ALVIRA’S POVWe walked around a bit before we found a bench that overlooked the horizon. It was perfect with the perfect angle for us to watch the sunset. It was beautiful. I could see myself coming here often just to watch the sunset and most definitely have a cup of ice cream while at it. I made a mental note to bring Clarissa here once in a while. We sat and watched the sun slowly set as we licked our ice cream. Suddenly, the awkwardness that we felt during the elevator ride was back and for a while we just kept silent, each of us lost in our thoughts as the sounds in the background faded. It was there but it felt like we were each in another world of our own. Or so I thought. Soon, I was tired of silence, I could no longer sit still like everything was okay. “What are you doing here?” I asked, making him turn to look at me, surprisingly surprised that I was the one who broke the silence. Or maybe it was because of the question, I could not say. “What do you mean?” He asked. “
ALVIRA’S POVI looked up at him, his eyes sad and hopeful. I wanted to lunge at him and hold him so close and tell him yes. That I have forgiven him ever since I opened the door to him. I was going to forgive him a million and one times over and over if it meant that I would have him by my side for the rest of my life. However, I could not help but worry about what Clarissa would think of me if I so readily gave in and let him back in. The look of disappointment on her face alone was enough to have me rethinking my decision. Yes, he had hurt me so badly with his actions and I could not just let it go. As much as I was willing and ready to forgive him and let him back into my life, I knew that I was going to need time to truly forgive him and let go of the pain that he had caused me. For a good three long minutes, we sat in silence, my mind in an emotional turmoil as I struggled between my head and my heart while his eyes glistened with hope as he stared down at me.“Well?” He aske
ALVIRA’S POVWe walked back to the house, the moon now on full display in its crescent glory. The streetlights were switched on as we walked past the different paths that we had hiked on in time past. We walked in a comfortable silence, as opposed to the tension that hovered over us when we had first left the house. We had not completely or even remotely talked about what our future would hold but for now, we were making progress and that was all that mattered. Soon, we had gone past the park and down the lane to my apartment, the path buzzing to life with couples who were taking their evening stroll as well as students who were coming back from classes. We got to my door and I turned to find Carter already leaning down so that his face was mere inches from mine. I took a quick inhale of breath as my eyes widened. “I am sorry. I just really needed to get a taste of your lips before I went back home.” He said. “Oh! Okay. That is okay.” I said. In less than a second, I felt his li
ALVIRA’S POV“Took you guys long enough” Clarissa called out as soon as I closed the door behind me. I jumped. “Jesus Christ, ‘Rissa! You scared the living daylight out of me.” I squealed in horror.“It is past eight, Alvira. There is no living daylight here.” she said, sarcasm dripping out of her voice. “Come on, ‘Rissa. Please. We do not have to go through this again. I just really need you to be here for me. Please.” I said, walking over to the couch and plopping down on it next to her. She looked away, her gaze focused on the television screen ahead of us. I held her hands in mine as tugged a bit, finally getting her to turn and look at me. She sighed. “Look, you know that I will always be there for you. No matter what happens. And you also know that no matter how hard the truth is, I will always say it and damn the consequences because that is the right thing to do at all times.” She said, “I know. The thing is, I really like Carter. I mean, you of all people know how much h
ALVIRA’S POVIt has been a week since Carter’s visit and things have been looking up. Carter had kept his promise of making sure that he proves to me that he had changed and was worthy of a second chance with me. I woke up to a fresh bouquet of different kinds of flowers and a box of a different brand of chocolate every morning. Each of them had a handwritten note that made me swoon daily. Of course, I still felt a sliver of pain whenever I saw them. I knew they were sweet and that he was trying to make up for lost time but try as much as I could, I could not get past the pain I had felt. It was like his reentry opened the wounds that I had so desperately tried to close. Like ripping off a band aid and opening an injury that was already healing. The pain stung. However, I was determined to move past the pain and give myself a chance to heal and move on. Carter had also gone back to his old ways of texting whenever he had the chance. Sometimes, he would go further and send a pict
ALVIRA’S POVWe got back to the house, and honestly, I felt a lot better and I had only one person to thank for that. We got to the lobby and stood by the elevator. “Thank you so much, ‘Rissa. I had a lot of fun.” I said, feeling really grateful that I had her in my corner. I don’t think I would have been able to come this far if I did not have her by my side to hold me, lend me a shoulder to lean on, support me or even scold me. I probably would have ended up in a bad place and would definitely have been lost forever if it were not for her. “Oh! Come on, Alvira. You know that your happiness is my happiness. I would never want to be sad or crying. Ever. So, if it means I have to take you out, or drag you out as the case may be, I will. As long as you end up being happy, I am fine.” She replied, squeezing my hands in hers. I swiped at my eyes. She was just so sweet. I really think I did something great in my previous life to have such a great friend in my life. “That was the sweet
ALVIRA’S POV“Good night, Carter.” I said, leaning on the door, my hand resting on the door knob. A part of me just wanted to remain here, around him, be with him and just spend all night talking to him. The other part however, was freaking out about the nonexistent time frame I had before I needed to turn in my assignment. Admittedly, I had already mapped out a bit of the details in my head and how I was going to go about with the paper. But seeing Carter was something I always looked forward to and spending time with him was even more appealing. “Good night Sweets.” He said. For a brief moment, it looked like he was contemplating something. “What is it?” I asked, my voice low. “I want to kiss you.” He said, looking like the thought of not being able to kiss him brought him physical pain. “Oh!” Was all I could utter. “Yeah. Can I?” He asked. “Um, y- ye- yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Yes, you can.” I said, my voice clearer. In the blink of an eye, his lips were on mine, and w
ALVIRA’S POV“I finally made the list for the transplant.”“Oh my God, ‘Rissa, that is wonderful news. Congratulations baby girl.” I said, extremely happy for her. We had been trying to get her on the list for a long while now and with the financial constraints, we could barely make any headway. However, now, she finally got on the list, which was such great news, I immediately took the laptop from her in ecstasy and went over the mail over and over again. At long last. I honestly could not be any more happy for her. “I know right? I can not believe it myself. After all these while, I finally get a chance to get treated and have all this behind us once and for all. This truly is really a dream come through, Alvira.” she said, tears filling her eyes. “I know.” I said, also feeling the tears welling up in my own eyes. This was definitely the highlight of my day. Yeah, it was supposed to be meeting Carter and sharing the kiss with him. But finally having Clarissa’s name make the lis
Alvira’s POVThe hospital room was quiet. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling like a hollow shell. My heart ached, and my mind wouldn’t stop replaying what happened. Lucas was sitting by the window, scrolling through his phone. He hadn’t said much, but his presence was comforting in a strange way. Suddenly, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, stood up, and walked over to me. “It’s Clarissa,” he said softly. “She’s been trying to reach you. You should talk to her.” Hearing her name made my chest tighten. Clarissa was my best friend…..more like my sister. She must’ve been worried sick. I hesitated, then slowly took the phone from Lucas. “Clarissa?” I said in a shaky voice. “Alvira!” Her voice was loud, filled with relief and worry. “Oh, thank God! Are you okay? Where have you been? I’ve been calling and calling! I was so scared something happened to you!” Tears stung my eyes. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. I left my phone
CARTER’S POV“Why does your father always feel the need to give you these tests for you to prove yourself?” I turned to look at him. It was my turn to look confused. “What do you mean?” I asked, my voice taking a defensive tone. He raised his hands. “I don’t mean to sound disrespectful neither am I trying to accuse anyone of anything. I just feel like this is something that keeps recurring and I just wanted to address it.” He said, shrugging. “I am listening.” I replied. “Okay, well, have you ever noticed how every single time since we were in middle school how your old man always found a way to incorporate some sort of ‘test of strength’ for you just so you could prove yourself?” He asked. I thought about it. I did not know where he was going with this but I decided to oblige him. If it was something that was bothering him, then it must be something that is really serious. However, I was not about to just give him a direct answer. I needed him to explain himself very well befor
CARTER’S POVLife could not be any better. I was having the best fun of my life with my one and only friend , Larry, surrounded by pretty women who were all vying for my attention. I was stupid rich, with so much money to spend that I didn't even know the first thing to do with it. We had successfully signed off on our company. And with it, came a throng of investors who had sunk their millions of dollars worth of shares and stocks into. We were finally above ground and now, we were on track to becoming one of the largest corporations in the country. Above all, I had finally proven to my father that I was more than able to be the man he thinks I am not. I proved to him that I had the ability to break hearts and not look back. I was as devious as they came and I was excellent at the game of manipulation. And if I was going to run a successful multimillion dollar company, I needed to master that skill. I remember the night after I had finally revealed my plans and broken Alvira’s hea
ALVIRA’S POVUgh, my head hurt so bad. It felt like a thousand trains had run through my head at the same time. I felt so paralyzed and weak. I tried to move my body but realized that it hurt to even think. I took a deep breath, willing myself to finally open my eyes. Why did my eyelids feel like they were made of lead? I tried to open them, the pain in my body excruciating. What happened? Why did it feel like I was being confined to a bed?My throat was so dry. It felt like someone had run a million sandpapers on it. I definitely did not like this feeling. My toes also felt numb and cold. I tried to wiggle them but felt the same disappointment as it did not work. You can do this, Alvira. Come on. I took another deep breath and slowly willed my eyelids to open, cracking them open slightly only to shut them back, groaning. Why was it so bright? I tried to raise my hands to block the light but I could not. “Hey! Oh thank goodness you are finally awake.” A voice said, very faintly.
ALVIRA’S POV“Hey, sweets.”I turned. It was the man of my dreams, his smile was still enough to make me weak in the knees. “Carter! Oh! How I have missed you.” I said, running over to his arms. “Where have you been? I have missed you.” I said into his chest. “Please do not ever leave me alone again. I can not endure that.” I pleaded, holding him tight. “Just take a look at how pathetic you look, you disgust me with your weakness and timidity.” I raised my head, horror coating my face as I stared at the face of the one man I had ever loved. His smile was gone, now replaced by a look of utter disdain. “Carter…” “Do not ‘Carter’ me. I have always known you to be a weak little thing and never having the balls to stand up for yourself. Of course, you would run over to this place just to hide. You have always been so pathetic and it is so appalling to watch you. I mean, have you no shame?” He sneered. “Carter, please. Just tell me what you want me to do and I promise to be that for y
ALVIRA’S POVThis place was quiet and calm, just how I liked it. For the first time ever, I was finally at rest. I could finally rest. With no barriers, nothing stopping me, no one to worry about me. I could finally take a break. I look around me and realize that once again, I am left alone. However, this time feels different. It feels somewhat peaceful. Like I can finally breathe. I find myself back in the park, just by the lake. The cool evening breeze hits my brain, and I take a deep inhale. This feels so good. It is all I have ever needed and at this moment, my only wish was that I could remain in this place forever. I watch as the breeze sets a small wave over the lake, the soft sound from them clashing against the shore mixed with the whistle of the leaves on the trees overlooking the lake.I take a seat on the bench by the shore, taking in another deep breath. This felt better than great. I took in another deep breath, I could get used to this. The sun was setting and I sat
ALVIRA’S POVI walked out.I did not stop. I just kept walking. My mind was numb. My eyes were empty from having cried all through and right now, there were no more tears left to cry. I just kept walking. I walked out of the penthouse, hearing the sound of giggles from the ladies but not caring to turn back to see what was going on. I had seen and heard enough. I walked into the elevator and just stared ahead of me, seeing nothing in front of me as I waited to get out. Soon, the doors opened and I walked out of the elevator, my legs on autopilot as they carried me out of the building. I vaguely heard the doorman greeting me as I walked by but I was numb to even fake a smile and respond to him. I walked past the security and out of the gate, my legs turning left and moving back the same direction I had come in. It was a gated estate so unless you had a car, you had to walk all the way to the gate. So I walked. I walked all the way down to the gate which was about eight miles but t
ALVIRA’S POVMy world was spinning. Nothing made sense to me. How was I supposed to take in the fact that my boyfriend had not really been my boyfriend, but instead, it was I who was the pawn he had used in this twisted game between him and his father?“So, everything, every single day was a lie. Every conversation, every time we hung out, every word you said to me, every single time I opened up to you, you mean to tell me that none of that, not even one, meant anything to you?” I asked. It was a surprise to me how steady my voice was when on the inside, I could feel myself dying. Every fiber of my being, every nerve ending, every single part of me was crumbling right now. I could not believe that this was happening right now. This had to be some sick joke. I ran a hand through my hair frantically pacing around the living room. Carter cackled, his laugh so evil and twisted. I paused in my steps and turned to look at him. He looked so different. Like he was possessed. This was defini
ALVIRA’S POV“C- Carter?”“What the hell are you doing here? Williams, who the hell let her in?” I could barely move my eyes. I could not believe my eyes. What was going on? How? When? Why? No, this has got to be a dream. Yes, that was the only way to explain this situation. I was dreaming. This was nothing but a bad dream and I was going to wake up any moment from now. I pinched myself over and over to try to wake up from the dream, the pain shooting up my leg telling me that this was not a dream but reality. “I don’t know sir, I did not hear the bell ring or anything so she must have let herself in. I only met her on my way up and I tried to stop her. I am very sorry sir.” I heard Williams mutter from behind me but I could barely move my head. My eyes were stuck on the view in front of me. How could he do this to me? To us? After everything we have been through. What did I do to deserve this? Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I remained rooted in my spot. “How?