Young and handsome Marco Antonio Vallardo is a real prince-and one who is enamored with his childhood friend, the independent and spirited Rosa Isabell. The two share an incredible love on a small island in the Caribbean. Consequently, the union of their

THE DREAMER

By Rosa Isabel Colón

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright © 2011 Rosa Isabel Colón
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4620-2295-3

Contents

Garden of the Senses.....................1The Farewell.............................5The beginning............................17The birth................................22The Princess Room........................30Reminiscence.............................33The Party Plan...........................37The Afternoon Ride.......................44The mustache.............................48The Return...............................49The Offer................................54The Market Place.........................58The Arrival..............................65The Party................................68The Clash................................72The Devastation..........................84The Secret...............................87The Gathering............................92The Discovery............................102No Recollection..........................108Back at the River........................113Decision.................................116The Trip.................................124Confession...............................127The Tent.................................132The Return...............................139Nightmares...............................141Pleasant Fruits..........................146The Witch................................152The Instructions.........................161The Magic Crystals.......................163The Clash................................166Begging Time.............................172The News.................................179Daddy's Girl.............................186The Advice...............................189Light, Men and Water.....................191The wedding Day..........................196Squeaking Bells..........................199The Opposition...........................200The Rescue...............................202Spells Backfire..........................209Wedding Nuptials.........................212The Wishing Well.........................214

Chapter One

Garden of the Senses

Marco Antonio is filled with sadness. His only companion is the sound of the forest. Sitting on a huge stone he is lost in thought contemplating the beautiful view and reflecting upon his departure. He is in an enchanting place near the huge waterfall of the Bamboo River which runs through the whole valley of Llebasi. This is a perfect and romantic place where innocence and the essence of nature are manifested in splendor, filled with the aroma of gardenias and jasmine.

The day is warm and humid; the leaves of the plants visibly sweat from the heat, especially the ones closest to the waterfall. Marco has invited Rosa Isabell to meet him here to say farewell since he is leaving for college in a faraway land. His face reflects the sadness he feels inside. He has lived his whole life on this island. He doesn't want to leave the people he loves behind, especially his best friend Rosa Isabell.

Marco is the only son of the Vallardo family. He is a rich young man, not only materially speaking, but in talent, as well. He is a genius when it comes to math and he also possesses the art of influencing people with his words. His bright green eyes and long, intense black lashes are striking against his pale complexion, making him the admiration of the young women in Llebasi. He is proud of his heritage and it fills him with pleasure to say he is pure Llebasi. His feelings, ideas, and style are influenced by Llebasian culture. He is tall, firm, and strong, someone people trust and lean upon. He takes after his grandfather, for whom he was named, and from whom Marco inherited his good taste. He is a gentleman, true and proper; His personality is elegant and charismatic. Marco Antonio Vallardo is a real prince.

Marco is wearing a light cotton shirt with square patterns and khaki pants. Feeling the intensity of the heat, he takes off his hat to take in the freshness of the waterfall and with the sleeve of his shirt wipes his forehead. Thank God this season there are no flying insects trying to drink from the sweat of his brow. Suddenly, he sees Rosa Isabell approaching through the plush and colorful terrain below.

"Marcooo!"

Completely unaware of her beauty, Rosa Isabell screams his name in the distance. Her eyes shine with joy, as they always do when she is with Marco Antonio. They both have an easy playful nature and enjoy a good time being mischievous with one another. At sixteen, with the Latin beauty in her genes and her penetrating eyes, Rosa Isabell looks mysterious, like a goddess from the most enchanting stories of the Llebasi indigenous people.

"Rosa Isabell! Here I am!" Marco Antonio replies, smiling and waving his hand, looking at her. As Rosa Isabell approaches Marco, he enjoys the smoothness of her ritual walk, observing her in detail. Her pink dress with its flower print arouses tenderness. She smells of wild flowers, as if the fragrance emanates from the flowers of her dress. She wears her hair loose. It is long, black, wavy, and flows down to her tiny waist. Rosa has a small face, bronzed skin that is soft as silk, plump lips the color of honey and eyes that sparkle like sunshine. She has a guitar figure with voluptuous hips that move like palm trees swaying in the wind as she walks. All those who know her enjoy her gestures, grace and innocent charm.

The women of the Rivera family are known for their grand beauty and Rosa Isabell is no exception. In town the women envy her for being the most desired of all. She is different from the other young girls of the neighborhood. Her thoughts are pure and beautiful like her soul. She usually makes decisions based both on intuition and logic; she doesn't want to change the world, just make it happier. Spoiled since birth by her parents and sisters, Rosa Isabell is genuinely happy. She channels her creative energy into all forms of artistic expression, especially dancing, singing and acting.

Although she's greatly loved, her talent often provokes envy in others. She doesn't have many close friends except for Marco Antonio. Although she knows many people, she is content and peaceful when she is alone. When she is with others she enjoys their individuality and seeks their inner beauty and purity. Nonetheless, Rosa Isabell lacks a deep connection with others, and can almost be misperceived as antisocial. On the contrary, she loves people; it's only her shyness that keeps her at a distance. She's always in another world ... her world, as she always says.

She breathes deeply. "Hmm, summer is here. I can smell the flowers," she says loudly. The sound of a flock of white birds flying overhead catches Rosa's attention. Even though she is sure of herself and feels good in her own skin, Marco's eyes on her always make her nervous. He is watching me, she thinks. Embarrassed for not being in good enough shape to make the climb easily, Rosa stops and shows Marco the flock of birds, taking the time to catch her breath.

"Look, Marco, how cool! The birds are leaving. They are migrating south. Oh, I would love to fly like that, caramba!"

The place where Marco is waiting for her is elevated and is difficult to reach. The smile reflected in Rosa's eyes slowly begins to wane as she continues up the path. Smiling casually at him, she zigzags from side to side to make the task easier. This is something she learned from the country people of the region. Rosa sighs heavily as she reaches the top. The view from this place would have taken her breath away if she hadn't already lost it from...