Second Chance to Love You

The rain poured harshly, and thunder illuminated the earth in its glow, bringing the depressing atmosphere to life. Far off in the deep eerie forest, a feeling of death and dread spread around the abandoned house like a blanket, the fires of the building stood tall and raging, unrelenting in the harsh downpour. The sounds of heavy sobs filled the forest. Blood poured out like a river, blending with the rivers of rain. It was horrific, a graphic image of a brutal massacre, corpses, and corpses painted the earth floor dark crimson red. The smell of death hung heavy in the air, the pungent smell mixing with the smell of fear and horror.

" You n..need to go.. Go to Lee and the others. ” Ethan’s voice became hoarse, strained. He was dying.

“Are you crazy!? There’s no way I’m leaving you here !” Akira exclaimed with rivers falling from her face. Determined not to leave him to die, she stubbornly lifted his bicep, attempting to help him stand up.

“Come on, get up, we need to go. Please!” She begged, her sobs echoing through the empty forest. Where no one could see or hear her scream.

Akira grudgingly tried to carry his large body, but her limbs ached and cried in protest, locking in a painful clamp. Exhausted from dragging both of their injured bodies from the fire, her muscles tore. She slumped on the muddy ground. Defeated. His body fell out of her grip. Akira cried, cradling his body close to her, her trembling hands tried to stop the flow of blood.

So much. So much blood, it painted both of them, clinging to them like an insistent nightmare. It trailed behind them, a gory image of blood, her stomach lurched at the gaping wounds on his body. Her breath came in harsh puffs and sharp intakes. For a moment, she lost herself in the blood.

This was her fault.

If it was not for her, Ethan would not be fighting for his life. His face formed into a weak smile. “I can’t believe it took me bleeding to death for you to hold me longer than five seconds.” Akira felt her heart squeeze in her chest, even on the verge of death, he looked perfect.

He chuckled softly. “If I had known before, I would have done this a long time ago.”

Akira said. “If you had done this before, I would have killed you myself.” She pulled his body closer.

“But I would still have held you like this.”

He shifted his head to look at her. Akira pulled him into her lap, and he sighed, relaxing into her chest. Akira felt his arms wind themselves around her waist. “So why didn’t you?” He asked.

Akira opened and closed her mouth and said, “I was afraid, mad and wrong. So wrong.”

Her arms tightened.

Akira felt her chest prick, and it suddenly dawned on her the reality of the situation. The magnitude of her ignorance. She was wrong.

So wrong. He loved her.

More than she ever knew.

He would do anything for her, but he was the one about to lose his life. He didn’t deserve this.

Akira betrayed him with a man she stupidly thought loved her but who, in reality, used her as a pawn against him.

The devastation in her life seemed unfathomable. Her parents had suffered a tragic fate, falling victim to a homicide that her brother was wrongfully accused of. As if that weren’t enough, her sinister aunt and stepsister had callously seized everything that rightfully belonged to her family – their home, their wealth and success.

Ethan tried to protect her. If only she hadn’t been so gullible, so easily swayed by that man’s sweet words playing on her desperation for love, perhaps Ethan wouldn’t be facing this grim outcome.

“Akira ..forget everything. I need you to move on happy.” His voice was nothing more than breaths.

Akira stilled.

“No, no, no! Please don’t say it. Don’t say goodbye.” Hot tears clouded her vision.

Regret filled her heart, sending sharp blades into her heart. Everyone who cared about her was gone, her family, her friends. She couldn’t bear to lose him too, not after figuring out the truth.

“Don’t. I still have so much to say, so much to make up for.”

His cold, bloodied hand stroked her cheek gently. She grabbed his hand and clutched it tightly. His gray eyes held so much warmth for someone who was about to breathe his last. Akira unconsciously leaned closer. He lowered her head to his eyes, and she moved without hesitation. A small gap remained between their lips. Then their lips met in a soft, heartwarming kiss. The kiss was slow and gentle, a profession of his undying love for her. Akira felt so much love in just one gentle kiss. Her tears flowed into his face, and their lips slowly separated. They leaned their foreheads together.

“I’m sorry ....Goodbye.” and his eyes finally gave in, his soul lifted and gone

Her eyes widened, and she said shakingly,” Ethan?...open your eyes, come on Ethan ..open your eyes” She sucked in a breath.

“Please, please, please!.. Wake up,I’m sorry.” she croaked, wiping the blood and water from his face.

Akira shook his motionless body, begging him to move and breathe. Do something that denied her worst fears. She heard someone sobbing, in her panting deliria. Painful, loud sobs.

They were hers.

“Wake up! Please, don’t leave me! I need you, I am sorry, please wake up!.” She fisted his chest repeatedly, compelling him to wake up. But it was too late.

A broken cry tore through her and resounded in the whole forest. She screamed, tightly holding his body to her trembling one, wishing she could somehow transfer her life to him, but things didn’t work like that. Her emerald green eyes seemed dull, something died inside her that night. Her illusion of life was shattered. In its place, the cold harsh truth about reality slammed down on her, weighing her down. She left lost, unfocused, a distant soul floating in the rush of life. Everyone that ever loved her, she never treated them right. Akira cried for herself, for her family, for Ethan.

She was an omen, a fire that burned anyone who dared to venture too close. They are all gone. He’s gone. She’s evil, she should have died.

Sirens sounded off in the distance, but she was too far gone to care. The cold rain pelted down her body, but it didn’t matter to her. Nothing mattered. They were too late. Her heart ached, and the pain spread throughout her entire body, destroying every piece of flesh in her body. A piercing pain like ice daggers, brutally stabbing her to no end. Black spots appeared in her vision, hers sight blurred and her senses overwhelmed. The pain from her wounds resurfaced. Nausea kicked her stomach.

The last thing she saw was Lee’s horrified face. Rushing to their aid. Her tears continued to flow.

‘I’m sorry. ’

She succumbed to the darkness.

________________________________________________________________________________

As she gradually opened her eyes, she found herself in a completely different place. Blinding white lights, black and grey adorned the room with masculinity. Akira knew this room. How could she not?

it was Ethan’s room after all. His scent was heavy in the room, Akira greedily inhaled the sheets. It brought her a sort of comfort. Akira took in the fact that all the servants and guards were present.

Slowly, pieces and pieces started falling into place, and the end picture weighed heavy on Akira. Her heart dropped as the realization sank in. She sat up abruptly and looked at Lee, Ethan’s most trusted agent. He served many duties, but his most important one was Ethan’s bodyguard. His job was to protect him, but he failed because of her. His eyes held hers, she could see the storm raging in his blue orbs. Anyone could see the hatred and accusation in his eyes, he averted his eyes with a disgusted look.

" Miss Lanying ”

She didn’t miss the way he spat her name. Usually, she would retaliate, but she was too drained, emotionally and mentally. She asked wishfully with a bit of hope.

“Lee,..is ..did-..did Ethan .. r-really..-′ She choked on her words, unable -unwilling- to continue.

" Yes, yes he is, he was dead long before we reached the hospital ...we were too late, “He said grimly. The sentence caused a flood of pain in her heart, but she pushed it away, fisting the sheets. Willing it to go away.

But it was there, it will always be there. She survived the fire unscathed, burn marks can heal, scars can heal but a heart wound can never be healed, the scars ran deep beneath the surface, untouchable and incurable.

“I’m ..sorry,” Akira said heavily. Lee snorted. Hate no longer veiled in his voice.

“Save it. It’s too late for fake apologies. It won’t change anything.” He was apparent in his thought; Ethan died because of her.

She could hear in his voice, he blamed himself for not protecting him, ..from her. She didn’t blame him, it was her fault he died. Her thoughts were interrupted by Lee’s voice.

“Boss left us specific orders .. if he dies, our sole duty is to protect and follow your orders”

Akira lifted her head in shock. “What?” she said incredulously.

“All his business assets are now under your name, everything, money, company, workers, everything. You are the boss now. This subordinate is under your command and mercy ” Lee bowed in loyalty, one arm tucked behind his back, the other fisted on his heart, even as his heart burned in retaliation. The others followed suit.

Even in his death, he was still looking out for her. Akira felt an intense wave of regret and pain wash over her. She had hurt the most amazing man in the world, and yet he still loved her Tears stung her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. She remembered the promise she made to him. His death will never be forgotten; his love will forever burn inside her heart. ee if it was too late to reciprocate it.

She swore internally to also devote her life to remembering him. She would live her life as the widow of Ethan Alions. Akira took a deep steadying breath and looked up at the subordinate.

“It’s Mrs Alions.”