So far there was no sign of the Crucifier. But I expected the worse at any moment.

Rose petals seemed far away from me. Bloody corpses suddenly kept their distance. Silence and peace were all I had.

Wesley Stark's home had become paradise and his presence was total satisfaction embezzled in joy.

After seven months of idleness Wes finally got me a job. It was a simple one in a school not so far away from his house. 

I became a teacher at a Junior High School.

It was an easy job. I thought history which was basically stories with reality embedded in them.

I was glad since I had time with books and still earned cash. I was also saved from the stress of getting back home late. I got home really early. Far earlier than Stark.

The situation we found ourselves made Wesley Stark and I live like couples. We both went for our daily jobs and I often made dinner since I got home early, except the days when we were both tired. 

Our friendship became stronger. It seemed living together had brought us closer than we taught. We knew a lot about each other, and ever since we started living under the same roof we acted like a single person, parted in two different bodies, sleeping in separate rooms. 

I knew all about him. I knew what he loved, what he hated, when he woke up, when he slept, his favourite meal and every other information an obsessed girl in love could get. 

Though we lived in the same mansion, I became Wesley Stark's stalker. I knew so much about Wes, I could write an auto-biography of him. 

Wesley Stark was an idiot and a fool. For these were the only words I could use to describe him.

He already lived in the same house with a woman who was in love with him and he still made an attempt to get a new apartment. For who? Me?! The man had no idea.

I laughed so hard at every joke he cracked. Most of them were not so funny but I moved with the flow just to please him. I blushed whenever he was close to me. I always tried to make him notice me, yet he had no idea. 

I was still his victim and it made me feel worse. I felt like a living statue in his apartment. 

Sometimes I spent more than forty minutes in the bathroom. I washed and scrubbed but thirty minutes was used to observe my features. 

Every day I got back from work, I'd walk to a huge crystal-framed mirror in the bathroom to get a thorough view of my reflection. I was alright. According to the sexy lady in the mirror I could pass for one of the ladies on Baywatch. 

I had it all. 

Hips, the face, the legs...all a guy could ever want. Sometimes I had to pinch myself to clear the desperation from my mind. It was a distraction and I was grateful to it, for most times I forgot the Crucifier existed. 

I was desperate. Yes, guilty as charged. But how could a man be so ignorant? For months, he lived as though nothing happened. Even in my best night gown I was nothing but a 'friend'. 

It was annoying and I hated it.

On a beautiful Sunday morning after attending a short sermon in a church nearby, we went out to eat and then arrived in Wesley's mansion.

A few hours passed by quickly and in a moment just before the sun set, Wesley invited me to the labyrinth. 

I loved the huge entangled garden. My greatest joy was the non-existence of roses in the green maze. Of all the flowers one could find in a home of luxury, Wesley's was free of red roses. Somehow, it seemed nature wanted us to be together.

On one of my lazy days, I walked into the large green map, but I could not find my way out. All I did was curse and vow never to stroll in there again. Well, this time I was with Stark so I had no fear.

I got to the black Iron Gate at the beginning of the labyrinth and found Wes. 

There he was, the man I loved. He was dressed casually in white sleeves which were rolled up to his elbow. His left hand was buried into blue jeans. His right hand held one of the bars on the gate. 

I got closer; my heart beat made a different and unusual pace. His black curly hair slipped on his scalp. He was partially wet. Drops of water fell from his ear lobes after they had made a short journey through his hair. 

I gazed at him for a while and studied every feature on his light-skinned face.

His eye lashes were long. In a way they seemed longer than mine. They made him pretty. His eyes though brown, shone under the sun and all I saw was gold. Sun given gold. His nose was somewhat pointed and his thin lips were pink. He smiled and my world spun round. His teeth, pure white gave off a heart breaking smile.

A small towel hung lazily over his broad shoulders. He was dashing indeed; any girl with good eyes could fall for him. After all he was Wesley Stark and I loved him.

I stared at him till our eyes met and made discomfort my best friend. I needed a diversion.

I dragged the towel from his shoulders and smacked his head with it playfully.

"Is this your version of being dry? Wesley Stark. Never leave the bathroom without drying up properly." I said.

He smiled, took the towel from me and dabbed his face a bit. Then he held my right arm and insisted I followed him.

After a long walk we found ourselves in the middle of the labyrinth. It was beautiful. There was a well-furnished white chair for two surrounded by flowers of different colours. 

A fountain was also built in the middle of the labyrinth. Concrete and white marbles with a bit of gold sprayed edges, formed two dolphins, which spat water that shone like crystal arcs under the sun. 

Butterflies; yellow, blue, green, purple and spotted danced in the air.

A cool breeze kissed my face continuously as it also played with my long and curly coal-black hair. I held the down the blue dress I wore against the forces of the wind to prevent Wes from peeking at woman stuff.

I gazed at the sky; a purple and orange scene wrapped in a bit of blue had a big golden ball which slowly sunk down the art work. The sun had started to float out of the sky. In a moment just an orange semi-circle was seen. 

Wes took my hands and I looked at him.

"Ray I'm so sorry for what I'm about to say. I fought hard but I can't disobey authority. I'm leaving the city tomorrow. I've got to go to London to retrieve some files for my boss. I don't know why the man wants me to do it. I tried to talk him out of it but he insisted. I pushed harder till I was way out of line. He threatened to take my job from me. But you know as much as I do that I need this job Ray. It's the only way I'll be able to catch that bastard Crucifier. Well I agreed to my boss' request and I've got to leave town first thing tomorrow."

I said nothing. I tried to pick out words but none came out. I was out of words. I thought we were supposed to stay together forever? I thought we were two sides of a coin? I was supposed to be his top priority. He made a promise to me on the pavement. What was I supposed to do without him? I could not live without Wesley Stark. It was impossible. 

Over ten minutes went by and I remained silent. The purple in the sky grew more than the orange. And the sun's head was barely seen. The rays from the sun shone upon Wesley. How could he leave?

He placed my hands on his chest. I felt his heart beat and I was hot all over. He moved closer. He was so close I felt his breath.

He looked into my eyes and spoke calmly. 

"Ray. No matter what happens I'll still be here for you. I've made a promise to you and I'm going to keep it. I've told the chief about my home and you. This place would be highly secured. I know you're not satisfied by this but please forgive me. I want you to make one promise to me Ray. Promise me you'll be okay by the time I get back. I know you're quite stubborn and this isn't a movie, so I can't tell you not to fight. But, promise me you won't do anything stupid. Promise you'll stay put till I get back. Promise me Ray."

With my palms still pressed against his chest I gazed at Wesley "I promise Wes. But how long will you be gone?"

"A week. I'll get back as fast as I can..."

"A whole frigging week? What am I supposed to do without you for a whole week Wes?"

"You'll go to work like you always do but you'll have escorts..."

"Who cares about escorts or men in black...I just want to live a normal life with you around I just..."

"You need an escort Ray. The Crucifier might be closer..."

"With you there's no Crucifier Wes...I just want you to...with you it's different..."

"Different?...I just want you to feel safe Ray...I..."

"Why don't you get it Wes?...After all these years you can't get a hint...It's not about the Crucifier or more cops Wes...It's...It's..."

"It's what Ray?" Wes asked.

"It's about you Wes. I feel safe with you because I..."

I almost let the cat out of the bag. I hated Wesley Stark at that moment. 

When he insisted I complete my sentence, I just shook my head and told him it was nothing. What a fool he was. He hugged me so tight till I gasped for breath.

After a while he placed his fore head on mine and held my cheeks. His hands were warm. I loved him truly. His face was so close to mine and we were both silent.

In silence, his lips were not so far away from mine. 

The cool breeze swept my hair and I felt the warmth of his bold arms on my flustered cheeks. I did not look into his eyes. I could not. 

My heart beat had changed its rhythm and my body was flushed in a certain heat I did not understand. My palms were sweaty. It was a good thing they were far from his reach.

I felt his breath on my upper lips. It was calm. 

He moved just a bit until he was really close. So close, our lips were just one or two inches apart. I wanted to get closer but I couldn't move. 

Every inch of my skin tingled and my heart took a halt.

He was close. Too close.

My lips had parted in a moment unknown to me and while Wes' hands shifted to my neck, turning my warm cheeks hot, I awaited my first kiss with Wesley Stark.

An inch became half a centimetre. 

Butterflies pierced through my stomach and cupid's arrow had shot right through my heart.

Closer and closer we got till sounds were eliminated and all stood still. 

His upper lips almost bumped into mine. 

Just then, a bird flew across. 

Wes drew back and stood up.

I was still hot all over. It would have been my first kiss with Wesley Stark. 

I held his hand till we found our way out of the labyrinth. I cursed the poor bird in my heart.

I thought of that one moment throughout that night. I needed to know what it meant. My brain pondered on a thousand questions and ideas. 

Was Wes trying to make a move? What if he loved me?

I could not sleep. I needed a drink. 

I left my room and I saw the kitchen light turned on from the upstairs. I ran down the spiral stair case while my fingers gently brushed the gold-coloured marble railings.

I spotted Stark outside through the kitchen window. He was seated on a long white cushioned chair, close to the pool house.

After I poured myself glass of milk and joined him.

He just stared at the moon. He looked hot in nothing but his red pants and black slippers. The moonlight made my eyes catch a glimpse of his abs. 'Sexy' was the only word my hippocampus conjured at that moment.

I walked closer to him. He saw me, took my hand and offered me a spot beside himself.

"Couldn't sleep right?" he asked.

"Yeah!" I replied.

He looked at me the same way he did earlier that day.

A calm wind blew and my hair swept my face. He caught my hair and tucked it behind my ears and in a calm tone he spoke in what seemed to be a whisper.

"I'm going to miss this face." He said while his hand brushed my face. My heart panted and my stomach sang silently.

I took his hand from off my face and smiled back.

"Well I won't miss yours. I'm still mad you."

"What? How can you say that? Of course you'll miss my face Ray. It's the first thing you've always seen in the morning for months now. I know you'll forgive me. Now give the brother some of that." He said.

I gazed at the glass of milk in my hand which he pointed at. 

I was really mad at him. I wanted to punch him in the face. I hated him at that moment. I hated him so much that I loved him even more. 

I offered him a drink and while his lips touched the brink of the glass I pushed him. He almost got milk in his nose. I laughed so hard my abdomen hurt. He chased me. 

I ran and let the wind carry my feet. Tears flew from my eye lids. I cried but he taught I was over joyed. What a fool he was.

I almost lost my breath but I did not care for I knew that in any moment I would be in his arms. Even if I fell, I was sure he would catch me. He was Wesley Stark after all. The man I loved.

He caught up with me and held my waist tightly. The feel of his bold arms sunk deep through my pink satin thigh-long night gown. 

We took in deep breaths and I rested my head on his shoulder while, I stared at the pretty full moon which sat in the dark sky brightened by tiny sparkles that spotted the night.

Wes was close once again. I couldn't see his face. I didn't have to. Just being close to Wes, made me safe and glad.

The bottom of his cheek brushed my hair. I felt his sweaty bare chest on my back while my waist remained trapped in his grip.

He spun me around and our eyes met. I was hurt and I had to tell him how much I loved him.

"Perhaps he would stay if I tell him I love him." I thought.

I tried to speak but I could not. My feeble heart started its jolly dance again. I wanted to tell him but the words were stuck on my lips. I began to cry. 

He wiped my tears and hugged me close. 

Then we sat on the long couch until I slipped into a zone, between the world of dreams and reality on his shoulders. In his strong arms he carried me to my bedroom.

While he carried me, my head met his chest. His heart beat was calm but mine was not.

The night flew by in such a hurry and the day I feared had arrived. Wesley Stark was about to leave me for a week. 

We talked a lot that morning before he got on the plane. I stared at the plane and hoped he would get down. I stared hard till the man-made bird was out of sight. I hated him even more. Like the seasons come and go, Wesley Stark was gone.

I went back to the great mansion and I was reminded of my past life. Just me, myself and I in my father's house. It was lonely.

Two days passed by and I was still alone. Wes called me often. I heard his voice every morning and every night but my heart still felt empty. I needed him by my side. I had to see his face again but he often told me to wait. 

I was scared and decided not to go to work until Wesley was back. The existence of the Crucifier filled my mind since the house was quiet. I had watched a lot of movies but that did not help.

One evening, in an attempt to escape the clutches of boredom, I walked into the little library in the great mansion. It had it all.

Wes' library was always locked but I had found the key with a little help from idleness. 

I read Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller and varied book genres by chapters and pages but nothing helped. All I could think of was the Crucifier.

I tried to read Romance but I was left with the thought of Wes. Wes and I in hot looking clothing on a beach, his wet skin on mine, our fists clenched in the cold water...I had to do something reasonable.

I lost balance due to the latter thought.

On recovery, I fell upon a book shelf that had nothing but history. The shelf moved and turned.

My mouth was wide opened in surprise. A secret room.

I thought I knew Wes more than he knew himself. Well that room was a shocker. 

I turned on a light not so far from the entrance. The room was quite large. There was nothing but a desk, a treasure chest, paintings on the wall and a chair.

I scanned the room and found a stack of books on one of the drawers in the desk. The books were dairies. They had details of every event from the moment I met Wesley Stark. I searched another drawer and I found pictures.

"The female in the photograph looks quite familiar" I thought while I brought the life-filled paintings to a brighter light...My pictures? My pictures!! 

They were my pictures. 

I also found pictures of all the victims the Crucified had eliminated.

I took a good look at the portraits on the wall, they were all mine. I was frightened. I thought he had no feelings for me but it seemed he was obsessed. My heart hurt badly. It felt like it was torn from the middle.

I had thoughts. Frightening thoughts. Was Wes the crucifier? Was he so obsessed with me that he had to kill everyone I loved? No! I had to get the thoughts out of my head. The man I loved could never do such a thing.

I walked to the treasure chest and tried to open it. It was locked. I got the key from one of the drawers. I opened it and saw the worst. My heart dropped to the ground. 

The huge treasure chest had two parts. On the first, guns of different types were neatly arranged. At the sight of the second part I cried like a child. Daggers. Knives with pointed ends. The same weapons described by Forensics; that had been used by the Crucifier to create holes on victims' chest if they were not shot. 

I hoped it was all a dream. I pinched myself but found reality staring at me. 

There was also a small room not so far. I opened the door and saw them. My worst enemies. Red roses.

They were groomed still on beds. Next to a rose bush I found a bucket of paint. Red paint.

I remembered the paint that had been used in my apartment when it was trashed. 

It was him. It was Wes. Wesley Stark was the Crucifier.

Mark and Andre... he was never at Mark's birthday party or prom night. Nathan, Jamie, Rhonda, my father. How could he kill my father just to get to me? He was a beast! A monster! And I was in love with him?  An invisible dagger pressed hard against my heart.

I had to leave. I could not stay in that house. I had to leave before the beast got back. 

I ran to my room and packed as fast as I could. I folded nothing. I just stacked my travelling bags with any possession of mine I could find. It was too late to think of organization. 

I shook all over. I wrote a short letter and cursed Wes in it. I told him what I found and threatened to kill him with my hands if he found me.

I had threatened to kill him but even if I could, a part of me would not let me. I had to leave. 

I got packed and told the escorts I had to visit someone. The sturdy all in black men followed me in their cars. But after a little race with Wes' Ferrari through the streets of Los Angeles, I lost them.

I had to get to Denmark. I had to go back home far away from Los Angeles. I finally got a ticket and after a few hours I was on a plane to Denmark.

I had felt pain, anger and anguish but this was worse. 

My sorrow had no description. Fear battled with sadness while my heart had its full of both. My mind had thoughts until it was blank. I had no answer to the questions within my brain. My heart was torn to shreds and my eyes were blinded with tears. I could not pick up the pieces of my broken heart. I was sure cupid wept on my behalf.

I looked down at Los Angeles from the air plane. Somewhere in that city. In a pavement I could not locate. The man I loved made a promise to me and now, that promise was broken.

Wesley Stark was the 'Crucifier' and I Ramona Becky Taylor was his obsession.