20~Ryvessa
1257 Words
I woke up before dawn and turned around.
Drexel was sleeping on the couch his neck must have been in hell from that position.
I stared at him for a second. Everything about us flashed...the crash, the bond, the kisses, the fights, the way he looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered.
It had been memorable. Painfully memorable.
But I had to go.
I couldn’t stay caught between two lies.
I slipped out of bed quietly. Went to the bathroom, took a quick shower, came out wearing his oversized T-shirt and some baggy pants he’d left for me.
I kept the tracker in my pocket, I’d break it to pieces when I got to Las Vegas.
I grabbed my phone (the only thing that was truly mine) and scribbled something on a paper.
Left it on the table beside him. He’d see it when he woke up.
I looked at him one last time.
The journey of knowing you has come to an end.
Now I’ve realized capturing you won’t be easy....why? You’re an Alpha. Practically a god.
But I’ll miss you. No doubt. Your touch. Everything.
I turned away before any emotion could pull me back.
I whispered to the bracelet: “Take me to Las Vegas. To my parents’ house.”
The air shimmered. A sharp tug in my chest...pain, like something tearing...but the room vanished.
I landed in a quiet Las Vegas side street. Dawn light.
Familiar smells, coffee from the corner shop, exhaust, dry desert air. Home.
I walked to my parents’ house. Legs shaky. Heart heavier than it should be.
I knocked softly.
Mom opened the door. At first she froze, didn’t recognize me under the exhaustion and the oversized shirt.
Then her eyes widened.
“Ryvessa Reyes… is that you? My baby?”
I nodded. “It’s me, Mom. Your baby.”
She cried so hard, hugging me tight.
“Come here, child. Come here, my love. I thought I could never see you again. I thought you were gone forever.”
Her voice was shaky. I hugged her back, finally breathing.
“Stop crying, Mom. I’m back. Back to you.”
Dad came out. “What the hell… oh my goodness, Vessa, you’re back?”
I nodded. “Yes, Dad. I’m back.”
He hugged me so tight I could barely breathe. “I missed you so much, child.”
I smiled through tears. “I missed you all too. What about Joanne?”
“She’s at school,” Mom said. “But she’ll be back soon.”
I nodded. “Alright. I’m going upstairs. I need to shower and come down to eat.”
Mom smiled. “Go, baby. I’ll make your favorite tacos.”
I hopped up the stairs. My room, my bed...my space. I jumped on it immediately.
What the hell. For the past two whole freaking months I hadn’t slept on this bed.
My body had been in Drexel’s arms all this while. At first my heart ached, but I pushed it down.
It’s all in the past.
I don’t want to think about it anymore.
I pulled off the shirt and jeans. I’m going to wash them when I’m done and neatly keep them.
I guess this is the only thing...with the bracelet, I could use to remember him.
I went into the bathroom and showered. When I came out, I damped my body and went downstairs.
Joanne was back already. She couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Big Ryvessa? Is that you?”
I nodded. “Yes, baby, it’s me.”
She squealed and jumped on me, hugging me so tight.
“I’ve missed you! Papa doesn’t let me go to Selene’s house...I’m always indoors and bored.
Mama doesn’t bake my favorite snacks. Since you’ve been gone, I’ve been suffering!”
I chuckled. “Hey, I’m back now, okay? I bet you won’t suffer anymore, love.”
She kissed my cheek. “I trust you, Big Ryv."
I set her down. It was late afternoon at VDK it was already morning.
Drex must have seen the paper. The hell...why was I thinking about that? Just move on, Ryv. It’s all in the past.
Mom made tacos for breakfast. Oh my lord, how I’ve missed my mom’s food is unbelievable.
No doubt.
When I was done, I told my parents I’d be heading to the station.
Dad frowned. “Ryvessa, you’ve been away for two whole months.
They didn’t even bother checking up on you, and you want to go back?
After risking your life for a criminal?”
I didn’t want to explain...not yet.
“I’ll be fine, Dad. I just want them to know I’m back and I’m okay. There’s a lot to cover.”
“Ryvessa,” Mom said quietly, “I’d advise you quit that job and join me at the bakery store.
They don’t care about your well-being.
They just want you to work for them all your life till you die.
They don’t even care if you die. How many weeks did you sign up for that mission? Wasn’t it two weeks? But you took two months.
Two damn months. No soul even answered your dad while he was searching for you.
But God brought you back to us hale and hearty.
Go....but if you’re going, quit and come back home.”
She went upstairs too.
I stood there, dumbfounded. Like no one cared for me. Wow.
Well… only one way to find out.
I spoke to the bracelet: “Take me to the station.”
I got to LAV Station.
At the door, Lena, my workmate was the first to notice.
She looked at me weirdly, like she’d seen a ghost. We don’t talk much just colleagues, nothing else.
She ran back inside.
I bluffed. Foolish her.
I walked into Captain Kai’s office. Knocked.
His PA opened it and shouted, “Holy mother freaking Jesus.”
I looked at him weirdly. “The hell.”
Captain Kai stood up immediately. “Reyes? Is that you?”
“All me, Cap Kai.”
He sat down and stood up again. Still dramatic as hell.
“Then where’s Valerian Drexel? Isn’t that what your whole mission was about? And why are you here alone?”
I was surprised...but not surprised. Mom and Dad said it.
They truly don’t care.
But I trusted myself. I was going to blast him.
“Captain Kai, I never expected this from you! You didn’t even ask or care about my safety.
You know how powerful Drexel is to capture! Yet you dare ask me where he is? All your life as police....have you ever even tried capturing him?
You just sit your fat ass on that huge mahogany chair and expect people to do your job! There’s no point even speaking too much.
I’m done! I’m done wasting my freaking time in this station! I’m done working for you! And for this hellhole station...you all can go to hell for all I care.”
I walked out, slamming the door.
His expression was mild, like he didn’t expect that from me.
Well, that’s how I am now. I don’t care who comes or stays.
My life right now is focused on myself.
I looked over to my office. A drop of tears came out.
After all the sacrifice I made for this station risking my entire being, this is how I get paid? Well… it’s a final goodbye.
I walked out of LAV Station peaceful, awaiting whatever new job may come.
- Writer
