Secret behind my locket

His room was spacious and clean. There was a king-size bed in the center and a glass door on the other side of the room leading to a large open balcony. The décor represented his personality. I was expecting his trophies to be in full display, but the only thing I could see on his wall were few random paintings and several pictures of him with his family, Harry, and his team on the other side.

"Sit down over there." Indicating a black armchair at the corner. "I'll be right back." I did while I waited for him as he retreated into another room. I like his room as my eyes roamed from one corner to another.

I suddenly felt out of place in this room, realizing how different his lifestyle was if compared to mine. Then again, he never made me feel that I was not enough, so this should never matter. I love him because of who he was and not because of what he had. I told myself.

A-frame on the dresser beside the bed caught my attention. I stood up to take a closer look. I picked it up and examined the photo. It was a close-up picture of me, taken just outside the baseball stadium. Where did he acquire this? I wondered.

I looked up to him as he walked back to the room, holding a white and blue jersey. "I want you to wear this on my next game?" It was his jersey, and he had it customized to my size. He stopped beside me as he noticed the frame in my hand.

"Why do you have this?" It was not the question of my picture in his room. I expected that much since I was his girlfriend.

He scratched his head as he smiled, contemplating a good explanation. "Don't freak out. Ok?" I nodded, wanting to hear what he had to say.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and he patted the space beside him. I slowly lowered myself to his side. "I remember it was my first day of practice with the team. I noticed you sitting there with some girls and laughing as if you had no care. It was infectious. Something about your smile captivated me. I wanted to approach you and introduce myself." I also remembered that day. It was the first time I saw him on the field.

"Harry came beside you and put his arms around you. I thought then he was your boyfriend since I barely knew anybody in school. Later on, you argued. When he left, your mood changed. You were still smiling, but it was not the same," he continued.

"I followed you outside and found you sitting on a bench. You were so sad. I wanted to comfort you, but being the new guy, I didn't want to make any trouble with your boyfriend. Not yet anyway," taking the picture and tracing his fingers along my face.

"What do you mean by not yet?" I asked.

"Because at that point, I have every intention of making you mine. I did not care that you had a boyfriend back then because I believe he did not deserve you. I took a picture of you without your knowledge, of course. To remind me that when you become mine, I will never let anyone hurt you again, not even me."

"That every morning when I wake up and see this picture, it would remind me that I have to put a beautiful smile on your face as soon as I see you." He put the frame back on the table and hugged me tightly. It was as if destiny was in our favor because that was what I exactly felt about him. I knew he was the one for me from the moment I laid my eyes on him.

"I like you too the moment I saw you that day on the field, practicing with my brother," I confessed. "The funny thing was that Harry and I were arguing about you. I asked him who you were, and he warned me against you. He said you were a player and a brat. That was why I was so sad because, in my heart, I knew I wanted only you."

At first, Harry only heard stories about him. Since he was a newly transferred student, nobody knew much about his real story, except the rumors that circulated at the campus. After a while, Harry saw his real character, and eventually, they became best friends.

I could feel the drumming of his heartbeat against my cheeks as he kept me close to his body. We could stay like this forever, and I would not mind. We belonged together, and I never wanted us to be apart.

"I love you, Scarlet, from the moment I saw you smile. When I saw you at that bench, the way my heart wanted to protect and take care of you, I knew that you are my soulmate." My heart wanted to explode from what he just said.

"I want you to be mine." He took my lips against his. It was the most delicious thing I ever tasted in my life. He laid me down on the bed and continued to kiss me slowly. We kissed before, but this time I knew it would be different.

He was more experienced than I was, but he made sure that I was giving as much as he was. He was gentle and passionate, and it all made the moment more special. Everything was perfect, as I always imagined it would be.

"I love you, Scarlet. And I will love you forever," he whispered as he hugged me before planting a kiss again on my lips.

"I love you too, Luke, with all my heart," I finally said when I got the chance. He continued to kiss me and made me the happiest girl alive. I was his, and he was mine.

I was lying soundlessly in bed, watching aimlessly at the ceiling, and then it occurred to me. The puzzle that continuously haunted me. It finally fit.

It was not a dream anymore as I saw his face. I clearly remembered a part of my past. This time I was sure that this was not a figment of my imagination. I was definite that he was real, and what we had was real. I could feel it.

I looked again at the metal in my hand. I tinkered with it until it fastened completely, locking itself. Examining it one more time, I flipped it upside down. At the backside, I saw the inscription.

Yours forever

L

That letter was not representing my father. It was referring to the man I loved with all my heart. He was not faceless and nameless anymore. He was real.

His name was Luke.

The next question would be. What happened to us? What was the secret behind my locket?