(The Truth)

Calum just got inside his cell, then again in this private visitation room chair, his mind and heart were turbulent. The incessant shouting between his father and Trae had been echoing in his ears like an untuned cymbal. He needed to brace himself for another tirade about his supposed stupidity and idiocy.

His handcuffed hands lay on the table once again. And he assumed this would not be the last time.

He would be visiting this room for probably a million times over.

He waited, hoping his lawyer would arrive, as his father had promised, not anyone that would shout and degrade him like Trae and Jack.

Escape held no appeal for him. He was simply exhausted and despondent. Life felt bleak, and utterly hopeless. He saw no reason to be free, except perhaps for Mariana. He deeply regretted the pain he'd inflicted on her, a pain she never deserved.

And locking himself in this dungeon and grieving for her over and over again was enough for him to at least pay his sin.

He sighed, looking away as the door opened. He avoided eye contact with whoever entered.

He heard the soft click of a woman's heels. And the scent that filled the room was familiar, overriding his reluctance. He turned his head. And he was right, it was Mariana.

His deep hazel eyes locked with hers as she approached and sat opposite him. She wore a white, fitted v-neck shirt tucked into black trousers and black heels; sleek and sophisticated. Her face was bare except for a touch of lipstick, her hair loose. Simple, yet the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Calum sat up straight, his hands clasped, his gaze was fixed on her.

He usually avoided eye contact in this room, but she was different. She was unfairly exempted for it. His usual impassive expression masked the surge of joy he felt for seeing her.

"How's your new room? Comfortable?" she asked, her smile tight.

Full of pretention that she never really had a mastery of. Her face says it all.

She's not happy.

"Not great, but I can't complain. I know I deserve this," he replied, a slight smirk on his face. He sensed her anger, but her eyes held a profound sadness.

"I'm not here to waste my time talking shits with a criminal,like you. " She said, her voice strained, her face reddening, her eyes welling. "I'm here to tell you you'll lose this trial and spend the rest of your life here.

Right here in this hell. "

He took a deep breath. "I don't expect to win in that trial. I deserve this, I know.

I deserve to rot in hell.

For what I did, what I did to you."

Mariana paused, her heart was pounding. She was listening to him, and she totally understand him.

"So tell me, tell me why you kidnapped me," she demanded.

She took a deep breath. Their gazes remained locked. "I want the truth. Tell me the truth! "

Her shout echoed in the small room. She was breathing hard, her tears started to drop in her eyes.

It was an evidence of how eager she is to know the truth.

"If I tell you the truth, will you believe me?" he asked casually yet it was penetrating his heart.

Her answer will truly mean to him, he's hoping she will say yes.

"Just tell me,

It's none of your business if I believe it or not" she urged.

Her voice broke while stating that, tears streaming down her face.

Calum was hurt by her distress. Her tears always broke him. He missed her sweet smile, the way it always lifted his spirits.

The way it always made his always worse days better.

Right now, he doesn't care, he wanted to let her know the truth.

Even the truth that he never really share to anyone before.

The truth about everything.

He started with his voice low.

"When I was younger, I witnessed my mother being raped and murdered.

They let her suffer in front of my eyes while I was tied and helpless.

I can't do anything to save her, or at least try. She was the only person who loved me unconditionally. I swore that if I survived that day, I would make that man pay. Eagle. He created the monster I became.

His biggest mistake was letting me live, left me still breathing, because he died in my hands." Calum spoke with an emotionless face, though inside, he was keeping a whirlwind of hurt, sadness, anger, disappointment, and regret.

He was too overwhelmed with those emotions that was the reason why his face can't show it up.

"I don't care about your miserable life," Mariana said, her tears flowing, though her words belied her true feelings. She couldn't admit it; admit that she was sad for him. Because he was her enemy.

"Eagle... he's your father," he whispered.

And that made Mariana stunned.

"The world was playing trick on me and I am a jerk trying to bet on it. ," Calum said. "I never kidnapped you. Eagle's men held you hostage to throw the police off their trail while they targeted my boss, Eagle's rival. I was there to protect my boss, but I couldn't leave you. I couldn't bear to watch another woman suffer like my mother.

I couldn't just leave you asking and begging for help while I know I can help you but choose not to. Even though my mind told me no, my heart wouldn't let me and it leads me to you.

Getting you to safety was impossible. My colleagues wanted you dead, my boss and everyone around me. I swear I tried to get you back to the city, back to your fiance.

I tried everything, even with that billion dollars bounty in my head. And by thinking, I thought you'd be safer with me. But I was completely wrong. You are much safer without me. I know that. And I was right. Because when I learned you were my enemy's daughter, I used you. I still remember the feeling of your safe embrace, you're thinking you are already safe because you got me. But the truth is, you were in danger, because I have you. "

Calum was crying without him knowing he was, his tears streaming down his face. He spoke calmly, but inside, he was crumbling, slowly collapsing.

"I put you in danger. I used you as a bait. I took you hostage to kill my enemy. And yet, you saved me. You took a bullet for me. I should be dead, but you chose to save me. If I could beg you not to do it, I would. I would do it over and over again. I can't bear it, Mariana... I might be breathing right now, but I already died that night when I lose you. I let you die without you knowing how much you meant to me.

I'm sorry..."

Mariana sobbed uncontrollably, her face drenched in tears. She didn't remember anything, but she felt it in her heart. She knew that it was true.

"Stop it. You're lying," she cried.

"I'm sorry for everything, Mariana. I wanted you to know," Calum said, his tears falling faster. "Yes, that's the answer. Yes, I love you. I love you, Mariana. In my fucked up life, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Shut up" she sobbed, breathless. She knew, she understood, but she refused to accept it. The pain was unbearable.

It's like millions of arrows was buried in her chest.

She stood and lift her body forcefully, it was heavy with unmanageable pain caused by his words.

Her mind, heart, and soul were aching.

"Thank you, for letting me experience how it is again to be happy.

Seeing you right now just made my heart contented.

Even though I know you're angry with me.

I understand you.

I will not stop you if you want to punch or slap me right now."

Calum stood and his body towered over her with just the small table in that room separating them.

She lifted her head looking at him, her tears never subsided.

She looked so beautiful in his eyes, and he ached to touch her as his eyes never parted from hers.

"You're evil...

For hurting me like this.

I can't forgive you.

I will never do. "

A tear fell in his left eye as he heard those words freed in her mouth.

And he watched her walk out the door leaving him tortured and broken inside.

***