Money, Power, Glory (Terry Silver Fanfic)

Chapter 13

The next morning, the atmosphere in Terry's house was somber and heavy. The events of the previous day weighed heavily on both of us. I packed my things quietly, my mind racing with the finality of my departure. As much as I tried to focus on the future, my thoughts kept returning to the unresolved emotions I felt toward Terry.

Terry drove us to the airport in silence, the tension between us almost palpable. As we approached the terminal, my phone buzzed in my bag. It was my assistant, Marie.

"Hello, Marie," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Lana, I'll be at JFK to pick you up when you land. Everything is set for your arrival."

"Thank you, Marie. I'll see you soon," I replied, hanging up and slipping the phone back into my bag.

We arrived at the airport, and Terry helped me with my luggage, his movements stiff and formal. As we stood in line for check-in, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I had to tell him how I felt, even if it was the last thing I did before I left.

With my boarding pass in hand, I turned to Terry, who was watching me with an inscrutable expression. "Terry, there's something I need to tell you before I go."

He raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity breaking through his stoic demeanor. "What is it, Lana?"

I took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I've been thinking a lot about everything that's happened. The tournament, Johnny leaving, all of it. And there's something I can't ignore any longer." I paused, my heart racing as I searched for the right words. "Terry, I have feelings for you. Romantic feelings. I know this might not be the best time, but I can't leave without telling you."

Terry's eyes widened slightly, and his surprise was evident. For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words, his usual composure slipping. "Lana, I..."

I held up a hand, stopping him. "I don't expect anything from you. I just needed you to know how I feel. You've been such a huge part of my life, and I couldn't leave without being honest with you."

He looked at me, his eyes softening. "Lana, I had no idea you felt this way. I... I don't know what to say."

I forced a smile, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. "You don't have to say anything, Terry. I just wanted to be honest. Whatever happens, I'll cherish the time we spent together."

He took a step closer, his hand reaching out to gently touch my arm. "Lana, you mean a lot to me. More than I ever let on. But right now, with everything that's happened, I need to figure out my own path."

I nodded, understanding the turmoil he was going through. "I know. And I respect that. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything," he said softly.

"Promise me you'll find a way to be happy. Whether it's rebuilding Cobra Kai or finding a new direction, you deserve happiness."

Terry nodded, his eyes earnest. "I promise, Lana. And you... take care of yourself in New York. We'll both find our paths."

With a final, lingering look, I turned and headed toward the security checkpoint, my heart heavy but relieved. As I walked away, I couldn't help but glance back one last time. Terry was still standing there, watching me go, a mixture of emotions playing across his face.

Just as I was about to disappear from his sight, I heard him call out, "Lana!"

I stopped and turned around, my heart leaping in my chest. Terry was running toward me, his eyes intense. Before I could react, he reached me, grabbed me by the waist, and pulled me into a passionate kiss. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us in that moment of raw, unspoken emotion.

When we finally pulled apart, breathless, he looked deeply into my eyes. "I needed you to know how I feel too. But right now, I can't offer you anything more. I need to sort out my life first."

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. "I understand, Terry. Thank you."

He gave me one last, lingering look before turning and walking away, his figure gradually disappearing into the bustling airport crowd.

As I boarded my flight and settled into my seat, I felt a sense of closure mixed with the bittersweet ache of unfulfilled possibilities. The future was uncertain, but at least I had been honest with myself and with Terry. It was time to start a new chapter, even if it meant leaving a part of my heart behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The flight to New York was a blur, my mind still reeling from the emotional whirlwind of the past few days. When the plane finally touched down at JFK, I felt a mixture of exhaustion and relief. I gathered my belongings and made my way through the terminal, searching for a familiar face.

Marie was waiting for me at the arrivals gate, her smile warm and welcoming. But as soon as she saw my face, her expression shifted to one of concern. She rushed over to me, her arms open for a comforting embrace.

"Lana, are you okay?" she asked, her voice full of worry.

At that moment, the emotional dam I had been holding back broke. I collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. All the stress, the heartbreak, and the confusion came pouring out in a torrent of tears.

Marie held me tightly, her soothing words a gentle backdrop to my cries. "It's okay, Lana. Let it out. I'm here for you."

After what felt like an eternity, I managed to regain a semblance of composure. Marie guided me to a quiet corner, away from the bustling crowds of the airport, and we sat down.

"I can't live like this any longer, Marie," I said between sobs, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need help. I need to get into rehab."

Marie looked at me with a mix of sympathy and determination. "Of course, Lana. We'll get you the help you need. You're strong for admitting this. I'm proud of you."

She reached for her phone and started making calls, arranging everything with an efficiency that I had always admired. Within a few minutes, she had secured a spot for me at a well-regarded rehab facility. She squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"We'll go straight there from the airport. They'll take good care of you, Lana. You'll get through this, I promise."

The ride to the rehab facility was quiet, Marie's presence a comforting anchor in the storm of my emotions. When we arrived, the staff was welcoming and understanding, guiding me through the intake process with kindness and professionalism.

Marie stayed with me until I was settled, her supportive presence never wavering. As she prepared to leave, she hugged me tightly.

"You're doing the right thing, Lana. Take this time to heal and find yourself again. I'll be here for you every step of the way."

I nodded, tears filling my eyes once more, but this time they were tears of hope and determination. "Thank you, Marie. I don't know what I would do without you."

As she left, I took a deep breath and looked around the facility. This was the beginning of a new chapter, a chance to rebuild and find strength within myself. Despite the challenges ahead, I knew that with the support of people like Marie and my own resolve, I could overcome this.

The journey would be long and difficult, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of hope. I was ready to face my demons and reclaim my life, one step at a time.