Tulip's Destiny

VI - Must Be Home...

It must be nice to have someone willing to be a shoulder to lean on when you can't handle all of the burden on your own . It must be nice to have someone willing to be a mirror to speak to when you feel like no one else is hearing you out. It must be nice to be given an assurance even when it's uncalled for. It must be assuring to have someone who knows and accepts you for you.  And despite all uncertainties, he is certain of you. Love must not be an escape, but rather an anchor to reality that will remind you how strong and far you've come before.

It had already been two days since she last saw Mikhail. After their last encounter, Raine felt guilty over her actions in which the man didn't do anything to deserve. It was rather her messing herself around.

Raine stood in a dark corner watching guests float around her exhibit. But it is as if she was the one floating in space. Her eyes stayed fixated on Bleu's portrait where it stood graciously in the middle of the gallery, however, Raine wasn't thinking about him. Now, she is more curious about Mikhail. "Mr. Bruxen, who are you?"

"Are you okay, Ms. Lorraine?" Her gallery manager asked, breaking her out of daze.

"Yeah, I'm cool." She answered, smiling genuinely. "So, about him..." Mr. Martinez smiled awkwardly. "About what?" Raine asked, waiting patiently for an answer.  "The man, the other day... isn't he... " The manager stopped, then turned over to look at the portrait. "It's just a coincidence. The man in the painting is a different person." Raine smiled, shaking her head lightly.

"Well, I guess... if you say so." Mr.  Martinez brushed off. "Oh! Just to make sure,  are you really okay selling the portrait?" He added. "Yes. I'm sure. " She answered shortly. "Okay then."

The day passed by quickly without her realizing she had been staring at the portrait for the longest time. Raine then decided to go home to her parents for some quality time. After dinner, she insisted on doing the dishes. "Honey, are you okay? " Mom asked worriedly, gently patting her shoulder. Raine only gave her a smile and a slight nod before going into her room.

"What's wrong with me?! " Raine groaned, laying herself on the bed. "Why are you thinking about him? Raine! You can't, he's not Bleu! " She squealed on a pillow. Suddenly Raine felt a vibration in her pocket cutting her thoughts off.

"Manuel? " Raine read confusedly as he saw his name on the phone screen. "Hello? " She greeted. "Raine! " Manuel's voice resounded with urgency. "Why? Is there something wrong? " Raine asked. "Can you check up on Mikhail?" He continued. "Why? What happened to him?" Raine immediately stood up hearing the name. " I don't know! That's why I'm calling you!  He texted me earlier saying he's not feeling well. And from then on he wasn't answering my calls! " Manuel said hysterically.

"Okay... calm down. " Raine said softly,  calming Manuel. "I'll check up on him. He's going to be alright, I promise." She added.

"Thank you,  Raine. Okay! I'll text you about his condo." Manuel sighed. "Condo?" Raine repeated. "Yeah, apparently he's planning to stay longer. But I have to go now!  I'll just text you the details. Thanks,  Raine."

Raine circled around her small room,  waiting for his text and worried about Mikhail. Although she calmingly assured herself a couple of times, her heart began pounding even more thinking about him all alone.

Receiving the text,  Raine dashed out of the house mindlessly just to get to him. She hadn't even thought of what she's going to do when she arrived or what may have been waiting for her. What's important to her is seeing him. Once Raine got there,  she banged the door hard enough for everyone in the hall to hear.