Part Two

Faith stared at the box for what seemed like an eternity. Fear for what was inside and for what it represented.

For a moment Faith felt an intense contempt for Chance, but at the same time she loved him more than ever thought possible.

This was the beginning of something new and scary and exciting. They had a comfortable life together as friends and part-time lovers. But in an instant everything would change. Every touch, every smile, glance, and compliment would have more weight than it did before. Or maybe less.

In time they would have to open themselves up to each other. To be truly vulnerable and give each other keys to all the skeletons in their closets. And faith had a big closet.

She was scared that if Chance REALLY knew who she was, all her stupid fears and insecurities, her silly dreams, her fantasies, he would lose respect for her. He would be disgusted at all the vile thoughts she kept in the back of her mind. The pettiness and superfluities of her quiet personal thoughts. Whats worse, is what if Chance opened himself to her and she realized he wasn't the idealized man she hoped he was? The more she was around him the deeper her feelings became. How long would this feeling last?

If Chance only knew what kind of girl Faith really was. Before him and even during him, there had been a long line of sub-par guys she had been with. From aspiring rock stars, to struggling actors, waiters, artists, to managers, CEO's, and even a few actual rock stars. Faith had played the field and experienced a full range of possible lives with men of various social standings. She loved the lavish vacations, the shopping, the parties, the attention, the sex. But something was always missing...

Romance.

These men who pursued her did so with such persistence and precision, it was difficult for her to refuse. At 18 she had been taken for a trip around the world from a wealthy customer who stopped in at the restaurant she was working at. He introduced her to culture and foods and experiences far removed from her little town growing up. He treated her like a princess and he wore her like a coat of amour. Unfortunately, their 50 year age difference was a burden when it came to making love... they never had any. Faith thought she could resist temptation and live a celibate life with a kind old man, but her fire burned too bright and one day during a visit from the old man's ex-wife and grandchildren, she fell for his sexually aggressive half African half Italian 21-year-old grandson Fabrizio, and let him have his way with her in the Janitor's closet of the Four Seasons in Milan. It was her first orgasm. Till this day she has never felt such a mind-shattering sensation between her legs.

This affair lasted four months. Afterwards, the old man died. Left her with nothing. And his family disowned her and Fabrizio who receilved a fair chunk of money through his will, fearing a scandal and loss of his inheritance, ignored her completely.

...

Ever since then Faith had an aversion to the shy quiet men who attempted to be involved in her life. She didn't trust men who were too good and kind to her at first. She knew what they wanted and felt they were manipulating her by acting friendly and interested. Faith wasn't particularly smart, or creative, interesting, or ambitious. She was however exceedingly and uniquely attractive. A look very particular to no country or ethnic group. She often dressed down and wore no makeup to avoid to constant flirtations and coming on's of strangers. But when she did crave the attention, she specifically sought out the men who were overtly sexual, frank, and forthcoming. It was these sexually aggressive men that attracted her the most. At least they were honest and didn't pretend to be her friend to get into her pants. She accepted the fact that men were pigs and wolves and snakes. It was those who came dressed in sheep's clothing, bearing gifts, buying dinner, promising love, that kept her away. To her kindness was weakness and giving was insincerity. She wanted men who slept around and dated multiple girls at the same time. She never felt she was a prize to be kept, but more of a service to be shared.

But Chance was different. He came to her quiet and mysterious. Neither too kind nor too forward. Something about him instantly triggered a deep attraction within her. Of course she didn't fully recognize this at first and thought him to be average and nothing special. But something about his persona, his air, his walk, his touch, awakened long forgotten and locked away emotions that fit no realm of her recognized logic. She had to have him.

And here now she finally had to opportunity to keep him forever. He was proposing marriage. She knew if she said yes, it would be for life. No longer. No shorter. Their souls intertwined and forming a new being. What she once was would disappear and form into something completely original in the universe.

Faith could in an instant change the course of their lives. A simple vibration of air from her diaphragm through her mouth. This could either be the beginning of a new life or the end.

The weight of this decision was indeed heavy. And true love was the heaviest burden to bare.

...

The first time Chance and Faith met was rather ordinary and unspectacular...