Opposites Attract

chapter 28

Rhea walked away, her feet carrying her automatically, her mind still reeling from the events of the past hour. She didn't know where she was going, she just knew she needed to get away.

As she turned the corner, she saw Lauren sitting on the sidewalk, her back to Rhea, her eyes gazing out at the fields of flowers that stretched out in front of the building.

Rhea's heart ached as she saw Lauren's slumped shoulders, her defeated posture. She knew she had caused that pain, and it tore her apart.

Lauren didn't move as Rhea approached her, didn't even flinch as Rhea sat down beside her.

Rhea wanted to reach out, to touch Lauren's hand, but she didn't dare. She didn't know if Lauren would even want her to.

The two women sat in silence, the only sound the rustling of the flowers in the breeze.

Finally, Lauren spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "I loved you, Rhea. But I don't know if I can love the person you're becoming."

Rhea felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as tears began to form. She knew Lauren was right. She had been letting her anger and fear consume her, and it was tearing them apart.

Rhea nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I know I let Liv get to me, Lauren. I'm so sorry. I should have walked away, but I couldn't."

Lauren's expression softened slightly. "I know you couldn't, Rhea. Liv knows exactly how to push your buttons."

Rhea took a deep breath. "And now, it's gone too far. But I promise you, Lauren, I'm going to fix it. I'm going to prove to you, and to myself, that I'm still the woman I used to be."

Lauren looked at her, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "How are you going to do that, Rhea?"

Rhea's eyes narrowed, determination in her voice. "Liv and I have a match in a few weeks. The Woman Championship belt is on the line. And I'm going to prove, once and for all, that I'm the true champion."

Lauren's eyes widened, surprise in her voice. "Rhea, are you sure that's a good idea? You're still hurt, and Liv is...Liv."

Rhea smiled, a fierce glint in her eye. "That's exactly why I need to do this, Lauren. I need to prove to myself, and to everyone else, that I'm not done yet. And I'm going to start by taking down Liv, and reclaiming my title."

Lauren looked at Rhea, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "What are you going to do before that, Rhea? Before the match?"

Rhea just smiled, a small, mysterious smile. "I'm going to prove to you, Lauren, that I'm going to change. I'm not going to let my fears and insecurities get to me anymore."

Lauren raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Oh, really? And how are you going to do that?"

Rhea's smile grew wider. "You'll see, Lauren. Just watch me. I'm going to show you, and myself, that I'm capable of change. That I'm capable of being the woman I used to be, before all this happened."

Lauren chuckled, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Okay, Rhea. I'm watching. Show me what you've got."

Rhea's eyes sparkled with determination. "You won't be disappointed, Lauren. I promise you that."

Chapter 34: Aftermath

Lauren raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Oh, really? And how are you going to do that?"

Rhea's smile grew wider. "You'll see, Lauren. Just watch me. I'm going to show you, and myself, that I'm capable of change. That I'm capable of being the woman I used to be, before all this happened."

Lauren chuckled, a hint of skepticism in her voice. "Okay, Rhea. I'm watching. Show me what you've got."

Rhea's eyes sparkled with determination. "You won't be disappointed, Lauren. I promise you that."

Lauren's expression turned playful, her voice mocking. "Oh, I know you'll keep your promise, Rhea. You always do. But I was kind of hoping for something more...specific. Like, I don't know... 'I'm going to marry you, Lauren'?"

Rhea's face turned bright red as she burst out laughing. "Lauren, you're such a goofball!"

Lauren grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hey, someone's got to keep things light around here."

The two women laughed together, the tension and stress of the past few hours melting away.

As they calmed down, Rhea just looked at Lauren, her eyes filled with love and adoration.

Lauren looked back at her, a smile still on her face. "What?"

Rhea's face turned serious, her voice filled with emotion. "Nothing. I just can't wait to make you my wife...and baby mama."

Lauren's smile grew wider, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "I can't wait either, Rhea. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

Rhea's face lit up with joy, her heart full of love for the woman in front of her. She knew that she had a long way to go to regain Lauren's trust, but she was determined to do whatever it took to make their relationship work.