Blood, Sweat and Tears
SCOTT POV
The elevator whirred as it closes, then I stepped my foot out to hold it open. I locked my gaze at Diana who seemed surreal. Am I hallucinating? Have I left my soul in Alva's hands? Am I dead?
Diana was wearing a long white laced night gown, showing a bit of her full chest, but hiding the good places of her body down to her ankles. She was wearing those white crossband bedroom slippers that looked so comfortable. I gaped at the visible smudges of dried blood on her neck to her shoulders. I looked closely and noticed two punctured wounds which appeared like a vampire bite.
"Are you real? Is this a dream?", I said because if this is a dream, I'd rather not wake up.
"I guess I am", Diana chuckled softly with her wet and puffy eyes which seemed have cried so many tears. "I barged in, I hope you don't mind", she said as she bit her chapped lips.
She answered. So, this is not a dream.
Stepping out of the elevator, I walked slowly holding my breath and felt that time seemed to have slowed down. Reaching for her face, the woman who my heart has been longing for is right before my eyes. My burdens that have multiplied in a hundredfold after several sleepless nights, lonely days and burnt cigarettes washed away like tears in the rain. "It is really you", I whispered as I caress her face with my palms. She held my wrists and closed her eyes. "Diana..", I breathlessly said as I kiss her on the forehead.
How did she come in? My house needs a key access to allow the elevator go up to my flat. I shrugged it off, maybe she has her ways and I didn't mind.
At least now, gone are the days having that unrelenting feeling of being separated with Diana. I could hardly believe that I have finally touched her again. My disturbed heart and troubled mind has found peace after hearing her soft breaths, feeling the coolness of her skin, and smelling her addicting scent. "My Luna", I whispered as I embrace her as tight as I could. I sank in her neck as I nonchalantly cried happy tears.
Brushing my nose on her cheek, I immediately and devouringly kissed every corner of her lips. I noticed Diana wasn't really kissing me back, so I paused thinking she might not be comfortable making out just yet. "I'm sorry..", I said as I move away a little. "Let's go in. Are you hungry? Are you cold?", I rubbed her frail shoulders and then held her by her waist as I lead her to the living room.
"How did you escape?", I asked one question after another. Diana have gone through so much adversities all throughout her perilous journey from our old town, to the Valley of the Falls then back home to the Woodsworth residence. I'm glad she found her way back to me after all the blood, sweat and tears. I guided her to sit down on the couch as I lighted the fireplace.
Diana remained quiet. She watched me anxiously move around, not answering any of my questions. I started to get bothered as I sat beside her. "What happened here?", I grazed her neck wounds with my finger, as she timidly smiled.
We remained quiet for I don't know how many hours. Watching the flames slowly burn the firewood, I held her hand on my lap as I patiently waited for her to open up.
"She never loved me.", those were Diana's first words after a long disturbing silence. The first person who popped in my mind whom she could probably be referring to is no one else but Alva.
"Did she hurt you?", Diana didn't answered. Either her eyes glistened with the reflection of the fire, or she's starting to cry.
She lowered her head and wet her lips. "Her real name is Tamara.. For two decades that we've been together in the same household playing the mother and daughter roles, she never loved me", Diana said with tears welling up her eyes. "How can someone have a heart to live in deceit for so many years?", she asked.
I sighed deeply and thought hard on the words that would come out of my mouth. Without a doubt, Diana loved Alva with the belief that she is her real mother. The pain of deception with how Alva turned lies into truth for several years damaged Diana as her world crumbles down.
"When I see her in the morning, she'd remind me to either break a leg or make her proud. And I always did.", she kept looking down as tears started to fall. "Before the days ends, she'd drop by my room
and tell me how disappointing I was for crying.. for being too friendly or for being irrelevantly caring.", Diana said as I tap her hand gently. "I always consider her feelings. I keep in mind about her dislikes. I tend to keep her happy, even if I never had an idea how", she added.
"How could I be so stupid.. that I never realized there's no sincerity and truthfulness in every word she says.. and in every move she makes? How could I not have doubts when there were so many clues.. for not hugging me when that's all I need, for throwing the flowers I give her straight to the bin even in front of me, and for leading my life the way she wanted?", my heart broke as her voice crack in so much pain.
She looked directly to my eyes and said, "You asked me if did she hurt me.. my answer is yes. Straight to the heart". Diana cried her heart out, when all I can do is hug her.
It took me a while to catch a phrase. No matter how much I hate Alva, I still wanted to be careful with my words to avoid hurting Diana more given the fact that Alva holds a special place in her heart as a mother.
As soon as Diana seemed to be calm and ready to listen, I wiped her tears with my hands as I exhaled sharply. "I never had a very good relationship with my father. I'd say we had the toughest and roughest father and son connection.", Diana looked at me with her red eyes as she listen intently. "Tough love it is to the point he beats the shit out of me whenever he sees me. He even let me sleep out in the cold for weeks whenever he have bad days. There was even one time, he didn't left me some food on the table, just because he forgot about me.", I ironically smiled at the sad memory as I usually do. As hard as it was, those that have happened in the past with my father, made me a strong Alpha today.
"But.. why?", Diana asked.
"I never knew. I was afraid to ask.", I said.
"I mean.. why did you choose to stay in that toxic family relationship when it's hurting you?", Diana asked specifically.
"Because I loved him.", I said with no hesitations. "During those times, I still clean up after him following the beatings I get. I would prepare his food the next day after leaving me out in the cold. And at night, I still wait at the porch for him to get home.. I never hated him Diana", I said as she squinted her eyes looking confused.
"Do you know what's the ultimate reason why I chose to stay with him?", I asked as I kiss her hand. "One night, I pretended to be asleep. I heard him enter my room as he sat beside me and then I heard him say.. 'Sorry for the things I have done, son'. He even kissed me on my forehead before he left my room.", that happened only once but that was enough reason for me to stay with my father until he died. Diana's face softened a bit.
"You practically stayed because he showed you a genuine act of love.. I don't think I ever got one", Diana replied.
"I'm not very familiar with human affection. And I don't think nagualli have a heart too. But I've heard once in a toilet conversation among men in the office before, that when you love, you don't expect something in return", I explained. "And my love.. it doesn't matter if Alva, I mean Tamara or whatever her name is, is blood-related to you or not. Some choose to become who they are and what they do, and it's not our fault. They may have instrumental reasons for their acts like.. to protect themselves or just to hurt others", I said as I tuck her hair behind her ear. "It's nice though, that despite the ugly past, tough and hurtful situations you've had, love grew in you and you turned out a good person", I added with a comforting smile.
"Could nagualli be ever trusted?", Diana asked. Before I could answer, I sensed something at the door as I took a quick look.
"Nagualli don't have a heart to love at all. They are just mean, and evil. They shouldn't be trusted. EVER.". a tiny voice raised from the main door. In every step it makes, I radiate my rage aura directly to the lythari elf coming forth.