Chapter 21, Milo

I have a weird feeling of déjà-vu.

But this time, I am not confused when I wake up, I know exactly what happened last night. Esmeralda told me the whole truth. Everything I believed about her is fake. I've spent so long hating her, I insulted her, I humiliated her and I treated her like shit, all of that because I was a proud and stubborn asshole who didn't want to hear what she had to say. The guilt I feel right now is indescribable. I can't believe she was...raped, and that it happened right here in front of my eyes and I didn't do anything. I was so angry, and selfish, that I didn't even try to find out who that man was. I make a mental note to myself to try to find him and paying him a visit with Ellis. I swear to God that if I find this fucker I'll kill him on sight. I will fucking end him for laying a hand on Esmeralda.

My Esmeralda.

I woke up about an hour ago, and I am still admiring the features of her beautiful face, she's still sleeping soundly, her head laying on my chest, and an arm draped around my waist. I don't think I've ever felt this...whole. At home. Last night was incredible, and I don't mean it in a sexual way, it was so intimate, and emotional, that at one point, we both had to take a break because we couldn't stop crying. Yes, Milo Chase cries, shocker. I don't cry often, but I have to admit that I was so vulnerable in the moment, that I couldn't stop myself. She spent hours telling me that she did not blame me, and I spent the same amount of time apologizing to her about everything. I didn't realize how much I missed this, touching her, feeling her, just her.

I take a sharp breath to stop the stinging in my nose and eyes, and the brunette stirs my arms. I trail kisses down her naked shoulder, and she releases a small content breath, then rubs her sleepy eyes with the back of her hands. When she's fully awake, she locks her grey eyes with mine, and we just silently watch each-other, drinking in the fact that we're here, that the truth is out, and that we have overcome everything, only for this moment to occur. I smile at her, and she smiles right back at me, and the image goes straight to my heart.

"Hi." She says, with her morning still sleepy voice.

"Hi, beautiful." I rasp, putting a hand around her neck to bring her face to mine and capture her lips.

She rears her head back, "I don't think kissing me right now is a good idea. I have bad morning breath."

I can't help but roll my eyes incredulously, "Do I really look like I care about your morning breath, Esmeralda ?"

She chuckles, and this time, she lets me kiss her passionately. I feel so at peace, and so complete that my pulse takes a rapid rhythm. I love this woman.

When we pull back, a few seconds later, we are both out of breath. She's still smiling when she settle her head back on my chest, and I pass my hands through her wavy brown hair.

"How are you feeling ?" I ask her softly, pressing a kiss to her head.

"I don't think I've felt this good in a long time." She murmurs, and I smile once again.

"I'm glad." I murmur back, my hand grabbing hers.

After a few seconds of comfortable silence, she says, "Do you remember when we were kids ? We used to play hide-and-seek all the time, and you would find me every damn time."

Of course I do, she would hide in the easiest places ever, and I was a pretty smart kid, so it didn't take long to figure out where she was.

"Yes, you sucked at that game, though."

She smacks my arm playfully, a fake outraged face on, "No I didn't !"

I laugh a bit, then grow serious again, "Hey, Esmeralda ?"

"Yes ?" She turns her face towards mine. She's so gorgeous.

"I will always find you."

She takes a small intake of breath, startled by what I just said. I swipe a finger over her cheek. I meant every fucking word of it. I will not make the same mistake again.

"Thank you." Esmeralda whispers, the emotion clearly visible in her grey irises.

I give her a small peck on the lips, then grab my phone from my nightstand. I check the clock, it's 11 :30 AM. I reluctantly get out of bed, take a quick shower, and dress in my usual attire for work. When I finish, I find Esmeralda in the kitchen. She's only wearing my t-shirt which falls down to her knees. My heart does a fucking double spin in my chest when I see her. Fuck, I think I'm very much pussy-whipped.

She's holding a coffee mug, and is sitting on the counter, her legs dangling before her. She's scrolling through her phone, and doesn't notice my presence until I'm standing in front of her. She silently hands me another steaming mug, and I thank her, grabbing a chair and sitting in front of her.

"I, uh, was thinking." She starts, hesitantly, and I immediately set the coffee down, giving her my full attention, "Since you're going to France in two days, and you'll be gone for a month, I thought it would be better for the both of us to, you know take it as an opportunity to focus on ourselves and work, and when you come back, we'll see how this - us - goes."

I blink. I didn't even think of what we would do when I'm gone for the month, if she wants to take a break, I understand, everything she just revealed isn't the easiest thing to do, and if she wants to take the time to process everything I understand. I stand up, and place my palms on both her knees, then spread them apart, so I can stand between her. She locks her legs around my waist, and puts her hands around my neck.

"Of course, baby. I promise to wait for you until you're ready."

Her grey eyes lighten and she smiles a little, before her expression twists into a frown, "But I understand if you want to see other people in the meantime-"

I don't even hesitate, "No. There won't be anyone else, for either of us. It's you and I until the end, love."

This time, it's her turn to blink at my words, like she didn't believe I would reject everyone and wait for her. Little does she know that's the only thing I've been doing since I saw her after two years. After a few moments, she smiles at me so broadly that my throat tightens when I realize I'm the reason she's smiling like that.

"I love you." She whispers.

And somehow, these three words mean everything to me.