Chapter 72

I sighed in exasperation, running a hand through my hair, unable to grasp what I had done. Why did I say those things to her? I guess I wasn’t as fine as I wanted to believe; traveling always stirred up bad memories… and places by the sea… maybe I hadn’t handled it as well as I’d convinced myself, and Belle had ended up paying for the consequences of my painful past.

۩

As the fresh air hit my face, I took a deep breath, finally feeling free. I looked around with a heavy heart, wiping away my tears with determination. Without wasting another second, I darted across the street and hailed a taxi. I saw Mr. Cesar rushed out of the building—was he coming to yell at me again? I wasn’t going to let him. Quickly, I got into the taxi, urging the driver in a panic.

“Please, drive!” I pleaded, nervously pounding the seat and glancing back at Mr. Cesar seemed to recognize me, hastening toward the car.

“Drive fast, please!”

“I’m going, I’m going,” the driver assured us as we sped off, leaving Mr. Cesar behind, watching us go. I turned away, sinking into the seat, breathing deeply as my mind began to calm down.

“Miss, you haven’t told me where you want to go… don’t tell me you don’t have any money, and you’re just running from your lover.”

“Yes, I have money… just drive until I figure out where I want to go. I just… need to think.” I murmured, on the edge of breaking down again. I didn’t know what I was doing, didn’t know where I belonged, or if I should even keep going. Likewise, I felt lost, like I didn’t fit in and never would. Furthermore, I wiped my tears again, gazing out the window, lost in thought.

“Why did he want me by his side if all he knows is how to hurt me?”

“You’re not from here, are you, miss? You speak Spanish very well.”

“No… I’m not from here. I’m American,” I replied sadly, watching the scenery go by.

“Now it makes sense; I thought your accent was different. Let me congratulate you; you speak the language very well.” I nodded with a faint smile.

“Why are you so sad? As beautiful and smart as you are, you must have a wonderful life.”

“My life has been full of misfortune since I was born… I’ve always thought I was cursed.”

“How could someone like you be cursed?”

“I was orphaned at a young age; my mother died on the streets, and the streets became my home. I never had a chance at anything, and I didn’t wish for my life to change, but now… it’s different.”

“And you’re not happy?”

“I don’t fit in; it’s not my place. I do everything wrong and disappoint everyone. How could I face my grandfather when nothing has changed since I left the gutter?”

“It’s not easy to change overnight, but with how smart and well-spoken you are, I’m sure you’ll make it. Don’t give up…”

“Thank you for the kind words.”

“You know what? I know just the place to take you, somewhere peaceful where you can think.” I nodded slightly, wiping away the last of my tears, giving the kind man a gentle smile.

۩

When we arrived, the sea breeze touched my face, and I ran toward it, thrilled by the beautiful sunset that painted the waters red. The weather was perfect, and the sound of the waves crashing on the sand relaxed me. It was everything I’d always imagined. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“No… it was more beautiful than I’d ever imagined.” I opened my eyes, feeling renewed, a smile breaking across my face. Like a child, I took off my shoes and ran toward the water, letting the waves lap at my feet. I pulled out my phone and snapped a few pictures, thinking of showing them to my grandfather when I returned and hoping to see this view again someday.

“So, this is where you were…” I turned quickly and saw Mr. Cesar was walking toward me, his blond hair blowing in the breeze, his intense eyes fixed on me with a calm expression.

“W-what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

“It wasn’t hard to figure out where you’d go after all the times you said you wanted to see the sea.” I looked away with a bitter smile, turning back to the ocean.

“I know I’m foolish and predictable for wanting something so trivial… you’ve made it clear how I look in your eyes. I just want to enjoy this small thing and leave in peace…”

“I want to apologize to you.” Startled, I turned to face him, the water tickling my toes.

“P-pardon? What did you say? I think I misheard you.”

“I won’t repeat myself, so listen carefully, Miss Belle. I’m a very proud man who hates being wrong. I was raised to be perfect; there’s no room for mistakes in my life. But if I keep bottling this up, I think it’ll kill me. I’ve never felt regret for any of my actions; when I make a decision, I know I’m not wrong… it’s an efficient mindset, which I’ve always called a winner’s mindset—never doubting. But with you, I was wrong. So… I need to apologize to you. I treated you horribly, and it’s not your fault—it’s mine. This trip has only brought back bad memories of my family. So, don’t take my words to heart; they’re not real… they’re distorted by the stress of all this.” Suddenly, I started to laugh, unable to stop. He frowned, and I waved my hands in apology.

“I’m not laughing at you, sorry…” I murmured, wiping away tears of joy.

“I’m really not useless.” He looked away, reluctantly admitting,

“You still have a lot to learn, but you’re not someone who can’t go far with a little experience.”

“Do you really think that?” He looked at me, nodding seriously, though it seemed difficult for him, but I felt he was sincere.

“Thank you.”

“Why thank me? I haven’t done anything.”

“For apologizing… I really, really wanted something like this.”

“Alright, enough! Stop being dramatic, let’s leave this place.”

“Who's being dramatic? Have you never cried in sadness or joy in your life?” He paused, turned back, and took a step closer.

“Are you still thinking about my brother?”

“I… why are you asking me that all of a sudden?”

“Answer me.”

“Yes… I suppose. He sent me a sad message a few weeks ago; I’m worried he’s not okay, but that’s all… I know he doesn’t like me.”

“And what do you think of me?” Surprised, I looked up nervously. What was the right answer? Why was I so unsure of what to say?

“Well, you… what do you want me to say? I don’t know… I don’t really know what I think of you, Mr. Cesar.”

“What do you think of me? No, wait, I don’t think I want to hear…”

“A relentless desire grows within me, corrupting my mind to the point I don’t recognize myself.” I stood frozen, swallowing hard, feeling my heart begin to pound.

“In any case… we’d better go.”

“If I were someone else, could you and I try something?” I shouted, and as he turned to look at me with that harsh expression, I heard a voice behind me.

“Belle?” I turned, and a strong hug swept me off my feet.

“Keylef…” I murmured, bewildered.