Echoes of Yesterday

Part 28 - Unexpected Confession

When we arrived back at the station, Officer Harris shifted in his chair, skepticism shadowing his features. "You kids need to be careful with accusations. Without concrete evidence, it's just hearsay," he warned, his voice tinged with impatience.

"Sorry," I said, feeling the weight of our desperation hang in the air. "But we really think Maya is involved in something serious."

"Take your time," he replied, "but be careful. These things can escalate quickly."

As we exited, the tension was palpable. Theo furrowed his brow, deep in thought. "Why would Maya say, 'I won't let anyone take him from me again?'"

Eric shrugged, his eyes distant. "It doesn't make sense. She's hiding something."

"Why did you say, 'Do not enter your room' at the resort that day?" I pressed Eric, my curiosity piqued.

"Let's get out of here," he said, dragging me and Theo toward a nearby café. Once inside, he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Daisy, I love you."

Theo's eyes widened in shock. "I saw that coming," he murmured, glancing between us.

"This isn't the right time," I replied, trying to keep the situation from spiraling.

"I know we're supposed to be focused on finding Tristan, even if he's alive. Do you think he would love you when we find him?" Asked Eric.

"Of course not," Theo interjected, his tone serious. "He has Sarah, right?"

"Exactly," Eric agreed, his expression earnest. "You need to forget Tristan. That day I was about to surprise you, and I still want to show you."

Before I could respond, Eric opened the café door, ushering me into the front seat of his car.

Theo climbed in the back seat, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Where are we going?" I asked, feeling the adrenaline from earlier still pulsing through me.

"To the resort," Eric said, a playful glint in his eye. "The room upstairs."

Once we arrived, I followed Eric's lead as he guided us up the stairs. He paused outside a door, a mischievous smile on his face. "Open that door, Daisy," he instructed, his voice steady but excited.

Tension knotted in my stomach as I reached for the handle, my heart racing. When I opened the door, I was greeted by a breathtaking sight. Balloons floated in a kaleidoscope of colors, each one glimmering softly in the warm light.

Pictures of me hung from the walls, captured moments from when I was about eleven years old, all adorned with delicate ribbons that cascaded from the ceiling. My childhood laughter echoed in my mind, intertwining with the warmth of the memories.

But the most striking was a poem Eric had written on the wall behind the bed. Each line spoke to the depths of my heart, words that seemed to dance off the page and wrap around me like a comforting embrace.

I stood there, overwhelmed. "I can't believe this," I whispered, tears of gratitude pooling in my eyes. I turned to Eric, my voice trembling with emotion. "Thankyou"

Theo, still processing, leaned against the wall, watching us with a knowing smile. "Don't think anything, Daisy. Just say yes," he urged gently.

Eric stepped closer, his expression softening. "I may just be a chapter in your story, but you are my entire novel. Can I be all the chapters in your life's tale?"

My heart swelled with the weight of his words. "Yes," I breathed, the word spilling from my lips like a long-awaited release.

The air felt charged with possibilities, a moment suspended in time, as I embraced the unexpected love that had blossomed amidst the chaos surrounding us.
As I stepped back from Eric, my heart still fluttering with the weight of his words, I caught Theo's eye. His expression was a complex mix of surprise and something else—perhaps a touch of sadness. I could tell he was grappling with the reality of our situation.

"I'm happy for you both," he added, though his smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "Really, I am." It was a valiant effort to mask the twist of emotions within him.

Eric, sensing the delicate atmosphere, turned to Theo. "Thanks, man. I know this might be... complicated."

Theo nodded, his gaze drifting momentarily before locking onto mine. "Just make sure you take care of her, Eric. Daisy deserves that."

I appreciated the sentiment, even if it stung a little, knowing it stemmed from a place of past connection. "I will," Eric promised, his voice earnest.

Theo took a deep breath, shaking off whatever had clouded his thoughts. "You know, it's good to see you both happy. I just hope... I hope things stay simple for you. With everything going on..."

As he trailed off, I could see the shadow of concern creeping back into his eyes. I stepped forward, reaching out to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "We'll figure it all out, Theo. I promise."

"Yeah, it's just," he started, looking a little lost. "With everything that happened with Tristan, I don't want any of us to get hurt again."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a reminder of the chaos that had brought us here. I nodded, appreciating his protectiveness, even as I felt the bittersweet tug of our past. With a final shared look, I knew this moment—this new chapter—would come with its own set of challenges, but for now, I felt a surge of hope, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.

As the moment between us lingered, Eric reached into his backpack, pulling out my artsy diary. His smile was warm and genuine, and as he handed it to me, his eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.

"Here, I thought you might want to capture this moment," he said, his voice softening. "Write down today's date. It's special."

I felt a flutter in my chest as I took the diary, tracing my fingers over the worn cover. It had been my companion through so many emotions, and now it would hold yet another beautiful memory. I opened it to a fresh page, the crisp paper waiting to be filled with my thoughts.

As I wrote the date, I glanced up at Eric, whose gaze was fixed on me with an intensity that made my heart race. "What should I write?" I asked, grinning.

He shrugged, leaning back against the wall, looking utterly content. "Just be honest. Write from the heart."

I took a deep breath, letting inspiration wash over me, and began to write:
"From the gentle nudge to step into their world,To finding comfort in the space they create for me,From making sense of the unsaid, To being understood before the words even come, From taking invaluable presents, To treasuring the moments of life— I have achieved the love of my life"
As I finished, I smiled at my creation, feeling the words resonate with the feelings swirling around us. Eric leaned over, reading my poem, his smile widening with each line."I love it," he said softly, admiration shining in his eyes. "You have a way with words, Daisy. It's beautiful."

"Thanks," I replied, warmth flooding my cheeks. "It's just how I feel."

He shifted closer, his shoulder brushing against mine as he glanced at the diary again. "You know, I hope we can create many more moments worth writing about."

I nodded, my heart racing at the thought. "We will, Eric. This is just the beginning."

He grinned, and in that moment, everything felt right. The world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us in our own little bubble of happiness. It was as if time had paused, allowing us to savor the beauty of now.