As Elena fled the dining room her heart pounded with intense fear. She pulled up her golden gown so she could race faster away from this man who now posed an immense threat to her. She bolted out the huge front doors and down the long steps, out onto the lawn. Where to go, where to hide, was her only thought!

Phillipe raced after her, shouting her name and begging her to stop! Being a man, he caught up with her in a matter of moments and seizing her arm, spun her around to face him. "Please allow me to explain, my Sweet One", he pleaded. Elena was almost in a state of total collaspe from fear. Once face to face with him, she fainted and Phillipe caught her and lifted her in his arms and carried her back into the villa.  Maria had heard her screams and was waiting just inside the massive doors. "Bring me some brandy", shouted Phillipe and as he carried her up the curving staircase to her room, Maria went quickly to fetch some brandy and a glass.

Laying her gently on the bed, he gazed down of this limp, unconscious girl whose lustrious black hair had now fallen and was spread out over the satin pillow case. He sighed and shook his head as Maria bustled into the room carrying a glass of brandy. He bade Maria to try to arouse her and give her some brandy as he stepped back a few paces and out of view. Maria, lifted Elena's head and spoke to her gently and soon Elena eyelashes fluttered and opened. "Please drink some of this dear child", said Maria. Elena, dutifully sipped the strong brandy and soon the color came back into her cheeks. She fell back on her pillow, still shaking with fright but kept her eyes fixed on Maria. "Do not be afraid Elena" said Maria in a comforting voice, "Master Phillipe, means you no harm!"  With that statement, Maria slipped silently from the room and Phillipe moved cautiously toward the bed.

"I beg your forgiveness in causing you such a fright", said Phillipe, it was never my intention to cause you any pain." Elena had finally regained herself but still stared at him in abject terror. He gently lifted her hand and kissed it with great tenderness. "Please let me explain myself and this situation, I beg you!" Elena felt her terror leaving her and propped herself up on the pillows. Phillipe sat on the edge of the bed and reached now to gently hold both of her hands. This she allowed as she felt all her apprehension, finally leaving her body and mind.

"My story begins, many years ago, when I was 20 years old and saw the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She was visiting at the villa of my Uncle and from the moment I saw her, I fell deeply in love with her. We spent many hours and days together, while she and her family visited at the home of my relatives. She also fell deeply in love with me and so I asked her father to please give me the hand of his daugther in marriage. Her name was Cassandra and soon all the arrangements were made and we married seven months later. We were totally happy together and it was as if God had brought us together for so great was our joy and happiness in each other."

"Nothing but happiness was between us for so many years except for the sadness of no children. Finally, when were had been married for over 15 years, Cassandra discovered she was going to have a child. No two people could have been more excited and happy than us. We made plans for the arrival of our child and one of the many bedrooms in this villa was transformed into a nursery. Suddenly one night, close to when the baby was due, Cassandra awoke screaming in extreme pain! The doctor was called, but in the end, nothing could save her or our baby, and both died that night." By now, Phillipe had tears streaming down his face as did Elena.  She said in a shaking voice, "Ohhh, I am so sorry for your great loss." Phillipe said, "From that day forward, my life has been empty and meaningless until I saw you dancing last night."

"I sensed that you, also had suffered a great loss. I also saw the black rose you carried when you danced and knew it was a symbol of loss and death. I felt so deeply, that I wanted to protect and care for you forever. I knew of no way to bring you to this villa, except to persaude you with an offer of dancing and so I lied to you and for this, I beg your forgiveness." Elena, was so moved by his tragic story, tears still rolled down her face. "I do forgive you but what is it you desire of me?", she asked. "I ask only for you to please stay here, with me in this villa and let me share my world with you. Maybe in time, you will come to care for me, a little", said Phillipe. Elena now stared back at him, with an inquiring look. "But I promised my parents I would send them money so that they could live and I have a very ill sister, Margorita, who needs medicines and a doctors care", exclaimed Elena.  "If it will make you happy to be with your parents and sister, let me send for them and bring them here, for there are many empty rooms here in my home", Phillipe told her. "This will be your own, private room and I shall not enter, unless you wish it, so have no fear that I expect anything of an intimate nature from you." Elena agreed to all his terms and then Phillipe asked her to rejoin him for dinner So again she decended the grand staircase but this time, arm and arm with Phillipe.

The next days were a flurry of excitement and full of plans. Elena wrote to her parents to come to Madrid and three train tickets were purchased and sent to them along with her letter. Maria and the other servants were kept busy making ready the rooms for her parents and Margorita. They had been closed off for many years and now everything was aired out and dusted and polished until all things in the rooms literally, sparkled and glowed. Phillipe had also taken Elena into Madrid to buy clothes for herself and her family. The local food stores were also contacted so that there was an ample supply of fruits, vegetables and fresh meats of all kinds available for meals. One week later, her parents and sister arrived by train and Elena was overjoyed to see them again. Her parents were awestruck by the villa, but Margorita looked pale and exhausted. Phillipe immediately called his own doctor to come and attend to Margorita. The doctor gave her special herbs to use and urged them to allow her to sit in the glorious, intense sun shining in the Spanish sky.

The weeks and months passed happily and soon Elena found herself eagarly awaiting  Phillipes return, whenever he needed to be gone for a short time on a trip. Margorita improved daily, due to the fresh air, sunshine and herbs the doctor had prescribed for her. The parents of Elena, soon rose up out of the great saddness and depression they had carried since the death of Juan and they too, began to strive in this wonderously, beautiful place. Elena discovered she had a talent for organization and she restructed how the villa was run. She also discovered she had an eye for color and decorating and so Phillipe took her into Madrid to buy special furniture or other things to decorate both the villa and the gardens. Her biggest surprise was that she possessed an uncanny ability to make all living things in the garden grow and prosper under her amazing hands. It was the most unfathonable "Gift".

One evening while she and Phillipe were strolling through the beautiful gardens that surrounded the villa, Phillipe turned to Elena and said. "My very dearest Elena, I hope your stay here has been enjoyable for you?" Elena quickly exclaimed to him, "Oh Phillipe, I never knew I could be so happy and I am overjoyed that my parents and sister are here with me, also. I thank you so much for all you have done, for all of us. There are no words to tell you of the great happiness that is in my heart because for so long, I was empty and dead but now, I am alive again!"

With that Phillipe took her hands and gazing down into her beautiful green eyes he said, "Elena, I too was dead but because of you I feel alive for the first time in many years." Pulling her toward him, he enfolded her in his strong arms and kissed her with great tenderness and love. Elena felt swept away by this kiss for this was the very first time he had ever held her or kissed her. Her slender arms curled around his neck and now she returned his kiss, with a gentle tenderness at first but quickly it turned to a deep, passionate kiss, full of the promise. Now, she was a grown woman kissing a mature man, not the young girl, Elena, kissing her first love, Juan.

Phillipe broke off the kiss and holding her at arms lengt, said to her, "Marry me, Elena, please do me the great honor to be my wife". Elena was overwhelmed with happiness, for she had known for some time she loved Phillipe with a deep, true love. But never did she consider he would want to marry her. "Oh yes, My Darling, Phillipe, I will marry you!!", she exclaimed. They kissed again and then hurried inside to tell everyone of their plans to marry. Everyone, even the servants were overjoyed to hear the news for all who had lived in this villa had seen the great unhappiness of Phillipe, since the death of Cassandra and their baby. The servants all adored Elena for her lovliness and sweetness but even more so for bringing such a glow of happiness back into the life of Phillipe. A vintage bottle of wine was brought from the underground wine cellar and all in the house toasted Phillipe and Elena.

The weeks that followed were spent in arranging the wedding which was to be held in one of the great cathedrals in Madrid and Phillipe took Elena to Paris to shop for her wedding gown and trousseau. Her sister, Margorita accompanied them as she was totally well now and was to be the "Maid of Honor" and also needed a gown. In    fact, Margorita had not only recovered her health, but now had a handsome 'suitor' and she was in love for the first time! Phillipe sent Elena's parents into Madrid with Maria, to shop for their wedding clothes. The reception was to be held at the villa, so many preparations were neccessary and the grand Ballroom was opened and aired out and a crew set to work, arranging all, as it should be, for the "wedding day".

Finally the momentous day arrived and all was readied for the event. Elena arrived at the cathedral, driven in a huge coach with four magnificent white horses. Her parents, Margorita and even her brother, Jorge and his wife sat with her in this "grand coach and four". The day was glorious with a gentle breeze and a sky full of sunshine and puffy white clouds. They hurried into the cathedral and Elena was taken to a "waiting room", full of gold chairs and mirrors. Her father and Margorita accompanied her. Jorge, his wife and her mother were ushered down the long, long aisle to their seats.  Soon, others came and quickly the cathedral filled with all the relatives and friends of Phillipe. Elena gazed at her reflection in one of the huge mirrors. Around her neck, was the magnificent Emerald and Diamond necklace, that Phillipe had given her on her first evening at the villa. She could not believe the vision that starred back at her. Margorita, arranged her long train of white satin and finally place the shimmering white veil of lace over Elena face. In her hands she carried a fragrant bouquet of white roses and jamine, tied with a white satin ribbon. Never again would she carry the black rose of sadness and death.

Suddenly, the great organ, peeled out the wedding march and Margorita left the room to start the walk down the long aisle. Elena's father held out his arm for her and she took hold of it. He said to her "You are the most beautiful bride in all the world". "Oh Papa", she exclaimed, the first time I met Phillipe, he promised to lay the world at my feet, and he has." But it was not the world of fame, fortune and glory but the world of Love!" They left the room and Elena starred down at the altar, so far away. There stood Phillipe, looking like a Prince, a beautiful smile on his face.

Elena mind raced back over the years to when she had first danced, to the crowds on the street corners, to her meeting Juan and to her dancing in "La Cantina", to all the plans she and Juan had shared and finally to his tragic death. Now, here she was about to marry this wonderful man  whom she now loved with all her heart and who, in turn, loved and adored her. Her father signaled her to start to step forward to start the walk to the altar. She put forth a white satin slipper, the organ rang out louder and Elena began her long walk toward the "man of her dreams". Her heart pounded with excitement. Underneath her white veil she smiled a great smile for soon she would be Senora Phillipe Mendoza. Gone were the days of struggling and deprivation forever, not only for her but for her family. She moved forward one step at a time until she felt Phillipe take her hand. As the wedding ceremony began, she had one last thought:

Adios, "Elena from La Cantina"

And So......They Lived Happily Everafter!!!!!!
Because Dreams can come True and Real Love can be Found in this World.

SkyAngel   ©

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