Away
AT THE Women's Penitentiary
Alison was smiling from ear to ear. She receives a letter from her friend that states the court granted temporary access to her money.
"I might not be able to get away from the law, but I can surely pay someone to bust me out and get back on everyone. Especially with that brat that sent me here." She said as she glanced at the prison guards. Observing which people she could bribe.
"You seem in a good mood, pumpkin," Sam commented.
Alison nods. But she did not give any details as she didn't want Sam to escape with her. She wants to do it on her own.
She's been in prison for more than a year, and she has met people far more powerful than Sam, and she wants to take advantage of them.
MEANWHILE, Lucian felt a pit in his stomach.
Drowning sorrow creeps all over his body. He could feel sweat forming around his forehead, palms, and neck. Followed by an unknown bump that wants to throw him out of his misery.
Shortly after, someone tugs on his suit. Unwilling to open his eyes, as he didn't want to face the reality that she was no longer there, the person kept on tugging him.
After a few more seconds, he furrowed his brows and opened his eyes. Expecting a doctor, nurse, or even one from Latton's family to try to help him up, but to his surprise, it was the taxi driver, the one that drove him to the hospital.
Confused, he stared at the old man, "what's happening?" He asked.
"Sorry, but I got a flat tire." The driver says while pointing at the tire. "But we are near the hospital, which is around the corner." He gestured.
Lucian nodded tears around the corner of his eyes. Hands shaking, eyes wide open. He looked at his watch, and it was already 3:17 pm.
He remembered his dream. "Time of death 3:24 pm."
The words haunted him.
After paying the driver. He hurriedly got out of the car and ran a few blocks, then started throwing up.
He breathed rapidly, "don't die on me," he yelled internally.
He can feel exhaustion, his eyes are heavy, and his legs seem unsteady, but he doesn't care. He sighed deeply and ran as fast as his legs could take him.
Dirty sweat and smoke clung to his tailored suit. His well-kept hair became disheveled, but still, his face was as handsome as ever.
Still breathing heavily... He arrived at the nurse's station, and he got a glimpse of the time. (3:24 pm)
"It's just a dream..."
"It's just a dream..."
He kept telling himself.
He stood and stared blankly at the door. His face expressed defeat.
He slowly opens the door of her room. Hoping for the best outcome while expecting the worst.
His eyes dilated. His heart melted seeing her alive and well.
Latton was sitting on her bed while Thalia was wiping her face with a towel. You could see in Thalia's eyes that she was about to cry when she saw him enter the room. She gestured for him to sit on the bedside.
Lucian was overjoyed to see her. He swiftly moved to her side and hugged her. The day he'd been waiting for more than six months finally came. She's awake, she's back in his arms and he will never let her go. He will protect her no matter what.
Latton did not hug him back. Instead, she was staring at her mother, wide-eyed, then mumbled.
"Momma, why is this good-looking man hugging me?"
He was dumbfounded upon hearing her words. He let go of her and stared at her face, "Don't you remember me?"
"No."
His brows furrowed and the look of disappointment on his face was visible. He sighed deeply and gave a faint smile.
"It's okay if you don't. We'll just make new memories better than the last." He said, then patted her head.
She giggled. "I'm just messing with you, but seriously, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in the Maldives?"
He laughs, "You are such a rascal." He mumbles, his eyes turning scarlet in glee. "I took the fastest flight I could find. Got delayed numerous times due to weather but here I am." He explains as he caresses her face.
She smiled faintly, "You don't need to do that. You left right after the ceremony, won't they get mad at you?" She mumbles guiltily.
He shook his head.
"How about your honeymoon?" She remarks in sorrow.
He was stunned momentarily, "My honeymoon?" He repeated.
She nods.
He laughs. "Who's wedding do you think is in the Maldives?" He asks.
She lowered her head, "Yours." She said in a low voice.
He giggled, "It's John and Vivian." He replied in glee.
She blushed in embarrassment. "Oh!" She reacts.
Then she remembered the exact words Lucius said.
~He is in the Maldives for a destination wedding.
"I misunderstood Lucius' words." She thought to herself.
"How can I get married if my bride is still asleep?" He remarked, then kissed her on the forehead. "I'm referring to you, you're my bride," he added playfully.
He held her hands firmly and then stared into her eyes as his eyes slowly turned scarlet. "I'm sorry that I left you there. I should have stayed and driven you home. I should have listened to you. I said words I didn't mean. I'm so sorry. Please give me another chance." He begged.
"Silly... What happened to me is inevitable. The only difference is, if you are there... both of us are shot. What's surprising is that you waited." She uttered.
He nodded. "I told you I could wait." He wrapped his hand around her and then whispered, "But I think he can't..." He remarked mischievously while pointing at the bulge in his pants.
She laughs and then frowns.
Sensing that something is wrong, he leans closer to her and tucks her hair behind her ear. "Is there a problem?" He asks nervously.
She shook her head. "I... mmmm... I don't know." She mumbles stammeringly. She then glances at Thalia, gesturing her to leave them alone.
"The accident made me realize that I had a lot of things to do. To experience, and it would be such a waste of time, wealth, and energy not to go on a journey." She stated her eyes expressed hope and delight.
He nodded. "Yes, of course." He replied in agreement as he grinned merrily.
Her eyes lit up. "You're okay with it?" She asks.
He nodded. "Whatever you want," he replied in excitement.
"Good. After my therapy, I'm planning to visit Derek and go on a European tour. I'm going to keep my promise to Catherine and visit museums." She declared.
"Just say the date, and I'll clear my schedule to accompany you." He responds.
She shook her head. "I want to go alone, Lucian."
His face paled but kept it cool. "Okay then I'll wait for y--"
"I'm not sure when I'll be coming back." She intervened.
He was stunned momentarily. "What do you mean? What about our engagement? Our wedding?" He asks anxiously.
She shook her head, "You called it off. We broke up. Have you forgotten? You said we were a mistake and I agree." She reasons.
He gasped in disbelief, "I was just mad when I said that. I didn't mean any of it." He remarks.
She lowered her head, hands clasped firmly, "I hope you'll understand, Lucian. This is my decision." She said with certainty. "I can't simply forgive you whenever you apologize." She added while staring directly into his eyes.
His lips quiver in sorrow. "Don't do this to us... Please." Words that he wanted to say to her, but when he stared at her eyes he saw how certain her statements were.
He nods in defeat. "Is it okay for me to visit you?" He asks nicely.
She sighs. "Sure." She mumbles hesitantly.
-
He visited her every day in the hospital and accompanied her to her follow-up check-up. No matter how many times she told him that she had a driver, he still insisted on driving for her.
"Where are we going? This is not the way to Ripley Manor." She pointed out.
"It's lunchtime. Let's eat together." He says while holding her hand.
"Lucian!" She uttered. She wanted to scold him, but when she got a glimpse of his face she saw pain in his eyes, and she noticed his lips were quivering as if he was about to cry.
"I want barbecue." She added with glee in her tone. She witnesses how the pain in his eyes disappears instantly. Seeing him happy gave her a sense of satisfaction.
He smiles, "Sure."
_
Several days passed and Latton slowly regained her health. Everything around her seemed to be in place.
Lucian, on the other hand, visits her every day, giving her small gifts on his visits: a bar of chocolate, a slice of strawberry cake, and a red rose. He was courting her to win her back. Today is no different, or so he thought.
When he got to Ripley Manor, Latton was no longer there.
The maid's words still lingered on him as he sped away.
~Miss Ripley is on her way to the airport.
He smiled bitterly, "She didn't even tell me that she was leaving." He uttered as he floored his car.
AT Los Angeles Airport.
"Latton," he called out to her as he breathed heavily.
She was sitting comfortably in the VIP Lounge.
Stunned, she was speechless. All she could do was wave at him.
"You're here again." She says awkwardly.
He grins bitterly, eyes reddening. "You're leaving, and you didn't tell me. I thought we were doing okay." He says every word feels like knives stabbing him in the heart.
"Because I don't want to say goodbye... I don't want to see the sad look on your face," she explains in guilt. "I can't stay in this place. There's too much going on."
He sighed, then handed her a small box. He wanted to say tons of things, but words seemed to elude him.
She opens it. Her brows furrowed immediately, "Why are you giving this to me?" She asked in bewilderment while staring at the engagement and promised ring Lucian gifted her.
"I purchased the rings for you. You are the only person that can wear them." He declared, then slowly he knelt in front of her and wrapped his arms around her leg. "Please don't leave me."
"Lucian." She mumbles softly.
He breathed out, "How sure are you that you are going to feel better there?" He asks. His lips were trembling in distress.
She gasped, "I need to go." She says as she gently removes his hands around her.
"Come back to me," he pleaded pitifully.
She opened her mouth to respond, but she heard from the intercom that her flight was boarding. She swallowed her words and slowly marched away from him.
He stayed kneeling while staring at her receding figure. He waited for her to look back, but she never did...