Left alone with her regrets, Selena finally allowed herself to face the reality she had long suppressed. She knew that she had left Tara to face all the turmoil alone.
If Tara were to resent or even hate her for it, Selena would accept it without complaint. She'd caused all this; she deserved whatever came of it. But here was Tara, still in love with her.
Selena could only feel guilt.
Finally, she spoke, her voice a soft murmur. "You don't need to apologize, Tara. You've done more than enough. I'm the one who should be apologizing—for putting you through so much suffering."
Tara shook her head, smiling. "Selena, just being able to see you again is the greatest gift. That incident, it wasn't your fault. It was my mistake. My parents' mistake. I worried too much; my parents were too controlling. How could I expect you to stay by my side when I couldn't even commit myself fully?"
Selena's fingers drummed nervously on her knee, but Tara's words did little to relieve her guilt.
They drove on in silence, watching as bleak winter trees flew by until they came upon a grove of blooming red camellias, vibrant against the stark landscape.
Then Tara spoke again, her voice low but clear. "Selena, back then, I wasn't brave enough. I was too concerned with what others thought. But now… would you consider giving me another chance?"
Her words struck Selena's heart like a bombshell, reverberating through her mind. Stunned and flooded with a chaotic mix of joy and disbelief, she could only manage to nod.
She let Tara's words sink in, savoring the immense happiness rising within her. Tara had always been patient, but Nina's appearance had forced her hand. Now, she had to lay it all on the line.
"Yes," Selena replied in a gentle, rain-like whisper, a balm to Tara's long-parched heart. Her hands on the steering wheel shook slightly, overwhelmed by how readily Selena had accepted.
When they pulled into the underground garage and Tara turned off the engine, she was about to unbuckle her seatbelt when Selena's hands cupped her face.
Selena's palms were warm as they pressed against Tara's cheeks, the heat radiating to Tara's heart, spreading through her like a wildfire. Every fiber in her body shivered with desire and vulnerability. And then, slowly, Selena pressed her lips to Tara's.
Her lips were cool against Tara's, a stark contrast to the warmth of her touch, and the kiss was gentle, tentative, as if it could break.
That was all it took for Tara's last shreds of self-control to snap. She slipped her arms around Selena, her hands trailing up her spine and into her hair, pulling her closer. Their kiss deepened, every second seeming to spill over with five years' worth of longing and unspoken love. Neither could pull away, oblivious to everything but each other.
It wasn't enough. Selena's hands roamed to Tara's waist, fingers catching at her belt loops, anchoring herself to Tara.
Tara managed to tear herself away just long enough to catch her breath. Her flushed cheeks and smoldering eyes met Selena's, and she murmured, "Not here. Not yet."
Selena's expression flickered with brief disappointment, quickly masked with a small smile. "Oh?"
With a smirk, Tara leaned in close, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper against Selena's ear. "Once we're upstairs… anything goes."
The warmth of Tara's breath against her ear sent a shiver down Selena's spine, a silent promise lingering in the air. She leaned back in, pressing another kiss to Tara's lips, biting down playfully.
Tara's only response was to nip back, sealing their desire as they stumbled from the car to the elevator, their hands refusing to let go.
It was late afternoon when they finally lay together in bed, an exhausted tangle of limbs and whispers. Selena dozed off, her hand resting on Tara's chest.
Quietly, Tara slipped out of bed, dialing a number. "Bring up the arrangements I ordered—just keep it as quiet as you can."
Selena shifted in her sleep, her hand falling onto the now-cold sheets beside her. She startled awake, reaching instinctively to find Tara but grasping only the emptiness of her side of the bed.
Panic surged within her. She barely thought to grab her robe before dashing out, her heart pounding as she called for Tara, each unanswered whisper fueling her worry.
But when she stumbled into the living room, she froze.
The floor was draped in a red carpet, covered in blooming Juliet roses. The scent of flowers filled the air, and the careful arrangement left her breathless.
And there, at the center of it all, was Tara.
Noticing her, Tara turned, a tender smile lighting up her face. "Selena."
She stepped forward, stopping in front of Selena. Taking a steadying breath, she slowly knelt, holding a small ring box, which she opened to reveal a delicate band matching the one on her own finger.
Selena's mind went blank, a rush of joy and disbelief flooding through her. She looked down at Tara, her eyes filling with a softness that only Tara could bring out.
The room was silent, save for the sound of their hearts, loud and steady. Tara's voice was reverent as she spoke, almost as if making a vow. "Selena, will you marry me?"
"I was going to find somewhere special, set up something beautiful before asking, but… after seeing Nina today, I couldn't wait. It made me realize that I want you here with me, safe and loved."
"Thank you, Selena, for giving me another chance to love you."
"I don't have the words to fully express how much you mean to me, but I want to spend my life trying to show you. I want to be whatever you need—a shoulder, a hand, someone to lean on. It would be my honor."
"Selena… will you marry me?"
Each word reverberated in Selena's heart. Her fingers brushed the sleeve of her robe, feeling the outline of a ring she'd been carrying, waiting for the right moment. Drawing it out, she mirrored Tara's gesture, kneeling down as she held up the simple Cartier ring. "Ms. Tara… you beat me to it."
Tara had been her guiding light, her hope through the darkest moments, the driving force behind her escape from her painful past. Just the thought of being loved by Tara was enough for her, but here she was, giving Selena everything.
Selena gently slipped the ring onto Tara's finger, letting it rest alongside the one Tara already wore. "Now it's my turn to ask," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Ms. Tara, will you marry me? No more goodbyes. Only forever."
Tara cupped Selena's face in her hands, placing a light, reverent kiss on her forehead. "Ms. Selena, there's my answer."
The End.