Echoes Of Regrets
Richmore's voice broke through the confusion as we battled Fernando's goons, his remarks insistent and urgent.
Richmore : Natalia, we must make a withdrawal! I can get us together and organize our next move at my safe place.
We battled our way through the hordes of attackers, me following Richmore's lead, the prospect of safety and rest encouraging us on.
Safe house, Natalia? Were is it?
As Richmore drove off another attacker, his lips twisted into a sombre smile.
Richmore: Natalia, I have been keeping a small secret. A home I designed for my future spouse. However, right now it's the ideal spot for us to hide from Fernando.
Relief and expectation swept over me as we eventually managed to get out of the fighting and headed toward the safe house. I felt hopeful thinking of a haven cut off from the mayhem of the outer world.
Natalia Richman It still amazes me that you would divulge such a private information with me. I sense great love and specialness.
Richmore turned to face me, a warmth streaming through his eyes.
Natalia, you are unique, Richmore says. And I'll stop at nothing to protect you.
I was overcome with thankfulness as we got closer to the safe home for Richmore's unfailing support and his readiness to open up to me about such a private aspect of himself. I knew we were one step closer to taking charge of our own fate and ending Fernando's reign of terror once and for all with every stride we made toward the safety of the safe house.
Relief flooded over us as soon as we got to the safe house, the promise of a break from the mayhem outside calling us inside.
Natalia, here we are, Richmore. Fernando cannot reach this, our haven.
Natalia : Respected Richmore. What would I do in your absence?
Richmore grasped my hand in his and his look softened, his touch a confirmation of the link that held us together.
Richmore: Natalia, this place will keep us safe. We can organize our next action and end Fernando's terror dictatorship at last.
But a sense of worry descended over me like a thick blanket even as we entered the safe home and shut the door behind us. We were reminded of the perils that lay outside the walls by the way the shadows appeared to swarm in everywhere.
Richmore, do you believe Fernando will ever really be gone from our lives?
Richmore drew me into his arms, his voice firm and his face clouded with resolve.
Richmore: Natalia, we'll see to it that happens. We shall conquer any obstacles that come our way together.
But even as we took up residence in the safe house, I couldn't get rid of the impression that our fight with Fernando was far from done. And the danger seemed to be closer and the shadows darker with every second that went by.
Our trip was far from ended, I realized as we prepared for the challenges that awaited us. And I could only pray that we would come out of the darkness uninjured, Fernando waiting to attack at any time.
Richmore and I started to feel at ease and calm replace the tension of our previous conflicts as we took refuge in the security of our hidden sanctuary. The safe house was a comfortable refuge with plenty of food and beverages and the stunning surroundings.
It seems like a dream come true to be here with you, Natalia.
I grinned, a warmth pouring over me at what he said.
Natalia : Richmore, it is genuinely enchantment. I had no idea that, in the middle of everything, I could be so happy.
But even as we reveled in the light of our just discovered love, a shadow threatened to break our brittle tranquilly.
Calls and texts flooded my phone, each one a reminder of the darkness that persisted beyond our haven.
Fernando says, "Please pick up, Natalia. You need to hear from me.
My heart hammering in my chest, I hesitated, not sure if I should pick up his calls.
Richmore observed me, apprehension in his voice and a wrinkled forehead.
Who's Natalia, Richmore?
I groaned and fumbled for my phone, the weight of Fernando's unrelenting calls to me hanging over me.
Fernando here, Natalie. He calls nonstop.
Richmore spoke with irritation tinged with a tightened jaw.
Richmore : Nevermind him, Natalia. Nothing more than manipulation is his goal.
Fernando's remarks reverberated in my ears like a menacing refrain, though, even after I turned off my phone and attempted to ignore his voice.
Fernando says, "I miss you, Natalia." Nobody as obedient and loving as you have ever met. I take back all I have done. Please give me one more shot.
I could feel a little doubt nibbling at the edges of my resolve as his apologies flooded my inbox.
What happens, Richmore, if he tells the truth? If he genuinely regrets what he did, what then?
Richmore's eyes hardened, his voice resolutely convictional.
Richmore: Natalia, you are not deceived. To get his way, Fernando will say anything. He can't control us any more.
Even as Richmore was speaking, though, I couldn't get rid of the impression that Fernando's remarks contained some truth. And I realized that our struggle with Fernando was far from done as regret echoed through the walls of our refuge. And the danger seemed to be closer and the shadows darker with every second that went by.
The air heavy with Fernando's apologies, I felt uneasy, my thoughts divided between wanting to be forgiven and wanting to keep myself safe from any manipulation.
Richmore observed me with suspicious narrowed eyes and a worried tinge to his voice.
Richmore: Natalia, keep your judgement clear of Fernando's remarks. He is an expert manipulator who will say anything to get his way.
I gave my nod, my resolve getting stronger by the second.
Natalia : As you say, Richmore. I'm not going to permit him to rule me any more. Though I can't help but wonder if there's a potential for atonement, if he genuinely regrets what he did.
Richmore snatched mine up, his voice determined and forceful.
Richmore: Natalia, we cannot afford to take such chance. We must maintain our attention on the end of Fernando's terrible rule.
But there was an air of urgency even as we talked, a reminder that our time in the safe home was running short.
Richmore, we must devise a strategy, Natalia said. We have a limited amount of time here and cannot let Fernando to surprise us once more.
Richmore agreed and his head was already buzzing with ideas.
Richmore: Natalia, I have a couple thoughts. Yet we must move quickly. Fernando is not going to stop unless he has us back in his hands.
After that, we went to work coming up with a strategy to outwit Fernando and take back our freedom permanently. Even still, I couldn't get rid of the impression that our adventure was far from finished and that the real test of our fortitude and resiliency was still to come.
When we worked out how to approach Fernando, I felt as though I had a steely resolution that would not waver in the face of the obstacles that were ahead.
Richmore, we can't let Fernando to keep controlling us. Natalia. Fighting back and taking a stand is time.
Richmore had unflinching conviction in his voice and determination in his eyes.
Richmore : Very much in agreement, Natalia. We will conquer any obstacles that come our way together.
But even as we got ready to implement our strategy, a feeling of unease tore at the corners of my head, a sense of impending peril.
Richmore, I have this strong impression that Fernando is up to something major. Anything needs to be planned for.
Richmore grasped my hand in his and his concern darkened his face, his touch a confirmation of the link that held us together.
Richmore says, "We'll be ready, Natalia." Fernando throws everything at us, and we'll meet it together.