Beyond Boundaries: Macarena's and Fabio's journey to freedom.

Sweat and tears

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a beautiful glow over the town nestled by the small lake. Inside their bedroom, Macarena tossed and turned, her sleep plagued by restless dreams of her time behind bars.
Beads of sweat dotted her forehead as she fought against the grip of her nightmares, reliving the horrors of her time in Cruz del Sur.
In her dreams, the shrill sound of the prison alarm pierced the silence of the night, mingling with the clatter of metal trays and the echoes of cruel laughter. Zulema and Anabel loomed large in her mind, their menacing grins sending shivers down her spine

"Fabio," she whispered urgently, reaching out to shake her sleeping partner. "I-I had another nightmare."
Fabio stirred beside her, his eyes fluttering open as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. "Maca, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Tears welled up in Macarena's eyes as she recounted the horrors of her dreams, the memories still vivid in her mind. Without a word, Fabio pulled her into his arms, holding her close as she trembled against him.
"It's okay, Macarena," he murmured soothingly, his voice a gentle reassurance in the darkness. "You're safe now. I'm here."
Unable to shake the lingering unease, they slipped out of bed and made their way to the shore of the nearby lake. The cool night air washed over them, carrying away the weight of their fears as they sat side by side, watching as the first light of dawn painted the sky pink and gold.
With the dawn came a renewed sense of purpose. Determined to leave the shadows of their past behind, Macarena wasted no time in securing a job at a local cafe, her determination shining bright in the morning light. She was offered a position starting immediately and got to work. Before she worked in accounting, she had several waiting jobs and her muscle memory took over.

After her first shift was over, Fabio picked her up to go grocery shopping. Finding work proved to be more challenging for him. His Italian wasn't fluent enough to work as a police officer, his aunt just taught him a few words when he was little.
As they sat at the kitchen table, looking over job listings, frustration gnawed at his insides.
"I just don't know if I'll be able to find anything," he admitted, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Macarena reached out to squeeze his hand, her eyes filled with determination. "We'll figure it out, Fabio," she said, her voice strong and unwavering. "Together."
Just as they were lost in conversation, Fabio's phone began to ring, breaking the stillness of the morning air. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he answered, knowing it could only be Román calling from Spain.
But they knew that no matter what challenges would lay ahead, they would face them head-on -  together.

The sun dipped low in the sky and painted the kitchen in warm hues of orange and gold. Macarena hummed a soft tune while stirring the bubbling pot of pasta sauce. The rich aroma filled the air, comforting and inviting.
Suddenly, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind, and she jumped in surprise before bursting into giggles. Turning around, she found Fabio standing there, a towel wrapped around his waist and a mischievous grin on his face.

"Hey there, Chef," he teased, leaning in for a quick kiss.
With a playful swat on his chest, Macarena replied, "Just making your favorite - pasta."
Fabio's eyes lit up with delight. "You read my mind," he said, his stomach rumbling in anticipation.
As they chatted and laughed, the pasta simmered on the stove, filling the kitchen with mouthwatering scents. Once it was ready, they decided to take their meal outside to enjoy the evening breeze and watch the sunset.
With plates piled high with steaming pasta and glasses of wine in hand, they settled into their chairs on the patio. The sky blazed with fiery colors as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over everything.
"This is perfect," Fabio said, taking a sip of wine and gazing out at the breathtaking view.
Macarena smiled, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. "Yeah, it really is," she agreed.
As they ate and talked, the world seemed to slow down around them. They savored every bite of food, every sip of wine, and every moment spent together, basking in the simple joy of each other's company.
Darkness fell and the stars began to twinkle overhead, and they knew it was time to head inside. With a shared glance and a silent understanding, they cleared the table and made their way back into the cozy warmth of their home - in freedom.
Cuddled up together in bed, they drifted off to sleep with contented smiles on their faces, grateful for the simple pleasures of a quiet evening spent with the one they loved.