reverberations from the past

"What do you see when you look at me?" Vanessa asked, as she stared tearily at Raymond. "Broken? Hurt? Mad? Dangerous?" "Vanessa. That's all I see. I see you, Vanessa" Raymond replied shortly, as he bent on his knees to caress her cheeks. "A vulnerable Vanessa?" she asked "No. I see Vanessa, a woman struggling to make things right" he replied honestly. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. I'm so sorry" she said almost in a whisper, but he heard her due to their close proximity. "You didn't do anything wrong. I should be apologizing instead. Vanessa, I..." "Stop, Raymond! Just don't. I can't even look you in the eyes" she said as she looked down. "You lost almost everything because of me. I'd understand if you blame me. But please don't apologize to me" she said as she wept uncontrollably. Raymond pulled her into his arms, kissed her forehead and hugged her tightly. "I'd never blame you, Vanessa. Never" "Raymond, can we start all over again when all these end?" "No..." ***** Aida grew up in a lovely home, with mother out of the picture. She always longed for a mother and often questioned, Raymond Michaels, about her mother, wanting to find out; who her mother was? her personality and other significant details. Raymond humbly cleared all her doubts until she coincidentally stumbles upon her mother's identity. Vanessa paid a visit to Westland, the city where she grew up with the hope and determination to mend everything she's broken. But soon found herself as well as her loved ones in danger. Faced with a tough situation, Raymond made a decision that changed his entire life. No matter how hard his life was, he found himself yearning for one thing, Vanessa; his pride, his weakness, his mistake. ***slow burn*** Romance may not be intense. All characters and storyline are fictions. NB: Cover does not belong to me. All credits related to the cover goes to it's owner.