When it matters

Hold on to us..

Rosa POV

Walking down the streets of Manassas, as the silent breeze hits my face and the sky looking beautiful than ever, with the crescent moon and plenty of little stars.

I have been around different cities while growing up, this is the only place I never thought I would ever wish to stay longer than the original plan.

I make my way across the road as I spotted the first place Ace and I met. I smile to myself recalling how nervous he was after accidentally breaking my phone that day, but eventually treated me to one of the most delicious Mexican pizzas I ever tasted.

I still have a strong sense of remorse when I broke the news to him yesterday, as much as I want him is as much as I can’t have him, my life is too dangerous for him because Ace is a simple man, kind, and thoughtful. I doubt he can even throw a punch, that is why I cannot put him in so much danger.

Last month I got a message that what I have been waiting for is already on play… I accepted Ace’s proposal because I couldn’t resist not living the only short but sweet and promising memory with him.

My survival is not something I can assure myself based on the people I will be dealing with, the problem is i never thought it would be this soon.

Just as I was about to cross the road, I hear a familiar voice that gives me chills.

I turn around to make sure my ears are not deceiving me....and there he is in the flesh, the most enticing creature I ever came across my entire life.

Though he looks like he has been deprived of sleep these past two days, you can still see through his beautiful ash grey eyes that are extremely irresistible.

Ace is more of a nerd but has an Adonis type of body, I sometimes wonder if he secretly attends the gym.

I am pretty sure him turning up is not a coincidence, maybe getting rid of him might not be easy as I thought.

“Are you stalking me now Ace?” I ask him casually like everything is okay, he looks at me with hurt-filled eyes.

“Rosa, can we talk for a minute? “ his voice hoarse and filled with emotions. “ I’ve been thinking about everything, those pictures are fake Rosa. Come back home let us talk about it and I’ll correct whatever it is I did wrong,” he sounds desperate and almost pleading.

“ There is no more us, how could that be so hard to understand Ace? I can’t pretend to love you anymore“ my heart pierces as the words slip out of my mouth.

“Those pictures are fake, I can prove it to you, you said you love me Rosa, and I saw it in your eyes….. how can you give up on us so easily,” he said as he walked closer to me and cupped my face.

Pull yourself together Rosa. I don’t want you an inch away from me but I have to, my self conscious reminded me. His life is just in danger around me, if I won’t go find them, they might someday find me.

“Rosa?” I looked into his eyes. “ why do I feel like you’re hiding something?……. i would never cheat on you and you know that”

I wish I could tell him that I fabricated the pictures to find an excuse to leave him. I have trained for a long time to just come to this point, I cannot give up now. Or can I?

“ Ace my feelings for you are pure admiration, you cheated on me and I forgive you but i-i…have feelings for someone else, that is how I figured this might not work…we are um..a m-mistake.“

Soon after saying this, the last thing I wanted to see was his reaction, I turn around to leave but stopped in my tracks.

“ And Ace?,” I told him while giving him my back,” Take care of yourself, and be happy when you get the chance.”

And with that, the tear I held on with all my strength fell without my consent…I left without looking back and ran across the street knowing our love story ended right where it started.