gaze looked familiar. It had a full, short beard, and part of the nose was missing.

  “This one looks like someone I’ve seen,” I said as I continued to study it.

  “Does it?”

  “It reminds of… Wait. Is that supposed to be you?”

  David nodded.

  “Are there any more of them—of you, I mean?”

  “The only other statue that bears little, if any, resemblance to me is in Florence, Italy. It’s quite large—seventeen feet in height. You may have heard of it. We share the same name.”

  “It’s named after you?”

  “It is.” David nodded.

  “The statue is named David Chios?”

  “No.” He smiled. “It’s just named David.”

  I thought for a moment.

  “Are you talking about the statue of David?”

  “That’s the one.”

  “Michelangelo sculpted that in the 1500s, I think. That was much, much later than any of these.” I pointed to the statues around the room.

  “Correct, again.”

  “Why and how did you end up posing for Michelangelo… and in the nude?”

  “He wanted to sculpt a true representation of David, so I offered him the real one from his dreams.”

  “But he wanted to sculpt the David from Biblical times, not the god of dreams. You made him sculpt something he thought was a vision of his artistic mind.”

  “Yes, but the outcome was a masterpiece.”

  “You kind of lied to him.”

  “No.” David shook his head. “I did give him a David from the Bible—the one that slew the giant Goliath. Do you know this story?”

  “Are you making this up?” The word “blasphemy” could hardly keep from rolling off my tongue.

  “Of course not. Why would I lie to you?”

  “You were a king?”

  “A temporary one, and it was only to keep the other David alive so that he could fulfill his appointed role. He was given his throne right after I did my job and slew the giant. David was a great man. So great, in fact, that Deus spoke to him, which is uncommon. Deus doesn’t speak to just anyone so directly.”

  “So how did you know what to do?”

  “I received my orders from the Council.”

  “Your stories, they sound like the fantasy books I like to read. They’re too farfetched. I don’t even know what to believe anymore.”

  “The things I tell you shouldn’t change your faith. I respect your beliefs because that’s the way you were raised.”

  “I love that about you—that you don’t try to change me.”

  “Because I love you as you are,” he said. “I don’t want you to change.”

  His words should’ve been flattering, but instead they upset me. There had to be at least one thing—or a lot of things—about me he wished I would change. He leaned down to kiss me, but at that moment, I didn’t want his kiss. I turned my head to the side and said, “I think we’ve seen enough here. Where to next?”

  “The Parthenon,” he said with a confused look.

  ***

  At the foot of the Acropolis, peddlers offered tourists curios out of their backpacks.

  “No,” David said, taking the umbrella from my hand and returning it to the young man who was eager to make a sale. “He’s loitering, and the police are coming. You could end up in jail along with him.”

  When David said that, I took notice of two uniformed men headed our way. The boy stuck the umbrella in his backpack and ran, the policemen fast on his trail until all three of them disappeared in the distance.

  The walk up to the temples was tiring. The terrain was uneven and rocky, and it was hard to walk on, even in my tennis shoes. My mouth was dry from the hike uphill in the arid Athenian weather. Passing several small temples on our way, at last we reached the heartbreaking—yet, glorious—ruins of the Temple of Athena, otherwise known as the Parthenon.

  Against the bright blue sky, the temple’s white limestone pillars seemed to claim access to the heavens. Standing before the remains of that marvel, David’s presence only added to the brilliance that I saw him with. And yet, the memory of his earlier outburst reminded me he wasn’t perfect. Again, I felt the pain that his abrasive tone had delivered earlier. This time, I didn’t cry. But I did wonder if he had any other sides to his personality that I hadn’t yet seen.

  “…and she was a warrior, defender of people.” I heard only the last part of David’s description of the goddess Athena.

  “Was she real?”

  “I’m boring you, aren’t I?”

  “No.”

  “I think I am,” he said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Maybe we should call it a day. I’m sure you’re tired and hungry.”

  “I’m a little starved, actually.”

  “So am I,” he said, “since last night. But not for food.”

  I blushed at his comment.

  ***

  After I showered, I went downstairs and tried to make small talk with Camilla in English. That didn’t work out too well, so I joined David at the table. Paulina arrived with a mesh bag full of vegetables a few minutes later.

  I watched Paulina’s long, slender hands as she carried the breadbasket from the counter to the table and placed it next to David. Her eyes sparkled every time she came near him. I felt like in some way she was robbing me of his attention.

  Her exotic features—large almond eyes, full lips, and high cheekbones—drew attention away from an imperfection that would have been obvious in any other person. A long scar ran from the edge of her mouth to her chin. That was the only flaw on her sun-kissed skin.

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nbsp; David opted to have our supper served at the small kitchen table. I was so preoccupied with staring at Paulina, that I didn’t even notice when Eros took a seat next to me. But as soon as he did, I felt the shock of familiar electricity I’d experienced earlier.

  “Hello, again,” Eros said to me. “How was your sightseeing?”

  “It was nice.”

  By my observation, Eros seemed to like hearing himself talk, and he was doing just that—talking a whole lot. But I wasn’t paying much attention to the discussion. All I could concentrate on was Paulina’s body language around David. Eros made it difficult to keep an eye on her, however. Every so often, he’d pose a question to me, and I’d have to ask him to repeat it. He made it a point to touch my face or my arm when he required an answer. His touch sparked tiny shocks that made me flinch. I avoided his eyes, knowing that if he caught my gaze I wouldn’t be able to look away.

  At last, I managed to block out Eros, but it was only because I was starting to get annoyed with Paulina’s flirty eyes on my boyfriend. The tension in my stomach was growing, and though the meal hadn’t started yet, I already wanted it to be over and done with.

  Paulina took her time to set out David’s plate and utensils, her white cotton blouse grazed David’s arm. My mouth tightened—hers smiled.

  I reached for David’s hand. He responded by raising my knuckles to his lips. Paulina’s eyes dropped, and her smile faded. She excused herself, but returned a few minutes later, continuing her duties with a stoic expression.

  A cell phone rang during the meal—David’s.

  “Yes, Father?” he said as he answered it.

  Eros and I remained quiet, allowing David to speak to Alezzander.

  “I will. And I’ll give your regards to Eros and Isis, as well.” He hung up the phone.

  “What was that about?” I asked.

  “We’ll have to make a change in our plans for part of this evening and most of tomorrow,” said David. “I’m sorry, my love, but we won’t be able to travel to Kyparissia until the day after next. I have to attend a board meeting at my father’s company. I’m the only proxy available on such short notice, and one of our family members has to be present.”