Taking Back my Love

Chapter 2

Laurel POV

As she stared at the urn where her ashes were, she still could not believe that those men were able to identify her ashes. It was just so bizarre and weird.

She could still remember how the handsome man who turned out to be Rafael Thompson, her ex-fiance, had a crazy look in his eyes when his men reported that there were possible ashes of a human left in the area.

She saw the grief in his eyes and a moment of vulnerability as he held her urn in his hands. As he held my urn, he took out a beautiful sapphire ring and dropped it inside the urn. “Laurel, I am sorry I did not make it in time. " I was not able to protect you. In the end we were unable to protect you. " But I promise to kill every last person who harmed you and caused your death. " I will give them slow and painful deaths, until they wish they could have died sooner,” he said solemnly, his eyes blazing with undeniable hatred and anger. Is she really that important to him?

For almost one year, as a ghost, I followed Rafael as he exacted his revenge on the people who harmed and killed me and my family. I saw his devotion and sincerity. But I have also seen his dark and crazy side. I saw how he personally dealt with those people. It was scary. If I was alive I would not want to be at the receiving end of his fury.

Today, Rafael brought my urn to an abandoned building. “Laurel, today I will finally fulfill my promise to you a year ago. I hope that you will be happy and at peace. " Do not worry, soon, I will come find you”, he said softly as he held my urn gently.

I cannot help but gasp. What is Rafael thinking? As I hovered above him, I became desperate.” Rafael, please do not do anything stupid!” I said as I tried to make my voice be heard by him.

As we reached the rooftop of the building, I could hear the screams of people being tortured. I can distinctively identify Blake’s and Tiffany’s voices. Her heart hammered in anticipation as she floated in the air eager to see their sorry state. Rafael stood menacingly as he stared at them with passionate hate and anger. He sat in one of the chairs as he ordered his men to torture them brutally. It was horrifying. Still not feeling satisfied, he ordered all his men to enjoy the little pleasure they could with Tiffany in front of Blake. After what felt like eons of torture, I saw the light dimming out of Tiffany’s eyes as she lay naked and almost lifeless on the floor. Blake on the other hand, was castrated and was lying in his own pool of blood. They were almost at the brink of death and yet Rafael, cold as he was, ordered his men to keep them breathing despite all the torture they had been through. As Rafael towered over Blake’s figure, Blake managed to whisper “Why?”..

Rafael bent down and grabbed his hair painfully. He looked straight into his eyes coldly and said, “because you took something precious from me”, his voice cold and venomous as he slammed Blake’s head to the floor.

After a while, he ordered his men to keep watch until they die and to throw their remains somewhere inhabited to rot.

Rafael left the building and went to a very familiar private resort. The private resort was owned by her parents when they were still alive. This is where she first fell in love with Blake when he saved her from drowning. She was celebrating her 17th birthday at that time when she had an accident in the artificial pond they had in the backyard. She had already drowned when Blake pulled her out and saved her. He was her savior back then, which is why she could not understand how he turned out to be a villain.

Rafael stood at the pond, looking desolate. After a moment, he fished out something from his pocket. It was a lovely bracelet with a cherry and clover leaf design. It was her bracelet! She remembered wearing it on her birthday since it was her favorite. Her father gave it to her as a gift when she turned 15. She lost it when she drowned that year. Why does Rafael have my bracelet?

I heard Rafael whispering softly, “Laurel, I hope that you will now be at peace. " I’m sorry I was not able to protect you and your family. " This is the only keepsake that I have of you. " I was foolish to run away after saving you. " You have no idea how ecstatic I was when we got engaged, but sadly you loved Blake. " I wanted to be with you, but your happiness was my priority. " I may not have been able to be with you in this life, but I hope I can be with you in the afterlife”, as he said those parting words. Rafael took a small bottle and downed it.

“No!!” I screamed as I desperately grabbed the bottle, but as a ghost I couldn’t even touch Rafael’s hands as he laid unconscious on the ground. Her heart suddenly felt suffocated, she felt too many emotions all at once, the pain, despair, and grief. Her heart was breaking into pieces at the sight of Rafael. How could she have been stupid? It was Rafael who saved her that fateful day in this resort. It was always him all along, and she foolishly let go of him. If only she could re-write her fate and be given a chance to live once again, she would not be so foolish to be blinded by Blake!

As she leaned down and tried to hug Rafael, she felt a strong force pulling her away from Rafael, and suddenly she lost consciousness.

When she felt someone shaking her, she couldn’t believe that, even as a ghost, she was knocked down! How pathetic! Suddenly she panicked when she remembered Rafael! She jolted awake and was shocked to find Blake and her parents looking at her.