Love Beyond Borders [ON-GOING]

CHAPTER 15: REFLECTIONS

DRAVEN'S POV

The sun sets as Love and I drive out of the city, the scenic views of Australia washing over us. I should be excited about this holiday, but all I can think about is Eileen. Her hurt is like a weight in my chest, and I can't shake the feeling of guilt.

Love's laughter brings me back to the moment. She's talking about the little cafe we plan to visit, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. I force a smile, but it doesn't quite reach my heart.

Later, we check into a cozy motel by the beach. The room is simple but charming, with the sound of waves crashing outside. Love flops onto the bed, a playful grin on her face.

"Come on, Draven! This is supposed to be fun!" she teases, pulling me down beside her.

I chuckle, but my mind drifts back to Eileen. I should've been clearer. I wanted to help her, but instead, I hurt her more.

"You okay?" Love asks, her tone softening.

"Yeah, just... thinking about everything," I reply, trying to shake off the memories.

As night falls, we find ourselves wrapped up in each other, the atmosphere shifting. Love leans in closer, her lips brushing against mine. It's comforting, but part of me is still miles away, replaying the conversation with Eileen.

"Draven," Love whispers, her voice low and inviting. I can feel the heat between us as she runs her fingers through my hair.

I kiss her, trying to immerse myself in the moment. But even as we deepen the kiss, Eileen's face haunts me. I can almost hear her voice, the way it trembled with pain. I want to forget to be present with love, but my heart is tangled in knots.

After a while, we pull away, breathless. Love's eyes are full of warmth, but I can't help the cloud that hangs over me.

"I really like this," she says softly, tracing my jawline with her finger.

"Me too," I reply, even though part of me feels like a fraud. I should be fully in this, but my thoughts keep wandering back to Eileen, to the way her eyes flashed with hurt and anger.

"Hey, talk to me," Love says, concern etched on her face.

I hesitate, torn between honesty and wanting to protect her feelings. "It's just... everything with Eileen. I thought I could handle it, but seeing her hurt like that... it sucks."

Love frowns, pulling away slightly. "You still care about her, don't you?"

"It's complicated," I admit, running a hand through my hair. "I never meant to lead her on. I just wanted to be a friend, but I guess I ended up being a liar instead."

Love's expression softens. "You can't control how others feel. Just be honest moving forward. With both of us."

I nod, grateful for her understanding. We cuddle back together, but sleep doesn't come easily. I stare at the ceiling, the rhythmic sound of the waves barely registering.

Thoughts of Eileen swirl in my mind—the way she looked walking away from me, the betrayal etched in her features.

What if I had told her the truth from the start? Would things have been different?

The more I think about it, the more I realize I need to make things right. I can't leave it like this. Tomorrow, I'll text Eileen again; maybe meet up once more. I owe her that much.

With a sigh, I turn to Love, who's finally drifted off to sleep. I can't let my guilt ruin this moment for her. I kiss her forehead softly, hoping tomorrow will bring clarity for us all.

EILEEN'S POV

Sitting alone in my room, I stare blankly at the wall. I feel like a ghost in my own skin, lost in a foreign place that now feels suffocating. I had come here for a dream, an adventure, a connection, but instead, I've found betrayal.

Noah's words echo in my mind. "Can we be more than friends?." How can he say that after everything? I wish I could just forget about both of them, but I can't. Draven's face haunts me, his words cutting deeper than any knife.

I scroll through my phone, looking at the photos we shared and the late-night conversations that felt so real. It all feels like a lie now.

In a moment of weakness, I send Draven a message, my fingers trembling over the screen. Can we talk?

As soon as I hit send, regret washes over me. I shouldn't reach out. I should just leave and never look back. But there's a part of me that needs closure, that needs to know if any of it was real.

I toss my phone onto the bed and bury my face in my hands, the tears finally flowing. I hate this feeling of being so vulnerable and exposed.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes, and my heart races. I pick it up, half-expecting it to be Noah, but it's Draven's name lighting up the screen.

I need to talk to you about what happened. Can we meet?

A mix of emotions floods me: anger, longing, and confusion. I know I shouldn't, but a part of me still wants to hear him out.

With a shaky breath, I type back: Fine. Tomorrow at the cafe.

I don't know what I hope to gain from this. I should be moving on, but something inside me just can't let go. 

I understand Draven. I know he doesn't want to hurt me, but how could he not tell me earlier that it was all a lie? Why did he play with my heart? Why couldn't he just be honest with me?

As I lie in bed, I toss and turn, thoughts swirling in my mind. I can't shake the image of his face, the way he looked at me when he said he liked someone else. It feels like a betrayal, and I wonder if I can face him when I still have two days left here.

I close my eyes, hoping sleep will find me, but the uncertainty keeps me awake, the clock ticking down the hours.