DIANE
I had showered and changed into- the only clothes that were available; Isaak's t-shirt that fit me like a dress.
"How did you find me?" I ask, my voice soft. Isaak takes something out his blazer, it looked like a.. "Is that a tracker?" Isaak nodded and then it made sense. I exhaled through my nose.
"Why didn't you ever tell me about Roseline?" Isaak shrugged, pulling out a first aid kit. He began cleaning my lip, and I winced as he did so.
How the tables had turned.
"You came up with your own conclusion so I let it be," he said and my jaw clenched when I remembered that day, still in my mind.
I go on and tell him the things that Luka told me. I was so foolish, blinded and stupid.
"Forgive me," I say and he shakes his head. "There's nothing to forgive you for, I would've done the same," He says.
"I don't deserve you," I whisper.
He tucks a strand of my hair at the back of my ear.
"You deserve nothing but the truth," And so I told him the rest.
"I was so stupid," I said, shaking my head. "I let myself get fooled by Luka's lies, and I let my hurt and anger get the best of me. I let him manipulate me into his revenge plot, and I hurt so many people in the process. I can't believe I was so selfish." I felt like I could barely breathe, the weight of my mistakes crushing me.
"But you know what?" I said, my voice breaking. "I'm not going to let him win." I say.
''I'm not going to let him destroy me. I'm going to fight back, and I'm going to fix the mess I've made. I'm going to make it right, no matter what it takes." I felt a surge of determination run through me, hoping that it wasn't temporary.
"Why do you still trust me?" I asked, my voice full of self-doubt. "I'm not even sure I trust myself," I said. I felt the shame welling up inside me, and I couldn't meet his eyes. "Because you've always been loyal to me, even when I didn't deserved it," he said, referring to our past. "And because I know you,"
I sighed. I was so tired of it all. Tired of the lies, the secrets, the anger, the envy.
I was tired of carrying the weight of it all on my shoulders. I needed to tell Isaak the truth, no matter how hard it would be. I took a deep breath, and then I spoke. "I need to tell you something else," I said, my voice trembling.
Isaak chuckled. "So there's more?"
"I'm not kidding Isaak. I'm being very serious," He nodded, putting his hands up in surrender. "I need to be honest with you, even if its hard for me to admit,"
"I'm not pregnant," I said, the words pouring out of me in a rush. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I felt like I could breathe again.
Isaak looked at me, his eyes wide. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice full of confusion. I took a deep breath, and I opened my mouth to tell him everything.
I closed my eyes shut, the images on full display like I was living it once again. I flinched when I noticed that I could still feel his touch.
"It was all part of the plan," I said, my voice shaking. "Luka wanted to get back at you, and he wanted to one-up you. So he started drugging me. Its all really vague; the night you were shot at the ball. But I do remember getting to the cabin. And that's when it all happened." I felt my stomach twist in knots as I relived those horrible memories. But I had to tell him, I had to be honest. I owed him that much.
"He... he...," I couldn't bring myself to say the words. I felt my stomach churn, and my heart ached. "He made me believe he slept with me," I finally managed to say, my voice breaking but I refused to cry.
"After that, I didn't feel like myself anymore. I didn't know who I was, or what I wanted. I just knew I needed to get away, even if that meant leaving you." I felt my heart clenching as I said those words, and I wanted nothing more than to take them back.
His forehead touched mine, and I felt his breath on my face. A tear slid down my cheek, and he brushed it away with his thumb. He placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, and then another on my forehead. I closed my eyes, his touch soothing me.
I felt safe in his arms, and I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to go back to that dark place, where Luka had taken me. I wanted to stay here, in this moment, with Isaak.
Without warning, I felt my feet leave the ground. Isaak had picked me up, his arms wrapped around my waist. He twirled me around in a perfect circle, and I couldn't help but let out giggle.
It was like all the tension and sadness had melted away in an instant, and I was back to being myself again. He always brought me back to me.
In that moment, I felt like anything was possible. I felt like I could do anything, be anything, and nothing could stop me.
"You make me happy," he said, his voice soft and tender. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and I felt my knees go weak. I played with the rubber band that was still on my wrist, twisting it around my fingers.
I couldn't look away from his eyes, the grey color of them pulling me in like a magnet. I felt like I could stay here forever, just staring into his eyes.
"You make me feel like anything is possible," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
"You make me feel like I can be anything, do anything, and no one can stop me." I felt my heart flutter in my chest, and I knew I was right. With him by my side, I felt like anything was possible.
"You bring out the best in me," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "And you make me want to be a better person." He smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made my heart skip a beat.
He turned my face towards him, his finger gentle against my skin.
He was smiling, but it was a different kind of smile than I had ever seen on him before. It was softer, more genuine.
"Despite all the chaos, you make me forget," he said. "You're like a light, shining through the darkness. You make me things I thought I was incapable of feeling," I felt my eyes flutter closed, and I let myself get lost in the moment.
I felt like time had stopped, and nothing else existed but the two of us.
He cupped my cheek in his hand, and I leaned into his touch. My hand rested on his chest, and I could feel his heart beating just as fast as mine. He kissed me, and I felt like I was floating.
The world around us disappeared, and it was just the two of us. The feeling of his lips against mine was electric, and it sent a shiver down my spine. It had been so long since I had felt this way, and I never wanted it to end.
The kiss was slow and deliberate, as if he was savoring every moment. His lips were soft and warm, and I could feel his breath against my skin.
It was like time was standing still, and the only thing that existed was the two of us. I could feel the love and care he had for me in that moment, and it made my hearts swell with happiness. I never wanted the kiss to end, and it felt like it could last forever.
"I love you," he uttered.
"I love you too," I said, the words coming out easily. He smiled, and then he said something that took me by surprise. "But there's something I need to ask you," he said. I nodded, curious about what he was going to say.
"Of course, what is it?" I asked. He reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small, red box. I furrowed my brows, unsure of what was inside. I had a feeling I knew, but I didn't want to get my hopes up.
He opened the box, and inside was another small, black velvet box. He opened it, and inside was the most stunning diamond ring I had ever seen.
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. I looked up at him, my eyes full of tears. "It's not the perfect time," he said. "I know we still have a lot to do, and there's a lot going on. But right now, it's just you and me. I've always wanted to do this, and I know it's your dream. I know this is probably a lot to take in, but..." He slowly got down on one knee.
Isaak Johnson-Rivera was on his knee.
"...will you marry me?" he asked, his eyes full of hope and love.
I felt my heart swell, and I couldn't help but smile. "Yes," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. He stood up, and I threw my arms around him, sobbing with happiness.
He held me tight, and I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world. I had no idea what the future held, but I knew that we would face it together.
My hands curled around his neck as I stood on my tiptoes. He must have sensed my anxiety, because he wrapped his arms around my legs and lifted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he pulled me close.
The kiss was no longer soft and gentle, it was full of passion and need. We were both desperate for this moment, for this connection.
I could feel the emotions pouring off of him, and I knew he felt the same way. This was more than just physical, it was something deeper. It was something I could never put into words.
"Tell me to stop," he whispered against my lips. But I didn't want him to stop. I shook my head, my body begging for more.
"I need a proper answer, Diane," he said, his voice low and raspy. I could feel my heart racing in my chest, and I knew what I wanted. "No, I'm ready." I said, looking him in the eye. "I want you." Our lips met again, and I ran my hands under his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin against my fingertips.
"Are you sure?" he asked again, his gaze intense. I met his eyes, and I was surer than I'd ever been before. "Yes," I said, my heart pounding in my chest. I wanted this more than anything. I wanted to feel close to him, to be one with him. He didn't need to be asked twice.
He picked me up and carried me to the bed, pinning my arms against the sheets. His eyes were dark with desire.
"Mine, you're all mine." he whispered, his lips brushing against mine. "Always and forever." I felt like I was flying, like nothing else in the world mattered but this moment.
This connection we had, it was something I had never felt before. He made me feel like I was the only person in the universe, and I wanted to stay in this moment forever.
He lifted my sweater over my head, and I was left in nothing but my skin. His eyes darkened as he took in the sight of me. "Get on your knees," he commanded, his voice low and seductive. I complied, as I slowly unbuckled his belt and unzipped his pants.
I wanted him.
I needed him.
My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the heat rising in my body. "Yes, sir,"
And on this night I knew he'd be embedded on my body.