The tears finally fell down his cheeks. He walked to her, nd without giving his action a second thought, he grabbed her lips, kissing on it. He held her tight in his arms so that she won’t pull away. She didn’t respond to his kiss, but that didn’t make him stop.
Her dream began reflecting in her mind, those words she had said to him that night. The memory at the garden when they had their first kiss, those times he smiled at her, those times he came to her with bruises on his face. The words they had said to each other, the hug, the kisses.
She remembered when she was bleeding, how he wanted to help. She remembered the fights he had fought for her, also that night when he almost died from the cold, how she held him to her naked body, chest to chest. When she had recalled all this memories, she pulled away from the kiss, staring into his wet eyes.
“Pablo?” She called his name, and it sounded so special from her lips. “Pablo, you came? You came back?” She said, tearfully.
He caressed her cheeks, nodding his head. “Yes, I came. I came back for you.”
“What took you so long?” She cupped his face. “What took you so long?”
“You made me promise you that I will take the empire, remember? I have finally taken the empire, I am the new leader. And now, I have come to take you home with me.”
She wept, tears rolling continuously. “I… I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, I didn’t keep to my promise. I… I don’t know… I don’t know what came over me. I love you… but… I… I…”
“Shh-shh.” He shushed her. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I don’t blame you, you didn’t remember. That doesn’t matter, okay? What matters is, you’re back, I have you.”
“Don’t you ever leave my side.” She said, hitting him softly on his chest.
“I promise.”
She pulled him in for a kiss.
“What… what about your father, how is he?” She asked.
“He’s dead.” He replied, a hint of sadness sounded in his voice. “He’s gone.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It’s okay, I’m getting used to his absence.” He sighed. “Now, you don’t have to worry about Micheal anymore. Though he h@ťěs me, but he can’t do any thing.”
Anastasia smiled, she’s been waiting for this very word. Now she can walk around the Escobar mansion without bothering about Micheal and his evil plans against her.
The smile faded.
“What is it?” He asked her.
“I’ve been waiting for this day to come, when you will finally tell me that the empire belongs to you, but… I can’t leave this business, it was a precious privilege given to me by your father. I can’t just go…”
“I can start a new business for you at New York, some where bigger and better than this place.”
She chuckled. “You aren’t gonna stop from surprising me. Thank you. Ohmm… I think I should hand over the business to Bella then. I have to talk to them.” She left him, heading outside.
She didn’t see them around, so she looked across the road, there they are, standing by the side of the road, discussing.
“Bella! Tessa! Come over here.” She said aloud.
They crossed the road, walking towards her. Anastasia was smiling, Bella and Tessa looked at each other. “Tell me it worked out.” Bella said, hoping it did.
Anastasia hugged both of them. “It worked! I remember every thing, I remember us, I remember him, and I remember you, Tessa. It wouldn’t have gotten this better if not for your help. Thanks guys, I love you so so much.” She said, hugging them more tightly.
She breaks the hug. “So, I have agreed to go back to New York with Pablo.”
“Aww. So, that’s a good bye then?” Bella said.
“Come on, Bella, it’s not like it’s forever, we’ll definitely see some other time. Besides, we have each other’s contact, don’t we?”
“It doesn’t change the fact that we won’t be seeing each other face to face.”
“Aww. I can’t believe you love me this much.” Anastasia blushed.
“Oh please, have you already forgotten what we’ve been since college? I kinda wish those moments would happen again.”
“It will, it always will.”
“When will you guys be leaving?” Tessa asked.
“Not sure yet, but I think it’s gonna be tomorrow. Since he has the empire, I doubt he’s gonna spend an extra day in Chicago. Well,” she paused, thinking of a way to start the next conversation. “Since I’ll be leaving the state, and ain’t sure if I will come back to spend a long time in Chicago, I have decided to give you two the business.”
Bella’s mouth flew open, Tessa gasped.
“Close your mouth or you will catch a fly.” She said, closing Bella’s mouth with her hand.
“Tell me you’re joking.”
“I’m d@mn serious, Bella, you guys deserve it. I’ve seen how zealous you both have assisted me, I’d admit, you guys are the best.”
“Wow!” Bella jumped on her, hugging her so tight. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you…..”
“It’s nothing, Bella. Like I said, you guys deserve it.”
“Hold on, don’t you guys think we’re forgetting something?” Tessa interrupted.
They moved their gaze at her, “What is it?” Bella asked.
“We’re forgetting Mr Jayden.”
“Oh, your crush?” Bella teased.
“Do you seriously have to say that so loud?”
“Yes, I do. I’m proud of you and I desperately want to see you two together, forever.”
I laughed. “You guys are funny. Well, Mr Jayden won’t be in the state from tomorrow.” I informed.
“What?” Bella snapped.
“Why?” Tessa added.
“He’s going on a business trip on behalf of his father.” She replied. “According to him, he said he’ll be back a month or two.”
“A month or two?” Tessa repeated. “That’s like forever.”
“Don’t worry, Tessa, he’s surely gonna come back for you.” Bella tapped her shoulder.
“What if he finds another love?” She asked, sounding jealous.
“He isn’t, as long as he doesn’t know Ana is leaving the state. He’s probably gonna keep himself holy, and when he returns, he’s all yours.”
“Well, I was suggesting we should throw a girl’s party tonight, just the three of us. I don’t wanna leave Chicago in regret. What do you guys think?” She suggested.
Bella and Tessa looked at each other. “What do you say, Bella?”
“Let’s bring it on.”
~~~~
To Be Continued…