The Redeemed Soul [Dorian Gray]

The Park

Rosemary left the house and waited outside the mansion for her brother. She was feeling a chilly but it was a whole lot better than what she would feel inside the house. She opened her clutch and pulled out a book.

One thing you should know about her is that she never left her house without her sketchbook or a novel. That night, she had brought a mystery-thriller novel with her. She couldn't wait to finish it but she didn't want the story to end either.

"Hey." She heard her brother's voice after half-an-hour.

She looked up from her book. She didn't realise how much time had passed by until she stood straight. She had been leaning against the wall the entire time. Her legs shook a bit as they had become numb.

"Shall we leave?" Basil asked her.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask me those golden words." She smiled.

"What you did was a little-"

"Don't tell me that I was rude." She expressed. "He said things that were...that were..." Rosemary was always a strong person but her anger formed tears in her eyes.

"Hey, Rose-" He was about to hug her but she pulled back.

"Let's just go home." She sighed. "And I'm not coming to anything anymore."

That night, she couldn't help but wonder about why she talked to the lone man. She should have just kept to herself. She realised that her thought about Dorian being different was wrong. He was no different than other men.

She didn't know why she wanted to believe that he would be different though. Maybe the idea of someone from outside of London resulted in the possibility of a change in her life. Maybe she didn't have to face the criticism that she was already facing if Dorian had...never mind, she thought.

Before falling asleep, she made a promise to herself that she would work all day and night if she had to, to finish the painting. She needed a change in her life and she was going to get it herself.

At the same time in the main part of the city, Dorian Gray couldn't help but wonder why Rosemary reacted the way she did when Lord Wotton had joined the conversation.

He couldn't believe that she attended the party and by fate, they had started talking. He cherished their short time together very much. He couldn't get the image of her ocean blue eyes out of his head, a smile spreading across his face just thinking about her.

He also wondered about how fascinating Henry Wotton was. Dorian wished to be like him one day. Little did he know that he was betting on the wrong horse there.

The next day, Rosemary kept the promise that she had made to herself and went to the park immediately after getting ready. All her concentration was going to be on finishing the painting and sending it off.

She was working on her third layer when she heard a familiar voice behind her. "That looks absolutely beautiful."

She turned around only to meet a set of strikingly gorgeous deep brown eyes. "Mr. Gray." She acknowledged his presence.

"Please, call me Dorian." He professed and came in front of her. "May I?" He asked and pointed to the space on the bench that Rosemary was sitting on.

"Sure." She said half-heartedly. She didn't know what it was about the newcomer that made her smile all of a sudden.

"How long does it take normally for a painting?" He asked her.

"If I want to finish it immediately, a week or so. If not..." She laughed. "Well, let's just say that I have loads of incomplete paintings at home."

Dorian smiled. "I wanted to meet you actually." He said, looking at the floor.

She continued painting. "Any special reason?" She asked him as she paid attention to the colour of the grass.

"Yes." He recited. "I wanted to apologise if I had said something offensive last night."

Rosemary smirked. "You didn't do anything different than anyone else." She whispered to herself but Dorian caught on it.

"Clearly you became upset. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't because of me." He said.

"Let's agree to disagree." She said.

"If I may ask," He started. "Did something happen between Lord Henry and yourself?"

"It's a long story." She washed her brushes, having worked enough for that day. "You don't want to know about it, trust me."

"I met Basil before I came here. He asked me if I wanted my portrait drawn." Dorian conveyed.

"Did he, now? I'm sure it will look extraordinary. Basil is a great artist. Even better than me." Rosemary smiled to herself.

"Yes." He laughed a shaky laugh. "I was wondering if you wanted to..." She looked up at him. "I was wondering whether..." He was at a loss for words as he looked into her eyes.

"Yes?" She asked him.

"I was wondering if we could get to know each other." He said quickly.

That was not what he wanted to ask her but he had to say something. Dorian had a hard time talking to her and he didn't know why.

He had told Basil that he would think about the offer. In truth, Dorian wanted his portrait to be painted by Rosemary. He had grown a liking towards her and had a feeling that she felt the same way.

But her reaction to his statement had him confused. She had thought that he had already agreed to Basil's offer. Well, he was going to have to accept it then, wasn't he?

"Are you sure about that?" She asked him. "Being friends with me will make you the friend of an outcast." She revealed. "And seeing what happened last night, you should think twice before you talk to me."

"I don't care."

Rosemary's heart was beating up to her ears but it was very slow at the same time. She hoped that she wasn't blushing. "It's your choice here. Don't blame me if someone tells something."

"Deal." He laughed. "I must be leaving right now. I-it was great seeing you." He said as he got up from the bench.

"Be seeing you. Friend."

"Pleasure."