"I am really sorry all this happened to you, Emma, and I will probably regret your attack all my waking life." He heaved a deep sigh, and continued, "ever since we met, you have been my anchor. I was so lost and bitter. Regret and vengeance took the better of me, and I forgot what love and happiness truly meant."
"Jake..."
"Shh... tonight just let me." He got up from his seat and walked across the table to sit by my side. He was now kneeling on both his knees to come face to face with me. He cupped my face with his hands, and continued, "You came along and changed everything, Emma. I want to cherish our time together, create magical memories, travel the world with you and live in the moment as if our life depends on it."
I held both his hands and gave him a warm smile.
"I want to scuba dive, jump off the plane and get stunned by the Pyramid of Giza, do all this, and a lot more, with you by my side. I want to seize the day, Em. I am ready to move on."
I had no idea how I felt hearing these words from him. I had longed to see this day when Jake would finally be ready to give up on the revenge, he madly craved, and move forward with his life instead. I wanted him to embrace love and free himself of the guilt that weighed him down.
And now, when it was happening, here I was; sitting so close to him, and yet holding within, the biggest secret of his life.
"I don't know what to say, Jake... this..."
"You don't need to say anything, Emma. I promise I will make things better. I will make peace with dad's untimely death and pray for him in the heavens above".
"He will be delighted to see this, Jake. He is always going to live in your heart."
"I know. And thank you, Emma, for showing me the way. For making me realise what really matters. For being my light-bearer. I love you very, very much." He whispered, as his face inched closer to mine, his lips brushed lightly against my left cheek. A tingling feeling ran down my spine, as his minty breath fell timidly on my skin.
"I love you too, Jake and I wish you the best in life. Always and forever."1
As soon as I muttered the last words, the aching anticipation of tasting his lips was suddenly unbearable. I pulled up his face and crashed my lips on his, and he reciprocated by hungrily deepening our kiss.
This was our first intimate moment together, ever since I got back from the hospital.
I kissed him back with the same passion, my tongue slid in his mouth, he sucked and bit, making me moan and whimper, and we savagely held onto each other for a very long time. We parted our lips to catch some air. I knotted my fist in his shirt and pulled him closer; I sniffed his scent, reminiscing the familiar feeling, that I forgot in the chaos we had been facing for months.
He held me closer, circling his arms around me. He gently stroked the length of my hair and then looked deep in my eyes.
He then continued to give me several soft peaks, starting at the corner of my mouth, as he slowly trailed down my jaw; with his one hand caressing the nape of my neck while other fondling my back. He brushed his mouth at my earlobes and then traced the line of my collarbone.
"Take me to bed, Jake," I demanded, as the pleasure of his touch ignited a burning desire. Without wasting a second, he got up and lifted me in his strong arms, cooping me against his toned body.
"You have no idea how much I have waited to hear this." He murmured in my ear. I blushed at his words and shyly hid my face in his chest, tightening my grip around his neck, as he slowly walked us to our room.
Tonight, was about binding our love in light of new hope, of starting afresh. He was gentle and soft, ensuring my healing bones were not hurt in the process. He marked my soul with his love, yet again, promising a brighter future for both of us.
The entire week flew by in bliss.
Rest, Recovery, and Reflection became our priority.
Jake never looked happier, and I found him spending more time in tranquility, rather than hustling and chasing behind milestones.
He slowed down for a bit and used every minute of this opportunity to appreciate his newfound quest for life.
On the other hand, I was in the biggest dilemma of my life. I almost decided to hide the information that I accidentally found, and keep it a secret from Jake all his life. My heart ached to bring him down, when only now he had lifted himself again.
However, they say, that it's better to get hurt by the truth than being comforted with a lie, for truth always comes out, and I did not want to risk breaking Jake's trust on me.
Not telling him would also be unfair to him, as everyone deserved to know the truth, no matter how harsh it could be.
My phone buzzed, and I got out of my trance, I received a message that instantly made me nervous.
"Meet me in fifteen. I will be waiting to pick you up from outside the main entrance."
Jake was in his study. He had back to back conference calls, so he would most likely be busy until noon. I decided to sneak out silently, and before anyone realised that I was gone, I would quickly head back.
I slowly made my way out, using my
