Red Roses and Seduction Ch 4

By
Fierymage

Ryu called his fiancée from his hotel room. He figured Chun Li still was giving him the silent treatment. Somberly he stretched out in his bed and sat the phone next to him. He called one last time, but she did not pick up. He figured she turned off the ringer when she came home from work. He left another message apologizing to her, but he really wanted to hear her voice. Her forgiveness meant a lot to him, although in the past she always forgave him easily. The minutes passed slowly and there still were no in coming calls; his eyes were getting heavy. Ryu stared at the ceiling, hoping the phone would ring. Reluctantly he closed his eyes and sighed in defeat. He almost gave up when the phone rang. His eager hands grabbed the phone with lightening speed. "Hello," he replied, hoping it was her.

"One ring," Ken replied. "Are you waiting by the phone?" Ryu did not respond. "What did you do this time?"

"I don't know; I did not miss our engagement anniversary. It still is still on August 22 so it can't be that."

"Did you call her at work?"

"Yes," Ryu replied, "But I reached one of her coworkers and he told me that she went on vacation."

"Vacation?" Ken asked.

"She must really be angry at me. Chun knows my way of life; she knows that the fight is everything. It's what I based my life around. She always knew this about me; I don't know why she is that angry. It's no surprise."

"There could be a logical reason for a sudden vacation."

"And that is?"

"She probably had to go to Hong Kong to check in on her grandfather and her nephews."

"You are probably right, but I feel guilty for the argument we had the night I left."

"Ryu, since this is your last week here, why not buy her an expensive gift. It works every time Eliza is angry at me."

"I suppose it's worth a try, but you know Chun Li has a temper." Ryu replied.

"She will speak to you," Ken replied. He held back his other ideas. He did not want to get his friend full of suspicions. "Anyway Ryu it's late. Chun is probably asleep. Do you want to get a bite to eat somewhere?"

"Sure."

"I'll be there in ten minutes."

"Alright," he replied, and then hung up.

"Why don't you return my calls?" He questioned the phone. Ryu rolled over, took his shoes out from underneath the bed and waited for his friend.

*

Chun Li looked out at the night sky. The atmosphere was still and usually quiet. She could sense there was a severe storm just beyond the gray horizon. Only a breath of air stirred in her room. She closed her bedroom windows and got ready for bed. As she braided her hair it began to rain.. Quickly she finished braiding her hair and turned off her lamp. She realized that if the storm intensified then the power could go out. The only light left in her room came from the hallway. As she laid back in bed staring out the window, she could not help but wonder about how her captivity would end. The storm began. She watched the lights in the sky leap from one end to the other. The flashes of lightening were beautiful and deadly but she still liked it. Then the thunder came, it was so loud that it rattled her insides. A few minutes later without warning the power went out, but it did not matter to her. She did her best to relax and she continued to watch the storm.

As she stared at the storm she found herself thinking about her fiancée. The other night was the first time she cheated on him. After being in a relationship for ten years, five of which were long distance, she remained faithful and dedicated to their relationship. She worked very hard at trying to keep the lines of communication open between them, but it finally dawned on Chun Li that all her efforts were wasted. In the past she told herself that if she remained patient and supportive then Ryu would come back and settle down, but every time he came back he always found another reason to leave. She knew she had to end their engagement or else she would still be waiting on Ryu to marry her forever if he does not drop off the face of the earth first. That night she spent with Vega marked the beginning of the end for her engagement. Her relationship with Ryu was not all bad and she knew that in time she would meet someone else. She was officially a single girl again. Instead of feeling lonely, she counted her blessings and thought about the good times she had spent with Ryu. Chun Li then closed her eyes and rested.

When she was relaxed and the thunder had ceased briefly, she heard a sound. It sounded like a far off cry. At first she thought it was her imagination, but then it grew louder. Her curiosity piqued; quietly she crept out of bed to investigate. The cries seemed to trail off, but she managed to pin point its direction. They appeared to be coming from Vega's room. She saw that his bedroom door was ajar. Despite the darkness she could tell Vega was not there. Against her better judgment she opened the door, not knowing what to expect. She was on high alert as she entered. From the corner of her eye, she saw a person huddled underneath the covers on the bed. She could not see the figure well, but she knew it had to be a child by its small size. Her maternal instincts kicked in and replaced her apprehension. Then the thunder crashed, the child cried started to cry louder. Chun Li did not know the child's language, but she knew that the storm was frightening it. She looked at the huddle little person, its dilemma tugged at her heart. Slowly she sat on the bed and pulled back the covers. "Hello," she addressed the child, but it continued to cry. "Don't be scarred." she said in a soothing tone. The child crawled towards her. They looked at each other. She saw that the child was a little boy. At first sight she knew his identity boy was. Then the thunder boomed again. The child held her hand tightly. Chun Li patted its head, trying her best to calm him.

"Papa," he whimpered.

"It will be okay. We will look for him together." She replied and then looked into his steel blue eyes with curiosity. The idea that Vega might be that boy's father was ironic as well as interesting to her. She continued to speak to the child, but she soon discovered that the boy knew very little English. The thunder boomed again; the boy clung to her for security. That simple act made her feel pity for him despite the animosity she had for his father. She knew that the boy would continue to cry if he were left alone. So she took him by the hand and searched for Vega. She and he walked the halls; they went into what seemed like every room, but found no one. At night the compound was extremely morbid in an elaborate sort of way to Chun Li; it looked like a vampire's den. When she gave up the search for Vega, the child was still frightened. She did not feel about right leaving him alone, so she picked him up and carried him back to her room. The child climbed into bed and took the side away from the window. She stroked the boy's hair and hummed a song she had learned when she was a child. The child felt at ease and slowly started to drift off. Chun Li figured that in the morning his father would be back from his nighttime excursion. As Chun Li looked at the sleeping child she could not help but wonder if she would ever become a mother. She had always wanted two children, a son and a daughter. Finally she gave into her weariness once she saw that the child was asleep. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

***

That night a man had lost his life; Vega ripped open the man and gutted like a fish. He then stared at the body and admired his handy work. Without a second thought he cleaned the blood off of his claws and then walked away from the scene as if nothing happened. He had left the body where it could be washed away by the storm. When he arrived back the storm was still raging. The power was out and that the secondary generator was not on-line. No one was stirring in the compound and he was covered by the night; Vega had the opportunity to slip into his room unnoticed. His crime was truly prefect. The rain had washed away the blood that splattered on him and no one could bare witness and no one saw him leave or reenter the compound. He then changed into his dry clothes quickly and went into the study. There, he sat in his favorite chair and made a fire so he could have adequate light. Vega stared into the fire reflecting; he was hoping that Chun Li would come and pay him another visit, but he knew that would be unlikely. A smile crept across his face when he thought about her; he felt the warmness in his cheeks. Vega then started to laugh; his plan was taking on another dimension he did not foresee. He found his little obsession had for her turned into a little crush. It was a long time since he had a crush on anyone and now that he had one, it was on his lovely adversary. He loved the challenge she was to him as well as her beauty. Every time he glanced at her across the table, his stare was met with iciness, but he liked the fire she had in her. She never batted an eye at him or shrieked back. Chun Li was unlike any person he had ever met and her charm and grace made a lasting impression him. Vega knew she sized him up a while ago and studied him every time their eyes met.

The closer he was to her the more he grew to understand her. A whole week had passed since they were intimate. He questioned her motivation for the encounter. He wondered if they were an expression of some remote feelings for him coming to the surface or if her motivation apart of a plan she had concocted. Whatever her motivations, Vega's feelings were becoming an issue, something he did not foresee. He originally wanted to have his way with her, and when he was finished, ransom her back to Interpol, but he could not follow though with his plan. He knew Interpol would give anything to get back one of their best agents, but he did not see where he would gain anything substantial with that plan. He knew that it would not give him pleasure to make Chun Li suffer or break her will; she was far too exquisite to harm. Vega could not bring himself to harm a person if he could not find a defect in them. Most of his victims were the homeless and the foolish people who dared to cross him. Vega figured it would be beneficial to change his plans since he could not find pleasure in the original plan. "I must be growing soft," he whispered to himself. Then he got ready to retire for the night. When he decided to look in on Manuel, he saw that his bedroom door was open and he was missing. Vega did not see him not downstairs when he came in.. He then checked the nanny's room, but she was asleep and the boy was not in there. There were so many places a child could crawl into and suffocate, Vega thought. "It has only been a week and I already lost him!" He exhaled. Vega searched the near by closets and crawl spaces.

When morning came Vega still did not find his son; he was erratic and beside himself. By this time all the servants were stirring and combing every inch of the compound; looking for Manuel. Vega continued to second-guess his decision to raise his only son and thought about giving him back to his grandparents, but quickly changed his mind. He had wanted to make him a proper gentleman, but Vega was beginning to regret taking him. He knew very little about children and his childhood was no help to him either. Vega quietly retreated back to his study. The fire he made during the night had died out before dawn. With the morning's sunlight shining in the room, his parent's portrait was fully visible and unnaturally lit. Vega could not help but gaze at his father's image. His anger started to whelm up in him, he could not stand the gaze of the man in the picture. He quickly snatched the picture off the wall, but the wooden frame was still hanging on the nail. The force of the tug splintered the picture frame causing it to split. Vega did not notice that the splinters impaled his hands; he was infuriated. He would have torn the portrait to shred, but he then was reminded why he kept it. That painting was the only thing left of his mother. Gently he stroked her image, leaving a crimson streak of blood behind. Slowly his anger subsided and Vega placed the picture in the corner. He then sat back in his chair and slowly; one by one removed the splinter in his hands. Despite the pain he was still thinking about his son. If he had managed to go outside in the storm, the downpour could have washed him away. The ferocious storm could easy carry away a small boy. He glanced down at this hands, the sight of blood always seemed to soothe him. Then Vega remembered that the front door was locked when arrived late last night, but he still had his servants searching for him outside.

***

Chun Li was the first to wake up. She gently got out of bed, trying not to wake him. Then she dressed quickly and slipped out the room without a sound. When she found Vega, he was asleep in his chair. As she looked at him, it only confirmed her beliefs; the boy was indeed his son. She had no doubt about it. The child had his exact features. She turned around and was about to leave the room when he spoke. "What time is it?"

"I don't know; I have not seen a clock in this place." Vega sat up and wiped the sleep from his eyes. Chun Li was debating whether to tell him that she knew about the boy, but she decided to act on her first instincts. "I met your son last night. He was hiding underneath the covers in your room." She observed Vega, but he gave no immediate reaction. "I had to take him room by room looking for you because he was frightened by the storm."

"My son?' He replied.

"Do you have any more children?" She asked. Vega shook his head. "He should not have been left all alone." She scolded him.

"Where is he now?" He got up from his chair a bit dazed. Chun Li folded her arms and observed Vega's distinctions.

"He's still asleep in my room," she replied. You should have been there to comfort him instead leaving in the middle of the night. He was calling for his Papa." Vega smiled; he could tell she was sincere by the stern tone of her voice. He kissed her on the cheek slowly and went to check on his son. Chun Li quietly followed him.

When they entered the room, the boy was just beginning to wake up.

"Papa," the boy sat up and smiled. Vega calmly addressed the boy. Chun Li did not understand their language, but the sight was touching nonetheless.

"Thank you for being there for him last night Chun," he replied.

"You are welcomed, "she blushed. "What is his name?"

"Manuel" he replied. Chun Li saw that he did truly care for the boy, by the way his eyes lit up when he spoke his name. Their eyes only met briefly, but Chun Li felt a chill down her spine, it was he saw right through her.

***

He watched Manuel struggled using his fork and knife at the breakfast table. Manuel was progressing well to the life he was offering him. Vega liked the fact that they all were at the table; her presence there gave him a sense of family, something he hasn't felt in a long time. He knew that Manuel would grow up to be a handsome gentleman with his guidance, but it was Chun Li who concerned him. Vega did not want to walk away from her even though the situation they were in would eventually come to a close. She was not like any woman he ever met. Chun Li's eyes shifted from him to Manuel. He knew she was sizing both them up. No matter what situation she was in, she would always be a predator; it was her nature Vega figured. She was a strong and beautiful fighter just like him. He remembered when they first met; it was at their first match. They both were match in speed and strength, but it was her determination that allowed her to prevail. It was at that moment a spark was lit deep within him and from that point on he admired her from afar. Now that she was there mere feet away him, he saw that she was completing the family he was beginning to build with his son.

After dinner Manuel went with his nanny leaving his father and Chun Li alone. In a couple more hours it would be time for Manuel to go to bed. Chun Li knew something could happen; Vega might make some sort of move on her. She knew Vega was not done with his little scheme and would not let her go until it was complete, but she pushed the unnerving thoughts out of her head and just waited for him to make the next move. Before she could retreat to her room, he called her. Reluctantly she turned around and looked at him. "We have to talk about the other night." Chun Li stopped in her tracks and looked in his direction. "I don't want you to feel obliged to satisfy me or act in a way you think I want you to. You are free to do what you want."

"I don't know what you mean," she replied.

"I believe you do," he answered coyly. "As much as I enjoy your company, I'm not a fool. I know you and I know you are up to something. My dear Chun, the next time we sleep together again it's going to be different.; you are really going to like it."

"Is that all?" Chun Li asked. Vega gave her a sly grin.

***

The day was hot, but breezy. Chun Li was restless. She was tired of wearing the clothes that were picked out for her and having breakfast and dinner with the mad man who abducted her. Her only sanctuary was her bedroom there, but even there she knew she was not safe. No matter where she went in the compound she was on high alert, at any given moment something could happen. She pined for freedom, Vega's superficial remark, "You are free to do what you want," was just a mockery. She had no where to go and did not venture outside without him. But she knew that running away would prove to be a failure, Vega thought everything through. He would not allow her to leave easily or else his plans would have been for nothing. Even if she was free to roam around, her freedom on the island was another means of torture. She wanted to leave.

"If only," she sighed. She walked to the main door, a couple servants saw her, but paid no attention. She had tried to ask the servants or help, but the language barrier was too great and Vega paid them too well. Chun Li opened the door. For awhile she stared out at the outside world. She had not been alone outside since she was brought there. The clean fresh air was tempting. Cautiously she stepped outside; the sun was warm on her face and she could smell the roses growing in the nearby garden. The scenery would have been beautiful to her if it was not her prison. Chun Li took a few more steps and looked around. She then turned around to look at the compound. Its drab gray granite and iron exterior was at odds with the garden growing around it. The building looked cold and dead while the plants were green, hardy and growing. She turned back around, she could not bare looking at the building any longer. Chun Li continued to walk until she reached the end of the garden.

At the end of the garden were a thick growth of trees, shrubs and other greenery. Chun Li hiked through the jungle before her until she reached a small clearing. There she saw Manuel and his nanny. The nanny looked gaunt and in her early sixties. Her gray hair was parted in the middle and pulled back tightly into a bun. At first the pair did not see her. She watched the nanny grab the boy's arm and harshly scolding him. They were speaking another language, but the nanny's harsh shrill voice unnerved her. When Chun Li stepped forward, both the nanny and Manuel winced. The nanny looked at Chun Li then let Manuel's arm go. She took a couple steps back; her expression grew angrier when Manuel made a remark to her. Manuel seized the opportunity and ran to Chun Li. Instantly she regained her composure; walked over to them and coldly made a comment to Chun Li directly. The words were lost on her, but the meaning was understood. She then walked away leaving the pair staring at her retreat. Manuel smiled and walked over to a nearby tree. Eagerly he took out his soccer ball. He then began kicking the ball, urging Chun Li to play with him. She smiled, she was very familiar with soccer. She had spent her childhood playing the game. Manuel pointed out the goals and took off running with the ball. The two of them began to play soccer. Chun Li enjoyed the game and for a brief moment forgot about her predicament. She liked being where Vega's influence was not present.