My Perfect Love Story

Chapter 8: Be Happy

A walk in the park. The ability to put one leg in front of the other, walking on a sidewalk, observing the finer things of childhood. All while having a beautiful, genuine smile on our faces. The metaphor is used to express the basic, tranquil occurrences we may have to face. But are things always a walk in the park? Which park are we walking through? Uninvolved people may be walking through a park in LA while those involved have to walk through the parks of Compton. The moral of the story is, every struggle is different. No one walks down the same path of life, everyone has to face different issues in life. The path you're walking doesn't matter, what matters is how you make it to the end.

August 14, 2021

9:00 am

Mariana's Boutique

"Taryn, how's inventory looking?" Mariana's goal as an entrepreneur was to be polite and tolerable to all workers and customers. However, she knew how to enforce her rules and leadership skills when necessary. "Horrible," Taryn, an employee at the boutique, enjoyed working at the boutique whenever it didn't involve inventory, which was time-consuming. "Are the numbers looking good?" Mariana couldn't help but c***k a smile as she knew the real reason for the negative connotation. As Taryn mockingly smiled in Mariana's face, Mariana laughed and made her way to the cash register. While counting all the money, Mariana felt a burst of joy within her as her boutique was organized and advancing in the clothing industry.

After the separation between Mariana and Michael, exuberant energy filled the air Mariana breathed. She felt at ease with her current situation and realized how perfect her life could be, as long as she took control. It has been one week and although Mariana felt great about herself, she still had an empty place in her heart. Mariana wants to believe she has a perfect life but she knows she is missing the rightful love she deserves.

"Good morning, welcome to Mariana's Boutique!" Mariana recited gaily as a beautiful couple walked through the doors. After greeting Mariana in return, they began to browse around the store, shamelessly displaying their love and affection while doing so. The hushed giggles from the woman made Mariana look in their direction which she regretted. Mariana's heart dropped as she witnessed the male wrap his arms protectively around the woman and plant short, quick pecks on her neck as she blushed deeply. The bright, exuberant air that Mariana developed diminished promptly.

What am I going to do with myself! Mariana thought as she began to develop sensitive, overwhelming feelings of loneliness and abandonment. Mariana hasn't talked to her mother since she found out about her secret relationship with her father. Annalise and Javier are still married so, their relationship made sense legally, however, Mariana could never understand why her mother would want to return to the quiet, dark nature she fought so hard to get out of. 

1,2,3,4,5. 5,4,3,2,1. If hearts broke every time Mariana utilized her coping mechanism, the world would be filled with heartache and depression. They would get insight into how Mariana has felt for years of her life. Mariana wants to be 100% happy. 

I just want to be happy.

_____

August 14, 2021

8:00 pm

Mariana's Condo

After a long day at work, Mariana anticipated the sight of her snug, comfy mattress. The image of her laying on her bed in her comfortable clothing caused her to make her way home in haste. Mariana parked her car in her reserved parking space whilst releasing a loud sigh of alleviation. Mariana leaned back in her car to pause for a moment as her legs ached from restless hours of walking and standing. Mariana's eyelids opened and she immediately got out of the car, in a rush to be relaxing.

As she began to walk into the building complex, she notices the unvarying appearances in the tinted, black car from this evening and last night. Without a second thought, Mariana speedily walked into the building, making her way into her condo. Many people were staring at Mariana weirdly, oblivious as to why she's frantically making her way home. Mariana had a bad vibe about the car and whoever owned it, she felt as if she was being watched. Or monitored. However, she wasn't foolish enough to let her curiosity take precedence in her life. 

She made it home safely, feeling slight discomfort in her home. Mariana was very vigilant as she walked around in her home. She never thought she would feel unsafe in her home, it reminds her of the childhood she resents passionately. After ensuring all doors in the house were locked, Mariana entered the bathroom, preparing a bath. 

Warm water ran through the showerhead as Mariana cleansed her face with makeup remover wipes. Mariana's muscles ached as she threw away the wipes and stepped into the steaming hot water. The hot water relaxed her muscles as she lathered her skin with scented Shea & Almond Oil body wash. Mariana's eyes closed in delight as she felt the tense energy in her body and mind implode. She leaned forward to place the body wash bottle on the floor, she stood forward with satisfaction on her face. 

Mariana felt outlandish about the energy in the room. She felt it shift dramatically. After the strange feeling in the bathroom, Mariana decided to end her shower and slumber shamelessly. As she reached to turn the water off, a large, coarse hand covered the lower half of Mariana's face. She was roughly pushed up against a nude male that owned the coarse hand. Mariana began to resist and fight the anonymous man that mysteriously entered her home. Before Mariana could scream hysterically, a sterile syringe with a needle was inserted in Mariana, putting her to sleep instantly.

The last thing Mariana heard before she was unconscious was, "Shh, it's alright, baby. Everything will be fine,"

_____

The temperature in the room was frigid as Mariana laid on the moldy, rusted floor of the unknown setting. The longer she stayed in the room, the colder she gets. Mariana was still unconscious as she was unsafe, unaware of the k********g yet aware of the danger she was in. As Mariana rested, a tumultuously loud siren rang through the four, thick walls Mariana was locked in. Mariana was wakened violently as she recoiled at the harrowing vibrations she feels in her eardrums. Her eyes were closed tightly as she grimaced at the raw, obnoxious sound. The noise finally stopped and she opened her eyes slowly. Slight blurs showed in her vision as she tried to clear her eyes.

"Ahh, Mariana...Mariana..." She knew that voice. She knew it too well to behave as if she didn't. "You thought it would be that easy to get rid of me?" His menacing voice sank into Mariana's core and irritated her soul. She thought she was going crazy. She wished she was going crazy, and this scenario was all in her head. "This is not real, " Mariana whispered those words to herself as she refused to believe the walls were talking to her. "My love for you is not real? That's a bit far-fetched, don't you think?" He chuckled darkly as his condescending attitude made an appearance.

"Far-fetched? The walls are talking to me and love? We've only been on three dates-" Before Mariana could finish her rebuttal, Michael rang the siren once again causing Mariana to wince loudly. "Let's get one thing straight, love. You know nothing about the love I have developed for you. And why don't you look up and observe your surrounding," Mariana frantically looked around as she couldn't see nothing but darkness and a small ray of light illuminating from a barricaded window? Mariana tried to use the ray of light to know what was really around her. All she could see was a black rectangular, bulletproof glass window.

"You're behind the glass. Why are you doing this? Where am I?" Mariana began to get hysterical as she felt bonded by a cold metal on her ankle. She moved her ankle around to discover she was chained by her ankle. "I'll explain everything to you soon, sweetheart. Just know you can never leave me, especially not how you tried to. I let it slide because I know you are used to your independence. So, I forgive you but don't think it will go unpunished," Mariana began to hyperventilate the more Michael spoke. 1,2,3,4,5. 5,4,3,2,1. Mariana tried counting but it would only make the situation worse, "LET ME OUT OF HERE!!! I'm SORRY, PLEASE LET ME GO!!!" Mariana screamed at the top of her lungs in hopes of someone hearing her in the soundproof room. She pleads desperately, still not realizing the type of man Michael is.

Yet, what type of man is he? "Darling, I already forgave you. I know you don't want me to ring the siren again so, keep it at a minimum, "Mariana's mouth was agape as she still couldn't fully comprehend her current situation. She didn't have her medication, she was sweating profusely as fear and anxiety grew heavily in her. She never knew what claustrophobia felt like until now and it made her 10x inferior. "I love you. baby. I always will."

I love you. Mariana's nightmare was filled with voices telling her endearments and claiming their love for her, while she was in distress. We never believed her mother when she said, "Dreams are for a reason" but there is a plan for everyone. As cold as it was in the room, Mariana broke into a cold sweat and began to experience heart palpitations. Her breath began to shorten as the room started spinning in her vision. As Mariana was about to start counting, she fell unconscious. All she wanted was, to be happy.

                                                                        ~My Perfect Love Story~