Chapter 30

I didn't want him to disappear just yet, I missed him so much.

"I'm not leaving yet"

He smiled at me. He brought out a small box, opening it, I saw a simple, sleek and dazzling ring. He moved closer to me and brought out my left hand and wore the ring on my third finger.

"I'm traveling out of country tomorrow, when I get back, I will put the ring where it should be."

"Is this a proposal?"

"No, I will do it properly when I'm back, this is just a promise that I will come back to you."

My eyes became teary, I wasn't expecting it.

We moved under the sheets, moving closer to each other.

"Where are you going?."

"For business, I'm into business now. I don't want to act anymore. No one knows yet, that's an exclusive."

He smiled.

"Why are you quiting?."

I asked still looking at the ring.

"It's was never what I wanted to do. It's a long story which I don't want to talk about right now but I will let you know a little cause I don't want you to hear it from someone else. My dad is David Brown."

"David brown? Who's that? you told me that your parents died in a car accident."

"Well, the man I thought was my father was not my real father, my mom divorced my biological father and took custody of me. My biological father just showed up weeks ago. I don't want to talk about it tonight, I want tonight to be about us. I just want you to know he is David Brown."

"David Brown? Like the..."

I sat upright and looked at him.

"Yes, the one you know"

He pulled me back to his side, stroking my back.

"What do you mean? The David Brown I know? That's ridiculous."

"I was so shocked but I understood him later. He told me about your parents."

"How..."

"It's a long story. I understand why you never told me anything about your past and I support whatever decision you make."

Still shocked, I couldn't comprehend it. How could David be his father?

"I'm going to Italy to continue his business there, and I'm going with my daughter," Jason explained.

"Oh, how long would it be?" I asked, a sense of dread settling in.

"I don't know, it might take years."

"Years?" My voice wavered, betraying the sadness that swept over me.

"Yes, I promise I will come back for you. David will be here to help you with whatever you want."

As he spoke of leaving for years, the weight of disappointment and sorrow settled in my chest. We had just been reunited, and now Jason was slipping away again, not in a few weeks, but potentially for years. It felt like the ground was slipping beneath my feet, leaving me in a state of emotional turmoil.

The ring he had given me as a promise to return now felt heavy on my finger, its significance marred by the uncertainty of his departure. How could I be sure he wouldn't move on without me during those long years? The pain of parting once again, so soon after finding each other, cast a shadow over the joy that had briefly blossomed between us.

Jason noticed the sadness on my face; gently, he pulled me up, laying my head on his chest.

"I know what you're worried about. That'd never happen. I don't think you know how much I love you."

Tears streamed down my face as I grappled with the whirlwind of emotions. "Why did you meet with me tonight when you're leaving tomorrow? Why? You could've just gone without meeting me. You're telling me now it might take years for you to come back?"

I stood up, facing him with frustration and heartache. His gaze met mine with a sincerity that cut through the tension.

"I couldn't leave without seeing you, Drea. If I left without seeing you, I would live in regret for the rest of my life."

With those words, he pulled me back into his arms, his embrace a reassuring anchor in the storm of uncertainty. The weight of the impending separation lingered, but in that moment, he promised me that he would come back, his words a pledge of commitment and love.

He continued to stroke my naked back, a soothing rhythm that lulled us into a peaceful embrace. Back and forth, the tender touch became a gentle caress, creating a serene connection that transcended words. In the quiet intimacy of the moment, we both dozed off.

----

The bright sun woke me up, and as I slowly opened my eyes, Jason was gone. I noticed a note placed next to me, and as I reached for it, He expressed his love and reassured me that he would return. A single tear fell from my eyes as my gaze shifted to the ring he had given me – a promise, a symbol of a love caught in the complexities of our intertwined lives.

I clutched the note in my hands. I traced the outline of the ring with my fingertips.

As I sat on the edge of the bed, lost in my thoughts, the door creaked open, and Summer entered with a mischievous grin on her face.

"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to wake up," she teased, her playful tone punctuating the air.

I mustered a weak smile, still reeling from Jason's departure. "Yeah, I guess I needed some extra shut-eye."

Summer's eyes twinkled with amusement as she sat down beside me. "So, spill the beans. How was your late-night rendezvous with Jason?"

I sighed, the weight of his absence heavy on my heart. "There wasn't one. He left without saying goodbye."

Her expression softened, and she reached out to squeeze my hand in a gesture of comfort. "I'm sorry, Drea. But hey, at least you two are back together, right?"

I managed a nod, grateful for her unwavering support. "Yeah, I guess so."

In an attempt to lift my spirits, Summer changed the subject. "On a brighter note, guess what? I got the promotion! They loved the project I worked on, and now I'll be staying with you temporarily until I find a place of my own."

A surge of joy bubbled within me at the news. "That's amazing, Summer! I'm so proud of you. You've worked so hard for this."

We shared a moment of celebration, basking in the glow of each other's accomplishments. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that lay ahead, knowing that we had each other made the journey a little less daunting.

As I began to prepare for work, the anticipation of Christmas and the newfound excitement of Summer's promotion lingered in the air, infusing the morning with a sense of warmth and possibility. Just as I was about to step out of my room, Summer's voice echoed through the hallway, filled with excitement.

"Drea! Come quick! It's snowing outside!"

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I hurried to join her by the window. We stood side by side, watching in awe as delicate snowflakes cascaded from the sky, transforming the world into a winter wonderland. In that moment, the air seemed to shimmer with the promise of holiday magic, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of joy bubble up within me.

As Summer and I shared a tight embrace, our hearts filled with the spirit of the season, I felt a sense of unity and camaraderie wash over us. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, knowing that we had each other's support made everything feel a little more manageable.

Just as we were lost in the enchanting scene outside, my phone buzzed with a text message from David Brown. His words cut through the tranquility of the moment, reminding me of the task at hand. With a determined resolve, I made a silent vow to myself – no longer would I allow myself to be consumed by grief and weakness. It was time to take control of my destiny, to seek justice for my parents, and to confront Joseph Dominic once and for all.

With newfound determination coursing through my veins, I squared my shoulders and met Summer's gaze with unwavering determination. "I have to go meet David," I said, my voice steady and resolute. "There's something important he needs to tell me about Joseph." She nodded.

As I left the warmth of our cozy apartment behind, a fire burned within me, fueling my resolve to confront the shadows of the past and emerge stronger than ever before. It was time to embrace the power within me and take the first step towards reclaiming my destiny.