It had been three days since Mariana learned about Alton and Serena. Alton had done everything to win her back, but Mariana was too emotionally distant; she couldn't return to that prison of unrequited love. She had forgiven both him and Serena; she had never been angry, and was actually happy that Alton had found someone who truly loved him, a woman he deserved.
She was stirring her coffee at the kitchen counter. She was wearing a simple floral sundress and a pair of slippers. It was 4 p.m., yet she felt the need for coffee, as if she needed it to jolt her nerves awake. Because she had been feeling lifeless even though her eyes were wide open.
"Mariana!"
Caitlin shouted, running toward her and quickly grabbing her hand. Mariana set down the spoon she'd been using to stir her coffee and let Caitlin lead her into the living room.
"You need to watch this."
Caitlin said solemnly, with a sense of urgency in her voice.
The television displayed the news, and the reporter was stating this:
"A tragic yet heroic event unfolded today when Calum Bryant, a prisoner on temporary release under FBI supervision, died saving the lives of numerous passengers on a public bus targeted by a bomb.
Bryant, who was fitted with a tracking device to avoid escaping while on a sensitive operation with the FBI, discovered the explosive device and acted swiftly. He managed to warn passengers and drive the bus to a safer location before the bomb detonated. While many passengers escaped unharmed, Bryant perished in the ensuing explosion. Recovery efforts are underway, but reports suggest his remains were severely damaged.
The community is mourning his loss and praising his extraordinary bravery. The FBI has acknowledged his actions as 'remarkable and selfless,' but declined to comment on the specifics of his operation. The investigation into the bombing is ongoing. We will provide updates as more information becomes available."
Mariana froze. Her eyes widened, and she didn't even manage to sit down on the couch. The swirling emotions inside her were overwhelming. Her heart ached at the news. Like every word the reporter said felt like a rock thrown at her. But she couldn't let Caitlin see her mourn for her mortal enemy, so she forced a semblance of normalcy, though it wasn't easy.
"Good for him..."
She stuttered slightly, forcing a small smile. Caitlin took her hands and faced her, immediately noticing how cold they were. Mariana was trembling, and despite her efforts to hide her sadness and pain, it was evident to Caitlin. Caitlin clearly knew that Mariana was pretending not to be hurt to avoid worrying her. Caitlin hugged her, and the moment Mariana felt her arms around her, she burst into tears. Mariana was grieving, and she knew why. She loved him. She loved Calum Bryant.
But she refused to believe it; but no matter how much she refused, she knew she couldn't stop herself longing for him and wishing to be near him. But it's too late; he was already gone. And there's nothing she can do now; her heart will be forced to stop aching for him. Because she will never see him again.
---
Mariana lay in her bed, tears streaming down her face, still reeling from the earlier news. Caitlin had gone to the grocery store, reassured by Mariana's feigned calm that she was fine. Mariana knew that if she'd admitted her distress, Caitlin wouldn't have left. So she'd played it cool, waiting for Caitlin's departure.
Her face was wet with tears. She closed her eyes and listened to her rapid, beating heart, the frantic rhythm amplifying her pain. She longed to rip open her chest, tear out her heart; its pounding was agonizing. It felt as if the world was conspiring against her happiness. Because since regaining consciousness after her coma, she hadn't experienced genuine joy. She was weary of crying, of hurting; she wanted to give up, but didn't know how.
"Damn it!" she shouted repeatedly. "Fuck you, Calum! Fuck you for doing this to me!"
She slapped the pillow, growling, and her tears flowed. "You're unfair! You're a coward… Why did you leave? Why did you leave me…"
Her voice was hoarse from shouting and cursing. Exhausted, nearly distraught, she was drifting off to sleep from exhaustion, but when the doorbell rang, her eyes flew open. Against her will, she got up, quickly wiping her tears. She glanced in the mirror, checking for evidence of her crying. Caitlin must have forgotten her key inside the house, she realized. Mariana didn't want Caitlin to see her like this, a mess she hadn't expected.
She ran downstairs and opened the door.
She was unprepared for who she saw. It wasn't Caitlin at all. It was him.
It was Calum Bryant.
The cold night air washed over Mariana's face, chilling her tear-stained cheeks. They stared into each other's eyes, both yearning for intimacy, a desperate longing reflected in their gazes. Calum's expression was neutral, but his heart leaped with joy at seeing her. Mariana's breath hitched; the tears she'd been holding back overflowed. He was alive, and that made her so happy. She was lost, unsure how to proceed, and she simply sobbed and said,
"I thought you were dead..."
"Mariana…" Calum's deep voice was rough, tender. He wore a torn black t-shirt, blood staining the left side of his chest. He was wounded.
Despite the bleeding, Calum felt no pain. His happiness at seeing her overshadowed everything else.
Mariana remained frozen, unsure of her next move. She just sobbed, her eyes pleading for him to hold her and comfort her. And he understood. He drew her closer, pulling her into a tight embrace. She clung to him, sobbing, their reunion a torrent of shared grief and relief. Calum buried his face in her hair, breathing in her scent, desperate to confirm this wasn't a dream. That he had found a way back to her.
"What are you doing here?"
Mariana was crying in his arms and managed to create that question, which she knew wasn't necessary for him to answer. And when she touched his chest, she felt the blood on his shirt. She realized the severity of his injury and that he was wounded.
"You're bleeding…" she whispered, lifting her head to look at him.
He smirked slightly, as if his bleeding was insignificant compared to holding her. "It doesn't matter," he breathed, caressing her cheek, tilting her face upward to meet his gaze. His eyes were captivating. He planned to kiss her, but she turned around.
"We need to treat your wound," she said.
She carefully stepped inside the house to get a first-aid kit. He followed, seeming almost spectral; he felt like he was floating like a ghost. He wasn't sure if it was his joy that was blurring his vision, or maybe it was because he had lost so much blood. He nearly stumbled, but she caught him, guiding him to the couch. They both caught their breath. Mariana sat beside him, helping him remove his shirt to examine the wound.
After she put the bandage in his wound and put a treatment on it she paused.She notice the tattoo on his waist that's quite familiar to her. The memories of her dreams flooded back, and she hesitated to touch it, but she did. Calum felt her hand on his waist, the warmth a contrast to the cold night. He looked at her face, observing her reaction as she focused on his tattoo. He couldn't control himself, and he took her hand, placing it on his abdomen. He cupped her face, pulling her closer. And their lips met. Mariana seemed surprised, but she didn't resist. She knew she shouldn't, because every fiber of her being craved this. There's something about that kiss telling her that she was dying inlove with him, that this already happened before. She wanted him near, for their skin to touch, and to feel the intense pressure of his lips against hers. They shared the same rhythm of heartbeat, the same desperate longing. The kiss intensified as they closed their eyes, lost in the heat and passion. Calum felt her weight on him when he used his remaining strength to lift her and place her above him. The feeling of her skin against his was a surge of overwhelming happiness. He wanted to hold her like this forever. He almost bit her lip; his excitement was overwhelming him entirely. She was making him crazy, driving him mad. They gasped for air. Mariana allowed him to touch her thigh; his hands were never restful. He caressed her leg, and she felt safe, cared for, not threatened or nervous. It was never against her will; he was her safe haven.
Her touch ignited as she felt the heat radiating from his hard-packed abs.
She moaned softly as he moved his lips from hers to her neck. She tilted her head, giving him better access to explore that part of her body. She was lost, just as he was. He kissed her neck passionately; her hands tangled in his hair. His kiss was like fire burning on her skin, but it didn't hurt; it made her contented, and she begged for more. The idea of him as an enemy vanished; he was her refuge, her savior. They truly loved each other. Their hearts weren't deceiving them; they were telling them the truth.
Telling them that they didn't need to be lost anymore because they had already found each other.
***