Chapter 17

Third Point of View

In the year 1924, under the rising sun, Lanaya stood lost in her own thoughts, her gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the horizon. She wore a somber black dress, a silent tribute to someone dearly departed. With no tears left to shed, she longed for her beloved to return, but the emptiness within her seemed to be eating her.

As cars and horses passed by, their hurried movements appeared like flashes of light to Lanaya, lost in her own sorrow. The desire to end her own life weighed heavily on her heart, pulling her towards the road where vehicles and pedestrians hurriedly passed. Yet, despite the turmoil within her, she mustered the courage to take a step forward, a faint smile playing on her lips.

She smiled-

But just as she prepared to take another step, a man in a suit and hat appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her arm with an unexpected force. His voice, filled with anger and confusion, cut through the silence like a sharp blade. "What do you think you're doing?!" he exclaimed, his grip tight on Lanaya's trembling arm.

Startled, Anaya looked up at the man, her smile faltering for a moment before returning to her lips. She could see the shock and bewilderment in his eyes, but she remained silent, lost in her own world of pain and despair.

Suddenly, the sky opened up, and rain began to fall, soaking everything in its path. The man, now concerned for Lanaya's well-being, gently took her by the wrist and led her towards a nearby shed for shelter. He glanced at her, noting the dazed expression on her face, he is concerned.

As they reached the safety of the shed, Lanaya's strength seemed to give way, and she collapsed into the man's arms, her consciousness slipping away. The man, taken aback by her sudden collapse, held her close, scanning the area for help in the pouring rain.

Lanaya awoke to an unfamiliar place, surrounded by blinding white. As she slowly sat up, she tentatively raised a hand to inspect her surroundings. "Am I dead?" she whispered to herself, the question hanging in the air like a delicate wisp of smoke.

"Your awake," the man muttered, jolting Lanaya from her daze. She widened her eyes, startled to find him seated beside her. He appeared to have just roused from sleep.

The man exuded an effortless confidence, commanding attention with his presence. His jet-black hair, neatly styled with a subtle sheen, framed his chiseled features, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline and cheekbones. However, it was his eyes that truly mesmerized those who gazed upon him. A deep, rich brown in hue, they held a warmth and intensity that seemed to beckon others, inviting them to delve into the depths of his soul.

"Who are you?" Lanaya inquired, her voice tinged with surprise as she clutched the blanket tightly. The man responded with a subtle smile.

"I'm Max Elon. I saved you earlier, though you may not recall. I spotted you crossing the street, seemingly unaware," he explained. Lanaya's grip on the blanket tightened as she mulled over his words.

"Why did you do that?" she murmured, her words barely audible. Max appeared puzzled by her question.

Taking a deep breath, Max responded, "What do you mean, why I did that? I should ask you why you did that," his tone calming despite the tension in the air. Lanaya couldn't contain her tears as they streamed down her face. "Why did you do that?" she repeated, her voice choked with emotion, drawing the attention of those around them. Max, bewildered by the sudden turn of events, found himself at a loss.

After a few moments, Lanaya's tears subsided. "I apologize for that," she said, surprising Max with her sudden change in demeanor. He couldn't help but smile unconsciously at her unexpected apology. Lanaya then bowed, leaving Max stunned. "Thank you for saving me," she said, her tone cool.

"Well, it's nothing," Max replied as Lanaya offered a faint smile. "I'm going to take care of the bill now," she said, bidding farewell.

"Wait," Max interjected, halting Lanaya's steps. "Can I invite you to dinner?" he asked out of the blue, catching Lanaya off guard. She looked at Max, confusion evident on her face.

"Why?" she questioned, her suspicion clear in her tone. "I wouldn't expect anything in return for helping someone," she stated firmly. Lanaya furrowed her brow. "Are you suggesting you want me to take you to dinner as a repayment for your help?" she inquired, seeking clarification from Max.

He smiled gently. "Yes," he confirmed. Lanaya hesitated for a moment before relenting. "Okay," she agreed, her tone softening. Max's face lit up with satisfaction at her acceptance.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Wait for me here," Lanaya instructed Max before walking away to take care of the bill.

After a few moments, Lanaya and Max arrived at a nearby restaurant. They found a table and ordered some food. The atmosphere in the restaurant was lively and pleasant, with colorful decorations adorning the walls.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Lanaya and Max engaged in conversation, sharing stories and getting to know each other better. They laughed and enjoyed each other's company as they savored their meal.

Eventually, they finished eating, and Lanaya excused herself to go to the counter. She approached the cashier with a smile, ready to settle the bill.

"Can I have the bill?" Lanaya asked the cashier, but the cashier seemed confused. "Bill? The person with you already paid for everything," she explained. Lanaya felt puzzled, then glanced at Max, who was waiting outside, gazing up at the sky.

"Are you sure?" Lanaya inquired, seeking confirmation from the cashier.

"Yes, ma'am, I'm sure," the cashier affirmed. Lanaya returned her wallet to her pocket. "Thanks," she expressed her gratitude to the cashier, who smiled in return. "Come again," the cashier added warmly.

As Lanaya stepped outside, she found Max waiting for her with a smile. However, instead of returning his smile, she looked at him seriously. "Why did you do that?" she questioned him.

"Do what?" Max replied innocently.

"Paying the bill," Lanaya clarified.

"Well, it's considered rude for a woman to pay the bill," Max explained casually.

Lanaya's confusion deepened. "But I thought you invited me here, implying that I would pay the bill," she said, her tone reflecting her perplexity.

"I never said you would pay the bill," Max countered.

Lanaya paused, realizing that Max was right. He had never explicitly mentioned that she would be responsible for the bill. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, suspicion creeping back into her voice.

"Is there anything wrong with what I'm doing?" Max queried Lanaya, his tone sincere.

"Yes, there is," Lanaya replied firmly.

"Then what is it?" Max pressed, waiting for her response. Lanaya fell silent, unable to articulate her thoughts.

"I invited you to dinner because I never eat alone," Max reassured Lanaya, attempting to put her suspicions at ease. However, Lanaya remained wary of Max's intentions.

"Fine. Fine, you caught me," Max confessed, his tone resigned. "I know you were contemplating taking your own life earlier," he revealed to Lanaya.

"What does it concern you?" Lanaya shot back, her voice tinged with defensiveness.

"It concerns me because it's a life," Max replied earnestly. "You also mentioned you have a son, right? Losing your husband doesn't mean you should follow him. What about your son?" he questioned, his words striking a sensitive chord within Lanaya.

"Why are you interfering with that?" Lanaya demanded, her tone serious and searching.

"I'm just concerned about you" Max replied sincerely.

"Why would you be?" Lanaya questioned, her skepticism evident. Max paused for a moment, then gazed up at the sky.

"Well, I don't know... maybe because I was once like you," Max admitted softly, his words carrying a hint of vulnerability.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Lanaya and Max's friendship deepened into a profound love. They found themselves drawn to each other in ways they couldn't explain, their connection growing stronger with each passing moment. Their love became a beacon of light in their lives, guiding them through both joyous occasions and challenging times.

"Lanaya, do you take Max Elon to be your beloved husband?" the officiant asked Lanaya. Lanaya smiled and looked into Max's eyes. "I do," she answered.

"And Max, do you take Lanaya to be your beloved wife?" the officiant asked. Max smiled, his eyes glistening as if tears were about to flow. "I do," he answered.

"Now, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the officiant said. They both smiled and locked eyes. Max gently removed the veil Lanaya was wearing, and in that moment, they shared a tender kiss.

Max is a devoted husband, yet despite his efforts to step into the role of a father figure for Lanaya's son, the child simply couldn't accept him.

"Liam, greet your father," Lanaya urged her seven-year-old son, but the typically silent boy merely glanced at Max. "He's not my father," the child stated, solidifying his refusal to acknowledge Max as his dad.

"Liam—" Lanaya began, ready to reprimand her son, but Max gently signaled to her that it was alright. Lanaya sighed in resignation.

"It's okay, just call me uncle," Max reassured Liam. However, Liam abruptly rose from the sofa, darted to his room, and shut the door. "That child—" Lanaya began to express her frustration, but Max reached out and grasped her hands.

"He's still just a child. He'll soon grow and come to understand that his biological father isn't here. Eventually, he may accept me, but even if he doesn't, I'll still consider him as my child," Max said with understanding. Lanaya gazed at Max, touched by his patience and compassion.

"I apologize; this is my failure in parenting," Lanaya said, turning to Max and offering her sincere apologies.

"No, it's not," Max insisted, pulling Lanaya into a warm hug.

As they embraced, Lanaya noticed that Max was holding a plastic bag. She paused the hug and glanced at it.

Max lifted the plastic bottle. "This is your favorite drink," he exclaimed with excitement. Lanaya smiled and chuckled softly, taking the plastic bag from Max's hand.

"You always understand me," Lanaya remarked.

"How could I not? You're my beloved," Max replied affectionately.

Back To The Future

"What was that?" Axel exclaimed, startled by the sudden rush of flashbacks. La-La, on the other hand, lost consciousness, causing Axel's eyes to widen in alarm as he hurried to her side.

"La-La," he called out her name, but she remained unconscious. He gazed into her eyes, searching for any sign of her soul, and confirmed its presence. Checking her body for injuries or signs of distress, he felt relieved to find none.

With a sigh, Axel made the decision to carry La-La. As he lifted her, he couldn't help but smile at her unconscious face.

"I guess you were once my beloved," he whispered softly to her.