Tulip's Destiny

XXXV - Games Of Fate

When I had come here, looking for you... I was not looking for a closure after all. For I believe in none, closure is more like a shut door, knowing for certain it would still be open again... Because that's the design of a door, the same goes for a book. Would you close a book never to return to its pages again? Nothing is kept for long where the flames of desire longed to be discovered.

"Just call Manuel if you need anything." Mikhail said, standing on the doorway of her hotel room. "Thank you. Drive safe." She nodded, he gave her faint smile before turning to leave. Raine watched as he made his way to the elevator, before she had finally shut the door. She took deep breaths, getting herself a glass of tap water. Raine gripped on the countertop in distress only to be brought back by a faint ringing sound coming from her bag. "Gelo?"

"Hi, love. How are you? Have you eaten dinner?" His voice said in a soft tone. "I don't have the appetite..." She shrugged.

"Can you open your camera?" He asked, to which she then followed. "Is everything okay?"

"Bambina? Are you okay, love?" Gelo asked, catching her attention this time.

"I don't know, I just want to rest." Raine said, giving him a reassuring smile. "I'll hang up then. I love you." He said affectionately, blowing her a kiss. "I miss you too." Raine nodded, before the call was dropped.

She laid down on the bed, calling Lara. "Hey girl! What's up?" Lara said with a cheerful voice. "Lara..." Raine started in a low voice. Noticing the gloom in her voice, Lara toned down, "Is everything alright? What happened?"

"You know I love Gelo. I know my love for him is true." Raine continued.

"I don't know about that." She chuckled slightly. "But I believe in you."

"I don't know what came over me, going here and meeting him. I thought I was here to close our chapter. But now..."

"Now what?" Lara repeated. "He confessed to me... I started remembering things. How we used to be. I started imagining things with him. It feels wrong yet right at the same time." Raine blurted.

"Do you love Gelo?"

"I know I do. I get butterflies when I'm with him. He helped me find myself again. But with Mikhail... I feel calm and safe. And I know for sure, he was the Bleu I was looking for."

"Who told you butterflies are a good thing? Sometimes they actually anxiety protecting you and putting your guard up." Lara explained. "But of course, the last say will be yours. You know your heart more than anyone. Just think about it."

"Thank you." Raine smiled, holding her wrist up to see the Tulip pendant. "You should rest first. You'll come around soon." Lara said, bidding goodbye. Raine drifted off to sleep, staring at the ceiling with an empty mind and a heavy heart.

The sun shone through the beige curtains. Raine turned off her alarm, rubbing her eyes open. She quickly got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Raine called Manuel to pick her up and bring Mikhail lunch.

Raine knocked on his office door, waiting for a response. "Come in." A hard voice echoed. "Hi!" She smiled, walking inside slowly. "What are you doing here, Raine?" Mikhail asked, letting out a sigh. "Did Manuel at least drive you here?"

"Yeah" She nodded, coming to sit in front of his desk. "I prepared you lunch." Raine added, taking out the food. "Just had lunch." He replied coldly. "What a shame!" Raine chuckled, opening the lids. "Just ask Manuel to take you elsewhere. I'm busy." Mikhail said, not breaking contact with the computer screen. "Mikhail, we need to talk." She said standing up. "There's nothing to talk about." He replied.